Automatic false rotary

• US 7,681,631 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2007
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Hayes, Michael, Wiens, Jim, Thomas, Allen Keith Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay; Jennifer H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harcourt; Brad
• Application Number:
  US11/943,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20080066928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 166/77.1, 166/77.51, 166/85.1, 166/78.1, 166/98, 166/378, 166/379, 166/380, 175/85, 175/423
• US Class Current: 166/77.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/06 Elevators, i.e. rod- or tube-gripping devices
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 3/04 Rotary tables

Abstract

A method and apparatus for remotely performing a pipe handling operation is provided. In one aspect, the method and apparatus includes a false rotary table capable of supporting one or more tubulars during the pipe handling operation which is moveable between a position for landing one or more tubulars to a position for running one or more tubulars into a wellbore. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for remotely connecting elevator links alternatingly between interchangeable elevators which are capable of axially engaging one or more tubulars above the wellbore.

Claims

1. A false rotary table disposed above a rig floor for use in handling tubulars, comprising:

a guide fixed to the rig floor;

a plate substantially parallel to the rig floor and movable along the guide as the plate moves towards and away from a well opening and, whereby the plate has a travel range sufficient to allow at least partial covering of the well opening in a first position and less covering of the well opening in a second position, wherein the plate comprises an upper surface to support an elevator and a pipe string in the first position and the plate comprises a hole configured to receive a tubular, wherein the hole includes at least one control line portion offset from a centerline of the hole and configured to receive a control line when the plate is in the first position; and

an elevator retainer assembly attached to the guide, wherein the elevator retainer assembly is selectively activated in order to retain the elevator in a stationary position as the plate moves under the elevator to a position along the guide.

2. The false rotary table of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises two plates.

3. The false rotary table of claim 2, wherein the two plates comprise a split guide portion.

4. The false rotary table of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises a guide portion.

5. The false rotary table of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises a first track rail and a second track rail.

6. The false rotary table of claim 1, wherein the elevator includes a lock assembly that is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position when the elevator is placed on the substantially flat upper surface.

7. The false rotary table of claim 1, wherein the elevator retainer assembly includes a pin member that is configured to mate with a corresponding pin hole in the elevator.

8. The false rotary table of claim 7, wherein the elevator retainer assembly includes a cylinder member configured to move the pin member between a retracted position and an extended position.

9. The false rotary table of claim 1, wherein the hole includes a second control line portion offset from the centerline of the hole and configured to receive a second control line.

10. A method of handling tubulars, the method comprising:

supporting a string of tubulars using a first elevator;

moving a false rotary table to a tubular passing position;

passing a portion of the string of tubulars through the false rotary table;

moving the false rotary table to a tubular supporting position;

supporting the first elevator on the false rotary table;

attaching a tubular to the string of tubulars, wherein the tubular is supported by a second elevator; and

releasing the first elevator from the string of tubulars and moving the first elevator with the false rotary table as the false rotary table moves to the tubular passing position.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising moving the false rotary table to the tubular passing position to allow a portion of the tubular to pass through the false rotary table.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising retaining the first elevator in a stationary position as the false rotary table moves to the tubular passing position.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving the false rotary table to the tubular supporting position to allow the second elevator with the tubular and string of tubulars to be supported by the false rotary table.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing the first elevator from the false rotary table to allow the first elevator to connect to a second tubular.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first elevator is supported by a substantially flat upper surface on the false rotary table.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising attaching a control line to the string of tubulars supported by the first elevator.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the control line is positioned within an elongated portion of a hole in the false rotary table in the tubular passing position.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the elongated portion is moved away from the control line in the tubular supporting position.

16. A method of handling tubulars, the method comprising:

attaching a control line to a string of tubulars supported by a first elevator;

moving a false rotary table to a tubular passing position such that the control line is positioned within an elongated portion of a hole in the false rotary table and the string of tubulars is able to pass through the hole of the false rotary table;

moving the false rotary table to a tubular supporting position to support the first elevator with the attached string of tubulars, wherein the elongated portion is moved away from the control line;

attaching a tubular to the string of tubulars, wherein the tubular is supported by a second elevator; and

releasing the first elevator from the string of tubulars to allow a portion of the tubular and string of tubulars to pass through the hole of the false rotary table.