Abstract: A method of running a tubular string into or out of a wellbore includes the steps of moving the tubular string relative to the wellbore and making up or breaking a connection between a tubular joint and the tubular string when the tubular string is being moved relative to the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting a tubular string preferably comprising at least one side nozzle near the lower end of a first tubular string. The nozzle permits passage of a fluid therethrough from the first tubular string bore and deflects the first tubular string in a substantially horizontal direction. A second tubular string may be lowered over the deflected first tubular string. The second tubular string and the first tubular string are preferably lowered into the sea floor for maintaining their deflection. A method for deflecting a first tubular string and securing the first tubular string in the deflected state preferably comprises lowering the first tubular string axially so that the lower end of the first tubular string is near the sea floor. Preferably, a fluid, such as seawater, is propelled down through the bore of the first tubular string and through at least one side nozzle near the lower end of the first tubular, wherein the fluid moving through the side nozzle deflects the first tubular string.

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 method for running a tubular string in wellbore operations according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a tubular running tool comprising gripping assembly rotationally connected to a carrier, the gripping assembly comprising a body and slips; connecting the carrier to a quill of a top drive of a drilling rig; positioning an end of a tubular for gripping with the slips; actuating the slips into gripping engagement with the tubular; and rotating the tubular with the slips in gripping engagement therewith.

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 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 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: The apparatus of the present invention is directed to a replacement cage assembly (106) to modify a conventional power tong (100) to enable the power tong to grip and rotate smaller diameter tubular segments (90). The method of the invention is directed to modifying a power tong (100) to grip and rotate a tubular segment of a diameter smaller than could be gripped by the unmodified power tong (100). The invention provides a rotary gear insert (240), having an interior second cam surface, rotatably captured intermediate an upper cage plate (230) and a lower cage plate (210) and slidably receivable within the conventional rotary gear of the power tong (100) and to cam and rotate a plurality of replacement gripping jaws (220, 221) pivotally captured adjacent the second cam surface (240) and intermediate the upper cage plate (230) and the lower cage plate (210).

Abstract: A tubular grip interlock system for ensuring that a tubular string is gripped by at least one of a first tubular gripping device and a second tubular gripping device includes a console having a panel forming a track having a first leg and a second leg; a first actuator operating the first tubular gripping device between an open and a closed position; a second actuator operating the second tubular gripping device between an open and a closed position; and a single control device movable along the track, the single control device operationally connected to the first actuator and operationally disconnected from the second actuator when the single control device is disposed along the first leg and wherein the single control device is operationally disconnected from the first actuator and operationally connected to the second actuator when the single control device is disposed in the second leg.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting a tubular string preferably comprising at least one side nozzle near the lower end of a first tubular string. The nozzle permits passage of a fluid therethrough from the first tubular string bore and deflects the first tubular string in a substantially horizontal direction. A second tubular string may be lowered over the deflected first tubular string. The second tubular string and the first tubular string are preferably lowered into the sea floor for maintaining their deflection. A method for deflecting a first tubular string and securing the first tubular string in the deflected state preferably comprises lowering the first tubular string axially so that the lower end of the first tubular string is near the sea floor. Preferably, a fluid, such as seawater, is propelled down through the bore of the first tubular string and through at least one side nozzle near the lower end of the first tubular, wherein the fluid moving through the side nozzle deflects the first tubular string.

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: 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: 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 connection for the quick and functionally reliable connection of tubulars including pipes and casing. The connection having a male or pin end and a mating female, box, or socket end and sections of circumferentially and axially extending protuberances such as thread segments or lugs interrupted by slots extending circumferentially and axially approximately the same distance as the corresponding protuberance section. Both the pin and box have matching or corresponding arrays of interrupted threads and slots. When properly aligned, the array will be accepted by a corresponding slot when mating the pin and box. After proper mating, the connection is secured by rotating the pin or box to further mate the corresponding patches of the pin and box.

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: The present invention is directed to a segmented bottom guide for directing the top of a tubular member into and through a bore in the bottom of a tapered bowl so that the tubular member can be engaged by pipe slips. One embodiment of the segmented bottom guide of the present invention comprises a bottom guide retainer having a plurality of chambers for being disposed intermediate the top of a bell guide and the bottom of the tapered bowl. The bottom guide segments are radially received into, and securable in, the retainer to therein and together form a generally conical frustum generally aligned with and intermediate the top of the bell guide and the opening of the tapered bowl.

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 apparatus for deflecting a tubular string preferably comprising at least one side nozzle near the lower end of a first tubular string. The nozzle permits passage of a fluid therethrough from the first tubular string bore and deflects the first tubular string in a substantially horizontal direction. A second tubular string may be lowered over the deflected first tubular string. The second tubular string and the first tubular string are preferably lowered into the sea floor for maintaining their deflection. A method for deflecting a first tubular string and securing the first tubular string in the deflected state preferably comprises lowering the first tubular string axially so that the lower end of the first tubular string is near the sea floor. Preferably, a fluid, such as seawater, is propelled down through the bore of the first tubular string and through at least one side nozzle near the lower end of the first tubular, wherein the fluid moving through the side nozzle deflects the first tubular string.

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: A method of running a tubular string into or out of a wellbore includes the steps of moving the tubular string relative to the wellbore and making up or breaking a connection between a tubular joint and the tubular string when the tubular string is being moved relative to the wellbore.