| CPC E21B 7/061 (2013.01) [E21B 19/06 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |

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1. A method performed at a rotary table of a rig, the method comprising the steps of:
lifting a whipstock assembly at the rig by engaging a component of the rig on a removable portion of the whipstock assembly, the whipstock assembly having a whipstock and a lead mill connected together by a releasable operational connection;
running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the rotary table of the rig;
supporting the whipstock assembly at the rotary table of the rig using an apparatus by: supporting portions of the whipstock and the lead mill with a support member of the apparatus, supporting the support member on a base member of the apparatus, and supporting the base member at the rotary table;
connecting a milling assembly to the lead mill of the whipstock assembly by removing the removable portion from the whipstock assembly and threading the milling assembly to the lead mill on the whipstock assembly;
unsporting the lead mill and the whipstock assembly from the support member; and
running the whipstock assembly and the milling assembly through the rotary table.
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