Tubular stabbing guide for tong assembly
AssigneeWeatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
InventorsBjoern Thiemann, Martin Liess, Karsten Heidecke, Martin Helms
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for tubular stabbing guides are presented. One example tubular stabbing guide includes a frame, a clamping assembly mounted to the frame, the clamping assembly including a plurality of guide members configured to receive a tubular and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a support plate configured to support a weight of the tubular, the support plate movable between an extended position and a retracted position.
Claims20
A tubular stabbing guide, comprising:
- a frame;
- a clamping assembly mounted to the frame, the clamping assembly including a plurality of guide members configured to receive a tubular and movable between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a support plate configured to support a weight of the tubular, the support plate movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein the support plate is disposed below the plurality of guide members.
A method of handling tubulars, comprising:
- inserting a pin end of a first tubular into a tubular stabbing guide, thereby aligning the pin end of the first tubular with a box end of a second tubular;
- moving a support plate of the tubular stabbing guide into an extended position, wherein the support plate is disposed between the pin end of the first tubular and the box end of the second tubular in the extended position;
- supporting a weight of the first tubular using the support plate;
- and
- lifting the first tubular off the support plate.
A tubular handling system, comprising:
- a tong assembly, comprising:
- a power tong configured to receive a first tubular;
- a backup tong configured to receive a second tubular;
- a tubular stabbing guide configured to align the first tubular and the second tubular, comprising:
- a plurality of guide members movable both longitudinally and laterally relative to the power tong between an open position and a closed position, wherein the plurality of guide members engage the second tubular in the closed position;
- and
- a support plate configured to support a weight of the first tubular, the support plate movable between an extended position and a retracted position.
A tubular stabbing guide, comprising:
- a frame;
- a clamping assembly mounted to the frame, the clamping assembly including a plurality of guide members configured to receive a tubular and movable between an open position and a closed position;
- a support plate configured to support a weight of the tubular, the support plate movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- and
- a catcher configured to engage the tubular, wherein the catcher is mounted on the frame above the plurality of guide members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.