Methods and apparatus for connecting tubulars using a top drive

• US 7,617,866 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2005
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Pietras, Bernd-Georg
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder; William P
• Application Number:
  US11/221,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20060000601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 166/77.51, 166/77.52, 166/78.1, 166/85.1
• US Class Current: 166/77.51
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49881 of separate helix [e.g., screw thread]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49902 by manipulating aligning means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53978 including means to relatively position plural work parts

Abstract

A connection apparatus for coupling a top drive to a tubular gripping member comprises a body having a first joint coupled to the top drive and a second joint coupled to the tubular gripping member, wherein the body is adapted to allow fluid communication between the top drive and the tubular gripping member and to allow relative movement between the top drive and the tubular gripping member.

Claims

1. A connection apparatus for coupling a top drive to a tubular gripping member, comprising:

a body having a first joint coupled to the top drive and a second joint coupled to the tubular gripping member, wherein the body is adapted to allow fluid communication between the top drive and the tubular gripping member and to allow relative movement between the top drive and the tubular gripping member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is slidably coupled to at least one of the top drive and the tubular gripping member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is pivotable relative to at least one of the top drive and the tubular gripping member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first joint comprises an arcuate member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the arcuate member is coupled to a connection member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the connection member includes a recess for receiving the arcuate member.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the body is slidably coupled to at least one of the top drive and the tubular gripping member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first joint comprises an arcuate member.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the arcuate member is coupled to a connection member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the connection member includes a recess for receiving the arcuate member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprises one or more sealing members disposed between the body and at least one of the first joint and the second joint.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection apparatus allows relative horizontal movement between the top drive and the tubular gripping member.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection apparatus allows relative vertical movement between the top drive and the tubular gripping member.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top drive is adapted to rotate the tubular gripping member.

15. A connection apparatus for coupling two devices for handling a wellbore tubular, comprising:

a first connection member attached to a first device;

a second connection member attached to a second device; and

a connection tubular operatively coupled to the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the connection tubular is adapted to provide fluid communication between the first device and the second device and allow relative movement between the first device and the second device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the connection tubular comprises a first engagement member and a second engagement member for coupling to the first connection member and the second connection member.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first engagement member and the second engagement member allows rotational movement between the connection tubular and the first connection member and the second connection member.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first engagement member and the second engagement member is slidable along the connection tubular.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one sealing member disposed between the first engagement member and the connection tubular.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the connection apparatus allows relative horizontal movement between the first device and the second device.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the connection apparatus allows relative vertical movement between the first device and the second device.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first device comprises a top drive and the second device comprises a gripping member.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the gripping member is adapted to grip an interior surface of the wellbore tubular.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the connection apparatus allows relative horizontal movement between the first device and the second device.

25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the connection apparatus allows relative vertical movement between the first device and the second device.

26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first device comprises a top drive and the second device comprises a gripping member.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the gripping member is adapted to grip an interior surface of the wellbore tubular.

28. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a supporting member for supporting the first device and coupling the first device to the second device.