Simultaneous Tubular Handling System

A system for drilling, comprising:

• a drilling deck having a well center;
• a drilling structure disposed with said drilling deck;
• a primary tubular advancing station for advancing a first tubular to said well center;
• positioning means disposed with said drilling structure for positioning a second tubular in a substantially vertical position, wherein said positioning means is configured to operate during advancing the first tubular to said well center and independently of said primary tubular advancing station;
• a first tubular racking station above said drilling deck and adjacent to said positioning means for holding the second tubular;
• and
• a bridge racker crane for moving the second tubular between said first tubular racking station and said well center, wherein said positioning means is configured to directly position the second tubular with said first tubular racking station.

A method for moving a plurality of tubulars to a borehole from a drilling deck, said method being performed, at least partially, from a primary tubular advancing station and, at least partially, from an auxiliary tubular handling station, the method including the steps of:

• (a) drilling the borehole through a well center in the drilling deck;
• (b) moving a first tubular from said primary tubular advancing station to said well center;
• and
• (c) moving a second tubular so as not to intersect said well center;
• while the second tubular is in a substantially vertical position;
• wherein step (c) is performed independently of and during at least a portion of the same time as steps (a) and (b)

A tubular handling system, comprising:

• a drilling deck having a well center;
• as primary tubular advancing station for advancing a first tubular to said well center;
• handling means comprising a stand arm for handling a second tubular;
• and
• a guided path arm positioned adjacent to said stand arm to guide the second tubular to said stand arm;
• wherein the first tubular does not interfere with said stand arm or said guided path arm as the first tubular moves to said well center.