National Oilwell Varco, L.p.

John Bradley Applewhite

Richard Verhoef

A top drive apparatus for facilitating communication between a computer apparatus and a device in a drill string, particularly, but not exclusively during tripping, the drill string comprising a pipe () having a threaded box end () and a pipe communication element () therein, the top drive apparatus comprising a top drive () having a main shaft () and a tool () rotationally fast therewith, the tool () comprising a threaded pin end () having a tool communication element () projecting therefrom, such that in use the thread does not have to be made up to obtain a communication between the pipe communication element and the tool communication element, either by induction and most optionally a physical contact therebetween to provide an electrical contact therebetween.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

John Bradley Applewhite