Abstract: A method for running a tubular string in wellbore operations according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a tubular running tool comprising gripping assembly rotationally connected to a carrier, the gripping assembly comprising a body and slips; connecting the carrier to a quill of a top drive of a drilling rig; positioning an end of a tubular for gripping with the slips; actuating the slips into gripping engagement with the tubular; and rotating the tubular with the slips in gripping engagement therewith.

Abstract: An automated, electric tong system and methods usable for making-up and breaking out threaded connections between tubular members, wherein the electric tong system comprises a power tong for applying torque and rotating the upper tubular member, a backup tong for gripping tubulars, and a lift assembly for vertically moving the electric tong system into proper position to grip the upper and lower tubulars. The power and backup tongs and lift assembly of the electric tong system are integrated into a single transportable unit and operated by three separate electrical motors, controlled by a single driver. The backup tong is located below the power tong and comprises a pneumatic cylinder, which operates a backup door, and a linear actuator driven by an electric motor for use in latching the backup tong door in a closed position and applying or releasing a clamping force to a tubular, during make-up or break-out operations.

Abstract: An elevator, apparatus, and method for handling a tubular, of which the apparatus includes a body defining at least a portion of a tapered bowl. The apparatus also includes a plurality of slips disposed at least partially within the bowl and configured to slide along a surface of the bowl. Each of the slips includes a radial engaging surface configured to engage an outer diameter of a tubular, and a tapered engaging surface configured to engage a tapered section of the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus to limit movement of gripping members relative to an elevator includes a locking arm coupled to the gripping members and a first engagement arm. The locking arm includes a set of teeth disposed longitudinally thereon, and the first engagement arm includes a first set of complimentary teeth configured to engage with the set of teeth of the locking arm. The first engagement arm is moveable between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement arm and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement arm allows the locking arm to move in a first direction but prevents the locking bar from moving in a second direction by more than a selected distance. The teeth of the locking arm engage the first set of complimentary teeth of the first engagement arm when the first engagement arm is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A threaded connector for a large diameter tubular member includes a pin member having an external thread formed thereon with a first contact surface located on one side of the external thread and a sealing element located on the other side of the external thread, and a box member having an internal thread formed thereon with a first contact surface located on one side of the internal thread and a second contact surface located on the other side of the internal thread. The first contact surface of the pin member and the second contact surface of the box member correspond with and are configured to engage with each other, and the first contact surface of the box member and the sealing element of the pin member correspond with and are configured to engage with each other.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for longitudinally moving or running a tubular, with the system including an elevator suspended from a rig. The elevator includes a body defining a bore to receive a tubular and wedges defining channels therebetween, with the wedges being configured to engage the tubular. The system may also include a spider including a body defining a bore to receive the tubular and wedges defining channels therebetween. The wedges of the spider may be configured to engage the tubular, and the wedges of the elevator may be configured to slide axially at least partially in the channels of the spider. The wedges of the spider may be configured to slide axially at least partially in the channels of the elevator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to wipe a tubular member includes a first wiper section and a second wiper section, in which the first wiper section and the second wiper section are movable with respect to each other towards a point of convergence. The apparatus may further include a base having an aperture formed therein to receive the tubular member such that the first wiper section and the second wiper section are connected to the base and movable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position.

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: A system to clean a tubular member includes an apparatus to support a tubular member having a bore with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, and a fluid dispensing system disposed adjacent to an opening of the apparatus, the fluid dispensing system having a nozzle to dispense fluid therefrom.

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: An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a first elevator segment and a second elevator segment, in which each of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment includes a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to guide a tubular member are described herein. The apparatus includes a bore with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and configured to support a tubular member, the apparatus having a first opening formed at a first side thereof, a second opening formed at a second side thereof, and an inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening. The apparatus further includes a first guiding member disposed adjacent to the first opening of the bowl and a second guiding member disposed adjacent to the second opening of the bowl.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for lifting a single joint of pipe. The single joint elevator of the present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a pair of deployable jaws cooperating with a pair of static jaws to secure a pipe within the slot of a generally horseshoe-shaped body. The deployable jaws of the single joint elevator of the present invention may be rotatably deployable or translatably deployable, or both. In one embodiment, each jaw, including the static jaws and the deployable jaws, comprises a pipe slip movably disposed within the jaw to secure a pipe segment within the slot and to self-tighten as the weight of the pipe segment secured within the single joint elevator is transferred to the slips and the jaws.

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 about which both the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment are rotatable with respect to each other. 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: Apparatus and method for limiting movement of gripping members of an elevator are provided. The apparatus includes a locking arm coupled to one or more of the gripping members and configured to move in a first direction when the gripping members move toward engagement with a tubular and to move in a second direction when the gripping members move away from engagement with the tubular. The apparatus also includes a first engagement member configured to move between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement member and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement member allows the locking arm to move in the first direction but restrains the locking bar from moving in the second direction by more than a selected distance.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system, and a method to secure a link in a drilling rig. The apparatus includes a carrier configured to removably secure at least a portion of the link therein, in which the carrier is configured to have a first end of the link accessible outside of the carrier. Further, the system includes a tool having a link ear and suspended within the drilling rig, the link ear configured to attach a first end of the link thereupon, and a carrier configured to removably secure at least a portion of the link, in which the first end of the link is accessible to attach to the link ear.

Abstract: An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body, and a base member coupled to a bottom surface of the elevator body, the base member having a guide portion that directs the tubular segment into the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including an actuator body coupled to the elevator body, a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment.

Abstract: An elevator, apparatus, and method for handling a tubular. The apparatus includes a body defining at least a portion of a tapered bowl. The apparatus also includes a plurality of slips disposed at least partially within the bowl and configured to slide along a surface of the bowl. Each of the slips includes a radial engaging surface configured to engage an outer diameter of a tubular, and a tapered engaging surface configured to engage a tapered section of the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling one or more tubulars. The apparatus may include a body defining at least a portion of a tapered bowl. A plurality of slips may be disposed at least partially within the bowl and configured to slide along a surface of the bowl. Each of the slips may include a radial engaging surface and a tapered engaging surface. The radial engaging surface may have a plurality of gripping structures extending inwardly therefrom that are configured to engage an outer surface of a first tubular having a substantially constant outer diameter. The tapered engaging surface may be configured to engage a tapered outer surface of a second tubular.

Abstract: A method to add a joint of pipe to a conductor string includes securing the conductor string with a spider, grasping an upper end of the joint of pipe with a segmented-ring elevator, engaging a plurality of slips of the elevator with an outer profile of the joint of pipe, raising the grasped joint of pipe from non-vertical to vertical, positioning the vertical joint of pipe atop the secured conductor string, attaching the joint of pipe to the conductor string, releasing the conductor string from the spider, and retaining the joint of pipe and the conductor string with the segmented-ring elevator.