Patent Publication Number: US-11384608-B2

Title: Tubular lift ring

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/678,294 filed May 31, 2018 and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/427,275 filed May 30, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates generally to tools for rig drilling equipment in the field of oil and gas wells, and more specifically to an apparatus for safely transporting oilfield tubulars, and more particularly to an apparatus to raise and/or lower a length of oilfield tubulars and/or for otherwise safely moving a length of oilfield tubulars. 
     II. Description of the Prior Art 
     Conventional drilling operations for hydrocarbon exploration, exploitation and production utilize many lengths of individual tubulars which are made up into a string, where the tubulars are connected to one another by means of screw threaded couplings provided at each end. Various operations require strings of different tubulars, such as drill pipe, casing and production tubing. 
     The individual tubular sections are made up into the required string which is inserted into the ground by a make up/break out unit, where the next tubular to be included in the string is lifted into place just above the make up/break out unit. A first conventional method of doing this uses a single joint elevator system which attaches or clamps onto the outside surface of one tubular section and which then lifts upwards. A second conventional method for doing this utilizes a lift nubbin which comprises a screw thread which engages with the box end of the tubular such as a drill pipe, and the lift nubbin and tubular are lifted upwards by a cable. However, this second method in particular can be relatively dangerous since the lift nubbin and tubular will tend to sway uncontrollably as they are being pulled upwards by the cable. 
     Once lifted into place, conventional drilling rigs utilize a make up/break out system to couple/decouple the tubular pipe sections from the tubular string. A conventional make up/break out system comprises a lower set of tongs, which are brought together to grip the lower pipe like a vice, and an upper set of tongs which firstly grip and then secondly rotate the upper pipe relative to the lower pipe and hence screw the two pipes together. In addition to this conventional make up/break out system, a conventional drilling rig utilizes a rotary unit to provide rotation to the drill string to facilitate drilling of the borehole, where the conventional rotary unit is either a rotary table provided on the drill rig floor or a top drive unit which is located within the drilling rig derrick. 
     In order to position a tubular and hoist it into place, elevators are generally employed (using a threaded collar as a contact point for the lift), enabling the tubular to be lifted into place, connected to a string of tubulars, and run into a wellbore. Again, one type of elevator is a slip type elevator, sometimes referred to as a “MYC/HYC” elevator. The slip-type elevator includes slips, which may have teeth or be non-marking, that engage the outer diameter of the tubular. Typically, the slips are pushed radially inward into engagement with the outer diameter of the tubular. The radial force is provided by an axial engagement between a setting plate and an upset or shoulder, generally at the end of the shoulder. Using a tapered interface, the axial engagement of the setting plate with the upset in translated into a radially-inward force on the slips, causing the slips to engage the tubular. As noted, another type of elevator utilizes a cable that connects to a lift nubbin which comprises a screw thread which engages with the box end of the tubular, and the lift nubbin and tubular are lifted upwards by the cable. 
     More particularly, in order to transfer a tubular from a horizontal position (i.e., as stored) to a vertical position (for being made-up and run in) using the so-called lift nubbin, a threaded insert or lift nubbin, is threaded into the swaged box. The lift nubbin has a larger diameter at the top, which serves as the upset for the elevator. While providing adequate tubular placement, this design typically requires the use of a special bored side door to correctly interface with the tubular of the lift nubbin, due to the larger outer diameter of the swaged box. Additionally, slip-type elevators are generally not acceptable for use with the swaged box tubulars, because the taper of the swaged box may cause the slips of the elevator to engage the tapered region of the swaged box, resulting in an incomplete engagement of the outer diameter of the tubular. This, in turn, can result in increased local stress in the areas where the slips engage. 
     Furthermore, due to the proprietary tubular threads, the prior art so-called nubbins are typically manufactured and provided by the tubular manufacturer. As such, the manufacturer essentially has a monopoly on same and can assign whatever cost basis it desires. 
     The present disclosure overcomes the disadvantages of presently available tubular lift mechanisms. Accordingly, it is a general object of this disclosure to provide an improved tubular lift device. 
     It is another general object of the present disclosure to provide a tubular lift ring. 
     It is a more specific object of the present disclosure to provide a tubular lift ring that can be utilized by any type of tubular, regardless of the manufacturer. 
     It is still another more specific object of the present disclosure to provide a lockable tubular lift ring. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a tubular lift ring having an outside and an inside diameter which define an upset for a cooperating elevator. The ring includes internal threads for threading over an end portion of a ring thread machined tubular. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure there is also provided a tubular positioning combination having a tubular member with external threads on one end and a portion thereof including lift ring threading. A tubular lift ring having an outside and an inside diameter which define an upset for a cooperating elevator. The ring includes internal threads for threading over the end portion of the ring thread machined tubular. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure there is also provided a method for positioning a tubular for making up a tubular connection including machining a ring threads over a portion of the external threads of a tubular, threading a lift ring having internal threads and an upset, on the portion of the tubular, securing the lift ring in place, engaging the tubular with an elevator having a setting plate that contacts the upset of the ring and then clamps about the tubular, and lifting the tubular into place. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side plan view of a rig floor with a tubular lift ring according to the principles of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the elevator of  FIG. 1  is the open position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the elevator of  FIG. 1  in the closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged frontal perspective view of the tubular lift ring according to the principles of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the ring and tubular of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a frontal perspective view of the tubular lift ring of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the ring of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is another cross-sectional view of the tubular lift ring threaded on a tubular. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more embodiments of the subject disclosure will now be described with the aid of numerous drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, use of specific terms will be understood to include multiple versions and forms thereof. 
     The tubular lift ring of the present disclosure can be utilized in many tubular applications in the oil and gas industry. While an integral joint tubing string and a collared joint connected string will be discussed herein, it will be appreciated that other types of make up and break out applications can be improved upon with this ring. With respect to an integrated joint tubing, there are typically external threads at one end and internal threads at the other. Accordingly, this type of oil pipe string can be connected without the use of tubular couplings. Cylindrical surface, conical surface, spherical surface and reverse circular cone step surfaces may be arranged successively on the outer end of the external thread and inner end of the internal thread parts. These metal surfaces form a sealing structure at the first step. On the other side of the external and the internal joints there is a second step which forms the major anti-torque step. The second step and the first step form a double-step structure. On the other hand, and with respect to a collar connected string, successive tubular external pin threads are coupled to a collar therebetween. 
     In any event, and turning now to the Figures, and in particular  FIG. 1 , a side plan view of a rig floor  10  is shown with a tubular lift ring  12  utilized to make up a collared tubular string connection  14 . The tubular  16  is positioned above the top  18  of the string such that the bottom pin end threads  34  are coupled via collar  20  before progressing down the borehole  22 . 
     Positioning of successive tubulars is accomplished with the use of the lift ring  12 . With the ring  12  coupled to one end of the tubular  16 , a slip type elevator  24 , for example, compresses the tubular  16  and the tubular is then hoisted by the top drive or the rig draw works. More particularly, the two halves  26  and  28  of the elevator  24  are opened,  FIG. 2 , and then slidably fastened around the circumference of the tubular. When the elevator traverses towards the top end of the tubular  16 , the raised setting plate  30  contacts the lift ring  12 , the springs (not shown) inside the elevator compress and bite the teeth/dies  32  on the outside diameter of the tubular  16 . Use of a raised setting plate increases the length from the elevator to the teeth/dies that bite the tubular so that it does not damage the area where the threads  34  have been cut into the tubular (the so-called critical area). Once bit, the entire weight of the tubular (and perhaps tubular string) is applied to the dies and tubular and not the lift ring  12 . Typically, only approximately 500 lbs of force is needed to compress the springs. 
     Essentially,  FIG. 1-3  illustrate an exemplary use of the tubular lift ring  12  of the present disclosure.  FIGS. 4-8  will now particularly describe the specifics of the tubular lift ring  12  itself. The ring includes an outside diameter  48 , an inside diameter  50 , and a height  52 . The difference between the outside diameter  48  and the inside diameter  50  define the thickness or the upset  38  of the ring. In order to use the subject tubular lift ring, the tubular needs cooperating tubular ring threads. These tubular ring threads are machined over a portion of the tubular pin threads  34  as provided by the manufacturer of the tubular. More specifically, these tubular ring threads are machined through a conventional automated die threading process so as to match the internal threads of the ring  12 . As such, the ring  12  may be used with any type of tubular, regardless of its threaded connection. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the tubular lift ring  12  threaded on the threaded coupling  34  of a joint casing  16 . It is threaded on the tubular ring threads until hand tight.  FIG. 5  shows the ring  12  threaded and tightened down to a flange  36  of the ring which is generally butted against the end of the tubular. The shoulder or upset  38  of the lift ring  12  is preferably sized to the American Petroleum Institute collar specifications for the particular size of the tubular it is being threaded into. It is this upset that is used as a stoppage point for the lifting elevator to pick up the tubular. 
     The threads  40  on the inside of the ring  12 , see  FIG. 6 , cooperate with the machined tubular ring threading  42  above the tubular threading  44 , see  FIG. 8 . The ring  12  is installed by threading it into the machined tubular ring threading  42  and securing it thereon via a securement bolt or lock screw  46 . This threaded connection and lock screw engagement of the tubular gives the lift ring  12  strength. 
     In make up operation, the elevator  24  encloses the tubular near the end having the subject lift ring  12 . Once the raised setting plate  30  of the elevator contacts the upset  38  of the ring, the elevator compresses the outer circumference of the tubular and the rig draw lifts the tubular into place above the previously connected tubular. 
     As such, the tubular lift ring of the present disclosure provides an advantageous method of making up a tubular string that can be utilized by the entire industry. First, after receiving a number of tubular members having external tubular threading at one end, an end portion of that threading is threaded over to provide external tubular ring threads that enable the tubular lift ring to be threaded on the end of the tubular and then securely locked in place. Once locked, the tubular is slidably engaged with an elevator near the ring end. When the setting of the elevator contacts the offset of the ring, the elevator clamps the outside diameter of the tubular and can then lift the tubular into place above the borehole. 
     The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom. Accordingly, while one or more particular embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention if its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.