WO2004069480A2 - Tong positioning system and method - Google Patents
Tong positioning system and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004069480A2 WO2004069480A2 PCT/US2004/002737 US2004002737W WO2004069480A2 WO 2004069480 A2 WO2004069480 A2 WO 2004069480A2 US 2004002737 W US2004002737 W US 2004002737W WO 2004069480 A2 WO2004069480 A2 WO 2004069480A2
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tong
- tubular
- connection
- positioning system
- frame
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP 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
- E21B19/165—Control or monitoring arrangements therefor
Definitions
- This invention relates to a tong positioning system for positioning a power tong about an oilfield tubular connection. More particularly, the powered tong positioning system safely and reliably moves the power tong on and off the tubular connection.
- a first joint is positioned within the wellbore and a second joint is positioned above the first.
- a power operated tong is brought to the connection area of the two joints and rotated to either tighten or loosen the connection.
- a back-up tong may also be used to prevent rotation of the lower joint when the tong is making up or breaking out the upper joint.
- the tong must first be brought to tubing, casing, or pipe string, which may require a considerable amount of calculation and effort. Often, . one or more human operators must "man-handle” or manipulate the tong manually over the wellbore or other tubular location in order to properly position the tong on the tubular string. Due to the size and weight of tongs and the complexities of the make-up and break-out operations, this is not easily or quickly accomplished.
- An automated tong positioning system for positioning a power tong about an oilfield tubular connection, wherein the power tong rotatably. makes up and breaks out the connection on a rig of a well.
- a frame is moveable relative to an upper tubular and a lower tubular.
- a telescoping retainer assembly includes an extendable arm and a retainer device. The laterally extendable arm is secured to the frame, and has a cantilevered end extendable toward the tubular connection. The retainer device on the cantilevered end is positioned in a substantially predetermined position relative to the tubular connection. The cantilevered end of the extendable arm is retractable for thereafter moving the power tong laterally toward the tubular connection.
- a powered drive is preferably included for extending and retracting the extendable arm.
- the powered drive may comprise one or more hydraulically powered cylinders, and/or a rack and pinion mechanism.
- a preferred embodiment of the powered drive for many applications may include an electrically powered servo motor driving a screw mechanism to laterally move the retainer device forward and away from the connection.
- the retainer device may engage either the lower tubular or the upper tubular.
- the retainer device may define an adjustable opening for selectively widening or narrowing the adjustable opening, such that the adjustable opening may be widened to pass one of the upper and lower tubular substantially through the adjustable opening, and thereafter narrowed for at least partially enclosing the one of the upper and lower tubular, to removably secure the retainer device to the one of the upper and lower tubular.
- the retainer device may have opposing retainer arms laterally movable toward and away from one another.
- the retainer arms define the adjustable opening between the retainer arms, such that moving the retainer arms toward one another narrows the adjustable opening, and moving the retainer arms away from one another widens the adjustable opening.
- At least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder may be included for moving at least one of the retainer arms, to selectively narrow or widen the adjustable opening.
- the retainer device alternatively may comprise a magnetic member for magnetically positioning and securing the cantilevered end with respect to a magnetic post structurally separate from the tong positioning system.
- the magnetic post may be substantially fixed relative to the tubular connection, and the magnetic member may include an electromagnetic portion.
- a low friction member may be positioned substantially between the retainer device and the one of the upper tubular and the lower tubular.
- the retainer device may further comprise an arcuate seating surface for seating with one of the upper tubular and the lower tubular.
- a lifting member may be included that is removably securable to the frame for at least partially unweighting the frame prior to moving the frame toward the tubular connection.
- the lifting member may comprise a cable supported on a lifting device structurally separate from the frame. The cable may be movable substantially upward and downward, for selectively unweighting the frame.
- a spacer box may be included, positionable adjacent to the tubular connection, for at least partially supporting the weight of the frame on the spacer box.
- Adjustable legs may also be included that are movable up and down for adjusting the height of the ATPS.
- a counterbalance member may be provided for counterbalancing the extendable arm.
- the counterbalance member may include a weight supported from and movable relative to the frame.
- At least one flexible member may be secured to the frame for rotationally aligning the frame and the tong supported thereon with respect to the tubular connection.
- a backup tong may be supported on the frame for holding one of the upper and lower tubular stationary while the power tong rotates the other of the upper and lower tubular.
- FIGS illustrate one embodiment of an automated tong positioning system (ATPS) in various positions of operation.
- AVS automated tong positioning system
- Figure 1 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully retracted position.
- Figure 2 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully retracted position of Figure 1.
- Figure 3 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the partially extended position
- Figure 4 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the partially extended position of Figure 3.
- Figure 5 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended position.
- Figure 6 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended position of Figure 5.
- Figure 7 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended position, secured to the upper tubular segment.
- Figure 8 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended and secured position of Figure 7.
- Figure 9 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly secured to the upper tubular segment after the telescoping retainer assembly has moved back to the fully retracted position.
- Figure 10 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly 5 in the secured and again retracted position of Figure 9.
- FIGS show another embodiment of an automated tong positioning system (ATPS) in various positions of operation.
- AVS automated tong positioning system
- Figure 11 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully retracted position.
- Figure 12 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully retracted position of Figure 11.
- Figure 13 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the partially extended position.
- Figure 14 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the partially extended position of Figure 13.
- Figure 15 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended position.
- Figure 16 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended position of Figure 15.
- Figure 17 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended position, secured to the lower tubular segment.
- Figure 18 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended and secured position of Figure 17.
- Figure 19 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly secured to the lower tubular segment after the telescoping retainer assembly has moved back to the fully retracted position.
- Figure 20 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the secured and again retracted position of Figure 19.
- Figure 21 illustrates an embodiment of the ATPS comprising a magnetic retaining device.
- Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment of the ATPS including a counterbalance member, a rack and pinion system, and adjustable legs.
- Figure 23 illustrates an embodiment of the ATPS including a backup tong for engagement with the lower tubular segment.
- Figure 24 illustrates a powered drive mechanism comprising an electrically powered stepper motor and a screw drive mechanism.
- FIGs 1-10 show a preferred embodiment of an automated tong positioning system (ATPS) 10 positioned above a rig floor 12 adjacent a wellbore 14.
- a lower " tubular segment 18 is positioned substantially within the wellbore 14.
- An upper tubular segment 16 is positioned above the lower tubular segment 18 for subsequent connection to the lower tubular segment 18 via a threaded connection or joint 24.
- the upper and lower tubular segments 16, 18 may be tubing, casing, drill pipe or other tubular members used in drilling, recovery, and well servicing operations.
- the ATPS 10 may normally be vertically spaced from the rig floor 12 by spacer box 20, as shown in Figures 1-10, or by using adjustable legs 21, as shown in Figure 22.
- a lift cable 22 is connected to the ATPS 10 with enough slack in the cable 22 such that some or all of the weight of the ATPS 10 rests on the spacer box 20 and/or rig floor 12.
- the lift cable 22 is capable of subsequently lifting and supporting the ATPS 10 above the spacer box 20.
- a power tong 26 is attached to a frame 28, which frame 28 may also support other components of the ATPS 10, including a backup tong 31 (see Figure 23) for rotatably fixing segment 18 in place.
- the backup tong 31 may also substantially prevent rotation of the ATPS 10 about the connection 24 during the makeup operation.
- a telescoping retainer assembly 40 supported on the frame 28 is shown in Figure 1 in a fully retracted position. The telescoping retainer assembly 40 may be used subsequently to extend toward and enclose the upper tubular segment 16.
- Figure 2 shows a top view of the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully retracted position of Figure 1.
- Figure 3 shows a side view of the ATPS 10 with the telescoping retainer assembly 40 in a partially extended position, extending toward the upper tubular segment 16.
- the ATPS 10 preferably remains on the spacer box 20 or adjustable legs as the telescoping retainer assembly 40 is extended.
- Figure 4 shows a top view of the partially extended telescoping retainer assembly 40 of Figure 3.
- the telescoping retainer assembly includes a telescoping arm 42 for extending the telescoping retainer assembly 40 toward the segments 16, 18.
- the telescoping arm 42 may comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder, and preferably a pair of cylinders 43, 44 positioned on opposing sides of the centerline at the tubular string while extending the telescoping arm 42.
- a retaining device 46 is supported on the telescoping arm 42, for subsequently enclosing ,the upper tubular segment 16.
- the retaining device 46 may include opposing retainer arms 47, 48, which may be laterally movable via cylinders 49, 50.
- Figure 5 shows a side-view of the ATPS 10 with the telescoping retainer assembly 40 in a fully extended position, with the retaining device 46 adjacent to and/or substantially contacting the upper tubular segment 16.
- Figure 6 shows a top view of the fully extended telescoping retainer assembly 40 of Figure 5.
- Figure 6 shows a top-view of the fully extended telescoping retainer assembly 40 of Figure 5.
- the retainer arms 47, 48 may then be closed about the upper tubular segment 16 by activating the cylinders 49, 50 to secure the retainer device 46 about the upper tubular segment 16.
- Figure 7 shows a side view of the ATPS 10, with the telescoping retainer assembly 40 in the fully extended position, and with the retainer arms 47, 48 moved laterally inward to engage the upper tubular segment 16 and secure the retainer device 46 to the upper tubular segment 16.
- Figure 8 shows a top-view of the fully extended and secured telescoping retainer assembly 40 of Figure 7.
- the ATPS 10 may be unweighted and lifted from the spacer box 20 using the lift cable 22.
- the ATPS 10 is now aligned with the upper tubular segment 16, ready to be moved towards the connection 24.
- Figure 9 shows a side-view of the ATPS 10, with the telescoping retainer assembly 40 secured to the upper tubular segment 16 and after the telescoping retainer assembly 40 has moved to a retracted position.
- the ATPS 10 is moved inwardly toward the upper tubular segment 16, to bring the tong 26 into position about the connection 24.
- the tong 26 is thus automatically positioned to make-up or break-out the connection 24.
- FigurelO shows a top view of the ATPS 10 of Figure 9.
- Figures 11-20 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the tong positioning system, which may be set directly on the rig floor without a spacer box in various positions of operation.
- Figure 11 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully retracted position.
- Figure 12 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully retracted position of Figure 11.
- Figure 13 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in a partially extended position.
- Figure 14 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the partially extended position of Figure 13.
- Figure 15 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in a fully extended position.
- Figure 16 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended position of Figure 15.
- Figure 17 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended position, secured to the lower tubular segment.
- Figure 18 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the fully extended and secured position of Figure 17.
- Figure 19 shows a top view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly secured to the lower tubular segment after the telescoping retainer assembly has moved back to the fully retracted position.
- Figure 20 shows a side view of the ATPS with the telescoping retainer assembly in the secured and again retracted position of Figure 19.
- the ATPS 10 of Figures 11-20 is supported on and then lifted from the rig floor 12.
- the height of the ATPS 10 may be determined during manufacture, such as by taking into account that no spacer box will be used.
- the height of the ATPS 10 may also comprise adjustable legs 21
- Figures 11-20 also illustrate that the retainer device 46 may be extended on the telescoping arm 42 toward the lower tubular segment 18 to instead engage the lower tubular segment 18.
- the advantages and disadvantages of engaging the upper and lower tubular segments 16, 18 are discussed below.
- the height of the ATPS 10 may be chosen such as to position the retainer device 46 substantially at a height along the lower tubular 18.
- the embodiments of Figures 11-20 may lower the center of gravity of the ATPS 10 relative to the embodiment of Figures 1-10, helping to stabilize the ATPS 10 during operation.
- the spacer box 20 may not be as necessary in the latter embodiment due to the lower vertical placement of the telescoping retainer assembly 40.
- the lower tubular segment 18 is already constrained within the wellhead 14, providing a stable anchor point for the retainer device 46 to grip as the ATPS 10 is pulled inward toward the connection 24.
- the embodiment of Figures 11-20 has an advantage in aligning the tong 26 about the connection 24 to be made up.
- the tong 26 typically engages the upper tubular segment 16 and rotates it with respect to the lower tubular segment 18, which requires the tong 26 to be properly aligned with the upper tubular segment 16. Gripping the upper tubular segment 16 with the retainer device 46 aligns a plane of the retainer device 46 perpendicularly to an axis of the upper tubular segment 16, but the axis of the upper tubular may not be aligned with the vertical axis of the lower tubular.
- the Figure 11-20 embodiment inherently aligns the tong about a portion of the upper tubing segment 16 to be turned, since the gripper is perpendicular to the fixed vertical axis of the lower tubular, thereby ensuring proper engagement as the tong 26 rotates the upper tubing segment 16.
- This advantage may be less significant if the upper tubular segment 16 is be at least partially inserted into the lower tubular segment 18 prior to activating the power tong. Partial insertion may thus adequately pre-align the upper and lower tubular segments 16, 18 so that the tong 26 will properly align with the upper tubular segment 18, regardless of whether the retainer device 46 engages the upper or lower tubular segments.
- Both tong 26 and the retainer assembly 40 may be operated with the control box 30, which may be supported on frame 28.
- the control box 30 may be plumbed to the hydraulic cylinders 43, 44, 49, 50.
- An operator may use controls on the control box 30 to extend the telescoping arm 44, close the retaining device 46 about the upper tubing segment 16, retract the telescoping arm 44 to position the tong 26 about the connection 24, operate the tong to make-up or break-out a connection, return the tong to box 20, then release the retainer assembly 40 from the tubular connection.
- the control box 30 may be secured to the frame 28 of the ATPS 10, as shown. Alternatively, the control box 30 may be secured relative to the rig floor 12, and a flexible fluid and/or electrical lines may connect the control box 30 to the ATPS 10, such that the operator may control the ATPS 10 from a stationary or remote position.
- T e telescoping arm and retainer assembly may alternatively comprise other known mechanical extension mechanisms, such as pneumatic cylinders or motor powered rack and pinion mechanisms 27, as shown in Figure 22.
- the retaining device 46 may form a substantially circular shape when closed for relatively uniform contact with the tubular segment.
- the retainer device need not fully enclose nor fully contact the tubular segment, so long as it secures the ATPS to the tubing segment upon retraction.
- the retainer arms may each be V-shaped rather than curved as shown in the figures.
- a magnet such as an electromagnet 19, may be used to secure the extended telescoping retainer assembly to one of the tubing joints, as illustrated in Figure 21.
- the tong 26 When a connection 24 is to be made between tubular segments 16 and 18, the tong 26 is conventionally engaged with an upper tubular segment 16 to rotate the upper tubular segment 16 relative to a lower tubular segment 18.
- the retaining device 46 When the tong 26 is used to turn the upper tubular segment 6, the retaining device 46 has already contacted and engaged the upper tubular segment 16.
- the ATPS 10 may, therefore, squarely align the tong 26, such that the centerline of the tubular segment 16 is at a right angle with the normally horizontal plane of the tong 26.
- the retainer device 46 may be provided with a tubular contact area having a large vertical height for contacting the upper tubing segment 16.
- the retainer device 46 may be provided with an arcuate seating surface 17 for seating with either the upper tubular segment 16 or lower tubular segment 18.
- the retainer device may instead be extended to engage a lower tubular segment, or toward another fixed feature near the tubular segment for securing the telescoping retainer assembly.
- the advantage of the embodiment wherein the retainer device engages the lower tubular is that the lower tubular is already constrained within the wellhead to serve as an anchor for the retainer device as the ATPS is pulled inward.
- the pin end of the upper segment tubular needs to be generally positioned within the box end of the lower tubular segment to constrain the upper tubular segment prior to pulling the ATPS inward.
- a further advantage of the latter embodiment is that engaging the upper tubular segment with the retainer device positions the plane of the tong frame desirably at a right angle with respect to the centerline of the upper tubular segment, so that if the upper tubular segment is slightly misaligned vertically, the tong will nevertheless align itself with the upper tubular segment, which is rotated by the power tong. Tong dies or other gripping heads are then properly positioned with respect to upper tubular segment, so that when the tong is activated, the dies will uniformly grip the upper tubular segment, even if the axis of the upper tubular segment is not perfectly aligned with the axis of the lower tubular segment.
- the action of moving the frame and the tong laterally toward the upper tubular means that the tong frame will tend to tilt slightly, since the lift cable 22 is no longer vertical, but is inclined at a slight angle from vertical when the tong is positioned on the upper tubular. Since the gripping member engages the upper tubular, the retaining device 46 may grip the upper tubular so that the tong is moved by the gripping action to be perpendicular to the vertical axis of the upper tubular, even though the upper pivot point for the cable 22 has not changed so that the lift cable is slightly inclined when the tong is positioned as shown in Figure 5.
- a counterbalance system 29 may be provided to balance the ATPS as the telescoping arm and/or for the tong are moved laterally on or off the connection while the ATPS is operated.
- the weight of the counterbalance may counteract lateral movement of the telescoping arm and/or tong, so that the assembly is more balanced and thus more stable.
- Sufficient weight may be added to the frame or distributed to keep the ATPS steady when the arm is extended.
- a mass or weight 33 may be moveable with respect to a track 35, for selectively counterbalancing the extension of the arm secured with respect to the frame, with the cantilevered end of the arm being laterally moveable toward and away from the threaded connection.
- the retainer device 46 slides axially with respect to the upper tubular segment 1.6.
- a plastic material bushing 52 may be included with the retainer device 46 to act as a low-friction member for contacting and sliding engagement with the upper tubular segment 16.
- a bearing or other lower-friction interface may be provided to reduce friction between the retainer device 46 and the upper tubular segment 16.
- the height of the spacer box 20 may be selected to facilitate vertical alignment of the ATPS 10 with respect to the connection 24.
- the spacer box.20 may have a variable height, and may be elevated mechanically or hydraulically by the operator to lift the ATPS 10 above the spacer box 20.
- a spacer box 20 may not be required, and the dimensions of the frame 28 may be chosen to vertically position the tong 26 as desired with respect to the connection 24.
- a chain 54 or other flexible member may alternatively rotationally secure the tong 26 in place.
- a torque sensor may be placed along this chain to measure makeup torque, and thus the torque generated by the power tong, as a functioning the angle of the chain.
- a torque sensor may be provided for acting between the frame of the power tong and the frame of a backup tong.
- the telescoping retainer assembly Prior to extending the telescoping retainer assembly 40 to engage the retainer device with the upper tubular segment 16, the telescoping retainer assembly may have been rotationally oriented or "aimed" at the upper tubing joint 16. There are a number of ways to aim the telescoping retainer assembly.
- the preferred technique to properly position the extendable and retractable arm of the telescoping retainer assembly first involves placing the retainer device on a cantilevered end of the arm about the tubular connection, with the frame supported above the working surface of the rig by a cable, as illustrated, and then activating the retainer device to be at the desired predetermined active position, e.g., substantially encircling the tubular connection.
- the powered drive may then be activated to fully extend the arm with the retainer device still positioned about the tubular connection, and the arm rotated to a circumferential position desired by the operator.
- the cable may then be lowered to set the frame at a selected inactive position on the rig floor.
- the powered drive when fully extended may thus automatically position the frame at its retracted position.
- the powered drive may be extended to either the active position or the retracted position in response to sensors or suitable positions for selectively controlling, for example, the stroke of a cylinder so that it stops in either the selected active position or the selected inactive position.
- a preferred embodiment of the tong positioning system for many applications may comprise electrically powered stepper motor 88 as shown in Figure 24 and a screw drive mechanism 90 for extending and retracting the arm and thus moving the retainer device toward and away from the tubular connection.
- This embodiment is particularly preferred for some applications since the drive mechanism is electrically rather than hydraulically powered, and since a conventional servo or stepper motor provides very precise control of the screw drive mechanism to position a retainer device precisely in the desired active and inactive positions.
- the embodiments as discussed above use a powered drive for extending and retracting the arm which is secured to the frame, and this same powered drive may then be retracted after the retainer device is positioned in the active position for pulling the frame and thus the power tong and/or backup tongs supported on the frame to a desired active position to make up or breakout the threaded connection.
- a powered drive for extending and retracting the arm which is secured to the frame
- this same powered drive may then be retracted after the retainer device is positioned in the active position for pulling the frame and thus the power tong and/or backup tongs supported on the frame to a desired active position to make up or breakout the threaded connection.
- alternate embodiments of the tong positioning system may include one of the variety of powered drives as disclosed for extending and retracting the arm, and a separate power drive, which may be functionally similar to or different than the initially described powered drive, for moving the tong with respect to the frame from the inactive position to the active position.
- a less desired embodiment of the invention may use one powered drive for extending and retracting the arm, and another power drive for moving the tong toward and away from the connection after the arm has positioned the retainer device in the substantially predetermined active position relative to the tubular connection.
- the arm may be extended from the inactive position to the active position, such that the retainer device is in its predetermined active position relative to the tubular connection, then the same (or another) power drive activated to reliably move the tong from the active position to the inactive position.
- the power tong may begin its movement from the active to the inactive position.
- the retainer device may similarly move from its active position to its inactive position, thereby moving the tong laterally away from the tubular connection.
- the ATPS eliminates the manual effort of "manhandling" the tong to maneuver it over the wellbore or other tubular location.
- the system increases safety, improves cycle time, works on any rig, and reduces operational costs.
- All tong functions may be controlled remotely from the operator control console, including activation of the rotary gear and opening/closing of the tong door. No other personnel are needed to manipulate the tong on and off the tubular.
- the ATPS will work with various tongs, allowing the operator to easily change out the tong to meet the needs of different applications.
- rig up time is similar to that of conventional tongs.
- the spacer box may be positioned within 5 feet of the center of the wellbore. This distance is only important when the maximum clearance is needed for extra large outside diameter elevators.
- hook up supply hoses may lift the ATPS off the spacer box, and point the ATPS in the direction of the center of the wellbore. Once the lift cable is attached to the frame, the frame may be lifted and pointed in the direction of the center of the wellbore. After approximately one minute of alignment, the tong will typically remain aligned.
- the power unit is started up, the telescoping arm is extended, and the retainer device is opened. Once the retainer device reaches the desired tubular segment, the retainer device closes around the tubular segment.
- the ATPS frame may then be lifted slightly upwards by a hydraulic lift cylinder or other means conventionally used to remove weight from a spacer box. If desired, the spacer box may be provided with adjustable legs so that the heights of the tong while resting on the spacer box may be adjusted relative to the rig floor.
- the telescoping arm may then be retracted, pulling the ATPS frame safely and effortlessly to the tubular segment, which perfectly aligns the tong on the tubular segment. An operator may use the remote operating control for make-up or break-out operations.
- the ATPS is removed from the tubular area by extending the telescoping arm. This pushes the ATPS frame back to the parked location, allowing very large elevators to clear with ease.
- the ATPS frame can then be lowered to rest on the stand.
- the pipe retainer device may then be opened up and the telescoping arm then retracted.
- the tong is under control of the tong operator at all times. The tong is not swinging freely and endangering rig personnel.
- the ATPS system may maneuver various brands and configuration of power tongs around the pipe connection during run-in and pulling operations.
- a single operator may easily maneuver and operate the tong from the rig floor.
- the tong will consistently align with the tubular segment.
- Cycle time is improved between make-up and break-out.
- the operator may control all functions of the tong and tong positioning system from safely behind a control console.
- the system returns to a parked location between make-up and break-out.
- the system requires no magnetism, no rig floor tracks, and no bolting or welding to the rig.
- the system insures a proper tubular torque and a corresponding smooth torque turn graph when torque turning is needed.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002514768A CA2514768C (en) | 2003-02-03 | 2004-01-30 | Tong positioning system and method |
DE112004000226T DE112004000226T5 (en) | 2003-02-03 | 2004-01-30 | Pliers positioning system and method |
GB0516525A GB2415002B (en) | 2003-02-03 | 2004-01-30 | Tong positioning system and method |
NO20054010A NO336243B1 (en) | 2003-02-03 | 2005-08-29 | Plier positioning systems and method for positioning a power plunger around an oilfield connection |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US44451803P | 2003-02-03 | 2003-02-03 | |
US60/444,518 | 2003-02-03 | ||
US10/428,577 US6966385B2 (en) | 2003-02-03 | 2003-05-02 | Tong positioning system and method |
US10/428,577 | 2003-05-02 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2004069480A2 true WO2004069480A2 (en) | 2004-08-19 |
WO2004069480A3 WO2004069480A3 (en) | 2004-09-30 |
WO2004069480B1 WO2004069480B1 (en) | 2004-11-25 |
Family
ID=32853234
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/US2004/002737 WO2004069480A2 (en) | 2003-02-03 | 2004-01-30 | Tong positioning system and method |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6966385B2 (en) |
AR (1) | AR043007A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2514768C (en) |
DE (1) | DE112004000226T5 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2415002B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004069480A2 (en) |
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CN101528420B (en) * | 2006-08-25 | 2013-01-02 | 坎里格钻探技术有限公司 | Methods and apparatus for automated oilfield torque wrench set-up to make-up and break-out tubular strings |
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GB9718543D0 (en) * | 1997-09-02 | 1997-11-05 | Weatherford Lamb | Method and apparatus for aligning tubulars |
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2003
- 2003-05-02 US US10/428,577 patent/US6966385B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2004
- 2004-01-30 WO PCT/US2004/002737 patent/WO2004069480A2/en active Application Filing
- 2004-01-30 CA CA002514768A patent/CA2514768C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-01-30 GB GB0516525A patent/GB2415002B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-01-30 DE DE112004000226T patent/DE112004000226T5/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-02-02 AR ARP040100319A patent/AR043007A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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US4843945A (en) * | 1987-03-09 | 1989-07-04 | National-Oilwell | Apparatus for making and breaking threaded well pipe connections |
US5591471A (en) * | 1993-07-07 | 1997-01-07 | Shichiro Niwano | Production method of puffed food and puffed food dough |
Cited By (3)
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WO2013036135A3 (en) * | 2011-09-09 | 2013-09-12 | National Oilwell Varco Norway As | Control equipment for a torque device for oil field use and method for operation of same |
EP2994601B1 (en) * | 2013-05-06 | 2020-06-24 | Drillform Technical Services Ltd. | Floor wrench for a drilling rig |
CN104533319A (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2015-04-22 | 刘承建 | Height-adjustable automatic reciprocating traveling power tongs device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AR043007A1 (en) | 2005-07-13 |
US6966385B2 (en) | 2005-11-22 |
WO2004069480B1 (en) | 2004-11-25 |
CA2514768A1 (en) | 2004-08-19 |
WO2004069480A3 (en) | 2004-09-30 |
GB0516525D0 (en) | 2005-09-21 |
GB2415002B (en) | 2006-07-19 |
DE112004000226T5 (en) | 2006-02-02 |
CA2514768C (en) | 2009-10-13 |
US20040216890A1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
GB2415002A (en) | 2005-12-14 |
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