National Oilwell Varco, L.p.

Varco I/p, Inc.

Varco International, Inc.

Preston R Fox

Lawrence Edward Wells

Neil Edward West

Cliff A Swiontek

Svein Stubstad

George I Boyadjieff

James Dennis Brugman

John E Goode

Padmasiri Daya Seneviratne

Ronald William Yater

Howard Ervin

Ivan Iankov

Darrin Lynn Yenzer

David W Martin

Paul Conover

Jerry A Gill

Lawrence E Wells

Andrew Michel

James D Brugman

Boris Kamenster

Arthur W Braman

Neil E West

A pipe gripping assembly to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment includes first and second jaws configured to clamp together around the pipe segment, at least one splined shaft fixedly housed in each of the first and second jaws; and at least one self-aligning piston housed in each of the first and second jaws and configured to slide and to rotate along the splined shaft. The self-aligning pistons each include a piston body, a cam, and a roller assembly coupled to the piston body and to the splined shaft. Each one of the roller assembly is configured to rotate relative to one of the cams.

Self-aligning pipe gripping assembly and method of making and using the same

A self-aligning piston is configured to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment to permit a top drive output shaft to be coupled to the pipe segment. In one embodiment, the self-aligning piston includes a piston body configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, at least one resilient, energy-storing member coupled to the piston body, a roller assembly coupled to the piston body, and a cam disposed between the at least one resilient, energy-storing member and the roller assembly. The resilient, energy-storing member is configured to bias the piston body into the first position by rotating the roller assembly along the cam.

An internal blowout preventer used in drilling rigs for the discovery and production of hydrocarbons from the earth is disclosed. The internal blowout preventer has two independently and remotely operable blowout preventer valves in the same body, providing for greater service life and higher reliability during drilling operations. The two valves are loaded into the internal blowout preventer housing from a single end, and are operable by an actuator assembly.

Dual ball upper internal blow out preventer valve

A top drive system for wellbore drilling operations, the top drive system including a main shaft having an upper shaft seal system with a raised platform for supporting the seal system. The top drive may also have a shroud for covering the seal(s), and contaminants may flow down from the seals, since the seals are raised by the platform.

Top drive with shaft seal isolation

A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus, and a multi-seal system for sealing against the quill. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Top drives with shaft multi-seal

A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, and a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus.

Top drive systems

An apparatus for rotating a tubular with respect to a drill bit, e.g., for making or breaking a connection between a tubular and a drill bit, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including a frame, gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping and rotating a primary tubular, and a torquing frame with plate apparatus for holding the drill bit.

Tubular-drill bit connect/disconnect apparatus

An apparatus for rotating a tubular, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including a frame, a rocker assembly connected to the frame, the rocker assembly including a top rocker arm pivotably mounted to the frame, and a bottom rocker arm pivotably mounted to the frame, top torque apparatus connected to the frame, upper gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping a primary tubular (e.g., but not limited to a first pipe), lower gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping a secondary member (e.g., but not limited to a second pipe threadedly connected to or to be threadedly connected to the first pipe; or part of a bit to be connected to or unconnected from a tubular), the upper gripper apparatus and lower gripper apparatus operable so that the lower gripper apparatus grips and holds the secondary member while the upper gripper apparatus grips and holds the primary tubular as the top torque apparatus is rotatable to rotate the primary tubular with respect to the secondary member, and torque generated by the top torque apparatus reacted through the upper gripper apparatus, through the top rocker arm, through the bottom rocker arm, and to the lower gripper apparatus; and methods for using such an apparatus.

Tubular connect/disconnect apparatus

The subsea intervention system (SIM) includes a BOP moduleand CT module. A tool positioning systemis used for positioning a selected subsea toolstored within a rackwith a tool axis in line with the BOP axis, while a marinized coiled string injectoris moved by positioning systemto an inactive position. Power to the subsea electric motorsis supplied by an electrical line umbilical extending from the surface for powering the pumps, with the hydraulic system controlled by power control unit. The injectorpreferably includes a pressure compensator roller bearingand a pressure compensated drive system case

Subsea intervention system, method and components thereof

A pipe handling machine for moving well pipes arranged essentially horizontally and essentially parallel to one another on a deck, and including a carriage which may contain an operator's control cabin and is mounted by tracks for movement transversely of the pipes, with an arm projecting from the carriage and adapted to support a pipe from one of its ends as a cantilever, and with the arm being power actuable upwardly and downwardly to raise and lower a pipe and in its elevated position shift the pipe laterally with the carriage. The arm may deliver the pipe to or receive it from an inclined conveyor leading to the rig floor. Preferably, two such machines are provided for shifting pipes on two storage decks at different levels, and for delivering pipes to or from an intermediate conveyor system extending between the two decks.

Pipe transfer system

A well pipe spinner includes two body parts carrying rollers and mounted by two pivotal connections for swinging movement between a closed position in which the rollers grip and drive a well pipe and an open position releasing the pipe. A structure extends between and interconnects the two pivotal connections in a relation permitting relative adjustment of their pivotal axes toward and away from one another for gripping different sizes of pipe. The tool is supported by a structure which is adapted to be suspended from a line or other element and which suspends the two body parts and pivotal connections at essentially the locations of the two pivotal axes.

Growing community of inventors

Fountain Valley, CA, United States of America

Preston R Fox