Abstract: A gripping tool for gripping oilfield tubulars includes a gripping element having a substrate, and at least one gripping surface configured to engage an oilfield tubular, the at least one gripping surface being formed on the gripping element. The at least one gripping surface includes a coating on an outer surface of the substrate, the coating includes a carrier and a plurality of particles at least partially embedded in the carrier. The particles each have a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the carrier and a base metal of the gripping element, and the particles extend outward from the carrier and are configured to engage a structure that is gripped by the gripping tool.

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: A gripping tool for gripping oilfield tubulars includes a gripping element having a substrate, and at least one gripping surface configured to engage an oilfield tubular, the at least one gripping surface being formed on the gripping element. The at least one gripping surface includes a coating on an outer surface of the substrate, the coating includes a carrier and a plurality of particles at least partially embedded in the carrier. The particles each have a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the carrier and a base metal of the gripping element, and the particles extend outward from the carrier and are configured to engage a structure that is gripped by the gripping tool.

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: 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: 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 embodiment of an apparatus for laser shock peening a treatment region of a metallic member includes a base oriented along a longitudinal axis; an engagement member actuable to engage a surface of the metallic member, the base in connection with engagement member; and a laser peening head adapted to emit laser radiation disposed with the base, the laser peening head moveable relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An internally gripping tong to rotate tubular segments comprising a central cam body rotatably disposed within a housing having a plurality of windows. The cam body is surrounded by a plurality of angularly distributed gripping jaws slidably received within the windows. The tong is disposed within a bore of a tubular segment, and rotation of the housing relative to the cam body deploys the gripping jaws radially outwardly within the windows to engage the interior wall of the tubular segment. The tong may be self-energizing in both the make-up and the break-out modes of operation. The tong may be deployed to grip the tubular segment using a device to frictionally couple the housing to the tubular segment that cooperates with the top drive assembly, or by an internal actuator that imparts rotation to the housing relative to the cam body.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for laser shock peening a treatment region of a metallic member includes a base oriented along a longitudinal axis; an engagement member actuable to engage a surface of the metallic member, the base in connection with engagement member; and a laser peening head adapted to emit laser radiation disposed with the base, the laser peening head moveable relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for interconnecting tubular sections includes the steps of vertically positioning a second tubular above a first tubular forming a seam defined by a bottom end of the second tubular and a top end of the first tubular; positioning a friction stir welder (FSW) proximate to the seam; aligning the first tubular and the second tubular to form a longitudinal axis; and guiding the FSW along the seam forming a weld joint.