CA2389449C - Wrenching tong - Google Patents

Wrenching tong Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2389449C
CA2389449C CA002389449A CA2389449A CA2389449C CA 2389449 C CA2389449 C CA 2389449C CA 002389449 A CA002389449 A CA 002389449A CA 2389449 A CA2389449 A CA 2389449A CA 2389449 C CA2389449 C CA 2389449C
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tong
tubular
gripping
pinion
clamping
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002389449A
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French (fr)
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CA2389449A1 (en
Inventor
Bernd-Georg Pietras
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Weatherford Technology Holdings LLC
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Weatherford Lamb Inc
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Publication date
Application filed by Weatherford Lamb Inc filed Critical Weatherford Lamb Inc
Priority to CA002547944A priority Critical patent/CA2547944C/en
Publication of CA2389449A1 publication Critical patent/CA2389449A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2389449C publication Critical patent/CA2389449C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B19/00Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
    • E21B19/16Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B19/00Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
    • E21B19/16Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
    • E21B19/161Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe
    • E21B19/164Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe motor actuated

Abstract

Apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a first tong (1) for gripping the first tubular and a second tong (11) for gripping the second tubular, wherein the first tong is provided with teeth 14 around a peripheral surface thereof, the second tong is provided with at least one pinion (7), and the pinion meshes with the teeth in such a way that the first tong and the second tong can be rotated relative to one another when the pinion is rotated.

Description

Wrenching Tong This invention relates to wrenching tongs and other power tongs.

In the construction of oil or gas wells it is usually necessary to construct long drill pipes. Due to the length of these pipes, sections or stands of pipe are progressively added to the pipe as it is lowered into the well from a drilling platform.
In particular, when it is desired to add a section or stand of pipe the string is usually restrained from falling into the well by applying the slips of a spider located in the floor of the drilling platform. The new section or stand of pipe is then moved from a rack to the well centre above the spider. The threaded pin of the section or stand of pipe to be connected is then located over the threaded box of the pipe in the well and the connection is made up by rotation therebetween. An elevator is connected to the top of the new section or stand and the whole pipe string lifted slightly to enable the slips of the spider to be released. The whole pipe string is then lowered until the top of the section is adjacent the spider whereupon the slips of the spider are re-applied, the elevator disconnected and the process repeated.

It is common practice to use a power tong to torque the connection up to a predetermined torque in order to make this connection. The power tong is located on the platform, either on rails, or hung from a derrick on a chain. In order to make up or break out a threaded connection, a two tong arrangement is necessary. An active (or wrenching) tong supplies torque to the section of pipe above the threaded connection, while a passive (or back up) tong supplies a reaction torque below the threaded connection. The back up tong clamps the pipe below the threaded connection, and prevents it from rotating. This clamping can be performed mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically. The wrenching tong clamps the upper part of the connection and is driven so that it supplies torque for a limited angle.

This power tong arrangement is also used to torque up connections between other tubulars, for example casing and tubing.

11-12-2001 CA 02389449 2002-04-29 GB000438~
~~...~... ~0a1 15 :59 MARKS 9 CLERC N0. 7735 P. 2/8
2 Normally, in ordet to supply higb torque, the wrenehing tong is driven hydraulically. One or two hydraulic cylinders drive the tong through a smaIl angle, typically in the region of 25 , depending on the tong desiga Due to the geometric configuration normally used, the torque output of the tong changes as a sine fim.ction of the angle driven, which results in a reduction of torque output across the drive angto ofup to 15%.

Iu order to make up or break out a connection of modern drill pipe or casiag, high torque must be supplied over a large angle, This angle is sometimes six times higher than a convention.al wrcnehi,ng toug can sappiy. In order to overcome tbis, the wren..ching tong must gcip and wrench the tubular several times to tighten or break the threaded connection fully. This has a number of disadvantages. The action of gripping and releasing the pipe repeatedly can damage the pipe surface. Due to the bigh costs associated with the consttuction of oil and gab wells, time is critical, and the repeated clamping and unclamping of the wrenching tong greatly increases the time taken to attach each new section or stead of tubulars. It also has the effxt that the torque provided is discontinuous, increasing the difficulty of accuratoly controlling the torque with respect to the angle turned.

WO 93/18276 disclosos an apparatus for applying torque to a 5tst tubular relati,ve to a second tubufar. The apparahu comprises first and second tongs for gripping the fitst and second tubulars, respectively.

GB 2128526 disoloses a tong for gripping a tubular, driven by a pinion and gear.

GB 1215967 discloses a tool secured in rotary table slips, and tongs for coupliag end uncoup]ing tnbulaxs.

Accanding to a first aspect of the pzeseat invention there is provided apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a first tong for gripping the first tubular and a second tong for gripping the second tubular, wherein the first tong is provided with teeth around a peripberal AMENDED SHEET
ElDRf.ZE'it:11/19/'/IJiII I!'IIh C7-,t -- -OAO n nnn 2a surface thereof, the second tong is provided with at least one pinion, and the pinion meshes with the teeth in such a way that the first tong and the second tong can be rotated relative to one another when the pinion is rotated.

The present invention also provides apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a first tong for gripping the first tubular, the first tong comprising a plurality of hydraulically driven clamping jaws for gripping the first tubular, and a second tong for gripping the second tubular, wherein the first tong is provided with teeth around a peripheral surface thereof, the second tong is provided with at least one pinion, the at least one pinion meshes with the teeth in such a way that the first tong and the second tong can be rotated relative to one another when the pinion is rotated, each of the first and second tongs have an axial passage extending therethrough for receiving a tubular, and an opening is provided from an edge to the axial passage of each of the first and second tongs to allow the introduction of the tubular into the axial passage of each of the first and second tongs.

The present invention also provides apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a first gripping apparatus for gripping the first tubular, the first gripping apparatus comprising movable, hydraulically actuated clamping elements, a second gripping apparatus for gripping the second tubular, the second gripping apparatus rotatably coupled to the first gripping apparatus, and a drive mechanism attached to the first gripping apparatus and engaged with the second gripping apparatus, wherein actuation of the drive mechanism causes the first gripping apparatus to rotate relative to the second gripping apparatus.
Preferably the first tong is a back-up tong and the second tong is a wrenching tong. Both tongs are preferably substantially cylindrical, and an axial passage is preferably provided therethrough for receiving tubulars. A passage is preferably provided from a peripheral edge to the axial passage of each tong to allow the introduction of tubulars into the axial passage. The pinion is preferably located at or near the periphery of the
3 PCT/GBOO/04383 second tong. A motor may be provided on the second tong and coupled to the or each pinion.

The second tong is preferably provided with two pinions, although in another embodiment it may be provided with only one. The pinions are preferably located at or near the periphery of the second tong spaced by substantially 180 about the longitudinal axis of the tong. In another embodiment they may be spaced by substantially 120 about the longitudinal axis of the tong.

Preferably, the first tong comprises a plurality of hydraulically driven clamping jaws for gripping the first tubular and the second tong comprises a plurality of hydraulically driven clamping jaws for gripping the second tubular. Each jaw may be equipped with two or more dies, and is preferably attached to hydraulic driving means via a spherical bearing, although the jaw may be an integral part of the hydraulic driving means.

Bearings supported on resilient means are preferably provided between the first tong and the second tong to facilitate relative axial movement of the first and second tongs.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a gear and at least one pinion, and first clamping means for clamping the first tubular within the gear, the pinion being attached to second clamping means for clamping the second tubular, and the pinion meshing with the gear in such a way that the first clamping means and the second clamping means can be rotated relative to one another by rotating the pinion.

The first clamping means preferably comprise jaws mounted within the gear about an axial passage extending through the gear. The second clamping means preferably comprises jaws mounted within a clamping housing about an axial passage extending therethrough. A motor is preferably fixed to the clamping housing and coupled to the or each pinion.
4 PCT/GBOO/04383 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the method comprising:
clamping the first tubular in a first tong; clamping the second tubular in a second tong;
and rotating a pinion connected to the second tong and which meshes with teeth provided around a peripheral surface of the first tong so as to rotate the first tong relative to the second tong.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of coupling a tool to a length of tubular, the method comprising the steps of:
securing the tool in a basket;
lowering a tong arrangement having a rotary part and a stationary part, relative to the basket to engage respective locking members of the tong arrangement and the basket, thereby fixing the basket and the tool relative to the stationary part of the tong arrangement; and rotating the length of tubular using the rotary part of the tong arrangement so as to couple the tool to the length of tubular.

This method may be used to couple a tool such as a drill bit, to a length of drill pipe.
The coupling portion of the length of drill pipe may be brought into proximity with a corresponding coupling portion of the tool either before or after the lowering of the tong arrangement.

The length of drill string may be gripped by the rotary part of the tong arrangement either before or after the lowering of the tong arrangement. The length of drill string may be located proximate to the basket containing the tool either before or after the string is gripped by the rotary part of the tong arrangement.

By carrying out the steps of the above fourth aspect of the present invention in reverse (including rotating the length of tubing in the opposite direction), a tool may be decoupled from a length of tubular.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for enabling a tool to be secured to a length of drill pipe, the apparatus comprising:
5 PCT/GBOO/04383 a basket arranged to securely retain the tool;
a tong arrangement having a rotary portion and a stationary portion, the rotary portion being arranged in use to grip and rotate the length of tubular; and first locking means provided on the basket and second locking means provided on the stationary portion of the tong arrangement, the first and second locking means being engageable with one another to fix the basket relative to the stationary portion of the tong arrangement.

Preferably the first and second locking means are engageable and disengageble by means of linear movement of the tong arrangement relative to the basket.

Preferably, the basket is arranged to prevent rotation of the tool in the basket, wherein in use the rotary portion of the tong arrangement may be used to rotate the length of drill pipe to secure a screw connection between the length of drill pipe and the tool.

Preferably, one of the first and second locking means comprises one or more slots, and the other of the first and second locking means comprises one or more projecting members, the slots and the members being engageable and disengageable by relative linear movement of the tong arrangement and the basket.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a tong for use in clamping a length of tubular during the making up or breaking out of a connection, the tong comprising:
a body portion having a central opening therein for receiving a length of tubular; and at least two clamping mechanisms mounted in said body, the clamping mechanisms being radially spaced about said opening;
a plurality of elongate mounting members disposed between each of the clamping mechanisms and the body of the tong, each mounting member having a flat face for abutting a side of a clamping mechanism and a rounded side for locating in a complimentary shaped recess in the tong body, wherein each tong may be displaced to some extent from radial alignment with the central opening of the tong.
6 PCT/GBOO/04383 Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of an arrangement of a wrenching tong and a back-up tong;
Figure 2 is a side view of the wrenching tong and back-up tong of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view of the back-up tong of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cutaway view of the back-up tong of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a cutaway view of the wrenching tong of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a view of the wrenching tong and back-up tong of Figure 1 supported by a C-frame and fixed in a frame for handling equipment on tracks at a rig floor;

Figure 7 is a view of the wrenching tong and back-up tong of Figure 1 in use, with a tubular clamped in the wrenching tong;

Figure 8 is a view of an arrangement of an alternative wrenching tong and back-up tong;

Figure 9 is a view of an arrangement of a further alternative wrenching tong and back-up tong;

Figure 10 illustrates a modified tong arrangement;
Figure 11 illustrates a modified back-up tong;

Figure 12 illustrates in detail a clamping arrangement of the tong of Figure including support elements;
7 PCT/GBOO/04383 Figure 13 illustrates an arrangement for connecting a drill bit to a length of drill pipe;
Figure 14 illustrates the arrangement of Figure 13 during the connection operation;
and Figure 15 illustrates the arrangement of Figure 13 following completion of the connection operation.

Figures 1 and 2 show an arrangement of a composite wrenching tong and back-up tong. A wrenching tong 1 is generally in the form of a disc with an opening 2 through the centre thereof for receiving a stand of drill pipe (not shown), and a recess 3 cut from the edge to the opening 2 at the centre. The wrenching tong 1 is provided with two pinion drives 4 arranged opposite each other at the periphery of the disc, equally spaced either side of the recess 3. Each pinion drive comprises a drive motor 5, drive shaft 6, and pinion 7 attached to the drive shaft 6.

A back-up tong 11 is located beneath the wrenching tong 1. The back-up tong is generally in the form of a disc with similar dimensions to the wrenching tong 1.
The back-up tong is also provided with an opening 12 through the centre and a recess 13 from the edge to the opening at the centre. The opening 12 and recess 13 correspond to the opening 2 and recess 3 of the wrenching tong when the back-up tong 11 and the wrenching tong 1 are correctly aligned.

A plurality of guide rollers 10 or other guide elements are spaced around the edge of the wrenching tong 1 in order to maintain the alignment of the wrenching tong 1 with the back-up tong 11.

A gear 14 is provided around the periphery of the back-up tong 11, broken by the recess 13. The gear 14 meshes with the pinions 7 attached to the motors 5 on the wrenching tong, so that when the drive motors 5 drive the drive shafts 6 and gears 7, the wrenching tong 1 rotates relative to the back-up tong 11. The angle of rotation is limited by the recess 13 of the back up tong.
8 PCT/GBOO/04383 Figure 3 shows a back-up tong 11 before the wrenching tong is placed on top of it. The back-up tong 11 has a plurality of roller bearings 21, upon which the wrenching tong 1 is designed to be placed. The roller bearings 21 are supported by resilient means such as springs, elastic material or hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders, in order to support the wrenching tong during wrenching. During one wrenching cycle, the stands will move axially relative to one another as the connection is tightened.
The wrenching tong must follow the axial movement of the top stand during one wrenching cycle. This axial travel length depends on the pitch of the thread.

Three clamping jaws 8 equipped with dies 9 are located inside each of the wrenching tong 1 and back-up tong 11. These are hydraulically driven for clamping the drill pipe stand in place in the centre of the wrenching tong. The hydraulic power supply may be provided by lioses (not shown).

Figure 4 shows the clamping mechanism of the back-up tong 11. Three hydraulic pistons 16, comprising piston rods 17 and chambers 18, are located inside the casing of the back-up tong 11. Each piston rod 17 has an end 19 which is secured to the outside edge of the back-up tong 11. At the other end of the piston, the jaw 8 containing two dies 9 with teeth (not shown) is fixed to the chamber 18 by a spherical bearing 20. With the arrangement shown, each drill pipe stand is clamped by three jaws and six dies at the joint. The spherical bearings 20 enable the jaws and dies to match the pipe surfaces closely, resulting in a low penetration depth of the teeth of the dies into the pipe surface, and thus prolonging the life of the drill pipe.
The wrenching tong has a similar clamping jaw design, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows the wrenching tong 1 and back-up tong 11 supported by a C-frame 22 for handling at the rig. The C-frame 22 is in turn fixed in a frame 23 for handling the equipment on tracks at the rig floor. A drill pipe spinner 24 is mounted on the C-frame above the tongs for rotating a drill pipe stand at high speed.
In order to make a connection between two stands of drill pipe, the recesses 3 and 13 in the wrenching 1 and back-up 11 tongs are aligned (the tongs may already be in this configuration following the removal of the tongs from a previous section of
9 PCT/GBOO/04383 tubing). Two stands of drill pipe 25,26 are then introduced into the openings 2,12 in the wrenching and back-up tongs 1,11, respectively, through the recesses 3,13, and the lower stand 26 is clamped in position in the back-up tong 11. The upper stand 25 is introduced into the drill pipe spinner 24, and rotated at high speed in order to pre-tighten the threaded connection. The final high torque will be applied by the wrenching tong 1.

The upper stand 25 is now clamped in position in the opening 2 through the wrenching tong 1. The pinion drives 4 are then driven to torque the connection between the stands 25,26 until the connection is fully tightened or until one of the pinion drives 4 is at the edge of the recess 13, at which stage the wrenching tong 1 is at one end of its possible arc of travel relative to the back-up tong 11. The maximum wrenching angle which can be reached in one cycle in the embodiment shown is +/-75 . If necessary, the upper stand 25 can then be released from the wrenching tong 1, the tong returned to its original position, and the torquing process repeated.

To break a connection, the above operation is reversed.

An even larger wrenching angle can also be simply achieved with this arrangement, as shown in Figure 7. The stands of drill pipe 25,26 are introduced to the tongs 1,11 through the recesses 3,13 and pretightened using the drill pipe spinner 24 as described above. However, before the top stand 25 is clamped in place in the opening 2, the wrenching tong drive is reversed, and the wrenching tong 1 is driven to its end position relative to the back-up tong, as shown in Figure 7. The top stand 25 is now clamped with the tongs in this position, so that with the embodiment shown a wrenching angle of 150 is achievable.

Figure 8 shows a similar arrangement of a composite wrenching tong and back-up tong to that described above. However, in this case only one pinion drive 4 is used, which increases the possible wrenching angle to 300 .

Figure 9 shows another similar arrangement, with two pinion drives 4 being used as in Figures 1 to 7. This time the pinion drives 4 are not opposite each other,
10 PCT/GBOO/04383 but spaced 120 each side of the recess 3. This gives the advantage of the torque and control provided by two drives, but allows a higher wrenching angle than the arrangement of Figure 1. The maximum wrenching angle in this embodiment will be in the region of 210 .
The torque can be monitored by measuring the reaction torque at each drive by means of a load cell, or by measuring the pressure of the drive motor.

It is to be understood that other variations are possible while still falling within the scope of the invention. For example, the preferred embodiments show an arrangement whereby the pinion drives are mounted on the wrenching tong and the gear is mounted on the back-up tong. However, the arrangement could be the other way round with the pinion drives mounted to the back-up tong and the large gear mounted on the wrenching tong. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 10.

Alternatively, the wrenching tong could be provided with a gear, and the pinion drives mounted on the frame 24.

Hydraulic clamping cylinders are shown, but the tong could clamp the drill pipe stands by any known means.

The preferred embodiments show one or two pinion drives, but more could be used if arranged in a suitable configuration.

Although the preferred embodiments have been described in relation to tightening stands of drill pipe, it is to be understood that the arrangements described are suitable for applying torque to any tubular sections.

Figure 11 illustrates in partial section a modified back-up tong 40 which may replace the back-up tong 11 of the embodiment of Figure 1 to 9. The modified tong has only two jaws 41 associated with respective clamping arrangements 42. Each arrangement 42 is held in place within the main body 43 of the tong 40 by a set of four "pendulum" bolts 44. A clamping arrangement 42 associated with four
11 PCT/GBOO/04383 pendulum bolts 44 is illustrated in more detail in Figure 12 from which it can be seen that each bolt comprises a cylir:der cut in half along its longitudinal axis to provide a flat surface and a rounded surface. 'The flat surface of each bolt 44 abuts the side of the clamping arrangement 42, whilst the rounded side is located in a rounded recess 45 provided in the side of the main body 43 opposed to the clamping arrangement. It will be appreciated that as the bolts 44 are able to rotate within their respective recesses in the tong body 43, each clamping arrangement 42 may pivot slightly about its centre. This allows the jaws 41 to conform to the outer surface of a tubular to be clamped when the tubular is for example not perfectly cylindrical.

Figure 13 illustrates apparatus which can be used in association with a tong arrangement 49 to connect and disconnect a tool such as a drill bit to and from a length of tubular such as a drill pipe. The apparatus comprises a basket 50 which is arranged in use to be placed on the floor of a drilling rig. The basket 50 has an opening in the top thereof for receiving a tool 51 which is to be connected to a length of tubular 52. The opening has a shape which is complimentary to the shape of the tool 51 such that the tool is held securely in an upright position and rotation of the tool within the basket 50 is prevented.

Two opposed sides of an upper plate of the basket 50 are provided with slots 53. These slots 53 are shaped to receive locking members 54 which project downwardly from the lower surface of the back-up tong 55 of the tong arrangement.
The operation to connect a tool will now be described.

As shown in Figure 13, the tool 51 is first located in the basket 50. The length of tubular 52 is moved to a position over the tool (Figure 14) and is lowered to bring the box of the tubular into engagement with the externally threaded coupling of the tool 51. At this point, the tong arrangement is brought up to the tubular 52 with the jaws of the rotary and back-up tongs being fully opened, and the tong is placed around the tubular 52. The tong arrangement is then lowered within its frame, to a position in which the locking members 54 are received by the respective receiving slots 53 of the basket 50. In this position, the basket is locked to the back-up tong. The jaws of the rotary tong are then clamped against the tubular 52 and the rotary tong rotated,
12 PCT/GBOO/04383 relative to the back-up tong, to tighten the threaded joint (Figure 15). The jaws of the rotary tong are then released, and the tong arrangement withdrawn from around the tubular. The tubular and the connected tool can then be liffted clear of the basket 50.

It will be appreciated that the tool 51 may be disconnected from the tubular by carrying out the same operation but in reverse.

Claims (29)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. Apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a first tong for gripping the first tubular and a second tong for gripping the second tubular;
wherein the first tong is provided with teeth around a peripheral surface thereof, the second tong is provided with at least one pinion, and the pinion meshes with the teeth in such a way that the first tong and the second tong can be rotated relative to one another when the pinion is rotated.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first tong is a back-up tong and the second tong is a wrenching tong.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each pinion is located at or near the periphery of the second tong.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first tong is substantially cylindrical.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second tong is substantially cylindrical.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the first and second tongs have an axial passage extending therethrough for receiving a tubular.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a passage is provided from the edge to the axial passage of each of the first and second tongs to allow the introduction of a tubular into the axial passage of each of the first and second tongs.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a motor is provided on the second tong and coupled to the or each pinion.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second tong is provided with two pinions.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pinions are located at or near the periphery of the second tong spaced by substantially 180° about the longitudinal axis of the tong.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pinions are located at or near the periphery of the second tong spaced by substantially 120° about the longitudinal axis of the tong.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second tong is provided with only one pinion.
13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first tong comprises a plurality of hydraulically driven clamping jaws for gripping the first tubular.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second tong comprises a plurality of hydraulically driven clamping jaws for gripping the second tubular.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein each jaw is equipped with two or more dies.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein each jaw is attached to hydraulic driving means via a spherical bearing.
17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the first tong and second tong each comprise a plurality of hydraulic driving means, each hydraulic driving means comprising a piston rod and a piston chamber, and the jaw is an integral part of the hydraulic driving means, the dies being placed in pockets in the piston chamber.
18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein bearings supported on resilient means are provided between the first tong and the second tong to support one tong on top of the other tong.
19. Apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising a gear and at least one pinion, and first clamping means for clamping the first tubular within the gear, wherein the pinion is attached to second clamping means for clamping the second tubular, and wherein the pinion meshes with the gear in such a way that the first clamping means and the second clamping means can be rotated relative to one another by rotating the pinion.
20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first clamping means comprises jaws mounted within the gear about an axial passage extending through the gear.
21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein the second clamping means comprises jaws mounted within a clamping housing about an axial passage extending therethrough..
22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a motor fixed to the clamping housing and coupled to the or each pinion.
23. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, for assembling downhole tubing.
24. A method of applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the method comprising:
clamping the first tubular in a first tong;
clamping the second tubular in a second tong; and rotating a pinion connected to the second tong and which meshes with teeth provided around a peripheral surface of the first tong so as to rotate the first tong relative to the second tong.
25. Apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising:
a first tong for gripping the first tubular, the first tong comprising a plurality of hydraulically driven clamping jaws for gripping the first tubular; and a second tong for gripping the second tubular;
wherein:
the first tong is provided with teeth around a peripheral surface thereof;
the second tong is provided with at least one pinion;
the at least one pinion meshes with the teeth in such a way that the first tong and the second tong can be rotated relative to one another when the pinion is rotated;
each of the first and second tongs have an axial passage extending therethrough for receiving a tubular; and an opening is provided from an edge to the axial passage of each of the first and second tongs to allow the introduction of the tubular into the axial passage of each of the first and second tongs.
26. Apparatus for applying torque to a first tubular relative to a second tubular, the apparatus comprising:
a first gripping apparatus for gripping the first tubular, the first gripping apparatus comprising movable, hydraulically actuated clamping elements;
a second gripping apparatus for gripping the second tubular, the second gripping apparatus rotatably coupled to the first gripping apparatus; and a drive mechanism attached to the first gripping apparatus and engaged with the second gripping apparatus;
wherein actuation of the drive mechanism causes the first gripping apparatus to rotate relative to the second gripping apparatus.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the movable clamping elements are radially movable.
28. The apparatus of claim 26 or 27, wherein the first gripping apparatus comprises an axial passage for receiving the first tubular and an opening in the periphery of the first gripping apparatus for accessing the axial passage.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first gripping apparatus further comprises a plurality of movable gripping elements for engaging the first tubular in the axial passage.
CA002389449A 1999-11-26 2000-11-17 Wrenching tong Expired - Fee Related CA2389449C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002547944A CA2547944C (en) 1999-11-26 2000-11-17 Wrenching tong

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9927825.1 1999-11-26
GB9927825A GB2356591B (en) 1999-11-26 1999-11-26 Wrenching tong
PCT/GB2000/004383 WO2001038688A1 (en) 1999-11-26 2000-11-17 Wrenching tong

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002547944A Division CA2547944C (en) 1999-11-26 2000-11-17 Wrenching tong

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2389449A1 CA2389449A1 (en) 2001-05-31
CA2389449C true CA2389449C (en) 2007-08-07

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CA002389449A Expired - Fee Related CA2389449C (en) 1999-11-26 2000-11-17 Wrenching tong

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AU (1) AU772533B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2389449C (en)
DE (1) DE60014955D1 (en)
GB (1) GB2356591B (en)
NO (2) NO336474B1 (en)
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US7958787B2 (en) 2006-08-24 2011-06-14 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Oilfield tubular torque wrench
US8042432B2 (en) 2006-08-24 2011-10-25 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Oilfield tubular torque wrench
US8074537B2 (en) 2006-09-08 2011-12-13 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings
US9097070B2 (en) 2006-08-25 2015-08-04 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Apparatus for automated oilfield torque wrench set-up to make-up and break-out tubular strings

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US6814149B2 (en) 1999-11-26 2004-11-09 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Apparatus and method for positioning a tubular relative to a tong
US7114235B2 (en) 2002-09-12 2006-10-03 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Automated pipe joining system and method
DE102008012667B4 (en) 2008-03-05 2014-06-26 Volkswagen Ag Front module for a motor vehicle and method for pre-assembly of the same
NO332054B1 (en) * 2008-06-05 2012-06-11 Norwegian Hard Rock Drilling As Device with mechanized wrench
WO2016074060A1 (en) * 2014-11-13 2016-05-19 2056203 Ontario Inc. Hydraulically actuable drill pipe wrench assembly
WO2016187702A1 (en) * 2015-05-27 2016-12-01 Miva Engineering Ltd. Spinning torque wrench
US20170314349A1 (en) * 2016-04-29 2017-11-02 Tesco Corporation Top drive powered differential speed rotation system and method
NL2021418B1 (en) * 2018-08-03 2020-02-12 Itrec Bv Power Tong
CN109986491A (en) * 2019-04-30 2019-07-09 山西建设投资集团有限公司 Round spanner for fast assembling-disassembling
CN114233217A (en) * 2021-12-28 2022-03-25 江苏如东金友机械有限公司 Magnetic force indentation-free multipurpose hydraulic clamp

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7958787B2 (en) 2006-08-24 2011-06-14 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Oilfield tubular torque wrench
US8042432B2 (en) 2006-08-24 2011-10-25 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Oilfield tubular torque wrench
US9097070B2 (en) 2006-08-25 2015-08-04 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Apparatus for automated oilfield torque wrench set-up to make-up and break-out tubular strings
US8074537B2 (en) 2006-09-08 2011-12-13 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings
US8490520B2 (en) 2006-09-08 2013-07-23 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings
US9404324B2 (en) 2006-09-08 2016-08-02 Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings

Also Published As

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GB9927825D0 (en) 2000-01-26
GB2356591A (en) 2001-05-30
EP1232323B1 (en) 2004-10-13
GB2356591B (en) 2003-10-15
EP1475513B1 (en) 2008-07-16
DE60014955D1 (en) 2004-11-18
WO2001038688A1 (en) 2001-05-31
EP1475513A1 (en) 2004-11-10
AU1404801A (en) 2001-06-04
NO20021924D0 (en) 2002-04-24
NO20150916A1 (en) 2002-07-03
AU772533B2 (en) 2004-04-29
EP1232323A1 (en) 2002-08-21
NO20021924L (en) 2002-07-03
CA2389449A1 (en) 2001-05-31
NO336474B1 (en) 2015-08-31

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