Abstract: Single joint elevator and method for releasably securing a tabular segment. A generally horseshoe-shaped body has a slot for receiving a tubular segment, and an actuator assembly that selectively moves opposing jaws from a removed position to a deployed position to grip and retain the tubular segment within the slot of the body while hoisting the body. The deployable jaws are either rotatably or translatably moved from the removed position to the deployed position and may be pneumatically, hydraulically, and/or electrically actuated. The actuator assembly may include wedges operatively coupled to actuators for selectively biasing the wedges against the jaws, or a cam ring rotationally coupled to the body and rotated by an actuator coupled between the body and the cam ring, wherein the cam ring has an inner cam surface for inwardly biasing the opposing jaws.

Abstract: A control line positioning apparatus (10) comprising a retainer arm (30), having a control line retainer thereon, is driven between a removed position with the retainer arm (30) positioned adjacent to a base and adjacent to a rig floor and a raised position with the retainer arm (30) raised by a drive member to a raised position to hold one or more control lines (90) along a portion of the length of a pipe string (80) to facilitate application of a clamp to secure the control lines to the pipe string (80). In one embodiment, the retainer arm (30) may be releasably secured to a docking assembly (50) disposed adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus and adjacent to a rig floor. In one embodiment, the control line positioning apparatus may comprise an ascending control line pathway (112) comprising a plurality of rolling members to direct one or more control lines to a retainer assembly.

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: 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 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 supported by a table elevated above the rig floor. Supporting the spider on an elevated table provides personnel with access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated spider and above the rig floor for applying a fastener to secure the control line to the pipe string. The control line is supplied from above the spider and is positioned by a control line guide supported on the spider or a sleeve to pass through the spider outside the path of the pipe gripping members, such as slips.

Abstract: An operational system and method and improved apparatus for positioning and stabbing well tubulars wherein: the grasping members of the apparatus can be folded and unfolded; the boom assembly can be pivoted to a downward clearance position; a plurality of stabbing apparatuses can be placed and used in a stacked position in the derrick; the grasping members can opened at an angle with respect the boom; the grasping members can be mounted on either lateral side of the boom; a sensor monitors the relative position of the rig top drive with respect to the stabbing apparatus; the grasping members and/or the boom will automatically pivot to a breakaway position if impacted; and/or the system is programmed and configured to prevent the accidental performance of critical operations out of sequence.

Abstract: A control line guide and manipulating arm can protect and guide one or more control lines which are desired to be attached and lowered into a wellbore with a tubular string. The control lines may be moved toward a tubular string, can be clamped to the tubular string, and the tubular string and control lines may be lowered into the wellbore. When the elevator reaches a predetermined position, the spider slips are preferably set. To protect the control lines, the control lines are moved in a substantially radial direction outward from the tubular string. The spider slips are closed only after the control lines are retained outward. After another tubular joint is connected to the tubular string and the elevator grips the tubular string, the spider slips are preferably released. For easier attachment, of the control lines to the tubular string, the control lines are moved in a substantially radial direction toward the tubular string.

Abstract: A control line guide and manipulating arm can protect and guide one or more control lines which are desired to be attached and lowered into a wellbore with a tubular string. The control lines may be moved toward a tubular string, can be clamped to the tubular string, and the tubular string and control lines may be lowered into the wellbore. When the elevator reaches a predetermined position, the spider slips are preferably set. To protect the control lines, the control lines are moved in a substantially radial direction outward from the tubular string. The spider slips are closed only after the control lines are retained outward. After another tubular joint is connected to the tubular string and the elevator grips the tubular string, the spider slips are preferably released. For easier attachment, of the control lines to the tubular string, the control lines are moved in a substantially radial direction toward the tubular string.

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: At least one sensor is mounted for monitoring the vertical position of an elevator relative to selected features on a tubular string. A variety of sensor types is provided. Optional mounting arrangement permits the sensors to be situated close to a tubular and free to move laterally. Excess lateral movement of the tubular moves the mounting; thus, reducing the shock to the sensors. In an additional embodiment, a sensor can provide position indication for tools or other equipment being lowered into the wellbore or into a tubular. In yet another embodiment, sensors are mounted to both indicate selected features on a tubular string and the position of tools being lowered into the tubular string.

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: When the spider slips are open, the control line can be moved toward the pipe string, can be clamped to the pie string and string and line can be lowered into the well. When the pipe connector approaches the spider, the spider slips need to be set. To move the control line into a safe area, it is thrust radially outward from the pipe string. The slips are closed while the line is retained outward. To keep them safe while work proceeds just above the spider an optional trap is closed to retain the control lines until the spider slips are opened. The lines can be manually pulled outward but it is more easily done with a powered thruster. Optional sequencing controls can start with moving the control line away from the pipe, closing the line trap, and closing the spider slips. Reversing the procedure, the sequencing controls open the spider slips, release the line trap, and moves the line toward the pipe.

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 serial element of a load lifting line has a telescoping body held in a short configuration by a linear slip clutch until a selected load on the line is exceeded. The slip clutch then allows the body to extend to a longer configuration in which it is retained as a length unit by abutting surfaces between which an elastomeric shock cushion is positioned. An optional arrangement includes a biasing provision to restore the link to the original condition, for further use, after the load is reduced. By utilizing optional provisions, the link can signal the overload condition by a whistle when the telescoping body extends. Visible signals can, optionally, be provided by members that extend from the body when the body is telescoped to the longer condition.

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 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 wellbore tubular handling system and method is provided for operation in holding and lowering tubulars, such as tubing strings, casing strings, pipe strings, and the various components thereof, at a rig site. The handling system utilizes a shock table with a compressible support surface that compressively moves with a selected compression rate in response to the weight of the wellbore tubular string. The shock table preferably has a shock table body mounted below the rig floor and may conveniently replace the rotary table master bushing except for a flange which supports the shock table on the rig floor. A split-sectioned landing spear can be split open to an open position to thereby allow large items such as collars or other string components to pass through the shock table.

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: At least one sensor is mounted for monitoring the vertical position of an elevator relative to selected features on a pipe string. Mounting for a variety of sensor types is provided. Optional mounting arrangement permits the sensors to be situated close to a pipe free to move laterally, excess lateral movement of the pipe to move the mounting with reduced shock to the sensors.