Top drive casing system

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising:

• a housing;
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member;
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of the tubular member within the housing;
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including a die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw;
• the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable;
• and
• a releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item, the releasable connection apparatus including:
• a top plate mounted to a top of the housing,
• top barrel mounted to the top plate, and
• the top barrel mounted to the top plate with shear bolts shearable in response to a predetermined load for selective separation of the top barrel from the top plate.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising:

• a housing;
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member;
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of the tubular member within the housing;
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including a die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw;
• the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable;
• and
• a piston-cylinder apparatus interconnected between the at least one jaw and the housing for selectively moving the at least one jaw into and out of engagement with the portion of the tubular member.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising:

• a housing;
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member;
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of the tubular member within the housing;
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including a die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw;
• the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable;
• and
• fluid circulation apparatus for selectively continuously providing fluid to a tubular member gripped by the torque head.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising:

• a housing;
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member;
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of the tubular member within the housing;
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including a die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw;
• the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable;
• and
• at least one lower member secured at the bottom of the housing with an inclined portion for facilitating entry of a tubular member into the housing.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising

• a housing,
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member,
• the grip mechanism including a plurality of spaced-apart jaws selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing,
• each jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, each slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to a corresponding jaw,
• the die apparatus movable with respect to the jaws so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable,
• wherein the die apparatus is movably upwardly as the portion of the tubular is engaged and downwardly as the portion of the tubular is disengaged,
• a bearing insert disposed between each die apparatus and each jaw for facilitating movement of the die apparatus with respect to the jaw, and
• releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising:

• a housing;
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member;
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing;
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw;
• the die apparatus axially movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable;
• releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item;
• a top plate mounted to a top of the housing;
• a top barrel mounted to the top plate;
• and
• the top barrel mounted to the top plate with shear bolts shearable in response to a predetermined load for selective separation of the top barrel from the top plate.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising:

• a housing;
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member;
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing;
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw;
• the die apparatus axially movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable;
• releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item;
• and
• fluid circulation apparatus for selectively continuously providing fluid to a tubular member gripped by the torque head.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising:

• a housing;
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member;
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing;
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw;
• the die apparatus axially movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable;
• releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item;
• and
• a top drive releasably secured to and above the torque head.

A top drive system comprising

• a top drive,
• bails connected to and extending beneath the top drive,
• elevator apparatus connected to a lower end of the bails,
• wrenching apparatus interconnected with the top drive and positioned therebeneath, and
• a torque head connected to the top drive for selective rotation thereby and therewith, the torque head positioned beneath the wrenching apparatus, the torque head comprising a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including a plurality of spaced-apart jaws selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, each jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, each slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to a corresponding jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the jaws so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable.

A top drive system comprising

• a top drive,
• bails connected to and extending beneath the top drive,
• elevator apparatus connected to a lower end of the bails,
• wrenching apparatus interconnected with the top drive and positioned therebeneath, and
• a torque head connected to the top drive for selective rotation thereby and therewith, the torque head positioned beneath the wrenching apparatus, the torque head comprising a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including a plurality of spaced-apart jaws selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, each jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, each slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to a corresponding jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the jaws so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable, and releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item.

A method for connecting a first tubular member to a second tubular member, the method comprising

• engaging the first tubular member with a first elevator secured to and beneath a second elevator, the second elevator comprising a component of a top drive system, the top drive system comprising a top drive, bails connected to and extending beneath the top drive, elevator apparatus connected to a lower end of the bails, wrenching apparatus interconnected with the top drive and positioned therebeneath, and a torque head connected to the top drive for selective rotation thereby and therewith, the torque head positioned beneath the wrenching apparatus, the torque head comprising a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the the at least one jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable,
• lifting the first tubular member above the second tubular member, the second tubular member held in position by a spider,
• lowering the top drive system so an upper end of the first tubular member enters the torque head and gripping said upper end with the torque head,
• lowering with the top drive the first tubular member so that a lower threaded end thereof enters an upper threaded end of the second tubular member, and
• rotating the first tubular member with the top drive to threadedly connect the first tubular member to the second tubular member.

A method for connecting a first tubular member to a second tubular member, the method comprising

• engaging the first tubular member with a first elevator secured to and beneath a second elevator, the second elevator comprising a component of a top drive system, the top drive system comprising a top drive, bails connected to and extending beneath the top drive, elevator apparatus connected to a lower end of the bails, wrenching apparatus interconnected with the top drive and positioned therebeneath, and a torque head connected to the top drive for selective rotation thereby and therewith, the torque head positioned beneath the wrenching apparatus, the torque head comprising a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including a plurality of spaced-apart jaws selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, each jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, each slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to a corresponding jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the jaws so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable, and releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item,
• lifting the first tubular member above the second tubular member, the second tubular member held in position by a spider,
• lowering the top drive system so an upper end of the first tubular member enters the torque head and gripping said upper end with the torque head,
• lowering with the top drive the first tubular member so that a lower threaded end thereof enters an upper threaded end of the second tubular member, and
• rotating the first tubular member with the top drive to threadedly connect the first tubular member to the second tubular member.

A method for disconnecting a first tubular member from a second tubular member, the method comprising

• engaging a top end of the first tubular member with a torque head of a top drive system, the top drive system comprising a top drive, bails connected to and extending beneath the top drive, elevator apparatus connected to a lower end of the bails, wrenching apparatus interconnected with the top drive and positioned therebeneath, and a torque head connected to the top drive for selective rotation thereby and therewith, the torque head positioned beneath the wrenching apparatus, the torque head comprising a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including a plurality of spaced-apart jaws selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, each jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, each slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to a corresponding jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the jaws so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable, and releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item, and
• rotating the first tubular with the top drive to disconnect the first tubular from the second tubular.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising

• a housing,
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member,
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing,
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw,
• the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable,
• releasable connection apparatus for releasably connecting the torque head to another item,
• a top plate mounted to a top of the housing,
• a top barrel mounted to the top plate, and
• the top barrel mounted to the top plate with shear bolts shearable in response to a predetermined load for selective separation of the top barrel from the top plate.

A torque head for gripping tubular members, the torque head comprising:

• a housing;
• grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member;
• the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of the tubular member within the housing;
• the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including a die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw;
• the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable;
• and
• a coupler device for coupling a torquing device to an item to be rotated thereby, wherein the coupler device comprises:
• a body with a first end and a second end,
• a recess in the first end of the body,
• a shaft with a shaft first end and a shaft second end, at least part of the shaft within the recess of the body,
• a clutch apparatus in the recess of the body, and
• clutch energizing apparatus for energizing the clutch apparatus.