Methods for handling tubulars useful during cleaning and inspection operations

A method for handling cylindrical tubulars in a handling machine, the handling machine comprising at least one pair of drive roller/pressure roller assemblies, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) loading a first tubular onto the handling machine;
• (b) indexing the first tubular;
• (c) contacting the first tubular with the pair of drive roller/pressure roller assemblies, wherein each drive roller/pressure roller assembly includes at least one drive roller opposing at least one pressure roller, the assembly is configured to receive the first tubular between the drive roller and pressure roller, the pressure rollers are configured to be opened to allow the first tubular to enter and exit the handling machine, and in which step (c) includes contacting the first tubular with the drive rollers from underneath;
• (d) rotating the first tubular;
• (e) cleaning selected portions of the first tubular, wherein step (e) includes the substep of performing at least one cleaning operation selected from the group consisting of (1) jet cleaning and (2) brush cleaning;
• (f) rotating the first tubular at different selected speeds during step (e);
• (g) opening the pressure rollers;
• (h) ejecting the first tubular from the handling machine;
• and;
• (i) responsive to step (h), queuing a second tubular for entry into the handling machine, in which step (i) includes holding the second tubular out of the handling machine until the first tubular has completely vacated the handling machine;
• wherein the pressure rollers of the at least one pair of drive roller/pressure roller assemblies open to receive the first tubular in generally alternating orientations about a longitudinal axis of the first tubular.