System for hoisting a load on a drilling rig

Abstract

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.