AU2023251409A1 - Drill rod and drill casing manipulation systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A receptacle assembly of drill rod handler/manipulator assembly comprising a receptacle configured to receive part of a drill rod and part of a drill casing, the receptacle comprising, a receptacle casing comprising a first opening through which the part of the drill rod is received, a drill rod supporting portion configured to support, an end of the drill rod, and an end of the drill casing, and a gripping system configured to grip the drill rod to inhibit movement of the drill rod with respect to the receptacle. 1/15 100 102 110 300 106 108 104 200 400 250 Fig. 1

Description

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"Drill rod and drill casing manipulation systems"

Technical Field

[0001] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a receptacle assembly for a drill rod and/or drill casing. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a drill rod manipulator. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a casing retriever.

Background

[0002] Drill rigs can be used to drill holes through the Earth's surface and/or subsurface for mineral exploration, blast hole drilling, water wells or other applications. A drill rig typically includes a base that supports machinery and is configured to contact the ground to support the drill rig, a drill tower that is configured to support a drilling system and a drive system that is configured to move the drill rig. A drill bit of the drill rig is connected to a drill rod, and is rotated by a drill head. The drill head is moved towards the ground to drive the drill bit into the ground, thereby drilling a hole.

[0003] The drilling of the hole to a required depth requires the handling and manipulation of drill rods as they are added and removed from the drill string. Additionally, the drilling of the hole requires the handling and manipulation of drill casings. Handling drill rods and drill casings during drilling operations can involve significant amounts of manual labour. Further, the drill rods can be heavy and dangerous for an operator to handle.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

[0005] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Summary

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a receptacle assembly comprising: a receptacle configured to receive part of a drill rod and part of a drill casing, the receptacle comprising: a receptacle casing comprising a first opening through which the part of the drill rod is received; a drill rod supporting portion configured to support: an end of the drill rod; and an end of the drill casing; and a gripping system configured to grip the drill rod to inhibit movement of the drill rod with respect to the receptacle.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a drill rod manipulator comprising: a slew arm; a runner assembly comprising: an elongate track support member configured to connect to the slew arm; an elongate track configured to connect to the track support member and to extend along a length of the track support member; a runner comprising: a runner body; and a bearing configured to cooperate with the track to enable the runner to move with respect to the track; a runner actuator configured to actuate the runner to move the runner with respect to the track; and a drill rod manipulation actuator configured to actuate a drill rod to move the drill rod with respect to the runner.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a casing retriever comprising: a fixed frame; a casing gripper mounted on the fixed frame, the casing gripper movable into and out of gripping engagement with a casing; and a casing gripper actuator for moving the casing gripper into and out of gripping engagement with the casing.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of non limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drill rig, according to some embodiments;

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a first perspective view of a drill rod manipulator of a drill rod manipulator system, according to some embodiments;

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a second perspective view of the drill rod manipulator, according to some embodiments;

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates aside view of the drill rod manipulator, according to some embodiments;

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a first perspective view of a jaw system of the drill rod manipulator system, according to some embodiments;

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a second perspective view of the jaw system, according to some embodiments;

[0016] Figure 7 illustrates a first perspective view of a receptacle assembly, according to some embodiments;

[0017] Figure 8 illustrates a front view of the receptacle assembly, according to some embodiments;

[0018] Figure 9 illustrates aside view of the receptacle assembly, according to some embodiments;

[0019] Figure 10 illustrates a cutaway front view of the receptacle assembly, according to some embodiments;

[0020] Figure 11 illustrates a cutaway side view of the receptacle assembly, according to some embodiments;

[0021] Figure 12 illustrates a first perspective view of a casing retriever, according to some embodiments;

[0022] Figure 13 illustrates a second perspective view of the casing retriever, according to some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 14 illustrates a front view of the casing retriever, according to some embodiments; and

[0024] Figure 15 illustrates a rear view of the casing retriever, according to some embodiments.

Description of Embodiments

[0025] With reference to the accompanying drawings, according to the present disclosure there is provided systems and methods for handling drill rods and casings for a drill rig.

[0026] Referring initially to Figure 1, the drill rig 100 comprises a drill rig tower 102 mounted to a drill rig frame 104. A torque tube 106 is mounted to the drill rig tower 102 by a pair of torque tube mounts 108, 110.

[0027] The drill rig 100 comprises a drill rod manipulation system configured to manipulate a drill rod. The drill rod manipulation system comprises a drill rod manipulator 200 and a jaw system 300. The drill rod manipulator system is configured to receive and manipulate a drill rod fed to the drill rod manipulator system. In particular, the drill rod manipulator system is configured to receive the drill rod from a drill rod feeder (not shown) in a drill rod loading/unloading position, move the drill rod to a drill rod manipulation position, and subsequently move the received drill rod into a connection position from the drill rod manipulation position. In the connection position, the drill rod may be connected to a drill head of the drill rig 100.

[0028] The drill rod manipulator 200 is further configured to receive and manipulate a drill casing from a drill casing loading/unloading position in which it can receive a drill casing to a drill casing insertion position in which the drill casing may be inserted into a previously drilled hole, to provide support to a portion of the hole, optionally in combination with a casing retriever 500.

Drill rod manipulation system

[0029] With reference to Figures 1 to 6, the drill rod manipulation system comprises a drill rod manipulator 200 and a jaw system 300.

[0030] The drill rod manipulator 200 comprises a first slew arm 210 mounted to a slew arm rotary actuator 220 that is mounted to torque tube mount 108, and a second slew arm 230 mounted to the drill rig tower 102 by a second slew arm mount 240. The second slew arm 230 is pivotably connected to the second slew arm mount 240.

[0031] The drill rod manipulator further comprises a runner assembly 250 comprising a pair of elongate track support members 252 extending between the first slew arm 210 and the second slew arm 230. Each track support member 252 supports an elongate track 254 extending along a length of the track support member 252.

[0032] The runner assembly 250 further comprises a runner comprising a runner body 256 and a plurality of bearing members 258 configured to cooperate with the runner tracks 254 to enable the runner to move along the runner tracks 254. The bearing members 258 may each comprise a pair of opposed bearings that are configured to cooperate with a respective runner track 254 to enable the runner to move along the track. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the runner may comprise two bearing members 258 associated with each runner track 254. These bearing members 258 may further act to prevent rotation and movement tangential to a slew axis of the drill rod manipulator 200. It will be appreciated that additional bearing members 258 may be provided on each side of the runner body 256. In an embodiment, a third bearing member 258 may be provided on each side and configured to prevent rotation and movement towards/away from the slew centre.

[0033] A runner actuator is provided to actuate the runner to move the runner with along the track. The runner actuator is configured to inhibit movement of the runner assembly in response to an applied force less than a predetermined force threshold, and to enable movement of the runner assembly in response to an applied force greater than the predetermined force threshold. In this way, the runner actuator acts to counter the weight of the drill rod to be manipulated, but allows the runner to float if excessively loaded to prevent damage to the drill rods or drill rod manipulator 200.

[0034] The drill rod manipulator 200 further comprises a drill rod manipulation actuator 260 configured to actuate a drill rod to move the drill rod with respect to the runner. In particular, the drill rod manipulation actuator 260 is configured to move a receptacle assembly 400, discussed in more detail below, that is configured to receive and support a drill rod. The drill rod manipulation actuator 260 moves the receptacle assembly 400 between a drill rod loading/unloading position in which the receptacle assembly 400 is oriented to receive a drill rod from a drill rod feeder (not shown), into a drill rod manipulation position in which the drill rod is supported by the receptacle assembly 400 and the jaw system 300.

[0035] The drill rod manipulator further comprises a slew arm rotary actuator 220. The slew arm rotary actuator 220 is configured to rotate the first slew arm 210 and the torque tube 106 about a rod manipulator axis thereby to move the drill rod between the drill rod manipulation position and the connection position.

[0036] The jaw system 300 is configured to grip the drill rod in the drill rod manipulation position. The jaw system 300 comprises a jaw system connector in the form of a first arm portion 310 connected to the torque tube 106 such that rotation of the torque tube 106 causes corresponding rotation of the jaw system 300. A second arm portion 320 is rotatably connected to the first arm portion 310 by pin 330.

[0037] The jaw system further comprises a first jaw 350 and a second jaw 360 mounted to the second arm portion 320. The firstjaw 350 is rotatable about ajaw axis between a first jaw engaging position where the first jaw is engaged with the drill rod and a first jaw disengaged position where the first jaw is disengaged from the drill rod. The second jaw 360 is fixedly attached to the second arm portion 320.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, a first jaw actuator 360 is provided for actuating the first jaw 360 between the first jaw engaging position and the first jaw disengaged position. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the first jaw actuator is mounted to the second arm portion 320. As shown in Figure 6, a second jaw actuator 340 is provided to rotate the second arm portion 320, and therefore the first jaw 350, the second jaw 360 and the first jaw actuator 380, relative to the first arm portion 310.

[0039] To manipulate a drill rod into a connection position, the drill rod manipulation actuator 260 moves the receptacle assembly 400 into the drill rod load/unloading position and a drill rod fed into the drill rod receptacle assembly 400 and secured. The drill rod manipulation actuator 260 and the runner actuator are then actuated to position the drill rod into the drill rod manipulation position where the jaw system 300 is actuated to engage and grip the drill rod.

[0040] Once positioned and secured in the drill rod manipulation position, slew arm rotary actuator 220 is actuated to rotate the torque tube, and thus the first slew arm 210 and first arm 310 of the jaw system 300, about the rod manipulator axis. Rotationof the first slew arm 210 in combination with the rotatable mounting of the second slew arm 230 causes the runner assembly 250 and the receptacle assembly 400 attached thereto to rotate about the rod manipulator axis in response to rotation of the torque tube. Simultaneously, rotation of the first arm 310 of the jaw system 300 rotates the jaws 350, 360. This acts to rotate the drill rod supported by the receptacle assembly 400 and held by the jaw system 300 about the rod manipulator axis and into the connection position in which the drill rod can be connected to the drill string.

[0041] It will be appreciated that a drill rod maybe removed from a drill string and returned to the drill rod feeder by reversing the order of the steps described above.

[0042] A drill casing may be manipulated in a manner similar to that described above with regard to drill rods. In this case, the jaw system 300 is not required to provide additional support to the casing during manipulation. The second arm portion actuator 340 may be actuated to retract the second arm portion 320 out of the way of a casing in the manipulation position. A casing retriever 500, described in more detail below, may be used once the casing is manipulated into the connection position.

Receptacle assembly 400

[0043] Referring to Figures 7 to 11, there is provided a receptacle assembly 400 for receiving and supporting drill rods and drill casings.

[0044] The receptacle assembly 400 comprises a receptacle 410. The receptacle casing 412 comprises a first receptacle casing opening 414, a second receptacle casing opening 416, a receptacle casing lumen 418 that extends from the first receptacle casing opening 414 to the second receptacle casing opening 416.

[0045] The receptacle casing 412 is substantially cylindrical such that receptacle casing lumen 418 has a substantially constant diameter along the length of the lumen. The diameter of the receptacle casing lumen 418 corresponds to the diameter of the first receptacle casing opening 414.

[0046] A drill rod guiding portion 420 is provided adjacent the first receptacle casing opening 414. The drill rod guiding portion 320 comprises a first drill rod guiding portion opening 422, a second drill rod guiding portion opening 424, and a drill rod guiding portion lumen 426 extending between the first drill rod guiding portion opening 422 and the second drill rod guiding portion opening 424.

[0047] The drill rod guiding portion 420 is in the form of a truncated cone having a circular cross-section along its length. The diameter of the first drill rod guiding portion opening 422 is greater than the diameter of the second drill rod guiding portion opening 424. The drill rod guiding portion lumen 426 is tapered such that the diameter of the drill rod guiding portion lumen 426 constantly decreases between the first drill rod guiding portion opening 422 and the second drill rod guiding portion opening 424. The diameter of the first drill rod guiding portion opening 422 is greater than the diameter of the first receptacle casing opening 414 and the diameter of the second drill rod guiding portion opening 424 is substantially the same as the diameter of the first receptacle casing opening 414.

[0048] A drill rod supporting portion 430 is received within the receptacle casing 412 in a position adjacent the second receptacle casing opening 416. The drill rod supporting portion 430 comprises a first drill rod supporting portion opening 432, a second drill rod supporting portion opening 434, and a drill rod supporting portion lumen 436 extending between the first drill rod supporting portion opening 432 and the second drill rod supporting portion opening 434. The drill rod supporting portion 430 further comprises a tapered portion 437 adjacent the first drill rod supporting portion opening 432 and a supporting projection 438 adjacent the second drill rod supporting portion opening 432.

[0049] The drill rod supporting portion lumen 436 has a circular cross section along its length. The diameter of the first drill rod supporting portion opening 432 is greater than the diameter of the second drill rod supporting portion opening 434. The diameter of the drill rod supporting portion lumen 436 constantly decreases along the length of the tapered portion 437 from the diameter of the first drill rod supporting portion opening 432 to the diameter of the second drill rod supporting portion opening 434. The remaining (intermediate) portion of the drill rod supporting portion lumen 436 from the tapered portion 437 to the second drill rod supporting portion opening 434 has a constant diameter. The diameter of the first receptacle casing opening 414 is greater than the diameter of the first drill rod supporting portion opening 432.

[0050] The diameter of the intermediate portion of the drill rod supporting portion lumen 436 is greater than a diameter of a drill rod to be received in the receptacle. The progressively smaller diameters from the rod guiding portion 420, through the receptacle 410, and into the drill rod supporting portion 430 in combination with the tapered portions provided where the diameter is reduced, assist with guiding the drill rod into the drill rod supporting portion 430. In this way, the relative positioning of the drill rod to be received by the assembly and thefirst rod guiding portion opening 422 need not be strictly precise in order to load the drill rod and allows for faster loading times.

[0051] As best seen in Figure 11, the receptacle assembly 400 further comprises a first sensor 450 for indicating that a first length of the drill rod has been received by the receptacle 410. The first sensor 450 comprises a rotatable lever resiliently biased to extend into the receptacle casing 412 at a position adjacent thefirst receptacle casing opening 414. As the drill rod passes the first sensor 450, the lever is rotated indicating that the first length of the drill rod has been received by the receptacle 410. Removal of the drill rod from the receptacle 410 allows the lever to return to the initial position extending into the receptacle casing 412, indicating that the first length of the drill rod is not received by the receptacle.

[0052] The receptacle assembly 400 further comprises a second sensor 460 for indicating that a second length of drill rod has been received by the receptacle 410. The second sensor 460 is comprises a plate positioned in the drill rod supporting portion 430 and is shaped to conform with a cross-sectional shape of the wall of the drill rod supporting portion 430. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, sensor is resilient biased into a position extending longitudinally from the drill rod supporting portion 430. Introduction of the drill rod into the drill rod supporting portion 430 acts to slide the plate of the second sensor 460 until the drill rod engages the supporting projection 438, causing the second sensor 460 to indicate that the second length of the drill rod has been received. As the drill rod is removed and moves away from the supporting projection 438, the second sensor returns to the initial position extending longitudinally from the drill rod supporting portion 430, indicating that the second length of the drill rod is not received by the receptacle.

[0053] The receptacle assembly further comprises a gripping system positioned between the receptacle casing 412 and the drill rod guiding portion 420. As best seen in Figure 10, the gripping system comprises a pair of opposed gripping assemblies 440. Each gripping assembly comprises a gripping element 442 and a linear actuator 444 for actuating the gripping elements 442.

[0054] Upon loading of a drill rod into the receptacle assembly 400 such that the end of the drill rod is positioned against supporting projection 438, as indicated by the second sensor 460, linear actuators 444 can actuate the gripping elements to move into engagement with the drill rod. The drill rod can then be manipulated in the manner described above utilising the described drill rod manipulator.

[0055] The described receptacle assembly 400 may also be used for receiving a drill casing for manipulation. However, the diameter of the first drill rod supporting portion opening 432 is smaller than the diameter of a drill casing to be received. In this way, the end of the drill casing entering the receptacle will engage with the end of the drill rod supporting portion that defines the first drill rod supporting portion opening 432. As the plate of the second sensor 460 extends longitudinally from the drill rod supporting portion 430, engagement of the end of the drill casing with the end of the drill rod supporting portion 430 acts to slide the plate of the second sensor 460, causing the second sensor 460 to indicate that the second length of the drill casing has been received. The gripping system can then be actuated and the drill casing be manipulated in the manner described herein utilising the described drill rod manipulator.

Casing retriever 500

[0056] With reference to Figures 12 to 15, according to the present disclosure there is provided a casing retriever 500. The casing retriever 500 comprises a fixed frame 510 configured to be mounted to a sliding headplate slidably mounted on the drill rig tower 102.

[0057] The fixed frame 510 comprises amounting plate 512. The mounting plate 512 is configured to facilitate mounting of the casing retriever 500 to the sliding headplate, for example a plurality of apertures may be provided in the mounting plate 512 such that the mounting plate 512 may be bolted directly to the sliding headplate.

[0058] As best shown in Figure 15, the fixed frame 510 further comprises a swivel engagement member 516 for engaging with a swivel 600 of the drill rig 100. The swivel engagement member 516 comprises a swivel engagement formation 518 shaped to engage a formation of the swivel 600. In an embodiment, the engagement formation 518 is in the form of a slot having a complimentary shape to a longitudinal protrusion of the swivel 600. The longitudinal protrusion can move longitudinally relative to the slot 518 to bring the swivel 600 into and out of engagement with the swivel engagement member 514.

[0059] The fixed frame 510 further comprises a pair of fixed arms 514 extending from the mounting plate 512.

[0060] A casing gripper 520 for gripping a casing is mounted to the fixed frame 510. The casing gripper 520 comprises a pair of gripper arms 522 rotatably mounted to respective fixed arms 514 of the fixed frame 510. The casing gripper 520 further comprises gripperjaws 524. In an embodiment, each arm is rotatably mounted at one end to its respective fixed arm 514 and fixedly attached at the other end to a respective gripperjaw 524.

[0061] A casing gripper actuator 530 is provided to actuate the casing gripper 520 into and out of gripping engagement with a casing. In an embodiment, the casing gripper actuator 530 comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted to the fixed arms 512 of the fixed frame 510. Actuation of the casing gripper actuator 530 causes rotation of the gripper arms 522 relative to the fixed arms 514, bringing the casing gripper jaws 524 into and out of gripping engagement with a casing positioned therebetween. Preferably, the gripper jaws 524 are curved such that when in gripping engagement with the casing, the gripper jaws 524 at least partially encircle the casing.

[0062] To case a drill hole, a casing is fed to the receptacle assembly 400 associated with the drill rod manipulator 200. The drill rod manipulator 200 is actuated to present the casing into the mast. Due to the lower weight and greater stability of the casing in the receptacle assembly 400, the use of a jaw system such as described above for drill rod manipulation is not required.

[0063] When in position for loading into the mast, the casing retriever 500 is actuated to bring the gripperjaws 524 into gripping engagement with the casing. The casing retriever500 can then remove the casing from the receptacle assembly 400.

[0064] The swivel comprises a casing pusher tool 610 for engaging the casing gripped by the casing retriever 500. The swivel 600 cooperates with the casing retriever 500 to push the casing using the casing pusher tool 610 through the mast foot and into the pilot drilled hole in the ground. The casing retriever 500 continues to grip the casing during the pushing process. Once the casing is pushed to the required depth, a casing cutter cuts the casing to the desired length. The casing off-cut, which is held by the casing retriever 500, can then be returned to the receptacle assembly 200 for removal.

[0065] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (63)

CLAIMS:

1. A receptacle assembly comprising: a receptacle configured to receive part of a drill rod and part of a drill casing, the receptacle comprising: a receptacle casing comprising a first opening through which the part of the drill rod is received; a drill rod supporting portion configured to support: an end of the drill rod; and an end of the drill casing; and a gripping system configured to grip the drill rod to inhibit movement of the drill rod with respect to the receptacle.

2. The receptacle assembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle casing comprises a receptacle casing lumen that extends from the first opening to a second opening.

3. The receptacle assembly of claim 2, wherein the drill rod supporting portion is configured to be at least partially received by the receptacle casing through the second opening.

4. The receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the drill rod supporting portion comprises: a first end portion that is configured to support the end of the drill casing, the first end portion defining a first supporting portion opening; a second end portion defining a second supporting portion opening; and a supporting portion lumen that extends from the first supporting portion opening to the second supporting portion opening.

5. The receptacle assembly of claim 4, wherein a first supporting portion opening dimension is less than a first opening dimension.

6. The receptacle assembly of claim 5, wherein: the first supporting portion opening is circular and the first supporting portion opening dimension is a diameter of the first supporting portion opening; and the first opening is circular and the first opening dimension is a diameter of the first opening.

7. The receptacle assembly of claim 4, wherein a supporting portion lumen dimension of an intermediate portion of the supporting portion lumen is less than afirst supporting portion opening dimension.

8. The receptacle assembly of claim 7, wherein: the supporting portion lumen is cylindrical and the supporting portion lumen dimension is a diameter of the supporting portion lumen; and the first supporting portion opening is circular and the first supporting portion opening dimension is a diameter of thefirst supporting portion opening.

9. The receptacle assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the drill rod supporting portion comprises a tapered portion.

10. The receptacle assembly of claim 4, or any one of claims 5 to 9 when dependent on claim 4, wherein a radius of the supporting portion lumen changes across a length of the supporting portion such that an intermediate diameter of the supporting portion lumen is less than a diameter of the second supporting portion opening.

11. The receptacle assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the drill rod supporting portion comprises a supporting projection that is configured to support the end of the drill rod.

12. The receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 11, wherein the gripping system comprises a first gripping assembly and a second gripping assembly.

13. The receptacle assembly of claim 12, wherein the first gripping assembly comprises: a first gripping element; and a first linear actuator configured to actuate thefirst gripping element between: a gripping position where the first gripping element is engaged with the drill rod; and a retracted position where the first gripping element is disengaged from the drill rod.

14. The receptacle assembly of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the second gripping assembly comprises: a second gripping element; and a second linear actuator configured to actuate the second gripping element between: a second gripping position where the second gripping element is engaged with the drill rod; and a second retracted position where the second gripping element is disengaged from the drill rod.

15. The receptacle assembly of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first gripping assembly and the second gripping assembly are disposed at opposing sides of the first opening.

16. The receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 15, further comprising a rod guiding portion comprising a first guiding opening, a second guiding opening and a guiding lumen that extends from the first guiding opening to the second guiding opening; wherein a dimension of the first guiding opening is greater than a dimension of the second guiding opening.

17. The receptacle assembly of claim 16, wherein the first guiding opening is circular, the second guiding opening is circular, and a diameter of the first guiding opening is greater than a diameter of the second guiding opening.

18. The receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 17, further comprising a first sensor configured to indicate that: a first length of the drill rod has been received by the receptacle; and a first length of the drill casing has been received by the receptacle.

19. The receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 18, further comprising a second sensor configured to indicate that: a second length of the drill rod has been received by the receptacle; and a second length of the drill casing has been received by the receptacle.

20. The receptacle assembly of claim 19 when dependent on claim 18, wherein the second length is greater than the first length.

21. A drill rod manipulator comprising: a slew arm; a runner assembly comprising: an elongate track support member configured to connect to the slew arm; an elongate track configured to connect to the track support member and to extend along a length of the track support member; a runner comprising: a runner body; and a bearing configured to cooperate with the track to enable the runner to move with respect to the track; a runner actuator configured to actuate the runner to move the runner with respect to the track; and a drill rod manipulation actuator configured to actuate a drill rod to move the drill rod with respect to the runner.

22. The drill rod manipulator of claim 21, further comprising a second slew arm, wherein the elongate track support member is configured to: extend between the slew arm and the second slew arm; and connect to the second slew arm.

23. The drill rod manipulator of claim 22, further comprising a second slew arm mount, wherein: the second slew arm is configured to be pivotably connected to the second slew arm mount.

24. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the runner comprises a plurality of opposed bearings, the plurality of opposed bearings comprising: the bearing; and a second bearing configured to cooperate with the track to enable the runner to move with respect to the track.

25. The drill rod manipulator of claim 24, wherein: the bearing is configured to cooperate with a first track surface; the second bearing is configured to cooperate with a second track surface; and the first track surface and the second track surface are on opposing sides of the track.

26. The drill rod manipulator of claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the runner comprises a second pair of opposed bearings, wherein each bearing of the second pair of opposed bearings is configured to cooperate with the track to enable the runner to move with respect to the track.

27. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 26, further comprising: a second elongate track support member configured to connect to the slew arm; and a second elongate track configured to connect to the second track support member and to extend along a length of the second track support member.

28. The drill rod manipulator of claim 27, wherein the runner further comprises: an additional pair of opposed bearings comprising a first additional bearing and a second additional bearing, wherein the first additional bearing and the second additional bearing are configured to cooperate with the second track to enable the runner to move with respect to the second track.

29. The drill rod manipulator of claim 28, wherein the runner further comprises a second additional pair of opposed bearings comprising a third additional bearing and a fourth additional bearing, wherein the third additional bearing and the fourth additional bearing are configured to cooperate with the second track to enable the runner to move with respect to the second track.

30. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 29, further comprising the torque tube.

31. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 30, comprising ajaw system that is configured grip the drill rod.

32. The drill rod manipulator of claim 31, wherein the jaw system comprises a first jaw that is rotatable about a jaw axis between a first jaw engaging position where the first jaw is engaged with the drill rod and a first jaw disengaged position where the first jaw is disengaged from the drill rod.

33. The drill rod manipulator of claim 32, wherein the jaw system comprises a first jaw actuator that is configured to actuate the first jaw between the first jaw engaging position and the first jaw disengaged position.

34. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the jaw system comprises a second jaw.

35. The drill rod manipulator of claim 34, wherein the jaw system comprises: a secondjaw actuator; and a jaw system connector; and wherein the second jaw actuator is configured to move the first jaw, the secondjaw and the firstjaw actuator with respect to thejaw system connector.

36. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the jaw system connector is configured to connect to the torque tube such that rotation of the torque tube causes corresponding rotation of the jaw system.

37. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 36, further comprising a first torque tube mount and a second torque tube mount, wherein the torque tube is configured to be pivotably connected to the first torque tube mount and the second torque tube mount.

38. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 37, further comprising a slew arm rotary actuator.

39. The drill rod manipulator of claim 38, wherein the slew arm rotary actuator is configured to rotate the slew arm and the torque tube about a rod manipulator axis.

40. The drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 39, wherein: the runner actuator is configured to inhibit movement of the runner assembly in response to an applied force, where the applied force is less than a force threshold; and the runner actuator is configured to enable movement of the runner assembly in response to the applied force, where the applied force is greater than the force threshold.

41. A drill rod manipulation system comprising: the receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 20; and the drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 40.

42. The drill rod manipulation system of claim 41, wherein: the receptacle assembly is configured to connect to the drill rod manipulation actuator; and the drill rod manipulation actuator is configured to actuate the receptacle assembly to move the drill rod with respect to the runner.

43. A drill rig comprising: the receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 20; and the drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 40.

44. The drill rig of claim 43, wherein: the receptacle assembly is configured to connect to the drill rod manipulation actuator; and the drill rod manipulation actuator is configured to actuate the receptacle assembly to move the drill rod with respect to the runner.

45. A casing retriever comprising: a fixed frame; a casing gripper mounted on the fixed frame, the casing gripper movable into and out of gripping engagement with a casing; and a casing gripper actuator for moving the casing gripper into and out of gripping engagement with the casing.

46. The casing retriever of claim 45, wherein the fixed frame comprises a mounting plate for mounting the casing retriever to a sliding headplate of a drill rig.

47. The casing retriever of claim 46, wherein the mounting plate comprises a plurality of apertures for bolting the mounting plate directly to the sliding headplate.

48. The casing retriever of claim 46 or claim 47, wherein the mounting plate comprises a swivel engagement member.

49. The casing retriever of claim 48, wherein the swivel engagement member comprises a swivel engagement formation.

50. The casing retriever of claim 49, wherein the swivel engagement member comprises a slot having a complimentary shape to a longitudinal protrusion of a swivel.

51. The casing retriever of any one of claims 45 to 50, wherein the casing gripper comprises a pair of gripper arms rotatably mounted to the fixed frame.

52. The casing retriever of claim 51, wherein the fixed frame comprises a pair of fixed arms extending from the mounting plate and each gripper arm is mounted to a respective fixed arm.

53. The casing retriever of claim 51 or claim 52, wherein the casing gripper comprises gripperjaws.

54. The casing retriever of claim 53, wherein the gripperjaws are have a curved shape complimentary to an outer surface of the casing.

55. The casing retriever of any one of claims 51 to 54, wherein each arm is rotatably mounted at one end to the fixed frame and fixedly attached at the other end to a respective gripper jaw.

56. The casing retriever of any one of claims 51 to 55, wherein the casing gripper actuator causes the gripper arms to rotate relative to the fixed frame.

57. A casing loading system comprising: a swivel; and the casing retriever according to any one of claims 45 to 56.

58. A casing loading system comprising according to claim 57, wherein the swivel comprises a casing pusher tool.

59. A casing manipulation system comprising: the receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 20; the drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 30; and the casing retriever according to any one of claims 45 to 56.

60. A casing manipulation system according to claim 59, further comprising a swivel.

61. A casing manipulation system according to 60, wherein the swivel comprises a casing pusher tool.

62. A drill rig comprising the casing manipulation system of claims 59 to 61.

63. A drill rig comprising: the receptacle assembly of any one of claims I to 20; the drill rod manipulator of any one of claims 21 to 40; and the casing retriever according to any one of claims 45 to 56.