An expandable reel for a well system includes a support frame configured to receive a torque from a motor, and a core assembly configured to couple to the support frame and receive a tubular of the well system about an outer surface of the core assembly, wherein the core assembly is actuatable between a first configuration and a second configuration while remaining coupled to the support frame, wherein the core assembly includes a first outer diameter when in the first configuration and a second outer diameter when in the second configuration that is different from the first outer diameter.

Some embodiments may include a drilling rig comprising base structure; a hoisting device to raise drill pipe into a position in which the drill pipe is aligned with a bore axis of a well, the hoisting device connected to the base structure and including a hoisting cable and a mast, the mast having an operating side and a back side opposite the operating side, wherein the operating side of the mast is configured to accept the drill pipe; and a drawworks operatively connected to the mast via the hoisting cable, wherein the drawworks is closer to the operating side of the mast than to the back side of the mast. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

A method of lowering a discrete load (32) from a pipelay yessel comprises: holding a rigid rod (30) on an upright launch axis where the rod extends through a hold-back system (26); coupling a lower end of the rod to the load; connecting a wire (24) to the load either directly or indirectly via the rod; operating the hold-back system to advance the rod downwardly, hence submerging the load, while the weight of the load is suspended from the holdback system via the rod; when the load is underwater and beneath the splash zone, transferring the weight of the load directly or indirectly from the holdback system to the wire; and continuing to lower the load in the water, suspended directly or indirectly from the wire. The method may be reversed to recover a load from a subsea location, such as when lifting a wellhead or blowout preventer from the seabed.

A spool may include a drum rotatably supported on an axle shaft and flanges integrally formed with opposite ends of the drum. The drum has a continuous groove on the outer surface of the drum to guide the movement of the safety wireline. Both of the flanges may include an opening, internal threads circumscribing the opening, and a plurality of mechanical brakes. Each of the mechanical brakes may include a rotor rotatably supported on the axle shaft of the spool and a pawl arranged within the opening. The pawl is pivotally linked to the rotor such that when the rotation of the axle shaft is in a direction and at a rotation speed that exceeds a threshold then the pawl is moved by centrifugal force and engages with the internal threads circumscribing the opening and does not permit the spool to rotate.

A dual-open entry injector head positioning system installed on support structures, such as conventional lifting frames, utilized over wells on offshore vessels. The injector head positioning system is lighter and more compact than conventional equipment positioning systems, while permitting simultaneous deployment of multiple intervention systems (such as, for example, continuous tubing and wireline) from said lifting frame.

Drilling installation comprising a cantilever with a drilling floor for performing drilling operations; further comprising an independent operations handling system arranged for handling equipment underneath the drilling floor independent of the drilling operations on the drilling floor, wherein the independent operations handling system comprises a handling element for cooperation with the equipment to be handled, wherein the handling element is extendible underneath the cantilever.

A drum assembly includes a support bar, expandable spokes extending away from the support bar, drum segments mounted to the expandable spokes, support brackets disposed on the support bar, a primary mechanical actuator extending between the support brackets, and secondary mechanical actuators extending from the support brackets.

A dual-open entry injector head positioning system installed on support structures, such as conventional lifting frames, utilized over wells on offshore vessels. The injector head positioning system is lighter and more compact than conventional equipment positioning systems, while permitting simultaneous deployment of multiple intervention systems (such as, for example, continuous tubing and wireline) from said lifting frame.

Systems and methods for safe drill floor access. An example method includes commencing operation of a processing device to operate a system for maintaining safety of a human worker in a restricted area of a drill floor during drilling operations. The processing device may receive a presence detection signal and output a first stop control command to the equipment to cause the equipment to stop operating. The processing device may receive an entry request signal, output an entry request indicator via an output device to a human driller within a drill rig control center, receive an entry grant input from the human driller granting entry to the human worker to enter the restricted area, and output a second stop control command to the equipment located in the restricted area to cause the equipment to stop operating in response to the received entry grant input.

Systems and methods for hoisting a top drive of a drilling rig. An example system includes a hoisting system having a linear electric motor operable to raise and lower the top drive. An example method includes commencing operation of a processing device to cause operation of the linear electric motor to raise and lower the top drive. The linear electric motor may have a stator connected to and extending vertically along a mast of the drilling rig, and a rotor connected to the top drive and operable to move relative to the stator. The rotor may be connected to the top drive via one or more flexible lines.