Tubular handling methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9303472-B2
Application number	US-201414211477-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2014
Priority date	Jun 26, 2008
Publication date	Apr 5, 2016
Grant date	Apr 5, 2016

Abstract

A tubular handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool adapted to provide load-bearing, and preferably torquing, capacity upon the gripping of a tubular is provided. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member associated with the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of gripping elements disposed between the slotted member and recessed member. Each such gripping element is adapted to move with an engaged tubular so as to grip the tubular. A tubular member elevator associated to the running tool, as well as related floor slips, are also encompassed. Methods of casing running are also included.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of handling a tubular during a casing or drilling operation, comprising:
engaging a surface portion of the tubular with a tubular member elevator;
operating the tubular member elevator to position the tubular to be manipulated by a running tool; and
engaging at least a second, different surface portion of the tubular with a portion of the running tool so as to retain the tubular due to a downward force created by a weight of the tubular or a tubular string attached thereto interacting with the portion of the running tool at the second, different surface portion;
confirming that the different surface portion of the tubular is engaged with the portion of the running tool using a control device; and
automatically releasing the tubular from the tubular member elevator as a result of confirming that the different surface portion of the tubular is engaged.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising lowering the tubular gripped by the running tool onto a load-bearing surface to further urge an end of the tubular into a recess in the running tool.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising raising the running tool relative to the tubular to cause the engaged portion of the running tool to strengthen the grip of the engaged portion of the running tool on the at least second, different surface portion of the tubular.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reversibly exerting force on an axial end of the tubular when engaged in the tubular running tool so as to grip the tubular.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the running tool comprises a plurality of gripping elements that are engaged with the at least second, different surface portion of the tubular, the engaging the tubular further comprising:
raising the running tool relative to the tubular to cause the engaged gripping elements to grip the at least second, different surface portion of the tubular.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
making up the tubular with an exposed stump portion of a tubular string in a wellbore.

7. A method for handling a tubular at a drilling rig, comprising:
lowering a running tool relative to the drilling rig to position a tubular elevator to engage a first surface portion of the tubular;
raising the running tool relative to the drilling rig to orient the tubular engaged by the tubular elevator in a position substantially coaxial with an axis of the running tool;
raising, by the tubular elevator, the tubular relative to the running tool to engage a second surface portion of the tubular with a gripping surface of the running tool;
raising the running tool relative to the tubular to cause the engaged gripping surface to grip the second surface portion of the tubular;
confirming that the second surface portion of the tubular is gripped with the gripping surface of the running tool using a control device; and
automatically releasing the tubular from the tubular elevator after confirming that the second surface portion of the tubular is gripped.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
reversibly exerting force, after the raising the running tool relative to the tubular, on an axial end of the tubular when engaged in the running tool so as to set the grip on the second surface portion of the tubular.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
making up the tubular with an exposed stump portion of a tubular string in a wellbore below the drilling rig.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the making up further comprises:
rotating the running tool to rotate the tubular via the second surface portion of the tubular gripped by the running tool.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the disengaging the tubular elevator is automated after the running tool has gripped the second surface portion of the tubular.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the exposed stump portion is retained in place by a floor slip that is in communication with the running tool via an interlock system, the method further comprising:
lowering, after making up the tubular with the exposed stump, the running tool relative to the floor slip to disengage the gripping surface from the second surface portion of the tubular; and
raising the running tool after disengaging in preparation for the running tool to engage a subsequent tubular.

13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
disengaging the tubular elevator subsequent to the running tool gripping the second surface portion of the tubular.

14. A method for handling a tubular during a casing or drilling operation at a drilling rig, comprising:
orienting a tubular elevator relative to the tubular so that the tubular elevator can engage the tubular;
engaging a first surface portion of the tubular with the tubular elevator;
moving the tubular elevator to position the engaged tubular above a drill string stump in vertical alignment between the drill string stump and a running tool;
retracting a running tool actuator that is coupled to a portion of the running tool such that a gripping surface of the running tool is prevented from gripping the tubular while the running tool actuator is retracted and the gripping surface of the running tool is able to grip the tubular while the running tool actuator is extended;
inserting the tubular into the running tool while the running tool actuator is retracted; and
extending the running tool actuator to engage the gripping surface of the running tool with a second surface portion of the tubular so as to retain the tubular in the running tool due to downward force created by at least a weight of the tubular interacting with the gripping surface of the running tool at the second surface portion.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
exerting, by a pre-load actuator after the extending the running tool actuator, force on an axial end of the tubular when engaged in the running tool to increase the gripping surface's engagement with the second surface portion of the tubular.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
disengaging the tubular elevator subsequent to the running tool gripping the second surface portion of the tubular.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
rotating the running tool to rotate the tubular via the second surface portion of the tubular gripped by the running tool to connect the tubular with the drill string stump of a tubular string in a wellbore below the drilling rig.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
retracting, after connecting the tubular with the drill string stump, the running tool actuator to release the tubular from the gripping surface of the running tool as the drill string stump with the connected tubular is held in place by a floor slip; and
raising the running tool, after releasing the tubular, to prepare the running tool to engage a subsequent tubular.

Assignees

• Canrig Drilling Tech Ltd

Inventors

• Ellis Brian C
• Weems Craig C
• Yousef Faisal J
• Kuttel Beat

Classifications

• E21B19/07 Primary

  Slip-type elevators · CPC title

• E21B19/16 Primary

  Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints (E21B19/20 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B19/10

  Slips; Spiders {; Catching devices (rotary tables with master bushing or kelly bushing E21B3/04)} · CPC title