A portable winch and method of use is shown. One advantage of winches shown includes an ability to lower a boom or boom sections into limited access exit pit for winching operations such as pipe bursting. Sectional boom designs shown provide the ability to easily raise and lower a boom large distances without the need for a single long boom. Selected winch designs shown include flexible inserts between the boom and the winch frame that help resist damage from unforeseen shifting of the device during operation. Designs and methods shown also include multiple pulleys on a boom end unit. Fasteners are shown that reduce build up of debris.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automated drill pipe handling operations, such as trip in, trip out, and stand building operations. A pipe handling system of the present disclosure may include a lifting system for handling a load of a pipe stand, a pipe handling robot configured for engaging with the pipe stand and manipulating a position of the pipe stand, and a feedback device configured to provide information about a condition of the pipe stand, the lifting system, or the pipe handling robot. In some embodiments, the pipe handling robot may be a first robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a first end of the pipe stand, and the system may include a second pipe handling robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a second end of the pipe stand.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automated drill pipe handling operations, such as trip in, trip out, and stand building operations. A pipe handling system of the present disclosure may include a lifting system for handling a load of a pipe stand, a pipe handling robot configured for engaging with the pipe stand and manipulating a position of the pipe stand, and a feedback device configured to provide information about a condition of the pipe stand, the lifting system, or the pipe handling robot. In some embodiments, the pipe handling robot may be a first robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a first end of the pipe stand, and the system may include a second pipe handling robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a second end of the pipe stand.

A hydraulic tensioning system is associated with a wire rope feed system of a drilling rig for applying tension to the hoist and pulldown ropes during hoist and pulldown operations. The hydraulic tensioning system includes a hydraulic tensioning circuit with a hoist hydraulic circuit directing hydraulic fluid to a hoist actuator applying tension to the hoist wire rope and a pulldown hydraulic circuit directing hydraulic fluid to a pulldown hydraulic actuator applying tension to a pulldown wire rope. A hydraulic control valve can selectively direct flow to the hoist and pulldown hydraulic circuits.

A hydraulic tensioning system is associated with a wire rope feed system of a drilling rig for applying tension to the hoist and pulldown ropes during hoist and pulldown operations. The hydraulic tensioning system includes a hydraulic tensioning circuit with a hoist hydraulic circuit directing hydraulic fluid to a hoist actuator applying tension to the hoist wire rope and a pulldown hydraulic circuit directing hydraulic fluid to a pulldown hydraulic actuator applying tension to a pulldown wire rope. A hydraulic control valve can selectively direct flow to the hoist and pulldown hydraulic circuits.

A rotary drilling rig includes a vertical mast and a rotary head that can vertically move along the mast with respect to a work surface. To move the rotary head along the mast, a hydraulic feed actuator is connected with the rotary head via a wire rope feed system including a hoist rope and a pulldown rope. To maintain the hoist and pulldown ropes in tension and prevent them from dislodging from the respective pulleys of the wire rope system, the hoist and pulldown ropes can be connected to respective hoist and pulldown tensioning actuators. The hoist actuator can be associated with a hoist hydraulic circuit and the pulldown tensioning actuator can be associated with a separate pulldown hydraulic circuit.

A rotary drilling rig includes a vertical mast and a rotary head that can vertically move along the mast with respect to a work surface. To move the rotary head along the mast, a hydraulic feed actuator is connected with the rotary head via a wire rope feed system including a hoist rope and a pulldown rope. To maintain the hoist and pulldown ropes in tension and prevent them from dislodging from the respective pulleys of the wire rope system, the hoist and pulldown ropes can be connected to respective hoist and pulldown tensioning actuators. The hoist actuator can be associated with a hoist hydraulic circuit and the pulldown tensioning actuator can be associated with a separate pulldown hydraulic circuit.

A system for hoisting a load on a drilling rig includes: a hoisting means having an elongated hoisting member and an elongated hoisting member drive means; a drill string rotation means suspended from an end of the elongated hoisting member; a support structure having a first side and a second side and being adapted to support at least a portion of the weight the drill string rotation means; a first elongated hoisting member guiding means connected to the support structure; and a counterweight connected to the elongated hoisting member at the second side of the support structure. The elongated hoisting member is reeved over the first elongated hoisting member guiding means from the first to the second side of the support structure. The drill string rotation means is suspended from the elongated hoisting member at the first side of the support structure

A system for hoisting a load on a drilling rig includes: a hoisting means having an elongated hoisting member and an elongated hoisting member drive means; a drill string rotation means suspended from an end of the elongated hoisting member; a support structure having a first side and a second side and being adapted to support at least a portion of the weight the drill string rotation means; a first elongated hoisting member guiding means connected to the support structure; and a counterweight connected to the elongated hoisting member at the second side of the support structure. The elongated hoisting member is reeved over the first elongated hoisting member guiding means from the first to the second side of the support structure. The drill string rotation means is suspended from the elongated hoisting member at the first side of the support structure

An offshore drilling rig configured for lowering and/or raising a string of tubular equipment into a subsea borehole. The drilling rig includes a drill deck; a first hoisting system being adapted for raising or lowering a first load carrier along a vertical first hoisting axis, wherein the first hoisting system is supported by a first support structure extending upwardly relative to the drill deck; a second hoisting system being adapted for raising or lowering a second load carrier along a vertical second hoisting axis located apart from the first hoisting axis, wherein the second hoisting system is supported by a second support structure extending upwardly relative to the drill deck; and a joint operations well center on the drill deck. During joint operations, the first and second hoisting axes are preferably located apart from the joint operations well center.