Top-mounted hoist for use in a derrick or drilling mast of an oil and gas rig

A top-mounted hoisting system comprising:

• a single-layer winch drum located at an uppermost end of a derrick or drilling mast;
• a first drill line wrapped about the single-layer winch drum, all wraps of the first drill line being on a same level;
• a top drive located below the single-layer winch drum;
• an end of the first drill line connected to the top drive;
• and
• a second drill line wrapped about another section of the single-layer winch drum and having an end connected to a drill string handling tool, all wraps of the second drill line being on a same level,
• wherein the first and second drill lines each include a line equalizer located toward a respective connected end.

A method of handling a drill string, the method comprising:

• supporting a drill string handling tool by a first drill line and a second drill line each wrapped about a single-layer winch drum located at an uppermost end of a derrick or drilling mast,
• wherein respective ends of the first drill line and the second drill line are connected to the drill string handling tool,
• wherein all wraps of the first drill line and the second drill line are on a same level, and
• wherein the first and second drill lines each include a line equalizer located toward the respective connected end.