Casing running and drilling system

• US 7,191,840 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Bailey, Thomas F., Pietras, Bernd-Georg, Vuyk, Adrian Jr., Wilson, Carl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, KENNETH L
• Application Number:
  US10/794,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20040216924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 166/380, 166/382, 166/77.52, 166/77.53, 166/85.1, 166/71, 166/379, 166/77.1, 175/423, 175/57, 175/113, 175/170, 175/171, 294/86.24, 294/86.25, 294/86.26, 294/86.12
• US Class Current: 166/380
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/00 Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/07 Slip-type elevators
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 31/20 gripping internally, e.g. fishing spears

Abstract

A method and apparatus for holding and turning a tubular and string of tubulars, such as casing, for make-up and drilling with the tubulars are disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a spear and a clamping head, both of which are mounted to a top drive. The spear and the clamping head can be engaged to transmit torque therebetween from the top drive. In addition, an aspect of the invention provides variable height wickers positioned on slips to enable use of the slips with variable inner diameter (ID) and weight casing without deformation or rupture of the casing. Still further, a casing collar is also provided to provide reinforcement to the casing in the area of slip contact with the casing ID.

Claims

1. A tubular gripping member for use with a top drive to handle a tubular, comprising:

a body connectable to the top drive, wherein the body can be rotated by the top drive;

one or more slips coupled to the body, the one or more slips actuatable to engage the tubular; and

a first engaging member disposed on the one or more slips, the first engaging member having a first height extending from a face of the one or more slips; and

a second engaging member disposed on the one or more slips, the second engaging member having a second height extending from the face.

2. The tubular gripping member of claim 1, wherein a change in a load supported by the first engaging member causes the second engaging member to engage the tubular.

3. The tubular gripping member of claim 1, wherein the tubular gripping member is adapted to maintain engagement with the tubular while a compression force is transmitted to the tubular.

4. The tubular gripping member of claim 1, wherein the body and the one or more slips have mating surfaces such that relative axial movement between the body and the one or more slips causes the one or more slips to move radially relative to the body.

5. The tubular gripping member of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member is capable of supporting a first load, and the second engaging member is adapted to engage the tubular when a second load acts on the tubular gripping member, wherein the second load is greater than the first load.

6. The tubular gripping member of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member comprises a wicker.

7. A system for suspending and turning a tubular drill string, comprising:

a top drive;

an internal gripping member driven by the top drive, the internal gripping member comprising a body, one or more slips, and an actuator for urging the one or more slips into engagement with an interior surface of the tubular drill string; and

an external gripping member having a plurality of radially movable jaw members for engaging an outside portion of the tubular drill string, wherein the external gripping member is connected to one or more bails and is adapted to selectively engage the internal gripping member for rotation therewith.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the one or more slips include a plurality of wickers extending therefrom, the wickers having variable heights.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising a collar disposed about an exterior of the tubular drill string and a conforming element disposed between the collar and the exterior of the tubular drill string.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the one or more bails is connected by a swivel to the top drive.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a lifting device that raises and lowers the external gripping member along the one or more bails.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the external gripping member freely rotates with the tubular drill string.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the external gripping member has a mating end, and the internal gripping member has a corresponding mating end that engages with the mating end of the external gripping member to transmit rotational forces therebetween.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the tubular drill string comprises casing.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises a biasing member that urges the one or more slips a distance in one direction and a swivel mechanism that selectively controls the length of the distance.

16. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises a spindle drive.

17. The system of claim 7, wherein the jaw member for engaging the tubular is hydraulically actuated.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the jaw member is piston actuated.

19. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator is actuated mechanically, hydraulically, or pneumatically.

20. The system of claim 7, wherein the external gripping member is disengageable from the internal gripping member for independent movement.

21. A tubular gripping member for use with a top drive to handle a tubular, comprising:

a body connectable to the top drive;

one or more slips coupled to the body, the one or more slips actuatable to engage the tubular; and

a first engaging member disposed on the one or more slips, the first engaging member having a first height extending from a face of the one or more slips; and

a second engaging member disposed on the one or more slips, the second engaging member having a second height extending from the face, wherein a change in a load supported by the first engaging member causes the second engaging member to engage the tubular.

22. A tubular gripping member for use with a top drive to handle a tubular, comprising:

a body connectable to the top drive;

one or more slips coupled to the body, the one or more slips actuatable to engage the tubular; and

a first engaging member disposed on the one or more slips, the first engaging member having a first height extending from a face of the one or more slips; and

a second engaging member disposed on the one or more slips, the second engaging member having a second height extending from the face, wherein the first engaging member is capable of supporting a first load, and the second engaging member is adapted to engage the tubular when a second load acts on the tubular gripping member, wherein the second load is greater than the first load.

23. A method for suspending and turning a casing using a top drive, comprising:

gripping an outside of the casing with a second gripping member;

moving the second gripping member axially toward a first gripping member;

rotating the casing to make up a connection between the casing and a casing drill string;

actuating the first gripping member to engage the inside of the casing; and

providing a thrust force to the casing drill string, the thrust force at least partially transferred to the casing drill string through the first gripping member.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising axially moving the second gripping member to compensate for motion of the casing caused by the make-up of the connection.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising pivoting the second gripping member into alignment with the first gripping member.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising coupling the second gripping member to the first gripping member such that torque is transferable therebetween.

27. A method for suspending and turning a casing using a top drive, comprising:

gripping an exterior surface of the casing with a second gripping member;

moving the casing and the second gripping member into vertical alignment with a first gripping member;

moving the second gripping member into engagement with the first gripping member;

rotating the casing to make up a connection between the casing and a casing drill string;

actuating a first gripping member to engage an interior surface of the casing; and

providing a thrust force to the casing drill string, the thrust force at least partially transferred to the casing drill string through the first gripping member.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising axially moving the second gripping member to compensate for motion of the casing caused by the make-up of the connection.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein actuating the one or more slips including a plurality of wickers having variable heights extending therefrom.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising positioning a collar about an exterior of the casing drill string.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising placing a conforming element between the collar and the exterior of the casing drill string.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the second gripping member is mounted on bails connected by a swivel to the top drive.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein at least a portion of the second gripping member freely rotates with the casing drill string.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the first gripping member comprises a spear.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein the second gripping member comprises an external gripping member.

36. A tubular gripping apparatus for use with a top drive to handle a tubular, comprising:

an internal gripping member having one or more slips for engaging an interior surface of the tubular, wherein the internal gripping member is rotatable by the top drive; and

an external gripping member having a plurality of radially movable jaw members for engaging an exterior surface of the tubular, wherein the external gripping member is connected to one or more bails and is adapted to selectively engage the internal gripping member for rotation therewith.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the external gripping member is movable along the one or more bails to selectively engage the internal gripping member.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the one or more bails pivotable to move the external gripping member into and out of axial alignment with the internal gripping member.

39. A tubular gripping apparatus for use with a top drive to handle a tubular, comprising:

a circulating tool insertable into the tubular and rotatable by the top drive; and

an external gripping member having a plurality of radially movable jaw members for engaging an exterior surface of the tubular, wherein the external gripping member is connected to one or more bails and is adapted to selectively engage the circulating tool for rotation therewith.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the circulating tool comprises one or more slips to engage an interior surface of the tubular.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the circulating tool comprises an annular seal.

42. A method for suspending and turning a casing using a top drive, comprising:

gripping an exterior surface of the casing with an external gripping member;

moving the casing and the external gripping member into vertical alignment with a circulating tool;

moving the external gripping member into engagement with the circulating tool;

rotating the casing to make up a connection between the casing and a casing drill string;

supplying fluid into the casing; and

providing a rotating force to the casing drill string, the rotating force at least partially transferred to the casing drill string through the external gripping member.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the circulating tool comprises one or more slips and the method further comprises actuating the one or more slips to engage an interior surface of the casing.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising axially moving the external gripping member to compensate for motion of the casing caused by the make-up of the connection.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the external gripping member is mounted on bails connected by a swivel to the top drive.