Drilling component retention system and method

1. A system for retention of components of a drilling rig, the system comprising:

a first drilling component comprising a first annular groove or ridge;

a second drilling component comprising a second annular groove or ridge;

a secondary retention device, wherein the first drilling component is coupled to the second drilling component and the secondary retention device engages with the first annular groove or ridge of the first drilling component and the second annular groove or ridge of the second drilling component; and

a torque transfer device, wherein the torque transfer device interfaces with the first drilling component and the second drilling component such that the torque transfer device transfers torque between the first drilling component and the second drilling component via the interface of the torque transfer device with the first and second drilling components, and wherein the torque transfer device is disposed radially between the secondary retention device and the first and second drilling components.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first drilling component comprises a quill and the second drilling component comprises a saver sub.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first drilling component is coupled to the second drilling component via a threaded connection disposed axially between the first annular groove or ridge of the first drilling component and the second annular groove or ridge of the second drilling component.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the secondary retention device slackingly engages in an axial direction with the first annular groove or ridge and with the second annular groove or ridge while the first drilling component is coupled to the second drilling component via the threaded connection, such that the secondary retention device does not bear a substantial axial load during normal operating conditions.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the torque transfer device comprises a die lock.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first drilling component comprises a first cylindrical portion and the second drilling component comprises a second cylindrical portion, wherein the secondary retention device fits over and substantially surrounds the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the die lock and the secondary retention device are a single integrated component.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the torque transfer device comprises a spline lock configured to fit over a connection between the first drilling component and the second drilling component and between the connection and the secondary retention device, wherein the spline lock comprises vertical splines configured to engage with indentions in both the first and second drilling components such that the spline lock transfers torque from the first drilling component to the second drilling component.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the secondary retention device comprises a vent configured to enable mud to escape from a space between the secondary retention device and the first and second drilling components to an area external to the secondary retention device.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first annular groove or ridge comprises a lower face extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first drilling component, and wherein the second annular groove or ridge comprises an upper face extending parallel with, and facing, the lower face of the first annular groove or extension.

11. A secondary retention device for use in a drilling rig, comprising:

a first axial retention feature;

a second axial retention feature; and

a body extending between the first axial retention feature and the second axial retention feature, wherein the first axial retention feature of the secondary retention device engages with a first annular groove or ridge of a first drilling component, wherein the second axial retention feature of the secondary retention device engages with a second annular groove or ridge of a second drilling component axially adjacent to the first drilling component, wherein the body of the secondary retention device fits over and around a threaded connection between the first drilling component and the second drilling component, wherein a torque transfer device is disposed radially between the body of the secondary retention device and the threaded connection of the first and second drilling components, and wherein vertical features of the torque transfer device engage with the first drilling component and the second drilling component such that the torque transfer device transfers torque between the first drilling component and the second drilling component.

12. The secondary retention device of claim 11 , wherein the first drilling component is a substantially cylindrical quill and the second drilling component is a substantially cylindrical saver sub.

13. The secondary retention device of claim 11 , wherein the first and second axial retention features of the secondary retention device slackingly engage in an axial direction with the first and second drilling components, respectively, such that the secondary retention device does not bear a substantial axial load during normal operating conditions.

14. A method of secondary retention of two drilling components on a drilling rig, the method comprising:

coupling a first drilling component of the drilling rig with a second drilling component of the drilling rig via a threaded connection;

fitting a torque transfer device circumferentially around the threaded connection;

fitting a retaining device circumferentially around the torque transfer device and the threaded connection;

engaging a first device feature of the retaining device with a first groove or ridge of the first drilling component above the threaded connection;

engaging a second device feature of the retaining device with a second groove or ridge of the second drilling component below the threaded connection; and

engaging vertical features of the torque transfer device with the first and second drilling components such that torque is transferred from the first drilling component to the second drilling component via the vertical features.

15. The method of claim 14 ,

wherein the torque transfer device comprises a spline lock and the vertical features of the torque transfer device comprise vertical splines.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first and second device features are ridges or grooves.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the torque transfer device comprises a die lock and the vertical features of the torque transfer device comprise vertical teeth of dies.