Abstract: Apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a first tong for gripping the first tubular and a second tong for gripping the second tubular, wherein the first tong is provided with teeth around a peripheral surface thereof, the second tong is provided with at least one pinion, and the pinion meshes with the teeth in such a way that the first tong and the second tong can be rotated relative to one another when the pinion is rotated. The apparatus may include a positioning apparatus for determining the position of the tubular relative to the tong. The positioning apparatus comprising a plunger movably disposed on a base and coupled to a visual indicator. The plunger includes a contact member disposed at one end, whereby contact with the tubular causes the plunger to move along the base and the distance traveled is indicated by the visual indicator. The apparatus may further include a torque measuring flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars, said apparatus comprising a winch (15), at least one wire line (4, 5), and a device (2) for gripping the tubular (3), the arrangement being such that, in use, the winch (15) can be used to winch said at least one wire (4, 5) and said device (2) to position a tubular (3) below said top drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a supporting member (13) connectable to said top drive (3) characterized in that it further comprises an internal tool (30) for engaging said tubular (7) and an external clamping device (39) for engaging said tubular (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a supporting member connectable to said top drive characterized in that it further comprises an internal tool for engaging said tubular and an external clamping device for engaging said tubular.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for coupling a top drive to a tubular gripping member comprises a body having a first joint coupled to the top drive and a second joint coupled to the tubular gripping member, wherein the body is adapted to allow fluid communication between the top drive and the tubular gripping member and to allow relative movement between the top drive and the tubular gripping member.

Abstract: A top drive system for drilling with casing includes a casing feeder and a torque head. In one embodiment, the casing feeder is adapted to position a casing for engagement with the torque head. The casing feeder includes a pair of conveying arms for engagement with the casing. Each conveying arm may be raised or lowered by a cylinder. The conveying arms are equipped with a motor driven roller for engaging and lifting the casing. The casing feeder may also be equipped with a counting apparatus to determine the positioning of the casing in the torque head.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a stator attachable to said top drive, and a supporting member for supporting a tool, wherein means are provided to allow substantially horizontal movement of said supporting member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive which, in one aspect, the apparatus includes a body connectable to said top drive. The body includes at least one gripping element radially displaceable by hydraulic or pneumatic fluid to drivingly engage a tubular to permit a screw connection between said tubular and a further tubular to be tightened to the required torque.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system. In one aspect, the present invention provides a tubular gripping member for use with a top drive to handle a tubular comprising a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of gripping elements radially disposed in the housing for engaging the tubular, wherein moving the housing relative the plurality of gripping elements causes the plurality of gripping members to engage the tubular.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides an apparatus for handling tubulars. In one aspect, the present invention provides a wrenching head for supplying torque over a large step less clamping range for connecting tubulars. In one embodiment, the wrenching head includes hydraulic clamping cylinders guided by pendulum bolts. The pendulum bolts prevent the piston from twisting or bending under a high clamping force. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a wrenching head having adjustable jaw units. The jaw units comprise a shaft threadedly connected to a jaw body. The jaw body includes a gear profile formed on an outer surface. A turn ring having a gear profile for mating with the gear profiles of the jaw body may be rotated to cause all of the jaw units to adjust simultaneously. In another aspect, the present invention provides a suspension unit to couple a spinner to the wrenching unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling tubulars is provided. In one aspect, a tong assembly is provided with a first tong for engaging a first tubular and a second tong for engaging a second tubular. Preferably, the tong assembly is mounted on a movable frame for moving the tongs to and from the tubulars. In one embodiment, the tong assembly includes a torque member for rotating the first tong. The first tubular may be rotated relative to the second tubular to makeup or breakout the tubulars. In another aspect, each tong may include a first gripping member operatively coupled to a second gripping member to retain a tubular. Each of the gripping members has a jaw for contacting the tubular. In one embodiment, at least one of the jaws is actuatable to apply a gripping force to the tubular.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling tubulars is provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides a spinner having a first arm having a first roller and a second arm having a second roller, the first arm and the second arm simultaneously adjustable to retain the tubular. The apparatus also includes a third roller capable of urging the tubular against the first and second rollers, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third rollers is actuatable to rotate the tubular. In one embodiment, the spinner further comprises a fluid operated cylinder for adjusting the first arm and the second arm. The arms are adjusted by actuating the cylinder extend or retract the first arm and the second arm. In another embodiment, the first arm and the second arm are coupled together and may retract or extend simultaneously. In another embodiment still, the arms may include a cam surface to move the rollers closer together to adjust to the size of the tubular being retained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive is provided. In one aspect, a body is connectable to said top drive. The body comprises at least one gripping element radially displaceable by hydraulic or pneumatic fluid to drivingly engage a tubular to permit a screw connection between said tubular and a further tubular to be tightened to the required torque.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system. In one aspect, the present invention provides for a top drive system having a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In one aspect, the top drive adapter is pivotably connected to the top drive for pivoting the top drive adapter toward the casing string with respect to the top drive. In another aspect, the system includes a telescopic link system connected to a lower portion of the top drive adapter to move the casing string into engagement with the top drive adapter. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for positioning a tubular relative to a tong is provided. In one aspect, a positioning tool may be mounted on a lower portion of the tong. The positioning tool includes a positioning member for determining a position of the tubular and a centering member for engaging the tubular. The positioning tool further includes an actuation device for actuating the centering member. The position of the tubular may be actively adjusted by actuating the centering member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding and turning a tubular and string of tubulars, such as casing, for make-up and drilling with the tubulars are disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a spear and a clamping head, both of which are mounted to a top drive. The spear and the clamping head can be engaged to transmit torque therebetween from the top drive. In addition, an aspect of the invention provides variable height wickers positioned on slips to enable use of the slips with variable inner diameter (ID) and weight casing without deformation or rupture of the casing. Still further, a casing collar is also provided to provide reinforcement to the casing in the area of slip contact with the casing ID.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive and is, more particularly but not exclusively, intended for facilitating the connection of a section or stand of casing to a string of casing.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping and releasing a tubular and comprising an elevator (13) having slips (15) for gripping and releasing a tubular (39,40). A spider (12) has slips (14) for gripping and releasing the tubular (33). A mechanically operated valve (18) is provided for controlling the supply of pressurised fluid to move the spider slips (14) between a gripping position and a release position, with sensor means (28) detecting when the elevator slips (15) are in the gripping position. Means (31) mechanically inhibits movement of the valve (18) to a position in which the spider slips (14) release the tubular (40) when said sensor means (28) detects that the elevator slips (15) are not in a correctly gripping position. A second valve (20) controls movement of the elevator slips (15) and a guide plate (24) links control of both valves (18, 20).

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, said apparatus comprising a motor (4, 4′) for rotating a tool (30) for drivingly engaging a tubular, and means (3) for connecting said motor (4, 4′) to said top drive, the apparatus being such that, in use, said motor (4, 4′) can rotate one tubular with respect to another to connect said tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars, said apparatus comprising a winch (15), at least one wire line (4, 5), and a device (2) for gripping the tubular (3), the arrangement being such that, in use, the winch (15) can be used to winch said at least one wire (4, 5) and said device (2) to position a tubular (3) below said top drive.