# US 2014/0196909 A1 · Tubular Handling Device and Methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196909 A1 - Document ID: US20140196909A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/211,477 - Filed: 2014-03-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-26 - Assignees: First Subsea Limited; Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. - Applicants: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. - Inventors: Brian C. Ellis; Craig C. Weems; Faisal J. Yousef; Beat Kuttel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196909A1 ## CPC - E21B 19/16: Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints (E21B19/20 takes precedence) - E21B 19/07: Slip-type elevators - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A tubular handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool adapted to provide load-bearing, and preferably torquing, capacity upon the gripping of a tubular is provided. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member associated with the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of gripping elements disposed between the slotted member and recessed member. Each such gripping element is adapted to move with an engaged tubular so as to grip the tubular. A tubular member elevator associated to the running tool, as well as related floor slips, are also encompassed. Methods of casing running are also included. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-6. (canceled) ### Claim 7 A method of handling a tubular during a casing or drilling operation which comprises: engaging a surface portion of a tubular with a tubular member elevator; operating the tubular member elevator to position the tubular to be manipulated by a running tool; and engaging at least a second, different surface portion of the tubular with a portion of the running tool so as to retain the tubular due to the downward force created by the weight of the tubular or a tubular string attached thereto interacting with the portion of the running tool at the second, different surface portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising disengaging the tubular member elevator subsequent to engaging and retaining the tubular with the running tool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the disengagement of the tubular member elevator is automated after a gripping position has been achieved by the running tool. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising lowering the tubular gripped by the running tool onto a load-bearing surface to further urge an end of the tubular into a recess in the running tool. ### Claim 11 A method of handling a tubular in a casing or drilling operation, comprising: operating the running tool to interact with and grip a tubular section comprising at least one tubulars; applying a rotational force to the tubular section, at least one surface of which is engaged with and gripped by a portion of the running tool, to at least partially disconnect the tubular section from a tubular string; operating the tubular member elevator to interact with and grip the tubular section or a portion thereof; and raising the tubular section relative to the running tool to separate the tubular section from the tubular string and to disengage the engaged and gripped surface of the tubular section from the portion of the running tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising lowering the running tool while concurrently raising the tubular section a relatively greater amount than the running tool is lowered to ensure separation of the tubular section from any tubular string remaining. ### Claim 13 A method of handling a tubular in a casing or drilling operation which comprises: operating the running tool to interact with a tubular section comprising a tubular; applying a rotational force to the tubular section, at least one surface of which is engaged with and gripped by a radially-shaped segment of the running tool, to at least partially disconnect a tubular section from a tubular string; operating a tubular member elevator to interact with and grip the tubular section or a portion thereof; and moving the segment of the running tool in a direction having at least an axial component along the gripped tubular section to disengage the segment of the running tool from the at least one surface portion of the tubular section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising removing the tubular section entirely from the tubular handling apparatus. ### Claim at position 10 15-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 A tubular member elevator, comprising: a slotted elevator component having a plurality of elongated slots each extending at least partially in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a tubular to be handled; a recessed elevator component operably associated with the slotted elevator member and having a plurality of elevator recesses in a surface thereof that extend between a deep end to a shallow end; and a plurality of sliding or rolling elevator components, or both, each operatively associated with a corresponding one of the elongated elevator slots and one of the elevator recesses; wherein each of the plurality of sliding or rolling elevator components, or both, retracts at least partially within the slotted elevator member when displaced away from the shallow end of the corresponding elevator recess. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The tubular member elevator of claim 21, wherein the tubular member elevator is a single, double or triple joint elevator. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The tubular member elevator of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of sliding or rolling elevator components, or both, projects retracts at least partially into out of at least one slot of the slotted elevator component when the elevator is gripping a tubular. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The tubular member elevator of claim 21, wherein the tubular member elevator is coupled to a running tool through one or more actuators free of linking elements. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The tubular member elevator of claim 21, wherein the tubular member elevator is adapted to move relative to a running tool using a linear retraction device. ### Claim 26 A floor slip adapted to hold a tubular or tubular string comprising: a slotted floor slip component having a plurality of elongated slots each extending at least partially in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a tubular string to be handled; a recessed floor slip component operably associated with the slotted floor slip member and having a plurality of floor slip recesses in a surface thereof that each extend between a deep end to a shallow end; and a plurality of rolling floor slip components each operatively associated with a corresponding one of the elongated floor slip slots and one of the floor slip recesses; wherein each of the plurality of rolling floor slip components retracts within at least a portion of the slotted floor slip member when displaced away from the shallow end of the corresponding floor slip recess. ### Claim 27 A method of handling a tubular in a casing or drilling operation, comprising: grasping a tubular section of the tubular with a tubular member elevator, the tubular having an axial end; orienting the tubular section relative to a running tool; operating the running tool to frictionally engage and grip the tubular section; actuating a pre-load mechanism that is adapted to exert an axial force on the tubular in the axial direction when the tubular is engaged in the tubular running tool, the axial force increasing the gripping strength on the tubular; and applying a rotational force to the tubular section while it is engaged and gripped by the running tool to connect the tubular section to a tubular string. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein applying a rotational force to the tubular section comprises applying a rotational force to the running tool to rotate the running tool and the tubular section gripped by the running tool. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, further comprising disengaging the tubular member elevator from the tubular section prior to applying the rotational force to the tubular section. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein actuating the pre-load mechanism includes disengaging the tubular member elevator after gripping the tubular with the running tool. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, further comprising lowering the tubular gripped by the running tool onto a load-bearing surface to further urge an end of the tubular into a recess in the running tool. ### Claim 32 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein orienting the tubular section comprises lowering the running tool while concurrently raising the tubular section with the elevator.