초록

An apparatus and methods to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods can be used for running in casing, running in wellbore components or for a drill string.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for use with tubulars, comprising: a spider having a set of slips for gripping the tubulars; a top drive disposable above the spider for gripping the tubulars; and an interlock system to ensure that a tubular string is gripped by one of the top drive and the spider, wherein t

1. An apparatus for use with tubulars, comprising: a spider having a set of slips for gripping the tubulars; a top drive disposable above the spider for gripping the tubulars; and an interlock system to ensure that a tubular string is gripped by one of the top drive and the spider, wherein the interlock system prevents the top drive from disengaging the tubular string, unless the spider is engaged around the tubular string. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top drive comprises: a body having a slip assembly disposed on a surface; the slip assembly temporarily engaging a surface of a first end of a tubular; a motor to provide rotational movement to the tubulars; and a compensator disposed on the top drive thereby allowing incremental axial movement of the tubular. 3. An apparatus for use with tubulars, comprising: a spider having a set of slips for gripping the tubulars; a top drive disposable above the spider for gripping the tubulars; and an interlock system to ensure that a tubular string is gripped by one of the top drive and the spider, wherein the interlock system prevents the spider from disengaging the tubular string, unless the top drive is engaged to the tubular string. 4. An apparatus for use with tubulars, comprising: a spider having a set of slips for gripping the tubulars; a top drive disposable above the spider for gripping the tubulars; and an interlock system to ensure that a tubular string is gripped by one of the top drive and the spider, wherein the interlock system includes a controller. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller collects data relating to a joint formed between the tubulars.6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the data is generated by a torque sub disposed adjacent the top drive.7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the data further relates to torque generated in the joint.8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the data is generated by a revolution counter.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the data further relates to the number of tubular rotations making up the joint.10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller compares the data to pre-stored values defining an acceptable joint.11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the interlock system further includes at least one valve to enable and lock out controls for the top drive and the spider, the valve controllable by the controller based upon the data.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the interlock system further comprises: a physical barrier to control the movement of manual controls controlling the top drive and the spider to engage and release the tubular string; and a sensor assembly in communication with the spider and a locking assembly, the sensor assembly senses the engagement of the spider and relays the information to the locking assembly, which controls the movement of the physical barrier. 13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the data is generated from a compensator relating to the axial movement of the compensator during make up of the joint.14. An apparatus for assembling and disassembly tubulars, comprising: a first member having a motor for rotating and joining tubulars at a joint and forming a tubular string therefrom, and a cylindrical body having a first set of slips and a wedge lock assembly disposed on the cylindrical body, the first set of slips is coupled to a piston that is coupled to a resilient member; a second member having a piston coupled to a second set of slips; and an interlock system. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first set of slips can engage an inner surface of the tubulars.16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a first member sensor is coupled to the first member and a second member sensor is coupled to the second member.17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first member further comprises: a counter providing data relating to the tubular rotations making up the joint; a torque sub providing data relating to the amount of torque placed during joining of the tubulars; and a compensator coupling the first member to a rig and providing data regarding whether the first member is engaging the tubular string. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first member is a top drive and is coupled to a railing system mounted on the rig.19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second member is coupled to a platform of the rig.20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the interlock system further comprises: a sensor assembly in communication with the second set of slips; a locking assembly in communication with the sensor assembly; a control plate having a first member lever controlling a first member valve, a second member lever controlling a second member valve, the movement of the control plate is controlled by the locking assembly; and a controller in communication with a first member sensor coupled to the first member and a second member sensor coupled to the second member, the torque sub, the counter, and a first and second member solenoid valves. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the controller is also in communication with the compensator.22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second member is a spider.23. A method for use with assembling and dissembling a tubular string formed by a first tubular and a second tubular, comprising: engaging a first apparatus to the first tubular; engaging a second apparatus to the second tubular; joining the first tubular to the second tubular thereby forming the tubular string; providing an interlock system to ensure that at least the first apparatus or the second apparatus is engaging the tubular string; opening the second apparatus to disengage the second apparatus from the second tubular; lowering the tubular string; engaging the second apparatus to the tubular string; and disengaging the first apparatus from the first tubular, wherein the first apparatus includes a motor for joining the tubulars and at least a first set of slips, and the second apparatus having at least a second set of slips. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first set of slips can engage an inner surface of the first tubular.25. The method of claim 23, wherein the interlock system prevents the first set of slips from disengaging the tubular string, unless the second set of slips is closed around the tubular string.26. The method of claim 25, wherein the interlock system prevents the second set of slips from opening or disengaging the tubular string, unless the first set of slips are engaged to the tubular string.27. The method of claim 23, wherein the first apparatus is a top drive and the second apparatus is a spider.28. An apparatus for use with a tubular string formed by connecting a first tubular and a second tubular, comprising: a top drive for gripping and rotating the first tubular; a second device for gripping the second tubular; and an interlock system operatively connected to the first and second devices to ensure that the tubular string is gripped by at least one of the first and second devices. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first device comprises: a body having a slip assembly; a motor to provide rotational movement to the first tubular; and a compensator to allow incremental axial movement of the first tubular. 30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the interlock system further comprises a controller.31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the controller collects data relating to a joint formed on the tubular string.32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the controller compares the data to pre-stored values defining an acceptable joint.33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the interlock system further includes at least one valve to enable and lock out controls for the first device and the second device, the valve controllable by the controller based upon the data.