Apparatus and methods for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive

• US 7,128,161 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2005
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Pietras, Bernd-Georg
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsay, Frank
• Application Number:
  US11/230,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20060011353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 166/379, 166/77.51, 166/378, 166/380, 166/117.5, 166/77.52, 166/85.1, 175/850, 175/170, 175/162
• US Class Current: 166/379
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/106 Valve arrangements outside the borehole, e.g. kelly valves valves specifically for maintaining circulation of drilling fluid while connecting or disconnecting tubular joints E21B21/019

Abstract

An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a supporting member connectable to said top drive characterized in that it further comprises an internal tool for engaging said tubular and an external clamping device for engaging said tubular.

Claims

1. An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, comprising:

a supporting member connectable to said top drive,

an internal damping tool for engaging said tubular; and

an external clamping device for engaging said tubular, wherein said internal clamping tool and said external damping device are moveable with respect to each other, characterised in that said internal damping tool comprises gripping elements suitable for transferring a first torque to said tubular and said external clamping device comprises gripping elements suitable for transferring a second torque to said tubular.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said internal clamping tool for engaging said tubular comprises means for supporting the weight of said tubular.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said internal clamping tool is actuable by a fluid.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external clamping device is actuable by a fluid.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid is pneumatic, hydraulic or is a combination of pneumatic and hydraulic.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said internal clamping tool comprises a sealing element for sealing an annulus between said internal clamping tool and said tubular to facilitate circulation in said tubular.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said internal clamping tool further comprises a feed line which extends from said sealing element to an opening in said internal clamping tool downstream of said sealing element wherein said sealing element is arranged to be activated by pressure build up below said sealing element.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a flexible membrane arranged between said internal clamping tool and said external clamping device, said flexible membrane containing a fluid.

9. A clamping apparatus for use with a top drive for gripping and rotating a casing, the clamping apparatus comprising:

at least one gripping element positioned to grip and rotate the casing;

at least one drive member for moving the at least one gripping element between a radially inward casing gripping position and a radially outward casing releasing position;

an attachment member for connecting the clamping apparatus to the top drive, wherein the clamping apparatus is rotatable by the top drive; and

a cylindrical body formed to fit within the casing, the cylindrical body including a central passage for conducting a flow of fluid from the top drive and a seal adapted to seal between the cylindrical body and an inner wall of the casing.

10. The clamping apparatus of claim 9, wherein the drive member includes a hydraulic system.

11. The clamping apparatus of claim 9, wherein a length of the cylindrical body extends to a location axially below the at least one gripping element.

12. The clamping apparatus of claim 11, wherein the drive member includes a hydraulic system.

13. The clamping apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one gripping element is adapted to transfer torque to the pipe.

14. The clamping apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an elevator.

15. The clamping apparatus of claim 14, wherein the elevator is movable in relation to the cylindrical body.

16. The clamping apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical body further comprises at least a second gripping element.

17. A gripping apparatus for use in connection with a top drive assembly, comprising:

a clamp assembly defining an interior passageway sized for receipt of a tubular, the clamp assembly being coupled to the top drive assembly for rotation therewith;

a plurality of gripping elements disposed within the clamp assembly and displaceable between disengaged and engaged positions;

a powered system adapted to selectively drive the plurality of gripping elements between disengaged and engaged positions; and

a cylindrical body formed to fit within the tubular, the cylindrical body including a central passage for conducting a flow of fluid from the top drive and a seal adapted to seal between the cylindrical body and an inner wall of the tubular.

18. The gripping apparatus of claim 17, wherein the powered system comprises a hydraulic system.

19. The gripping apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an elevator.

20. The gripping apparatus of claim 19, wherein the elevator is movable in relation to the clamp assembly.

21. The gripping apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of gripping elements are moved radially when displaced between the disengaged and engaged positions.

22. The gripping apparatus of claim 17, wherein the tubular comprises casing.

23. The gripping apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of gripping elements are moved radially when displaced between the disengaged and engaged positions.

24. The gripping apparatus of claim 17, wherein the clamp assembly is operatively coupled to a drive shaft of the top drive assembly.

25. The gripping apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of gripping elements are adapted to engage an exterior portion of the tubular.

26. A clamping apparatus for use with a top drive for gripping and rotating a casing, the clamping apparatus comprising:

a first gripping element positioned to grip and support the casing;

a drive member for moving the first gripping element radially inwardly into a casing gripping position and radially outwardly to a casing releasing position;

an attachment member for connecting the clamping apparatus to the top drive for wellbore drilling; and

a cylindrical body having a second gripping element formed to fit within the casing.

27. The clamping apparatus of claim 26, wherein the cylindrical body includes a drilling fluid conduit for conducting a flow of drilling fluid from the top drive.

28. The clamping apparatus of claim 26, wherein the cylindrical body includes a seal adapted to seal between the cylindrical body and the casing to be gripped.

29. The clamping apparatus of claim 26, wherein the drive member includes a hydraulic system.

30. The clamping apparatus of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first gripping element and the second gripping element is adapted to transfer torque to the casing.

31. A method for gripping and turning a tubular using a top drive, comprising:

coupling a gripping apparatus to the top drive, the gripping apparatus having at least one gripping element adapted to move radially inwardly to engage an exterior surface of the tubular;

passing the gripping apparatus over an upper end of the tubular;

inserting a cylindrical body into the tubular;

actuating the at least one gripping element to engage the tubular;

rotating the top drive, thereby rotating the tubular.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one gripping element is actuated using a hydraulic fluid.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising transferring torque to the tubular.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the cylindrical body comprises a second gripping element.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the tubular comprises casing.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one gripping element is actuated using a hydraulic fluid.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising transferring torque to the tubular.