The invention relates to a tubular handling apparatus for moving tubulars
between a substantially horizontal transfer station and a second transfer
station. The apparatus comprises a base and a boom, rotatable with
respect to the base between a lowered position and a raised position by
boom rotation drive means in a boom rotation direction around a
horizontal boom rotation axis. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a
gripper, rotatably attached to the boom and adapted for gripping the
tubular, which gripper is rotatable about a gripper rotation axis by a
gripper rotation drive means in a gripper rotation direction. According
to the invention, the gripper rotation axis is parallel to and spaced
from the horizontal boom rotation axis and in that the gripper rotation
drive means provide a gripper rotation direction opposite to the boom
rotation direction.