Apparatus and method for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive
DCFirst Claim
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1. A method of connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising:
- coupling a gripping apparatus to the top drive, the gripping apparatus having a radially movable gripping element adapted to engage the first casing and a seal for sealing between the gripping apparatus and an inner diameter of the casing;
actuating the gripping element to engage the first casing;
actuating the top drive to rotate the gripping apparatus and the first casing relative to the second casing thereby connecting the first casing to the second casing;
pumping a fluid through the gripping apparatus into the casing; and
actuating the seal with a fluid pressure inside the casing.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive and is, more particularly but not exclusively, intended for facilitating the connection of a section or stand of casing to a string of casing.
703 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A method of connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising:
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coupling a gripping apparatus to the top drive, the gripping apparatus having a radially movable gripping element adapted to engage the first casing and a seal for sealing between the gripping apparatus and an inner diameter of the casing; actuating the gripping element to engage the first casing; actuating the top drive to rotate the gripping apparatus and the first casing relative to the second casing thereby connecting the first casing to the second casing; pumping a fluid through the gripping apparatus into the casing; and actuating the seal with a fluid pressure inside the casing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising:
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coupling a gripping apparatus to the top drive, the gripping apparatus having a radially movable gripping element adapted to engage the first casing, and further including a seal for sealing between the gripping apparatus and an inner diameter of the first casing, the seal having a recess that opens to an area beneath the seal; actuating the gripping element to engage the first casing; actuating the top drive to rotate the gripping apparatus and the first casing relative to the second casing thereby connecting the first casing to the second casing; and pumping a fluid through the gripping apparatus into the first casing and thereby increasing a fluid pressure in the area beneath the seal so that a surface of the seal seals against a wall of the first casing through an action of the fluid pressure from an interior of the first casing into the recess. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An apparatus for connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising
a body including at least a portion connected thereto having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the first casing wherein the portion may be lowered onto the top of the first casing; -
a motive fluid supply operatively connected to the body; at least one movable gripping element operatively connected to the body and movable to engage or disengage the first casing in response to a fluid pressure change from the motive fluid supply; and a seal connected to the body for sealing between the apparatus and an inner diameter of the first casing, the seal having a recess that opens to an area beneath the seal so that pumping a fluid through the apparatus results in increased fluid pressure in the area beneath the seal and thereby seals an exterior sealing surface of the seal against the inner diameter of the first casing at a location axially proximate at least a portion of the recess. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. An apparatus for connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising:
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a top drive; and a gripping apparatus operatively coupled to the top drive, the gripping apparatus comprising; at least one radially movable gripping element operatively coupled to at least one fluid driven piston and movable therewith to engage or disengage the first casing; and a seal for sealing between the gripping apparatus and an inner diameter of the first casing, the seal having a recess that opens to an area beneath the seal so that pumping a fluid through the gripping apparatus results in increased fluid pressure in the area beneath the seal and thereby seals an exterior sealing surface of the seal against the inner diameter of the casing at a location axially proximate at least a portion of the recess. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 48)
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47. An apparatus for connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising:
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a plurality of movable gripping elements to engage and disengage the first casing and movable in response to fluid pressure from a motive fluid supply operatively connected thereto; a cylindrical body having a central passage there through; and a seal for sealing between the apparatus and an inner diameter of the first casing, the seal having a recess isolated from the central passage, the recess and the central passage each opening to an interior of the first casing below the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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52. A method of connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising:
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coupling a gripping apparatus to the top drive, the gripping apparatus having a radially movable gripping element adapted to engage the first casing and a seal for sealing between the gripping apparatus and an inner diameter of the casing; actuating the gripping element to engage the first casing wherein actuating the gripping element comprises supplying a hydraulic fluid to actuate the gripping element; actuating the top drive to rotate the gripping apparatus and the first casing relative to the second casing thereby connecting the first casing to the second casing wherein the gripping element transfers the rotation to the first casing; pumping a fluid through the gripping apparatus into the casing; and actuating the seal with a fluid pressure inside the casing and below the gripping element, the seal having a recess isolated from direct communication with the central passage, the recess and the central passage each opening to an interior of the casing below the gripping apparatus.
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53. A method of connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising:
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coupling a gripping apparatus to the top drive, the gripping apparatus having a movable gripping element adapted to engage the first casing and a seal for sealing between the gripping apparatus and a wall of the casing; actuating the gripping element to forcibly grip the first casing wherein actuating the gripping element comprises changing a motive fluid pressure to actuate the gripping element; actuating the top drive to rotate the gripping apparatus and the first casing relative to the second casing thereby connecting the first casing to the second casing wherein the gripping element transfers a rotation force to the first casing; pumping a fluid through the gripping apparatus into the casing; and actuating the seal with a fluid pressure inside the casing and below the gripping element, the seal having a recess isolated from direct communication with the central passage, the recess and the central passage each opening to an interior of the casing below the gripping apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55)
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56. An apparatus for connecting a first casing to a second casing using a top drive, comprising:
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a body having a central passage there through; at least one movable gripping element adapted to engage and disengage the first casing and movable in response to fluid pressure from a motive fluid supply operatively connected to the body; and a seal for sealing between the apparatus and an inner diameter of the first casing, the seal having a recess isolated from the central passage, the recess and the central passage each opening to an interior of the first casing below the apparatus wherein the seal is energized by a pressure within the interior of the first casing. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58)
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Specification