Abstract: A gripping system is taught for gripping oil well casing, casing string or other string comprising one or more slips cammed against one or more inclined recesses when the gripping system is rotated to maintain gripping engagement of the casing. A further gripping system is taught for gripping oil well casing, casing string or other string comprising one or more slips received into one or more inclined recesses. A method is taught for gripping casing sections or casing strings. The method comprises the steps of providing a gripping system comprising one or more recesses and one or more slips, setting said one or more slips on the casing section and rotating the gripping system to cam said one or more slips against said one or more inclined recesses, wherein camming said one or more slips against said one or more inclined recesses serves to maintain gripping engagement on the casing. A further method is taught for gripping casing sections or casing strings.

Abstract: A device is taught for gripping casing joints comprising one or more first cylinders and one or more second cylinders actuated by a singular hydraulic system. A second device is taught comprising a gripping system, said gripping system comprising one or more slips cammed against one or more inclined recesses when the gripping system is rotated to maintain gripping engagement of the casing. A third device is taught comprising a gripping system, said gripping system comprising one or more slips received into one or more inclined recesses. A fourth device is taught comprising one or more dies supported on one or more said slips by means of mating load transfer profiles. A fifth device is taught comprising a tubular guide means. A sixth device is taught comprising an integral fluid compensator chamber. A seventh device is taught comprising a hydraulic swivel comprising one or more sealing means having predictable seal fluid leak rates.