WO1993015303A1

WO1993015303A1 - Apparatus for handling down-hole pipes

Info

Publication number: WO1993015303A1
Application number: PCT/CA1993/000024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Ballantyne; Andrew Ferguson
Original assignee: Hepburn, John T. Limited
Priority date: 1992-01-28
Filing date: 1993-01-28
Publication date: 1993-08-05
Also published as: CA2060123A1

Abstract

Machinery on a drill rig displaces a down-hole pipe from a horizontal orientation proximate to a drill floor to a suspended vertical orientation immediately above the drill floor. The machinery includes a guide and a wheeled carriage that travels along the guide. The carriage has a swivel that pivots about a vertical axis. A pipe clamping mechanism is connected to the swivel with a pivot joint permitting pivoting about a generally horizontal axis. An elevator displaces the carriage downwardly to locate the clamping mechanism about one end of a pipe. The elevator then raises the pipe end until the pipe is suspended above the drill floor. A hydraulic cylinder acting between the swivel and the clamping mechanism then pivots the clamping mechanism about the horizontal axis until the pipe is in a vertical orientation. Another pair of hydraulic cylinders pivots the swivel about its vertical pivot axis to locate the suspended pipe above either an opening in the rotary table or a vertical storage hole. A conveying system involving propelled and slave carriers is preferably used to convey pipe to and from the drill floor.

Description

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING DOWN-HOLE PIPES

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The invention relates generally to installation of pipes in drill holes, and more particularly, to machinery and methods for displacing a large down-hole pipe from a horizontal orientation proximate to a drill floor to a vertical orientations above the drill floor. Background Art

The invention has particular application to drill rigs. These commonly have a derrick which may have a cladding surrounding the drill floor perimeter and protecting workers from hostile environments. The drill floor may be accessed through what is commonly referred to as a "Vee door", a door shaped like an inverted "V". Pipes are pushed or otherwise conveyed to the Vee door along a generally horizontal structure commonly referred to as a "catwalk". These pipes may be drill collars, drill pipes, well casing, production tubing and the like that are to be installed in a pipeline or well lining. The catwalk may have an inclined surface leading upwardly to the drill floor. The pipe must be moved from a generally horizontal orientation on the catwalk to a vertical orientation within the derrick and positioned above a rotary table in the drill floor or over a vertical storage hole referred to as a "mouse hole". Drill floor operators or other machinery then takes over the handling of the pipe..

Transferring a section of pipe from the catwalk to the drill floor and vertically orienting the pipe is a hazardous job. A section of well casing, for example, may weigh several tons. A common practice involves locating a wire rope around one end of the pipe. An elevator acting on the rope then hauls the pipe through the Vee door and upwardly to a vertical orientation. The lower end of the pipe, which drags along the catwalk and drill floor, is contrplled with another wire rope, which may be payed out by a winch or often by hand. Such operations are time-consuming and involve considerable labour cost. They can potentially cause serious worker injury.

An alternative to such operations was proposed by MH Maritime Hydraulics. That alternative involves securing a large boom to an upper section of the derrick with essentially a large clevis. A pair of arms are pivoted to the base of the derrick and rise to meet the boom. They fasten to a carriage that displaces along the boom, and appropriate displacement of the carriage causes the lower end of the boom to pivot between the drill floor and a pipe storage area. A parallelogram linkage carrying pipe clamps and operated with hydraulic cylinders extends from the boom to grasp a horizontal pipe in the storage area. The boom and linkage then translate and rotate the pipe to a vertical orientation above the drill floor. The proposed system is massive and cannot be operated through a conventional Vee door. At least one side of the derrick must be fully open to the elements.

Another alternative is suggested in the September, 1991 newsletter of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers entitled "Offshore Engineering News". It involves a single large boom mounted directly to the drill floor. The boom pivots about its base between vertical and horizontal orientations. The boom carries pipe clamps that engage a horizontal length of pipe in a storage area and then pivots directly to a vertical position, orienting the pipe vertically above the drill floor. The range of movement once again prohibits use with a Vee door. Also, the equipment would have to be sized to accommodate very large forces, particularly moments, given the manner in which pipe is rotated.

Another system has been proposed by Varco B J Drilling Systems and does attempt to clear a conventional Vee door. The Varco system involves a single boom with a large transverse arm at its base. The arm is pivot mounted to the drill rig. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the arm pivots the boom between horizontal and vertical orientations. With the boom in its horizontal orientation, an elevator can lift and locate a pipe within clamps that are spaced-apart along the boom. The boom is then pivoted to its vertical orientation, simultaneously orienting the pipe in a vertical orientation above the drill floor. The system does require a deep pocket to be formed in the drill floor to receive a lower section of the boom during the swinging action. Because of the manner in which pipe swings, the mechanism must be sized to handle large moments. Another consideration is that pipe must be presented to the system with the male pipe end leading. This is the reverse of the normal convention for manual handling of pipe. In the event of a breakdown or power failure, the pipes must be reversed, which causes considerably delay. Disclosure Of The Invention

In one aspect, the invention provides apparatus for displacing a down-hole pipe from a generally horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical suspended orientation. The term "down-hole pipe" should be understood as designating a drill pipe, a drill collar, a well casing or production tubing, a pipe adapted for installation in a subsurface drill bore as part of a pipeline (drill string, production tubing string or well liner).

The apparatus comprises a carriage and a guide for directing movement of the carriage along a generally vertical path. The apparatus also includes a clamping mechanism for receiving and gripping one end portion of the pipe. The clamping mechanism is connected to the carriage such that it travels vertically with the carriage and pivots in a vertical plane relative to the carriage. Means are provided for displacing the carriage upwardly along the guide thereby to suspend the gripped pipe. Means are also provided for pivoting the clamping mechanism relative to the carriage thereby to orient the suspended pipe in a substantially vertical orientation.

The apparatus may be supported from a derrick proximate to a Vee door and a rotary table commonly associated with drilling operations. The pipe may be conveyed horizontally until the one end of the pipe enters the Vee door. The apparatus may then engage, raise and pivot the pipe to the required vertical orientation. With larger pipe, the pipe can be allowed to swing under its own weight progressively during passage through the Vee door as the one end is raised. When lifted fully from the conveyor or supporting surface, the centre of gravity of the pipe tends to be positioned immediately below the horizontal pivoting axis of the clamping mechanism. The pipe need only be rotated through a relatively small angle to achieve a vertical orientation, and because of the location of the center of gravity a relatively small moment must be accommodated by the means pivoting the clamping mechanism. This of course reduces the size of equipment required for such purposes, such hydraulic cylinders. An alternative method of operating the apparatus with lighter pipe is described below.

Various aspects of the invention will be apparent from a description below of a preferred embodiments and will be more specifically defined in the appended claims. Brief Description Of The Drawings The invention will be better understood with reference to drawings in which: fig. 1 is a diagrammatic, fragmented elevational view of a derrick on a drill platform and apparatus for handling a down-hole pipe; fig. 2 is a view comparable to that of fig. 1 showing various stages in the raising of a pipe from a horizontal orientation on a conveyor to a vertical orientation over a drill floor; fig. 3 is a fragmented perspective view of a carriage and clamping mechanism used to raise and lower the pipe; fig. 4 is a sectional view downwardly through the carriage showing how the clamping mechanism may be pivoted about a vertical axis to locate the pipe over either a rotary table or a mouse hole; Fig. 5 is a side elevation with components of the carriage extensively fragmented, detailing mounting of the carriage to a guide and mounting of a swivel to a carriage frame; fig. 6 is a diagrammatic, fragmented elevational view of the derrick with alternative apparatus for handling a down-hole pipe; fig. 7 is a view comparable to that of fig. 6 showing various stages in the raising of a drill pipe with the alternative apparatus; fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view, fragmented, detailing a carriage and clamping mechanism associated with the alternative apparatus; figs. 9 and 10 are enlarged fragmented elevation views showing the clamping mechanism pivoted to states corresponding respectively to horizontal and vertical orientations of a gripped drill pipe; figs, lla-llc are side elevations showing stages in the operation of an alternative pipe conveying system; fig. 12 is a view along lines 12-12 of fig. 1 lb detailing the construction of a carrier associated with the alternative conveying system; and, fig. 13 is a fragmented elevational view showing a gripping mechanism associated with the carrier in gripping and released states. Best Mode Of Carrying Out The Invention

Reference is made to fig. 1 which illustrates portions of a drill rig 10. A derrick 12 (shown in phantom outline) extends upwardly from the drill floor 14. The drill floor 14 has a rotary table 16 (illustrated in fig. 4) with an opening 18 through which a drill string, well casing or production tubing might be extended. Proximate to the rotary table 16 is a mouse hole 20 in which drill pipe is often stored in a vertical orientation in preparation for installation into a drill string. A mechanical roughneck (not illustrated) would typically be used to install or remove sections of down-hole pipe from the pipe string. An elevator (not illustrated) comprising a crown block and a travelling block is normally used to support the tubing string. The features omitted are entirely conventional, and their use with the apparatus of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Machinery for displacing down-hole pipe is attached to the derrick 12 proximate to the rotary table 16. The machinery includes a guide 22 that is basically a pair of vertical I-beams 24, 26 in parallel relationship. These are supported, suspended above the drill floor 14, by struts joining the I-beams 24, 26 to the derrick 12. Two exemplary struts 28, 30 are specifically indicated in fig. 4. The guide 22 defines a vertical track for displacement of a carriage 32. The carriage 32 has two principal parts: a rectangular frame 34 with wheels 36 that are fitted into the channels of the I-beams 24, 26; and a swivel 38. The swivel 38 is mounted to the frame 34 with bearings 40, 42 to permit pivoting about a generally vertical axis. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 44, 46 connected between the carriage 32 frame 34 and the swivel 38, one to either side of the swivel 38, can be operated individually to pivot the swivel 38 in opposing- directions.

A pipe clamping mechanism 48 is connected to the carriage 32. The clamping mechanism 48 includes a rigid frame comprising arms 50, 52 at right-angles to one another and a reinforcing strut 54 extending between the arms 50, 52. A clevis 56 forms a pivot joint between one arm 50 and the swivel 38 that permits the clamping mechanism 48 to pivot about a horizontal axis. A hydraulic cylinder 58 is connected with a clevis (not indicated) to the base of the swivel 38 and through a triangular plate 60 to the arm 50. When actuated, the hydraulic cylinder 58 pivots the entire clamping mechanism 48 through a range of about 90 degrees. The clamping mechanism 48 consequently travels vertically with the carriage 32 and pivots about a generally horizontal axis relative to the carriage 32. As mentioned above, the swivel 38 itself pivots, permitting the clamping mechanism 48 to pivot about a vertical axis relative to the carriage frame 34. The pair of hydraulic cylinders 44, 46 connecting the swivel 38 to the carriage frame 34 can pivot the clamping mechanism 48 through a range of about 30 degrees about the vertical axis.

The clamping mechanism 48 includes a pair of clamps 62, 64, spaced-apart along the arm 52. One clamp 62 is typical. It comprises a pair of jaws 66, 68 that are mounted with pivot pins to the arm 52 for displacement toward and away from one another. A hydraulic cylinder 70 is attached to the arm 50, and a conventional mechanical linkage couples the hydraulic cylinder 70 to the jaws 66, 68. The linkage includes a triangular member 72 with one vertex pivoted to the piston rod (not numbered) of the hydraulic cylinder 70. The other vertices are connected with link arms to each of the jaws 66, 68. Contraction of the hydraulic cylinder 70 causes the jaws 66, 68 to be drawn together to grip a pipe (as shown in fig. 3 and 4). Expansion of the hydraulic cylinder 70 pivots the jaws 66, 68 to a releasing orientation (not illustrated) clear of the pipe. The other clamp 64 is operated simultaneously in the same manner, using a similar hydraulic cylinder (not illustrated) and similar linkage (not illustrated) located in the arm 52.

An elevator 74 displaces the carriage 32 along the guide 22 between a bottom-most position (illustrated in fig. 1) and various higher positions. The elevator 74 is a continuous chain drive with upper and lower chain sprockets rotatably mounted to the guide 22. One end of the chain is fixed to the frame 34 of the carriage 32. The upper sprocket is rotated by a hydraulic motor to raise or lower the carriage 32. The elevator 74 may have a loading-bearing capacity of about 8 tons. Alternatively, a winch and wire rope can be used to raise and lower the carriage 32 in a conventional manner.

A conveyor 76 of the endless belt type is aligned with or directed toward the guide 22. The conveyor 76 has a pair of chain wheels at either end (only chain wheels 78, 80 apparent in fig. 1) that carry two endless runs of chain (only chain 82 apparent in fig. 1) in a generally horizontal orientation, parallel and spaced apart. The chains carry steel slats that have polyurethane coatings to reduce friction and noise. The slats are simply connected transversely between the chains, slightly spaced-apart from one another along the length of the chains. A conventional motor (not illustrated) drives the chain wheels to convey pipe between a storage area (not illustrated) and the drill floor 14, through a Vee door 88 of the derrick 12 facing toward the conveyor 76. That Vee door 88 is substantially identical to the Vee door 90 more clearly illustrated in the various views. The conveyor 76 has a free-wheeling mode of operation, when de-clutched from the motor. The conveyor 76 is used not only to transfer pipe to and from the drill floor 14, but also to assist in raising and lowering heavier down-hole pipes, as explained more fully below. Several aligned conveys may in fact be used to convey pipe to and from more distant pipe lines aboard the drill rig 10, being removed or added as required.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate various stages in handling a heavy well casing 92. In fig. 1, the well casing 92 has been conveyed horizontally from the storage area until one end portion 96 has entered the Vee door 88. The clamping mechanism 48 has been pivoted downwardly and the carriage 32 has been lowered to locate the clamps 62, 64 about the casing end portion 94. The hydraulic cylinders associated with the clamping mechanism 48 are then actuated to grip the casing end portion 94. The conveyor 76 is placed in its free-wheeling mode.

The elevator 74 is then actuated to draw the carriage 32 upwardly along the guide 22. This raises the casing end portion 94 through various position shown in phantom outline in fig. 2. The opposing lower end portion 98 of the casing 92 travels along the free-wheeling conveyor 76 toward the guide 22. The conveyor 76 ensures that the lower end portion 98 travels laterally with little resistance in response to raising of the other casing end portion 96. With further raising of the casing end portion 96, the well casing 92 assumes steeper inclinations, as the lower end portion 96 progresses toward the Vee door 88. Eventually, the casing 92 is suspended above the drill floor 14 and its centre of gravity is positioned below the horizontal pivot joint formed between the swivel 38 and the clamping mechanism 48. The hydraulic cylinder 58 connected between the swivel 38 and the frame of the clamping mechanism 48 may then be actuated to orient the well casing 92 in a vertical orientation (as shown in solid outline in fig. 2). The swivel 38 may then be rotated by actuating an appropriate one of the pair of hydraulic cylinders 44, 46 to locate the well casing 92 over the opening 18 of the rotary table 16. The well casing 92 may then be handled in a conventional manner.

Figs. 1 and 2 should be examined and compared with prior art proposals. It will be apparent that the maximum moment that the hydraulic cylinder 58 must accommodate arises when the well casing 92 is vertically oriented. That moment is comparatively small.

Heavy down-hole pipe can be removed from a pipe string by essentially reversing the steps described immediately above. The conveyor 76 is particularly useful in such operations. During removal, the lower end of the suspended pipe must eventually contact a horizontal surface. The inclination of the pipe upon contact will be substantially the steep inclination of the well casing 92 as suspended and allowed to swing under its own weight. Friction between the lower end of the pipe and the surface may impede lateral displacement. The free-wheeling conveyor 76, however, encourages the required lateral movement. An immediate alternative is to operate the conveyor 76 under power to produce the required lateral movement. The speed of the conveyor 76 may be synchronized with^he vertical speed of the carriage 32 (both during raising and lower of the pipe). A programmable logic controller may be used to coordinate operating speeds. A variety of powered conveyors may be used for such purposes. Another alternative is to form an inclined surface extending outwardly from the Vee door 88 and leading to a horizontal conveyor (comparable to a surface presented by a conventional catwalk). However, the physical geometry of the drill rig may determine the preferred approach.

Lighter drill pipe may by carried by the conveyor 76 in a horizontal orientation until one pipe end has entered through the Vee door 88 and located upon the drill floor 14. The clamping mechanism 48 may then be engaged with the pipe end, and the hydraulic cylinder 58 operated to maintain to the pipe in its horizontal orientation while the entirety of the pipe 100 is simply raised toward the top of Vee door 88. It may then be rotated directly through 90 degrees, placing the drill pipe in a vertical orientation above the drill floor 14. Reference is made to fig. 6 which illustrates alternative equipment for handling drill pipe. The equipment has been illustrated on the same drill rig 10 and common components have been indicated with common reference numerals. The description below is directed largely to modified or different components and differences in operation.

The alternative equipment includes a carriage 110 which travels vertically along the guide 22. The carriage 110 includes a swivel 112, as above, mounted for pivoting about a vertical axis, under the influence of a pair of hydraulic cylinders (not shown). The equipment includes a pipe clamping mechanism 114 whose frame 116 is a single rigid beam. It carries two clamps 118 which are operated with a pair of hydraulic cylinders 120 (shown only in figs. 8-10) through linkages (not illustrated) similar to those described above. An arm 122 connects the frame 116 to the swivel 112. A pivot connection 124 joins the arm 122 to the swivel 112 for relative pivoting about a horizontal axis. The pivot connection 124 is formed between upper and lower ends 126, 128 of the arm 122. Another pivot connection 130 joins the lower end 128 of the arm 122 to the frame 116 of the clamping mechanism 114 for relative pivoting about a parallel horizontal axis.

Two hydraulic cylinders 132, 134 (apparent in figs. 8-10) are used to pivot the clamping mechanism 114 in a vertical plane relative to the carriage 110. One cylinder 132 acts between the swivel 112 and the upper end 126 of the arm 122. The other cylinder 134 acts between the arm 122 and the frame 116 of the clamping mechanism 114. This arrangement provides a distinct advantage, specifically another degree of freedom of movement of a drill pipe 136. The pipe 136 can be pivoted not only to a vertical orientation, but the horizontal position of the vertically-oriented pipe 136 relative to the guide 22 can be adjusted. This will be apparent in fig. 7 where various stages in the raising and positioning of the pipe 136 are shown. A first vertical orientation of the pipe 136 is shown at 138 in phantom outline and another. final vertical orientation over the rotary table 16 is shown at 140.

An alternative conveying system may be used to convey pipe to and from the guide 22. The general configuration of the conveying system will be apparent in fig. 6 and is further detailed in figs. 1 la-1 lc, 12 and 13. The conveying system comprises a pair of carriers 142, 144 with flanged wheels 146, 148, respectively. It also includes a guideway 150 supported by a steel framework 152 proximate to the drill floor 14. The guideway 150 has a pair of parallel, horizontal rails 154 on which the carrier wheels 146, 148 roll. One carrier 142 is propelled. It includes a hydraulic motor generally indicated with reference numeral 156, which drives a pair of gears 158. The gears 158 are mated with overhead gear tracks 160 that are parallel to the rails 154. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is supplied to the motor 156 through flexible conduits 162, appropriately guided with sheaves 164. The motor 156 can be operated to propel the carrier horizontally either toward or away from the guide 22, as required.

The other carrier 144 is essentially a slave unit which is displaced by the propelled carrier 142 through a horizontal connecting member 166. One end portion of the connecting member 166 is fixed to the slave carrier 144. The propelled carrier 142 has a central, open-ended horizontal passage 170 which receives the opposite end portion of the connecting member 166. A gripping mechanism 174 is attached to the rear of the propelled carrier 142 in alignment with the passage 170 and is best illustrated in fig. 12. It comprises a pair of jaws 176, and a hydraulic cylinder 178 which pivots the jaws 176 through a mechanical linkage 180 between a gripping state about the connecting member 166 and a released state relative to the connecting member 166. In the gripping state, the propelled carrier 142 displaces together with the slave carrier 144. In the released state, the propelled carrier 142 can travel toward and away from the slave carrier 144.

The connecting member 166 is telescopic, comprising inner and outer pipes 182, 184, to permit adjustment of its length. The drill pipe 136 may initially be received by the carriers 142, 144 in substantially the orientation illustrated in fig. 6, with the propelled carrier 142 receiving and supporting one end portion 186 of the pipe 136 and the slave carrier 144 supporting the opposing end portion 188 which is to be gripped. The length of the connecting member 166 can be appropriately adjusted beforehand so that the pipe 136 is properly supported. In use, however, the connecting member 166 is fixed against telescopic motion, and may be viewed as a rigid unitary member. In fact, a single solid pipe can be substituted, but its length should be selected to accommodate the maximum length of drill pipe to be handled. It may then extend somewhat obtrusively rearwardly of the propelled carrier 142.

Operation of the conveying system will be described with reference to figs. 1 la-1 lc, which show certain stages in the removal of the drill pipe 136 from a vertical pipe string at the rotary table 16. Orienting pipe at the Vee-door 88 for removal has been described, and it is assumed that the pipe 136 has been suspended with one end portion 186 extending through the Vee- door 88 over the conveying system. While suspended and gripped by the pipe clamping mechanism 114, the drill pipe 136 may be pivoted with the hydraulic cylinders 132, 134 to a predetermined orientation. The pipe end portion 186 extending through the Vee-door 88 may then be lowered until it engages the propelled carrier 142, as in fig. 11a. The gripping mechanism 174 is released so that the propelled carrier 142 travels independently of and away from the slave carrier 144, the connecting member 166 simply sliding within the horizontal passage 170 of the propelled carrier 142. The pipe 136 may then be allowed to find its own orientation (deactivating cylinders 132, 134 and allowing them to expand or contract freely) while the elevator 74 lowers the carriage 110 and the gripped pipe end portion 188. The propelled carrier 142 may be allowed to displace solely under the influence of the pipe end portion 186 or its motor 156 may be operated synchronously with the elevator so that the pipe end portion 186 travels horizontally away from the guide 22 at a rate corresponding to descent of the opposing gripped end portion 188. Once the gripped pipe end portion 188 seats on the slave carrier 144 (as in fig. 1 lb), it is released from the pipe clamping mechanism 114. The gripping mechanism 174 of the propelled carrier 142 is then engaged with the connecting member 166 so that both carriers 142, 144 travel together, as in fig. 1 lc. The carriers 142, 144 then both travel away from the guide 22 until a predetermined location is reached where conventional pipe handling and storage equipment can remove the pipe 136. When appropriate, the carriers 142, 144 may be displaced together toward the guide 22 for receipt of another length of drill pipe. The gripping mechanism 174 of the propelled carrier 142 may be released when the slave carrier 144 reaches a predetermined position (as in fig. 6) proximate to the drill floor 14. The releasing may be controlled by a switch (not illustrated) engaged by the slave carrier 144. The propelled carrier 142 may then be advanced alone to a predetermined position where the appropriate end portion of - l i ¬ the next pipe is expected to locate above the propelled carrier 142.

Conveying drill pipe toward the drill floor 14 involves essentially reversing the steps described above. The gripping mechanism 174 of the propelled carrier 142 is engaged, fixing the separation of the carriers 142, 144 and allowing standard equipment to position the pipe 136 on the two carriers 142, 144. The propelled carrier 142 is then operated to convey the pipe 136 toward the guide 22. When the slave carrier 144 reaches its predetermined position proximate to the drill floor 14, as in fig. 6, it may engage the above-mentioned switch to release the gripping mechanism 174 engaging the connecting member 166, allowing the propelled carrier 142 to approach the slave carrier 144. The pipe 136 is gripped with the pipe clamping mechanism 114 and raised, and the propelled carrier 142 may simply be allowed to displace toward the guide 22 under the influence of the pipe end portion 186 or its motor 156 may be operated synchronously with the elevator 74 to actively follow the horizontal displacement of the pipe end portion 186 until it no longer rests on the propelled carrier 142. Operation may be manually controlled or automated as required.

Claims

1. Apparatus for displacing a down-hole pipe from a generally horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical suspended orientation, comprising: a carriage; a guide for guiding movement of the carriage along a generally vertical path; a clamping mechanism for receiving and gripping an end portion of the pipe; connection means connecting the clamping mechanism to the carriage for travel with the carriage vertically and for pivoting displacement relative to the carriage in a vertical plane; displacing means for displacing the carriage upwardly along the guide thereby to suspend the gripped pipe; and, pivoting means for pivoting the clamping mechanism relative to the carriage thereby to orient the suspended pipe in a substantially vertical orientation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which: the clamping mechanism comprises a rigid frame; the connection means comprises a pivot connection joining the frame to the carriage for pivoting about a horizontal axis; and, the pivoting means comprise a hydraulic cylinder connected between the carriage and the frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which: the clamping mechanism comprises a rigid frame; the connection means comprises a rigid arm, a first pivot connection coupling the arm to the frame for relative pivoting about a generally horizontal axis, a second pivot connection coupling the arm to the carriage for pivoting about a generally horizontal axis; and, the pivoting means comprise a first hydraulic cylinder acting between the arm and the frame and a second hydraulic cylinder acting between the carriage and the arm.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the carriage comprises a plurality of wheels and the guide comprises a track receiving the wheels.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the carriage comprises: a first carriage portion fitted to the guide; a second carriage portion; mounting permitting the second carriage portion to pivot relative to the first carriage portion about a generally vertical axis, the connection means connecting the clamping mechanism to the second carriage for swinging about the generally vertical axis in response to pivoting of the second carriage portion relative to the first carriage portion; and, means for pivoting the second carriage portion relative to the first carriage portion about the generally vertical axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprise conveying means for conveying the pipe in its horizontal orientation toward the guide thereby to position the pipe end portion for gripping by the clamping mechanism.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which the conveying means comprise: a pair of carriers, each of the carriers comprising a plurality of wheels on which the carrier rolls, each of the carriers being shaped to receive and carry a different end portion of the pipe; means for propelling one of the carriers selectively in opposing horizontal directions; an elongate connecting member extending horizontally between the carriers; means securing the connecting member to each of the carriers, the securing means comprising a controllable gripping mechanism attached to one of the carriers and receiving the connecting member, the gripping mechanism having a gripping state in which the carriers are connected by the connecting member for displacement together and a released state in which the propelled carrier is displaceable independently of the other carrier.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which: the propelled carrier comprises an open-ended horizontal passage receiving the connecting member; and, the gripping mechanism is attached to the propelled carrier and aligned with the passage to receive the connecting member.

9. In a drilling installation, the installation comprising a rotary table with an opening for receiving pipe, apparatus for displacing a down-hole pipe from a generally horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical suspended orientation proximate to the opening, comprising: a carriage; a guide positioned proximate to the rotary table for guiding movement of the carriage along a generally vertical path; a clamping mechanism for receiving and gripping an end portion of the pipe; connection means connecting the clamping mechanism to the carriage for travel with the carriage vertically and for pivoting displacement relative to the carriage in a vertical plane; displacing means for displacing the carriage upwardly along the guide tiiereby to suspend the gripped pipe; and, pivoting means for pivoting the clamping mechanism relative to the carriage thereby to orient the suspended pipe in a substantially vertical orientation.

10. The drilling installation of claim 9 further comprising conveying means for conveying the pipe in its horizontal orientation toward the guide thereby to position the pipe end portion for gripping by the clamping mechanism.

11. The drilling installation of claim 10 in which the conveying means comprise a pair of carriers, each of the carriers comprising a plurality of wheels on which the carrier rolls, each of the carriers being shaped to receive and carry a different end portion of the pipe; means for propelling one of the carriers selectively in opposing horizontal directions; an elongate connecting member extending horizontally between the carriers; means securing the connecting member to each of the carriers, the securing means comprising a controllable gripping mechanism attached to one of the carriers and receiving the connecting member, the gripping mechanism having a gripping state in which the carriers are connected by the connecting member for displacement together and a released state in which the propelled carrier is displaceable independently of the other carrier.

12. The drilling installation of claim 11 in which: the propelled carrier comprises an open-ended horizontal passage receiving the connecting member; and, the gripping mechanism is attached to the propelled carrier and aligned with the passage to receive the connecting member.