A multi-activity drilling assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for transferring includes: a rail assembly operably extending between a position adjacent to said first top drive station and a position adjacent to said second top drive station; a first tubular handling apparatus mounted to traverse upon said rail; and a second tubular handling apparatus mounted to traverse upon said rail, wherein tubular assemblies may be operably transferred between said first top drive and said second top drive to facilitate simultaneous drilling operations and operations auxiliary to said drilling operations. view more

A multi-activity drilling assembly operable to be supported from a position above the surface of a body of water for conducting drilling operations to the seabed and into the bed of the body of water, said multi-activity drilling assembly including: a drilling superstructure operable to be mounted upon a drilling deck for simultaneously supporting drilling operations for a well and operations auxiliary to drilling operations for the well; a first tubular advancing station connected to said drilling superstructure for advancing tubular members to the seabed and into the bed of body of water; a second tubular advancing station connected to said drilling superstructure for advancing tubular members simultaneously with said first tubular advancing station to the seabed and into the body of water to the seabed; and an assembly positioned adjacent to said first and second tubular advancing stations operable to transfer tubular assemblies between said first tubular advancing station and said second tubular advancing station to facilitate simultaneous drilling operations auxiliary to said drilling operations, wherein drilling activity can be conducted for the well from said drilling superstructure by said first or second tubular advancing stations and auxiliary drilling activity can be simultaneously conducted for the well from said drilling superstructure by the other of said first or second tubular advancing stations. view more