Abstract: A pipe spinning apparatus connected in a drilling string for threadably connecting or disconnecting joints of pipes is provided. The pipe spinning apparatus includes a rotatable stem for connecting and disconnecting members, at least one pneumatic, turbine motor rotatably connected to the stem and a throttle control functionally connected to the turbine motor for variably controlling the speed of rotation of the stem. The rotational speed of the stem can be controlled through a range of revolutions per minute (rpm) depending on the air pressure and flow rate provided. The speed may be varied from 0 rpms to at least 500 rpms. A desirable range of operation is from 0 to 200 rpms. This ability to control and vary the speed of the stem greatly increases the safe operation of present kelly spinner over the prior art kelly spinners.

Abstract: A mandrel rotator is provided is mounted in a housing for coupling to a well casing head. The mandrel rotator comprises of an annular gear having external gear teeth and an axial opening. The annular gear is coupled to a mandrel outer surface, such that rotation of the annular gear causes rotation of the mandrel. A retainer limits or prevents axial movement of gear within the housing. A second gear is coupled to the annular gear for rotating the annular gear.

Abstract: A torque head for gripping tubular members, in at least some aspects, has a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to insert a small diameter pipe into a borehole while holding a larger diameter pipe is disclosed. The apparatus includes a table attached to a centralized base which, in turn, provides a telescopic stop tower. The stop tower includes a force transducer that yields a readout when it is abutted by a first wrench when a second wrench secured to the small diameter pipe is turned.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a first tong for gripping the first tubular and a second tong for gripping the second tubular, wherein the first tong is provided with teeth around a peripheral surface thereof, the second tong is provided with at least one pinion, and the pinion meshes with the teeth in such a way that the first tong and the second tong can be rotated relative to one another when the pinion is rotated. The apparatus may include a positioning apparatus for determining the position of the tubular relative to the tong. The positioning apparatus comprising a plunger movably disposed on a base and coupled to a visual indicator. The plunger includes a contact member disposed at one end, whereby contact with the tubular causes the plunger to move along the base and the distance traveled is indicated by the visual indicator. The apparatus may further include a torque measuring flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling safety valves used for shutting off high pressure upward flow through drill pipe or tubing. The apparatus includes an adjustable clamp assembly for holding the safety valve; a three-stage double-acting hydraulic extension system to provide horizontal (and optionally, rotational) movement of the safety valve; a telescoping, mechanically-extending stanchion with a stabilizing plate attached to the hydraulic extension system; a stable track assembly for vertical movement of the apparatus; and a positioning arm with a yoke for placement against the drill pipe or tubing, providing a distance measurement used to vertically align the safety valve with the drill pipe or tubing.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a first tong for gripping the first tubular and a second tong for gripping the second tubular, wherein the first tong is provided with teeth around a peripheral surface thereof, the second tong is provided with at least one pinion, and the pinion meshes with the teeth in such a way that the first tong and the second tong can be rotated relative to one another when the pinion is rotated. The apparatus may include a positioning apparatus for determining the position of the tubular relative to the tong. The positioning apparatus comprising a plunger movably disposed on a base and coupled to a visual indicator. The plunger includes a contact member disposed at one end, whereby contact with the tubular causes the plunger to move along the base and the distance traveled is indicated by the visual indicator. The apparatus may further include a torque measuring flange.

Abstract: A mandrel rotator is provided is mounted in a housing for coupling to a well casing head. The mandrel rotator comprises of an annular gear having external gear teeth and an axial opening. The annular gear is coupled to a mandrel outer surface, such that rotation of the annular gear causes rotation of the mandrel. A retainer limits or prevents axial movement of gear within the housing. A second gear is coupled to the annular gear for rotating the annular gear.

Abstract: A snubbing unit drilling system which includes a power tong and a hydraulically activated back-up tong. A mounting structure having a rotating slip assembly positioned thereon such that the rotating slip assembly rotates relative to the mounting structure. A plurality of support legs are attached between the power tong, the back-up tong, and the mounting structure such that the support legs prevent relative rotation between the power tong and the mounting structure.

Abstract: Shaped plates are provided, one above each side of a spider, to replace the bails and links used to suspend the spider and its pipe payloads. The load applied to the housing suspension hard points, whether ears or lugs, to suspend the spider is transferred to the rig floor by the plates. The plates are preferably shaped to balance about a cross pin situated in a cross bore in the plates. The plates are not inclined to tilt whether being hoisted or loaded by the spider. The spider is submerged into the rotary opening and results in reduced height of pipe string connections to be worked.

Abstract: A power tong set, with lead and back-up tongs, is mounted on the slip bowl of the traveling jack head of a snubbing unit and rotates with the slip bowl. Service lines (or umbelicals) for the tong set are not connected during string rotation. In an alternate version of the apparatus a fluid feed through swivel is mounted on the tong set, secured to the necessary tong operating and control service fluid line, or lines, such that the tong set can rotate with tong service lines between the tong set and the snubbing unit attached during rotation. In an alternate form, the tong set is mounted on the jack head, independently of the rotary table, and the tong set does not rotate when the rotary table rotates.

Abstract: A pump drive head for a progressing cavity pump comprises a top mounted stuffing box rotatably disposed around a compliantly mounted standpipe with a self or manually adjusting pressurization system for said stuffing box, To prevent rotary and vertical motion of the polish rod while servicing the stuffing box, a polished rod lock-out clamp is provided with the pump drive head integral with or adjacent to a blow-out-preventer which can be integrated with the pump drive head to save space and cost. A centrifugal backspin braking system located on the input shaft and actuated only In the backspin direction and a gear drive between the input shaft and output shaft are provided.

Abstract: In a method for use in coilable tubing operations, such as onshore and offshore drilling for oil/gas, a coilable tubing (34) is used. The coilable tubing (34) is coiled up on a drum (36) and uncoiled therefrom by means of a feed-in and feed-out injector (32), said drum 936) being rotatable about its own axis. In order to enable rotation of the coilable tubing 934) within the well such that the angled transition piece carrying the bit is rotated to take the correct orientation, in order to enable drilling along a predetermined path without having to use a downhole orientation tool, the coilable tubing (34) is put into rotational movements during forwardly feeding thereof. To this end, the drum 936) and the underlying injector (32) may be placed on a rotary table (30) having a vertical rotational axis (A—A) aligned with the vertical symmetry axis of an underlying blowout preventer (28). The drum (36) for the coilable tubing (34) is, preferably, eccentrically positioned on the rotary table (30).

Abstract: A roller for use in a spinner apparatus for installing a pipe segment in a well pipe including a core member having a central aperture, and a plurality of annular members arranged in stacked relation over the core member. The plurality of annular members are secured together. The core member includes a generally tubular section having a first end and a second end, and a flange section extending radially outwardly of the tubular section between the first and second ends. The flange section has a greater diameter than the tubular section. The flange section includes a plurality of holes formed therein. Each of the annular members has a plurality of holes formed therein. The holes of the annular member are aligned with the holes of the flange section. Fasteners extending through the holes in the flange section and the plurality of annular members. A first cap member is positioned at one end of the plurality of annular members.

Abstract: A power tong set, with lead and back-up tongs, is mounted on the slip bowl of the traveling Jack head of a snubbing unit and rotates with the slip bowl. Service lines (or umbelicals) for the tong set are not connected during string rotation. In an alternate version of the apparatus a fluid feed through swivel is mounted on the tong set, secured to the necessary tong operating and control service fluid line, or lines, such that the tong set can rotate with tong service lines between the tong set and the snubbing unit attached during rotation. In an alternate form, the tong set is mounted on the jack head, independently of the rotary table, and the tong set does not rotate when the rotary table rotates.

Abstract: A spinner apparatus for installing a pipe segment into a well pipe having a frame with a reach area formed therein, a first arm pivotally connected to the frame, a first roller rotatably mounted on the first arm, a second arm pivotally connected to the frame, a second roller rotatably mounted on the second arm, a third arm pivotally connected to the frame, a third roller rotatably mounted on the third arm, and an actuator linked to at least one of the arms so as to pivot one of the arms such that the respective rollers on the arms move into the reach area. Each of the arms is linked together such that a movement of one of the arms causes a concomitant movement of another arm so as to position the rollers around an outer surface of the pipe segment such that the pipe segment will have a central longitudinal axis in an identical position regardless of the diameter of the pipe segment.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a tubing string within an oil well. The apparatus includes an outer housing having an upper end, a lower end and a generally hollow interior where the lower end may be used to attach the outer housing to the casing bowl of an oil well. The apparatus further includes a drive assembly and a tubing string hanger generally disposed within the interior of the outer housing. The drive assembly has a generally hollow rotating gear mandrel and a drive gear. The tubing string hanger has a lower end for attaching to and supporting a tubing string. The tubing string hanger engages the rotating gear mandrel such that rotation of the rotating gear mandrel causes rotation of the tubing string hanger. The tubing string hanger, and a tubing string attached thereto, may be withdrawn from the oil well and through the outer housing without withdrawal of the rotating gear mandrel or the drive gear.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling safety valves used for shutting off high pressure upward flow through drill pipe or tubing. The apparatus includes an adjustable clamp assembly for holding the safety valve; a three-stage double-acting hydraulic extension system to provide horizontal (and optionally, rotational) movement of the safety valve; a stable track assembly for vertical movement of the apparatus; and a positioning arm with a yoke for placement against the drill pipe or tubing, providing a distance measurement used to vertically align the safety valve with the drill pipe or tubing.