Method and apparatus for connecting tubulars using a top drive
DCFirst Claim
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1. A method for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, comprising:
- connecting an elevator to the top drive or a component attached to the top drive using a pair of bails;
using the elevator to move a first tubular to a position below the top drive;
gripping an inner wall of the first tubular and supporting the weight of the first tubular with the top drive; and
rotating the first tubular using the top drive, thereby connecting the first tubular to a second tubular.
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Abstract
An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars, said apparatus comprising a winch, at least one wire line, and a device for gripping the tubular, the arrangement being such that, in use, the winch can be used to winch said at least one wire and said device to position a tubular below said top drive.
650 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, comprising:
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connecting an elevator to the top drive or a component attached to the top drive using a pair of bails; using the elevator to move a first tubular to a position below the top drive; gripping an inner wall of the first tubular and supporting the weight of the first tubular with the top drive; and rotating the first tubular using the top drive, thereby connecting the first tubular to a second tubular. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of connecting casing sections by using a top drive, comprising:
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closing a slip around a first casing section; engaging an elevator with a second casing section; operating a bail actuator to move the elevator and the second casing section into substantial alignment with the top drive; gripping an inner wall of the second casing section and supporting a weight of the second casing section with the top drive; rotating the second casing section using the top drive to join the second casing section to the first casing section to form a joint and a casing string; supporting the weight of the casing string with the top drive; and opening the slip. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for connecting casing sections by using a top drive, comprising:
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at least one elevator; at least one bail operatively coupled to the top drive at one end and the at least one elevator at another end; an actuator operatively coupled to the at least one bail and configured to rotate the at least one bail about a horizontal axis, whereby the at least one elevator is moved from a first location substantially below the top drive to a second location out from under the top drive; and at least one gripping element operatively coupled to the top drive and configured to be radially displaceable for engagement with an inner wall of a casing. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of connecting casings using a top drive assembly, comprising:
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providing a top drive assembly having a top drive and at least one radially displaceable gripping element for gripping a casing; supporting an elevator from the top drive assembly with at least one bail, the at least one bail having an actuator coupled thereto, the actuator adapted to pivot the at least one bail about a horizontal axis; closing a slip around a first casing; engaging a second casing with the elevator; moving the second casing to a well center by operating the actuator; gripping the second casing with the top drive assembly; threading the second casing to the first casing by rotating an output of the top drive to form a joint and a casing string; opening the slip; lowering the casing string through the slip; closing the slip around the casing string; and disengaging the top drive assembly from the casing string. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification