Abstract: A method of drilling a well and installing a liner includes assembling concentric inner and outer strings of tubulars. A drill bit is located at the lower end of the inner string and a liner with a liner hanger makes up part of the outer string. The inner and outer strings may be rotated in unison to drill the well. A valve is located upstream of a liner hanger control tool used to release and set the liner hanger in the drill string. The valve comprises a ported sleeve that slides relative to a ported housing to meter flow from the interior of the drill string to the annular space. The redirected flow maintains a minimum flow rate in the annular space to prevent cuttings from settling on the control tool. A portion of the valve can further be used with a dart to manipulate downstream equipment.

Abstract: A downhole tool hydraulic retriever is provided that includes a stroking unit comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a piston body at least partially disposed within the hydraulic cylinder, and a piston rod extending from the piston body. The downhole tool hydraulic retriever also includes first and second packer cup assemblies configured to translate axially with respect to each other. In addition, the downhole tool hydraulic retriever includes a pressure intensification module comprising sequencing valves and hydraulic distribution lines configured to divert pressure to the first packer cup assembly when the piston body is at a beginning of a stroke within the hydraulic cylinder, and to divert pressure to the second packer cup assembly when the piston body is at an end of the stroke within the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A drilling rig having a top drive has a pipe gripper with a mandrel having an upper end for connection to and rotation with a drive string extending downward from the top drive. The pipe gripper has gripping elements that move radially into engagement with a string of pipe. A pull-down mechanism is mounted to the rig and secured to a non-rotating portion of the pipe gripper for exerting a downward force on the mandrel. A sensor is operatively coupled to the top drive to sense weight being supported by the top drive. A controller is linked to the sensor and the pull-down mechanism for controlling the downward force exerted on the mandrel by the pull-down mechanism in response to the weight sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A method of drilling a well and installing a liner includes assembling concentric inner and outer strings of tubulars. A drill bit is located at the lower end of the inner string and a liner with a liner hanger makes up part of the outer string. The inner and outer strings may be rotated in unison to drill the well. A valve is located upstream of a liner hanger control tool used to release and set the liner hanger in the drill string. The valve comprises a ported sleeve that slides relative to a ported housing to meter flow from the interior of the drill string to the annular space. The redirected flow maintains a minimum flow rate in the annular space to prevent cuttings from settling on the control tool. A portion of the valve can further be used with a dart to manipulate downstream equipment.

Abstract: A downhole tool hydraulic retriever is provided that includes a stroking unit comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a piston body at least partially disposed within the hydraulic cylinder, and a piston rod extending from the piston body. The downhole tool hydraulic retriever also includes first and second packer cup assemblies configured to translate axially with respect to each other. In addition, the downhole tool hydraulic retriever includes a pressure intensification module comprising sequencing valves and hydraulic distribution lines configured to divert pressure to the first packer cup assembly when the piston body is at a beginning of a stroke within the hydraulic cylinder, and to divert pressure to the second packer cup assembly when the piston body is at an end of the stroke within the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A system for deploying a string of pipe from a drilling rig into a well includes a spider for mounting on a rig floor and a pipe gripper attached to the top drive. A hydraulic safety circuit monitors hydraulic fluid pressure at an apply port of the gripper and prevents hydraulic fluid pressure from being directed to move the slips to the released position if hydraulic fluid pressure is not already present at the apply port of the gripper. The safety circuit also monitors hydraulic fluid pressure at the apply port of the spider and prevents release hydraulic fluid pressure from being directed to move the gripping members to the released position if apply hydraulic fluid pressure is not already present at the apply port of the spider.

Abstract: A drilling rig having a top drive has a pipe gripper with a mandrel having an upper end for connection to and rotation with a drive string extending downward from the top drive. The pipe gripper has gripping elements that move radially into engagement with a string of pipe. A pull-down mechanism is mounted to the rig and secured to a non-rotating portion of the pipe gripper for exerting a downward force on the mandrel. A sensor is operatively coupled to the top drive to sense weight being supported by the top drive. A controller is linked to the sensor and the pull-down mechanism for controlling the downward force exerted on the mandrel by the pull-down mechanism in response to the weight sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A system for deploying a string of pipe from a drilling rig into a well includes a spider for mounting on a rig floor and a pipe gripper attached to the top drive. A hydraulic safety circuit monitors hydraulic fluid pressure at an apply port of the gripper and prevents hydraulic fluid pressure from being directed to move the slips to the released position if hydraulic fluid pressure is not already present at the apply port of the gripper. The safety circuit also monitors hydraulic fluid pressure at the apply port of the spider and prevents release hydraulic fluid pressure from being directed to move the gripping members to the released position if apply hydraulic fluid pressure is not already present at the apply port of the spider.

Abstract: A safety valve has a body with a passage extending through it that intersected by a chamber and inclined guide surfaces located in the chamber. A single slab gate with an aperture has ramp surfaces on one side. When moving from the open position to the closed position, the ramp surfaces slide onto the guide surfaces and push the gate into sealing engagement with a side of the chamber to block the passage. The safety valve is particularly useful during a casing-while-drilling operation wherein it is mounted to the upper end of the casing when the casing gripper and top drive are disconnected from the casing string.

Abstract: A pipe handling device for mounting to use with a top drive and possibly a pipe engaging apparatus, includes a link arm having a first end pivotally connectable to move with the top drive and an outboard end pivotally connectable to a pipe elevator segment, and a drive system to drive the outboard end of the link arm at least between a lower position and a raised position. A pipe handling system and method are also described.

Abstract: A pipe handling device for mounting to use with a top drive and possibly a pipe engaging apparatus, includes a link arm having a first end pivotally connectable to move with the top drive and an outboard end pivotally connectable to a pipe elevator segment, and a drive system to drive the outboard end of the link arm at least between a lower position and a raised position. A pipe handling system and method are also described.