Patent Publication Number: US-10760356-B2

Title: Drill pipe guide system and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/171,151, entitled “DRILL PIPE GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD,” filed Jun. 4, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Present embodiments relate generally to the field of drilling and processing of wells, and, more particularly, to a drill pipe system and method for guiding a drill pipe into a wellbore. 
     In conventional oil and gas operations, a drilling rig is used to drill a wellbore to a desired depth using a drill string, which includes drillpipe, drill collars and a bottom hole drilling assembly. During drilling, the drill string may be turned by a rotary table and kelly assembly or by a top drive to facilitate the act of drilling. As the drill string progresses down hole, additional drillpipe is added to the drill string. 
     During drilling of the well, the drilling rig may be used to insert joints or stands (e.g., multiple coupled joints) of drillpipe into the wellbore (e.g., a surface wellbore or a subsea wellbore). Similarly, the drilling rig may be used to remove drillpipe from the wellbore. As an example, during insertion of drillpipe into the wellbore by a traditional operation, each drillpipe element (e.g., each joint or stand) is coupled to an attachment feature that is in turn lifted by a traveling block of the drilling rig such that the drillpipe element is positioned over the wellbore or over a subsea wellhead beneath an offshore drilling rig or ship. An initial drillpipe element may be positioned in the wellbore or sea and held in place by gripping devices near the rig floor, such as slips. Subsequent drillpipe elements may then be coupled to the existing drillpipe elements in the wellbore or sea to continue formation of the drill string. Once attached, the drillpipe element and remaining drill string may be held in place by an elevator and released from the gripping devices (e.g., slips) such that the drill string can be lowered into the wellbore or towards subsea equipment at the sea floor. As the drill string is lowered into the wellbore or sea, umbilical cables or lines may be positioned adjacent to the drill string and clamped to the drill string. The umbilical cables or lines supply various supplies, such as air pressure, electrical power, hydraulic power, fiber optics, or other supplies to components within the wellbore and/or subsea components. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a drill pipe guide system includes a support structure configured to be positioned on a rig floor, an articulating arm coupled to the support structure, wherein the articulating arm is configured to pivot relative to the support structure, and a clamp coupled to the articulating arm, wherein the clamp is configured to encircle a drill string and limit radial movement of the drill string as the drill string is lowered beneath the rig floor. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method includes coupling a tubular to a drill string to be run into a wellbore with a tubular rotation system, positioning an umbilical cable against the drill string with an umbilical guide system, encircling the drill string with a clamp of a drill pipe guide system, and running the drill string through slips in a drilling rig floor, wherein the clamp of the drill pipe guide system comprises an inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the slips in the drilling rig floor. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a system includes a support structure configured to be positioned on a drillship floor, wherein the support structure comprises a base, a plurality of lateral sides extending from the base, an articulating arm coupled to the support structure, wherein the articulating arm is configured to pivot relative to the support structure, and a clamp disposed at a distal end of the articulating arm, wherein the clamp is configured to be disposed about a drill string and limit radial movement of the drill string as the drill string is lowered beneath the drillship floor. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a well being drilled, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill pipe guide system and an umbilical guide system for use in assembling and lowering a drill string, illustrating operation of the drill pipe guide system and umbilical guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic top view of a drill pipe guide system, illustrating a drill string positioned within the drill pipe guide system and a slip system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a drill pipe guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of a drill pipe guide system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for guiding a drill string and/or drill pipe elements into a wellbore and/or into a sea or ocean towards subsea equipment. As mentioned above, drill pipe elements are joined to one another to form a drill string and are lowered into a wellbore or into the sea or ocean towards subsea equipment at the sea floor. As the drill string is assembled and lowered, umbilical lines or cables may be added to the drill string and clamped thereto. As the drill string and umbilical cables are lowered, the drill string passes through slips on a floor of the drilling rig that may hold the drill string in place when the slips are actuated. In certain embodiments, a passage of the slips through which the drill string passes may have an inner diameter that is relatively large compared to an outer diameter of the drill string (e.g., to permit passage of clamps for umbilical lines), thereby enabling undesired movement of the drill string (e.g., within the slips, wellbore, and/or ocean). Thus, present embodiments include a drill pipe guide system (e.g., drill string guide system) configured to limit movement (e.g., radial movement) of the drill string as drill pipe elements and umbilical cables are added to the drill string and the drill string is lowered into the ocean or into a wellbore. More specifically, the drill pipe guide system is a floor-mounted or modular system with an articulating arm having a clamp or guide hand that is positioned about the drill string. The clamp has an inner diameter that is generally smaller than an inner diameter of the passage of the slips through which the drill string passes. Thus, the clamp limits the movement (e.g., radial movement) of the drill string as umbilicals are added to the drill string and as the drill string is lowered into the ocean or wellbore. 
     The floor-mounted configuration of the drill pipe guide system enables modularity and portability of the drill pipe guide system. For example, the drill pipe guide system may not require mounting to a derrick or other component of a drilling rig or ship. Additionally, the portability of the floor-mounted drill pipe guide system may enable the drill pipe guide system to be positioned at any location about the circumference of the drill string or slips. In other words, the drill pipe guide system may be positioned anywhere on a rig floor, thereby increasing convenience and flexibility when using the drill pipe guide system. When the drill pipe guide system is not in use, the drill pipe guide system may readily be positioned away from the slips and drill string for storage until the drill pipe guide system is used again. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a schematic of a drilling rig  10  in the process of drilling a well in accordance with present techniques. The drilling rig  10  features a rig floor  12  and a derrick  14  extending above the rig floor  12  (e.g., a drill ship floor). The drilling rig  10  may be land-based or sea-based. For example, the drilling rig  10  may be placed on a ground surface or may be part of a floating platform or drill ship. A supply reel  16  supplies drilling line  18  to a crown block  20  and traveling block  22  configured to hoist various types of drilling equipment above the rig floor  12 . The drilling line  18  is secured to a deadline tiedown anchor  24 , and a drawworks  26  regulates the amount of drilling line  18  in use and, consequently, the height of the traveling block  22  at a given moment. Below the rig floor  12 , a drill string  28  extends downward into a wellbore  30  (or ocean above the wellbore  30 ) and is held stationary with respect to the rig floor  12  by a rotary table  32  and slips  34 . In certain embodiments, the rotary table  32  and/or the slips  34  may be flush-mounted in the rig floor  12 . A portion of the drill string  28  extends above the rig floor  12 , forming a stump  36  to which another length of tubular  38  may be added. A top drive  40  (e.g., tubular rotation system), hoisted by the traveling block  22 , positions the tubular  38  above the wellbore before coupling with the tubular  38 . The top drive  40 , once coupled with the tubular  38 , may then lower the coupled tubular  38  toward the stump  36  and rotate the tubular  38  such that it connects with the stump  36  and becomes part of the drill string  28 . Specifically, the top drive  40  includes a quill  42  used to turn the tubular  38  or other drilling equipment. 
       FIG. 1  further illustrates a drill pipe guide system  44  positioned on the rig floor  12 . As mentioned above, the drill pipe guide system  44  is configured to limit movement (e.g., radial movement) of the drill string  28  as tubulars  38  and umbilical cables are added to the drill string  28  and the drill string  28  is lowered into the ocean and/or into the wellbore  30 . As shown, the drill pipe guide system  44  is a floor-mounted or modular system that is positioned on the rig floor  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drill pipe guide system  44  is shown off to the side away from the rotary table  32 , slips  34 , and drill string  28 . However, the drill pipe guide system  44  may be positioned adjacent to the rotary table  32  and slips  34  when use of the drill pipe guide system  44  is desired. Operation of the drill pipe guide system  44  is described in further detail below. 
     It should be noted that the illustration of  FIG. 1  is intentionally simplified to focus on the drill pipe guide system  44  that is described in detail below. Many other components and tools may be employed during the various periods of formation and preparation of the well. Similarly, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the orientation and environment of the well may vary widely depending upon the location and situation of the formations of interest. For example, rather than a generally vertical bore, the well, in practice, may include one or more deviations, including angled and horizontal runs. Similarly, while shown as a surface (land-based) operation, the well may be formed in water of various depths, in which case the topside equipment may include an anchored or floating platform. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the drill pipe guide system  44  positioned on the rig floor  12  adjacent to the slips  34  and the drill string  28 . The drill pipe guide system  44  also includes an umbilical guide system  50  positioned on the rig floor  12  adjacent to the slips  34  and the drill string  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drill pipe guide system  44  includes a base  52 , support arms  54 , and an articulating arm  56 . The articulating arm  56  is shown in a retracted position. As discussed below, the articulating arm  56  is configured to extend from the support arms  54  to enable guiding of the drill string  28  into the wellbore  30 , which may be underwater. Specifically, a clamp  59  of the drill pipe guide system  44  is disposed at a distal end of the articulating arm  56 , and the clamp  59  is configured to be disposed about and/or partially/fully encircle the drill string  28  as the drill string  28  is lowered into the ocean and/or wellbore  30 . The clamp  59  has an internal diameter that is less than an internal diameter of the slips  34 , which enables the clamp  59  to restrict radial movement of the drill string  28  as the drill string  28  is lowered through the slips  34 . 
     The umbilical guide system  50  is also shown in a retracted position. The umbilical guide system  50  includes a base  58 , an extension arm  60 , and a guide bracket  62  disposed at a distal end of the extension arm  60 . The extension arm  60  may include one or more linkages  64  configured to pivot and/or extend relative to the base  58  and one another to enable guidance of one or more umbilical cables  66  against the drill string  28 . As mentioned above, both the drill pipe guide system  44  and the umbilical guide system  50  are floor mounted systems positioned adjacent to the drill string  28 . In other words, drill pipe guide system  44  and the umbilical guide system  50  each sit on the rig floor  12  adjacent to the drill string  28  being assembled and are not mounted to another component of the drilling rig  10  (e.g., the derrick  14 ). However, it should be noted that the drill pipe guide system  44  and/or the umbilical guide system  50  may include a base plate configured to engage other equipment, such as a drilling rig platform, a flush mounted slip or spider system (e.g., slips  34 ), or other component on the drilling rig floor  12  (e.g., drill ship floor). Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the drill pipe guide system  44  and the umbilical guide system  50  are separate systems. However, in other embodiments, the drill pipe guide system  44  and the umbilical guide system  50  may be integrated with one another to form a single system. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the drill pipe guide system  44  and the umbilical guide system  50  positioned on the rig floor  12 , illustrating the umbilical guide system  50  guiding and positioning umbilical cables  66  adjacent to the tubular  38  that has been added to the drill string  28 . The articulating arm  56  of the drill pipe guide system  44  is still in a retracted position. To guide and position the umbilical cables  66  adjacent to the tubular  38  and the drill string  28 , the extension arm  60  of the umbilical guide system  50  may be actuated to pivot relative to the base  58  and capture the umbilical cables  66 . Specifically, the extension arm  60  may be articulated such that side flanges  70  of the guide bracket  62  are disposed on either side of the umbilical cables  66 . With the umbilical cables  66  disposed between the side flanges  70 , the extension arm  60  may be further actuated to push the umbilical cables  66  against the drill string  28 . Once the umbilical cables  66  are positioned adjacent to the drill string  28 , the umbilical cables  66  may be clamped to the drill string  28  to secure the umbilical cables  66  and limit movement of the umbilical cables  66  relative to the drill string  28  as the drill string  28  is lowered into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of the drill pipe guide system  44  and the umbilical guide system  50  positioned on the rig floor  12 , illustrating the articulating arm  56  of the drill pipe guide system  44  in a deployed or extended position. The articulating arm  56  may be deployed from the support arms  54  by pivoting relative to the support arms  54 , extending (e.g., telescoping) from the support arms  54 , or another mechanism. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamp  59  disposed at the distal end of the articulating arm  56  is positioned about the drill string  28 . In other embodiments, the articulating arm  56  and clamp  59  of the drill pipe guide system  44  may be deployed before the umbilical cables  66  are positioned adjacent to the drill string  28  and/or clamped to the drill string  28 . In some embodiments, the umbilical cables  66  may be positioned and clamped to the drill string  28  while the articulating arm  56  and clamp  59  of the drill pipe guide system  44  are simultaneously deployed. With the articulating arm  56  of the drill pipe guide system  44  deployed and the clamp  59  positioned about the drill string  28 , the drill string  28  may be further lowered into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean, and the clamp  59  of the drill pipe guide system  44  may limit radial movement of the drill string  28 . In some embodiments, the umbilical guide system  50  may be retracted before the drill string  28  is lowered. Once the drill string  28  is lowered a desired amount, the clamp  59  may be released, and the articulating arm  56  may be retracted to enable coupling of another tubular  38  to the drill string  28 . 
     In some embodiments, the umbilical guide system  50  may be a component of the floor-mounted drill pipe guide system  44 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the drill pipe guide system  44  includes the base  52  that sits on the rig floor  12 , the support arms  54  extend from the base  52 , and both the articulating arm  56  and the extension arm  60  of the umbilical guide system  50  are coupled to the support arms  54 . However, other embodiments and configurations are contemplated and fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the drill pipe guide system  44  that may be used during assembling and lowering of the drill string  28  into the wellbore  30  and/or towards subsea equipment at a sea floor. As shown, the tubular  38  is being lowered towards the drill string  28  that is held in place within the wellbore  30  or within the ocean by the slips  34  (e.g., flush mounted slips). The drill pipe guide system  44  and the umbilical guide system  50  are shown in retracted positions. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the drill pipe guide system  44  is shown mounted on an outer ring  100  of the flush mounted slips  34  on the rig floor  12  of the drilling rig  10  (e.g., drill ship). In certain embodiments, the outer ring  100  may be rotatable about the flush mounted slips  34 , and the outer ring  100  may have mounts that secure the drill pipe guide system  44  and/or the umbilical guide system  50  to the floor  12  of the drilling rig  10  or ship. In certain embodiments, the base  52  of the drill pipe guide system  44  may have a plate or other mount that has a curved surface configured to engage, mate, or mount to the outer ring  100  of the flush mounted slips  34 . 
     After the tubular  38  is lowered to the drill string  28  (e.g., to the stump  36  of the drill string  28 ), the tubular  38  may be joined (e.g., threaded) to the drill string  28 . For example,  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the drilling rig  10 , illustrating a pipe joint system  102  that may be used to join (e.g., thread) the tubular  38  to the drill string  28 . For example, the pipe joint system  102  may rotate the tubular  38  or the drill string  28  to thread the tubular  38  to the drill string  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drill pipe guide system  44  and the umbilical guide system  50  are still in retracted positions. 
     Once the tubular  38  is added to the drill string  28 , the pipe joint system  102  may retract. Thereafter, the umbilical guide system  50  may be used to guide the umbilical cables  66  toward and against the drill string  28  with the recently-added tubular  38 . For example,  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the drilling rig  10 , illustrating the umbilical guide system  50  guiding the umbilical cables  66  toward the drill string  28 . As described above, the guide bracket  62  disposed at the distal end of the extension arm  60  may capture the umbilical cables  66  to direct the umbilical cables  66  to be adjacent to the drill string  28 . In particular, the linkages  64  of the extension arm  60  may be manipulated or controlled to position the guide bracket  62  adjacent to the umbilical cables  66 , such that the umbilical cables  66  are positioned between the side flanges  70  of the guide bracket  62 . 
     Once the umbilical cables  66  are positioned adjacent to the drill string  28 , the umbilical cables  66  are clamped to the drill string  28 . For example,  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the umbilical cables  66  clamped to the drill string  28  with an umbilical clamp  110 . The umbilical guide system  50  may hold the umbilical cables  66  against or adjacent to the drill string  28  until the umbilical clamp  110  is coupled to the drill string  28  to secure the umbilical cables  66  to the drill string  28 . In certain embodiments, the umbilical guide clamp  110  may be manually coupled to the drill string  28  to secure the umbilical cables  66  to the drill string  28 . In other embodiments, the umbilical guide system  50  may be configured to apply the guide clamp  110  to the drill string  28 . For example, the guide bracket  62  may be configured to carry the guide clamp  110  and couple the guide clamp  110  to the drill string  28 . 
     With the umbilical cables  66  clamped and secured to the drill string  28 , the drill pipe guide system  44  may be deployed and clamped to and/or disposed about the drill string  28  (e.g., drill pipe). In particular, the drill pipe guide system  44  is deployed and clamped to the drill string  28  prior to the drill string  28  being lowered into the wellbore  30  and/or into the ocean.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the drilling rig  10 , illustrating the articulating arm  56  in a partially deployed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the articulating arm  56  rotates or pivots relative to the support arms  54  of the drill pipe guide system  44  from a retracted position to a deployed position. In certain embodiments, the articulating arm  56  may additionally or alternatively include a telescoping configuration. For example, after the articulating arm  56  may pivot from a retracted position to a deployed position, the articulating arm  56  may telescope or extend outwards, such that the clamp  59  of the articulating arm  56  is positioned adjacent to the drill string  28 . In particular, the clamp  59  may be positioned adjacent to the drill string  28  but above umbilical clamp  110  and/or above or before abutment of the umbilical cables  66  against the drill string  28 . Additionally, in the position shown in  FIG. 10 , the clamp  59  has an opening  114  configured to receive the drill string  28 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the drilling rig  10 , illustrating the drill pipe guide system  44  with the clamp  59  in a partially actuated position. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp  59  has an outer housing  120  and an inner ring  122  (e.g., inner arc) or arcuate member. To position the clamp  59  about the drill string  28 , the inner ring  122  or arcuate member may be rotated relative to the outer housing  120  of the clamp  59 . For example, the outer housing  120  and the inner ring  122  may have gears, bearings, pistons, and/or other mechanisms to enable relative rotation of the outer housing  120  and inner ring  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing  120  has an upper portion  124  and a lower portion  126 . The inner ring  122  of the clamp  59  is disposed axially between the upper portion  124  and the lower portion  126 . However, in other embodiments, the outer housing  120  and the inner ring  122  may have other configurations. For example, the inner ring  122  may include two or more arcuate segments configured to rotate relative to the outer housing  100  to cooperatively encircle or capture the drill string  28 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the drilling rig  10 , illustrating the drill pipe guide system  44  with the inner ring  122  or arcuate member of the clamp  59  further rotated relative to the outer housing  120 .  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the drilling rig  10 , illustrating the drill pipe guide system  44  with the clamp  59  fully actuated. In other words, the inner ring  122  or arcuate member of the clamp  59  has rotated relative to the outer housing  120 , such that the outer housing  120  and inner ring  122  cooperatively and fully encircle the drill pipe  28 . As mentioned above, the clamp  59  (e.g., the outer housing  120  and the inner ring  122 ) may have an inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the passage of the slips  34  or other passage through which the drill string  28  travels as the drill string is lowered. The inner diameter of the clamp  59  is also greater than an outer diameter of the drill string  28 . As a result, the clamp  59  limits radial movement of the drill string  28  as the drill string  28  is lowered (e.g., into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean) but also allows axial movement of the drill string  28  through the clamp  59 . In certain embodiments, the clamp  59  may include features to enable or facilitate axial movement of the drill string  28  (e.g. movement of the drill string  28  into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean). For example, an inner diameter of the clamp  59  (e.g., the outer housing  120  and/or the inner ring  122 ) may include bearings (e.g., ball bearings), rollers, or other features to enable or facilitate axial movement of the drill string  28  through the clamp  59 . 
     In certain embodiments, the flush mounted slips  34  may also include guide features to reduce radial movement of the drill string  28  as the drill string  28  is lowered into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean. For example,  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the flush mounted slips  34 , illustrating two guide plates  140  positioned opposite one another across the drill string  28 . The guide plates  140  may move radially relative to the drill string  28 . For example, just before the drill string  28  is lowered into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean, the guide plates  140  may be moved radially inward relative to the drill string  28 , as indicated by arrows  142 . In this manner, the guide plates  140  (e.g., inner, curved surfaces  144  of the guide plates  140 ) cooperatively form a reduced inner diameter through which the drill string  28  passes as the drill string  28  is lowered. In this manner, undesired radial movement of the drill string  28  during lowering of the drill string  28  may be reduced. While the illustrated embodiment includes two guide plates  144 , other embodiments may include other numbers of guide plates  144 , such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more guide plates  144 . Moreover, the guide plates  144  may be spaced equidistantly or generally equidistantly apart from one another about a circumference of the drill string  28 . 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic top view of the drill string  28 , illustrating relative dimensions of the drill string  28 , the clamp  59  of the drill pipe guide system  44 , and the passageway of the slips  34  or other passage through which the drill string  28  travels as the drill string  28  is lowered in to the wellbore  30  and/or ocean. As shown, the drill string  28  has an outer diameter  150  (e.g., 6⅝″), and the drill pipe guide system  44  (e.g., clamp) has an inner diameter  152  (e.g., 8, 9, or 10″) that is smaller than an inner diameter  154  of the slips  34  (e.g., 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20″ or more) or other passageway through which the drill string  28  passes as the drill string  28  is lowered into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean. It should be noted that the inner diameter  154  of the slips  34  may be sufficiently large to accommodate passage of umbilical clamps  110  through the passageway of the slips  34 . Thus, when the clamp  59  is positioned about the drill string  28 , the clamp  59  and the drill pipe guide system  44  may limit radial movement of the drill string  28  within the slips  34  or other passageway. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the drill pipe guide system  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drill pipe guide system  44  includes a self-contained support structure  150 , such as a cage, box, or other structure that may support the articulating arm  56 . For example, the articulating arm  56  having the clamp  59  may be supported by the support structure  150  (e.g., via a hinge or other pivotable connection. The support structure  150  contains a base  152 , a plurality of lateral sides  154 , and a top  156  to substantially fully contain the articulating arm  56  and clamp  59  when the articulating arm  56  is in a retracted position. In certain embodiments, one or more portions of the lateral sides  154  and/or the top  156  may have an opening, screen, wire mesh, or other surface to enable an operator to see into the support structure  150 . 
     A front side  158  of the support structure  150  includes an opening  160  through which the articulating arm  56  and clamp  59  may extend (e.g., via pivoting and/or telescoping linkages) when the articulating arm  56  is in a deployed position. As will be appreciated, the box configuration of the support structure  150  may provide additional stability for the drill pipe guide system  44  and/or drill string  28  during operation (e.g., during guiding of the drill pipe  28  into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean) in inclement weather (e.g., when the drill pipe guide system  44  is in use on a drill ship). The top  156  of the support structure  150  also includes a loop, eye, or hook  162  that may be used during transportation of the drill pipe guide structure  44  (e.g., via a crane). 
       FIG. 17  is a front view of the drill pipe guide system  44  having the self-contained support structure  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the articulating arm  56  and the clamp  59  are shown in a partially deployed or extended position. In the deployed or extending position, the articulating arm  56  and clamp  59  extend through the window  160  in the front side  158  of the support structure  150 . As with the previously discussed embodiments, the drill pipe guide system  44  having the support structure  150  may be placed adjacent to the slips  34  and drill string  28 , such that the deployed articulating arm  56  and clamp  59  may receive and encircle the drill string  28  to limit radial movement of the drill string  28  as the drill string  28  is lowered into the wellbore  30  and/or ocean. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the clamp  59  also includes features (e.g., rollers  164 ) to enable and facilitate axial movement of the drill string  28  through the clamp  59 . Additionally, the support structure  150  includes a control panel  166  that may provide connections to couple one or more control features or actuation mechanisms to the drill pipe guide system  44 . For example, the control panel  166  may include connections for hydraulics, electronics, communications, or other systems that may be used to operate the drill pipe guide system  44  (e.g., actuation of the articulating arm  56  and/or the clamp  59 ). 
     As discussed, present embodiments include the drill pipe guide system  44  (e.g., drill string guide system) that limits movements (e.g., radial movement) of the drill string  28  as tubulars  38  and umbilical cables  66  are added to the drill string  28  and the drill string  28  is lowered into the ocean and/or into the wellbore  30 . In particular, the drill pipe guide system  44  is a floor-mounted system (e.g., having the base  52  and/or the self-contained support structure  150 ) with the articulating arm  56  having the clamp  59  or guide hand. The clamp  59  is positioned about the drill string  28  when the drill pipe guide system  44  is in a deployed position. The inner diameter  152  of the clamp  59  is generally smaller than the inner diameter  154  of the passage of the slips  34  through which the drill string  28  passes as the drill string  28  is lowered. Thus, the clamp  59  limits the movement (e.g., radial movement) of the drill string  28  as umbilical cables  66  are added to the drill string  28  and as the drill string  28  is lowered into the ocean and/or wellbore  30 . The floor-mounted configuration of the drill pipe guide system  44  enables modularity and portability of the drill pipe guide system  44 . For example, the drill pipe guide system  44  may not require mounting to the derrick  14  or other component of the drilling rig  12  or ship. Additionally, the portability of the floor-mounted drill pipe guide system  44  may enable the drill pipe guide system  44  to be positioned at any location about the circumference of the drill string  28  or slips  34 . In other words, the drill pipe guide system  44  may be positioned anywhere on the rig floor  12 , thereby increasing convenience and flexibility when using the drill pipe guide system  44 . 
     While only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.