Abstract: A manual tong is disclosed which includes a continuous composite continuous belt, a handle assembly, and a jaw assembly, where the continuous composite continuous belt is designed to take the place of the convention linked chains used currently in manual tongs. The continuous composite continuous belt is held in place by a set of pins associated with the handle and jaw assemblies. Replacement of the linked chains with the continuous composite continuous belts improve tong safety, improve ease of use, lower cost, make adjustment easier and make continuous belt replacement easier reducing down time and increasing tong utility (one tong can be used for different pipe diameters with a simply adjustment of the continuous belt or a simple replacement of the continuous belt with a different size continuous belt.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

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: A wellbore tubular handling system and method is provided for operation in holding and lowering tubulars, such as casing strings, at a rig site. The handling system utilizes a plurality of interchangeable gripping modules for use with both the elevator slips and the spider. Because the gripping modules are completely interchangeable, only one additional gripping module is needed to provide redundancy at the well site to thereby reduce the equipment normally required. An elevator module receives the interchangeable gripping module therein. An interchangeable gripping module may also preferably be flush mounted in many standard rotary table types. Alternatively a top mount spider module is provided to receive a gripping module for other rig floor and/or rotary table constructions. The gripping module has three inner support rings and slips between approximately one and two feet in length to permit load support while protecting any thin walled casing that is used in the casing string.

Abstract: A base 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 base clamps to the hammer and a powered ram moves the piston.

Abstract: A connector for connecting large tubulars of the type used in oil well tubing, casing and the like, without resorting to welding, to form a pipe string for use in drilling. The connector comprises a pin and box threaded connection having guiding surfaces integral with the pin and box members to facilitate the threaded connection of large tubulars. Alignment indicators may be used to provide that initial thread contact is near 360° around the circumference of the connector to provide a more even distribution of the initial contact forces on the threads rather than substantially all force acting on a smaller area of thread. This alignment also speeds the makeup of the pipe. A thread factor is provided with a desired axial length and radial length to avoid deformation of the threads. The tubular alignment using alignment indicators, centralizing effect of guidance surfaces, and thread factor may work in combination to improve the reliability, durability, and speed of making the connection.

Abstract: A wellbore tubular handling system and method is provided for operation in holding and lowering tubulars, such as casing strings, at a rig site. The handling system utilizes a plurality of interchangeable gripping modules for use with both the elevator slips and the spider. Because the gripping modules are completely interchangeable, only one additional gripping module is needed to provided 100% redundancy at the well site to thereby reduce the equipment normally required by approximately 25%. An elevator module receives the interchangeable gripping module therein. An interchangeable gripping module may also preferably be flush mounted in many standard rotary table types. Alternatively a top mount spider module is provided to receive a gripping module for other rig floor and/or rotary table constructions.

Abstract: A portable RF transmitter is carried aloft by a stabber in an oilfield derrick to observe a casing stabbing operation, and to determine whether the upper joint of casing, suspended by a crown block and an elevator, has been successfully stabbed into the lower joint of casing. Once that determination has made that the stabbing was successful, the stabber activates the RF transmitter to send a signal to the driller stationed at the driller's console on or near the drilling rig floor. The RF signal initiates an indication to the driller, usually one or more lights on the driller's console, that the stabbing process was successful, and that it is now safe for the driller to raise the elevator away from the upper joint of casing. Alternatively, the transmitted signals may be electrical, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, optical, infra-red, or microwave. The indication to the driller that the stabbing operation was successful may be visual, audible, or tactile in nature.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: Shaped plates are provided, one above each side of a spider, to replace the bails and links used to suspend the spider and its pipe payloads. The load applied to the housing suspension hard points, whether ears or lugs, to suspend the spider is transferred to the rig floor by the plates. The plates are preferably shaped to balance about a cross pin situated in a cross bore in the plates. The plates are not inclined to tilt whether being hoisted or loaded by the spider. The spider is submerged into the rotary opening and results in reduced height of pipe string connections to be worked.

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 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: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: A connector for connecting large tubes of the type used in oil well tubing, casing and the like, without resorting to welding, to form a pipe string for use in drilling. The connector comprises a pin and box threaded connection having guiding surfaces integral with the pin and box members to facilitate the threaded connection of large tubes. The connection is designed so that large tubes, for example tubes comprising an external diameter of two or more feet, may be joined by threaded connection facilitated by the integral guiding surfaces of the pin and box threaded members. The integral guiding surfaces allow large tubes, which are otherwise too cumbersome to position and manipulate for threaded connection to be practical, to be quickly and safely connected by threaded engagement of the pin and box members without the use of a weld between the tubes.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a packer cup fixedly attached to a sliding sleeve disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tool is inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lower further such that the packer cup sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: A tool joint for use in connecting sections of pipe string for use in drilling. The joint is a pin and box connection of the type used in oil well tubing, casing, and the like. The driveable threaded joint has dual mating shoulders and nose faces on the pin and box members. The connection is designed so that compressive loads on the pin and box members are transferred substantially through the pin and box shoulders rather than through the thread form. The dual mating shoulders substantially improve the joint's ability to withstand the intense axial compression loading that occurs when driving the pipe into the ground.

Abstract: An improved coiled tubing reel and unit utilizing a system of two non-continuous spindles, each having a fixed, spaced apart spindle stub, and associated, spaced apart inner hubs secured within the tubing-supporting outer drum of the reel for rotation of the inner hubs about the fixed spindle stubs. The reel assembly permits rotary fluid and wireline connectors and drive motor to be located within the reel's outer drum, for protection from damage and to provide a more compact reel assembly which minimizes the overall width of the unit while maximizing the useable spool length to increase the amount of coiled tubing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, in one aspect, for detecting and indicating loads and/or forces on tubular strings, e.g. tubing, injected into or withdrawn out of a well by an injector apparatus, the apparatus having, in one embodiment, a single piston acting on a single boot with a chamber therein having a fluid the compression of which in response to a load or a change in load is sensed to indicate the load on the apparatus; the indicator in one embodiment having a spring to add to the weight of the injector apparatus to provide a positive pre-load so that negative loads can be determined by a change in positive pressure without requiring negative pressure; and a pressure chamber device for use with such apparatuses and in such methods.