Method and apparatus for connecting tubulars using a top drive
View Patent ↗An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars, said apparatus comprising a winch ( 15 ), at least one wire line ( 4, 5 ), and a device ( 2 ) for gripping the tubular ( 3 ), the arrangement being such that, in use, the winch ( 15 ) can be used to winch said at least one wire ( 4, 5 ) and said device ( 2 ) to position a tubular ( 3 ) below said top drive.
1. A method for connecting tubulars using a top drive, comprising:
providing the top drive with a first gripping member;
providing a second gripping member coupled to an elongated link;
retaining a first tubular with the second gripping member;
lifting the first tubular relative to the elongated link;
engaging the first tubular with the first gripping member; and
rotating the first gripping member, thereby connecting the first tubular to a second tubular.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first gripping member comprises at least one movable gripping element for engaging the first tubular.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one gripping element is radially movable.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising actuating a motive member to lift the first tubular relative to the elongated link.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the motive member comprises a fluid operated piston and cylinder assembly.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displacing the second gripping member laterally relative to the top drive.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a suspension unit operatively coupled to the top drive.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising actuating the suspension unit, thereby displacing the second gripping member laterally relative to the top drive.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retaining a weight of the tubulars and disengaging a third gripping member from the second tubular.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising pivoting the second gripping member into alignment with the second gripping member.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising aligning the first gripping member with the first tubular.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein lifting the first tubular comprises moving the second gripping member along the elongated link.
13. An apparatus for connecting tubulars, comprising:
a top drive;
a first gripping member adapted for rotation by the top drive;
an elongated link coupled to the top drive; and
a second gripping member coupled to the elongated link, the second gripping member movable along the elongated link.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a motive member adapted to move the second gripping member along the elongated link.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the motive member comprises a fluid operated piston and cylinder assembly.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first gripping member comprises at least one movable gripping element for engaging the first tubular.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the at least one gripping element is radially movable.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the at least one gripping element comprises a plurality of gripping elements.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the at least one gripping elements comprises slips.
20. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a motive member for moving the elongated link laterally relative to the top drive.
21. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a support member for coupling the first gripping member to the top drive.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the support member is adapted to displace the first gripping member laterally relative to the top drive.
23. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second gripping member comprises an elevator.
24. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the tubulars comprises a casing.
25. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first gripping member is at least partially insertable into a first tubular for engagement therewith.
26. A method for connecting tubulars using a top drive, comprising:
providing the top drive with a first gripping member;
providing a second gripping member coupled to an elongated link;
moving the elongated link and the second gripping member laterally to engage a first tubular;
retaining the first tubular with the second gripping member;
moving the second gripping member and at least a portion of the first tubular into substantial alignment with the first gripping member;
engaging the first tubular with a first gripping member; and
rotating the first gripping member, thereby connecting the first tubular to a second tubular.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the first gripping member comprises at least one movable gripping element.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the at least one gripping element is radially movable.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the at least one gripping element comprises a plurality of slips.
30. The method of claim 26 , further comprising providing the elongate link with a motive member.
31. The method of claim 30 , further comprising actuating the motive member to move the second gripping member relative to the elongated link.
32. The method of claim 26 , wherein the elongated link is operatively coupled to a motive member and further comprising operating the motive member to move the elongated link laterally relative to the top drive.
33. The method of claim 32 , wherein the motive member comprises a fluid operated piston and cylinder assembly.
34. The method of claim 26 , wherein the first gripping member is rotated by the top drive.