Abstract: A coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the coiled tubing from the well is described. The apparatus includes a base with a pair of spaced carriages extending upwardly therefrom. The base is attached to a superstructure. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriages to move toward and away from one another in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the superstructure and the base. Thus, the gripper chain systems can be engaged or disengaged from tubing extending through the apparatus. Each of the carriages are pivotally attached to the base with a load pin which extends through lugs attached to the base and corresponding lugs extending down from the carriage.

Abstract: A gripper block for use in grippingly engaging coil tubing, pipe, rod, cable, or like objects having various outside dimensions for ultimately applying a longitudinal load thereto. The subject gripper block has an attachment point preferably at or near the center of the block body to enable attachment to at least one endless chain of an injector apparatus. The gripper block further has a pair of gripper surfaces formed thereon, these gripper surfaces are generally planar and tilted away from each other so as to diverge away from the tubing to be gripped at approximately 90 degrees. The gripper surfaces thus preferably provide a V-shaped engagement configuration which is quite effective in gripping objects of differing outside dimensions with no or minimal scarring of such objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding and directing tubing into a coiled tubing injector apparatus is disclosed. The tubing guide will direct the tubing into the coiled tubing injector apparatus for insertion or removal into the wellbore therebelow. The natural, or residual radius of the tubing is utilized to direct the tubing into the coiled tubing injector apparatus, so that minimal bending is applied to the tubing.

Abstract: An improved gripper unit for use in an injector for handling coil tubing, pipe, rod, cable, or similar elongate objects, this gripper unit being provided with gripping surfaces which contact the coil tubing in V-block fashion and thus will grip such tubing of differing diameters. This gripper unit will enable the injector to support a given load while applying less squeeze. In the case of handling coil tubing or pipe, the stresses induced by these improved gripper blocks are very considerably reduced as compared with conventional gripper blocks.