Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160138348 | Thread Compensation Apparatus - A thread compensation apparatus including a drive connection. The drive connection portion includes an outer portion coupled to a drive apparatus and a rotating inner portion with a drive interface configured to couple to a rotating shaft of the drive apparatus. The thread compensation apparatus also includes a sleeve being rotatable with the inner portion of the drive connection, the sleeve being rotatable relative to the outer portion of the drive connection. The thread compensation apparatus includes a lower shaft which engages the sleeve, such that the sleeve can impart rotation to the lower shaft. Additionally, the lower shaft also includes a lower connection interface, such as to couple to a tubular gripping apparatus. Further, the lower shaft is displaceable relative to the sleeve and an actuator coupled to the outer portion of the drive connection operates to displace the lower shaft with respect to the sleeve. | 05-19-2016 |
20160076317 | Mousehole Assembly for Manipulating Tubulars for Subterranean Operations - A system for manipulating tubulars for subterranean operations includes a mousehole assembly having a cavity including a first mousehole, a second mousehole spaced apart from the first mousehole, a mechanism configured to change a position of at least one of the first mousehole and second mousehole within the cavity. | 03-17-2016 |
20150160101 | Method and System for Testing Operational Integrity of a Drilling Rig - A method of testing and monitoring operational integrity of a drilling rig is described. The method includes operating the drilling rig in a non-drilling mode at a sequence of different phases including an acceleration phase, a constant speed phase, and a decelerating phase, collecting sensor data associated with one or more components of the drilling rig while the drilling is operated in the non-drilling mode at the sequence of different phases, and analyzing the collected sensor data to determine the operational integrity of the drilling rig. The analyzed data, together with previously stored historical data is used to estimate the life expectancy of the rig and monitor, plan, control, or report maintenance activity for the drilling rig, top drive, or any other system. | 06-11-2015 |
20150016925 | DRILLING-PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A drilling-pipe handling apparatus and a method for handling drilling-pipes in a drilling rig, and is concerned particularly with apparatus and a method for racking drilling-pipes in an oil drilling rig. The pipe handling apparatus includes a pipe engaging portion, a movable positioning unit for moving the pipe engaging portion, and a mounting member for mounting the apparatus on a leg of a drilling mast. | 01-15-2015 |
20150013992 | Top Entry Wireline Apparatus and Methods - A top entry wireline apparatus with a roller chain configuration for inserting a manipulating an electrical conduit into a wellbore and a method of using the same. | 01-15-2015 |
20140255123 | THREADFORM LOCKING DEVICE AND METHODS - Locking devices and methods are described. The locking device includes a non-resilient locking threadform that is expandable and a threaded expander. The threadform includes a threaded exterior portion and an axially-oriented, threaded interior recess at a proximal end of the threadform. The threaded exterior portion has a length and is configured to connect two articles in an axial direction. The threaded expander has a threaded exterior that is oversized relative to the threaded interior recess so as to expand the threaded exterior portion radially as the threaded expander is positioned in the threaded interior recess. | 09-11-2014 |
20140196909 | Tubular Handling Device and Methods - A tubular handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool adapted to provide load-bearing, and preferably torquing, capacity upon the gripping of a tubular is provided. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member associated with the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of gripping elements disposed between the slotted member and recessed member. Each such gripping element is adapted to move with an engaged tubular so as to grip the tubular. A tubular member elevator associated to the running tool, as well as related floor slips, are also encompassed. Methods of casing running are also included. | 07-17-2014 |
20140158428 | Drill String Oscillation Methods - A method includes oscillating, with a first acceleration profile, at least a portion of a drill string using a top drive at least indirectly coupled to the drill string and includes oscillating, with a second acceleration profile different from the first acceleration profile, at least a portion of the drill string using the top drive. The method also includes oscillating, with a third acceleration profile, at least a portion of the drill string using the top drive, wherein the third acceleration profile is optimized based on feedback associated with the oscillation with the first acceleration profile and feedback associated with the oscillation with the second acceleration profile. | 06-12-2014 |
20140151121 | AUTOMATED DIRECTIONAL DRILLING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and systems for drilling to a target location include a control system that receives an input comprising a planned drilling path to a target location and determines a projected location of a bottom hole assembly of a drilling system. The projected location of the bottom hole assembly is compared to the planned drilling path to determine a deviation amount. A modified drilling path is created to the target location as selected based on the amount of deviation from the planned drilling path, and drilling rig control signals that steer the bottom hole assembly of the drilling system to the target location along the modified drilling path are generated to intersect the planned drilling path if the amount of deviation from the planned path exceeds a first threshold amount of deviation. | 06-05-2014 |
20140117623 | REDUNDANT SEAL APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus includes a rotatable shaft having a shaft surface and a first seal disposed in a sealing engagement with the shaft surface. At least a second seal is disposed in a first position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is not in sealing engagement with the shaft surface and is movable to a second position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is in sealing engagement with the shaft surface. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116781 | Reciprocating and Rotating Section and Methods in a Drilling System - An apparatus including a stationary section having a first central fluid passage and operably connected to a drilling fluid inlet and a conduit, a rotating and reciprocating section having a second central fluid passage and operably connected to a tubular, wherein the rotating and reciprocating section reciprocates along a longitudinal axis and rotates in conjunction with the tubular and the conduit, and a third section having a third central fluid passage in fluid communication between the first and second central fluid passages, where the third section is operably disposed between the first and rotating and reciprocating sections to permit the rotating and reciprocating section to slide axially even during rotation and to permit only rotational motion at an end adjacent the stationary section. | 05-01-2014 |
20140076548 | AUTOMATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKE-UP AND BREAK-OUT OF TUBULARS - An automated tubular handling system adapted to make-up or break-out tubulars that includes a rotary drive adapted to operatively grip a tubular to be connected to or disconnected from a tubular string, a controller adapted to receive and process data indicative of a rotation, torque, and minimum time value associated with a make-up or a break-out of the tubular string, and a user interface adapted to convey the received data, the predetermined values, or both, of the tubular make-up or break-out to an operator. The controller compares the rotation, torque, and minimum time values to acceptable predetermined values to determine when the make-up or the break-out is complete. Automated methods are also disclosed. | 03-20-2014 |
20130284433 | FORCE APPLICATION REDUCTION EMPLOYING ACTUATOR - An apparatus including a first actuator including a first housing defining a first internal region, a first head disposed in the first internal region, the first head defining first and second portions of the first internal region, and a first elongated member connected to the first head and extending out of the first housing. The apparatus further includes a first arm connected to the first elongated member to transfer to the first elongated member at least a first portion of a first force applied in a first direction by at least the weight of at least a tubular component, and a first pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with the first portion of the first internal region to apply a second force against the first head in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. According to one aspect, the tubular component is part of a quill. | 10-31-2013 |
20130206477 | Well Prog Execution Facilitation System and Method - A prog analysis and execution system and method. The system includes a computer control system, an interface engine in communication with the computer control system, the interface engine being configured to receive prog information, and an action item development engine in communication with the control system, the action item development engine being configured to analyze received prog information and to determine corresponding action items. The system further includes a sensor engine in communication with the computer control system, the sensor engine being configured to receive input from at least one sensor for use in controlling a well drilling operation, and an operational equipment engine in communication with the computer control system, the operational equipment engine being configured to receive input from the computer control system and to control the well drilling operation in accordance with the determined action items in the prog. | 08-15-2013 |
20130126241 | DIRECTIONAL DRILLING CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHODS - Apparatus and methods to steer a hydraulic motor when elongating a wellbore having a non-vertical component that includes a quill adapted to transfer torque, rotation, or position between a drive assembly and a drillstring, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) including a toolface orientation detector and at least one measurement while drilling (MWD) instrument or wireline-conveyed instrument, and a controller configured to transmit operational control signals to minimize friction between a drillstring and a wellbore, wherein the instrument is configured to detect pressure between an external surface of the BHA and an inner diameter of the wellbore. | 05-23-2013 |
20130118760 | WEIGHT-BASED INTERLOCK APPARATUS AND METHODS - A weight-based tubular interlock apparatus adapted to determine whether a tubular is engagingly gripped by a rig-based hoisting device or a secondary gripping device is described. The apparatus includes at least two gripping mechanisms and an interlock system operatively connected that is adapted to measure a tubular load on at least one of the gripping mechanisms and to compare the tubular load to a predetermined load to deter nine whether the at least one gripping mechanism is gripping the tubular. The gripping mechanism is adapted to release the tubular only when the tubular load meets the predetermined load, upon which a release force sufficient to release the tubular from the gripping mechanism is applied to the tubular relative to the gripping mechanism. Methods of using the interlock apparatus are also described. | 05-16-2013 |
20120273230 | AUTOMATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKE-UP AND BREAK-OUT OF TUBULARS - An automated tubular handling system adapted to make-up or break-out tubulars that includes a rotary drive adapted to operatively grip a tubular to be connected to or disconnected from a tubular string, a controller adapted to receive and process data indicative of a rotation, torque, and minimum time value associated with a make-up or a break-out of the tubular string, and a user interface adapted to convey the received data, the predetermined values, or both, of the tubular make-up or break-out to an operator. The controller compares the rotation, torque, and minimum time values to acceptable predetermined values to determine when the make-up or the break-out is complete. Automated methods are also disclosed. | 11-01-2012 |
20120160570 | MODULAR TOP DRIVE LUBRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS - A top drive system with a plurality of top drive modules, which are configured to be quickly exchanged. The top drive modules may include any or all of the following: a main body module, a gearbox module, a drive motor module, a pipe handler module, an upper fluid module, a lower well control valve module, a block interface module, a retract system interface frame module, a cooling system module, a work platform guard module, and a quill saver sub module. Alternatively, the top drive may comprise a first top drive and a second top drive which are configured to be quickly exchanged. | 06-28-2012 |
20120139747 | REAL TIME WELL DATA ALERTS - An apparatus for remote monitoring of well operations. The apparatus may include an alerts module positioned proximate a well, at least one well parameter sensor in communication with the alerts module, and a well operation control module in communication with the alerts module. The apparatus may further include a remotely positioned well monitoring station in communication with the alerts module, and a plurality of user terminal in communication with the well monitoring station. | 06-07-2012 |
20120097402 | TUBULAR HANDLING DEVICE AND METHODS - A tubular member handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool, an elevator, first actuators each extending between the running tool and the elevator, and second actuators each extending between the running tool and a corresponding first actuator. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member slidably coupled to the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of rolling members each retained between one of the recesses and one of the slots. Each rolling member partially extends through an adjacent slot when located in a shallow end of a corresponding recess, and retracts to within an outer perimeter of the slotted member when located in a deep end of the corresponding recess. | 04-26-2012 |
20120055294 | OILFIELD TUBULAR SPIN-IN AND SPIN-OUT DETECTION FOR MAKING-UP AND BREAKING-OUT TUBULAR STRINGS - Spin-in and spin-out apparatus and methods are presented wherein an oilfield tubular spinner used in combination with a wrench detects the shouldering-up of tubulars during make-up and tubular thread disengagement during break-out. Sensors are employed to quantify measurables indicative of shouldering-up and thread disengagement, the measurables being used to shutdown spin-in and spin-out operations. Thresholds are employed to detect measurable values of interest. Timers may be employed to monitor and control the spin-in and spin-out operations. | 03-08-2012 |
20120027541 | PIPE-HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Apparatus and methods for moving a tubular member to and from an elevated drilling rig floor. A support structure has an elongate indentation in its upper surface. A ramp assembly comprises telescoping assemblies having nested tubular elements extendable between retracted and deployed positions, thus forming a guide extending from the elongate indentation towards the drilling rig floor. Indexers may urge the tubular member towards or away from the elongate indentation. Kickers may urge the tubular member into or out of the elongate indentation, and may be operable via actuators which also operate the indexers. | 02-02-2012 |
20110147010 | TUBULAR HANDLING DEVICE AND METHODS - A tubular handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool adapted to provide load-bearing, and preferably torquing, capacity upon the gripping of a tubular is provided. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member associated with the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of gripping elements disposed between the slotted member and recessed member. Each such gripping element is adapted to move with an engaged tubular so as to grip the tubular. A tubular member elevator associated to the running tool, as well as related floor slips, are also encompassed. Methods of casing running are also included. | 06-23-2011 |
20110144809 | WELL PROG EXECUTION FACILITATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A prog analysis and execution system and method. The system includes a computer control system, an interface engine in communication with the computer control system, the interface engine being configured to receive prog information, and an action item development engine in communication with the control system, the action item development engine being configured to analyze received prog information and to determine corresponding action items. The system further includes a sensor engine in communication with the computer control system, the sensor engine being configured to receive input from at least one sensor for use in controlling a well drilling operation, and an operational equipment engine in communication with the computer control system, the operational equipment engine being configured to receive input from the computer control system and to control the well drilling operation in accordance with the determined action items in the prog. | 06-16-2011 |
20110073375 | MODULAR TOP DRIVE LUBRICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS - A top drive system with a plurality of top drive modules, which are configured to be quickly exchanged. The top drive modules may include any or all of the following: a main body module, a gearbox module, a drive motor module, a pipe handler module, an upper fluid module, a lower well control valve module, a block interface module, a retract system interface frame module, a cooling system module, a work platform guard module, and a quill saver sub module. Alternatively, the top drive may comprise a first top drive and a second top drive which are configured to be quickly exchanged. | 03-31-2011 |
20110044787 | PIPE-HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHODS - A pipe-handling apparatus adapted to move pipe to and from a drilling floor of a drilling rig including a ramp extendable between a main support structure and the drilling floor, a pipe carrier mounted on the main support structure configured to move between lower and elevated positions over the ramp, a lift arm including a first end and a second end and being pivotally connected at its first end adjacent the far end of the carrier and operable below the carrier to lift and support the carrier's far end to an elevated position, a track on the main support structure for supporting the carrier and the lift arm, and a drive system that pivots or moves the lift arm up about a track stop to lift the far end of the carrier and moves the near end up and over the ramp. | 02-24-2011 |
20110024191 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR GUIDING TOOLFACE ORIENTATION - Apparatus and methods for guiding a drilling operation are disclosed. The apparatus includes a drilling apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a display apparatus. The drill apparatus includes a bit with a steerable motor having a toolface and a rotary drive adapted to steer the bit during the drilling operation. The receiving apparatus is adapted to receive electronic data on a recurring basis, wherein the electronic data comprises quill position data, at least one of actual gravity-based toolface orientation data and actual magnetic-based toolface orientation data, and recommended toolface orientation data. The display apparatus is adapted to display the electronic data on a user-viewable display in a historical format depicting data resulting from a recent measurement and a plurality of immediately prior measurements. | 02-03-2011 |
20110024187 | DIRECTIONAL DRILLING CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and apparatus for using a quill to steer a hydraulic motor when elongating a wellbore in a direction having a horizontal component, wherein the quill and the hydraulic motor are coupled to opposing ends of a drill string, by monitoring an actual toolface orientation of a tool driven by the hydraulic motor via monitoring a drilling operation parameter indicative of a difference between the actual toolface orientation and a desired toolface orientation, and then adjusting a position of the quill by an amount that is dependent upon the monitored drilling operation parameter. | 02-03-2011 |
20090217788 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED OILFIELD TORQUE WRENCH SET-UP TO MAKE-UP AND BREAK-OUT TUBULAR STRINGS - Automated make-up and break-up methods and apparatus for rotary oil well drilling are presented. The apparatus includes a drilling database storing tubular type records, a torque wrench having a spinner, and a controller. During make-up, the controller retrieves one or more tubular type records stored in the drilling database in order to configure the torque wrench and/or the spinner to connect an additional tubular section to a tubular string or to disconnect a connection between tubulars in accordance with tubular type parameters. Sensors are employed on various drill rig components and reported sensor values are monitored. Timers are started concurrent with the initiation of various make-up and break-out steps. Exceptions are thrown when sensor values are out-of-range or when steps take too long to complete. Advantages are derived from speeding-up drill rig operations. | 09-03-2009 |
20090211405 | OILFIELD TUBULAR TORQUE WRENCH - An oilfield tubular torque wrench and a tong therefore is described. In one aspect, a torque wrench is described including an upper tong including a recess for accepting an oilfield tubular positioned along an axis passing through the recess; a lower tong including a recess positioned below the recess of the upper tong so that the axis passes therethrough; pipe gripping dies in the recesses of the upper tong and the lower tong drivable toward and away from the axis; a swivel bearing between the upper tong and the lower tong permitting the upper tong and the lower tong to swivel relative thereto while the recesses remain positioned with the axis passing therethrough, the swivel bearing including a first partial ring mounted to one of the upper tong and the lower tong and a second partial ring mounted on the other of the upper tong and lower tong, the second partial ring being interengaged at a bearing surface to ride along a length of a bearing surface of the first partial ring; and a retainer ring positioned adjacent one of the first partial ring and the second partial ring to act against lateral disengagement of the second partial ring from the first partial ring. In another aspect, dissimilar materials are selected for the first ring and the second ring to avoid galling. In another aspect a tong with adjustable dies is described. | 08-27-2009 |
20090205442 | OILFIELD TUBULAR TORQUE WRENCH - A method for measuring applied torque of a oilfield tubular torque wrench, the oilfield torque wrench being operable to torque a tubular about an axis of rotation and the oilfield torque wrench including a lower tong including a recess through which the axis of rotation passes during operation; an upper tong including a recess, the upper tong being mounted above the lower tong with the recess of the upper tong positioned above the recess of the lower tong so that the axis of rotation passes therethrough; pipe gripping dies in the recesses of the upper tong and the lower tong; a swivel bearing between the upper tong and the lower tong permitting the upper tong and the lower tong to swivel relative to each other while the recesses remain positioned with the axis of rotation passing therethrough; a drive system connected between the upper tong and the lower tong, the drive system being operable to generate a force vector to drive the upper tong and lower tong to swivel on the swivel bearing, the method comprising: determining at least one of (i) the actual radius measurement measured perpendicularly to the force vector and between the force vector and the axis of rotation of the tubular, and (ii) the actual force measurement of that force being applied to torque the connection; and calculating torque based on the at least one measurement. A torque wrench includes systems for measuring actual radius and/or actual force. | 08-20-2009 |