Importance

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Abstract

The power drive system of the present invention provides a rotary drive swivel unit which can be tilted along its horizontal pivotal axis until its output shaft is substantially horizontal. A drill pipe provided in a substantially horizontal bed adjacent to the drilling rig is aligned with the output shaft of the rotary drive swivel unit and this joint is made up. The rotary drive swivel unit is raised and the suspended drill pipe reoriented to a vertical position and is aligned over the drill string and added thereto substantially at platform level. The power drive system turns the drill string and advances the drilling downhole. The rotary drive swivel unit disengages from the drill string and the foregoing steps are repeated. A drill pipe handling device for aligning substantially horizontal drill pipe with the output shaft of the rotary drive swivel unit is also disclosed and other attributes and equipment which facilitate automated drilling operations are disclosed, including a device for automatically tilting the power swivel drive, an automated drill pipe handling device, a device for placing drill pipe within the handling device and a device for providing additional torque at make up.

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First Claim