Abstract: An apparatus for retaining two strings of tubulars characterized in that said apparatus comprises body parts of a device for retaining a single string of tubulars and a converting member. A device for retaining a string of tubulars, said device comprising at least one body part having a curved tapered surface upon which inserts are located for engagement with said string of tubulars characterized in that said curved tapered surface comprises a recess for the passage of cables.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining two strings of tubulars characterized in that said apparatus comprises body parts of a device for retaining a single string of tubulars and a converting member. A device for retaining a string of tubulars, said device comprising at least one body part having a curved tapered surface upon which inserts are located for engagement with said string of tubulars characterized in that said curved tapered surface comprises a recess for the passage of cables.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining two strings of tubulars characterized in that the apparatus comprises body parts of a device for retaining a single string of tubulars and a converting member. A device for retaining a string of tubulars, the device comprising at least one body part having a curved tapered surface upon which inserts are located for engagement with the string of tubulars characterised in that the curved tapered surface comprises a recess for the passage of cables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and breaking tubular connections at the surface of a well by utilizing a pipe joining system. The pipe joining system includes a movable support frame for supporting and integrating on a rig floor the tools associated with making and breaking the connection between two tubulars. Tools incorporated in the pipe joining system include combinations of a wrenching assembly for gripping the tubulars and applying torque to the connection, a spinner for spinning the joints of the tubulars into connection, a positioning tool for vertically and/or horizontally aligning the tubulars in the system, a cleaning and doping device for cleaning and doping the threads of the tubulars, a stabbing guide for properly aligning the tubulars before joining, a mud bucket for handling mud spillage during the breaking of the tubulars, and a control system that remotely operates the entire automated system.

Abstract: A bushing for retaining a spider and comprising a basket portion having an opening in its upper end and a base at its lower end, there being a further opening in the base to allow a tubing string to extend substantially axially through the basket portion. The bushing further comprises a flange extending at least partially around the upper opening, wherein the bushing can be suspended through an opening in a rig floor to be supported by the flange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and breaking tubular connections at the surface of a well by utilizing a pipe joining system. The pipe joining system includes a movable support frame for supporting and integrating on a rig floor the tools associated with making and breaking the connection between two tubulars. Tools incorporated in the pipe joining system include combinations of a wrenching assembly for gripping the tubulars and applying torque to the connection, a spinner for spinning the joints of the tubulars into connection, a positioning tool for vertically and/or horizontally aligning the tubulars in the system, a cleaning and doping device for cleaning and doping the threads of the tubulars, a stabbing guide for properly aligning the tubulars before joining, a mud bucket for handling mud spillage during the breaking of the tubulars, and a control system that remotely operates the entire automated system.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining two strings of tubulars characterized in that said apparatus comprises body parts (1, 2; 101, 102) of a device for retaining a single string of tubulars and a converting member (103; 305). A device for retaining a string of tubulars, said device comprising at least one body part (203) having a curved tapered surface (202) upon which inserts are located for engagement with said string of tubulars characterised in that said curved tapered surface comprises a recess for the passage of cables.

Abstract: A packer comprises an elastomeric member (2) which, in use, will deform radially when subjected to axial pressure. A plurality of steel fingers (3, 4) are vulcanized onto the elastomeric member (2). One end of each steel finger (3, 4) is accomodated in a recess in a bearing ring (5). The cross section of the fingers (3, 4) is generally wedge-shaped so that, when axial pressure is applied to the elastomeric member (2), the fingers (3, 4) pivot outwardly yet completely circumscribe the sealing member (2). The packer is particularly useful for applications where the packer must pass through a relatively narrow opening yet seal a relatively wide tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining two strings of tubulars characterised in that the apparatus comprises body parts (1, 2; 101, 102) of a device for retaining a single string of tubulars and a converting member (103; 305). A device for retaining a string of tubulars the device comprising at least one body part (203) having a curved tapered surface (202) upon which inserts are located for engagement with the string of tubulars characterised in that the curved tapered surface comprises a recess for the passage of cables.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety switching system for a clamping device, provided with clamping wedges and operable by a flowing medium for holding and/or lowering or raising a pipe string, with which a borehole is lined in order to support the rock and create a transport line, characterized in that there is attached to a clamping wedge holder of the clamping device a trip cam for a safety switching valve which is mounted at the basic body of the clamping device and is actively connected to the trip cam when the clamping wedges assume their prescribed clamping position on the pipe string.

Abstract: A method for testing threaded joints and threaded members comprising the steps of lubricating one or both threaded members, making up a joint, subjecting the joint to a pressure differential, and attempting to detect flow through said joint, characterized in that said method includes the step of subjecting said joint to heat during the test.

Abstract: An insert for use in slips comprises a resilient base member in which are vulcanized a plurality of strips each having pipe gripping teeth.

Abstract: A centralizer for well casings is disclosed which, in one aspect has spring strips which are normally bowed to centralize the casing, but which are held in a collapsed disposition against the casing while the casing is positioned in a borehole. The holding force may be provided by a band and/or an arrangement of struts which are released when the casing is positioned. An additional energizing device may be provided to increase the bowing of the spring strips for more certain engagement with the surrounding borehole.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the gas-tightness of a joint between hollow members which has, in one aspect, a mechanism for applying a test gas to the outside of a joint, detection apparatus for detecting the gas inside the hollow members, and wherein the mechanism for applying the test gas to the outside of the joint has a gas testing chamber, a sealing ring for hermetically sealing the gas testing chamber, a casing enclosing the sealing ring, apparatus for applying pressure to the sealing ring, and apparatus for supplying test gas to the gas testing chamber.

Abstract: The jaws of a clamp are provided with elastomeric linings, and gripping elements of high hardness in the form of pins or particles are embedded in the linings. The gripping elements have tips which are directed away from the respective jaws.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for testing the gas-tightness of joints between hollow bodies, for example, pipes. With the apparatus, a test space with two concentric chambers of variable sizes is formed. The outer one is filled with a gaseous test medium and the inner one with an incompressible pressurized medium. It is thereby possible to reduce substantially the quantity of the gaseous test medium. The safety of the entire apparatus is improved extraordinarily.

Abstract: In a method of testing the gas-tightness of walls defining a closed chamber a hollow member of resiliently flexible material is inserted into the chamber. A liquid is introduced into the hollow member until the hollow member substantially fills the chamber. A test gas is then introduced into the space defined between the hollow member and the chamber walls. Escape of any test gas from the chamber is then sensed by loss of gas pressure in the chamber or the presence of test gas outside the chamber. The presence of the liquid-filled hollow member reduces the amount of test gas needed and the associated risks and cost. The chamber may be defined between segments of oil well pipe casing connected by threaded sockets or it may be the space within a tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing the impermeability to gases of connections between pieces of piping, especially between pipes and sleeves, utilizes tow elastic sealing bodies that are spaced apart from each other. The sealing bodies can be pressed against the surfaces of the pipes in response to the application of axial stresses to thus confine the testing location which is to be monitored. The first sealing body is located in the pipe inwardly of the testing location and is adapted to be pressed from within against the surface of the pipe, and the second sealing body can be pressed against the periphery of the sleeve. This renders it possible to test, already within the manufacturing plant, even short pieces of piping for impermeability to leaks.