A method for controlling drilling operations includes defining operation zones in a drilling operation area, each operation zone having equipment operating therein, and repeatedly performing the steps of: determining a position of at least one person in the drilling operation area, determining whether the respective determined position is within any of the operation zones and associating each person to the operation zone in which the person is located, determining whether the respective determined position is within a safety zone in proximity to the equipment, determining at least one action to be performed with regard to each operation zone in which the person has been determined to be present, and transmitting at least one control signal for controlling the drilling operations based on the at least one action determined. The at least one action is determined dependent on whether or not the position of the person is in the safety zone.

A robotic apparatus (1) for performing drill floor operations comprises a support arrangement (2) and at least one manipulator arm (6). The at least one manipulator arm (6) is configured to carry an end effector (11) configured to manipulate one or more of tubing, tools and/or equipment on a drill floor (d) or pipe deck of an oil and gas rig in order to perform a given drill floor operation.

Systems and methods of controlling drilling operations including Sliding With Indexing For Toolface (SWIFT) and Variable Weight Drilling (VWD) techniques. The methods and systems may include systems and devices for controlling the drilling operations, including systems and devices capable of automatically determining drilling parameters and setting operating parameters for drilling in a wellbore. The systems and methods may also determine a change in weight on bit and/or toolface, determine a timeframe for a weight on bit to be delivered to the bit, and/or determine a spindle change to modify the toolface. The systems and methods may also send control signals to apply the spindle change and/or block velocity change to correct any detected or anticipated toolface error.

Systems and methods of controlling drilling operations including Sliding With Indexing For Toolface (SWIFT) and Variable Weight Drilling (VWD) techniques. The methods and systems may include systems and devices for controlling the drilling operations, including systems and devices capable of automatically determining drilling parameters and setting operating parameters for drilling in a wellbore. The systems and methods may also determine a change in weight on bit and/or toolface, determine a timeframe for a weight on bit to be delivered to the bit, and/or determine a spindle change to modify the toolface. The systems and methods may also send control signals to apply the spindle change and/or block velocity change to correct any detected or anticipated toolface error.

A brake system for maintaining an angular position of a spindle assembly. A pump-powered motor drives rotation of a spindle on the machine. When no rotation is desired, the spindle will slow, then stop at a desired angular orientation. A rotational sensor will determine the clock position, and a controller compares that to a desired angular orientation. If an error tolerance is exceeded, the motor will rotate the spindle back to the desired orientation.

A brake system for maintaining an angular position of a spindle assembly. A pump-powered motor drives rotation of a spindle on the machine. When no rotation is desired, the spindle will slow, then stop at a desired angular orientation. A rotational sensor will determine the clock position, and a controller compares that to a desired angular orientation. If an error tolerance is exceeded, the motor will rotate the spindle back to the desired orientation.

Systems and methods of controlling drilling operations including Sliding With Indexing For Toolface (SWIFT) and Variable Weight Drilling (VWD) techniques. The methods and systems may include systems and devices for controlling the drilling operations, including systems and devices capable of automatically determining drilling parameters and setting operating parameters for drilling in a wellbore. The systems and methods may also determine a change in weight on bit and/or toolface, determine a timeframe for a weight on bit to be delivered to the bit, and/or determine a spindle change to modify the toolface. The systems and methods may also send control signals to apply the spindle change and/or block velocity change to correct any detected or anticipated toolface error.

Systems and methods of controlling drilling operations including Sliding With Indexing For Toolface (SWIFT) and Variable Weight Drilling (VWD) techniques. The methods and systems may include systems and devices for controlling the drilling operations, including systems and devices capable of automatically determining drilling parameters and setting operating parameters for drilling in a wellbore. The systems and methods may also determine a change in weight on bit and/or toolface, determine a timeframe for a weight on bit to be delivered to the bit, and/or determine a spindle change to modify the toolface. The systems and methods may also send control signals to apply the spindle change and/or block velocity change to correct any detected or anticipated toolface error.

Disclosed are configurations of tools, e.g., as used in the tool strings of electrical submersible pump systems, that prevent the separation of the tool string into two disconnected units upon breaking of a tool within the tool string. In an example configuration according to one embodiment, such a non-parting tool includes a head and base connected to each other via a housing and a shaft extending through the tool, as well as mechanical stops affixed to the shaft that limit, upon breaking of the housing, the relative motion between the head and base. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Disclosed are configurations of tools, e.g., as used in the tool strings of electrical submersible pump systems, that prevent the separation of the tool string into two disconnected units upon breaking of a tool within the tool string. In an example configuration according to one embodiment, such a non-parting tool includes a head and base connected to each other via a housing and a shaft extending through the tool, as well as mechanical stops affixed to the shaft that limit, upon breaking of the housing, the relative motion between the head and base. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.