Abstract: An apparatus (1) for connecting elongate components (6, 8), the apparatus (1) comprising a pair of tong units (2, 4) for receiving and gripping respective elongate components (6, 8) and connecting the elongate components (6, 8) end-to-end, wherein at least one of the tong units (2, 4) is adapted to rotate the gripped elongate component (6, 8); wherein each of the first and second tong units (2, 4) defines a central opening (10, 12) where the respective elongate component (6, 8) is gripped, the central opening (10, 12) having a substantially horizontal central axis (14) and a side access (16, 18) opening for inserting the elongate component (6, 8) into the central opening (10, 12) radially relative to the central axis (14); wherein the tong units (2, 4) are spaced apart substantially horizontally so that the elongate components (6, 8) to be connected are inserted and gripped in the tong units (2, 4) in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for connecting elongate components (6, 8), the apparatus (1) comprising a pair of tong units (2, 4) for receiving and gripping respective elongate components (6, 8) and connecting the elongate components (6, 8) end-to-end, wherein at least one of the tong units (2, 4) is adapted to rotate the gripped elongate component (6, 8); wherein each of the first and second tong units (2, 4) defines a central opening (10, 12) where the respective elongate component (6, 8) is gripped, the central opening (10, 12) having a substantially horizontal central axis (14) and a side access (16, 18) opening for inserting the elongate component (6, 8) into the central opening (10, 12) radially relative to the central axis (14); wherein the tong units (2, 4) are spaced apart substantially horizontally so that the elongate components (6, 8) to be connected are inserted and gripped in the tong units (2, 4) in a substantially horizontal orientation.