Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to counterbalance systems for catwalk systems, and related methods. A counterbalance system pulls a trough of a catwalk system while actuating the catwalk system. A catwalk system includes a chassis, a main arm pivotably coupled to the chassis, a trough pivotably coupled to the chassis and having one or more rollers, a V-door ramp pivotably coupled to the chassis, and a counterbalance system coupled to the trough at a coupling point. The counterbalance system includes a first sheave suspended from the V-door ramp, a second sheave suspended from the first sheave, and a counterbalance rope wound at least partially about the first sheave and the second sheave. A first end of the counterbalance rope is coupled to the trough at the coupling point.

Abstract: A stand-building system and method for a drilling rig, of which the system includes a casing preparation skid configured to prepare a casing joint for connection to another casing joint, and a casing stand assembly skid configured to receive the prepared casing joint and to connect together the prepared casing joint with one or more other joints so as to form a casing stand. The casing preparing skid and the casing stand assembly skid are horizontally aligned with and extend parallel to one another and to a catwalk of the drilling rig, and the casing stand assembly skid is configured to deliver the casing stand to the catwalk.

Abstract: A method for loading a container with packages, using a device having at least one guide. At least one hand element is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the guide, and is provided on the at least one guide. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements. The finger elements have at least two flexible flank elements extending together from one end of the finger element to the opposing end. The at least two flexible flank elements of the finger elements are flexibly connected together via a plurality of webs. The finger elements may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back. The at least one hand element takes packages one after the other, and deposits the packages into the container in a stack. The hand element is displaced along the guide between the deposit of two successive packages.

Abstract: A system for assembling drilling tubulars, comprising a tiering rack system configured to receive a plurality of sections of drilling tubulars and to selectively provide an individual drilling tubular section. A casing feed and bucking skid system coupled to the tiering rack system and configured to receive the individual drilling tubular section and to combine the individual drilling tubular section with a second individual drilling tubular section. A tubular delivery catwalk system coupled to the casing feed and bucking skid system and configured to receive the combined drilling tubular sections and to transport the combined drilling tubular sections to a drilling rig by elevating on at least two elevating supports.

Abstract: A self contained/self powered hydraulic catwalk is equipped with a slider positioned at the base of a lifting arm. As the lifting arm is elevated to deliver pipe to the drill rig floor, the slider moves the base of the lifting arm toward the drill rig keeping the distal end of the lifting arm in close proximity to the drill rig floor. Conversely, when the lifting arm is lowered, the slider retracts the base of the lifting arm onto the catwalk. By this method it is not necessary to reposition the catwalk after raising or lowering the lifting arm to maintain close proximity to the drill rig. Pipe can then be transported to the drill floor or removed efficiently and safely.

Abstract: A tubular pipe handling apparatus consisting of a chassis, an inclined plane, a tray with an extension and side racks, that comprises: a tube lifting tray with detachable rotatable extension on its end, to reach the wellhead center, wherein said tray is actuated from its rear portion and pushed to be transferred when supported by the inclined plane; at least a pair of racks on one side of the apparatus have a hinge system with pin block on the hinge or self-lock to perfectly align and lock at 90 degrees, being the assembly bolted to the main body of the chassis; a rack lifting means that inclines the rack and also transfers tubes from and outwardly from the rack independently to storage racks or pipe baskets; an inclined plane, which total length is adjustable by means of extensions to accommodate the required operation height of the substructure, with extensions that are assembled with each other with threaded fasteners and having a centering pin; and four support and lifting legs included in the chassis tha

Abstract: A system for connecting a gullwing to a catwalk comprising a gullwing pin movable in an indexer groove that enables a foot pad of the gullwing to remain stationary relative to the catwalk when the gullwing is raised or lowered.

Abstract: The present invention is a pipe handling apparatus that hydraulically lifts up to sixteen (16) joints of pipe and/or other tubular items up to the work basket of a snubbing unit or a workover service rig located on an active well site in the oil and gas industry. The base and hydraulic pipe table of the apparatus, hydraulic pipe racks, hydraulic pipe loader and hydraulic pipe pusher are all hydraulically driven for a smooth, accurate motion. The height and length is adjustable to accommodate varying work basket heights and variable proximity to the well and snubbing/workover unit for length. The hydraulic pipe table has the ability to tilt from side to side for positioning the pipe to load and unload the hydraulic pipe table. The machine has a covered operator's tower that fully maneuvers all motions of the apparatus as well as kill switches; it is hauled via semi-truck with a fifth wheel hook up.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus for handling pipe stands and stands of collars. The pipe handling apparatus improves the safety and efficiency of a rotary drilling operation. The pipe handling apparatus is integrated with a derrick monkey board, away from the heavy machinery within the derrick. The pipe handling apparatus is used for handling, storing and replacing pipe stands during the tripping out and tripping in processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a catwalk system. The catwalk system includes a base unit and a carriage disposed on the base unit and coupled to the base unit at one end and extends towards an opposite end of the base unit. The carriage is movable between a horizontal position and a sloped position, and between an extended position and a retracted position. The catwalk system further includes a racking system coupled to one or both sides of the base unit. The racking system includes a plurality of racking layers configured to store and support a plurality of rods and/or tubulars.

Abstract: A cableway transport system for moving tubulars between a supply of tubulars and a rig mast implements a gondola suspended and movable along load cables. The gondola is fit with grippers for carrying tubulars between the rack and mast. The gondola has a first landing coupler which is received and releasably couples to a second landing coupler on the mast for forming a landing connection. The landing connection enables rotation of the gondola to align the carried tubular with the wellhead. The grippers can be individually actuable to allow finer alignment of the tubular above the wellhead.

Abstract: A pipe handling catwalk comprising: a deck including an upper surface, a first end, an opposite end and a tubular support surface on the upper surface, the tubular support surface being elongate and extending between the first end and the opposite end; a deck guide including a wall extending up from the deck upper surface and drivable along tubular support surface of the deck; a ramp mounted on the deck adjacent its first end and positionable extending at an angle from the deck; a carrier connected to the ramp to remain on the ramp and being moveable such that an end thereof can be lifted away from the ramp to reduce the inclination of the carrier relative to the angle of the ramp, the carrier including an upper surface and a tubular retaining surface thereon extending along the carrier substantially in line with the tubular support surface of the deck; and a carrier guide including an upstanding tubular engaging surface extending up from the carrier upper surface and drivable along tubular retaining surface

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a supporting structure, an arm pivotally interconnected to the supporting structure such that the supporting structure and the arm are movable between a first position and a second position within a single degree of freedom, and a stiffener cooperative with the arm when the arm and the supporting structure are in the second position. The stiffener applies a mechanical resistance to the arm in the second position. The second position is at an end of the travel of the supporting structure and the arm. The stiffener applies a variable resistance to the arm as the arm moves from the first position to the second position. This variable resistance is at its greatest when the arm is in the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular handling apparatus for moving tubulars between a substantially horizontal transfer station and a second transfer station. The apparatus comprises a base and a boom, rotatable with respect to the base between a lowered position and a raised position by boom rotation drive means in a boom rotation direction around a horizontal boom rotation axis. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a gripper, rotatably attached to the boom and adapted for gripping the tubular, which gripper is rotatable about a gripper rotation axis by a gripper rotation drive means in a gripper rotation direction. According to the invention, the gripper rotation axis is parallel to and spaced from the horizontal boom rotation axis and in that the gripper rotation drive means provide a gripper rotation direction opposite to the boom rotation direction.

Abstract: A method for lifting, stacking or otherwise manipulating a length of pipe is provided which includes the steps of providing a longitudinally orientated base frame; providing a movable carriage supported on the base frame, and providing a pipe lifting structure mounted to the carriage for independently supporting a length of pipe in a longitudinal position with respect to the base frame. The pipe lifting structure has first and second telescopically extendable lifting arm assemblies that are pivotally mounted to a longitudinally orientated pipe trough for supporting a length of pipe in the pipe trough. A means for pivotally raising and lowering the lifting arm assemblies and thereby said pipe trough and support length of pipe is provided. The method includes providing means for pivotally raising and lowering the lifting arm assemblies remotely located from the pipe lifting structure. Hydraulic cylinders and rams are provided to move the lifting structure.

Abstract: A self-contained, freestanding, modular, portable pipe pick-up and laydown apparatus. The apparatus includes a movable carriage and carriage rail supported on base frame. The base frame includes means for moving the carriage along the length of base frame. The apparatus also includes a pipe trough supported on first and second telescoping pipe trough lifting assemblies pivotally mounted on the carriage. The pipe trough is semicircular in configuration which serves to cradle and manipulate a joint of pipe. Jacks are used to lift and tilt upward the telescoping pipe trough lifting assembles to raise the pipe trough and any supported pipe. The pipe trough may be leveled and otherwise manipulated by extension and retraction of the trough lifting assemblies. A hydraulic lift and detachable hinges are used to pivot the pipe trough on its edges as desired. The invention also provides a movable pipe jack and reversible pipe guides to facilitate the loading and unloading of pipe to and from the pipe trough.

Abstract: A pipe handling system is disclosed with an elongated base that is dimensioned to receive and support a movable tray in a position parallel to the base with at least two degrees of freedom of movement. The movable tray is also dimensioned to receive at least one section of pipe, and one end of the movable tray is separable from the base with a pipe positioner slidably disposed in the movable tray for transporting pipe and with a loader disposed adjacent to the movable tray that receives and feeds a section of pipe into the tray. The pipe handling system may include a movable tray having at least three degrees of freedom of movement The pipe handling system may include loaders that are extendable from the base.

Abstract: A remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular is provided. The single joint elevator including a housing having an access opening configured to receive the tubular. The single joint elevator further including at least one closure member connected to the housing via a hinge pin. Additionally, the single joint elevator including a power assembly configured to rotate at least one closure member around the hinge pin to selectively open and close the access opening. In another aspect, a method of handling a tubular using a remotely operated joint elevator is provided. In yet a further aspect, a remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular.

Abstract: This application relates to a pipe storage and handling system having a stationary frame, a tilting frame moveably coupled to the stationary frame, a pipe rack moveably coupled to the tilting frame and an arm. The pipe rack includes a storage end configured to support a plurality of pipes. The tilting frame includes a loading end and is moveable between a loading position where the loading end is positioned at a higher elevation than the storage end and an unloading position wherein the storage end is positioned at a higher elevation than the loading end. The system includes an arm to engage a single pipe and move the single pipe onto or off of the tilting frame. The pipe rack may move the pipes vertically relative to the tilting frame. The pipe rack may support a cartridge for retaining the pipes. The system may include a pipe erector.