Tubular running system

Abstract

A tubular running system including a running tool system for running wellbore tubulars, a tubular handling system connected to the running tool system, a drive system connected to the running tool system, and the tubular handling system having two spaced-apart extensible arms movable toward and away from the running tool system, in one aspect with an elevator connected to the arms for releasably engaging a tubular to be moved with respect to the running tool system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. Application Seri al No. 11/414,511 filed Apr. 28, 2006 from which the present application claims priority under the Patent Laws.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This present invention is directed to, among other things, wellbore tubular running systems; tubular handling apparatus for such systems; and methods of their use.

2. Description of Related Art

The prior art discloses a wide variety of wellbore tubular running systems, including, but not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,443,241; 6,637,526; 6,691,801; 6,688,394; 6,779,599; 3,915,244; 6,588,509; 5,577,566; 6,315,051; and 6,591,916, all incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

The prior art discloses a variety of tubular handling apparatuses, e.g., those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,527,493; 6,920,926; 4,878,546; 4,126,348; 4,458,768; 6,494,273; 6,073,699; 5,755,289; and 7,013,759, all incorporated fully herein.

Certain prior tubular running systems and methods using them require controlled manipulation of a tubular through a rig V-door area using rope(s) and/or a tailing arm; stabbing board operations and other necessary manual handling of tubulars; the use of power tongs for certain functions; a relatively large number of personnel with associated expenses and stand-by costs; and a separate single joint elevator to be mated with a running tool system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, discloses a tubular running system which includes: a tubular running tool (e.g., but not limited to, a casing running tool and a pipe running tool); a drive system (e.g. a rotary drive system, a power swivel system or a top drive system); and a joint handling system connected between the running tool and the top drive system. In certain particular aspects the joint handling system is a single joint system located between a running tool and a top drive. In other aspects, multiples (e.g. doubles or triples of tubulars) are handled.

In certain particular aspects, the single joint handling system has two spaced-apart extensible arms between whose ends is pivotably connected an elevator for releasably engaging a tubular. In one aspect the arms are moved toward and away from the running tool by mechanical apparatus, e.g., but not limited to, by a rotary actuator. In other aspects, one, two, or more cylinder apparatus connected at one end to the extensible arms and at the other end to the running tool or to a mount body move(s) the arms toward and away from the running tool.

Certain prior art running tool systems employ a relatively long lower stabbing guide to assist in the acquisition and positioning of a tubular. Certain of such guides use a relatively wide, relatively long skirt section for guiding a tubular with respect to the running tool. With certain embodiments of the present invention, the single joint handling system pulls a tubular coupling up to or into a running tool so that a relatively short, smaller stabbing section or bell can be used which results in a shorter overall system length. A compensator associated with the running tool can be used to facilitate the introduction (“soft stab) of a pin/male tubular end into a box/female tubular end.

In one aspect, after the single joint handling system elevator is connected to a tubular, the traveling equipment is raised until the tubular stand is in a vertical position under the running tool. The extensible arms are then extended to lower and “soft stab” the tubular stand into a tubular coupling of the tubular string, e.g. a string held in the slips at a rig floor rotary table.

It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods, including, but not limited to, single joint handling systems, tubular running systems, and methods of their use.

Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly described so that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention described below and which may be included in the subject matter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to be read to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention recognizes and addresses the problems and needs in this area and provides a solution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the following description of certain preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claim this invention no matter how others may later attempt to disguise it by variations in form, changes, or additions of further improvements.

The Abstract that is part hereof is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and scientists, engineers, researchers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent terms or legal terms of phraseology to determine quickly from a cursory inspection or review the nature and general area of the disclosure of this invention. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is done by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention or of the claims in any way.

It will be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed, described, and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical advantages and/or elements in claims to this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of embodiments of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. These drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have other equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a front view of a tubular running system according to the present invention with a single joint handling system according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a systems of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a side view of a systems of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E is a partial perspective view of part of the single joint handling system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1F is a side view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of part of a method according to the present invention using systems according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic view of part of a method according to the present invention using systems according to the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a schematic view of part of a method according to the present invention using systems according to the present invention.

FIG. 2D is a schematic view of part of a method according to the present invention using systems according to the present invention.

FIG. 2E is a schematic view of part of a method according to the present invention using systems according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This is a description of embodiments of the present invention preferred at the time of filing for this patent.

FIGS. 1A-1D show a system 10 according to the present invention which includes a tubular running tool system 20; a drive system 30 (shown schematically, FIGS. 1A, 1D; e.g., but not limited to, a top drive system); and a single joint handling system 50 according to the present invention. The tubular running system 20 may be any suitable known tubular running tool apparatus and, in one particular aspect, is a casing running tool system, e.g., but not limited to, a known casing running tool Model CRT 14 as is commercially available from National Oilwell Varco, owner of the present invention.

The drive system 30 can be any suitable known top drive system or power swivel system that can rotate tubulars which is connectible to a derrick D (see FIG. 1B). Optionally a drive system is used with an upper IBOP U and a lower IBOP L. In one aspect the drive system is a National Oilwell Varco TDS 11 500 ton system.

The single joint handling system 50 has a base S with two spaced-apart beams 51, 52 connected by a crossmember 59. Each beam 51, 52 is pivotably connected to a corresponding shaft 53, 54 (which may be a single unitary shaft through the mount body) projecting from a mount body 55. Arms 61, 62 are extensibly mounted on the beams 51, 52, respectively. Cylinder/piston apparatuses 56 (shown schematically) within the beams and arms (and connected thereto) move the arms 61, 62 with respect to the beams 51, 52. Hoses 57, 58 provide power fluid to the cylinder/piston apparatuses 56 (e.g. from a typical power fluid source on a rig). A single joint elevator 60 is pivotably connected to ends 71, 72 of the arms 61, 62. Any suitable known elevator may be used. In one particular aspect, the elevator is a Model SJH commercially available from National Oilwell Varco. According to the present invention, such an elevator is modified to be remotely-operable with a closed feedback system. In one aspect a tilt system 70 provides selective controlled tilting of the elevator 60. The tilt system 70 has a piston-cylinder apparatus 73 interconnected between the arm 61 and a body 65 of the elevator 60. A line 66 connects the system 70 to a control system CS (shown schematically, FIG. 1E), e.g., a rig control system, a TRS (trademark) system, a top drive control system (e.g., but not limited to, a known National Oilwell Varco Driller's Control Station, or a stand alone driller's control system and station that is temporarily or permanently installed on, with, or into an existing rig control system.

In one embodiment pivot cylinder apparatuses 81, 82 are connected between the mount body 55 and the beams 51, 52. Hoses 57, 58 provide power fluid (e.g. from a rig power source PS, shown schematically, FIG. 1D) to the cylinder apparatuses 56 and 81, 82. Each cylinder apparatus 81, 82 has one end connected to a shaft 91, 92, respectively, projecting from the mount body 55 and an end of a piston 83, 84, respectively, connected to one of the beams 51, 52. Extension and retraction of the pistons 83, 84 results in movement of the arms 61, 62 with respect to the running system 20. Optionally, the pivot cylinder apparatuses 81, 82 are connected to the system 20 or to structure above the system 20. Optionally, only one pivot cylinder apparatus is used.

A pin 95 projecting form the mount body 55 projects into a fixture 32 of the pipe handler 34, e.g. a torque tube of a pipe handler 34 to react torque generated by the tubular running system 20 into the fixture 32 (and to structure interconnected therewith) and to prevent rotation of the system 50 with the system 20. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2E, a pin 96 (or multiple pins) extend from the mount body 55 into a stabbing bell 39 of the drive system 30 which prevent the system 50 from rotating with the system 20.

In certain aspects, a system 50 according to the present invention falls within a width envelope of a top drive system above it.

FIG. 1F shows another embodiment of a system 10a, like the system 10, and like numerals indicate like parts. The system 10a has no pivot cylinder apparatuses 81, 82. The beams 51, 52 (one shown in FIG. 1F; as in FIG. 1A); connected arms (not shown; as in FIG. 1A); and elevator (not shown; as in FIG. 1A) are moved toward and away from the running tool system by a mechanical apparatus 74 that rotates the shaft 53a a single shaft extending through the mount body 55 to which both beams are connected. In one particular aspect the mechanical apparatus 74 is a rotary actuator apparatus with parts 74a, 74b interconnected with the shaft 53a (or two rotary actuator apparatuses if each beam is mounted to a separate shaft, e.g. shafts 53, 54).

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate one method according to the present invention using a system 10 according to the present invention to move casing on a rig R (e.g. a typical drilling rig system) above a wellbore W. As shown in FIG. 2A the drive system 30 has been lowered and the arms 61, 62 have been extended toward a piece or joint of casing C in the V-door area V of the rig R having a rig floor FR. The elevator 60 is latched onto the piece or joint of casing C below a coupling CG of the casing C. Such a step is used in adding a joint of casing to a casing string either during the typical casing of an already-drilled bore or in a casing-drilling operations. Sensors SR (shown schematically) indicate to the control system CS the extent of extension of the arms 61, 62; the angle of the beams 51, 52 with respect to the system 20; and the latch status of the elevator 60.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the joint of casing C has been hoisted upwardly by raising the system 10 in the derrick. Optionally tailing rope(s) and/or tailing arms(s) are used to support the joint C during this movement. In one aspect no such rope(s) or arm(s) are used and the system 50 supports the joint C.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the joint of casing C has been moved over the wellbore W in line with a string ST of casing. The coupling CG has been pulled up within the running tool system 20 by the single joint handling system 50 by retracting the arms 61, 62.

FIG. 2D illustrates lowering of the joint of casing C down to the top joint of the casing string ST for threaded mating and connection therewith. The system 10 is then lowered so that the coupling CG is located within the running tool system 20 so that holding slips 29 within the system 20 can be set on the body of the casing joint C and not on the coupling (see FIG. 2E, coupling CG and slips 29 in dotted lines).

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not in necessarily all, embodiments a tubular running system including: a running tool system for running wellbore tubulars; a tubular handling system connected to the running tool system; the tubular handling system having two arms comprising two spaced-apart extensible arms extendable in length and movable toward and away from the running tool system. Such a method may have one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: an elevator connected to the arms for releasably engaging a tubular to be moved with respect to the running tool system; the tubular handling system is a single joint handling system; a tubular to be handled by the tubular handling system is connected to at least one additional tubular; the tubular to be handled is connected to two additional tubulars; the tubular running system including engagement apparatus connected to the two arms for selectively engaging a tubular; wherein the two arms are sufficiently extensible and movable to move the tubular up to the running tool; wherein the wellbore tubulars are casing; a body positioned above the running tool system, and the two arms pivotably connected to the body; pivoting apparatus connected to the two arms for moving the two arms with respect to the running tool; wherein the two arms are connected to movable shaft apparatus on the body, the tubular running system further including the pivoting apparatus including rotation apparatus for rotating the movable shaft apparatus to move the two arms toward and away from the running tool system; pivoting apparatus having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotably connected to the body and spaced-apart from the two arms, and the second end pivotably connected to the two arms; a drive system connected to and above the running tool system; and/or wherein the drive system is a top drive system for wellbore operations.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not in necessarily all, embodiments a method for running tubulars, the method including engaging a tubular with a joint engagement apparatus of a tubular running system as any disclosed herein with a running tool system according to the present invention; and moving the tubular to the running tool system with the joint handling system. Such a method may have one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: wherein the arms of the tubular running system are sufficiently extendable and movable to move the joint into the running tool system, and moving the joint into the running tool system; wherein the joint engagement apparatus is an elevator; wherein the tubular running system includes a body positioned above the running tool system, the two arms pivotably connected to the body, and pivoting the arms with respect to the running tool system; wherein the tubular running system further comprises a drive system connected to and above the running tool system; and/or wherein the drive system is a top drive system for wellbore operations.

In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and the embodiments disclosed herein are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the scope of this invention and it is further intended that each element or step recited herein is to be understood as referring to the step literally and/or to all equivalent elements or steps. This specification is intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may be utilized. All patents and applications identified herein are incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

Claims

1. A tubular running system comprising

a running tool system for running wellbore tubulars,

a tubular handling system connected to the running tool system,

the tubular handling system having two arms comprising two spaced-apart extensible arms extendable in length and movable toward and away from the running tool system,

anti-rotation apparatus for selectively preventing the tubular handling system from rotating with respect to the running tool system.

2. The tubular running system of claim 1 further comprising

an elevator connected to the arms for releasably engaging a tubular to be moved with respect to the running tool system.

3. The tubular running system of claim 1 wherein

the tubular handling system is a single joint handling system.

4. The tubular running system of claim 1 wherein

a tubular to be handled by the tubular handling system is connected to at least one additional tubular.

5. The tubular running system of claim 4 wherein

the tubular to be handled is connected to two additional tubulars.

6. The tubular running system of claim 1 further comprising

the tubular running system includes engagement apparatus connected to the two arms for selectively engaging a tubular.

7. The tubular running system of claim 6 wherein the two arms are sufficiently extensible and movable to move the tubular up to the running tool.

8. The tubular running system of claim 1 wherein the wellbore tubulars are casing.

9. The tubular running system of claim 1 further comprising

a body positioned above the running tool system,

the two arms pivotably connected to the body.

10. The tubular running system of claim 9 further comprising

pivoting apparatus connected to the two arms for moving the two arms with respect to the running tool.

11. The tubular running system of claim 10 wherein the two arms are connected to movable shaft apparatus on the body, the tubular running system further comprising

the pivoting apparatus comprising rotation apparatus for rotating the movable shaft apparatus to move the two arms toward and away from the running tool system.

12. The tubular running system of claim 9 further comprising

pivoting apparatus having a first end and a second end,

the first end pivotably connected to the body and spaced-apart from the two arms, and

the second end pivotably connected to the two arms.

13. The tubular running system of claim 1 further comprising

a drive system connected to and above the running tool system.

14. The tubular running system of claim 13 wherein the drive system is a top drive system for wellbore operations.

15. A method for running tubulars, the method comprising

engaging a tubular with a joint engagement apparatus of a tubular running system, the tubular running system having a running tool system for running wellbore tubulars, a joint handling system connected to the running tool system, and the joint handling system having two spaced-apart extensible arms movable toward and away from the running tool system with the joint engagement apparatus connected to the arms for releasably engaging a tubular to be moved with respect to the running tool system, anti-rotation apparatus for selectively preventing the tubular handling system from rotating with respect to the running tool system,

moving the tubular to the running tool system with the joint handling system, and

selectively preventing the tubular handling system from rotating with the running tool system.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the arms are sufficiently extendable and movable to move the joint into the running tool system, the method further comprising

moving the joint into the running tool system.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the joint engagement apparatus is an elevator.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the tubular running system includes a body positioned above the running tool system, the two arms pivotably connected to the body, the method further comprising

pivoting the arms with respect to the running tool system.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the tubular running system further comprises

a drive system connected to and above the running tool system.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the drive system is a top drive system for wellbore operations.