Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling a snubbing unit having traveling slips and stationary slips are provided. Position sensors are associated with the slips for directly or indirectly detecting opened and closed positions of the slips, including detecting a rotational position of a crankshaft that drives the slips into engagement with a pipe. Load sensors are associated with the slips for detecting load status of the slips. A control system receives input signals from the sensors, and confirms that either the traveling slips or the stationary slips are loaded before releasing or allowing the release the opposing set of slips, when transferring the pipe string load from the one set of slips to the other set of slips.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling a snubbing unit having traveling slips and stationary slips are provided. Position sensors are associated with the slips for detecting opened and closed positions of the slips. Load sensors are associated with the slips for detecting load status of the slips. A control system receives input signals from the sensors, and confirms that either the traveling slips or the stationary slips are loaded before releasing or allowing the release the opposing set of slips, when transferring the pipe string load from the one set of slips to the other set of slips.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring and controlling a snubbing unit having traveling slips and stationary slips. Position sensors are associated with the slips for detecting opened and closed positions of the slips. Load sensors are associated with the slips for detecting load status of the slips. A control system receives input signals from the sensors, and confirms that either the traveling slips or the stationary slips are loaded before releasing or allowing the release the opposing set of slips, when transferring the pipe string load from the one set of slips to the other set of slips.

Abstract: A pipe guide apparatus for guiding a pipe during snubbing of the pipe includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders and cylinder rods; a stationary guide affixed between a bottom jack plate and a top jack plate, comprising a stationary pipe guide; a travelling jack plate affixed to the cylinder rods; a travelling pipe guide in sliding engagement with the cylinder rods and connected to the travelling jack plate by a lift rod. The stationary pipe guide and the travelling pipe guide each define a pipe opening and has a flexibly resilient guide member having an opening with a diameter closely matching the outside diameter of the pipe being snubbed.