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: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having a threaded output shaft; and a pipe running tool threadingly coupled to the threaded output shaft of the top drive assembly such that the primary load of the pipe running tool is supported by the threads of the output shaft of the top drive assembly, and wherein the pipe running tool is rotatable by the output shaft and further includes a pipe engaging portion for grippingly engaging the pipe segment sufficient to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having an output shaft; and a pipe running tool coupled to the top drive assembly and rotatable by the output shaft of the top drive assembly. The pipe running tool includes an internal gripper for insertion within an internal diameter of the pipe segment and a tapered slip cone section, which slidably receives corresponding tapered surfaces of a plurality of slips, such that a vertical force on the slips causes the slips to move radially outwardly into gripping engagement with the internal diameter of the pipe segment, and wherein the vertical force applied to the slips is sufficient to allow the gripping engagement of the slips with the internal diameter of the pipe segment to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having a threaded output shaft; and a pipe running tool threadingly coupled to the threaded output shaft of the top drive assembly such that the primary load of the pipe running tool is supported by the threads of the output shaft of the top drive assembly, and wherein the pipe running tool is rotatable by the output shaft and further includes a pipe engaging portion for grippingly engaging the pipe segment sufficient to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having a threaded output shaft; and a pipe running tool threadingly coupled to the threaded output shaft of the top drive assembly such that the primary load of the pipe running tool is supported by the threads of the output shaft of the top drive assembly, and wherein the pipe running tool is rotatable by the output shaft and further includes a pipe engaging portion for grippingly engaging the pipe segment sufficient to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for measuring desired drilling parameters of a pipe string during an oil and gas well drilling operation is provided that includes a top drive assembly; a pipe running tool engageable with the pipe string and coupled to the top drive assembly to transmit translational and rotational forces from the top drive assembly to the pipe string; and one or more measurement devices mounted to the pipe running tool for measuring the desired drilling parameters of the pipe string during the oil and gas well drilling operation.

Abstract: An oil and gas well drilling system is provided that includes a top drive assembly having an output shaft; and a pipe running tool having a top drive extension shaft connected to the top drive output shaft and engageable with a pipe string to transmit translational and rotational forces from the top drive assembly to the pipe string, wherein the pipe running tool further includes a cementing pipe connected to the top drive extension shaft and having a fluid passageway which receives cement during a cementing operation.

Abstract: A steerable soil penetration system having a steerable penetration head, which compacts and does not cut away the surrounding soil and which is connected to an elongate flexible tubing such that the orientation of the penetration head can be varied relative to the tubing. The elongate tubing and/or a downhole hammer or tractor pushes the penetration head through the subsurface formation. Preferably the tubing is surrounded by a narrow annulus so that buckling of the tubing is inhibited and the tubing protects the pierced hole against caving in. Optionally the tubing is circumferentially expanded after completion of the piercing process thereby increasing the width of the pierced hole and providing a permanent hole lining.

Abstract: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having a threaded output shaft; and a pipe running tool threadingly coupled to the threaded output shaft of the top drive assembly such that the primary load of the pipe running tool is supported by the threads of the output shaft of the top drive assembly, and wherein the pipe running tool is rotatable by the output shaft and further includes a pipe engaging portion for grippingly engaging the pipe segment sufficient to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A drive unit (1) for a subsoil drilling rig comprises a drive unit (5), an engagement unit (12) for releasably engaging a tube section (13) extending therefrom in a drilling direction and a gripper (15) movable relative to the engagement unit (12) between a first position for gripping a tube engaged by the engagement unit (12) and a second position for gripping a tube section (13) in a transfer position. Supplied tube sections (13) can be handled reliably and movements of supplied tube section (13) can be controlled accurately. Co-ordination of positions and movements between the supplied tube sections (13) and the drive unit (1) is simplified. A drilling rig incorporating such a drive unit (1) and a method employing such a drive unit (1) are described as well.

Abstract: For making of breaking a coupling between a pipe section (1) and a pipe string (2) projecting from a rotary drilling rig into a bore in the lithosphere, the pipe section (1) is rotated relative to the pipe string (2) by applying a torque up to a make-up or breaking torque. Exertion of said torque generates a reactive torque in an opposite sense of rotation. Rotation induced by a motor (17; 50) is transferred to the pipe string (2) so that said pipe string (2) is rotated as well. The reactive torque is transferred to the pipe string (2) along a path bypassing the motor (17; 50). Thus, the make-up or breaking torque can be exerted without requiring a substantial change of the torque exerted to rotate the pipe string (2) at a constant rotational velocity in order to avoid changes of the rotational velocity of the pipe string (2). A pipe coupling device and a pipe handler for carrying out this method are described as well.