Bowen Tools, Inc.

Hydra Tech, Inc.

Joe R Berry

A method and apparatus for displacing the lower end of a torque track used to support a top drive drilling unit. The top drive drilling unit is suspended from the lower end of the torque track and then displaced in a first direction away from the location of the drill string. Sequentially, or concurrently, the lower end of the torque track and top drive unit are displaced in a second direction substantially normal to the first direction, resulting in the full displacement of the top drive unit and the lower end of the torque track sufficiently to enable the removal of multiple sections of drill pipe without interference by the torque track or the top drive drilling unit.

Method and apparatus for displacing a top drive torque track

A torque break-out system for a top drive drilling unit in a drilling rig. The torque break-out system includes a splined sub which is connected to a tubular member of the top drive drilling unit. A collar is positioned circumferentially around the splined sub. The collar has a plurality of interrupted splines in reciprocal relationship to interrupted splines on the splined sub. The collar is positioned by a pivot member having a pair of arms rotatably connected to the collar and a lift cylinder connected to the pivot member. The lift cylinder positions the pivot member between a first position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are not in substantial horizontal alignment and a second position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are in substantial horizontal alignment. The system includes a back-up wrench assembly having a vertical opening through which the drill string is received. A pair of extendible rams are attached to the back-up wrench assembly. A plurality of dies are attached to the rams. The rams are capable of extending towards the drill string so that the drill string is grippingly engaged by the plurality of dies. A torque member is non-rotatably connected to the back-up wrench assembly and to a cylinder pivot member. Rotation of the top drive unit relative to the drill string is accomplished by positioning the collar such that the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are in horizontal alignment with each other.

Top drive unit torque break-out system

An improved top drive torque track system and method of installation. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongated segments having male and female ends and a mechanism for drawing up and securing adjacent members together. The installation process includes suspending adjacent segments from the top drive unit and threadably engaging the sections using a securing system which sequentially mates adjacent elongated housings until a torque track system the length of the mast is assembled.

Top drive torque track and method of installing same

A torque restraint system for a top drive unit in a drilling rig, in which rigid torque arms rotate about a horizontal axis to transmit reactive force from the power swivel to the mast to prevent rotation of the power swivel about a vertical axis. The rotatability of the torque arms also allows lateral displacement of the motor from an operating position to a parked position behind the vertical axis of the well bore. The torque restraint system can be utilized in conjunction with an inclined mast.

Top drive torque restraint system

An annular blowout preventer control system which provides a closing hydraulic pressure to the preventer in proportion to the well-bore pressure with an additive offset equal to the pressure required to energize the preventer. The control system utilizes an annular-type blowout preventer, a hydraulic pressure regulator valve, a pneumatic pressure regulating valve, and necessary controls, all mounted above a standard blowout preventer assembly on a well casing during drilling operations, or on the existing well head during workover operations. The regulator valve includes a diaphragm which operates to establish the initial closing pressure needed to seal the annular blowout preventer. After activation, changes in pressure in the well bore are sensed by the hydraulic pressure regulator valve, which delivers regulated closing pressure to the annular blowout preventer. The regulated closing pressure is proportional to the pressure encountered in the well bore.

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The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Joe R Berry