Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating one or more than one physically detectable physical influence changes to control or manipulate a down hole device. The present invention intercepts existing control signals to various controllers on the rig and superimposes an encoded command on these existing control signals. The controllers comprise of motor drives, choke controllers, acoustic pulse generators, tracer injectors and other controllers that are used to generate a physically detectable changes in the rig environment. The encoded command acting on existing or new controllers generates a perceptible change in a physical parameter such as a variation in drilling mud pressure, a variation in drill string rotation speed, a variation is weight on bit, generation of acoustic pulse, or a variation in tracer injection properties.

Abstract: A hybrid choke control system wherein the traditional choke experience is manifest in auditory and visual feedback mechanisms which are emulated by a digital control system enabling direct control of either position or back pressure associated with an adjustable choke device. The present invention enhances safety and efficiency when used in association with oil field drilling operations and in particular when applied to a device which provides the user with enhanced control capabilities for direction controlling the back pressure and position associated with drilling chokes during down hole operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for remotely analyzing and affirmatively notifying appropriate personnel of problems and events associated with an oil recovery system-comprising hundreds of oil rigs over a vast geographic area. The results of selected Health Checks, which are run on each oilrig, are reported to a central server. The central server populates a data base for the oil recovery system, displays a red/yellow/green color coded electronic notification and status for an entire oil recovery system and affirmatively alerts appropriate personnel of actions required to address events associated with an oilrig in an oil recovery system. The diagnostics run at each oilrig are configurable at the individual rig. The present invention provides a dynamic oilrig status reporting protocol that enables population and display of a tree node structure representing an entire oil recovery system status on a single screen at a top level.

Abstract: A load compensator is disclosed for use in connection with a pipe running tool. The load compensator includes an outer housing connected to the portion of the pipe running tool that holds the pipe segment. A piston is disposed within the housing, and is connected to a top drive system of the pipe running tool. The housing is formed with a first port through which pressurized air is delivered inside the housing to drive the piston within the housing. A second port is disposed at a selected location on the housing, such that when the piston is advanced past the second port, pressurized air passes through the port, and causes the control circuit to stop delivering air through the first port. Once pressurized air no longer flows through the second port, the control circuit causes air to be delivered to the first port.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the torque applied to the drum shaft of a hoist. By measuring the torque on the drum shaft, the force or tension on the fast line can be accurately determined. If the force or tension on the dead line is also measured, the forces on the fast line and dead line can be used to determine the force applied to the load. One embodiment of the invention uses a transmission coupled to the drum shaft as a moment arm. The transmission is coupled to a fixed point by a strain-sensing element located some distance from the center of the drum shaft. The distance between the center of the drum shaft and the point along the transmission where the strain-sensing element is mounted provides the moment arm for measuring the torque on the drum shaft. Another embodiment of the invention provides “C”-shaped side plates to support and mount the main bearings of the drum shaft.

Abstract: A lined tubular assembly and a method and apparatus for lining an elongated tubular article to form the assembly. The lined tubular assembly has a metal tube with a non-metallic liner bonded to the internal surface thereof by a bonding agent. A non-metallic flanged end piece is secured to each end of the metal tube and has a first portion extending into the tube between the liner and the internal surface of the tube and a second portion covering the end surface of the tube. The method for producing the assembly includes introducing simultaneously into the tubular article both a tubular liner and a bonding agent for bonding the liner to the internal surface of the tubular article. The apparatus for producing the assembly includes an elongated liner installation device that simultaneously introduces the liner and bonding agent to the interior of the tubular article.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rapid replacement of upper inside blowout preventers (IBOP) on a top drive system (TDS) utilizes a hydraulic pressure booster to increase the operating pressure of a pipe handler/torque wrench, an air amplifier to increase the air pressure to a main shaft brake of the TDS in order to provide torque back-up, a rotary table back-up structure (RTBS) for providing a torque back-up for removing the upper IBOP, and a drive ring for preventing relative rotation between the RTBS and upper IBOP. The saver sub and lower IBOP are first broken out, or loosened, with the pipe handler/torque wrench. The upper IBOP is then broken out by placing the RTBS over the rotary table with the rotary table and the TDS main shaft locked. The modified TDS and pipe handler/torque wrench are then used together with the RTBS and drive ring in order to rapidly and safely replace the upper IBOP.

Abstract: The system and method for use with a drawworks having a rotatable drum on which a line is wound, wherein the drawworks and the line are used for facilitating movement of a load suspended on the line, includes a drawworks control system for monitoring and controlling the drawworks. A brake arrangement is connected to the rotatable drum for limiting the rotation of the rotatable drum and at least one electrical motor is connected to the rotatable drum for driving the rotatable drum. A load signal representative of the load on the line is produced and a calculated torque value based on the load signal and electrical motor capacity is provided. The drawworks control system provides a signal representative of the calculated torque value to the electrical motor wherein pre-torquing is generated in the electrical motor in response to the signal.

Abstract: A pipe handling machine for moving well pipes arranged essentially horizontally and essentially parallel to one another on a deck, and including a carriage which may contain an operator's control cabin and is mounted by tracks for movement transversely of the pipes, with an arm projecting from the carriage and adapted to support a pipe from one of its ends as a cantilever, and with the arm being power actuable upwardly and downwardly to raise and lower a pipe and in its elevated position shift the pipe laterally with the carriage. The arm may deliver the pipe to or receive it from an inclined conveyor leading to the rig floor. Preferably, two such machines are provided for shifting pipes on two storage decks at different levels, and for delivering pipes to or from an intermediate conveyor system extending between the two decks.

Abstract: An elevator for supporting a string of pipe in a well rig is actuable between a closed condition for gripping of the pipe and an open condition, and includes a safety device for preventing opening of the elevator when a string of pipe is positioned in and supported by the elevator, to thus prevent accidental dropping of the string into a well. The elevator may be opened and closed by air pressure, with the safety device preferably including a sensing element positioned to respond to the presence of a well pipe in the elevator at a location to be supported thereby, and a valve actuable by the sensing element to control the delivery of pressure fluid to the elevator.

Abstract: A device for transmitting torque from a power unit to a drill string or other rotary pipe, and which is constructed upon reverse rotation to preferentially break a threaded connection between the device and a stand of the pipe without disconnecting a plurality of lengths of pipe in the stand from one another. The torque transmitting device includes a tubular structure having a thread adapted to be advanced into engagement with a thread at an end of the pipe, and a shoulder ring carried by and rotatable with the tubular structure and having a shoulder engageable against a shoulder of the pipe to limit advancement of the threads together, with axial forces being transmitted from the tubular structure to the ring by interengageable bearing surfaces which permit limited rotary movement of the structure and its thread relative to the shoulder ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus comprising a side drive system with a drive shaft (24, 24a) driven from the platform level (10) and powering a drilling unit (16) for rotating drill pipe (14). Except for the tethering of the drive shaft at the top of the derrick (60-64) and its coupling to a power source (70) at the platform level, there is preferably no stabilizing means for the system. The drive shaft (24, 24a) is stationary, preferably hollow, and extends the height of the derrick located to one side of the main drilling axis. The power source (70) at the platform level comprises a power takeoff from a conventional rotary table (84). The upper drive assembly (18) of the drilling unit (16) is coupled to the drive shaft (24, 24a) and capable of vertical movement along the drive shaft and providing torque to the drill string.

Abstract: A well pipe handling machine including a vertically extending column structure which carries means for engaging and holding a pipe in vertical condition and is movable with the pipe holding means between a first position in which a carried pipe can be connected to and disconnected from the upper end of a drill string and a laterally offset second position for storing pipe in a rack at a side of the well. The pipe holding means may include a parallelogram mechanism having two arms carrying two vertically spaced pipe holding units and adapted to swing in unison to move the units toward and away from the column structure. The column desirably also carries pipe rotating means including a torque wrench and a spinner for making and breaking a threaded connection between a section of pipe and the string.

Abstract: A well pipe handling machine for removing a series of stands of pipe from the upper end of a well pipe string and storing the stands in a rack offset to a side of the well axis and/or returning the stands sequentially from the rack for reconnection to the string. The machine includes a support which carries units for holding a pipe in vertical condition and is movable between a position in which the pipe is in alignment with the well axis and a location near the storage rack, and which preferably takes the form of a vertically extending column structure movable horizontally by two synchronized drive mechanisms at the top and bottom of the column structure. The pipe holding units are desirably shiftable upwardly and downwardly relative to the support and also generally horizontally toward and away from the support for placement of the pipe stands in the rack and removal therefrom.

Abstract: A well pipe handling machine for removing a series of stands of pipe from the upper end of a well pipe string and storing the stands in a rack offset to a side of the well axis and/or returning the stands sequentially from the rack for reconnection to the string. The machine includes a support which carries means for holding a pipe in vertical condition and is movable between a position in which the pipe is in alignment with the well axis and a location near the storage rack, and which preferably takes the form of a vertically extending column structure movable horizontally by two synchronized drive mechanisms at the top and bottom of the column structure. The pipe holding means are desirably shiftable upwardly and downwardly relative to the support and also generally horizontally toward and away from the support for placement of the pipe stands in the rack and removal therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for use during connection of a length of pipe to the upper end of a drill string, preferably in a top drive drilling arrangement, and including a back-up tool for retaining the upper end of the drill string against rotation as the added length of pipe is connected threadedly thereto. This back-up tool is mounted for movement between an active position for engaging and holding the upper end of the drill string and a laterally retracted position.

Abstract: A rigid connection for joining together two successive sections of a string of piling or the like includes a tubular box member, a pin member having a portion which projects into the box member, a locking member operable to releasably hold the pin and box members against separation, and a retaining element for holding the locking member in its active locking position. The locking member may take the form of a split ring having an interruption within which the retaining element is receivable to hold the locking member in an expanded locking condition. The locking member is preferably initially actuated to its locking condition by fluid pressure actuated means.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating the drilling of a well with a top drive unit having a motor which is connected to the upper end of the drill string and moves upwardly and downwardly therewith. The methods and apparatus of the invention enable the drill string to be pulled upwardly off of the bottom of the well each time an additional length of drill pipe is added to the string, with the connection between that added length and the upper end of the string being made at an elevated location spaced above the rig floor. In one form of the invention, an elevated platform is provided on which a person may move to a location near the raised upper end of the string for assisting in making the connection, with that platform preferably being mounted to swing between a retracted position in which it remains during the drilling operation and an active position in which it projects to a point near the top of the string during the connecting process.

Abstract: A casing jacking mechanism is positionable in the rotary table opening of a well drilling rig to lower casing into the well, and is preferably formed sectionally of a number of components adapted to be assembled temporarily on the rig and subsequently dismantled after the casing has been lowered. The jacking machanism may include a first support structure to be located above the upper end of the well, two piston and cylinder mechanisms adapted to be lowered at different sides of the axis of the well to positions in which their cylinders are connected by the support structure, a second support structure connectable to and actuable vertically by the pistons of the piston and cylinder mechanisms a spider unit adapted to be placed on the first support structure and releasably engageable with the well pipe, and an elevator to be positioned on the second support structure for movement vertically therewith and also releasably engageable with the well pipe.