An apparatus for slip monitor and control includes a body; a plurality of slips; a transmitter for each slip; at least one receiver coupled to the body; and an actuator for each slip configured to move the respective slip vertically relative to the body. A method for slip monitor and control includes obtaining slip positional information for a plurality of slips; determining whether the slip positional information for each of the slips matches criteria; and sending one or more control signals to one or more actuators, each actuator configured to move one of the slips vertically relative to a body. A method for handling a tubular includes actuating a plurality of slips to move vertically relative to a body; engaging the tubular with at least one of the slips; measuring positional data of the plurality of slips; and identifying an offset pipe condition.

An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a first elevator segment and a second elevator segment, in which each of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment includes a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment.

An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a first elevator segment and a second elevator segment, in which each of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment includes a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment.

A tubular gripping apparatus includes a main bowl including a bore formed therethrough about an axis, and a movable bowl movably receivable within the main bowl. The movable bowl includes a bore formed therethrough about an axis with a tapered surface extending along the bore of the movable bowl, in which the tubular gripping apparatus further includes a plurality of slip assemblies movably receivable within the movable bowl, the plurality of slip assemblies configured to engage an outer surface of a tubular member.

A tubular gripping apparatus includes a main bowl including a bore formed therethrough about an axis, and a movable bowl movably receivable within the main bowl. The movable bowl includes a bore formed therethrough about an axis with a tapered surface extending along the bore of the movable bowl, in which the tubular gripping apparatus further includes a plurality of slip assemblies movably receivable within the movable bowl, the plurality of slip assemblies configured to engage an outer surface of a tubular member.

A tubular lift ring for positioning a tubular for making up a string. The ring includes internal threads that match a portion of the external threads on the end of the tubular. The ring further includes an upset that contacts the setting plate of an elevator for clamping about the tubular and lifting it into place above the borehole.

A tubular lift ring for positioning a tubular for making up a string. The ring includes internal threads that match a portion of the external threads on the end of the tubular. The ring further includes an upset that contacts the setting plate of an elevator for clamping about the tubular and lifting it into place above the borehole.

An apparatus for transferring torque comprising a pipe handling assembly configured to use fluid pressure to provide torque forces to set or release slips from a pipe. Set down force or other frictional measures on a pipe collar are not required. A method to create reactive torque force comprising a series of gears interconnected with each other through a clutch that can be engaged and disengaged. A link may be provided to a top drive rail via a gripperbox which provides reactive force to stop rotation of a power screw female (threaded nut) to facilitate threading action to set or release slips on pipe. Reactive force may be created using a plurality of axial pistons attached to a moveable half of a hirth coupling. Other friction-creating members (such as, for example, a brake pad material or similar material) may be used to create frictional forcesbetween two surfaces.

A method of deploying a jointed tubular string into a subsea wellbore includes lowering the tubular string into the subsea wellbore from an offshore drilling unit. The tubular string has a slip joint. The method further includes, after lowering, anchoring a lower portion of the tubular string below the slip joint to a non-heaving structure. The method further includes, while the lower portion is anchored: supporting an upper portion of the tubular string above the slip joint from a rig floor of the offshore drilling unit; after supporting, adding one or more joints to the tubular string, thereby extending the tubular string; and releasing the upper portion of the extended tubular string from the rig floor. The method further includes: releasing the lower portion of the extended tubular string from the non-heaving structure; and lowering the extended tubular string into the subsea wellbore.

A method of deploying a jointed tubular string into a subsea wellbore includes lowering the tubular string into the subsea wellbore from an offshore drilling unit. The tubular string has a slip joint. The method further includes, after lowering, anchoring a lower portion of the tubular string below the slip joint to a non-heaving structure. The method further includes, while the lower portion is anchored: supporting an upper portion of the tubular string above the slip joint from a rig floor of the offshore drilling unit; after supporting, adding one or more joints to the tubular string, thereby extending the tubular string; and releasing the upper portion of the extended tubular string from the rig floor. The method further includes: releasing the lower portion of the extended tubular string from the non-heaving structure; and lowering the extended tubular string into the subsea wellbore.