Automatic false rotary
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsAllen Keith Thomas, Jr., Jim Wiens, Michael Hayes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for remotely performing a pipe handling operation is provided. In one aspect, the method and apparatus includes a false rotary table capable of supporting one or more tubulars during the pipe handling operation which is moveable between a position for landing one or more tubulars to a position for running one or more tubulars into a wellbore. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for remotely connecting elevator links alternatingly between interchangeable elevators which are capable of axially engaging one or more tubulars above the wellbore.
Claims19
A false rotary table disposed above a rig floor for use in handling tubulars, comprising:
- a guide fixed to the rig floor;
- a plate substantially parallel to the rig floor and movable along the guide as the plate moves towards and away from a well opening and, whereby the plate has a travel range sufficient to allow at least partial covering of the well opening in a first position and less covering of the well opening in a second position, wherein the plate comprises an upper surface to support an elevator and a pipe string in the first position and the plate comprises a hole configured to receive a tubular, wherein the hole includes at least one control line portion offset from a centerline of the hole and configured to receive a control line when the plate is in the first position;
- and
- an elevator retainer assembly attached to the guide, wherein the elevator retainer assembly is selectively activated in order to retain the elevator in a stationary position as the plate moves under the elevator to a position along the guide.
A method of handling tubulars, the method comprising:
- supporting a string of tubulars using a first elevator;
- moving a false rotary table to a tubular passing position;
- passing a portion of the string of tubulars through the false rotary table;
- moving the false rotary table to a tubular supporting position;
- supporting the first elevator on the false rotary table;
- attaching a tubular to the string of tubulars, wherein the tubular is supported by a second elevator;
- and
- releasing the first elevator from the string of tubulars and moving the first elevator with the false rotary table as the false rotary table moves to the tubular passing position.
A method of handling tubulars, the method comprising:
- attaching a control line to a string of tubulars supported by a first elevator;
- moving a false rotary table to a tubular passing position such that the control line is positioned within an elongated portion of a hole in the false rotary table and the string of tubulars is able to pass through the hole of the false rotary table;
- moving the false rotary table to a tubular supporting position to support the first elevator with the attached string of tubulars, wherein the elongated portion is moved away from the control line;
- attaching a tubular to the string of tubulars, wherein the tubular is supported by a second elevator;
- and
- releasing the first elevator from the string of tubulars to allow a portion of the tubular and string of tubulars to pass through the hole of the false rotary table.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.