Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
  • E21B19/10—Slips; Spiders ; Catching devices
  • E21B19/102—Slips; Spiders ; Catching devices using rollers or spherical balls as load gripping elements
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
  • E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
  • E21B19/24—Guiding or centralising devices for drilling rods or pipes

Definitions

• Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods and apparatus to grip tubular members. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus that is used to guide and grip one or more tubular members, such as oilfield tubular members as the tubular members are disposed downhole.
• various oilfield tubular members are used to perform important tasks, including, but not limited to, drilling the wellbore and casing a drilled wellbore.
• a long assembly of drill pipes known in the industry as a drill string
• a drill string may be used to rotate a drill bit at a distal end to create the wellbore.
• a casing string may be disposed downhole into the wellbore and cemented in place to stabilize, reinforce, or isolate (among other functions) portions of the wellbore.
• strings of drill pipe and casing may be connected together, such as end-to-end by threaded connections, in which a female "pin" member of a first tubular member is configured to threadably engage a corresponding male "box” member of a second tubular member.
• a casing string may be made-up of a series of male- male ended casing joints coupled together by female-female couplers. The process by which the threaded connections are assembled is called “making-up" a threaded connection, and the process by which the connections are disassembled is referred to "breaking-out" the threaded connection.
• individual pieces (or “joints" of oilfield tubular members may come in a variety of weights, diameters, configurations, and lengths.
• FIG. 1 a perspective view is shown of one embodiment of a drilling rig 101 used to run one or more tubular members 1 1 1 (e.g. , casing, drill pipe, etc.) downhole into a wellbore 1 13.
• tubular members 1 1 1 e.g. , casing, drill pipe, etc.
• the drilling rig 101 includes a frame structure known as a "derrick" 102, from which a traveling block 103 (which may include a top drive) suspends a lifting apparatus 105 (e.g., an elevator or a tubular (e.g., casing) running tool connected to the quill of a top drive) and a gripping apparatus 107 (e.g., slip assembly or "spider") at the rig floor may be used to manipulate (e.g., raise, lower, rotate, hold, etc.) a tubular member 11 1.
• a lifting apparatus 105 e.g., an elevator or a tubular (e.g., casing) running tool connected to the quill of a top drive
• a gripping apparatus 107 e.g., slip assembly or "spider"
• manipulate e.g., raise, lower, rotate, hold, etc.
• the traveling block 103 is a device that is suspended from at or near the top of the derrick 102, in which the traveling block 103 may move up-and-down (i.e., vertically as depicted) to raise and/or lower the tubular member 111.
• the traveling block 103 may be a simple "pulley-style" block and may have a hook from which objects below (e.g., lifting apparatus 105 and/or top drive) may be suspended.
• Drilling rig 101 can be a land or offshore rig (e.g., drill ship) without departing from the spirit of the invention.
• the lifting apparatus 105 may be coupled below the traveling block 103 (and/or a top drive if present) to selectively grab or release a tubular member 1 11 as the tubular member 11 1 is to be raised and/or lowered within and from the derrick 102.
• the top drive may include one or more guiding rails and/or a track disposed adjacent to the top drive, in which the guiding rails or track may be used to support and guide the top drive as the top drive is raised and/or lowered within the derrick.
• An example of a top drive is disclosed within U.S. Patent No. 4,449,596, filed on August 3, 1982, and entitled "Drilling of Wells with Top Drive Unit," which is incorporated herein by reference.
• a lifting apparatus 105 includes movable gripping members (e.g., slip assemblies) attached thereto and movable between a retracted (e.g., disengaged) position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the lifting apparatus 105 supports the tubular member 11 1 such the tubular member 1 1 1 may be lifted and/or lowered, and rotated if so equipped, e.g., by using a lifting apparatus that is a tubular (e.g., casing) running tool connected to the quill of the top drive.
• a tubular e.g., casing
• the lifting apparatus 105 may release the tubular member 1 1 1 and move away therefrom to allow the tubular member 1 1 1 to be engaged with or removed from the lifting apparatus 105 and/or the gripping apparatus 107.
• the lifting apparatus 105 may release the tubular member 1 1 1 after the tubular member 11 1 is threadably connected to a tubular string 1 15 supported by the gripping apparatus 107 (e.g., slip assembly or "spider") at the rig floor at the floor of the drilling rig 101.
• the tubular member 111 may be supported and gripped by the tubular running tool connected to the quill of the top drive.
• the tubular running tool may include one or more gripping members that may move radially inward and/or radially outward.
• these gripping members of a tubular running tool may move radially outward to grip an internal surface of the tubular member 111, such as with an internal gripping device and/or the gripping members of the tubular running tool may move radially inward to grip an external surface of the tubular member 111, such as with an external gripping device, however so equipped.
• the gripping apparatus 107 of the drilling rig 101 may be used to support and suspend the tubular string 115, e.g., by gripping, from the drilling rig 101, e.g., supported by the rig floor 109 or by a rotary table thereof.
• the gripping apparatus 107 may be disposed within the rig floor 109, such as flush with the rig floor 109, or may extend above the rig floor 109, as shown.
• the gripping apparatus 107 may be used to suspend the tubular string 115, e.g., while one or more tubular members 111 are connected or disconnected from the tubular string 115.
• a gripping device 201 that may be included as the lifting apparatus 105 and/or the gripping apparatus 107 of the drilling rig 101 is shown.
• the gripping device may be the same or similar to the gripping devices shown and disclosed within the ⁇ 69 Application and the '072 Application, both of which were incorporated by reference above, or may be any other gripping or supporting device known in the art.
• a lifting apparatus 105 and/or the gripping apparatus 107 may comprise a supporting device may be used that supports one or more tubular members within a drilling rig, such as supporting a tubular string of tubular members suspended from a drilling rig.
• An example of a supporting device is disclosed within U.S. Patent No. 6,651,737, filed on January 24, 2001, and entitled "Collar Load Support system and Method," which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the illustrated gripping device 201 includes a bowl 203 with a plurality of slip assemblies 205 movably disposed therein.
• the slip assemblies 205 may be connected to a ring 207, in which the ring 207 may be connected to the bowl 203 through an actuator (e.g., actuator rods) 209.
• Actuator may be actuated, such as electrically actuated and/or fluidly (e.g., hydraulically) actuated, to move up and/or down with respect to the bowl 203, in which the slip assemblies 205 connected to the ring 207 may correspondingly move up and/or down with respect to the bowl 203.
• the illustrated slip assemblies 205 are designed to engage and contact the inner tapered surface of the bowl 203 when moving with respect to the bowl 203.
• Bowl 203 is shown as a continuous surface but may comprise non-continuous surfaces (e.g., a surface adjacent to the rear of each slip assembly 205).
• the slip assemblies 205 may travel down along an inner surface of the bowl 203.
• an inner surface (e.g., die) of the slip assemblies 205 will grip a tubular member 211 disposed within the gripping device 201.
• the slip assemblies 205 may have a gripping surface (e.g., teeth) on the inner surface to facilitate the gripping of the tubular member 211. After the tubular member 211 is supported by the gripping device 201, additional tubular members may be connected or disconnected from the tubular member 211.
• the gripping device 201 may be used to grip tubular members 21 1 having multiple outer diameters.
• the slip assemblies 205 may be positioned within the bowl 203 of the gripping device 201 to grip a tubular member 21 1 A having a first diameter Dl.
• the slip assemblies 205 may be positioned using the ring 207 that may be vertically moveable, e.g., through the actuator rods 209.
• Figure 2B shows gripping device 201, in which the slip assemblies 205 are positioned vertically higher within the bowl 203 with respect to the positioning of the slip assemblies 205 shown in Figure 2A.
• this positioning of the slip assemblies 205 in Figure 2B enables the gripping device 201 to grip another tubular member 21 IB, in which the tubular member 21 IB has a second outer diameter D2 larger than the first outer diameter Dl of the tubular member 21 1 A (for example, where Dl and D2 are on a tubular body itself and not a connector portion thereof).
• gripping device 201 may grip tubular members 21 1 having a large range of outer diameters without the need of reconfiguration and/or adding supplemental equipment to the gripping device 201.
• the second outer diameter D2 may be at least 145 percent larger (or smaller) than the first outer diameter Dl .
• a tubular string of tubular members may be heavy, in the magnitude of several hundreds of thousands of pounds.
• the gripping devices handling these tubular strings in addition to the drilling rig and other components thereof, must be equipped to handle such weight.
• tubular members of the tubular string, such as casing may have a relatively thin wall, in which the tubular members may be crushed or partially deformed if excessive force is applied by the gripping device.
• the weight of the tubular string may be even further magnified, such as when drilling offshore, as the tubular string may need to extend through the water to reach the borehole, which may be in the magnitude of several thousands of feet, if not more.
• the tubular string may have one or more different tubular members or tubular sections, such as including a section within the tubular string having casing, drill pipe, and/or a landing string, in which each of these sections of the tubular string may have different dimensions (internal diameter and/or external diameter) adding to the overall weight of the tubular string. Adding length to the tubular string only further increases the weight that the gripping devices, drilling rig, and other components thereof must be equipped to handle, an equipping process that may significantly increase the cost of for drilling.
• floatation modules have been developed that may be connected to or otherwise disposed about (e.g., about the OD of) a tubular member 31 1.
• One or more floatation modules 315 may be connected to the tubular member 31 1, such as by having a hinge formed on one side of the floatation module 315 that enables the floatation module 315 to, for example, clasp around the tubular member 311 from a lateral side thereof.
• a floatation module may be attached or applied to the tubular member, such as by applying as a coating or attached via other means, e.g., adhesive, to retain the floatation module stationary with respect to the tubular member.
• Depicted floatation modules 315 have a generally circular profile (e.g., a cylinder). However, floatation modules 315 may have any shape, such as a rectangular or hexagonal profile or spherical shape, that enables the floatation modules to connect to the tubular member 311.
• a floatation module is commonly formed from a buoyant material or buoyant structure, such as having foam (e.g., high density foam) or plastic and/or having a housing with a fluid (e.g., gas) disposed therein for buoyancy.
• this buoyant material or buoyant structure for the floatation module 315 may be used to offset at least some of the weight of the tubular member 311, e.g., from the drilling rig 101, and thus a tubular string altogether, as the floatation module 315 may be connected to the tubular member 31 1.
• a floatation module 315 may be used within the water, e.g., seawater of an offshore drilling operation, and/or a floatation module 315 may be disposed within a wellbore, including the riser, in land or offshore drilling operations. As such, a floatation module 315 may provide a buoyancy force when disposed within water and/or mud of a drilling operation, in which the buoyancy force of the floatation modules 315 may be used to offset at least some of the weight of the tubular string, e.g., from the drilling rig 101.
• a floatation module may be used with a landing string, such as when a landing string is used to dispose (e.g., "land") one or more tubular members, such as casing, within a wellbore in a deep water offshore operation.
• the landing string which may exceed tens of thousands of feet in axial length to reach between the sea floor and the drilling rig (e.g., a floating drilling platform or ship), may include one or more floatation modules 315 connected thereto or otherwise disposed about to offset some of the weight of the landing string and the other tubular string (e.g., casing).
• the floatation modules may relieve, at least a portion, of the stress applied to the landing string, other tubular string, and drilling rig equipment used for the operation.
• a floatation module may be formed from a generally buoyant material and/or as a generally buoyant structure (e.g., forming the floatation module with, at least a portion of, foam)
• a floatation module may lack strength and/or rigidity, e.g., the floatation module may be easily damaged.
• a floatation module may be particularly susceptible to damage when assembling and/or disassembling a tubular string of tubular members together and/or disposing (e.g., raising or lowering) the tubular string within and/or through a gripping or supporting device (as discussed herein).
• One example may be that, as a floatation module is disposed through a bore of a gripping or supporting device of a drilling rig, one or more of the components of the gripping or supporting device, such as the slip assemblies of the gripping device having a gripping surface (e.g., teeth) or other damage inducing surface or component of a gripping or supporting device, may contact and thus damage (e.g., dislodge) the floatation module.
• a gripping surface of a slip assembly e.g., teeth
• a foam portion of a floatation module may damage (e.g., abrade or puncture) the flotation module.
• damage to a floatation module may be magnified if a tubular member which the floatation module is connected to is not properly aligned within a bore of a gripping or supporting device during movement therethrough. Accordingly, there exists a need to prevent damage to a floatation module connected to a tubular member, as any damage to the floatation module may increase the loads applied to the drilling rig.
• an apparatus to guide a tubular member may have a floatation module attached thereto.
• the apparatus may comprise one or more of: a bowl, a slip assembly, a first guiding member and a second guiding member.
• the bowl may form a bore having a first opening formed at a first side of the bowl and a second opening formed at a second side of the bowl.
• the bore may have a tapered inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening about a longitudinal axis.
• the slip assembly may be movably disposed within the bowl.
• the first guiding member may be disposed adjacent to the first opening of the bowl.
• the second guiding member may be disposed adjacent to the second opening of the bowl.
• the apparatus may further comprise a support ring disposed adjacent to the first side of the bowl.
• the first guiding member may be connected to the support ring.
• the support ring may be a timing ring.
• the support ring may be movable along the longitudinal axis of the bowl with respect to the bowl to move the slip assembly.
• the apparatus may further comprise a first plurality of guiding members.
• the first plurality of guiding members may include the first guiding member.
• the first plurality of guiding members may be substantially equally spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis.
• the apparatus may further comprise a plate assembly.
• the plate assembly may be disposed adjacent to the second side of the bowl.
• the second guiding member may be connected to the plate assembly.
• the plate assembly may be removably connected on the second side of the bowl.
• the apparatus may further comprise a second plurality of guiding members.
• the second plurality of guiding members may include the second guiding member.
• the second plurality of guiding members may be substantially equally spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis.
• At least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member may be movably connected to the bowl. At least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member may be radially movable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl. At least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member may be connected to an actuator of the apparatus to impart movement, e.g. radial movement, thereto. At least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member may comprise a roller. The roller may contact a floatation module disposed within the bore.
• the apparatus may further comprise a support ring.
• the support ring may be disposed adjacent to the first side of the bowl.
• the apparatus may further comprise a plate assembly.
• the plate assembly may be disposed adjacent to the second side of the bowl.
• the bowl, the support ring, and the plate assembly may each comprise a first section and a second section.
• Each of the first sections of the bowl, the support ring, and the plate assembly may be removably connected to the second sections of the bowl, the support ring, and the plate assembly, respectively.
• Each of the first and second sections of the bowl, the support ring, and the plate assembly may be formed along a plane that intersects with the longitudinal axis of the bowl.
• the apparatus may further comprise a protector.
• the protector may be movably disposed within the bowl.
• the protector may be adjacent to the slip assembly.
• the protector may be movable between a first position and a second position.
• the protector may be biased towards the first position.
• the apparatus may comprise a plurality of protectors movably disposed within the bowl.
• a system to guide a tubular member may have a floatation module attached thereto.
• the system may comprise one or more of an apparatus having a bore, a first plurality of guiding members and a second plurality of guiding members.
• the apparatus may have a bore with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough.
• the apparatus may be configured to support a tubular member.
• the apparatus may have a first opening formed at a first side thereof and a second opening formed at a second side thereof.
• the apparatus may have an inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening.
• the first plurality of guiding members may be disposed adjacent to the first opening.
• the second plurality of guiding members may be disposed adjacent to the second opening.
• the apparatus may further comprise a slip assembly disposed therein.
• the slip assembly may be movable with respect to the longitudinal axis.
• the inner wall of the apparatus may be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis.
• the system may further comprise a protector.
• the protector may be movably disposed within the bowl.
• the protector may be adjacent to the slip assembly.
• the first plurality of guiding members may comprise a first plurality of rollers.
• the second plurality of guiding members may comprise a second plurality of rollers.
• an apparatus to guide a tubular member may comprise one or more of: a bowl, a slip assembly and a protector.
• the bowl may form a bore.
• the bore may have a first opening formed at a first side of the bowl and a second opening formed at a second side of the bowl.
• the bore may have a tapered inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening about a longitudinal axis.
• the slip assembly may be movably disposed within the bowl.
• the protector may be movably disposed within the bowl.
• the protector may be adjacent to the slip assembly.
• the apparatus may further comprise a first guiding member disposed adjacent to the first opening of the bowl.
• the apparatus may further comprise a second guiding member disposed adjacent to the second opening of the bowl.
• the slip assembly may comprise a plurality of slip assemblies.
• the protector may comprise a plurality of protectors. Each of the protectors may be movably disposed within the bowl adjacent to one of the plurality of slip assemblies.
• a method to manufacture an apparatus to guide a tubular member may have a floatation module attached thereto.
• the method may comprise one or more of: providing a bowl having a bore formed therein; disposing a first guiding member adjacent to a first opening of the bore; and disposing a second guiding member adjacent to an opposing second opening of the bore.
• the bore may be defined about a longitudinal axis with a slip assembly movably disposed within the bowl.
• the method may further comprise rotatably connecting at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member to the bowl.
• the one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member may comprise a first roller.
• the method may further comprise removably connecting at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member to the bowl.
• the first guiding member may comprise a first plurality of guiding members.
• the method may further comprise substantially equally spacing the first plurality of guiding members from one another about the longitudinal axis.
• the method may further comprise moving, e.g. radially, at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl.
• the method may further comprise connecting an actuator to the at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member.
• the actuator may move, e.g. radially, the at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member.
• the method may further comprise disposing a tubular member having a floatation module connected thereto through the apparatus.
• the method may further comprise contacting the floatation module with a guiding surface of at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member.
• the method may further comprise movably disposing a protector within the bowl and adjacent to the slip assembly.
• the tubular member may comprise a flotation module.
• the method may comprise one or more of: providing a gripping apparatus having a bowl with a bore formed therein, the bore forming a longitudinal axis; disposing the tubular member, at least partially, within the bore of the bowl; and guiding the flotation module with at least one guiding member disposed adjacent to the bowl.
• the gripping apparatus may further comprise a slip assembly movably disposed therein.
• the gripping apparatus may further comprise a protector.
• the protector may be movably disposed therein adjacent the slip assembly.
• the at least one guiding member may comprise a first guiding member and a second guiding member.
• the method may further comprise disposing the first guiding member adjacent to a first opening of the bore.
• the method may further comprise disposing the second guiding member adjacent to an opposing second opening of the bore.
• the method may further comprise contacting the floatation module with a guiding surface of at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member.
• the at least one floatation module may thereby be prevented from contacting the slip assembly.
• the method may further comprise rotatably connecting at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member to the bowl.
• the one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member may comprise a first roller.
• the method may further comprise moving, e.g. radially, the at least one guiding member with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl.
• the method may further comprise connecting an actuator to the at least one guiding member such that the actuator moves, e.g. radially, the at least one guiding member.
• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a drilling rig.
• Figures 2A and 2B show perspective views of a gripping apparatus disposed within a drilling rig.
• Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a tubular member having floatation modules connected thereto.
• Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a guiding apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• Figure 5 shows a partial exploded view of a guiding apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• Figures 6A-6D show multiple views of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• Figures 7 A and 7B show multiple bottom perspective views of an apparatus guiding a tubular member in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• Figures 8A-8C show multiple views of an apparatus gripping a tubular member in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• Figures 9A-9D show multiple views of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• Figures 10A-10D show multiple views of a portion of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• Figure 11 shows a computer system that may be used in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein.
• Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a guiding apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatus that may guide a tubular member, such as guiding a tubular member when assembling a string of tubular members together.
• a tubular member such as in one embodiment, may have one or more floatation modules disposed about and/or connected to the tubular member.
• the floatation modules may be used to manage the weight of the tubular member, in addition to manage the weight of the string of tubular members altogether.
• the apparatus may be used to guide the tubular member into and through, for example, a gripping apparatus. In such an embodiment, the apparatus may thereby prevent, at least a portion of, damage from occurring to the floatation modules and/or the tubular member.
• a tubular member having one or more floatation modules connected thereto is misaligned with a gripping apparatus when entering a gripping apparatus, one or more of the floatation modules may contact and be damaged against one or more components of the gripping apparatus (such as by having one or more of the floatation modules contact one or more of the slip assemblies of a gripping apparatus).
• an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may be used to guide and properly align the tubular member when entering a gripping apparatus, thereby preventing, at least a portion, of the damage from occurring to the tubular member and/or the floatation modules connected thereto.
• the apparatus may be used to grip and support a tubular member, such as when suspending a string of tubular members from a drilling string, independent if the tubular member has a floatation module connected thereto.
• the apparatus may be used to allow a tubular member having one or more floatation modules connected thereto to pass through the apparatus, in which the apparatus may then grip and support (e.g., an end of) the tubular member after the one or more floatation modules have passed through the apparatus.
• an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may include a bowl, a plurality of slip assemblies, and one or more guiding members.
• the bowl may have a bore or opening formed therethrough, and/or the plurality of slip assemblies may be movably connected to the bowl.
• the apparatus may include one or more guiding members, such as having one or more guiding members disposed adjacent to one opening of the bore (e.g., defined by the bowl) of the apparatus and/or having one or more guiding members disposed adjacent to another opening of the bore.
• One or more guiding members may be disposed in the bore (e.g., defined by a bowl) of the apparatus, for example between adjacent slip assemblies, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
• One or more guiding members may be used to guide a tubular member, such as when a tubular member is being disposed within or through the apparatus.
• the tubular member may have one or more floatation modules disposed thereabout and/or connected thereto, in which one or more of the guiding members may engage a surface of the floatation module to guide the flotation module into and/or through the apparatus.
• one or more guiding members may guide a flotation module into and/or through an apparatus (e.g., spider) and also may guide the tubular that the flotation module is connected to through the apparatus (e.g., spider).
• the guiding members may include one or more rollers.
• a roller may be rotatably connected to the apparatus. As such, as when a roller engages a surface of a floatation module, the roller may rotate and roll against a surface of the floatation module. This movement may enable the roller to guide the floatation module and tubular member into and/or through the apparatus, thereby assisting in preventing, at least a portion, of damage occurring to the floatation module and/or tubular member by the apparatus.
• the apparatus may include more than one guiding member. In such embodiments, a plurality of guiding members may be disposed adjacent to one or both ends of the bore (e.g., bowl).
• the plurality of guiding members may be substantially equally spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis of the bowl. This configuration may enable the guiding members to apply substantially equal pressure to the floatation module and tubular member disposed within the apparatus.
• the guiding members may be movable with respect to the apparatus, such as movable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore (e.g., bowl) of the apparatus. As such, the guiding members may be able to move radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl. Further, the guiding members may be able to move axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl.
• connection may refer to not only having two or more elements directly attached to each other, but connected may additionally refer to having two or more elements indirectly attached to each other.
• an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may have a guiding member connected to a bowl of the apparatus.
• the present disclosure contemplates not only having the guiding member directly attached to the bowl, but the present disclosure additionally contemplates other structures and/or arrangements for the apparatus, such as by having a structure or member disposed between the guiding member and the bowl, in which the guiding member and the bowl are connected to each other through the other structure or member.
• FIG 4 a perspective view of an apparatus 401 to guide a tubular member in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is shown.
• the apparatus 401 is disposed within a surface 491, such as within a rotary table 109 of a drilling rig 101 (e.g., shown in Figure 1).
• the apparatus 401 may be disposed within an adapter ring, in which the adapter ring may be disposed, and thus suspended, within a rotary table of a drilling rig.
• the present disclosure is not so limited, as the apparatus may, in other embodiments, be disposed above or on the surface without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• Guiding apparatus 401 which may be a spider as illustrated or an elevator, e.g., with the attachment of lifting bail or link eyes, includes a bowl 403 defining a bore 405 therein.
• the bore 405 may be formed about an axis 400 extending longitudinally through the apparatus 401.
• the bowl 403 may be formed such that a top opening 407 of the bore 405 is formed at a top side of the bowl 403, and a bottom opening of the bore 405 is formed at the bottom side of the bowl (depicted in Figure 5).
• the depicted bowl 403 has an inner wall that extends between the top opening 407 of the bowl 403 to the bottom opening.
• the term bowl may also refer to a plurality of discrete surfaces without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• the depicted inner wall of the bowl 403 is skewed at an angle (e.g., tapered) with respect to the axis 400.
• the bowl 403 may have a smooth, non-stepped profile, tapered inner wall, in which the bowl 403 may be used to enable the apparatus 401 to grip a range of tubular members having different dimensions (e.g., different outer diameters), with the slip assemblies moving along the bowl 403.
• the depicted apparatus 401 further includes a plurality of slip assemblies 421, in which the slip assemblies 421 are movable with respect to the bowl 403 (e.g., in- and-out of the bowl 403), such as by having the slip assemblies 421 movably connected to the bowl 403.
• the depicted slip assemblies 421 are movable in a radial direction with respect to the axis 400 as well as being movable in a longitudinal direction along the axis 400.
• the slip assemblies 421 may be able to "slide" towards and/or away from the axis 400, e.g., move along the inner wall of the bowl 403.
• the slip assemblies 421 may be used to grip a tubular member, such as gripping an outer surface of a tubular member received within the apparatus 401.
• Slip assemblies 421 may be restricted from lateral movement in the bore (e.g., bowl), for example, while still allowing for movement towards and/or away from axis 400 (e.g., radial movement relative to axis 400 of the bore).
• the slip assemblies 421 may be movably connected to a support ring 431.
• Support ring may be a "timing ring", e.g., as discussed in the ⁇ 69 Application and the '072 Application.
• the slip assemblies 421 may be able to move in the radial direction with respect to the axis 400, in addition to the longitudinal direction along the axis 400, such as when the support ring 431 moves in the longitudinal direction.
• a slide mechanism 433 the slip assemblies 421 may be able to move in the radial direction with respect to the axis 400, in addition to the longitudinal direction along the axis 400, such as when the support ring 431 moves in the longitudinal direction.
• a pin-and-link mechanism may be used to movably connect the slip assemblies to the support ring.
• the present disclosure contemplates other structures and/or arrangements for the apparatus without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• Apparatus 401 may include one or more guiding members 441, in which the guiding member(s) 441 may be disposed adjacent to one or more ends or openings of the bore (e.g., defined by bowl 403), slip assemblies 421, and/or support ring 431.
• the guiding member(s) 441 are depicted as connected to the support ring 431 , in which the guiding member(s) 441 may be disposed adjacent to the top side 407 of the bowl 403, e.g., when the slip assemblies 421 are received within the bowl 403.
• the guiding member(s) 441 may be substantially equally spaced (e.g., laterally and/or circumferentially) from one another about the axis 400, e.g., three or more guiding member(s) 441 substantially equally spaced from one another. This arrangement may enable the guiding member(s) 441 to provide guidance from multiple directions for a tubular member received within the apparatus 401 (discussed more below). For example, the guiding member(s) may guide a tubular member when being received into and/or being extracted from the apparatus, and/or the guiding member(s) may guide a lateral movement of the tubular member with respect to the apparatus.
• guiding member(s) may be disposed at other locations (e.g., within the bore of the bowl 403 or on the slip assemblies 421) and/or connected to other components, such as by having guiding member(s) connected to the drilling rig rather than connected to the apparatus itself (e.g., support ring as discussed above), without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• the guiding member(s) 441 may be used to guide a tubular member into the apparatus 401.
• the guiding member(s) 441 may be disposed adjacent to the bore of the apparatus 401 having axis 400 such that as a tubular member is received within the apparatus 401, the guiding member(s) 441 may engage a surface of the tubular member, or in other embodiments, a surface of a component connected to the tubular member such as a flotation module, to guide the tubular member into, out of, and/or through the apparatus 401.
• the guiding member(s) 441 may engage a surface of the floatation module to guide the tubular member into, out of, and/or through the apparatus 401.
• the guiding member(s) 441 comprise one or more rollers, though those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate any type of guiding member may be used to guide a tubular member within an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• a guiding member may include a conveyor belt (not shown), such as a top and/or bottom set of three or more conveyor belts disposed about the bore of the apparatus 401.
• Rollers may be able to rotate, such as by having the roller rotatably connected (e.g., by bearing) to the support ring 431, as shown in Figure 4.
• the rollers may be able to rotate about an axis thereof, in which the axis of rotation for the rollers may be disposed transverse with respect to the axis 400 of the apparatus 401.
• the axis of rotation for one or more of the rollers may be skewed with respect to the axis 400 of the apparatus 401.
• Guiding member(s) e.g., roller
• the roller(s) may then be used to "roll" against a surface of, for example, a floatation module disposed about a tubular member.
• the guiding member 441 may have multiple sections and/or outer profiles, such as a middle section 443 disposed between two side sections 445 in the depicted roller 441. As such, in one or more embodiments, the middle section 443 may have a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of one or both of the two side sections 445. Guiding member 441 may comprise one or more frustoconical sections, for example, two frustoconical sections wherein the tapered ends are adjacent and/or abut. This configuration may provide the guiding member with an outer surface that compliments the outer surface of a floatation module and/or tubular member for desirable engagement with the floatation module and/or tubular member.
• one or more of the guiding member(s) may have a convex or a concave outer surface, e.g., in which the convex or concave surface is used to engage with the outer surface of a floatation module and/or tubular member.
• one or more of the guiding member(s) may have a substantially cylindrical outer surface.
• one or more of the guiding member(s) may have a low coefficient outer surface, in which the low coefficient surface may enable a floatation module and/or tubular member to "slide" against the surface of the guiding member(s).
• one or more of the guiding member(s) may have a sloped surface, such as by having a surface that is sloped towards the axis of the apparatus (e.g., to form a generally convergent surface, for example, converging towards an opening of the bore) to facilitate guiding a tubular member into the apparatus.
• one or more of the guiding member(s) may collectively comprise a ring, or at least a portion of a ring, in which the guiding member(s) may be able to move between multiple radial positions with respect to the axis of the apparatus.
• one or more guiding members may be disposed about an axis of the apparatus such that the guiding member(s) form a circular, or semi-circular, arrangement with respect to the axis of the apparatus (e.g., laterally adjacent).
• one or more of the guiding members may be movable with respect to the axis of the apparatus, such as movable radially (e.g., only radially) with respect to the axis of the apparatus.
• movable radially e.g., only radially
• multiple sizes, shapes, arrangements, and configurations are contemplated for one or more guiding member(s) in accordance with the present disclosure.
• One or more of the guiding member(s) may be connected to the apparatus such that the guiding member(s) may move (e.g., be actuated) in the radial direction (e.g., at least the radial direction) with respect to the axis of the apparatus.
• the guiding member(s) may be movable between multiple radial positions with respect to the axis of the apparatus. Such guiding member(s) may be selectively locked into one or more of the radial positions, as desired.
• the guiding member(s) 441 may be connected to the apparatus 401 such that the guiding member(s) 441 are moveable between multiple radial positions with respect to the axis 400 of the apparatus 401.
• the guiding member 441 is connected to the support ring 431 using a removable connector 447 (e.g., a bolt or pin movable into multiple holes or a slot in a bracket), in which connector 447 may be removed to enable the guiding member 441 to adjust the radial position of the guiding member 441 with respect to the axis 400.
• a removable connector 447 e.g., a bolt or pin movable into multiple holes or a slot in a bracket
• the present disclosure contemplates other structures and/or arrangements for the guiding member(s) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• Guiding member(s) may be driven by an actuator, e.g., driven towards and/or away from the bore of the apparatus.
• An actuator may be mounted to a guiding member(s) via linkage or other ways known in the art.
• An upper and/or a lower set of laterally adjacent guiding members may comprise an actuator, to drive guide member(s) towards and/or away from the bore of the apparatus.
• an actuator may have a sensor and/or a controller coupled thereto and/or with each other, in which a sensor may be able to communicate the position of a guiding member and the controller may be able to send signals to control the actuator, thereby enabling the actuator to move the guiding member to a desired position.
• the apparatus 1201 includes a plurality of guiding members 1241, in which the apparatus 1201 includes one or more actuators 1249 operatively coupled to a guiding member(s) 1241 to move the guiding member(s) 1241.
• an actuator 1249 may be coupled to each guiding member 1241, in which the actuator may be used to move the guiding member 1241 toward and/or away from the axis 1200 of the apparatus 1201.
• one or more of the guiding members 1241 may be slidably mounted within a slot at an end thereof, in which the actuator 1249 may be attached to the end of the guiding members 1241 to move the guiding members. As such, as the actuators 1249 are actuated, the actuators 1249 may move the guiding members 1241 towards and/or away from the axis 1200. Further, in this embodiment, one or more of the actuators 1249 may be attached adjacent the top of the apparatus 1201 when coupled to the guiding members 1241.
• guiding members 1241 disposed at the lower end of the apparatus may also include an actuator 1249 to move guiding members (e.g., move towards and/or away from the axis 1200), such as similar to the actuator(s) shown in Figure 12.
• An actuator used in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be a hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and/or any other actuator known in the art.
• An actuator may be remotely controlled. Further, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other arrangements for an actuator to move a guiding member of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• guiding member(s) having actuators connected thereto may be controlled, such as controlled by a processor or other control system, to dispose one or more of the actuated guiding members to a desired location (e.g., a desired distance from the axis of the bore of the apparatus or from the surface of a tubular disposed in the bore the apparatus).
• guiding members e.g., laterally adjacent guiding members
• a plurality of guiding members may be actuated (e.g., a guiding surface of the guiding members may be actuated) to a radial distance relative to the axis of the bore that is greater than the largest radial distance (e.g., outer diameter) of a flotation module mounted to a tubular member being run into the apparatus, but may also be less than the smallest radial distance of the apparatus, such as the radial distance of the gripping surface of the slip assemblies when the slip assemblies are in a retracted (thereby no longer gripping the tubular member) position or other position with the apparatus.
• the largest radial distance e.g., outer diameter
• one set e.g., one or more guiding members of a laterally adjacent set of guiding members or one of an upper and a lower set of laterally adjacent guiding members
• another set may be non-actuated, for example, three or more actuated guiding members interspersed with three or more non-actuated guiding members.
• a plurality of guiding members may be actuated (e.g., via a controller) to move to a radial distance relative to the axis of the bore that is less than the radial distance of the gripping surface of the slip assemblies (e.g., in a retracted position).
• the plurality of guiding members may be actuated (e.g., via a controller) to move radially away from the axis of the bore (e.g., only) to allow the slip assemblies (e.g., the gripping surface of the slip assemblies) to be a radial distance relative to the axis of the bore that is less than the radial distance of the plurality of guiding members, thereby enabling a tubular member to be gripped by the slip assemblies when desired.
• the guiding member(s) in an inward radial position, may be extendable further radially inward than the gripping portion of the slip assemblies with respect to the axis of the apparatus. In an outward radial position, the guiding member(s) may be extendable further radially outward than the gripping portion of the slip assemblies with respect to the axis of the apparatus.
• guiding members may have an actuator attached thereto, in other embodiments without actuators attached thereto, guiding members may be movable, such as movable between an inward radial position and an outward radial position.
• one or more guiding members may not be movable, such as with respect to the axis of the apparatus.
• the guiding member(s) may be disposed in a desired radial position, such as by having the guiding member(s) disposed in an inward radial position.
• the present disclosure contemplates multiple orientation and arrangements for the guiding members, as the guiding members may be movable, non-movable, and/or may include one or more actuators.
• the apparatus 501 includes a bore formed by illustrated section of bowl 503, in which the bore has a first (e.g., top) opening 507 formed at one (e.g., a top) side of the bowl 503 and a second, opposing (e.g., bottom) opening 509 formed at the other (e.g., bottom) side of the bore defined by bowl 503.
• first (e.g., top) opening 507 formed at one (e.g., a top) side of the bowl 503
• a second, opposing (e.g., bottom) opening 509 formed at the other (e.g., bottom) side of the bore defined by bowl 503.
• the bowl 503 has an inner wall 505 that extends between the top opening 507 of the bowl 503 to the bottom opening 509 of the bowl.
• the inner wall 505 is illustrated as tapered with respect to the axis of the bowl and shown as a circumferentially continuous inner surface but may comprise non-continuous surfaces as noted previously.
• the apparatus 501 may include one or more guiding members 541, in which, as discussed above, the guiding member(s) 541 may be disposed adjacent to one or more sides of the bowl 503. As shown in Figure 5, the guiding member(s) 541 are disposed adjacent to the bottom opening 509 of the bottom side of the bowl 503.
• Apparatus 501 may include a plate assembly 551, in which the plate assembly 551 may have the guiding member(s) 541 connected thereto and the plate assembly 551 may connect to the bowl 503.
• plate assembly 551 can be disposed adjacent to top opening 507 of the bowl 503 or anywhere else desired.
• the guiding member(s) 541 may be connected to the plate assembly 551 such that the guiding member(s) 541, or at least a portion thereof, may extend (or may be extendable) further radially inward with respect to an axis of the bore of the tool than any component of the plate assembly 551, such as discussed above. This may enable the guiding member(s) 541 to engage a surface of a floatation module and/or a tubular member when being disposed within the apparatus 501.
• a plate assembly 551 may include one or more plates included therein, if desired, to connect to the guiding member(s) 541.
• the plate assembly 551 includes a first plate 555 and a second plate 557 connected to each other using one or more struts 591.
• the first plate 555 and the second plate 557 may be disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other, and a strut may be connected between the first plate 555 and the second plate 557 such that a gap is formed between the first plate 555 and the second plate 557 of the plate assembly 551.
• this arrangement may enable one or more guiding member(s) 541 to be disposed between the first plate 555 and the second plate 557 of the plate assembly 551, such as disposed within gaps formed within the plate assembly 551.
• guiding member(s) 541 may be disposed between the first plate 555 and the second plate 557 of the plate assembly 551, such as disposed within gaps formed within the plate assembly 551.
• the present disclosure is not so limited, as other structures and/or arrangements may be used for the apparatus without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, such as a plate assembly having only one plate or more than two plates, or by not including a plate assembly at all and having the guiding member(s) connect to the bowl of the apparatus.
• the plate assembly 551 may removably connect to the bowl 503 of the apparatus 501, if desired. As shown in Figure 5, the plate assembly 551 may removably connect to the bowl 503 using a bolt or pin 561 that removably attaches to a shaft 553 of the plate assembly 551 through the bowl 503.
• a bolt or pin 561 that removably attaches to a shaft 553 of the plate assembly 551 through the bowl 503.
• other mechanisms, devices, structures, and/or arrangements may be used to removably connect the plate assembly to the bowl of the apparatus, such as by latching a surface of the plate assembly to a surface of the bowl, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• one or more components of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may be formed into one or more sections or unitary.
• the bowl may be formed into more than one section.
• the bowl 503 may be formed into two sections (though only one section is shown) such that the sections form two substantially similar halves.
• the support ring may be formed into more than one section and the plate assembly may be formed into more than one section, as desired. Forming the apparatus into more than one section may facilitate installation of the apparatus. For example, the size and weight of the components of the gripping apparatus may be reduced when portioned into sections.
• the sections of the bowl, support ring, and any other components of the apparatus may be formed such that the sections are formed along a plane intersecting with the axis of the apparatus.
• the present disclosure is not so limited, as the sections may be formed for the apparatus may be formed along any other lines, if the sections are formed for the apparatus at all.
• Figure 6A shows a top perspective view of the apparatus 601 guiding a tubular member 693
• Figure 6B shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 601 guiding a tubular member 693
• Figure 6C shows an above view of the apparatus 601 guiding a tubular member 693
• Figure 6D shows a below view of the apparatus 601 guiding a tubular member 693.
• Figure 6 may be disposed within a surface 691, such as disposed within an adapter ring included within a rotary table of a drilling rig.
• the tubular member 693 has a floatation module 695 disposed about the tubular member 693.
• the floatation module 695 may be disposed about and connected to the tubular member 693.
• a floatation module in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is disclosed within U.S. Patent No. 7,383,885, filed on September 22, 2004, and entitled "Floatation Module and Method," which is incorporated herein by reference.
• floatation modules e.g., positive buoyancy modules
• floatation modules having other shapes, sizes, structures, and/or arrangements may be used in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, such as by having a lower density material, with respect to the tubular member and/or the fluid the buoyancy module is disposed in, applied to and/or disposed about an outer surface of the tubular member.
• the apparatus 601 may include a bowl 603 and a plurality of slip assemblies 621, in addition to a support ring 631 and one or more guiding member(s) 6 1.
• the guiding member(s) 641 may be substantially equally spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis of the bowl 603. As such, and as described above, the guiding member(s) 641 may be used to guide the tubular member 693 when the tubular member 693 is being disposed adjacent to and/or within the apparatus 601.
• one or more of the guiding member(s) 641 may engage a surface of the floatation module 695 to guide the tubular member 693 into and/or through the apparatus 601.
• an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may be used to grip or support one or more tubular members.
• the apparatus may include one or more slip assemblies, in which the slip assemblies may be used to grip a tubular member.
• an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may be similar to the gripping apparatus shown and disclosed within the ⁇ 69 Application and the '072 Application, both of which were incorporated by reference above.
• an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may be any other gripping or supporting apparatus known in the art.
• a supporting apparatus may be used in accordance with guiding embodiments disclosed herein that supports one or more tubular members within a drilling rig, such as supporting a tubular string of tubular members suspended from a drilling rig.
• a supporting apparatus is disclosed within U.S. Patent No. 6,651,737, filed on January 24, 2001, and entitled “Collar Load Support system and Method," which is incorporated herein by reference above.
• the supporting apparatus of the 6,651,737 patent could be outfitted with guiding member(s), e.g., guiding members disposed about the top and/or bottom openings of the apparatuses disclosed therein.
• FIGS 7A and 7B multiple bottom perspective views of an apparatus 701 guiding a tubular member 793 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is shown.
• the depicted tubular member 793 has a floatation module 795 disposed about and connected to the tubular member 793.
• the apparatus 701 may include one or more guiding members 741 disposed adjacent to one (e.g., top or bottom) opening of a bore of the apparatus 701, or adjacent to each of the two openings (e.g., top and bottom) of the apparatus 701.
• the apparatus 701 may include a plate assembly 751, in which the one or more guiding members 741 may be connected (e.g., fixed or movably (optionally movable via an actuator)) to the plate assembly 751.
• the guiding member(s) 741 may be used to guide the tubular member 793 when the tubular member 793 is being disposed within the apparatus 701, such as by having the guiding member(s) engage a surface of the floatation module 795 connected to the tubular member 793.
• the plate assembly 751 shown in Figure 7A may only have one plate 755, whereas the plate assembly 751 shown in Figure 7B may have two plates 755 and 757.
• a plate assembly may have multiple structures and/or arrangements, or a plate assembly may not be included within the apparatus at all.
• the guiding member(s) may be attached to the apparatus and/or may be disposed within the apparatus.
• the present disclosure contemplates other structures and/or arrangements for the apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• the apparatus 741 may include guiding members 741 disposed adjacent to the openings of the apparatus 701, the guiding members 741 are used to contact and guide a tubular member into, within, and/or through the apparatus 741.
• guiding members 741 from the top of the apparatus 701 and guiding members 741 from the bottom of the apparatus 701 may be used to establish at least two points-of-contact with the tubular member, such as axially and/or radially spaced points-of-contact.
• one point-of-contact with the tubular may be axially spaced from another point-of-contact with respect to the axis of the apparatus. Further, in another example, one point-of-contact with the tubular may be radially spaced from another point-of-contact with respect to the axis of the apparatus.
• this may prevent the tubular member, and other components attached to the tubular member (e.g. , floatation module) from contacting the apparatus 701, such as from having the floatation module from contacting a slip assembly (e.g., the gripping surface thereof) of the apparatus 701.
• At least two axially spaced points-of-contact may prevent a tubular member from contacting a slip assembly of an apparatus 701.
• at least two radially spaced points-of-contact may be used to guide a tubular member through the bore of an apparatus, for example, such that the guiding members 741 of the apparatus 701 are the only elements that may be able to contact the tubular member and/or buoyancy module(s) connected to the tubular member e.g., when the slip assemblies are in the retracted position.
• at least two points-of-contact with the tubular member may be used to have a desired orientation and movement of the tubular member into, within, and/or through an apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.
• the slip assemblies may be retractable to a radial distance from the axis to prevent contact with any outer diameter protrusion of a tubular. For example, as discussed below with reference to Figures 10A-10D.
• Figures 8A-8C multiple views of an apparatus 801 gripping a tubular member 893 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is shown. Specifically, Figure 8 A shows a perspective view of the apparatus 801 gripping the tubular member 893, Figure 8B shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 801 disposed about the tubular member 893, and Figure 8C shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 801 gripping the tubular member 893.
• an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may be used to grip and support a tubular member, such as when suspending a string of tubular members.
• the apparatus 801 is used to grip and support the tubular member 893.
• the apparatus 801 may include a bowl 803 with a plurality of slip assemblies 821 movably connected thereto (e.g., disposed therein), in which the plurality of slip assemblies 821 may move radially inward and longitudinally downward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl 803, e.g., when the tubular member 893 is disposed within the apparatus 801.
• the slip assemblies 821 may move radially inward and longitudinally downward from a first position, such as a retracted position shown in Figure 8B, to a second position, such as an engaged position shown in Figure 8C.
• the plurality of slip assemblies 821 may be used to grip an outer surface of the tubular member 893.
• the depicted tubular member 893 has a floatation module 895 disposed about and connected to the tubular member 893.
• the plurality of slip assemblies 821 may be disposed at a first position, such as the retracted position shown in Figure 8B, which includes having the plurality of slip assemblies 821 extended radially outward and longitudinally upward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl 803.
• the floatation module 895 may pass through the apparatus 801, such as by having one or more guiding members 841 connected to the apparatus 801 engaging a surface of the floatation module 895 to guide the floatation module 895 and the tubular member 893, at least partially, through the apparatus 801.
• the plurality of slip assemblies 821 may be disposed at a second position, such as the engaged position shown in Figure 8C, which includes having the plurality of slip assemblies 821 extended radially inward and longitudinally downward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl 803. This arrangement may allow the plurality of slip assemblies 821 to grip an outer surface of the tubular member 893.
• an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may be any other gripping or supporting apparatus known in the art, rather than only the embodiment disclosed in Figures 8A- 8C.
• one or more guiding member(s) may be disposed adjacent any pipe gripping or supporting apparatus known in the art.
• the guiding member(s) may be used to guide tubular members, such as tubular members having floatation modules attached thereto, through any gripping or supporting apparatus.
• the guiding member(s) on both the top side and bottom side of the apparatus may be used to guide and prevent contact of the tubular member with other portions of the apparatus.
• a tubular member with a floatation module may be disposed through the apparatus 801 while preventing contact with the retracted slip assemblies 821.
• the tubular member and floatation module may be able to contact the guiding member(s) 841 disposed adjacent to both the top side of the bowl 803 and the bottom side of the bowl 803, such as by contacting a guiding member disposed adjacent to the top side of the bowl 803 and a guiding member disposed adjacent to the bottom side of the bowl 803 simultaneously. This may particularly prevent contact of the tubular member and floatation module with the slip assemblies 821 of the apparatus 801.
• Figures 9A-9D multiple views of a gripping apparatus 901 having a plurality of slip assemblies 921 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein are shown.
• Figures 9A and 9B show multiple views of the gripping apparatus 901 with the plurality of slip assemblies 921 in an engaged position, in which Figure 9 A shows a perspective view of the gripping apparatus 901 and Figure 9B shows an above view of the gripping apparatus 901.
• Figures 9C and 9D show multiple views of the gripping apparatus 901 with the plurality of slip assemblies 921 in an retracted position, in which Figure 9C shows a perspective view of the gripping apparatus 901 and Figure 9D shows an above view of the gripping apparatus 901.
• the apparatus 901 may be used to grip and support a tubular member.
• the apparatus 901 may include a bowl 903 with the plurality of slip assemblies 921 movably connected thereto, in which the plurality of slip assemblies 921 may move radially inward and outward and longitudinally upward and downward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl 903.
• the slip assemblies 921 may move radially inward and longitudinally downward from a first position, such as the retracted position shown in Figures 9C and 9D, to a second position, such as the engaged position shown in Figures 9A and 9B.
• a gripping apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein may include one or more protectors coupled to the gripping apparatus, in which the protectors may be used to protect one or more tools, floatation modules, and/or any other component disposed within the gripping apparatus.
• the gripping apparatus 901 may include one or more protectors 971 coupled thereto.
• the protectors 971 may be movably coupled to the gripping apparatus 901, such as movably connected to or within the bowl 903 of the gripping apparatus 901.
• the protectors 971 may connect to one or more rods 973, in which the rods 973 may be disposed within and/or through the bowl 903 of the gripping apparatus 901. Further, the rods 973 may be able to rotate with respect to the bowl 903 of the gripping apparatus 901. Protector 971 connected to a rod 973 (rotatable or not) may be able to rotate about the rod 973 with respect to the bowl 903 of the apparatus 901.
• the protectors 971 may move as the slip assemblies 921 move within the apparatus 901. As such, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, with the plurality of slip assemblies 921 in an engaged position, the protectors 971 may enable the slip assemblies 921 to pass between one or more of the protectors 971 to have the slip assemblies 921 move radially inward and longitudinally downward with respect to the axis of the apparatus 901. Further, as shown in Figures 9C and 9D, with the plurality of slip assemblies 921 in the retracted position, the protectors 971 may close about the slip assemblies 921 and cover at least a portion of the slip assemblies 921.
• One or more of the protectors 971 may be biased, for example, an actuator, spring and/or other biasing mechanism may be used to bias one or more of the protectors into the position as shown in Figures 9C and/or 9D.
• Protectors 971 thus may protect one or more tubular and/or floatation modules that may be disposed within and/or through the apparatus 901, such as by preventing a tubular and/or floatation module from contacting the slip assemblies 921 of the apparatus 901 when disposed within the apparatus 901.
• Protector 971 may extend axially the entire length of a slip assembly 921, and/or may be less than the entire length of the slip assemblies 921 (e.g., that part of the slip assembly having teeth or other gripping surface).
• a protector 971 may be disposed on each side of each slip assembly
• a protector may be disposed on only one side of a (e.g., each) slip assembly within the apparatus, or, in another embodiment, only one protector may be included within the apparatus altogether. As such, multiple structures and arrangements may be used for the protectors of an apparatus without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 10A-10D multiple views of a portion of a gripping apparatus 1001 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein are shown. Specifically, Figures 10A-10D show a portion of gripping apparatus 1001 with a tubular member 1093 disposed therein.
• the gripping apparatus 1001 may be used to guide the tubular member 1093 with one or more guiding members 1041, in which the guiding members 1041 may be movably connected to the apparatus 1001.
• the guiding members 1041 may be able to rotate with respect to the apparatus 1001.
• the guiding members 1041 may be able to move with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001, such as move radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001.
• the guiding members 1041 are disposed at a first radial position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001, and in Figures IOC and 10D, the guiding members 1041 are shown as disposed at a second radial position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001. Accordingly, one or more of the guiding members 1041 may be movable between multiple radial positions, such as movable between the first radial position shown in Figures 10A and 10B and the second radial position shown in Figures IOC and 10D.
• the guiding members may be radially movable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the guiding members may be moved radially to prevent damage to a tubular member, to prevent damage to a tool, to prevent damage to a floatation module attached to a tubular member, and/or to prevent damage to any other component that may be disposed within and/or through a gripping apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.
• the guiding members 1041 are shown as disposed in the first radial position, in which in this radial position, the floatation module 1095 attached to the tubular member 1093 may interfere with one or more of the slip assemblies 1021 within the apparatus 1001.
• this interference may cause a component of or attached to the tubular member 1093 to be damaged.
• a collar 1097 of the tubular member 1093 e.g., casing
• the axial length of the component which may have a larger diameter than the tubular member, may be shorter than the axial length between the guide members. This may enable the component attached to the tubular member to interfere with one or more slip assemblies of the apparatus, even though the tubular member is being guided by the guiding members.
• the guiding members 1041 may be moved further radially inward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001, and/or the slip assemblies 1021 may be moved further radially outward, to prevent interference (e.g., damage) to the tubular member 1093 and components thereof, such as the collar 1097 or a floatation module.
• the guiding members 1041 may be disposed in a second radial position, which is closer to the longitudinal axis than the first radial position. In this radial position, the tubular member 1093, and any component attached thereto, may be prevented from interfering with the slip assemblies 1021 within the apparatus 1001.
• the slip assemblies 1021 may be moved radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001 such that the tubular member 1093, and any component attached thereto, may be prevented from interfering with the slip assemblies 1021 within the apparatus 1001. Accordingly, even though a component may be attached to a tubular member when in use with an apparatus or method in accordance with the present disclosure, the guiding members and/or the slip assemblies may be used to prevent interference with the tubular member (and components thereof) and the slip assemblies of the apparatus.
• a tubular member may have a component attached thereto, as the component passes within, into, and/or through the apparatus, the guiding members and/or the slip assemblies may be positioned to prevent interference with the component of the tubular member and the slip assemblies.
• one or more of the guiding members of the present disclosure may be disposed at a location that is radially closer to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus than the location of one or more slip assemblies of the apparatus.
• the guiding members of the present disclosure may be used to prevent damage to a tubular member, a tool, a floatation module, and/or any other component that may be disposed within and/or through a gripping apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.
• the guiding members may be movable through the use of an actuator coupled thereto.
• one or more protectors may be disposed adjacent to one or more of the slip assemblies, such as to prevent contact between the slip assemblies and a tubular member and/or a component attached thereto.
• one or more (or all) of the guiding members may be driven by an actuator, e.g., driven towards and/or away from the longitudinal axis of the bore of the gripping apparatus.
• the guiding members may comprise an actuator to move the guiding members between the first position, shown in Figures 10A and 10B, and the second position, shown in Figures IOC and 10D.
• the guiding members having actuators connected thereto may be controlled by a processor or other control system to dispose one or more of the guiding members at a desired location (e.g., a desired distance from the axis of the bore of the tool).
• aspects of embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented on any type of control system, e.g., hydraulic, pneumatic, electric and/or mechanical system.
• a control system may comprise sensor(s) and/or actuator(s).
• a control system may comprise a computer regardless of the platform being used.
• a networked computer system 1110 that may be used in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein includes a processor 1120, associated memory 1130, a storage device 1 140, and numerous other elements and functionalities typical of today's computers (not shown).
• the networked computer system 1 1 10 may also include input means, such as a keyboard 1150 and a mouse 1 160, and output means, such as a monitor 1170.
• the depicted networked computer system 1110 is connected to a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) (not shown) via a network interface connection (not shown).
• LAN local area network
• a wide area network e.g., the Internet
• these input and output means may take many other forms.
• the computer system may not be connected to a network.
• one or more elements of aforementioned computer 1110 may be located at a remote location and connected to the other elements over a network.
• a computer system such as the networked computer system 1110, and/or any other computer system known in the art may be used in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
• the present disclosure contemplates a method to guide a tubular member, such as when assembling a string of tubular members together, e.g., using a gripping apparatus.
• One or more of the tubular members may have a floatation module disposed thereabout, in which the tubular member with the floatation device may be guided through a bore of the apparatus.
• the present disclosure also contemplates a method to assemble an apparatus used to guide a tubular member.
• embodiments disclosed herein provide an apparatus that may be used to guide a tubular member.
• the apparatus may be used to assist and support the string of tubular members.
• Embodiments disclosed herein may provide for one or more of the following advantages.
• First, embodiments disclosed herein may provide for an apparatus that may be used to guide a tubular member, such as a tubular member having a floatation module connected thereto.
• embodiments disclosed herein may provide for an apparatus that may be used to support a tubular member and/or a string of tubular members. In such embodiments, the apparatus may be used to prevent damage, at least partially, from occurring to a tubular member and/or a floatation module connected to the tubular member.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)
• Shaping Of Tube Ends By Bending Or Straightening (AREA)

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• 2010
  • 2010-04-30 BR BR112012027610-7A patent/BR112012027610B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2010-04-30 WO PCT/US2010/033222 patent/WO2011136801A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-04-30 CA CA2800567A patent/CA2800567C/en active Active
  • 2010-04-30 EP EP10850888.8A patent/EP2564015B1/de active Active

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