Abstract: A top drive system includes a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system are provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides for a top drive system having includes a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In one another aspect, the system includes a telescopic link system connected to a lower portion of the top drive adapter to move the casing string into engagement with the top drive adapter. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for connecting a first tubular with a second tubular. The apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging the first tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. The apparatus also includes a spinner for rotating the first tubular. In one embodiment, the spinner includes a motor and one or more rotational members for engaging the first tubular. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a rotation counting member biased against the first tubular. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of connecting a first tubular to second tubular. The method includes engaging the first tubular using a gripping member connected to a conveying member and positioning the gripping member to align the first tubular with the second tubular. Thereafter, the first tubular is engaged with the second tubular, and the first tubular is rotated relative to the second tubular using the gripping member.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning and doping a pin 2 of a tubular 3 during the making or breaking of a string on a well platform. The apparatus comprises a housing 4 having first and second conosed ends 6,7 and arranged in used to be secured at its first end 7 to the well platform or to a movable arm. The second end 6 has an opening therein for receiving the pin 2 to be cleaned and doped. A nozzle array 16 is mounted within the housing 4 for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the housing 4 and is coupled to a source of lubricant. A washing and drying unit 10 is also mounted within the housing 4, axially displaced from said nozzle array 16 and coupled to a source of cleaning liquid and a source of drying gas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system are provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides for a top drive system having includes a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In one another aspect, the system includes a telescopic link system connected to a lower portion of the top drive adapter to move the casing string into engagement with the top drive adapter. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system are provided. In one aspect, a top drive system includes a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In another aspect, the top drive adapter is pivotably connected to the top drive for pivoting the top drive adapter toward the casing string with respect to the top drive. In another aspect, the system includes a telescopic link system connected to a lower portion of the top drive adapter to move the casing string into engagement with the top drive adapter. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with position sensors. When the apparatus has moved one tubular into alignment with another tubular a button on a remote control console is pressed to memorize the position. After the next tubular has been gripped by the apparatus a “recall” button is pressed and the apparatus automatically moves the next tubular to the memorized position. This saves vital seconds in joining tubulars and also reduces the likelihood of threads being damaged due to misalignment of the tubulars.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system. In one aspect, the present invention provides for a top drive system having a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In one aspect, the top drive adapter is pivotably connected to the top drive for pivoting the top drive adapter toward the casing string with respect to the top drive. In another aspect, the system includes a telescopic link system connected to a lower portion of the top drive adapter to move the casing string into engagement with the top drive adapter. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with position sensors. When the apparatus has moved one tubular into alignment with another tubular a button on a remote control console is pressed to memorise the position. After the next tubular has been gripped by the apparatus a “recall” button is pressed and the apparatus automatically moves the next tubular to the memorised position. This saves vital seconds in joining tubulars and also reduces the likelihood of threads being damaged due to misalignment of the tubulars.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning and doping a pin (2) of a tubular (3) during the making or breaking of a string on a well platform. The apparatus comprises a housing (4) having first and second opposed ends (6, 7) and arranged in used to be secured at its first end (7) to the well platform or to a moveable arm. The second end (6) has an opening therein for receiving the pin (2) to be cleaned and doped. A nozzle array (16) is mounted within the housing (4) for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the housing (4) and is coupled to a source of lubricant. A washing and drying unit (10) is also mounted within the housing (4), axially displaced from said nozzle array (16) and coupled to a source of cleaning liquid and a source of drying gas.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with position sensors. When the apparatus has moved one tubular into alignment with another tubular a button on a remote control console is pressed to memorize the position. After the next tubular has been gripped by the apparatus a “recall” button is pressed and the apparatus automatically moves the next tubular to the memorized position. This saves vital seconds in joining tubulars and also reduces the likelihood of threads being damaged due to misalignment of the tubulars.

Abstract: A centralizer which comprises a pair of annular bands (2, 3) which are spaced apart by a plurality of hollow members (4 to 9) characterized in that the hollow members (4 to 9) are each provided with at least one window (24, 25, 26) having a roller (12, 13, 14) freely rotatably mounted therein.

Abstract: A centralizer comprises two annular bands which are spaced apart by a plurality of members extending there-between. The members are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the centralizer by an angle a of typically 30.degree. to 45.degree..

Abstract: A centralizer comprises two spaced-apart support rings connected by spring bows. Each support ring is provided with an internal groove. In use the centralizer is slid onto a pipe provided with two spaced-apart external grooves. When the internal grooves on the support rings overly the external grooves on the pipe a flexible stop ring is inserted through a window in the support rings into a space defined by the internal groove and the external groove. The internal groove on the support ring extends axially longer than the stop ring by an amount such that the spring bows can be pressed flat against the periphery of the pipe.

Abstract: A power tongs for threadedly connecting together pipes which are to constitute casings for boreholes has a platform for a reciprocable slide which supports a power-driven threading clamp and a counter device. The clamp and the counter device are connected to each other by several level compensating hydraulic cylinders each of which is movable horizontally within limits relative to the slide against the opposition of resilient support elements. The upper end portions of the cylinders are connected to a holding plate for the clamp.