초록 ▼

The present invention provides an apparatus that permits sections of tubulars to be connected to or disconnected from a string of pipe during a drilling operation. The apparatus further permits the sections of drill pipe to be rotated and to be axially translated during the connection or disconnecti

The present invention provides an apparatus that permits sections of tubulars to be connected to or disconnected from a string of pipe during a drilling operation. The apparatus further permits the sections of drill pipe to be rotated and to be axially translated during the connection or disconnection process. The apparatus further allows for the continuous circulation of fluid to and through the tubular string during the makeup or breakout process. The apparatus defines a rig assembly comprising a top drive mechanism, a rotary drive mechanism, and a fluid circulating device. Rotation and axial movement of the tubular string is alternately provided by the top drive and the rotary drive. Additionally, continuous fluid flow into the tubular string is provided through the circulation device and alternately through the tubular section once a connection is made between an upper tubular connected to the top drive mechanism and the tubular string.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for connecting an upper tubular to a top tubular of a tubular string, comprising the steps of: operating a rotary drive to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in a wellbore, wherein the step of operating the rotary drive to provide axial

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for connecting an upper tubular to a top tubular of a tubular string, comprising the steps of: operating a rotary drive to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in a wellbore, wherein the step of operating the rotary drive to provide axial movement of the tubular string includes adjusting fluid pressure applied to a hydraulically operated axial displacement piston within the rotary drive; positioning the upper tubular above the top tubular of the tubular string, the upper tubular configured to have a bottom threaded end that connects to a top threaded end of the top tubular; changing a relative speed between the upper tubular and the top tubular to threadedly mate the bottom threaded end of the upper tubular and the top threaded end of the top tubular such that the upper tubular becomes a part of the tubular string; releasing the tubular string from engagement with the rotary drive; and operating a top drive to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore, wherein the top drive includes a member that is forced in a radial direction to grip the upper tubular. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bottom threaded end of the upper tubular and the top threaded end of the top tubular are threadedly mated within a fluid circulating device; and further comprising the step of circulating a fluid continuously through the tubular string, wherein the fluid is selectively provided through the circulation device or through a flow path through the upper tubular. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising adjusting a height of the fluid circulating device with respect to a top of the top tubular. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotary drive is substantially flush with a drilling rig floor. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein changing the relative speed comprises turning the upper tubular faster. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein changing the relative speed comprises turning the tubular string slower. 7. A method for connecting an upper tubular to a top tubular of a tubular string while continuously drilling, comprising the steps of: operating a rotary drive to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore, wherein the step of operating the rotary drive to provide axial movement of the tubular string includes adjusting fluid pressure applied to a hydraulically operated axial displacement piston within the rotary drive; positioning the upper tubular above the top tubular of the tubular string, the upper tubular configured to have a bottom threaded end that connects to a top threaded end of the top tubular; changing a relative speed between the upper tubular and the top tubular to threadedly mate the bottom threaded end of the upper tubular and the top threaded end of the top tubular such that the upper tubular becomes a part of the tubular string; releasing the tubular string from engagement with the rotary drive; and operating a top drive to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore. 8. A method of breaking out an upper tubular from a tubular string, comprising: providing a rig assembly, the rig assembly comprising a top drive mechanism, a rotary drive mechanism, and a fluid circulation device; operating the top drive mechanism to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore until a joint of the upper tubular with the tubular string is positioned within the circulation device, wherein the top drive mechanism includes a member that is forced in a radial direction for engaging the upper tubular; activating the rotary drive mechanism, thereby matching a rotating speed of the tubular string and engaging the tubular string to prevent rotational and axial movement between the rotary drive mechanism and the tubular string; changing a relative speed between the upper tubular and the tubular string to break a threaded connection between the upper tubular and the tubular string; operating the rotary drive mechanism to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore, wherein operating the rotary drive mechanism to provide axial movement of the tubular string includes adjusting fluid pressure applied to a hydraulically operated axial displacement piston within the rotary drive mechanism; and disengaging the top drive mechanism from the upper tubular. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein changing the relative speed comprises slowing the upper tubular. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the rotary drive mechanism is substantially flush with a drilling rig floor. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein engaging the tubular with the rotary drive mechanism includes setting a slip assembly operatively connected to the axial displacement piston for selectively preventing rotational and axial movement between the axial displacement piston and the tubular string therein. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the axial displacement piston is rotationally locked to the rotary drive mechanism. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the axial displacement piston is rotationally locked to the rotary drive mechanism by a slot and key locking assembly. 14. A method for connecting an upper tubular to a tubular string comprising the steps of: providing a rig assembly, the rig assembly comprising a top drive mechanism, a rotary drive mechanism, and a fluid circulation device; operating the top drive mechanism to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore until a top of the tubular string is positioned within the circulation device activating the rotary drive, thereby matching a rotating speed of the tubular string and engaging the tubular string to prevent rotational and axial movement between the rotary drive and the tubular string; disengaging the top drive mechanism from the tubular string; operating the rotary drive to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore connecting the upper tubular to the top drive mechanism; aligning axially the upper tubular above the tubular string, the upper tubular engaged by the top drive mechanism and positioned to have a bottom end of the upper tubular in the circulation device adjacent a top end of the tubular string, wherein the top drive includes a member that is forced in a radial direction for engaging the upper tubular activating the top drive to substantially match the rotating speed of the tubular string as the bottom end of the upper tubular contacts the top end of the tubular string for connecting; changing a relative speed between the upper tubular and the tubular string to form a threaded connection between the upper tubular and the tubular string', and releasing the tubular string from engagement with the rotary drive, and wherein operating the rotary drive mechanism to provide axial movement of the tubular string includes adjusting fluid pressure applied to a hydraulically operated axial displacement piston within the rotary drive mechanism. 15. A method for connecting an upper tubular to a tubular string, comprising the steps of: providing a rig assembly, the rig assembly comprising a top drive mechanism having a top drive adapter operatively connected thereto, a rotary drive mechanism, and a fluid circulation device, wherein the top drive adapter comprises a mud-check valve; operating the top drive mechanism to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore until a top of the tubular string is positioned within the circulation device; activating the rotary drive mechanism, thereby matching a rotating speed of the tubular string and engaging the tubular string to prevent rotational and axial movement between the rotary drive mechanism and the tubular string; disengaging the top drive mechanism from the tubular string; operating the rotary drive mechanism to provide rotational and axial movement of the tubular string in the wellbore, wherein operating the rotary drive mechanism to provide axial movement of the tubular string includes adjusting fluid pressure applied to a hydraulically operated axial displacement piston within the rotary drive mechanism; gripping the upper tubular with the top drive adapter; aligning axially the upper tubular above the tubular string, the upper tubular engaged by the top drive adapter and positioned to have a bottom end of the upper tubular in the circulation device adjacent a top end of the tubular string; activating the top drive mechanism to rotate the top drive adapter and upper tubular and substantially match the rotating speed of the tubular string as the bottom end of the upper tubular contacts the top end of the tubular string for connecting; changing a relative speed between the upper tubular and the tubular string to form a threaded connection between the upper tubular and the tubular string; and releasing the tubular string from engagement with the rotary drive mechanism. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a portion of the tubular string comprises casing. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the top drive adapter comprises radially movable gripping members. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the rotary drive mechanism is substantially flush with a drilling rig floor. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein changing the relative speed comprises turning the upper tubular faster.