Abstract: A sucker rod tong assembly for fastening together sucker rods to a rod coupling, where the assembly can include a two-stage mechanical drive mechanism. The first stage can connect an upper sucker rod to a lower sucker rod via a rod coupling. The first stage can be limited in mechanical ability to tighten the connection to a pre-set shoulder torque value. The second stage can then be hydraulically and mechanically sequenced, using a linear gear drive mechanism, to rotate a main tong pinion gear that can further rotate the sucker rod connection through a fixed circumferential displacement to a mechanical stop.

Abstract: A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.

Abstract: A sucker rod tong assembly for fastening together sucker rods to a rod coupling, where the assembly can include a two-stage mechanical drive mechanism. The first stage can connect an upper sucker rod to a lower sucker rod via a rod coupling. The first stage can be limited in mechanical ability to tighten the connection to a pre-set shoulder torque value. The second stage can then be hydraulically and mechanically sequenced, using a linear gear drive mechanism, to rotate a main tong pinion gear that can further rotate the sucker rod connection through a fixed circumferential displacement to a mechanical stop.

Abstract: A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure a providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.

Abstract: A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.

Abstract: A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure a providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.

Abstract: A horizontal offline stand building system includes a substantially horizontal, elongate catwalk having a frame and a stand lifting arm. The catwalk has a top surface adapted to receive at least two tubulars aligned coaxially along a linear path in a make-up channel on said top surface. The tubulars are threaded together to form preferably at least a triple pipe stand in the make-up channel. The completed stand is then transferred laterally to a delivery channel containing the stand lifting arm. The stand lifting arm is selectively actuable lifting arm for selectively elevating a rig end of a pipe stand from said top surface of the catwalk to the deck of a drilling rig, and then for supporting the mid and rear sections as the stand is hoisted from the delivery channel up the derrick of the drilling rig.

Abstract: A vertical off-line stand building system includes a mast having a basal portion and an upper portion. An upper pipe elevator is mounted in the upper portion of the mast and is selectively translatable by a selecting actuable first hoist between upper raised and lowered positions. A lower pipe elevator is mounted in the basal portion of the mast and is selectively translatable by a selecting actuable second hoist between basal raised and lowered positions. A horizontal pipe support table is positioned adjacent the base of the mast. A horizontal pipe translator is mounted in the table for translating a pipe single longitudinally along the table so as to engage a first end of the pipe single with the lower pipe elevator when in its basal lowered position. The lower pipe elevator draws the first pipe into the mast through a front opening in the mast. The upper pipe elevator takes the first pipe and elevates it to the top of the mast.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick. The apparatus includes a rotatable gate assembly rotatably mounted on the pipe racking assembly. The rotatable gate assembly includes a collar rotatably mounted to a first end of a rotatable pipe support. A pipe manipulator arm is pivotably mounted on a second end of the rotatable gate assembly. The collar defines a gate for securing an upper portion of the pipe stand. A pipe mount is mounted to a distal end of the arm for holding the pipe stand for transport between the derrick and the gate, and between the gate and the pipe rack. After the arm secures the pipe stand into the gate from the derrick, a drive mechanism rotates the rotatable gate assembly to a rack facing position from the derrick facing position such that the arm may transport the pipe between the gate and the pipe rack.

Abstract: A horizontal offline stand building system includes a substantially horizontal, elongate catwalk having a frame and a stand lifting arm. The catwalk has a top surface adapted to receive at least two tubluars aligned coaxially along a linear path in a make-up channel on said top surface. The tubulars are threaded together to form preferably at least a triple pipe stand in the make-up channel. The completed stand is then transferred laterally to a delivery channel containing the stand lifting arm. The stand lifting arm is selectively actuable lifting arm for selectively elevating a rig end of a pipe stand from said top surface of the catwalk to the deck of a drilling rig, and then for supporting the mid and rear sections as the stand is hoisted from the delivery channel up the derrick of the drilling rig.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation.

Abstract: A vertical off-line stand building system includes a mast having a basal portion and an upper portion. An upper pipe elevator is mounted in the upper portion of the mast and is selectively translatable by a selecting actuable first hoist between upper raised and lowered positions. A lower pipe elevator is mounted in the basal portion of the mast and is selectively translatable by a selecting actuable second hoist between basal raised and lowered positions. A horizontal pipe support table is positioned adjacent the base of the mast. A horizontal pipe translator is mounted in the table for translating a pipe single longitudinally along the table so as to engage a first end of the pipe single with the lower pipe elevator when in its basal lowered position. The lower pipe elevator draws the first pipe into the mast through a front opening in the mast. The upper pipe elevator takes the first pipe and elevates it to the top of the mast.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation. The apparatus includes a rotatable gate assembly mounted on the pipe racking assembly. The rotatable gate assembly includes a collar rotatably mounted to a first end of a shaft and an arm pivotably and rotatably mounted on a second end of the shaft. The collar defines a gate for securing an upper portion of the pipe stand. A first securing means mounted to a second end of the arm secures the mid-portion of the pipe stand and a second securing means mounted to the first securing means secures the lower portion of the pipe stand. After the arm secures the pipe stand from the derrick, a drive mechanism mounted to the shaft rotates the rotatable gate assembly such that the arm may rack the pipe on the pipe racking assembly.