Method for cutting a tubular structure at a drill floor and a cutting tool for carrying out such method

A cutting tool for cutting a rigid tubular structure at a drill floor of a drilling rig, wherein the cutting tool comprises:

• a tool body having an enclosure configured for positioning the rigid tubular structure in the tool body;
• an actuator mounted on the tool body at one side of the enclosure;
• a non-rotatable cutting element coupled to and moveable by the actuator for carrying out a translational cutting movement through the rigid tubular structure in a first direction;
• and
• a reaction member that closes the enclosure of the tool body opposite to the non-rotatable cutting element such that the reaction member opposes the translational cutting movement of the non-rotatable cutting element through the rigid tubular structure during cutting, wherein the reaction member has a cross-section within the enclosure when the enclosure is closed that is elongated in the first direction, the cross-section being elongated to oppose the translational cutting movement through the rigid tubular structure;
• wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic main cylinder comprising a piston that is coupled to the non-rotatable cutting element via a piston rod, and wherein the actuator comprises an accumulator that is placed in fluid communication with the hydraulic main cylinder for storing and releasing energy, as needed, during the translational cutting movement of the non-rotatable cutting element.

A method for cutting a rigid tubular structure at a drill floor of a drilling rig, the method comprising:

• providing a cutting tool at the drill floor comprising a reaction member and a non-rotatable cutting element configured for carrying out a translational cutting movement in a first direction towards the reaction member and through the rigid tubular structure, wherein the cutting tool comprises:
• a tool body having an enclosure configured for positioning the rigid tubular structure therein;
• an actuator mounted on the tool body at one side of the enclosure;
• a non-rotatable cutting element coupled to and moveable by the actuator for carrying out the translational cutting movement through the rigid tubular structure;
• and
• a reaction member mounted at an opposite side of the enclosure of the tool body opposite to the non-rotatable cutting element, wherein the reaction member closes the enclosure via a linear translational movement thereof in a first direction, wherein the reaction member is configured for opposing the translational cutting movement of the non-rotatable cutting element through the rigid tubular structure during cutting, and wherein the reaction member has a cross-section within the enclosure when the enclosure is closed that is elongated in a second direction, the cross-section being elongated to oppose the translational cutting movement through the rigid tubular structure, the second direction being coplanar but different than the first direction for closing the enclosure;
• positioning the cutting tool in a cutting position exterior to the rigid tubular structure;
• fixing the position of the cutting tool with respect to the rigid tubular structure;
• moving the reaction member in the second direction relative to the non-rotatable cutting element;
• and
• activating the cutting tool for cutting the rigid tubular structure by using the translational cutting movement of the cutting element through the rigid tubular structure such that the rigid tubular structure is cut without the cutting element overlapping the reaction member.