A valve assembly for drilling systems comprising a bidirectional valve (1) cooperating with a hydraulic clamping device (2) and being applied to a drilling machine for supplying a drilling fluid in two discrete directions, the valve assembly comprising a valve outer body adapted to be arranged between drilling rods while allowing said rod to be exchanged while keeping the mud continuously circulating.

A method for continuously controlling fluid flow rates through a well (4) provides to shut off the drilling mud at the well inlet and outlet and detect measurements of flow rate and density of said drilling mud by a Venturi measuring device (10,2).

A circulation sub including a tubular and a diverter valve are configured to continuously circulate fluid into a drill string. The tubular has a first end connectable to the drill string, a second end connectable to a pipe segment, and a port. The tubular has a fluid path for allowing the fluid to flow from the pipe segment to the drill string and a circulation path for allowing the fluid to flow from the port to the drill string. The diverter valve has a channel in selective fluid communication with the fluid path. The diverter valve is positionable between a flow through position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the fluid path and a diversion position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the circulation path whereby the fluid may continuously flow through the drill string.

An apparatus for switching off and deviating a circulating liquid flow without water hammering, comprising an apparatus body (10) including an inlet channel (11) which is split into two outlet channels (12, 13) in which respective flow valves (14, 15) are arranged; said apparatus body comprises moreover a discharging channel (16) coupled to said outlet channels through respective discharging valves (17, 18); said outlet channels being moreover coupled to respective pressure measuring chambers (19, 20); a balancing valve (21) communicating two middle zones (22, 23) respectively formed in the outlet channels.

A drilling apparatus (1) is for use on a rotary drilling rig with a top drive which enables circulation and rotation of a drill string (3) to continue uninterrupted during the making of drill string connections. It has a snubber gripping mechanism (10, 9) to enable tool joints (2, 3) to be supported and gripped with a reduced pressure chamber (5) volume and snubbing force, during tool joint connections. The gripping mechanism has gripping pads (14) arranged to move radially by relative rotation of a drive cylinder (34) causing a tapered surface (36) of the drive cylinder (34) to press against or release the pad (14). A guide cylinder (30) supports and guides the pads (14) and collets (13) for retaining a drill string at an upset shoulder (19).

A collector circuit and associated circulation process, for intercepting and selectively diverting, at least partially, a fluid flow continuously flowing in a fluid circulation system, for drilling rigs. The collector includes a first sub-circuit with a first duct, with a first valve, and a second duct with a second valve; and; a second sub-circuit; The first sub-circuit, depending on the operating configurations of the first valve and the second valve, is adapted to allow the transit of the fluid flow in the first duct, and selectively divert fluid flow towards the second duct. The second sub-circuit is fluid-dynamically connected to the second duct of the first sub-circuit for receiving fluid flow, diverted by the first sub-circuit, and directing it towards a first outlet of the second sub-circuit. The second sub-circuit and the first sub-circuit are independent, and the second sub-circuit is removable from the collector circuit.

A pressure management device (PMD) for direct connection to a blowout preventor stack of a managed pressure drilling system, the PMD comprising a housing, one or more chokes, and a directional valve. The directional valve has a choke position and a bypass position. When the directional valve is in the choke position, the PMD operates to divert fluid entering the housing to one or more of the chokes. When the directional valve is in the bypass position, the PMD operates to divert fluid entering the housing to bypass the chokes. The inlet and outlet of each choke may be controlled by a dual shutoff valve, to selectively permit and restrict fluid flow through each choke.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to a configurable drill fluid containment device. The present disclosure includes a device including a central shell configured to at least partially enclose an end of a drill pipe. The central shell can have two halves, each of the halves having flanges that are configured to attaching one or more extension features to the device. The flanges can be configured to attach extension features at an upper end of the device, a lower end of the device, or both.

A tubular clamp system comprising a carriage assembly coupled to a gripper assembly. The gripper assembly includes a pair of jaws movable into engagement with a tubular by a lead screw that is rotated by a first actuator. The pair of jaws are configured to grip and lift the tubular by a thrust nut that is coupled to the lead screw and is rotatable by a second actuator.

A drilling system includes a string of drill pipe extending into a wellbore from a drilling platform. A Y-block junction is coupled to the string of drill pipe at the drilling platform and provides a pressure housing that defines a first conduit and a second conduit that converges with the first conduit. The pressure housing further defines an outlet configured to be coupled to the string of drill pipe extending into the wellbore. A lubricator is operatively coupled to the Y-block junction at the second conduit, and a cable having one or more optical fibers embedded therein is conveyed into the wellbore within the string of drill pipe via the lubricator and the Y-block junction.