Abstract: A system and method for installing a tubular in a wellbore, of which the method includes coupling a fluid connector tool to a lifting assembly, coupling a casing fill-up and circulation seal assembly to the fluid connector tool, and coupling two segments of casing together to form a casing string. At least one of the segments of casing is fluidically coupled to the casing fill-up and circulation seal assembly. The method also includes running the casing string into a wellbore, pumping a first fluid from the lifting assembly, through the fluid connector tool and the casing fill-up and circulation seal assembly, and into the casing string as the casing string is run into the wellbore, de-coupling the casing fill-up and circulation seal assembly from the fluid connector tool, and coupling a drill-pipe seal assembly to the fluid connector tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a tubular includes a body. A slip carrier is coupled to an inner surface of the body. The slip carrier is configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position. A tubular is configured to be introduced laterally into the body when the slip carrier is in the open position. A slip is coupled to the slip carrier. The slip is configured to move radially between a first position that is spaced apart from the tubular and a second position that contacts and grips the tubular.

Abstract: A tong and method, in which the tong includes a first plate, and a gear that is rotatable relative to the first plate. The gear defines a slot laterally therethrough. An inner surface of the gear includes at least three cam surface. The tong also includes at least three jaws coupled to the first plate such that the at least three jaws are radially movable with respect to the first plate and are prevented from circumferential movement with respect thereto. The at least three jaws are engageable with the at least three cam surfaces such that rotation of the gear relative to the first plate causes the at least three jaws to move in a radial direction between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a tubular string includes a rig drilling bail, a joint bail extender, and a device. The joint bail extender is rigidly coupled to the rig drilling bail. The device is coupled to the first joint bail extender and configured to engage a tubular segment.

Abstract: A gripping tool includes a gripping element and at least one gripping surface formed on the gripping element. The at least one gripping surface includes a plurality of teeth extending from the gripping element an outer layer. A method to surface process a gripping surface of a gripping tool includes providing the gripping surface in an environment comprising a source of additive material and heating the gripping surface at a temperature and a time to diffuse the additive material a depth into the gripping surface to form a diffusion layer.

Abstract: An apparatus to attach a control line to a tubular member, in which the apparatus includes a control line arm having a first control line guide coupled thereto, and a base having a second control line guide coupled thereto, with the control line arm coupled to the base and movable with respect to the base. The control line arm may be movable between a raised position and a collapsed position with respect to the base, and the control line arm may be at least one of slidably coupled and rotatably coupled to the base.

Abstract: A tubular gripping assembly includes a power tong housing configured to actuate between an open position and a closed position, one or more valves coupled to the power tong housing, an inflatable bladder apparatus coupled to an inner surface of the power tong housing and configured to grip a tubular member when the power tong housing is in the closed position and the inflatable bladder apparatus is inflated, a latch mechanism configured to secure the power tong housing in the closed position and configured to allow the power tong housing to actuate to the open position, and a remote-controller device in wireless communication with the one or more valves. The remote-controller device is configured to control the power tong housing, the inflatable bladder apparatus, and the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A tubular support assembly, method, and offshore drilling rig. The tubular support assembly includes a spider configured to support a tubular received therethrough, and a rotary table that supports the spider and transmits a vertical load applied to the spider to a rig floor. The tubular support assembly also includes a load cell configured to measure the vertical load.

Abstract: A connector tool is used to direct fluids from a lifting assembly into a bore of a downhole tubular. The connector tool includes a body having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is configured to be coupled to the lifting assembly, and the lower end is configured to be coupled to the downhole tubular. A telescopic engagement assembly is coupled to the body and configured to selectively extend and retract a seal assembly disposed at a distal end of the connector tool with a proximal end of the downhole tubular. A pump is coupled to the lifting assembly such that rotational movement from a component of the lifting assembly directs fluid to extend and retract the telescopic engagement assembly.

Abstract: A tubular handling system and method, of which the tubular handling system includes a power tong configured to engage and rotate an add-on tubular by applying a torque thereto, the power tong defining a central opening configured to receive the add-on tubular therethrough, a spider disposed at a rig floor, the spider being configured to support a tubular string, a lifting assembly coupled with the power tong and configured to move the power tong vertically with respect to the tubular string and the spider, and a torque-measuring device configured to measure a reactionary torque transmitted from the power tong to the lifting assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing torque in a drill string, in which the apparatus includes a first clamp assembly including a plurality of arcuate clamp segments that are pivotally connected together, the plurality of arcuate clamp segments being configured to be positioned around and secured to an oilfield tubular so as to be rotationally fixed to the oilfield tubular, and an outer sleeve positioned around the first clamp assembly. The outer sleeve includes at least two sleeve segments assembled together to form a generally cylindrical sleeve around the first clamp assembly, and the first clamp assembly is configured to rotate with the oilfield tubular and with respect to the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A tubular gripping assembly includes a power tong housing configured to actuate between an open position and a closed position. An inflatable bladder apparatus is coupled to an inner surface of the power tong housing and configured to grip a tubular member when the power tong housing is in the closed position and the inflatable bladder apparatus is inflated. A latch mechanism, operative in response to a remote control signal provided through a mechanized docking and undocking fluid connector, is configured to secure the power tong housing in the closed position and to allow the power tong housing to actuate to the open position.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing torque on a drill string includes a first bearing assembly, a second bearing assembly, and a bearing sleeve. The first and second bearing assemblies are disposed on and clamped onto a tubular portion of a drill pipe of the drill string, and each include a first and second section. The bearing sleeve is disposed on the drill pipe such that the bearing sleeve is maintained in an axial position relative to the drill pipe by the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly. Each of the first and second bearing assemblies have a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion that is smaller than the first diameter portion. The second diameter portion of the first bearing assembly and the second diameter portion of the second bearing assembly are disposed adjacent to each other and the bearing sleeve is disposed around the adjacent second diameter portions.

Abstract: A lifting elevator includes a first elevator segment having a first plurality of slips, a second elevator segment having a second plurality of slips, and a hinge. The first elevator segment and the second elevator segment each have a swept angle of about 180°, and each of the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips includes a die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing improper lifting of tubular members are described, in which sensing devices are used to detect when a tubular reaches a selected position within a lifting device suitable for engagement, and/or to detect when a lifting operation is initiated that would exceed the capacity of a lifting device. Operators are engaged with the tubular member and provided with a preselected force corresponding to the weight of one or more tubular members, such that when the weight of a lifting operation exceeds the preselected force, an audible device may be actuated responsive to sensor output, to immediately alert individuals, such that the improper lifting operation may be halted. Similarly, an audible device may be actuated responsive to sensor output when a tubular member reaches a selected position within the lifting device, such that additional movement may be ceased.

Abstract: A lifting elevator includes a first elevator segment having a first plurality of slips, a second elevator segment having a second plurality of slips, and a hinge. The first elevator segment and the second elevator segment each have a swept angle of about 180°, and each of the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips includes a die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe.

Abstract: A power tong assembly includes a power tong and a speed limiting system operably coupled to the power tong. The power tong is configured to grip and rotate a tubular segment in a first direction to make-up a threaded connection with the tubular segment and in a second direction to break-out the threaded connection with the tubular segment. The speed limiting system is configured to selectively allow the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in one of the first direction and the second direction at a maximum speed while limiting the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in the other of the first direction and the second direction below the maximum speed.

Abstract: A system for installing control line secured to a tubular string suspended in a borehole includes a first arm having a pivotally secured first end about which a second end is rotatable with a generally vertical plane, and a second arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the second end of the first arm and a second end coupled to a control line retainer. The second arm slidably engages a stationary pathway at a position intermediate the first end and the second end of the second arm. The system also includes one or more cylinders for rotating the first arm and for translating and rotating the second arm within the vertical plane to move the control line retainer along a generally vertical path along the tubular string.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for running a tubular into a wellbore. The method includes attaching a first member of a lifting coupling to a first tubular, and attaching a second member of the lifting coupling to a second tubular. The second tubular extends downward through an opening of a rotary station. The method also includes connecting together the first and second members of the lifting coupling, such that a weight of the second tubular is transmitted via the lifting coupling to the first tubular. The method further includes lowering the lifting coupling, the second tubular, and at least a portion of the first tubular through the opening, and disconnecting the second member from the first member. The method additionally includes moving the second member of the lifting coupling and the second tubular laterally, away from the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus to attach a control line to a tubular member, in which the apparatus includes a control line arm having a first control line guide coupled thereto, and a base having a second control line guide coupled thereto, with the control line arm coupled to the base and movable with respect to the base. The control line arm may be movable between a raised position and a collapsed position with respect to the base, and the control line arm may be at least one of slidably coupled and rotatably coupled to the base.