Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
STAND BUILDING USING A HORSESHOE SLIP ELEVATOR
Background
[0001] Elevators are used in the oilfield industry for handling tubulars on
drilling rigs. Some
elevators include a body made up of two semi-circular portions that are hinged
together and fitted
around a tubular. A latch or connecting pin may be positioned opposite of the
hinge to secure the
semi-circular portions together. When disengaged, the latch or connecting pin
allows for the semi-
circular portions to be pivoted apart. Another type of elevator is in the
shape of a horseshoe.
Horseshoe-shaped elevators generally do not require disengaging a latch or
connecting pin and
pivoting the semi-circular portions apart to place the elevator around the
tubular.
[0002] Horseshoe-shaped elevators are generally designed to support a tubular
by lifting on the
lower load face of a coupling that has been connected ("made up") to the
tubular. The coupling
has a bore formed therethrough and female threads on an inner surface thereof
The coupling is
designed to have two tubulars inserted into the bore through opposing ends of
the coupling. Male
threads on the tubulars may engage corresponding female threads of the
coupling to join the
tubulars together. As such, the outer diameter of the coupling is larger than
the outer diameter of
the tubulars. Thus, an upper surface of the elevator may contact a lower
surface of the coupling,
thereby allowing the elevator to support the weight of the tubular.
[0003] When no coupling is used, a lifting apparatus (often referred to as a
"lift nubbin" or "lift
plug") is coupled to the tubular. The lifting apparatus includes a male
threaded end that engages
the female threads in the tubular. The lifting apparatus includes a flange
portion on the outer
diameter thereof that is larger than the outer diameter of the tubular. The
elevator may contact a
lower surface of the flange, thereby allowing the elevator to support the
weight of the tubular.
Attaching and removing lifting apparatuses, however, lengthens time taken to
deploy each tubular
into the well, as the lifting apparatus generally has to be installed and then
removed before the
tubular is made up to the next tubular.
[0004] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, a clamp-type elevator 1900 was created
to avoid the use
of lifting apparatuses. The clamp-type elevator 1900 includes tapered slips
that are fitted with
gripping inserts that are configured to radially-grip the outer diameter of
the tubular. At least one
of the slips 1911, 1912 is spring-biased upward, and at least one of the slips
1913, 1914 is
pneumatically powered up and down. The operation of the clamp-type elevator
1900 involves
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laterally moving the elevator onto the tubular to be lifted. The front slip
arms 1930, 1931 pivot
about shafts 1940, 1941 into the deployed position shown in Figure 19 and move
the pneumatic
slip(s) 1913, 1914 downward into initial engagement with the tubular 1920. As
the tubular 1920
is lifted, the spring-biased slip(s) 1911, 1912 are drawn downward into
increased radial gripping
engagement with the tubular 1920.
[0005] In certain applications, the spring-biased slip(s) 1911, 1912 are drawn
downward into
contact with the tubular 1920 to be lifted prior to the pneumatic slips 1913,
1914 being energized.
When this occurs, the spring-biased slip(s) 1911, 1912 may mechanically
overload and fracture a
mechanical stop that is designed to stop movement of the spring-biased slip(s)
1911, 1912 at the
end of their downward stroke. Once this occurs, the slip becomes separated
from the clamp-type
elevator 1900 and becomes a dropped object. In some instances, this may cause
the tubular 1920
to be dropped.
[0006] To reduce the run-in and trip-out time for tubulars, two, three, or
more joints of tubulars
are often pre-assembled into stands, which are then stored in racks, generally
in a vertical
orientation, for subsequent use. As noted above, lift nubbins are often used
in the absence of drill
collars, providing a shoulder for the elevator to engage and lift the tubular.
As stands are being
built, this presents two issues. First, each tubular requires a lift nubbin,
and thus time is expended
connecting and disconnecting lift nubbins. Further, the upper-most tubular
supports the lower
tubulars and is put into the rack ("racked-back") with a lift nubbin at the
top, and thus a rig operator
is called upon to work at the top of the rack (which can be 40 feet or more
above the rig floor) to
disgengage the lift nubbin, or the lift nubbin may be left in place, which can
require potentially
hundreds of lift nubbins to be available on the rig.
Summary
[0007] A pipe racking system is disclosed. The pipe racking system includes a
vertical column
extending upwards from a rig floor, a main arm that is movable vertically
along the column, a
gripper connected to a distal end of the main arm and movable therewith, and
an elevator including
a plurality of slips configured to engage an outer diameter surface of a
tubular and support a weight
of the tubular by gripping the outer surface of the tubular. The elevator is
suspended from the
gripper or a distal end of the main arm via one or more suspension arms. The
system also includes
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one or more guide arms connected to the vertical column. The one or more guide
arms are
configured to maintain a vertical orientation of the tubular.
[0008] A method for building a stand of tubulars is also disclosed. The method
includes
lowering a main arm of a pipe racking system toward a rig floor along a
vertical column. The pipe
racking assembly includes a gripper coupled to an end of the main arm, and an
elevator suspended
from the gripper or end of the main arm by one or more suspension arms. The
method also includes
pivoting the elevator so as to receive a first tubular into a throat of the
elevator, engaging the first
tubular using slips of the elevator, and raising the main arm with respect to
the rig floor. Raising
the main arm causes the elevator and the first tubular engaged by the elevator
to raise. The method
also includes lowering the tubular into the well or mousehole by lowering the
main arm and the
elevator, gripping and supporting the first tubular at the well or mousehole
using a supporting
device, releasing the first tubular from the elevator, pivoting the elevator
so as to receive a second
tubular into a throat of the elevator, engaging the second tubular using slips
of the elevator, and
raising the main arm with respect to the rig floor. Raising the main arm
causes the elevator and
the second tubular engaged by the elevator to raise. The method also includes
lowering the second
tubular into contact with the first tubular by lowering the main arm and the
elevator, rotating the
second tubular with respect to the first tubular, to secure a connection
therebetween and thereby
form at least part of a tubular stand, gripping the tubular stand using the
gripper, and raising the
tubular stand by raising the main arm along the vertical column.
[0009] The foregoing summary is intended merely to introduce a subset of the
features more fully
described of the following detailed description. Accordingly, this summary
should not be
considered limiting.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated in and constitutes a
part of this
specification, illustrates an embodiment of the present teachings and together
with the description,
serves to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:
[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for gripping a
tubular, showing slip
carriers thereof in an open position and slips thereof in an up position,
according to an embodiment.
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates another perspective view of the apparatus showing
the slip carriers in a
closed position and the slips in the up position, according to an embodiment.
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[0013] Figure 3 illustrates another perspective view of the apparatus showing
the slip carriers in
the closed position and the slips in a down position, according to an
embodiment.
[0014] Figure 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus
showing a slip carrier
locking pin assembly with a locking pin in an unlocked (e.g., up) position,
according to an
embodiment.
[0015] Figure 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus
showing the slip carrier
locking pin assembly with the locking pin in a locked (e.g., down) position,
according to an
embodiment.
[0016] Figure 6 illustrates a partial perspective view of the apparatus
showing a slip position
sensing mechanism with slips in an up position, according to an embodiment.
[0017] Figures 7A-7C illustrate a flowchart of a method for moving one or more
tubulars using
the apparatus, according to an embodiment.
[0018] Figure 8 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the apparatus
aligned with and
positioned above well center showing the slips in the up position and the slip
carriers in the closed
position, according to an embodiment.
[0019] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus positioned
above a first tubular with
the slip carriers in the open position, according to an embodiment.
[0020] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the first tubular
positioned within the apparatus
and the slip carriers in the closed and locked position, according to an
embodiment.
[0021] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus suspending
the first tubular in the
vertical orientation over the well center, according to an embodiment.
[0022] Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus lowering the
first tubular into a
spider, according to an embodiment.
[0023] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of the slips of the spider
engaging and gripping the
first tubular and the slips of the apparatus releasing the first tubular,
according to an embodiment.
[0024] Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of the second tubular
positioned within the
apparatus and the slip carriers in the closed and locked position, according
to an embodiment.
[0025] Figure 15 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus suspending
the second tubular in
the vertical orientation over the well center, according to an embodiment.
[0026] Figure 16 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus lifting the
first, second, and third
tubulars up and out of the spider, according to an embodiment.
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[0027] Figure 17 illustrates the apparatus and an elevator being lowered such
that the elevator is
positioned around and grips the third tubular, according to an embodiment.
[0028] Figure 18 illustrates a pair of arms coupled to and positioned between
the apparatus and a
casing running tool, according to an embodiment.
[0029] Figure 19 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art apparatus,
according to an
embodiment.
[0030] Figure 20 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus shown in
Figure 19 gripping a
tubular, according to an embodiment.
[0031] Figure 21A illustrates a side, elevation view of a pipe racking system
equipped with the
apparatus at a first stage of operation, according to an embodiment.
[0032] Figure 21B illustrates a perspective view of an ,elevator coupled to
suspension arms of the
pipe racking system, according to an embodiment.
[0033] Figure 22 illustrates a side, elevation view of the pipe racking system
equipped with the
apparatus at a second stage of operation, according to an embodiment.
[0034] Figure 23 illustrates a side view of the apparatus installed in a pipe
racking system engaging
a horizontally-oriented tubular, according to an embodiment.
[0035] Figure 24 illustrates a side, elevation view of the pipe racking system
equipped with the
apparatus at a third stage of operation, according to an embodiment.
[0036] Figure 25 illustrates a side, elevation view of the pipe racking system
equipped with the
apparatus at a fourth stage of operation, according to an embodiment.
[0037] Figure 26 illustrates a side, elevation view of the pipe racking system
equipped with the
apparatus at a final stage of lifting an assembled stand, according to an
embodiment.
[0038] Figure 27 illustrates a side view of a gripping head of the pipe
racking system engaging a
stand, according to an embodiment.
[0039] Figure 28 illustrates a flowchart of a method for stand building,
according to an
embodiment.
[0040] It should be noted that some details of the figure have been simplified
and are drawn to
facilitate understanding of the embodiments rather than to maintain strict
structural accuracy,
detail, and scale.
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Detailed Description
[0041] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present
teachings, examples
of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawings, like
reference numerals
have been used throughout to designate identical elements, where convenient.
In the following
description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms a part
thereof, and in which
is shown by way of illustration a specific exemplary embodiment in which the
present teachings
may be practiced. The following description is, therefore, merely exemplary.
[0042] Figures 1-3 illustrate perspective views of an apparatus 100 for
gripping a tubular,
according to an embodiment. The apparatus 100 may be or include a horseshoe-
type slip elevator.
The apparatus 100 may be used to grip and lift tubulars from a substantially
horizontal orientation
(e.g., when the tubulars are presented at an entrance to the rig floor and/or
derrick) to a substantially
vertical orientation. The tubulars may be or include segments/joints of
casing, liner, drill pipe,
completion tubing, or the like. The apparatus 100 may also be used for raising
and/or lowering
the tubular(s) that are vertically oriented to facilitate joining the
tubular(s) into assemblies of two
or three or four or more tubulars to form a stand. Further, the apparatus 100
may be used to deliver
individual tubulars or stands to the well center to facilitate joining the
tubular or stand into a full
string of tubulars that is lowered into the wellbore.
[0043] The apparatus 100 may include a body 110 that is substantially U-shaped
(i.e., horseshoe-
shaped). The body 110 may have one or more top guides 112 coupled thereto or
integral therewith.
The top guides 112 may be configured to actuate between a first, open position
and a second,
closed position. The top guides 112 are shown in the open position in Figure 1
and in the closed
position in Figure 2. When the top guides 112 are in the open position, a
tubular may be inserted
laterally into the body 110, such that the apparatus 100 is received at least
partially around the
tubular. When the top guides 112 are in the closed position, the tubular may
not be inserted
laterally into or removed laterally from the body 110. The body 110 may also
include one or more
lift points (two are shown: 114, 115) that may be used to lift the body 110
and any tubulars engaged
with the apparatus 100. The lift points 114, 115 may be positioned
symmetrically around a
centerline through the body 110.
[0044] The body 110 may have one or more bottom guides 116 coupled thereto or
integral
therewith. The bottom guides 116 are shown in the open position in Figure 1
and in the closed
position in Figure 2. When the bottom guides 116 are in the open position, a
tubular may be
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inserted laterally into the body 110, and when the bottom guides 116 are in
the closed position, the
tubular may not be inserted laterally into or removed laterally from the body
110. The bottom
guides 116 may have a beveled inner diameter to guide the apparatus 100 over
the end of the
tubular in cases where the apparatus 100 is lowered vertically over the end of
the tubular.
[0045] The apparatus 100 may also include one or more slip carriers 120. The
slip carriers 120
may be or include arcuate segments. The slip carriers 120 may be pivotally
coupled to the body
110 and positioned in receptacles that are defined in the body 110. The slip
carriers 120 may act
as doors that pivot/rotate between a first (e.g., open) position and a second
(e.g., closed) position.
The slip carriers 120 are shown in the open position in Figure 1. In the open
position, a tubular
may be introduced laterally into the body 110 of the apparatus 100. The slip
carriers 120 are
shown in the closed position in Figures 2 and 3. In the closed position, the
tubular may not be
introduced laterally into or removed laterally from the body 110 of the
apparatus 100.
[0046] The apparatus 100 may also include one or more slips 122. The slips 122
may be coupled
to the slip carriers 120. For example, two slips 122 may be coupled to each
slip carrier 120. The
slips 122 may be wedge-shaped elements that have one or more gripping elements
(e.g., provided
on inserts 124) on a front/inner radial surface thereof for engaging and
gripping the tubular. A
back/outer radial surface of the slips 122 may be configured to mate with and
slide along a tapered
receptacle of the slip carriers 120. The slips 122 are shown in a first (e.g.,
up) position in Figures
1 and 2. In the up position, the slips 122 are positioned a first radial
distance from the centerline
through the body 110 such that the slips 122 are not configured to contact a
tubular positioned
within the apparatus 100. The slips 122 may be retracted underneath the top
guides 112 when in
the up position. The slips 122 are shown in a second (e.g., down) position in
Figure 3. In the
down position, the slips 122 are positioned a second radial distance from the
centerline through
the body 110 that is less than the first radial distance. In the second
position, the slips 122 are
configured to contact a tubular positioned within the apparatus 100. Thus, the
slips 122 move
radially-inward as they move downward and radially-outward as they move
upward. The slips
122 may include one or more gripping inserts 124 on the inner radial surfaces
thereof The
gripping inserts 124 are configured to contact and grip the tubular. The
apparatus 100 may be
configured to grip and move tubulars of different sizes by replacing one or
more of the components
(e.g., top guides 112, slips 122, gripping inserts 124, etc.) with components
of a different size.
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[0047] The apparatus 100 may also include a main timing ring 130, as shown in
Figures 1-3. The
main timing ring 130 may be or include a semi-circular plate that is moved
vertically upward and
downward. The main timing ring 130 may be moved by one or more pneumatic
cylinders 152 that
are coupled to the body 110.
[0048] The apparatus 100 may also include one or more slip carrier timing
rings 132, as shown in
Figures 1-3. The slip carrier timing rings 132 may be or include arcuate
plates that are similar in
shape and size to the slip carriers 120. The top guide 112 may be coupled
(e.g., bolted) to the top
of the slip carrier timing rings 132. The slip carrier timing rings 132 may be
coupled to guide rods
that allow the slip carrier timing rings 132 to move vertically upward and
downward with respect
to the slip carriers 120.
[0049] The slip carrier timing rings 132 may have an interlocking engagement
with the main
timing ring 130. When the main timing ring 130 is moved upward or downward,
the slip carrier
timing rings 132 may move together with the main timing ring 130 due to the
interlocking
engagement. In addition, the slip carrier timing rings 132 may be coupled to
the slips 122 via
linkages 134. Thus, as the slip carrier timing rings 132 move upward and
downward with respect
to the body 110 and the slip carriers 120, the slips 122 may also move upward
and downward with
respect to the body 110 and the slip carriers 120. The downward movement
between the slips 122
and the slip carriers 120 may cause the slips 122 to move radially-inward
toward the centerline of
the body 110 (e.g., to grip a tubular). Conversely, as the slips 122 move
upward, they move
radially-outward away from the centerline of the body 110 (e.g., to release
the tubular).
[0050] The apparatus 100 may also include one or more slip lift cylinders 152
(see Figures 1-3).
In at least one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may include four slip lift
cylinders 152. The slip
lift cylinders 152 may be coupled to the body 110. More particularly, the slip
lift cylinders 152
may be coupled to opposing sides of the body 110, and adjacent to the lift
points 114. The rod
ends of each of the slip lift cylinders 152 may be coupled to the main timing
ring 130. When the
rods of the slip lift cylinders 152 are actuated into the extended position,
the main timing ring 130
moves upward together with the slip carrier timing rings 132 and the slips
122. Conversely, when
the rods of the slip lift cylinders 152 move downward, the main timing ring
130, the slip carrier
timing rings 132, and the slips 122 move downward, to enable the slips 122 to
engage the tubular.
[0051] Figure 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus 100,
showing a slip carrier
locking pin assembly with a locking pin 140 in an unlocked (e.g., up)
position, and Figure 5
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illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus 100 showing the slip
carrier locking pin
assembly with the locking pin 140 in a locked (e.g., down) position, according
to an embodiment.
The slip carrier locking pin 140 may secure the pivoting slip carriers 120 in
the closed position
once the apparatus 100 has been placed at least partially around the tubular
to be lifted. The slip
carrier locking pin 140 may be coupled to a slip carrier locking pin cylinder
142 (described below).
The slip carrier locking pin 140 may be received downward through holes 141 in
the body 110 and
the slip carriers 120 that are vertically-aligned when the slip carriers 120
are in the closed position.
When the apparatus 100 is being removed from the tubular, the slip carrier
locking pin 140 may
be moved upward, which allows the slip carriers 120 to pivot into the open
position, thereby
creating an opening for the apparatus 100 to be moved laterally-away from the
tubular.
[0052] As also shown in Figures 4 and 5, the slip carrier locking pin
cylinders 142 may be coupled
to the body 110. The slip carrier locking pin cylinders 142 may be a single-
acting pneumatic
cylinder with an internal coil spring that biases cylinder rods 144 into a
retracted position. In other
embodiments, the cylinders 142 may be hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, etc.
In the illustrated
pneumatic embodiment, when pneumatic pressure is applied to the extend port
143 of the slip
carrier locking pin cylinders 142, the cylinder rods 144 extend. Each cylinder
rod 144 may be
coupled to a plate 148 that connects the cylinder rod 144 to one of the slip
carrier locking pins 140
and an indicator pin 150. When the cylinder rod 144 is extended, it lifts the
slip carrier locking
pin 140, thereby releasing the slip carriers 120 from the body 110, allowing
the slip carriers 120
to pivot into the open position.
[0053] The indicator pin 150 may be secured to the plate 148 that connects to
the slip carrier
locking pin cylinder 142. As such, the indicator pin 150 may move upward and
downward together
with the cylinder rod 144 and the slip carrier locking pin 140. When the slip
carrier locking pin
140 moves downward into a "lock" position, the indicator pin 150 also moves
downward, thereby
activating a pneumatic indicator valve that transmits a signal to a control
panel indicating that the
slip carrier lock pin 140 is in the "lock" position. Alternatively, the
indicator may be a hydraulic
valve or an electric switch.
[0054] A logic circuit may confirm that the slip carrier locking pin 140 is in
the "lock" position.
The logic circuit may be located in a control panel that is separate and apart
from the apparatus
100. The control panel may be where an operator interfaces with the system to
send signals to
open and close the slips 122. In an embodiment, the logic circuit may be at
least partially
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pneumatic. Once the logic circuit confirms that the slip carrier locking pin
140 is in the "lock"
position, a signal (e.g., a pneumatic signal) may be transmitted to the slip
lift cylinders 152 (see
Figures 1-3) that are attached to the body 110, causing the slip lift
cylinders 152 to retract moving
the main timing ring 130, the slip carrier timing rings 132, and the slips 122
downward, to cause
the slips 122 to engage and grip the tubular.
[0055] The apparatus 100 may also include one or more slip carrier lock
sensing valves 154, as
shown in Figures 4 and 5. For example, there may be two slip carrier lock
sensing valves 154, one
for each slip carrier 120 in order to confirm that both slip carriers 120 are
closed and locked. The
slip carrier lock sensing valves 154 may be coupled to the body 110 such that
a central axis of a
spool within each slip carrier lock sensing valve is coaxially aligned with
the indicator pin 150.
The indicator pin 150 may move downward when the slip carrier locking pin
cylinder 142 is
retracted and the slip carrier locking pin 140 is in the locked (e.g., down)
position. The downward
movement of the indicator pin 150 depresses a plunger in the slip lock
indicator valve 154, which
sends a confirming signal to a valve that directs the slip lift cylinders 152
into the down position,
thereby setting the slips 122 onto the tubular. The slip carrier lock sensing
valve 154 may be in
communication with the logic circuit.
[0056] Figure 6 illustrates a partial perspective view of the apparatus 100
showing a slip position
sensing mechanism 160, according to an embodiment. The slip position sensing
mechanism 160
may include a slip position indicator rod 162, an indicator ramp 164, and a
slip position indicator
valve 166. The slip position indicator rod 162 may be coupled to the main
timing ring 130 and
extend downward therefrom. The indicator ramp 164 may be coupled to, and
configured to move
with respect to, the slip position indicator rod 162. The slip position
indicator valve 166 may be
coupled to the body 110. When the main timing ring 130 moves downward to set
the slips 122,
the slip position indicator rod 162 moves together with the main timing ring
130. Movement of
the indicator ramp 164 past the slip position indicator valve 166 activates
the valve 166, which
transmits a signal to the control panel confirming that the slips 122 are set
and indicating that the
tubular may be lifted.
[0057] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method 700 for moving a first tubular 810
using the apparatus
100, according to an embodiment. The method 700 may be viewed together with
Figures 8-17,
which illustrate sequential stages of one embodiment of the method 700. The
method 700 may
begin with the apparatus 100 suspended above a well center 800. This is shown
in Figure 8. A
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tubular gripping assembly, such as a spider 802, may be positioned at the well
center 800 and
below the apparatus 100. The method 700 may include actuating the slips 122
into a first (e.g.,
up) position, as at 702. The method 700 may also include unlocking the slip
carriers 120, as at
704.
[0058] The method 700 may also include positioning the apparatus 100 above the
first tubular 810
and actuating the slip carriers 120 into an open position, as at 706. This is
shown in Figure 9. The
first tubular 810 may initially be substantially horizontal. In another
embodiment, the first tubular
810 may be positioned in a V-door. Thus, the first tubular 810 may initially
be oriented at an angle
with respect to the ground. The angle may be from about 100 to about 50 or
about 20 to about
40 . Although not shown, in another embodiment, the slip carriers 120 may be
closed and locked
while being positioned around a tubular 810. In this embodiment, the apparatus
100 may be
lowered over the top of a tubular 810 when the tubular 810 is substantially
vertical.
[0059] The method 700 may also include positioning the apparatus 100 at least
partially around
the first tubular 810 and closing and locking the slip carriers 120 around the
first tubular 810, as
at 708. This is shown in Figure 10. The slip carriers 120 may be in the open
position and pointing
downward over the first tubular 810 as the apparatus 100 is lowered. As the
apparatus 100 is
positioned at least partially around the first tubular 810, the contact
between the first tubular 810
and the slip carriers 120 may cause the slip carriers 120 to rotate into the
closed and locked position
without any manual intervention or powered actuators being required to close
the slip carriers 120.
More particularly, the shape of the slip carriers 120 and the location of the
pivot pin allow the first
tubular 810 to rotate the slip carriers 120 as the first tubular 810 moves
into the throat of the
apparatus 100. The slips 122 may be spaced radially-apart from the first
tubular 810 when the slip
carriers 120 are closed and locked and the slips 122 are in the first
position.
[0060] The method 700 may also include actuating the slips 122 into a second
(e.g., down)
position, as at 710. The second position of the slips 122 may be downward and
radially-inward
with respect to the first position. Thus, the slips 122 may contact and grip
the first tubular 810
when in the second position.
[0061] The method 700 may also include lifting the first tubular 810 into a
substantially vertical
orientation using a top drive 830 while the first tubular 810 is gripped by
the apparatus 100, as at
712. This is shown in Figure 11. In the substantially vertical orientation,
the first tubular 810 may
be positioned above and aligned with the well center 800 (e.g., the spider
802).
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[0062] The method 700 may also include lowering (e.g., stabbing) the first
tubular 810 into the
spider 802 using the top drive 830, as at 714. This is shown in Figure 12. The
method 700 may
also include actuating one or more slips of the spider 802 from a first
position to a second position
to grip and engage the first tubular 810, as at 716. This is shown in Figure
13. The method 700
may also include actuating the slips 122 of the apparatus 100 back into the
first position and
unlocking the slip carriers 120, as at 718.
[0063] The method 700 may also include positioning the apparatus 100 above a
second tubular
812 and actuating the slip carriers 120 into the open position, as at 720. The
second tubular 812
may be positioned in the V-door. The method 700 may also include positioning
the apparatus 100
at least partially around the second tubular 812 and closing and locking the
slip carriers 120 around
the second tubular 812, as at 722. This is shown in Figure 14. The method 700
may also include
actuating the slips 122 into the second position, as at 724.
[0064] The method 700 may also include lifting the second tubular 812 into a
substantially vertical
orientation using the top drive 830 while the second tubular 812 is gripped by
the apparatus 100,
as at 726. This is shown in Figure 15. In the substantially vertical
orientation, the second tubular
812 may be positioned above and aligned with the well center 800 (e.g., the
spider 802). The
method 700 may also include lowering the second tubular 812 into contact with
the first tubular
810 using the top drive 830, as at 728. More particularly, a pin connection at
the lower end of the
second tubular 812 may be lowered into a box connection at the upper end of
the first tubular 810.
[0065] The method 700 may also include coupling (e.g., making up) the first
and second tubulars
810, 812, as at 730. The first tubular 810 may be gripped and supported by the
spider 802 when
the first and second tubulars 810, 812 are coupled together, and the second
tubular 812 may be
gripped and supported by the apparatus 100 when the first and second tubulars
810, 812 are
coupled together. The method 700 may also include actuating the slips of the
spider 802 back into
the first position (e.g., to release the second tubular 812) and lowering the
first and second tubulars
810, 812 using the top drive 830, as at 732. The method 700 may also include
actuating the slips
of the spider 802 back into the second position to grip the second tubular
812, as at 734. The
method 700 may also include actuating the slips 122 of the apparatus 100 back
into the first
position and unlocking the slip carriers 120, as at 736.
[0066] The method 700 may also include positioning the apparatus 100 above a
third tubular 814
and actuating the slip carriers 120 into the open position, as at 738. The
third tubular 814 may be
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positioned in the V-door. The method 700 may also include positioning the
apparatus 100 at least
partially around the third tubular 814 and closing and locking the slip
carriers 120 around the third
tubular 814, as at 740. The method 700 may also include actuating the slips
122 into the second
position, as at 742.
[0067] The method 700 may also include lifting the third tubular 814 into a
substantially vertical
orientation using the top drive 830 while the third tubular 814 is gripped by
the apparatus 100, as
at 744. In the substantially vertical orientation, the third tubular 814 may
be positioned above and
aligned with the well center 800 (e.g., the spider 802). The method 700 may
also include lowering
the third tubular 814 into contact with the second tubular 812 using the top
drive 830, as at 746.
More particularly, a pin connection at the lower end of the third tubular 814
may be lowered into
a box connection at the upper end of the second tubular 812.
[0068] The method 700 may also include coupling (e.g., making up) the second
and third tubulars
812, 814, as at 748. The second tubular 812 may be gripped and supported by
the spider 802 when
the second and third tubulars 812, 814 are coupled together, and the third
tubular 814 may be
gripped and supported by the apparatus 100 when the second and third tubulars
812, 814 are
coupled together. The method 700 may also include actuating the slips of the
spider 802 back into
the first position (e.g., to release the second tubular 812) and lifting the
first, second, and third
tubulars 810, 812, 814 (i.e., a stand) out of the spider 802 using the top
drive 830 while the third
tubular 814 is gripped by the apparatus 100, as at 750. This is shown in
Figure 16.
[0069] In an alternative embodiment, after the second and third tubulars 812,
814 are coupled
together, the method 700 may include actuating the slips 122 of the apparatus
100 back into the
first position to release the third tubular 814, as at 752. The method 700 may
also include
unlocking and opening the slip carriers 120, as at 754. The method 700 may
also include lowering
an elevator 820 until the third tubular 814 is positioned at least partially
therein using the top drive
830, as at 756. This is shown in Figure 17. The elevator 820 may be positioned
above the
apparatus 100 and coupled thereto by one or more linkages 822. Thus, the
apparatus 100 and the
elevator 820 may be lowered together until the third tubular 814 is positioned
at least partially
within the elevator 820. The method 700 may also include actuating slips of
the elevator 820 from
a first position into a second position to grip the third tubular 814, as at
758.
[0070] The apparatus 100 may also be used on pipe pick-up arms, such as on a
casing running tool
("CRT"). The specific rig type and application may determine whether a CRT is
used or a
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conventional elevator is used, and the rig-up of the apparatus 100 may be
determined by this
selection. Figure 18 illustrates a CRT application of the apparatus 100. The
arms 1820 may
tilt/luff out to move the apparatus 100 toward a tubular. The CRT 1830 may
then be lowered to
position the apparatus 100 at least partially around the tubular while the
arms 1820 are tilted/luffed
out. The arms 1820 may then be moved/tilted back in to cause the tubular to
take a substantially
vertical orientation. The CRT 1830 may then be lowered onto the tubular.
[0071] Figure 21A illustrates a side, elevation view of a pipe racking system
(PRS) 2100,
according to an embodiment. The pipe racking system 2100 generally includes a
driver (e.g., a
winch 2102), one or more guide arms (e.g., an upper guide arm 2104 and a lower
guide arm 2106),
a main arm 2108, a gripper head (or "gripper") 2110, and an elevator 2112
suspended from the
gripper 2110 or the distal end of the main arm 2108 via one or more suspension
arms 2111. This
assembly is movable up and down, relative to a rig floor 2116 along a vertical
column 2118 that
extends upward from the rig floor 2116, e.g., by operation of the winch 2102.
Further, a well or
mousehole 2120 is defined in the rig floor 2116. A spider 2122 or other such
rig floor equipment
may be positioned in the well or mousehole 2120.
[0072] The elevator 2112 may be a horseshoe-type slip elevator, such as an
embodiment of the
apparatus 100 discussed above. In other embodiments, the elevator 2112 may be
any other type
of elevator that is configured to grip an outer diameter surface of a tubular
2124, rather than a
lifting nubbin or other type of coupling that is connected to the tubular
2124. The elevator 2112
may be remotely controlled, such that its slips may be set in response to a
signal sent from a control
console. Likewise, the various other components of the pipe racking system
2100, in particular
the winch 2102, may be remotely controlled via the console, so as to allow the
various components
of the pipe racking system 2100 to be moved up and down and/or otherwise
articulated using one
or more consoles (e.g., a single console).
[0073] Figure 21B illustrates a perspective view of the elevator 2112 coupled
with two suspension
arms 2111A, 2111B, according to an embodiment. The suspension arms 2111A,
2111B may take
the place of or be connected to the lift points 114, 115 (see, e.g., Figure
1). Further, as shown, the
suspension arms 2111A, 2111B may be rigid (e.g., rectangular cross-section)
plates or bars. The
elevator 2112 may be pivotally connected to the suspension arms 2111A, 2111B
so as to engage
tubulars in various different orientations, as will be described in greater
detail below. Although
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rigid bars are shown, it will be appreciated that the suspension arms 2111A,
2111B may instead
be provided as flexible structures, e.g., sling assemblies.
[0074] The elevator 2112 may be connected directly to the gripper 2110 and/or
the distal end of
the main arm 2108 via the suspension arms 2111A, 2111B.
[0075] Referring now to Figure 22, the elevator 2112 may be lowered toward the
rig floor 2116
by moving the main arm 2108 downwards along the column 2118, toward the rig
floor 2116. The
add-on tubular 2124 may be positioned on a pipe conveyor or another structure
configured to bring
the tubular 2124 into position for the elevator 2112 to grip the tubular 2124.
As shown, prior to
being engaged by the elevator 2112, the tubular 2124 may be in a generally
horizontal orientation.
The elevator 2112 may thus be pivoted by 90 degrees, as shown in Figure 23,
such that its opening
faces downward, as it is lowered onto and around the tubular 2124. The slips
(e.g., slips 122 of
Figure 1) of the elevator 2112 are then set on the tubular 2124 in response to
a remote-control
signal sent by the driller from a control console. The elevator 2112 has now
engaged the tubular
and can support it via radial gripping of the tubular, as opposed to the
shoulder-type elevators
which rely on a coupling or a lift nubbin (in the case of flush tubulars) to
engage and lift the tubular.
[0076] Moving to Figure 24, once the elevator 2112 engages the tubular 2124,
the main arm 2108
may move upward, away from the rig floor 2116 and along the column 2118,
bringing the elevator
2112 and the tubular 2124 with it. During this upward movement, the elevator
2112 may pivot by
90 degrees, allowing the tubular 2124 to hang vertically, once the elevator
2112 has lifted the
tubular 2124 far enough away from the rig floor 2116 to allow the lower end of
the tubular 2124
to clear the rig floor 2116.
[0077] Continuing to Figure 25, while still supporting the tubular 2124, the
main arm 2108 may
then be moved downward, thereby lowering the tubular 2124 into the well (or
mousehole) 2120
through the spider 2122. The tubular 2124 is then gripped by the spider 2122
at the rig floor 2116.
It will be appreciated that the spider 2122 may be substituted with a floating
mousehole or any
other device for supporting the tubular 2124. Once the weight of the tubular
2124 has been
transferred to the spider 2122 (or another supporting device) at the rig floor
2116, the elevator
2112 may release the tubular 2124. Because the elevator 2112 is controlled via
connection to a
remote control console, the elevator 2112 may be opened via activation from
the remote control
console.
CA 3068646 2020-01-16
[0078] The next tubular is picked up from horizontal at this point and lifted
into a vertical position,
in the same sequence as the first tubular 2124. The second tubular may then be
lowered until its
pin-end enters the box-end of the first tubular 2124 and makes contact
therewith. At this point the
lower guide arm 2106 may be deployed to steady the second tubular. Once the
guide arm 2106 is
steadying the tubular, the elevator 2112 may be disengaged from the second
tubular. The second
tubular can then be rotated relative to the first tubular 2124, e.g., using a
power tong, so as to
connect the two tubulars together. If forming a stand of three joints, the two
tubulars may be
lowered again into the wellbore or mousehole 2120 and engaged by the spider
2122. A third joint
is then picked up and the process is repeated. If forming a stand of four
joints, the process is
repeated again.
[0079] Figure 26 shows a completed stand 2500 supported by the pipe racking
system 2100. In
this case, the stand 2500 includes three tubulars 2124, 2502, 2504, connected
together end-to-end
as explained above. Once the third tubular 2504 is connected to the second
tubular 2502, the entire
stand 2500 is withdrawn from the well or mousehole 2120, upward to the
position shown. This is
accomplished by gripping the stand 2500 using the gripper 2110 (as shown in
greater detail in
Figure 27) and moving the main arm 2108 upward until the entire stand 2500 is
raised out of the
wellbore or mousehole 2120. At this time, both the upper and lower guide arms
2104, 2106 may
engage the stand 2500, thereby maintaining the stand in the upright, vertical
orientation shown.
The stand 2500 is now ready for vertical storage within pipe racks located on
the rig floor 2116
nearby the pipe racking system 2100.
[0080] The entire stand (made up of three tubulars) is supported at the
gripper 2110. The upper
and lower guide arms 2104, 2106, while engaging the stand 2500 do not support
the axial load of
the stand 2500. Rather, the upper and lower guide arms 2104, 2106 serve to
guide the stand 2500
as it is racked back into a stored location.
[0081] Figure 28 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2800 for stand building,
according to an
embodiment. The method 2800 may proceed by operation of the pipe racking
system 2100, as
discussed above with respect to Figures 21A-27. The method 2800 may begin with
the pipe
racking system 2100 positioned as shown in Figure 21A, with the elevator 2112
above a rig floor
2116. The method 2800 may thus include lowering a main arm 2108 toward the rig
floor 2116, as
at 2802. As discussed above, the main arm 2108 has a gripper 2110 coupled to
an end of the main
arm 2108. Further, an elevator 2112 is suspended from the gripper 2110 or the
distal end of the
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CA 3068646 2020-01-16
main arm by one or more suspension arms 2111. The suspension arms 2111 may be
rigid bars, or
may be flexible, according to various embodiments.
[0082] The method 2800 may then include pivoting the elevator 2112 so as to
receive a tubular
2124 into a throat of the elevator 2112, as at 2804 and as shown in Figure 22.
At this point, the
tubular 2124 may be in a substantially horizontal orientation, e.g., parallel
to the rig floor 2116, as
shown.
[0083] The method 2800 may then proceed to engaging the tubular 2124 using
slips 122 (see
Figure 1) of the elevator 2112, as at 2806. For example, the tubular 2124 may
be received laterally
into the slip carrier 120, and the slip carrier 120 may be pivoted to shut the
elevator 2112 around
the tubular 2124. A signal may then be sent from a remote control console
which may cause the
slips 122 to lower in the slip carrier 120 and thereby engage the tubular
2124.
[0084] With the elevator 2112 engaging the tubular 2124, the method 2800 may
then proceed to
raising the main arm 2108 with respect to the rig floor 2116, as at 2808. This
is shown in Figure
24. Raising the main arm 2108 causes the elevator 2112 and the tubular 2124
engaged by the
elevator 2112 to raise vertically upward from the rig floor 2116, and may
bring the tubular 2124
into a vertical orientation, parallel to the vertical column 2118.
[0085] The method 2800 may then proceed to lowering the tubular 2124 into
contact with another
tubular or into a spider 2122, by lowering the main arm 2108 and the elevator
2112, as at 2810. In
either case, the spider 2122 may then engage the tubular 2124, e.g., again in
response to a signal
from the console. The method 2800 may then include deploying the lower guide
arm until it
contacts and steadies the tubular (unless it is the first tubular of the
stand), as at 2811.
[0086] The method 2800 may then include releasing the elevators 2112 grip on
the tubular 2124
while the lower guide arm steadies the tubular 2124, as at 2812, e.g., in
response to a signal from
the console. For example, the slips 122 may be raised relative to the slips
carrier 120, thereby
retracting the slips 122 from engagement with the tubular 2124.
[0087] With the elevator 2112 released from the tubular 2124, the tubular 2124
may be rotated to
connect with a subjacent tubular (e.g., one that has already been run into the
wellbore 2120 (or
mousehole), as at 2814. This may secure a connection between the tubulars and
thereby form at
least part of a stand 2500 (see Figure 26). When the tubular 2124 is the first
tubular of the stand,
it may simply be lowered through the spider 2122 and engaged thereby until
connected with a
subsequent tubular, as explained above. If another tubular is to be connected
to form the stand
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2500, the main arm 2108 may be raised, and the method 2800 may loop back to
then lowering the
elevator to engage the next tubular at 2802.
[0088] Once a desired number of tubulars are connected together to form the
stand 2500, the stand
2500 may be gripped using the gripper 2110 or the elevator 2112, as at 2816,
and as shown in
Figure 25. The stand 2500 may be raised to the position shown in Figure 26 by
raising the main
arm 2108 along the vertical column 2118, e.g., by operation of the winch 2102,
as at 2818. While
the stand 2500 is in the vertical position, guide arms 2104, 2106 may be
deployed, as at 2820, to
maintain the vertical orientation of the stand 2500. The stand 2500 may then
be positioned into a
storage rack ("racked back") for later use.
[0089] As used herein, the terms "inner" and "outer"; "up" and "down"; "upper"
and "lower";
"upward" and "downward"; "above" and "below"; "inward" and "outward"; "uphole"
and
"downhole"; and other like terms as used herein refer to relative positions to
one another and are
not intended to denote a particular direction or spatial orientation. The
terms "couple," "coupled,"
"connect," "connection," "connected," "in connection with," and "connecting"
refer to "in direct
connection with" or "in connection with via one or more intermediate elements
or members."
[0090] While the present teachings have been illustrated with respect to one
or more
implementations, alterations and/or modifications may be made to the
illustrated examples without
departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, while
a particular feature
of the present teachings may have been disclosed with respect to only one of
several
implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features
of the other
implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular
function.
Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including," "includes," "having,"
"has,- "with," or
variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims,
such terms are intended
to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising." Further, in the
discussion and claims
herein, the term "about" indicates that the value listed may be somewhat
altered, as long as the
alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process or structure to
the illustrated
embodiment. Finally, "exemplary" indicates the description is used as an
example, rather than
implying that it is an ideal.
[0091] Other embodiments of the present teachings will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the present teachings
disclosed herein. It is
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intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only,
with a true scope
and spirit of the present teachings being indicated by the following claims.
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