Extended range spider

An apparatus for supporting an oilfield tubular, the apparatus comprising:

• a body defining a tapered bowl and a pocket, wherein the body defines two or more fast-tapered surfaces that intersect the tapered bowl;
• a cage extending axially through the body, wherein the cage comprises a plurality of axially-extending rails disposed at angular intervals, and wherein a plurality of guides are attached to the cage;
• a slips assembly comprising a plurality of slips configured to engage the oilfield tubular when the oilfield tubular is received in the body, wherein the slips extend radially through the cage and engage the guides, wherein the slips are positioned between circumferentially adjacent rails of the plurality of axially-extending rails, wherein the slips are movable between a retracted position in which the slips are received at least partially within the pocket and an extended position in which the slips slide against the tapered bowl, wherein the slips each define a groove configured to receive a guide feature of at least one of the guides, wherein the guide feature received into the groove constrains movement of the slips, wherein the groove has a first portion that facilitates movement of the slips along the tapered bowl, and a second portion that facilitates movement of the slips primarily radially into the pocket, and wherein the slips each comprise:
• two or more fast-tapered surfaces configured to engage the fast-tapered surfaces of the body;
• and
• a primary tapered surface configured to engage the tapered bowl;
• a lifting assembly coupled to the slips and configured to apply a linear, axially-directed force to the slips, wherein the guides cause the slips to move radially and axially in response to the linear, axially-directed force, and wherein the lifting assembly comprises:
• a plurality of cylinders coupled to a timing ring that is connected to the slips, wherein the slips are coupled to the timing ring via a radially-extending slot, wherein the cylinders are at least partially received into the body and through the timing ring, wherein the cylinders are configured to press the timing ring toward the body by extending, and wherein the cylinders extend through the timing ring and are configured to pull the timing ring away from the body by compressing;
• and
• a cover coupled to the body and defining a top opening therethrough, wherein the cylinders are coupled to the cover, such that extending the cylinders drives the timing ring away from the cover.

A method for supporting an oilfield tubular, the method comprising:

• receiving the oilfield tubular into a body, wherein the body defines a tapered bowl and a pocket, wherein a cage extends axially through the body, and wherein guides are attached to the cage;
• engaging the oilfield tubular with a slips assembly, wherein the slips assembly comprises slips that extend radially through the cage and engage the guides;
• actuating the slips between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the slips are received at least partially within the pocket in the retracted position, and wherein the slips slide against the tapered bowl in the extended position;
• and
• applying a linear, axially-directed force to the slips using a lifting assembly, wherein the lifting assembly is coupled to the slips, and wherein the guides cause the slips to move radially and axially in response to the linear, axially-directed force.