A pile guide is provided comprising a base frame and a superstructure comprising a pile guide member for guiding the pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon. At least part of the superstructure defines an arm that is rotational with respect to the base frame about a first and second points of rotation, to rotate the pile guide member with respect to the base frame. At least one of the first and second points of rotation is translatable with respect to the base frame in a first direction, thereby rotating the arm about the first and second points of rotation with respect to the base frame. At least one of the first and second points of rotation is translatable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second points of rotation with respect to the base frame direction. A method is also provided.

A pile guide is provided comprising a base frame and a superstructure comprising a pile guide member for guiding the pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon. At least part of the superstructure defines an arm that is rotational with respect to the base frame about a first and second points of rotation, to rotate the pile guide member with respect to the base frame. At least one of the first and second points of rotation is translatable with respect to the base frame in a first direction, thereby rotating the arm about the first and second points of rotation with respect to the base frame. At least one of the first and second points of rotation is translatable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second points of rotation with respect to the base frame direction. A method is also provided.

A pad site and a method for supporting a rig structure, of which the method includes positioning a plurality of piles in a ground of a core operating section of a pad site, and laying a plurality of mats over the pad site. A first portion of the plurality of mats are at least partially supported by the plurality of piles, and a second portion of the plurality of mats are not supported by the plurality of piles. The first portion of the plurality of mats are configured to support a rig structure.

A pad site and a method for supporting a rig structure, of which the method includes positioning a plurality of piles in a ground of a core operating section of a pad site, and laying a plurality of mats over the pad site. A first portion of the plurality of mats are at least partially supported by the plurality of piles, and a second portion of the plurality of mats are not supported by the plurality of piles. The first portion of the plurality of mats are configured to support a rig structure.

A metal fin tube foundation includes a pair of coupled metal plates, each plate being comprised of a plurality of flat panels, wherein each panel is positioned at an angle relative to an adjacent panel, and each plate including a fin on each lateral end of each plate, wherein each fin overlaps a fin of the other metal plate forming two pairs of overlapped fins, wherein the plates are coupled along each of the two pairs of overlapped fins; wherein the plurality of panels of the coupled two metal plates form a closed perimeter polygon shape having an open interior and wherein each pair of overlapped fins form a combined fin element which extends away from the perimeter of the polygon.

A metal fin tube foundation includes a pair of coupled metal plates, each plate being comprised of a plurality of flat panels, wherein each panel is positioned at an angle relative to an adjacent panel, and each plate including a fin on each lateral end of each plate, wherein each fin overlaps a fin of the other metal plate forming two pairs of overlapped fins, wherein the plates are coupled along each of the two pairs of overlapped fins; wherein the plurality of panels of the coupled two metal plates form a closed perimeter polygon shape having an open interior and wherein each pair of overlapped fins form a combined fin element which extends away from the perimeter of the polygon.

A modular assembly for handling excavating equipment is disclosed. The assembly includes a first rotating table having a main body; one or more motors, each having a pinion, associated with the main body; a bearing having a fixed ring constrained to the main body and a movable ring that is coaxial and rotatable with respect to the fixed ring; a dragging sleeve integrally coupled with the movable ring coaxially to the bearing; a ring gear integrally and coaxially coupled with the dragging sleeve to engage with the pinion and be moved in rotation by the motors rotating integrally with the dragging sleeve and integrally with the movable ring. The assembly also has a second rotating table adapted to be coupled to a continuous excavating propeller; a plurality of accessories associated with the first rotating table so it can be coupled to a telescopic Kelly rod or to a continuous excavating propeller or to a casing and excavating pipe.

A modular assembly for handling excavating equipment is disclosed. The assembly includes a first rotating table having a main body; one or more motors, each having a pinion, associated with the main body; a bearing having a fixed ring constrained to the main body and a movable ring that is coaxial and rotatable with respect to the fixed ring; a dragging sleeve integrally coupled with the movable ring coaxially to the bearing; a ring gear integrally and coaxially coupled with the dragging sleeve to engage with the pinion and be moved in rotation by the motors rotating integrally with the dragging sleeve and integrally with the movable ring. The assembly also has a second rotating table adapted to be coupled to a continuous excavating propeller; a plurality of accessories associated with the first rotating table so it can be coupled to a telescopic Kelly rod or to a continuous excavating propeller or to a casing and excavating pipe.

In a method of installing a pile in the sea bottom by means of a pile guide which has a frame and at least an upper and a lower pair of cooperating guide members, wherein the upper pair and the lower pair are located at a distance from each other in vertical direction. Each pair of guide members comprises a passive guide member and an active guide member. The passive guide members are moved to respective fixed initial guiding positions with respect to the frame and the active guide members are moved to the pile until the passive and the active guide members engage the pile, after which the pile is hold between the upper pair of guide members and between the lower pair of guide members during driving the pile into the sea bottom, during which the actual forces between the pile and the respective guide members are determined.

A driving cylinder of a pile driving rig includes a solenoid valve for controlling an operation of the driving cylinder, which solenoid valve, is a slide valve, which is located at least partly at a piston-side head of the driving cylinder, and a stem of the slide valve is at least partly outside an inner cylinder liner in a direction of motion of a piston part. Further disclosed is a pile driving rig comprising the driving cylinder according to the invention.