BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates, in general, to drilling operations and more specifically, to pipe handling systems for drilling rigs.

Description of the Related Art

Hundreds of billions of dollars are spent worldwide for oil exploration and production. Much of this activity is conducted on drilling platforms. For example, these drilling platforms may include fixed platforms, compliant towers, semi-submersible platforms, jack-up drilling rigs, drill ships, floating productions systems, tension-leg platforms, gravity-based structures, and spar platforms. Regardless of the type of platform, these are complex operations that generally require the use of drilling rigs in order to locate and recover oil.

Accordingly, the exploration and production of natural resources continues to demand improvements.

