Apparatus and methods for tubular makeup interlock
View Patent ↗Apparatus and methods are provided to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods may be used to for running in casing, running in wellbore components or for a drill string.
1. A method of connecting casing sections by using a top drive, comprising:
closing a first member around a first casing section;
gripping and supporting a weight of a second casing section with the top drive;
rotating the second casing section with the top drive to join the second casing section to the first casing section to form a casing string having a joint;
sending data from the top drive to a controller, wherein the controller is preprogrammed with an acceptable rotation value of the joint;
stopping rotation of the second casing section based on the acceptable rotation value of the joint;
supporting a weight of the casing string with the top drive; and
opening the first member.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing at least a portion of the data with the acceptable rotation value using the controller.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising initiating remedial action using the controller.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
preprogramming the controller with an acceptable axial load value of the joint; and
comparing at least a portion of the data with the acceptable axial value using the controller.
5. A method of connecting casing sections, comprising:
closing a first member around a first casing;
engaging a second casing with a second member, wherein the second member comprises a top drive comprising at least one adapter for gripping a casing;
moving the second casing to a well center;
threading the second casing to the first casing to form a joint and a casing string;
sending data from the second member to a controller, wherein the controller is preprogrammed with an acceptable rotation value of the joint;
opening the first member;
lowering the casing string through the first member;
closing the first member around the casing string; and
disengaging the second member from the casing string.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising comparing at least a portion of the data with the acceptable rotation value using the controller.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
preprogramming the controller with an acceptable axial load value of the joint; and
comparing at least a portion of the data with the acceptable axial value using the controller.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first member comprises a spider for retaining the casing string.