Abstract: An example of a method for cementing a casing within an earthen formation includes the steps of providing a gripping mechanism connected to a cementing assembly and a top drive; gripping the casing with the gripping mechanism; sealingly engaging the casing with a seal member; moving the casing to a position within the formation; and cementing the casing within the formation while maintaining a gripping and sealing engagement of the casing. The step of cementing may also include the step of remotely releasing a plug into the casing from the cementing assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling a supported tubular string with a string elevator and a spider on a rig to prevent damaging contact between the string elevator and spider while facilitating further connections of add-on tubular segments. The string elevator and supported tubular string descend toward the spider until reaching a predetermined position. The process of setting the spider into engagement of the tubular string is automatically initiated in response to detecting the predetermined position of the string elevator. With the spider set, the string elevator can be unloaded. Optionally, the method may also automatically terminate the string elevator descent in response to detecting that the spider has been set. A preferred apparatus for detecting the position of the elevator includes a tilt switch secured to a fixed position along the length of the Kelly hose.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, a wiper plug assembly, and a push plate assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head, push plate, and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: A self-tightening safety tubular clamp for suspending a casing string or other tubular member within a well. In one embodiment, a base has an opening for receiving the casing string. A first gripping member and an opposing second gripping member are each adapted to frictionally engage the casing string. First and second pivot arms include parallel linkages for supporting the gripping members. Each parallel linkage is pivotally secured to the base at one pivot pair, and pivotally secured to one of the gripping members at an upper pivot pair. Frictional contact with the gripping members allows the weight of the casing string to move the pivot arms downward. As the pivot arms move downward, the gripping members move downward and inward into engagement with the casing string. The parallel linkages ensure that gripping surfaces of the gripping members remains vertical, in alignment.

Abstract: A manual tong is disclosed which includes a continuous composite continuous belt, a handle assembly, and a jaw assembly, where the continuous composite continuous belt is designed to take the place of the convention linked chains used currently in manual tongs. The continuous composite continuous belt is held in place by a set of pins associated with the handle and jaw assemblies. Replacement of the linked chains with the continuous composite continuous belts improve tong safety, improve ease of use, lower cost, make adjustment easier and make continuous belt replacement easier reducing down time and increasing tong utility (one tong can be used for different pipe diameters with a simply adjustment of the continuous belt or a simple replacement of the continuous belt with a different size continuous belt.

Abstract: A system for screwing together threaded connections includes a pair of moveable arms which first grip the tubular to provide a contact force against three hydraulically powered drive rollers, that are contained within the arms. The three drive rollers will screw or “spin” the connection to an initial torque value. The moveable arms also contain a set of jaws (three) which extend radially inwardly to grip the tubular, so the connection can be made up to final torque by contracting a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder that is used to apply the final torque value is attached on one end, where the moveable arms are pinned together, and on the other end to something fixed, such a snub post or derrick leg. Rotation of the opposing connection is prevented by the use of standard equipment such as a manual chain tong.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: A U-shaped elevator having no doors is provided with first and second latching mechanisms which when contacted by the tubular to be entrapped within the elevator move from a closed position to an open position and which then return to a closed position as soon as the tubular is entrapped within the elevator. The latching mechanisms have a safety catch which prevents the tubular from being inadvertently removed from the elevator. The safety latch mechanism can only be activated by a handle which is manipulated by hand by personnel working on the derrick utilizing the elevator. The elevator has an open throat to receive tubulars that have couplers or other features with a lower flange surface for lifting a pipe string. The throat access has blocking members that are movable to allow tubulars to move out of the gap unless the blocking members are locked to prevent such movement. The blocking members have latches biased toward a position to immobilize the members.

Abstract: The apparatus is connected to a member on the elevator that moves if and when the slips move between the open and closed positions. The member is locked in a preselected position that attends the position of the slips when the elevator is considered safe. When the member is in that safe position a wireless signal is generated by the apparatus part on the elevator and received by a receiving part of the apparatus in a convenient remote location such as the drillers position. In response to the received signal, the receiving part produces a visible signal to indicate that the slips are in the preselected position.

Abstract: The spider for large pipe has a base that straddles a slip bowl and supports an overarm that extends part way around pipe to be supported. The overarm is pivotally attached to the base and is moved vertically by an air bag or power cylinders to move a slip assembly into and out of the tapered bore of the slip bowl to releasably support a pipe string.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus for manipulating well bore tubing includes a circular body having a top and a central cavity around a body axis. The cavity has a diameter allowing the collar portion of the tubing to pass longitudinally therethrough. A plurality of cavity restricting members above the body, supported on and spaced apart around the top of the body, have proximal and distal portions in respect to the cavity. One or more actuators are operatively associated with the petal plates for moving the proximal portion of each cavity restricting member into the cavity an extent sufficient, in combination with the other cavity restricting members so moved, to prevent passage of the collar portion of the tubing through the cavity, thereby to hold the tubing with the elevator.

Abstract: A magnetic anomaly detector at a selected location on a pipe string detects the passing of a pig carrying a permanent magnet. To distinguish between a number of pigs, the magnets are differently oriented, in terms of which magnetic pole passes the detector first. To distinguish between a number of magnet carrying pigs, the magnets are oriented such that a planned series of field changes occur in preferred order for each pig passing the detector.

Abstract: A U-shaped elevator having no doors is provided with first and second latching mechanisms which when contacted by the tubular to be entrapped within the elevator move from a closed position to an open position and which then return to a closed position as soon as the tubular is entrapped within the elevator. The latching mechanisms have a safety catch which prevents the tubular from being inadvertently removed from the elevator. The safety latch mechanism can only be activated by a handle which is manipulated by hand by personnel working on the derrick utilizing the elevator. The elevator has an open throat to receive tubulars that have couplers or other features with a lower flange surface for lifting a pipe string. The throat access has blocking members that are movable to allow tubulars to move out of the gap unless the blocking members are locked to prevent such movement. The blocking members have latches biased toward a position to immobilize the members.

Abstract: A tubular piling apparatus and method for penetrating the soil comprises, in a preferred embodiment, elements such as a drive shoe and/or other earth displacing structures which may be, in one presently preferred embodiment, of larger outer diameter than the surface conductor pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a collar mountable to the pilings having an earth displacing structure formed thereon. In another aspect, a drive shoe, being of a larger size than the conductor pipe and connected to the bottom section of the conductor pipe is provided with an exterior band mounted on the outer diameter of the drive shoe. The exterior band may be located proximate the lower end of the drive shoe. The drive shoe may include teeth formed such that causes compression of earthen formation away from the inner surface of the drive shoe.

Abstract: A frame is supported on adjustable jacks for aligning with a pile driver hammer body for removal or installation of the hammer piston. A terminal tube on the frame clamps to the hammer and a powered ram moves the piston.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: A toothed pipe gripping die insert has textured surfaces on the die surface opposite the pipe gripping teeth to reduce the insert-to-insert carrier contact surface area to increase unit loading such that selected loads forcing the die insert against its carrier impresses the textured pattern into the carrier surface to reduce the tendency for the die insert to slide on the die carrier surface.

Abstract: A U-shaped elevator having no doors is provided with first and second latching mechanisms which when contacted by the tubular to be entrapped within the elevator move from a closed position to an open position and which then return to a closed position as soon as the tubular is entrapped within the elevator. The latching mechanisms have a safety catch which prevents the tubular from being inadvertently removed from the elevator. The safety latch mechanism can only be activated by a handle which is manipulated by hand by personnel working on the derrick utilizing the elevator. The elevator has an open throat to receive tubulars that have couplers or other features with a lower flange surface for lifting a pipe string. The throat access has blocking members that are movable to allow tubulars to move out of the gap unless the blocking members are locked to prevent such movement. The blocking members have latches biased toward a position to immobilize the members.

Abstract: A wellbore tubular handling system and method is provided for operation in holding and lowering tubulars, such as casing strings, at a rig site. The handling system utilizes a plurality of interchangeable gripping modules for use with both the elevator slips and the spider. Because the gripping modules are completely interchangeable, only one additional gripping module is needed to provide redundancy at the well site to thereby reduce the equipment normally required. An elevator module receives the interchangeable gripping module therein. An interchangeable gripping module may also preferably be flush mounted in many standard rotary table types. Alternatively a top mount spider module is provided to receive a gripping module for other rig floor and/or rotary table constructions. The gripping module has three inner support rings and slips between approximately one and two feet in length to permit load support while protecting any thin walled casing that is used in the casing string.

Abstract: A base is supported on adjustable jacks for aligning with a pile driver hammer body for removal or installation of the hammer piston. A terminal tube on the base clamps to the hammer and a powered ram moves the piston.