Top filling tubing

1. A method of top-filling a drill pipe string, the method comprising:

injecting fluid through an injector into the upper end of the drill pipe string;

controlling the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string during top filling of the drill pipe string; and

constraining the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string to a predetermined path, wherein the predetermined path is in a downward direction relative to the pipe string.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is injected in at least one relatively high velocity streams having a cross-sectional area significantly smaller than the smallest restriction at the upper end of the drill pipe string.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein one of a fluid jet and curtain is configured to flow down the wall of the drill pipe.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injected fluid configuration is selected such that air displaced from the drill string may pass readily through the open upper end of the string without disrupting the flow of injected fluid into the string.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volume of fluid necessary to fill the drill string to a desired level is determined, and the determined volume of fluid pumped into the string.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein constraining the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string to a predetermined path further comprises constraining the flow of air into at least one air flow passage and depending skirt.

7. Apparatus for use in top-filling a drill pipe string, the apparatus comprising:

an injector adapted to co-operate with an upper end of a drill pipe string, whereby fluid may be pumped through the injector and into the drill pipe string; and

a nozzle adapted to form a jet of fluid to be directed into the drill pipe string and wherein the nozzle has an outlet adapted for one of: location above and adjacent an open upper end of the drill pipe string.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , including a fluid guide configured for extending into an upper end of a string.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the guide comprises one of a tube and spout.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the tube is of sufficient length to extend through one of a throat and restriction present towards the end of a section of a drill pipe.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the tube is adapted to be located centrally of a drill string.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 , configured to direct fluid downwards in an axial direction, parallel to a drill string axis.

13. The apparatus of any of claim 7 , configured to direct fluid in a flow path inclined to a drill string axis.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the apparatus is configured to direct fluid in a flow path such that the fluid flows downwards following a helical path around an upper surface of a drill string.

15. The apparatus of claim 7 , adapted for mounting to one of: a top drive apparatus and other structure.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , adapted for mounting to and demounting from a top drive.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the apparatus defines one of a female thread and other thread-engaging arrangement for co-operation with a male threaded portion of a top drive.

18. The apparatus of claim 7 , adapted to be fixed in location at an upper end of a drill string by one of trapping and securing at least a part of the apparatus between a top drive and an upper end of an drill pipe string.

19. The apparatus of claim 7 , comprising a body and a sealing element adapted to be located between a top drive and the body.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the sealing element is adapted to be compressed between a top drive and the body.

21. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to be one of: deck-mounted; provided on a unit adapted to be fixed on the rig; and or a deck-mounted unit.

22. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is adapted for use without requiring one of coupling and positive engagement with a drill string.

23. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus is configured to control the flow of air displaced from a drill pipe string during top filling of a drill pipe string.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the apparatus is configured to constrain flow of air displaced from the drill pipe to a predetermined path.

25. A method comprising:

locating a drill pipe string top filling apparatus at an upper end of a drill pipe string;

securing at least a part of the drill pipe string top filling apparatus between a top drive and the upper end of the drill pipe string;

pumping fluid into the drill pipe string through the drill pipe string top filling apparatus;

controlling the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string during top filling of the drill pipe string; and

constraining the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string to a predetermined path, wherein the predetermined path is in a downward direction relative to the pipe string.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein constraining the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string to a predetermined path further comprises constraining the flow of air into at least one air flow passage and depending skirt.

27. Apparatus comprising a resting face, the resting face configured to provide for resting of the apparatus on an upper end of a drill pipe string, the apparatus further comprising an upper face configured to provide for trapping of the apparatus between a top drive and a drill pipe string.

28. Apparatus for use in top-filling a drill pipe string, the apparatus comprising:

an injector adapted to co-operate with an upper end of the drill pipe string, whereby fluid may be pumped through the injector and into the drill pipe string and wherein the apparatus is adapted for mounting to one of: a top drive apparatus and other structure; and

a male portion for extending into the open end of the top drive apparatus.

29. Apparatus for use in top-filling a drill pipe string, the apparatus comprising:

an injector adapted to co-operate with an upper end of the drill pipe string, whereby fluid may be pumped through the injector and into the drill pipe string wherein the apparatus is adapted for use without requiring one of coupling and positive engagement with a drill string; and

wherein the apparatus is adapted for use without the apparatus contacting the drill pipe string.

30. Apparatus for use in top-filling a drill pipe string, the apparatus comprising:

an injector adapted to co-operate with an upper end of the drill pipe string, whereby fluid may be pumped through the injector and into the drill pipe string, wherein the apparatus is configured to control the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string during top filling of the drill pipe string;

wherein the apparatus is configured to constrain flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string to a predetermined path; and

air flow passage(s) and depending skirt to provide for controlling of the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string in a downwardly direction, relative to the drill pipe string.

31. Apparatus for use in top-filling a drill pipe string, the apparatus comprising:

an injector adapted to co-operate with the upper end of the drill pipe string, whereby fluid may be pumped through the injector and into the drill pipe string, wherein the apparatus is configured to control the flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string during top filling of the drill pipe string; and

wherein the apparatus is configured to constrain flow of air displaced from the drill pipe string to a predetermined path in a downwardly direction, relative to the pipe string.