Top drive operated casing running tool

A top drive operated tubular running tool assembly, comprising:

• a housing supported by the top drive;
• an assembly in said housing to selectively transmit rotational input from the top drive and convert such rotational input to movement of an actuator operably linked to at least one slip for selective grip and release of a tubular by said slip;
• said assembly in said housing for movement of said actuator selectively locking said actuator from relative movement with respect to the housing;
• a drag block assembly mounted to said housing for selective contact with the tubular to hold said housing against rotation as said assembly in said housing is rotationally unlocked from said housing and rotated by said top drive.

A top drive operated tubular running tool assembly, comprising:

• a housing supported by the top drive;
• an assembly in said housing to selectively transmit rotational input from the top drive and convert such rotational input to movement of an actuator operably linked to at least one slip for selective grip and release of a tubular by said slip;
• said assembly in said housing for movement of said actuator selectively locking said actuator from relative movement with respect to the housing;
• said assembly comprises an actuator that is movable axially;
• said actuator is engaged to a rotating component of said assembly by a thread;
• rotation of said rotating component in clockwise and counterclockwise directions moves said actuator axially up and down using said thread;
• said drag block assembly maintaining said housing stationary as said rotating component is rotated by overcoming frictional forces in said thread;
• said rotating component further comprises a top sub driven by the top drive that selectively engages said actuator to preclude movement of said slip as weight from the top drive is set on said top sub and a rotational force is applied to said top sub by the top drive.

A method of using a tubular running tool for assembling a string and running the string into a subterranean location, comprising:

• supporting the running tool at a surface location;
• providing at least one slip on said running tool that is supported at a surface location to selectively engage and release the tubular upon movement of an actuator with respect to a housing of said running tool;
• mechanically selectively disabling said actuator from moving with respect to said housing;
• driving said actuator axially with a thread;
• retaining said housing to the tubular with at least one biased drag block to overcome frictional resistance in said thread;
• rotating a top sub, extending into said housing, with a top drive;
• rotationally locking said actuator to said housing;
• selectively engaging said actuator with said top sub such that rotation of said top sub rotates said housing and the tubular when said slip engages the tubular.

A method of using a tubular running tool for assembling a string and running the string into a subterranean location, comprising:

• supporting the running tool at a surface location;
• providing at least one slip on said running tool that is supported at a surface location to selectively engage and release the tubular upon movement of an actuator with respect to a housing of said running tool;
• mechanically selectively disabling said actuator from moving with respect to said housing;
• releasing a top sub for relative rotation with respect to said housing by partly compressing a spring providing said biasing.

A method of using a tubular running tool for assembling a string and running the string into a subterranean location, comprising:

• supporting the running tool at a surface location;
• providing at least one slip on said running tool that is supported at a surface location to selectively engage and release the tubular upon movement of an actuator with respect to a housing of said running tool;
• mechanically selectively disabling said actuator from moving with respect to said housing;
• enabling said actuator to move axially with a set down weight of said running tool of less than said predetermined value and with an applied rotational force to said running tool for extension or retraction of said slip.