Clamp for a well tubular
AssigneeOceaneering International, Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Tabor, Huey J. Kliebert, Jr., Scott A. Marshall, Benton John Vicknair
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tubular clamp for gripping a tubular is disclosed. In one aspect, a tubular clamp for use with a cutting and lifting system is provided. The tubular clamp is configured to move between an opened position and a closed position. The tubular clamp further includes at least one slip member to permit the clamp to bear the weight of a severed tubular string. Lifting lugs on an outer surface of the clamp permit attachment to a lifting assembly.
Claims14
A system for cutting a tubular extending from a subsea wellbore, the system comprising:
- a. a cutting assembly configured to cut the tubular at an underground location;
- b. a selectively actuated grip member configured to grip an outer surface of the tubular, the grip member comprising a first door and a second door, the first door and the second door being movable between an opened position and a closed position, and a plurality of slip positioning members radially movable towards a center of the grip member and adapted to engage the tubular upon activation of the grip member;
- and
- c. a lifting assembly disposed above and connected to the grip member, wherein the lifting assembly is configured to lift the grip member and a portion of the tubular relative to the cutting assembly after the tubular has been cut.
A method of cutting a tubular extending from a subsea wellbore, comprising:
- a. positioning a cutting and lifting system on a rig floor above the wellbore;
- b. gripping an outside surface of an upper portion of the tubular with a selectively actuated clamp, the clamp having at least one attachment member on an outer surface thereof, the clamp comprising a first door and a second door, the first door and the second door being movable between an opened position and a closed position and a plurality of slip positioning members radially movable towards a center of the clamp and adapted to engage the tubular upon activation of the clamp, each door comprising a plate in contact with and corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of slip position members;
- c. inserting a cutting tool into the tubular to a predetermined point in the wellbore;
- d. cutting the tubular, thereby separating the tubular into a lower portion and a separated, upper portion;
- e. moving the slips relative to the doors by rotating each slip positioning member on its corresponding plate;
- and
- f. lifting the clamped upper portion of the tubular relative to the lower portion of the tubular to confirm separation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.