Method and apparatus for drilling with casing
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use with a top drive comprising:
- a pivotable mechanism connected to a lower end of the top drive;
a top drive adapter connected proximate to a lower end of the pivotable mechanism and movable toward and away from the top drive by the pivotable mechanism, the top drive adapter capable of transferring torque to a wellbore tubular; and
a tubular transport apparatus connected to a lower end of the top drive adapter, wherein the tubular transport apparatus is adapted to deliver the wellbore tubular into engagement with the top drive adapter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system are provided. In one aspect, a top drive system includes a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In another aspect, the top drive adapter is pivotably connected to the top drive for pivoting the top drive adapter toward the casing string with respect to the top drive. In another aspect, the system includes a telescopic link system connected to a lower portion of the top drive adapter to move the casing string into engagement with the top drive adapter. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use with a top drive comprising:
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a pivotable mechanism connected to a lower end of the top drive; a top drive adapter connected proximate to a lower end of the pivotable mechanism and movable toward and away from the top drive by the pivotable mechanism, the top drive adapter capable of transferring torque to a wellbore tubular; and a tubular transport apparatus connected to a lower end of the top drive adapter, wherein the tubular transport apparatus is adapted to deliver the wellbore tubular into engagement with the top drive adapter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for drilling with casing with a top drive, comprising:
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providing a tubular gripping member pivotally connected to the top drive, wherein the tubular gripping member is rotatable by the top drive; pivoting the tubular gripping member away from the center of the well; engaging a casing with the tubular gripping member; and pivoting the tubular gripping member toward the center of the well, wherein the tubular gripping member comprises a torque head having a housing and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular, wherein the plurality of gripping members are actuatable radially to engage the tubular. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A top drive system for handling a tubular, comprising:
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a top drive; a top drive adapter operatively connected to the top drive, the top drive adapter capable of retaining and transferring torque to the tubular; a tubular positioning apparatus for manipulating the tubular, the tubular positioning apparatus capable of rotating the tubular; and a tubular transport apparatus operatively coupled to at least one of the top drive and the top drive adapter, the tubular transport apparatus adapted to move the tubular into engagement with the top drive adapter. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A top drive adapter for use with a top drive to grip a tubular, comprising:
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a housing operatively connected to the top drive; a plurality of retaining members circumferentially disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular, wherein the plurality of retaining members are radially extendable to engage an outer portion of the tubular; and a guide plate for guiding the tubular into the housing. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for use with a top drive comprising:
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a pivotable mechanism connected to a lower end of the top drive, the pivotable mechanism comprising; a tubular member pivotably connected to an articulating arm, wherein the articulating arm is pivotable towards and away from the top drive; and a hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder assembly is pivotably connected at one end to the articulating arm and at another end to the tubular member; and a top drive adapter connected proximate to a lower end of the pivotable mechanism and movable toward and away from the top drive by the pivotable mechanism, the top drive adapter capable of transferring torque to a wellbore tubular.
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Specification