Abstract: A method of connecting or disconnecting a first tubular to a second tubular includes engaging the first tubular with a power tong; engaging the second tubular with a backup tong; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular. The method also includes, while rotating, monitoring a distance between the backup tong and the power tong and comparing the distance to a first threshold value; and stopping rotation of the first tubular when the distance equals to the first threshold value. According to one embodiment, a tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, a sensor configured to measure a distance between the power tong and the backup tong, and a controller configured to compare the distance to a threshold value.

Abstract: A tong positioning system includes a positioning device configured to move a tong assembly. The positioning device includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a control attachment attachable to the positioning device. The control attachment includes a shutoff valve fluidly coupled to a hydraulic supply, a control valve block, and a control device. The control valve block includes a hydraulic input fluidly coupled to the shutoff valve, a hydraulic output fluidly coupled to a hydraulic return, a first valve fluidly coupled to the first actuator, the first valve configured to actuate the first actuator, and a second valve fluidly coupled to the second actuator, the second valve configured to actuate the second actuator. The control device is configured to control the first valve and to control the second valve to actuate the first and second actuators to move the tong assembly.

Abstract: A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes a motor unit. The motor unit includes: a drive body; a drive motor having a stator connected to the drive body; a trolley for connecting the drive body to a rail of a drilling rig; and a drive ring torsionally connected to a rotor of the drive motor and having a latch profile for selectively connecting one of: a drilling unit, a casing unit, and a cementing unit to the motor unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: A tubular handling assembly includes a mandrel; a plurality of gripping elements for gripping a tubular, the plurality of gripping elements coupled to and rotatable with the mandrel; one or more accumulators; a first actuator configured to supply fluid to the one or more accumulators; and a second actuator configured to receive fluid from at least one of the one or more accumulators and to actuate the plurality of gripping elements.

Abstract: A centralizer sub for cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: a tubular body; a centralizer disposed along an outer surface of the body and having a pair of collars and a plurality of bow springs connecting the collars; and a joint longitudinally coupling the centralizer to the body. The joint has a groove formed in and around the body outer surface, and a plurality of protrusions formed integrally with or mounted to one of the collars and configured to mate with the groove.

Abstract: A method of connecting or disconnecting a first tubular to a second tubular includes engaging the first tubular with a power tong; engaging the second tubular with a backup tong; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular. The method also includes, while rotating, monitoring a distance between the backup tong and the power tong and comparing the distance to a first threshold value; and stopping rotation of the first tubular when the distance equals to the first threshold value. According to one embodiment, a tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, a sensor configured to measure a distance between the power tong and the backup tong, and a controller configured to compare the distance to a threshold value.

Abstract: A method of connecting or disconnecting a first tubular to a second tubular includes engaging the first tubular with a power tong; engaging the second tubular with a backup tong; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular. The method also includes, while rotating, monitoring a distance between the backup tong and the power tong and comparing the distance to a first threshold value; and stopping rotation of the first tubular when the distance equals to the first threshold value. According to one embodiment, a tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, a sensor configured to measure a distance between the power tong and the backup tong, and a controller configured to compare the distance to a threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting threaded tubulars are presented. One example method generally includes monitoring relative rotation between a backup tong and a tubular clamped in the backup tong to determine slippage of the backup tong.

Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.

Abstract: A tong includes a gear ring powered by a motor assembly, the gear ring having a plurality of ramps formed on an inner surface thereof and a brake plate rotationally independent of the gear ring, the brake plate having a gripping assembly for interacting with the ramps to grip a tubular. Also included is a brake assembly for preventing rotation of the brake plate, the brake assembly including an adjustable brake band for applying friction to the brake plate and at least one brake pad made of braking material disposed on an outer surface thereof in the area of contact with the brake band for reducing friction between the brake plate and the brake band. In one embodiment, the braking material is bronze.

Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: A tubular handling assembly includes a mandrel; a plurality of gripping elements for gripping a tubular, the plurality of gripping elements coupled to and rotatable with the mandrel; one or more accumulators; a first actuator configured to supply fluid to the one or more accumulators; and a second actuator configured to receive fluid from at least one of the one or more accumulators and to actuate the plurality of gripping elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tubular stabbing guides are presented. One example tubular stabbing guide includes a frame, a clamping assembly mounted to the frame, the clamping assembly including a plurality of guide members configured to receive a tubular and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a support plate configured to support a weight of the tubular, the support plate movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A method of connecting or disconnecting a first tubular to a second tubular includes engaging the first tubular with a power tong; engaging the second tubular with a backup tong; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular. The method also includes, while rotating, monitoring a distance between the backup tong and the power tong and comparing the distance to a first threshold value; and stopping rotation of the first tubular when the distance equals to the first threshold value. According to one embodiment, a tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, a sensor configured to measure a distance between the power tong and the backup tong, and a controller configured to compare the distance to a threshold value.

Abstract: A tong includes a gear ring powered by a motor assembly, the gear ring having a plurality of ramps formed on an inner surface thereof and a brake plate rotationally independent of the gear ring, the brake plate having a gripping assembly for interacting with the ramps to grip a tubular. Also included is a brake assembly for preventing rotation of the brake plate, the brake assembly including an adjustable brake band for applying friction to the brake plate and at least one brake pad made of braking material disposed on an outer surface thereof in the area of contact with the brake band for reducing friction between the brake plate and the brake band. In one embodiment, the braking material is bronze.

Abstract: A system for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery includes a remote controller and a device controller. The remote controller is communicatively coupled to the device controller. The device controller is generally configured to receive a command to operate one of the plurality of tools from the remote controller. Based on the command, the device controller generates one or more instructions executable by a controller associated with the one of the plurality of tools. The device controller transmits the one or more instructions to the one of the plurality of tools.