Abstract: A tubular running tool includes a mandrel assembly having an upper mandrel, a lower mandrel and a mid-mandrel, wherein the upper mandrel, the lower mandrel and the mid-mandrel rotate in unison; the lower mandrel having a tubular gripping portion; a slip disposed with the tubular gripping portion; the mid-mandrel forming a bore between a top end and a bottom end, the top end forming a slip-joint with the upper mandrel; and an actuator mechanism disposed with the mid-mandrel, the actuator mechanism comprising a compensation actuator and a slip actuator; wherein the compensation actuator functionally connects the upper mandrel and the lower mandrel to affect axial movement of the lower mandrel relative to the upper mandrel and the slip actuator moves the slip into gripping engagement with a tubular.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally mounted on the rig floor is adapted for easy disassembly and reassembly when the pipe slips within the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe string so that upon disassembly, a control line guide becomes vertically movable. The control line guide is adapted for being controllably elevated to a distance above the rig floor, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated control line guide and above the rig floor for securing control line to the pipe string using a fastener.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40.

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: One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40.

Abstract: A single joint elevator for releasably securing a tubular segment for hoisting the tubular segment into position to be threadably coupled to a pipe string suspended in a borehole. The elevator comprises two pivotally coupled jaw retainers securing jaws for engaging and gripping the tubular segment. A powered door is pivotally coupled to a first jaw retainer for selectively securing the second jaw retainer. The powered door includes a pivotable collar, a linear actuator assembly, and a linkage mechanism for selectively closing the door and clamping the distal end of the second jaw retainer to the distal end of the first jaw retainer. The actuator assembly clamps the jaw retainers with sufficient force for the jaws to grip and support the tubular segment for lifting.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40.

Abstract: An example of a caisson system that surrounds a conductor that extends from a head member positioned above a water surface to below a mud line includes a caisson positioned about the conductor, the caisson having a lowest end; a lower centralizer connected within the caisson proximate the lowest end of the caisson; and a second centralizer connected within the caisson above the lower centralizer relative to the mud line; wherein each centralizer includes a plurality of bow members extending between a first and a second collar, the first collar immovably connected within the caisson and the second collar moveable relative to the first collar, and each bow member curving inward from the caisson defining a bore disposing the conductor.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein relating to an apparatus to support a tubular member. The apparatus includes a bowl having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, in which the bowl includes an inner wall formed about the longitudinal axis that is tapered with respect to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes a plurality of slip assemblies movably disposed within to the bowl and having a tapered outer surface and a tapered inner surface with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tapered outer surface of the plurality of slip assemblies is configured to engage the tapered inner wall of the bowl. Further, the bowl may include a shoulder disposed on the inner wall that extends towards the longitudinal axis with respect to the inner wall. Each of the plurality of slip assemblies may be configured to engage the shoulder of the bowl.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and apparatus to inhibit rotation within a drilling rig. The apparatus may include a first member connected to a first component of the drilling rig, and a second member connected to the first member and connected to a second component of the drilling rig, the second component configured to move vertically with respect to the first component. The first member is configured to move vertically with respect to the second member and the first member and the second member substantially inhibit rotation between each other. The apparatus may include a rotational adjustment system, in which the rotational adjustment system is used to connect with one of the components of the drilling rig.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein to cut a control line and/or to run a control line on a rig. The apparatuses may include a movable cutting apparatus to cut a control line, a load transfer member to engage a control line, a load measuring device to measure a load imparted to a load transfer member, and a drive member to engage and drive a control line. The apparatuses and methods may be used with a control line positioning apparatus, a pipe engaging apparatus, and/or may be used by themselves.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to make-up or break-out a threaded tubular connection using an integrated power tong and back-up tong (10). The power tong (20) may be disabled upon sensing a predetermined threshold amount of displacement of at least a portion of a back-up tong (14). The sensed displacement indicates that the back-up tong (14) is slipping, and power tong (20) rotation may be disabled to prevent damage to the pipe string (16) or surrounding equipment. A slippage sensor (40) may be disposed to sense displacement of at least a portion of the back-up tong (14) relative to a supporting frame (12). In one embodiment, the slippage sensor (40) may be operatively coupled to a valve (50) disposed in communication with a fluid line (46) supplying power fluid to the power tong (20). The power tong (20) may be disabled by impairing flow to the power tong (20) upon sensing a predetermined displacement of the back-up tong (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for making and/or breaking a threaded connection between a first tubular and a second tubular according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure may include a spinner operable to spin the first tubular relative to the second tubular; a zero-side-load (“ZSL”) device operable to relieve the transverse force induced on the threaded connection in response to the spinner spinning the first tubular; a torque wrench operable to rotate the first tubular relative to the second tubular; and a back-up wrench operable to grip the second tubular.

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: A method to add a joint of pipe to a conductor string includes securing the conductor string with a spider, grasping an upper end of the joint of pipe with a segmented-ring elevator, engaging a plurality of slips of the elevator with an outer profile of the joint of pipe, raising the grasped joint of pipe from non-vertical to vertical, positioning the vertical joint of pipe atop the secured conductor string, attaching the joint of pipe to the conductor string, releasing the conductor string from the spider, and retaining the joint of pipe and the conductor string with the segmented-ring elevator.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to guide a tubular member are described herein. The apparatus includes a bore with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and configured to support a tubular member, the apparatus having a first opening formed at a first side thereof, a second opening formed at a second side thereof, and an inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening. The apparatus further includes a first guiding member disposed adjacent to the first opening of the bowl and a second guiding member disposed adjacent to the second opening of the bowl.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally mounted on the rig floor is adapted for easy disassembly and reassembly when the pipe slips within the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe string so that upon disassembly, a control line guide becomes vertically movable. The control line guide is adapted for being controllably elevated to a distance above the rig floor, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated control line guide and above the rig floor for securing control line to the pipe string using a fastener.

Abstract: A pipe torquing sprag tool comprises one or more elastomeric sprags supported on a sprag support in an arrangement lying generally in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the axis of the rotatable sprag support. Each sprag has a solid, uninterrupted side and an interrupted side, and each sprag reacts to a lateral force in the general direction tangential to the surface of the sprag support and applied near the top of the sprag to bend the elastomeric sprag either toward the interrupted side to at least partially lean, fold or collapse, or towards the substantially uninterrupted side for being deformed to a generally compressed and non-compliant configuration for gripping. The sprag tool of the present invention may comprise a sprag support for positioning an external arrangement of sprags for being inserted into the bore of an add-on pipe segment.

Abstract: A fluid flow control apparatus for use in a mid-string location in a pipe string being run into a well has an open fluid flow route to the annulus above the apparatus to provide more flow area for upwardly moving fluid. Flow up the upper pipe string bore is resisted to reduce fluid overflow from the top of the pipe string. Fluid flow down the pipe string bore closes the fluid channel between the lower pipe string bore and the upper annulus and blows out a pipe bore flow resisting element for free down flow of fluids in the pipe string bore.