Mechanically actuated casing drive system tool

A system for handling casing comprising:

• a top drive having a rotatably driven quill;
• a grabber coupled to and suspended below the top drive;
• a load bearing mandrel operably coupled to the quill for rotation therewith, the load bearing mandrel defining a central bore cavity having a central axis and extending through the grabber, the load bearing mandrel having external threads on a portion of the load bearing mandrel between an upper end and a lower end;
• a rotary to linear converter enclosing a portion of the mandrel and inserted into the grabber, such that when the grabber restrains rotation of the converter, and the quill rotates the mandrel, a lower portion of the converter moves axially, the rotary to linear converter having:
• a nut threaded over the external threads of the load bearing mandrel;
• a wrench surrounding the nut and a portion of the load bearing mandrel above the nut, the upper portion of the wrench having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the lower portion of wrench;
• the wrench and the nut being rotatable in unison, the nut being axially moveable relative to the wrench;
• and
• the wrench adapted to be inserted into and selectively secured by the grabber;
• a grapple coupled to the lower portion of the converter and extending along a portion of the load bearing mandrel for axial movement therewith, wherein gripping the wrench by the grabber and rotating the quill causes the nut and grapple to move axially;
• and
• wherein the axial movement of the grapple causes the grapple to move radially and engage a casing member.

A method for gripping a casing with a top drive of a drilling rig having a grabber mounted to the top drive, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a casing gripper having:
• a load bearing mandrel having a central axis and external threads on a portion of the load bearing mandrel between an upper end and a lower end;
• a rotary to linear converter enclosing a portion of the mandrel and inserted into the grabber, the converter having:
• an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being rotatable with the upper portion but axially movable relative to the upper portion;
• a nut threaded over the external threads of the load bearing mandrel;
• a wrench surrounding the nut and a portion of the load bearing mandrel above the nut, the upper portion of the wrench having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the lower portion of wrench;
• the wrench and the nut being rotatable in unison, the nut being axially moveable relative to the wrench;
• and
• the wrench adapted to be inserted into and selectively secured by the grabber;
• and
• a grapple coupled to the lower portion of the converter and extending along a lower portion of the load bearing mandrel;
• (b) gripping the upper portion of the converter with the grabber and securing the mandrel to the quill;
• (c) positioning the grapple into reception with the casing;
• and
• (d) rotating the quill and the mandrel while holding the upper portion of the converter stationary with the grabber, which causes the lower portion of the converter and the grapple to move axially, the grapple moving radially in response to grip the casing.