Offset elevator for a pipe running tool and a method of using a pipe running tool

• US 20030000742A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Varco I/P Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Varco I/P Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Juhasz, Daniel, Rijzingen, Han van, Boyadjieff, George, Eidem, Brian L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,637,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/85
• 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 19/02 Rod or cable suspensions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/07 Slip-type elevators
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/086 with a fluid-actuated cylinder E21B19/084, E21B19/087, E21B19/09 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/14 Racks, ramps, troughs or bins, for holding the lengths of rod singly or connected; Handling between storage place and borehole E21B19/20, E21B19/22 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/165 Control or monitoring arrangements therefor

Abstract

A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment. The pipe running tool having a greater slip back offset such that drill pipe and drill pipe tool joints may be passed through the central passageway of the tool without interfering with the front of the slip.

Claims

1. A pipe running tool mountable on a rig for use in handling pipe segments and for engaging the pipe segments to a string of pipe, the pipe running tool comprising:

a top drive assembly adapted to be connected to the rig for vertical displacement of the top drive assembly relative to the rig, the top drive assembly including a drive shaft, the top drive assembly being operative to rotate the drive shaft; and

a lower pipe engagement assembly including a central passageway sized for receipt of the pipe segment, the lower pipe engagement assembly including a powered pipe engaging mechanism that is selectively driven into a pipe engagement position to forcibly yet releasably engage the pipe segment and substantially prevent relative rotation therebetween,the powered pipe engaging mechanism comprising;

a slip bowl defining a generally cylindrical central passageway, and

a plurality of slips receivable within and movable relative to said slip bowl, wherein each of said plurality of slips has two vertically spaced outer camming surfaces which taper to a reduced diameter as they advance downwardly, and a recess extending radially inwardly vertically between said camming surfaces,

the slip bowl having a vertically extending side wall with two vertically spaced camming surfaces formed at the inside thereof, which surfaces taper essentially in correspondence with the surfaces of the each of the plurality of slips and are engageable therewith in a lowered active position of the slip,

the side wall of the slip bowl containing a recess vertically spaced between the two spaced camming surfaces of the bowl and into which a lower one of said two camming surfaces on each of the plurality of slips is movable in an upper retracted position such that the central passageway can accommodate a drillpipe tool joint,

wherein the lower pipe engagement assembly is in communication with the drive shaft, whereby actuation of the top drive assembly causes the lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate.

2. The pipe running tool of claim 1, further including a hoist mechanism connected to the lower pipe engagement assembly and operative to hoist a pipe segment into the central passageway of the lower pipe engagement assembly.

3. The pipe running tool of claim 2, wherein the hoist mechanism comprises an axle journaled to the lower pipe engagement member, a pair of pulleys rotatably mounted to the axle, and a gear connected to the axle, whereby the gear may be coupled to a drive system for rotating the axle.

4. The pipe running tool of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of slips include at least one insert carrier releasably connected to the inner face thereof and having an inner face designed to grippingly engage the pipe segment.

5. The pipe running tool of claim 4, wherein the at least one insert carrier is secured to the slip by a tongue and groove construction.

6. The pipe running tool of claim 1, wherein the lower pipe engagement assembly is powered by one of a hydraulic system and a pneumatic system.

7. The pipe running tool of claim 1, further including a block connected to the top drive assembly and adapted for engaging a plurality of cables connected to the rig.

8. The pipe running tool of claim 7, wherein the drive members comprise hydraulic lift cylinders.

9. A pipe running tool mountable on a rig and designed for use in handling pipe segments and for engaging pipe segments to a pipe string, the pipe running tool comprising:

a top drive assembly adapted to be connected to the rig, the top drive assembly including a top drive output shaft, the top drive assembly being operative to rotate the drive shaft;

a lower drive shaft coupled to the top drive output shaft and comprising an adjustable segment that is selectively adjustable to adjust the length of the second drive shaft;

a lower pipe engagement assembly including a central passageway sized for receipt of the pipe segment, the lower pipe engagement assembly being operative to releasably grasp the pipe segment, the lower pipe engagement assembly being connected to the second drive shaft, whereby actuation of the top drive assembly causes the lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, the powered pipe engaging mechanism comprising;

a slip bowl defining a generally cylindrical central passageway, and

a plurality of slips receivable within and movable relative to said slip bowl, wherein each of said plurality of slips has two vertically spaced outer camming surfaces which taper to a reduced diameter as they advance downwardly, and a recess extending radially inwardly vertically between said camming surfaces,

the slip bowl having a vertically extending side wall with two vertically spaced camming surfaces formed at the inside thereof, which surfaces taper essentially in correspondence with the surfaces of the each of the plurality of slips and are engageable therewith in a lowered active position of the slip,

the side wall of the slip bowl containing a recess vertically spaced between the two spaced camming surfaces of the bowl and into which a lower one of said two camming surfaces on each of the plurality of slips is movable in an upper retracted position such that the central passageway can accommodate a drillpipe tool joint; and

means for applying a force to the second shaft to cause the length of the adjustable segment to be shortened.

10. The pipe running tool of claim 9, wherein the means for applying comprises a load compensator in the form of a pair of hydraulic cylinders.

11. The pipe running tool of claim 9, wherein the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated by one of a hydraulic system and a pneumatic system.

12. The pipe running tool of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of slips include at least one insert carrier releasably connected to the inner face thereof and having an inner face designed to grippingly engage the pipe segment.

13. The pipe running tool of claim 9, further including a block connected to the top drive assembly and adapted for engaging a plurality of cables connected to the rig to selectively raise and lower the top drive assembly.

15. The pipe running tool of claim 14, further including a hoist mechanism connected to the lower pipe engagement assembly and operative to hoist a pipe segment into the central passageway of the lower pipe engagement assembly.

16. The pipe running tool of claim 15, wherein the hoist mechanism comprises an axle journaled to the lower pipe engagement member, a pair of pulleys rotatably mounted to the axle, and a gear connected to the axle, whereby the gear may be coupled to a drive system for rotating the axle.

17. The pipe running tool of claim 14, wherein the powered system comprises one of a hydraulic and pneumatic system.

18. The pipe running tool of claim 14, further including a block connected to the top drive assembly and adapted for engaging a plurality of cables connected to the rig.

14. A pipe running tool mountable on a rig and designed for use in connection with a top drive assembly adapted to be connected to the rig for vertical displacement of the top drive assembly relative to the rig, the top drive assembly including a drive shaft, the top drive assembly being operative to rotate the drive shaft, the pipe running tool comprising:

a lower pipe engagement assembly comprising;

a housing defining a central passageway sized for receipt of a pipe segment, the housing being coupled to the top drive assembly for rotation therewith;

a slip bowl defining a generally cylindrical central passageway;

a plurality of slips receivable within and movable relative to said slip bowl, wherein each of said plurality of slips has two vertically spaced outer camming surfaces which taper to a reduced diameter as they advance downwardly, and a recess extending radially inwardly vertically between said camming surfaces,

the slip bowl having a vertically extending side wall with two vertically spaced camming surfaces formed at the inside thereof, which surfaces taper essentially in correspondence with the surfaces of the each of the plurality of slips and are engageable therewith in a lowered active position of the slip,

the side wall of the slip bowl containing a recess vertically spaced between the two spaced camming surfaces of the bowl and into which a lower one of said two camming surfaces on each of the plurality of slips is movable in an upper retracted position such that the central passageway can accommodate a drillpipe tool joint; and

a powered system connected to the respective slips and operative to selectively drive the slips between the disengaged and engaged positions.

19. In a system for assembling a pipe string comprising a floor mounted pipe engagement assembly, a top drive assembly, a lower pipe engagement assembly coupled to the top drive assembly for rotation therewith and operative to releasably engage a pipe segment, and a load compensator operative to raise the lower pipe engagement assembly relative to the top drive assembly, a method for threadedly engaging a pipe segment with a pipe string and inserting a pipe string into a borehole, comprising the steps of:

actuating the floor mounted pipe engagement assembly to releasably engage the pipe string in the borehole;

actuating the lower pipe engagement assembly to releasably engage a pipe segment;

lowering the top drive assembly to bring the pipe segment into contact with the pipe string;

monitoring the load on the pipe string;

actuating the load compensator to raise the pipe segment a selected distance relative to the pipe string, if the load on the pipe string exceeds a predetermined threshold value;

actuating the top drive assembly to rotate the pipe segment to threadedly engage the pipe segment and pipe string;

disengaging the floor mounted pipe engagement assembly from the pipe string in the borehole; and

actuating the top drive assembly to rotate and lower the pipe string supported by the lower pipe engagement assembly into the borehole.