Abstract: Spring loaded dogs are attached to the housing to engage the casing internally or externally to facilitate extension or retraction of the slips that selectively grab the topmost of a string of casing. When the tool is suspended from the top drive, its components are rotationally locked to facilitate insertion into the casing stand on top of a string being run in the hole. Some set down weight allows top drive rotation to move a multi-ramped mandrel axially because that mandrel is rotationally locked to the housing that is held fast by the spring loaded dogs bearing on the casing. Once the slips are extended with a specified torque applied from the top drive, further setting down weight locks the components and the housing so that applied rotation with setting down weight will turn the casing string but will not torque up the slips beyond their set position.

Abstract: A rotary table has a non-circular drive recess in the central opening which carries an assembly of mounting structures and slip carriers that when joined together fit in the non-circular drive recess. The plurality of slip carriers are distributed about the periphery of the drive recess are extended down into the central opening of the rotary table. A slip and die arrangement is situated on each slip carrier. Slip manipulation drive cylinders, are distributed about the assembly periphery and move a synchronizer plate that moves the slips vertically to grip or release pipe extending through the opening of the rotary table.

Abstract: A casing running tool is connected to a top drive with a clutch that operates with set down weight against a spring resistive force. Setting down weight with rotation in a first direction raises an actuation member that pushes the slips out radially. The weight of the string then keeps the slips in position so that the string can be picked up and the rig floor slips removed followed by lowering the string while circulating and rotating. With slips set inside the joint and the string hanging free, rotating the top drive rotates the string as the string is lowered. With slips again supporting the string on the rig floor the top drive can be rotated in an opposed direction with weight set down to back off the slips and to remove it from the top joint.

Abstract: A fill up tool has an adjustable length to selectively lengthen the fill up a tool or retract to be positioned completely above the elevator so that elevator movement will not interfere with the fill up tool. The seal is fixed to the tool so that the load caused by the pressurized seal does not have to be balanced by the operating force of the piston. A full open valve is operated when the tool is extended to fill up or take flow back.

Abstract: A rotary table has a non-circular drive recess in the central opening which carries an assembly of mounting structures and slip carriers that when joined together fit in the non-circular drive recess. The plurality of slip carriers are distributed about the periphery of the drive recess are extended down into the central opening of the rotary table. A slip and die arrangement is situated on each slip carrier. Slip manipulation drive cylinders, are distributed about the assembly periphery and move a synchronizer plate that moves the slips vertically to grip or release pipe extending through the opening of the rotary table.

Abstract: A fill up and circulating tool has a threaded hub covered by a rapidly removable cover. The cover protects the threads from damage until a well kick occurs. When the well kicks the cover is rapidly removed and the fill up tool is brought down with the top drive to which it is connected. The top drive rotates the mandrel of the tool to make the threads up to a coupling on the uppermost stand of casing to provide a metal to metal seal that can resist a well kick coming up through the casing and around the outside of the fill up tool. The top drive system has a surface valve that can be closed quickly to contain the kick through the fill up tool.

Abstract: Spring loaded dogs are attached to the housing to engage the casing internally or externally to facilitate extension or retraction of the slips that selectively grab the topmost of a string of casing. When the tool is suspended from the top drive, its components are rotationally locked to facilitate insertion into the casing stand on top of a string being run in the hole. Some set down weight allows top drive rotation to move a multi-ramped mandrel axially because that mandrel is rotationally locked to the housing that is held fast by the spring loaded dogs bearing on the casing. Once the slips are extended with a specified torque applied from the top drive, further setting down weight locks the components and the housing so that applied rotation with setting down weight will turn the casing string but will not torque up the slips beyond their set position.

Abstract: A casing running tool is connected to a top drive with a clutch that operates with set down weight against a spring resistive force. Setting down weight with rotation in a first direction raises an actuation member that pushes the slips out radially. The weight of the string then keeps the slips in position so that the string can be picked up and the rig floor slips removed followed by lowering the string while circulating and rotating. With slips set inside the joint and the string hanging free, rotating the top drive rotates the string as the string is lowered. With slips again supporting the string on the rig floor the top drive can be rotated in an opposed direction with weight set down to back off the slips and to remove it from the top joint.

Abstract: A mud saver valve is constructed so that the valve seats self align preventing the loss of fluid when the valve is in the closed position. One or both seats can skew their longitudinal axes to get the alignment.

Abstract: A high-pressure casing fill-up and circulating assembly and method of use is disclosed. The fill and circulating assembly, when inserted into the uppermost portion of the casing, will allow the casing to be filled while each section of casing is added. In one configuration there can be a cup type seal that seals in the casing simply by inserting the circulator into the casing. In yet another configuration the casing circulator portion can be anchored in the casing by manipulating the setting apparatus of the circulator thus anchoring the circulator to the casing and a settable seal unit will be energized to seal between the casing and the circulator.

Abstract: A mud saver valve is constructed so that the valve seats self align preventing the loss of fluid when the valve is in the closed position. One or both seats can skew their longitudinal axes to get the alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adapting a combination of well tubulars in a string to accept a single filling and circulation apparatus and to eliminate the need for bails and elevators. In addition an adapter and a new filling and circulation apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Several well bore clean-out apparatus' are disclosed that provides a method of cleaning a well bore while the apparatus' are being deployed into a well forcing well bore fluid into a work string and for moving solids to the surface. A method of cleaning multiple diameters of well casings is also disclosed. A method of circulating or reverse circulating the well at anytime during the deployment of the apparatus' is disclosed.

Abstract: A wellbore cleanup tool and method are described. In one embodiment, the fluid is displaced with a cup seal into the tubing/drill pipe as the seal is lowered into the wellbore. In another embodiment reverse circulation directs debris into the tubing/drill pipe as it is loosened on the trip into the hole. The returning fluid laden with debris can be directed to either below the cleaning equipment or above it when used with a cup seal and a return port adjacent to it.

Abstract: A system for capturing displaced fluid or pumping fluid through tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore is described. Embodiments are supported by a traveling block and top drive unit with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mud system.

Abstract: Several well bore clean-out apparatus' are disclosed that provides a method of cleaning a well bore while the apparatus' are being deployed into a well forcing well bore fluid into a work string and for moving solids to the surface. A method of cleaning multiple diameters of well casings is also disclosed. A method of circulating or reverse circulating the well at anytime during the deployment of the apparatus' is disclosed.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.

Abstract: A apparatus is disclosed for attaching and sealing to the upper end of the casing allowing the inner string to be run through the apparatus. The apparatus provides a latch for anchoring the inner string and a seal for sealing on the inner string. Also disclosed is a flow path for providing for circulation of fluid between the inner string and casing annulus. Also disclosed is an inner string sub that provides a profile anchoring and sealing the inner string by the apparatus.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.

Abstract: A mudsaver valve having a large flow capacity is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. This mudsaver valve also provides for pumping of fluid into the tubular or flow of fluid from the tubular to the mud system prior to removing the apparatus from the tubular. In these embodiments, the apparatus can be placed in threaded sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a safety valve that can be manually closed in the event of a well kick.