Automatic pipe doping apparatus

A method of applying lubrication to an end of a tubular, the method comprising:

• a) providing a pipe doping apparatus, the pipe doping apparatus comprising:
• a bucket assembly, the bucket assembly including a base and a bucket supported on the base and having an inside volume;
• a lubricating unit, the lubricating unit having at least one extendable and retractable lubricant applicator inside the bucket;
• a cleaning unit having at least one cleaning fluid outlet inside the bucket;
• a drying unit having at least one drying fluid outlet inside the bucket;
• wherein at least one of the cleaning unit and the drying unit includes an outlet jet oriented other than directly at the tool axis, such that flow of fluid through the outlet jet imparts a resulting torque to the jet and its support, and wherein the resulting torque causes at least one of the bucket and the lubricating unit to rotate relative to the base;
• at least one sensor indicating a position of a pipe within the bucket;
• a positioning assembly supporting the base and the bucket assembly;
• and
• an additional lubricating unit mounted on one of the bucket, the base, or the positioning assembly;
• b) positioning an end of the tubular within the bucket assembly;
• c) lubricating an end of the tubular while a pin end of the tubular is within the bucket assembly;
• and
• d) removing an end of the tubular from the rotating bucket assembly.