Methods and apparatus for handling and drilling with tubulars or casing

A method of cementing a casing Within a formation, comprising:

• providing the casing with an earth removal member located at a lower end;
• providing a gripping mechanism connected to a cementing assembly and a top drive;
• gripping the casing with the gripping mechanism;
• sealingly engaging the casing with a circulating seal member;
• rotating and lowering the earth removal member to a depth within the formation;
• and
• cementing the casing within the formation using the cementing assembly.

An apparatus for use in drilling with casing, comprising:

• a top drive having a fluid path;
• a gripping member having radially movable gripping elements;
• and
• a cementing head and the gripping member fluidly connected to the fluid path and rotatable by an output shaft of the top drive, wherein the casing includes a drill bit.

A method of forming a wellbore comprising:

• operatively connecting a circulating head cementing tool to a gripping mechanism member and a top drive, the gripping mechanism member having a radially movable gripping element;
• gripping a first tubular with the gripping mechanism member;
• sealingly engaging the first tubular with a circulating seal member;
• rotating the circulating head cementing tool, the gripping mechanism member, and the first tubular;
• and
• lowering the first tubular into the wellbore;
• operatively connecting a cementing plug to the circulating head cementing tool, wherein the cementing plug comprises at least one plug having a bore therethrough and a mandrel slidable upon introduction of fluid behind the mandrel;
• gripping a second tubular with the gripping mechanism member;
• and
• lowering the second tubular into the wellbore.

A method of forming a wellbore comprising:

• operatively connecting a circulating head cementing tool to a gripping mechanism member and a top drive, the gripping mechanism member having a radially movable gripping element;
• providing an isolator body operatively connected to the top drive, the gripping mechanism member at least partially disposed within the isolator body;
• allowing relative rotation between the isolator body and the gripping mechanism member;
• gripping a first tubular with the gripping mechanism member;
• sealingly engaging the first tubular with a circulating seal member;
• rotating the circulating head cementing tool, the gripping mechanism member, and the first tubular;
• and
• lowering the first tubular into the wellbore;
• operatively connecting a cementing plug to the circulating head cementing tool;
• gripping a second tubular with the gripping mechanism member;
• and
• lowering the second tubular into the wellbore.