APPARATUS FOR GRIPPING A DOWNHOLE TUBULAR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for gripping a downhole tubular for use in an oil and gas drilling system and the like.

[0002] Drilling methods are known wherein a so-called top drive mechanism is used to rotate the string of drill pipe joints. Such a top drive mechanism comprises a body commonly suspended from a travelling block of a drilling rig and moveable vertically along the well bore axis.

[0003] The top drive mechanism furthermore commonly comprises a motor (e.g. an electric or hydraulic motor) secured to the body and having a rotatable output member.

[0004] It is know to provide the top drive mechanism with an apparatus for gripping and suspending a downhole tubular. This apparatus is in general arranged beneath the motor of the top drive and interconnected thereto, so that not only the tubular can be raised and lowered but also a rotary motion can be imparted to the downhole tubular if desired, e.g. for drilling operations.

[0005] A known apparatus for gripping and suspending a downhole tubular includes a series of clamping jaws arranged in the housing of the apparatus and adapted to clampingly engage on the exterior of a drill pipe or casing pipe in a region remote from the top end of the pipe. This is done to avoid damage to the threaded top end of the pipe. Such an apparatus is disclosed in US 6,637,526.

[0006] In the oil and gas drilling industry it is know to use tubulars wherein the top end is provided with an enlarged diameter coupler (the "box" as it is generally referred to for drill pipe, whereas the lower end is provided with a screwthreaded end referred to as the "pin") or the threaded end of a casing pipe (which is often not provided with an enlarged diameter coupler).

[0007] Other tubulars handled by an apparatus for gripping and suspending as herein described are e.g. well linings.

[0008] It is generally known that a significant torque has to be exerted on a tubular in drilling operations. The known top drive mechanisms are found to be unsatisfactory in this regard.

[0009] A further issue is the safety of the known top drive mechanisms. Also in this regard the known mechanisms are found to be unsatisfactory.

[0010] An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for gripping and suspending a downhole tubular.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, which allows for the transmission of a high torque, without compromising the part of the tubular gripped by the apparatus.

[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, which can be operated safe and reliable.

[0013] The apparatus of the invention grips the coupler on the outside. As mentioned before drill pipe joints commonly have such a coupler (the box) which has a larger outer diameter than the drill pipe section and also is often made of a different steel and/or hardened, and commonly provided with a rugged coarse internal (conical) thread for interconnecting drill pipes. The gripping of the outside of the coupler can thus be effected with high loads on the coupler, without unacceptable damage to the coupler and also the diameter of the gripped surface is greater than the diameter of the pipe section. Both effects allow the transmission of a high torque to the drill pipe and a reliable grip on the coupler.

[0014] The apparatus also provides a support engaging the underside of the shoulder of the downhole tubular. This amongst others reliably prevents the tubular from disengaging from the apparatus and dropping down, e.g. into the well bore. This could e.g. be effective when the gripping members loose their grip on the coupler (e.g. the gripping members and/or the actuating means thereof becoming defective).

[0015] It is noted that the "shoulder" may be formed in different ways depending on the composition of the downhole tubular. One option is that the coupler itself, e.g. the lower end, forms the shoulder thereof. Also it is known to have drill pipes provided with an "upset" at the upper end thereof, which is commonly obtain by forging the upper end to obtain a section of increasing thickness and with a conical widening other diameter towards the upper end of the drill pipes. On top of this "upset" the coupler is then fitted, e.g. welded. In such a drill pipe the upset could provide the "shoulder" under which the shoulder support of the apparatus engages. This would even provide "drop down protection" of the drill pipe (or drill string of interconnected drill pipes) in the unlikely event that the coupler would become detached from the upset of the drill pipe, e.g. due to a defective or damaged weld.

[0016] Preferably the apparatus is designed such that upon insertion of the tubular top end into the reception chamber first the one or more shoulder support members are brought into their active position, then the shoulder is brought to bear on the one or more shoulder support members (e.g. by lifting the apparatus with respect to the tubular). Thereafter the gripping members are brought into tight gripping engagement with the coupler.

[0017] It is envisaged that the apparatus according to the invention is integrated in a top drive mechanism, but other applications, e.g. for lifting etc. of downhole tubulars in oil and gas drilling operations and the like are also feasible.

[0018] The invention achieves one or more of the above objectives by providing an apparatus according to claim 1.

[0019] Further advantageous embodiments of the apparatus are disclosed in the appended claims and the description.

[0020] The invention also relates to a top drive mechanism including an apparatus for gripping and suspending a downhole tubular as herein described.

[0021] The invention also relates to a drilling rig including such a top drive mechanism, as well as to a drilling method wherein use is made of the apparatus for drilling and suspending a downhole tubular as herein described.

[0022] The invention will now be described in more detail referring to the description wherein a preferred embodiment is disclosed with reference to the drawings.

[0023] In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in longitudinal section a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for gripping and suspending a downhole tubular according to the invention, the left-hand half with the coupler gripping members and shoulder support members in active position and the right-hand half with these members in inactive position,

Fig. 2 on a larger scale the lower part of the apparatus of fig. 1,

Fig. 3 a cross section along the line III-III in fig. 2 with the shoulder support members in active position,

Fig. 4 a cross section along the line IV - IV in fig.2 with the coupler gripping members in active position,

Figs. 5a-f in different successive stages the gripping of a tubular top end using the apparatus of fig. 1.

[0024] Figures 1 and 2 show a downhole tubular gripping and suspending apparatus 1 adapted for gripping a downhole tubular 100 and suspending said downhole tubular 100 from said apparatus 1.

[0025] The apparatus 1 as depicted is adapted to be integrated into a top drive drilling mechanism. Here the apparatus 1 has a housing 2 fitted with a central shaft 3, which central shaft 3 is provided with a connector (not shown) for connecting the central shaft to a motor of a top drive drilling mechanism.

[0026] As is generally known a top drive drilling mechanism is movable up and down in a drilling rig, e.g. suspended from a travelling block of the rig, so that the gripped and suspended tubular, e.g. a string of drill pipes or casing pipes can be raised or lowered (into the well bore). By its connection to the top drive motor, the housing 2 can be made to rotate and thereby the gripped and suspended tubular can also be made to rotate, e.g. for effecting rotation of a drill bit or the like connected to the tubular. Such a rotary top drive mechanisme could also be employerd for interconnecting and/or decoupling screwthreaded tubulars.

[0027] The tubular 100 here is a common drill pipe, e.g. of a 30 ft length, having a tubular pipe section 101 of essentially uniform diameter and a top end provided with a coupler 102, generally called the box, for interconnecting tubulars 100. The coupler 102 has an enlarged diameter part of greater diameter than the pipe section 101. As is common for drill pipes of this type the top end of said tubular 100 also has an exterior shoulder 103, here a conical shoulder forming the transition between the pipe section exterior and the enlarged diameter part of the coupler 102.

[0028] As can be seen the coupler 102 has a tapering internal screw thread for interconnecting tubulars.

[0029] The housing 2 in general forms a reception chamber 5, here with a bottom opening 6 for introducing said top end of said tubular 100 into the reception chamber 5 via said bottom opening 6.

[0030] In the housing 2 external coupler gripping means are arranged for gripping the coupler 102 in such a manner that a tight grip is obtained and large torsional forces can be transmitted from the motor of the top drive to the coupler 102 and thus to the tubular 100.

[0031] In this embodiment the coupler gripping means include multiple coupler gripping members, distributed around the reception chamber for the tubular top end, so as to engage on the coupler at circumferentially spaced locations (see also figure 4).

[0032] The gripping members each are designed here as a clamping jaw 20, slidable along an associated guide 21 of the housing 2. The guides 21 each form a guide surface 22 tapering to a reduced diameter in the direction of the bottom opening 6 so that when the clamping jaws 20 advance towards said bottom opening 6 said clamping jaws move into their active position and a clamping surface 23 of each clamping jaw grips enlarged diameter part of the coupler 102. It is clear that such a clamping surface 23 can be of a grip enhancing design, e.g. with a roughened surface or the like.

[0033] The apparatus 1 further includes shoulder support means including one or more shoulder support members 30 moveable mounted on said housing and adapted to engage under said shoulder 103 of a tubular top end 100 received in said reception chamber 5.

[0034] In the embodiment shown here multiple shoulder support members 30 are provided, distributed about the reception chamber 5 for the tubular top end, here near the bottom opening 6, so as to engage under the shoulder 103 at circumferentially spaced support locations (see also figure 3). In this example three shoulder support members 30 are used.

[0035] In the design shown here each shoulder support member 30 is pivotable about an associated pivot axis 31, here about a pivot axis in a plane at right angles to the tubular 100 to be supported. In the shown version each support member 30 can be moved between a raised inactive position (see right-hand side in figures 1, 2) and a lowered active position (see left-hand side in figures 1,2).

[0036] Below each of the shoulder support members 30 the housing 2 provides a stop 32 for abutment of the shoulder support member 30 in its active position, so that the force by the tubular 100 on the shoulder support is directly transferred to the housing. It is noted that this force could be enormous, e.g. several hundreds of tonnes (e.g. over 200 tonnes), e.g. due to the weight of the drill string, the force required to pull the drill string from a well bore, etc.

[0037] In the figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that each pivotable shoulder support member 30 is linked to a clamping member 20 located essentially above the shoulder support member, here via an associated connector rod 35.

[0038] In the design shown each connector rod 35 is pivoted to the support member 30 at a distance remote from the associated pivot axis 30 via a hinge 36. The other end of the rod 35 is pivoted to a clamping jaw 20, wherein the pivot axis 37 is guided in an elongated slot 26 of the jaw, extending essentially in the direction of the tubular to be supported.

[0039] For actuation of the clamping jaws 20 each jaw 20 is connected by an associated connecting rod 40 to a common ring member 41 which is slideable with respect to the housing 2. The connecting rods 40 are pivotable connected at both ends thereof.

[0040] In this embodiment the apparatus 1 has a spring 50 which is arranged here such that the spring urges the clamping jaws to their active position. The spring 50 here is common for all clamping jaws 20, but it can also be envisaged that each jaw 20 is associated with its own spring. The spring 50 here is arranged around the shaft and here is capable of exerting a significant force (the diameter of the shaft could e.g. be 300 mm). The spring here rests at its upper end against an support ring 51 fitted on the shaft 3. The lower end of the spring 50 acts on the ring member 41 and urges the ring member 41 downwards. Here intermediate ring members 42, 43 are positioned between the lower spring end and the ring member 41.

[0041] For compressing the spring 50, that is raising the ring member 41 in this embodiment, a power actuator, here a hydraulic actuator 70 is provided.

[0042] In this embodiment the actuator 70 also allows for the exertion of a downwards force on the ring member 41 and thus on the clamping jaws 20.

[0043] Here the actuator 70 is of annular design having an inner ring wall 71 supported by suitable bearings 72 on the shaft 3 (above the spring 50) and an outer wall 73 slidable up and down with respect to the inner wall 71. The outer wall 73 is connected by roller bearings 75 to an intermediate ring member 43.

[0044] The inner wall 71 is fitted with an annular piston 74 to form a lower and upper variable hydraulic chamber 76a, 76b to which hydraulic fluid can be supplied by a suitable hydraulic power pack.

[0045] As the tubular 100 here is a drill string the central shaft 3 here is provided with a central fluid channel 80 extending from an upper mouth to a fluid connector device extending in the reception chamber 5, said fluid connector device being adapted to connect to the tubular 100 so as to establish a fluid connecting between said tubular 100 and said central fluid channel 80, e.g. to feed drilling mud into the tubular during drilling operations.

[0046] In the embodiment shown the fluid connector comprises a tube part 85 connected to the housing 2 and in communication with the central fluid channel 80, said tube part being insertable into the top end of the tubular 100. There is a sealing arrangement provided for establishing a fluid seal between said tube part and the tubular top end.

[0047] In this embodiment the sealing arrangement includes a sealing ring 86 extending around the tube part 85 and slideable with respect to said tube part along a sliding section thereof, while maintaining a fluid seal between said ring 86 and said tube part 85, said ring 86 being dimensioned to sealingly engage the top end of the tubular 100.

[0048] A spring 87 is provided for urging said sealing ring 86 in sealing engagement with said tubular 100.

[0049] Referring to figures 5a-f it will be shown how a tubular 100 can be gripped by the apparatus 1.

[0050] In fig. 5a only the very top end of the tubular 100 is visible, the apparatus 1 being held above this top end. It can be seen that he clamping jaw 20 has been pulled upwards by means of the hydraulic actuator 70 so that it is in its inactive position. Thereby the shoulder support member 30 has also been brought in its raised inactive position.

[0051] The apparatus 1 is then lowered onto the top end of the tubular 100, so that the coupler 102 enters the reception chamber 5 via bottom opening 6. The front face of the tubular 100 comes to bear against the sealing ring 86. (see figure 5b).

[0052] Thereafter the hydraulic actuator 70 is operated to allow for expansion (lengthwise) of the spring 50, so that the jaws 20 are lowered along their guides 21. Before the jaws 20 actually clampingly engage on the coupler 102, the shoulder support members 30 reach their active position resting now on the stops 31 of the housing 2. (see figure 5c).

[0053] Once the shoulder supports 30 have reached their active position the apparatus 1 is lifted with respect to the tubular 100 which causes the shoulder 103 of the tubular 100 to come to firmly bear on the support members 30 (see figures 5d and e).

[0054] It is preferred that only now the hydraulic actuator 70 is operated to press the clamping jaws 20 downward, so that the coupler is tightly gripped by the jaws 20 (see figure 5f).

[0055] It will be appreciated that as soon as the shoulder support members 30 are in their active position any risk of the tubular 100 falling out of the apparatus 1 is avoided. Also the support members 30 hold the coupler 102 in its place when the jaws 20 are forced with great force downward along the coupler 102 to obtain the tight grip.

[0056] A preferred detail of the support members 30 is that in the active position the contact surface with the shoulder 30 is located above the pivot axis 31, with the effect that any downward movement of the tubular 100 results in a tighter clamping of the shoulder by said support members 30.

[0057] The present invention also relates to a downhole tubular gripping and suspending apparatus adapted for gripping a downhole tubular and suspending said downhole tubular fDrom said apparatus, said downhole tubular having a tubular pipe section of essentially uniform diameter and a top end of said tubular having a coupler for interconnecting tubulars, said top end of said tubular also having an exterior shoulder,
wherein said apparatus comprises:

• a housing having a reception chamber with a bottom opening for introducing said top end of said tubular and a part of the tubular pipe section into the reception chamber via said bottom opening;
• external tubular gripping means including:

• a plurality of tubular gripping members mounted on said housing and adapted to grip the exterior of the tubular pipe section,
• actuating means that allow displacement of said tubular gripping members between an inactive position, wherein said top end of said tubular can be introduced into said reception chamber, and an active position, wherein said tubular is gripped by said tubular gripping members;
• shoulder support means including:

• one or more shoulder support members mounted on said housing and adapted to engage beneath said shoulder of a tubular top end received in said reception chamber,
• actuating means that allow displacement of said shoulder support members between an inactive position, wherein said top end of said tubular can be introduced into said reception chamber, and an active position, wherein each shoulder support members engages beneath said shoulder.

Claims

1. Downhole tubular gripping and suspending apparatus (1) adapted for gripping a downhole tubular and suspending said downhole tubular (100) from said apparatus, said tubular having a tubular pipe section (101) of essentially uniform diameter and a top end of said tubular having a coupler (102) for interconnecting tubulars, said coupler having an enlarged diameter part and said top end of said tubular also having an exterior shoulder (103),
wherein said apparatus comprises:

- a housing (2) having a reception chamber (5) with at least a bottom opening (6) for introducing said top end of said tubular into the reception chamber via said bottom opening;

- external coupler gripping means including:

- one or more coupler gripping members (20) moveable mounted on said housing and adapted to grip an exterior of the enlarged diameter part of the coupler (102) of a tubular top end received in said reception chamber (5),

- actuating means (40,41,42,43,50,70) that cause movement of said one or more coupler gripping members between an inactive position, allowing introduction of said top end of said tubular into said reception chamber, and an active position, wherein said coupler is gripped by said coupler gripping members;

characterized in that said apparatus further comprises - shoulder support means including:

- one or more shoulder support members (30) moveable mounted on said housing (2) and adapted to engage under said shoulder (103) of a tubular top end received in said reception chamber,

- actuating means (35,40,41,42,43,50,70) that allow displacement of each shoulder support member between an inactive position, allowing introduction of said top end of said tubular into said reception chamber, and an active position, wherein each shoulder support member (30) engages under said shoulder (103).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein multiple shoulder support members (30) are provided, distributed about the reception chamber (5) for the tubular top end, so as to engage under the shoulder (103) at circumferentially spaced support locations.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each shoulder support member (30) is pivotable about an associated pivot axis (31), preferably about a pivot axis (31) in a plane at right angles to the tubular to be supported, preferably between a raised inactive position and a lowered active position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the housing (2) provides a stop (32) for abutment of the shoulder support member (30) in its active position, so that the force by the tubular on the shoulder support is directly transferred to the housing (2).

5. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims,
wherein multiple coupler gripping members (20) are provided, distributed around the reception chamber (5) for the tubular top end, so as to engage on the coupler (102) at circumferentially spaced locations.

6. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims,
wherein a coupler gripping member is a clamping jaw (20), slidable along an associated guide (21) of the housing (2), preferably said guide forming a guide surface tapering to a reduced diameter in the direction of the bottom opening so that when the clamping jaw advances towards said bottom opening said clamping jaw moves into its active position and a clamping surface of said clamping jaw grips the coupler.

7. Apparatus according to claims 3 and 6, wherein the shoulder support members (30) are each linked, e.g. via an associated connector rod (35), to a clamping jaw (20) in order to achieve actuation of the shoulder support members through actuation of the clamping jaws, preferably such that first the shoulder support members (30) reach their active position, where after the shoulder (103) is brought to bear on these shoulder support members (e.g. by lifting the apparatus (1) ), and then the clamping jaws (20) are brought into their active position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each clamping jaw (20) is connected by an associated connecting rod (40) to a common ring member (41) which is slideable with respect to the housing (2).

9. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims,
wherein an actuator (50,70) is provided for the common ring member, preferably including a spring (50) urging the common member (41) towards a position corresponding to the active position of the clamping jaws (20) and, for example, a power actuator (70) to move the common ring member (41) towards a position corresponding to the inactive position of the clamping jaws, e.g. a hydraulic actuator.

10. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims,
wherein the apparatus (1) includes a central shaft (3) fitted to the housing (2), which central shaft is provided with a connector for connecting the central shaft to a motor of a top drive drilling mechanism.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the central shaft is provided with a central fluid channel (80) extending from an upper mouth to a fluid connector device extending in the reception chamber, said fluid connector device (85-87) being adapted to connect to the tubular so as to establish a fluid connecting between said tubular and said central fluid channel, e.g. to feed drilling mud into the tubular during drilling operations.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the fluid connector comprises a tube part (85) connected to the housing and in communication with the central fluid channel, said tube part being insertable into the top end of the tubular, a sealing arrangement (86,87) being provided for establishing a fluid seal between said tube part and the tubular top end.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sealing arrangement includes a sealing ring (86) extending around the tube part and slideable with respect to said tube part along a sliding section thereof, while maintaining a fluid seal between said ring and said tube part, said ring being dimensioned to sealingly engage the top end of the tubular, preferably a spring biasing means (87) being provided for urging said sealing ring in engagement with said tubular.

14. A top drive mechanism including a body suspendable in a drilling rig for vertical movement, e.g. along a vertical guide fitted in said drilling rig, said top drive mechanism further including a motor having a rotatable output member, and further including an apparatus according to any of the claims 1-13 for gripping and suspending a downhole tubular connected to said body so as to allow the vertical motion of a downhole tubular as well as rotary motion of the downhole tubular.

15. A drilling rig for use in oil and gas drilling including an apparatus for gripping and suspending a downhole tubular according to one or more of the preceding claims or a top drive mechanism according to claim 14.

16. Method of drilling and/or servicing a well bore for oil and/or gas, wherein use is made of an apparatus for gripping and suspending a downhole tubular according to one or more of the preceding claims.

Ansprüche

1. Bohrlochrohr-Greif- und -Aufhängungsvorrichtung (1), die dazu ausgelegt ist, ein Bohrlochrohr zu greifen und das Bohrlochrohr (100) von der Vorrichtung herabhängen zu lassen, wobei das Rohr einen Röhrenabschnitt (101) mit im Wesentlichen gleichmäßigem Durchmesser besitzt, wobei ein oberes Ende des Rohrs eine Kupplung (102) für die Verbindung von Rohren miteinander besitzt, wobei die Kupplung einen Abschnitt mit vergrößertem Durchmesser besitzt und wobei das obere Ende des Rohrs außerdem eine Außenschulter (103) besitzt,
wobei die Vorrichtung umfasst:

- ein Gehäuse (2), das eine Aufnahmekammer (5) mit wenigstens einer unteren Öffnung (6) zum Einführen des oberen Endes des Rohrs in die Aufnahmekammer durch die untere Öffnung besitzt;

- äußere Kupplungsgreifmittel, die umfassen:

- ein oder mehrere Kupplungsgreifelemente (20), die an dem Gehäuse beweglich angebracht und dazu ausgelegt sind, eine Außenseite des Abschnitts mit vergrößertem Durchmesser der Kupplung (102) des oberen Endes des Rohrs, das in der Aufnahmekammer (5) aufgenommen ist, zu greifen,

- Betätigungsmittel (40, 41, 42, 43, 50, 70), die eine Bewegung des einen oder der mehreren Kupplungsgreifelemente zwischen einer inaktiven Position, in der das Einführen des oberen Endes des Rohrs in die Aufnahmekammer möglich ist, und einer aktiven Position, in der die Kupplung durch die Kupplungsgreifelemente ergriffen ist, hervorrufen;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung ferner umfasst:

- Schulterunterstützungsmittel, die enthalten:

- ein oder mehrere Schulterunterstützungselemente (30), die an dem Gehäuse (2) beweglich angebracht und dazu ausgelegt sind, unter der Schulter (103) eines oberen Endes des Rohrs, das in der Aufnahmekammer aufgenommen ist, in Eingriff zu gelangen,

- Betätigungsmittel (35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 50, 70), die die Verlagerung jedes Schulterunterstützungselements zwischen einer inaktiven Position, die das Einführen des oberen Endes des Rohrs in die Aufnahmekammer ermöglicht, und einer aktiven Position, in der das Schulterunterstützungselement (30) unter der Schulter (103) in Eingriff ist, ermöglichen.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei mehrere Schulterunterstützungselemente (30) vorgesehen sind, die um die Aufnahmekammer (5) für das obere Ende des Rohrs verteilt sind, um unter der Schulter (103) an in Umfangsrichtung beabstandeten Unterstützungsorten in Eingriff zu gelangen.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei jedes Schulterunterstützungselement (30) um eine zugeordnete Schwenkachse (31), vorzugsweise um eine Schwenkachse (31) in einer Ebene senkrecht zu dem zu unterstützenden Rohr, vorzugsweise zwischen einer erhöhten inaktiven Position und einer abgesenkten aktiven Position, schwenkbar ist.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Gehäuse (2) einen Anschlag (32) bereitstellt, an dem das Schulterunterstützungselement (30) in seiner aktiven Position anliegt, so dass die Kraft durch das Rohr auf die Schulterunterstützung direkt an das Gehäuse (2) übertragen wird.

5. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei mehrere Kupplungsgreifelemente (20) vorgesehen sind, die um die Aufnahmekammer (5) für das obere Ende des Rohrs verteilt sind, um an der Kupplung (102) an in Umfangsrichtung beabstandeten Orten in Eingriff zu gelangen.

6. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei ein Kupplungsgreifelement eine Klemmbacke (20) ist, die längs einer zugeordneten Führung (21) des Gehäuses (2) gleiten kann, wobei die Führung vorzugsweise eine Führungsoberfläche bildet, die sich in Richtung zur unteren Öffnung zu einem reduzierten Durchmesser verjüngt, so dass sich die Klemmbacke dann, wenn sie sich zu der unteren Öffnung vorwärts bewegt, in ihre aktive Position bewegt und eine Klemmoberfläche der Klemmbacke die Kupplung ergreift.

7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 und 6, wobei die Schulterunterstützungselemente (30) beispielsweise über eine zugeordnete Verbindungsstange (35) mit einer Klemmbacke (20) verbunden sind, um eine Betätigung der Schulterunterstützungselemente durch Betätigung der Klemmbacken zu erzielen, vorzugsweise derart, dass Erste der Schulterunterstützungselemente (30) ihre aktive Position erreichen, woraufhin die Schulter (103) dazu veranlasst wird, sich auf diesen Schulterunterstützungselementen (z. B. durch Anheben der Vorrichtung (1)) abzustützen, und woraufhin dann die Klemmbacken (20) in ihre aktive Position gebracht werden.

8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei jede Klemmbacke (20) durch eine zugeordnete Verbindungsstange (40) mit einem gemeinsamen Ringelement (41) verbunden ist, das in Bezug auf das Gehäuse (2) gleiten kann.

9. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche wobei für das gemeinsame Ringelement ein Betätigungselement (50, 70) vorgesehen ist, das vorzugsweise eine Feder (50), die das gemeinsame Element (41) in eine der aktiven Position der Klemmbacken (20) entsprechende Position drängt, und beispielsweise ein Kraftbetätigungselement (70), z. B. ein hydraulisches Stellglied, um das gemeinsame Ringelement (41) in eine Position zu bewegen, die der inaktiven Position der Klemmbacken entspricht, enthält.

10. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Vorrichtung (1) eine mittige Welle (3) umfasst, die am Gehäuse (2) angebracht ist, wobei die mittige Welle mit einem Verbinder versehen ist, um die mittige Welle mit einem Motor eines oberirdischen Bohrantriebsmechanismus zu verbinden.

11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, wobei die mittige Welle mit einem mittigen Fluidkanal (80) versehen ist, der sich von einer oberen Mündung zu einer Fluidverbindervorrichtung erstreckt, die sich in der Aufnahmekammer erstreckt, wobei die Fluidverbindervorrichtung (85-87) dazu ausgelegt ist, mit dem Rohr verbunden zu werden, um eine Fluidverbindung zwischen dem Rohr und dem mittigen Fluidkanal herzustellen, um beispielsweise Bohrschlamm während des Bohrbetriebs in das Rohr zu leiten.

12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, wobei der Fluidverbinder einen mit dem Gehäuse verbundenen Rohrabschnitt (85) umfasst, der mit dem mittigen Fluidkanal kommuniziert, wobei der Rohrabschnitt in das obere Ende des Rohrs einsetzbar ist, wobei eine Dichtungsanordnung (86, 87) vorgesehen ist, um eine Fluiddichtung zwischen dem Rohrabschnitt und dem oberen Ende des Rohrs herzustellen.

13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Dichtungsanordnung einen Dichtungsring (86) enthält, der sich um den Rohrabschnitt erstreckt und in Bezug auf den Rohrabschnitt längs eines Gleitabschnitts hiervon gleiten kann, wobei sie eine Fluiddichtung zwischen dem Ring und dem Rohrabschnitt aufrechterhält, wobei der Ring so bemessen ist, dass er mit dem oberen Ende des Rohrs in einem dichten Eingriff ist, wobei vorzugsweise ein Federvorbelastungsmittel (87) vorgesehen ist, um den Dichtungsring in einen Eingriff mit dem Rohr zu drängen.

14. Oberirdischer Antriebsmechanismus, der einen Körper enthält, der in einem Bohrturm beispielsweise längs einer in dem Bohrturm angebrachten vertikalen Führung für eine vertikale Bewegung aufgehängt werden kann, wobei der oberirdische Antriebsmechanismus ferner einen Motor mit einem drehbaren Abtriebselement und ferner eine Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-13 enthält, um ein Bohrlochrohr, das mit dem Körper verbunden ist, zu greifen und aufzuhängen, um die vertikale Bewegung des Bohrlochrohrs sowie die Drehbewegung des Bohrlochrohrs zu ermöglichen.

15. Bohrturm für die Verwendung beim Ölbohren und Gasbohren, der eine Vorrichtung zum Greifen und Aufhängen eines Bohrlochrohrs nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche oder einen oberirdischen Antriebsmechanismus nach Anspruch 14 enthält.

16. Verfahren zum Bohren und/oder Warten eines Bohrlochs für Öl und/oder Gas, wobei eine Vorrichtung zum Greifen und Aufhängen eines Bohrlochrohrs nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche verwendet wird.

Revendications

1. Appareil (1) de préhension et de suspension d'un tube de fond de puits, ledit appareil étant adapté pour saisir un tube de fond de puits et suspendre ledit tube de fond de puits (100) audit appareil, ledit tube ayant une section de tube (101) de diamètre sensiblement uniforme et une extrémité supérieure dudit tube possédant un coupleur (102) destiné à relier des tubes entre eux, ledit coupleur ayant une partie de plus grand diamètre et ladite extrémité supérieure dudit tube possédant également un épaulement extérieur (103),
ledit appareil comprenant :

- un boîtier (2) ayant une chambre de réception (5) dotée d'au moins une ouverture inférieure (6) destinée à introduire ladite extrémité supérieure dudit tube dans la chambre de réception via ladite ouverture inférieure ;

- un ou plusieurs éléments de préhension de coupleur (20) montés de façon déplaçable sur ledit boîtier et adaptés pour saisir l'extérieur de la partie de plus grand diamètre du coupleur (102) d'une extrémité supérieure de tube reçue dans ladite chambre de réception (5),

- des moyens d'actionnement (40, 41, 42, 43, 50, 70) qui déplacent ledit un ou lesdits plusieurs éléments de préhension de coupleur entre une position inactive, permettant d'introduire ladite extrémité supérieure dudit tube dans ladite chambre de réception, et une position active, dans laquelle ledit coupleur est saisi par lesdits éléments de préhension de coupleur ;

caractérisé en ce que ledit appareil comprend en outre des moyens de support d'épaulement incluant :

- un ou plusieurs éléments de support d'épaulement (30) montés de façon déplaçable sur ledit boîtier (2) et adaptés pour s'engager sous ledit épaulement (103) d'une extrémité supérieure de tube reçue dans ladite chambre de réception,

- des moyens d'actionnement (35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 50, 70) qui permettent de déplacer chaque élément de support d'épaulement entre une position inactive, permettant d'introduire ladite extrémité supérieure dudit tube dans ladite chambre de réception, et une position active, dans laquelle chaque élément de support d'épaulement (30) s'engage sous ledit épaulement (103).

2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel il est prévu de multiples éléments de support d'épaulement (30) qui sont répartis autour de la chambre de réception (5) destinée à l'extrémité supérieure de tube, de manière à ce qu'ils s'engagent sous l'épaulement (103) à des emplacements de support espacés sur la circonférence.

3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel chaque élément de support d'épaulement (30) est apte à pivoter autour d'un axe de pivot associé (31), de préférence autour d'un axe de pivot (31) situé dans un plan perpendiculaire au tube à supporter, de préférence entre une position inactive soulevée et une position active abaissée.

4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le boîtier (2) fournit une butée (32) servant d'appui à l'élément de support d'épaulement (30) dans sa position active, de sorte que la force exercée par le tube sur le support d'épaulement est directement transférée au boîtier (2).

5. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel il est prévu de multiples éléments de préhension de coupleur (20) qui sont répartis autour de la chambre de réception (5) destinée à l'extrémité supérieure de tube, de manière à ce qu'ils s'engagent sur le coupleur (102) à des emplacements espacés sur la circonférence.

6. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel un élément de préhension de coupleur est une mâchoire de serrage (20), apte à coulisser le long d'un guide associé (21) du boîtier (2), de préférence ledit guide formant une surface de guidage qui diminue jusqu'à atteindre un diamètre réduit dans la direction de l'ouverture inférieure de sorte que, lorsque la mâchoire de serrage avance en direction de ladite ouverture inférieure, ladite mâchoire de serrage se déplace jusque dans sa position active et une surface de serrage de ladite mâchoire de serrage saisit le coupleur.

7. Appareil selon les revendications 3 et 6, dans lequel les éléments de support d'épaulement (30) sont chacun reliés de façon articulée, par exemple par le biais d'une bielle associée (35), à une mâchoire de serrage (20) afin d'actionner les éléments de support d'épaulement en actionnant les mâchoires de serrage, de préférence de telle sorte que en premier lieu les éléments de support d'épaulement (30) atteignent leur position active, puis l'épaulement (103) est amené en appui sur ces éléments de support d'épaulement (par exemple en soulevant l'appareil (1)), et enfin les mâchoires de serrage (20) sont amenées dans leur position active.

8. Appareil selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans lequel chaque mâchoire de serrage (20) est raccordée, par une bielle associée (40), à un élément annulaire commun (41) qui est apte à coulisser par rapport au boîtier (2).

9. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel un actionneur (50, 70) est prévu pour l'élément annulaire commun, ledit actionneur incluant de préférence un ressort (50) poussant l'élément commun (41) en direction d'une position correspondant à la position active des mâchoires de serrage (20) et, par exemple, un actionneur assisté (70) pour déplacer l'élément annulaire commun (41) en direction d'une position correspondant à la position inactive des mâchoires de serrage, par exemple un actionneur hydraulique.

10. Appareil selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'appareil (1) inclut un arbre central (3) adapté au boîtier (2), lequel arbre central est doté d'un raccord destiné à raccorder l'arbre central à un moteur d'un mécanisme d'entraînement supérieur pour le forage.

11. Appareil selon la revendication 10, dans lequel l'arbre central est doté d'un canal hydraulique central (80) s'étendant d'une embouchure supérieure à un dispositif de raccordement hydraulique s'étendant dans la chambre de réception, ledit dispositif de raccordement hydraulique (85 à 87) étant adapté pour être raccordé au tube de manière à réaliser un raccordement hydraulique entre ledit tube et ledit canal hydraulique central, par exemple pour introduire de la boue de forage dans le tube pendant les opérations de forage.

12. Appareil selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le dispositif de raccordement hydraulique comprend une partie tubulaire (85) raccordée au boîtier et en communication avec le canal hydraulique central, ladite partie tubulaire pouvant être insérée dans l'extrémité supérieure du tube, un système d'étanchéité (86, 87) étant prévue pour réaliser une étanchéité hydraulique entre ladite partie tubulaire et l'extrémité supérieure du tube.

13. Appareil selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le système d'étanchéité inclut une bague d'étanchéité (86) s'étendant autour de la partie tubulaire et apte à coulisser par rapport à ladite partie tubulaire le long d'une section de coulissement de celle-ci, tout en réalisant une étanchéité hydraulique entre ladite bague et ladite partie tubulaire, ladite bague étant dimensionnée de façon à s'engager de manière étanche avec l'extrémité supérieure du tube, de préférence un moyen de poussée à ressort (87) étant prévu pour pousser ladite bague d'étanchéité et l'amener en engagement avec ledit tube.

14. Mécanisme d'entraînement supérieur incluant un corps apte à être suspendu dans une tour de forage pour effectuer un mouvement vertical, par exemple le long d'un guide verticale monté dans ladite tour de forage, ledit mécanisme d'entraînement supérieur incluant en outre un moteur qui possède un élément de sortie rotatif, et incluant en outre un appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13 destiné à saisir et suspendre un tube de fond de puits raccordé audit corps de manière à permettre le déplacement vertical d'un tube de fond de puits ainsi que le mouvement de rotation du tube de fond de puits.

15. Tour de forage destinée à être utilisée dans le forage de puits de pétrole et de gaz, incluant un appareil de préhension et de suspension d'un tube de fond de puits selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes ou un mécanisme d'entraînement supérieur selon la revendication 14.

16. Procédé de forage et/ou de réparation d'un puits de pétrole et/ou de gaz, dans lequel l'on utilise un appareil de préhension et de suspension d'un tube de fond de puits selon l'une ou plusieurs de revendications précédentes.

Drawing