Patent ID: 8499858
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a drilling rig; a drill string extending within a borehole in a subterranean formation; and a top drive apparatus comprising a spindle and a top drive housing, wherein the top drive is suspended from the drilling rig via an interface to the a top drive housing, wherein the drill string is suspended from the top drive apparatus via an interface to the spindle, and wherein the top drive apparatus further comprises: a bearing coupled between the spindle and top drive housing; a gearbox coupled between the spindle and top drive housing; a bearing lubrication system fluidly coupled to the bearing and not the gearbox; and a gearbox lubrication system fluidly coupled to the gearbox and not the bearing, wherein: the riser is fluidly coupled to the bearing.