Patent Publication Number: US-7216716-B2

Title: Control line manipulating arm and method of using same

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/315,617, having a filing date of Dec. 10, 2002, issued on Jul. 26, 2005, as U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,931, and is related to United States Patent Application entitled Control Line Guide and Method of Using Same, Ser. No. 10/995,905 having a filing date of Nov. 24, 2004. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to running control lines and tubular strings into wellbores. More specifically, the present invention relates to protecting and manipulating control lines as they are attached to and inserted into wellbores with tubular strings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side elevated view of an embodiment of a control line manipulator according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates an expanded side, elevated view of the control line manipulator according to  FIG. 1 , showing more of the derrick and the control line path; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan view of a floor mounted embodiment of a control line manipulator according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 2  in a different operational position; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevated view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2  according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a side elevated view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A  according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an elevated pictorial, isometric view of a guide head of a control line manipulator according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates an elevated, side view of the guide head of a control line manipulator illustrated in  FIG. 4  according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a floor mounted embodiment of a control line manipulator according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 5  in a different operational position; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an elevated, side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates an elevated, side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a top plan view of a spider configured with a passage for control lines according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an elevated section of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  showing an embodiment of a control line protector and enclosure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a elevated, side view of an embodiment of a control line enclosure configured for a spider according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a top plan view, partly in cross section, of the device of  FIG. 9  in the open position according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 10  in an enclosing position according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a side, sectional view of a flap cover type of protector according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a top plan view of the flap cover type of protector according to  FIG. 12 ;  FIG. 14  illustrates a top plan view of a pivoting plate form of control line enclosure according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a sectional side view of a pivoting plate form of control line enclosure according to  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a general schematic view for automatic sequencing of the system according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is well known in drilling operations, including in the use of oilfield tubulars, that the tubulars are normally added one tubular at a time. Together, these tubulars are typically referred to as a tubular string. The tubulars are normally lifted and manipulated by an elevator which raises and lowers the tubulars and/or the tubular string. This operation further typically utilizes a spider which may be located on the rig floor, beneath the rig floor, or flush with the rig floor for holding the tubular string in place. Above the spider, normal operations may include various sets of tongs and/or other devices for manipulating the tubulars or the tubular string. The spider may include several different sets of slips for gripping the tubular or the tubular string and holding it in place. 
   Control lines may be operable downhole, on the rig floor, or in other areas. They are typically used to manipulate or operate control devices. Such lines may be encased in coiled tubing or other protective enclosures. They may include pressure hoses or any other type of lines or conduits. Such control lines may carry electrical signals, hydraulic and/or pneumatic fluids, chemicals or even gases, and are normally attached to the tubular strings and lowered into the wellbore by normally feeding the control line from a reel or other source. The control lines may be fed to the drilling rig through a sheave, a roller, or other guiding device which contacts the control lines above the spider. 
     FIGS. 1 and 1A  illustrate the relationships between the tubular string  7 , the control line  4 , a control line manipulating arm  3 , according to the present invention, and the derrick  1 . In this embodiment, one or more control lines  4  are fed to the derrick from a control line reel or other source  6  and typically pass through a control line sheave  5 , which may be positioned and attached to the rig high enough above the rig floor so as not to interfere with any other rig operations. It should be appreciated that the control line  4  may be a plurality of control lines. For convenience and clarity, the control line  4  will be described herein below in a singular form, but such description should not be viewed as limiting, since a plurality of control lines  4  is well within the scope of the invention described herein. It should further be appreciated, by those in the art, that as the control line  4  is manipulated by the manipulator arm  3 , the control line  4  shall follow different paths. For the purposes of clarity, when the manipulator arm  3  is in a retracted position, control line  4  will follow the path designated by the numeral  10 . When the manipulator arm is in the extended position, such that the control line  4  is positioned near the tubular string  7 , the path followed by the control line  4  is designated as  10 ′. For further clarity, control line  4  will be designated as  4 ′ when following path  10 ′. Typically, tubular string  7  is manipulated by elevator  26 , which raises and lowers tubular string  7  into and out of the wellbore through the use of a traveling block and associated hook, well known in the art. 
     FIG. 1  further illustrates a spider  12 , which may be a conventional spider that is mounted below the rig floor  2  or flush mounted with the rig floor  2  or may be any other gripping device which can hold the tubular string  7  in place. Preferably, after a new section of tubular has been connected to tubular string  7  via connector or collar  7   a , the manipulator arm  3  is extended, preferably by a telescoping action, and pushes control line  4  into path  10 ′. Preferably, manipulator arm  3  will extend far enough that control line  4 ′ in path  10 ′ is positioned very close to the tubular string  7 . Preferably, the control line  4 ′ will be attached by a clamp  18  or other device to the tubular string  7 . Such attachment of the control line  4 ′ to the tubular string  7  may preferably be above spider  12  or may be below spider  12 . After the control line  4 ′ has been attached to the tubular string  7 , elevator  26  will then begin lowering tubular string  7  into the wellbore, along with the attached control line  4 ′. As the elevator  26  continues its descent, the manipulator arm  3  will begin retracting and will move control line  4 ′ into the position of control line  4  and following path  10 . Thus, by the time the elevator  26  reaches a position near the rig floor  2 , the manipulator arm  3  will preferably have retracted and will have moved control line  4  out of the path of elevator  26 , thus preventing any contact and damage to the control line  4  by elevator  26 .  FIG. 1  also illustrates an optional guide  12   a.  Optional guide  12   a  is preferably mounted onto spider  12  and may comprise a set of rollers or may be another type of smooth surface which allows sliding contact between the control line  4  and the guide  12   a.  Preferably, the optional guide  12   a  provides a smooth transition for control line  4  as it passes through spider  12 . 
   The manipulator arm  3  is preferably mounted on the beam  1   a  on the derrick  1 . Preferably, the manipulator arm  3  is mounted at a convenient height such as to allow personnel to conduct work below the manipulator arm  3 . Preferably, the manipulator arm  3  is detachably mounted to the derrick in a conventional manner. It should be appreciated that the mounting of the manipulator arm  3  can also include swivel connections which would allow the arm to be moved or folded out of the way when not in use. It should be further appreciated that when manipulator arm  3  is mounted to the derrick, typically a rig specific mounting bracket may be designed such as to mount the manipulator arm  3  generally in the same plane vertical as the control sheave  5 . 
   Referring still to  FIG. 1  for a more detailed view of the manipulator arm  3 , the arm  3  preferably comprises a guide head  8 , at least one hydraulic cylinder  9 , and a telescoping beam  11 . The telescoping beam  11  allows the guide head  8  to move the control line  4  in a direction towards the tubular string  7  and away from the tubular string  7  as desired or necessary. It should be understood that the guide head  8  is preferably rigidly attached to the telescoping beam  11 . However, in other embodiments, the guide head  8  may be capable of swiveling either hydraulically or as required by the tension of the control lines  4 . The stroke length of the telescoping beam is preferably in a range of 48″. However, it should be appreciated that the stroke length of the telescoping beam  11  may vary as necessary due to rig design or rig space capabilities. Still further, the stroke length of the telescoping beam  11  should be such that when in the retracted position, the guide head  8  has moved far enough away from the tubular string  7  to avoid any interference with the elevator  26  or any other moving parts of the rig system. When in the extended position, the telescoping beam  11  should position the guide head  8  in close proximity to the tubular string  7 . Preferably, hydraulic cylinder  9 , which controls the extension and retraction of telescoping beam  11 , is hydraulically actuated from a remote console (not shown). However, it should be understood that the control of the hydraulic cylinder  9  may be a variety of means, including pneumatic actuation, hydraulic actuation, electric actuation, any combination of these, as well as any other conventional means. It should be further understood that the hydraulic cylinder  9  may be controlled with a hand-held remote control, as well as the remote console, not illustrated, but which can be located, as desired, on or near the rig floor  2 . 
   It should be appreciated that some rigs or derricks have limited space and may not have room for the mounting of the manipulator arm  3  on a beam such as the beam  1   a.  Another embodiment of the mounting of the manipulator arm  3  would preferably comprise a floor mounted manipulator arm designated as  103 , and illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A,  3 , and  3 A. The floor mounted arm  103  is preferably pinned to an adapter plate  15  but may also be attached by other conventional methods. The adapter plate  15  may be mounted to the spider  12 , such as by attachment pad eyes  16 . It should be appreciated that the adapter plate  15  may be mounted to the rig floor  2  or other convenient position. Preferably, this mounting method allows for the manipulator arm  103  to be mounted to a variety of different types of spiders. 
   As further illustrated by  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A,  3 , and  3 A, the manipulator arm  103  is preferably supported by a substantially vertical column  17 . Preferably, the manipulator arm  103  mounting includes pin connections such that the manipulator arm  103  could be raised or lowered into a stowed position when not in use, thus, not blocking the limited space in the derrick work area. It should be appreciated that manipulator arm  103  is mounted such as to be in substantially the same vertical plane as the control sheave  5 . The vertical column  17  may be attached to the adapter plate  15  in a variety of conventional ways, for example by welding or by the use of conventional fasteners such as threaded nuts and bolts. The attachment is preferably detachable so as to allow relatively easy assembly and disassembly of the structure. The vertical column  17  may also be pivotally mounted to allow the column  17  and the manipulator arm  103  to be tilted further out of the way of rig operations. Further, vertical column  17  may comprise a telescoping assembly to allow for the vertical adjustment of the manipulator arm  103 . Still further, vertical column  17  may be mounted so as to swivel or rotate relative to the mounting plate  15 .  FIG. 3A  also illustrates the control line clamp  18  which, as discussed herein above, may be installed above the spider  12 , as shown here, or below the spider  12 . It should be appreciated that  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a top view and side view respectively when the manipulator arm  103  is in the retracted position. Similarly,  FIGS. 2A and 3A  illustrate top and side views respectively when the manipulator arm  103  is in the extended position. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the guide head  8 . Guide head  8  is preferably attached to the telescoping beam  11  opposite the attachment of the beam  11  to the derrick or attachment to the vertical beam  17 . The guide head  8  preferably captures the control line  4  and allows for the manipulation of the control line  4  by the movement of the manipulator arm  3 ,  103 . Preferably, guide head  8  comprises a main body  31 , which may be attached to the telescoping beam  11  and a door section  32  which may be pivotally mounted on the body section  31 . Preferably, the body section  31  further comprises a set of rollers  33  and the door section  32  further comprises a set of rollers  33   a.  It should be appreciated that the rollers  33 ,  33   a  can be a variety of type of guides, including smooth surfaces or a variety of number and size of rollers. Preferably, the rollers  33 ,  33   a  are of a material that does not damage the control line  4 . Preferably, control line  4  is inserted into the control head  8  between the body section  31 , and the door section  32 . With the door section  32  in the closed position, the control line  4  is captured within the guide head  8  and may then be manipulated when the manipulator arm  3  extends or retracts. The rollers  33 ,  33   a  allow for the control line  4  to easily move through the control head  8  in a substantially unimpeded manner as the manipulator arm  3  is extended or retracted. 
   The guide head  8  may comprise other rollers or guides mounted on the outside of the main body  31  or the door section  32 .  FIG. 4  illustrates such rollers  34  which are mounted on the top of control head  8  and in a direction substantially perpendicular to rollers  33 ,  33   a.    FIG. 4A  illustrates a roller  35  mounted on the outside of door section  32 . Rollers  34  provide a guide for control line  4  when such control line  4  is positioned along the inner sides of the guide head  8 . The roller  35  may be used for guiding the control line  4  when the control line  4  is not captured inside the guide head  8 . Further, roller  35  may also be used as a pipe-stop roller to indicate when the guide head  8  has extended to a position proximate to tubular string  7 . It should be appreciated that other rollers, guides or stops may be mounted in a variety of positions in or about the guide head  8 . These rollers, guides, or stops will preferably facilitate the operation and functionality of the guide head  8 . It should be further understood that although rollers are the preferred method of guidance in the guide head  8 , other types of guides can be used to facilitate the efficient and damage-free movement of the control line  4  through or near the guide head  8 . It should be understood that although the preferred embodiment of the control head  8  includes the body section  31  and the door section  32 . The guide head  8  may be operated in an embodiment containing only the main body  31 . In such an embodiment, control line  4  would only be in contact with one set of rollers on the main body section  31 . It should still further be appreciated that rollers, such as roller  35 , may be used to indicate position or travel limitations. As such, the rollers may further comprise or be replaced by position indication devices, such as but not limited to, limit switches, proximity probes, or other sensors. 
   The pivotally mounted door section  32  is preferably pneumatically actuated to open and close. It should be understood that the door section  32  can also be actuated in a variety of other ways, including but not limited to, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or any combination thereof. The actuation of the door section  32  can also be operated from a remote console or a hand-held remote control. It should be appreciated that the remote console or the hand-held controller may be conventional actuation controllers and are therefore not described in detail herein. Preferably, in operation, the pivotally mounted door section  32  is opened and the control line  4  is placed inside the guide head  8 . The pivotally mounted door section  32  can then be actuated to the closed position. After the control line  4  is captured in the guide head  8 , the control line  4  will preferably run on the two sets of rollers  33 ,  33   a  in the body  31  and in the door section  32 , respectively. Preferably, the control line  4  will move along one set of the rollers  33  when the manipulator arm  3  is moving the control line  4  in proximity to the tubular string  7  and along the other set of rollers  33   a  when the manipulator arm  3  is retracting. It should be understood that as the manipulator arm  3  moves the control line  4  in proximity to the tubular string  7 , the control line  4  is being pushed by the body  31  mounted rollers  33 . Likewise, as the manipulator arm  3  retracts or moves the control line  4  in a direction away from the tubular string  7 , the control line  4  is being pushed by the door  32  mounted rollers  33   a.  Although some contention may be made that when the manipulator arm  3  is retracting or moving the control line  4  in a direction away from the tubular string  7 , the control line  4  is actually being pulled, this is an issue more of semantics and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention or the appended claims herein. Preferably, the rollers  33 ,  33   a  or other guide members placed inside the body  31  and/or the door section  32  will constitute a curved profile so as to keep the bend radius of the control line  4  below the maximum bend radius of the control line  4 .  FIG. 4A  further illustrates the curvature  36  of the rollers  33 ,  33   a.  Preferably, the angle of the control line  4  will depend on the mounting height of the manipulator arm  3  and the mounting height of the control sheave  5  ( FIG. 1A ). 
     FIGS. 5 ,  5 A,  6 , and  6 A illustrate an alternate embodiment of the manipulator arm  3  designated here as  25 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a top view and side view, respectively, of the manipulator arm  25  in the retracted position.  FIGS. 5A and 6A  illustrate a top view and side view, respectively, of the manipulator arm  25  in the extended position. The guide head  8  is preferably attached to beam  25   d  and may move toward and away from the tubular string  7 . Beam  25   d  is actuated by cylinder  28  which preferably moves beam  25   c.  The beam  25   b  maintains a substantially parallel relationship between the beam  25   d  and adapter plate  15 . It should be appreciated that beam  25   d  may further comprise a telescoping member to provide for greater range of extension and retraction of the guide head  8 . Similarly, the substantially parallel beams  25   c  and  25   b  may also comprise telescoping members to allow a greater range of vertical motion for the manipulator arm  25 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a top plan view of what is otherwise a conventional spider  12 , but which contains a passage  14  for the control line  4 . The embodiment of the spider  12  illustrated in  FIG. 7  comprises a set of slips  12   b  and a door  12   d,  which may be hinged either by pin  12   e  or pin  12   f , depending on which direction the door is to swing. The spider  12  further comprises a set of slips  12   b,  which are shown engaged onto the tubular string  7 . Passage  14  is preferably a groove or channel which is cut into the slip door  12   d.  As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , groove  14  further comprises a substantially curved surface  13 , which preferably alters the angle of descent of the control line  4  as it moves through the spider  12  and moves down into the wellbore with the tubular string  7 . It should be appreciated that the curved surface  13 , in passage  14 , is to provide a smoother transition for the control line  4  as it moves through the spider  12 . It should also be appreciated that although the passage  14  is shown with as a semi-cylindrical channel, any of several configurations of the passage  14  may be acceptable and should be considered within the scope of this invention. It should be appreciated that the passage  14  may be cut or machined in a substantially vertical direction or in a direction having some pre-determined angle on the inside surface of door  12   d  or of the wall of the spider  12 . The passage  14  should be substantially smooth to avoid damage to the control line  4  and allow easy movement of the control line  4  therethrough. If desired, passage  14  can have its own roller, or sets of rollers, to facilitate the movement of the control line  4  through the spider  12 . The passage  14  should be configured in a position such that the control line  4  is moveable in a substantially radial direction with respect to the spider  12  and the tubular string  7 . It should be appreciated, by those in the art, that spiders may be of various configurations and that not all spiders comprise a door  12   d  or slips of the same configuration as illustrated. It should be further appreciated that regardless of the configuration of the slips  12   b , the passage  14  is cut such that when the control line  4  is resting in the groove in the passage  14 , it does not interfere with the movement of the slips  12   b  as they move from the opened position to the closed position or as they move from the closed position to the opened position. Still further, it should be appreciated that the passage  14  does not have to be cut or machined in the door  12   d  of the spider  12 . Passage  14  can be located at any part of the spider  12  such that passage  14  will align with path  10 ′ or path  10  ( FIG. 1 ). In an embodiment with a spider  12  that has no door  12   d , the passage  14  may be cut or machined into the wall of the spider  12  in a manner substantially similar to that previously described regarding the door  12   d.    
   Preferably, passage  14  is configured in such a manner as to contain control line  4  and keep it from moving inadvertently into the path of slips  12   b.  The containment or confinement of the control line  4 , within passage  14 , may be accomplished by using various latches or catches. These latches or catches may be automatically or manually activated. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the passage  14  may not require the confinement of the control line  4 , and instead rely on the positioning of the control line  4 , against the back of the passage  14 , to avoid interfering with the spider  12  or the spider slips  12   b.    
   An embodiment utilizing a latch or catch is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Here, a latch or catch is designated with the numeral  20  and is illustrated within passage  14 . The latch  20  may comprise a variety of configurations to secure the control line  4  within the passage  14 . The latch  20  may be integral with the spider  12  or may be a separate device mounted within the control line passage  14  and in either case will preferably contain the control line  4  while the control line  4  is passing through the spider  12 . It should be understood that the function of the catch and of passage  14  is not to restrict the longitudinal movement of the control line  4  relative to the tubular string  7 , but instead to restrict the radial movement of control line  4  such as to prevent the control line  4  from interfering with the opening or closing movement of the spider slips  12   b.    
     FIGS. 9–11  illustrate one embodiment of the catch  20 . In this embodiment, catch  20  comprises a rotatable drum  20   j,  which can be actuated automatically or manually. Preferably, the catch  20  is configured so as to fit within the passage  14 . It should be appreciated that the interior passage  20   a  of the catch  20 , is in a substantially concentric alignment with passage  14 , thus allowing for the passing of the control line  4 . When actuated, the rotatable drum  20   j,  rotates such that the catch  20  substantially encloses the control line  4  ( FIG. 11 ). The catch  20  further comprises frame members  20   c  which are preferably attached at one end to a stationary base  20   k  and at the other end to drum support members  20   e.  It should be appreciated that if the catch  20  is mounted or attached to the spider door  12  or the spider wall, drum support members  20   e  may be directly attached to the door or wall thus eliminating the need for the frame members  20   c.  The drum  20   j  is preferably rotated by gear  20   f  which may in turn be actuated by a pinion gear  20   d . For the automatic rotational operation of the drum  20   j , the pinion gear  20   d  may be rotated by a motor, gear driver, or other available power source. For manual rotational operation, the pinion gear  20   d  may be rotated by a hand or using a handle, wrench, handwheel, or other manual rotational aid (not illustrated). Further, for manual rotation, a handle, or the like, may be directly adapted to the drum  20   j  thus eliminating the need for both gears  20   d  and  20   f.    FIG. 10  illustrates the open position of the catch  20  wherein the control line  4  may pass through gap  20   b.  It should be understood that the control line  4  will pass through gap  20   b  as the control line  4  moves between path  10  and path  10 ′ ( FIGS. 1 and 1A ). 
     FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate another embodiment of the catch  120 . This embodiment comprises a flapper-type catch. Flapper assemblies  21  are substantially identical and are substantially symmetrically disposed about the throughbore of the spider  12  (the bore through which the tubular string  7  passes). The flaps preferably have openings  21   f  to accept the tubular string  7  and openings  21   e  for confining the control line  4  in a path  10  through the spider  12 . Each flapper assembly  21  is preferably attached to the spider  12  by brackets  21   b.  The flappers  21   a  are preferably hinge  22  mounted. It should be appreciated that the flapper assemblies  21  may be mounted in a variety of conventional methods and that the method of mounting or the mounting configuration should not be viewed as a limitation but rather as being fully within the scope of the invention. Further, the type or placement of the hinge as well as other functional manners of attaching the flappers  21   a  should be viewed as being fully within the scope of this invention. For manual operation, of the flapper assemblies  21 , handles  21   d  may be attached to the flappers  21   a . For automatic operation, motors M may be used to rotate the pins  21   c  which are preferably attached to the flapper hinge  22 . The motors M are preferably conventional rotary motors and can be actuated through a conventional power means, such as but not limited to, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or a combination thereof. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate another alternate embodiment of the control line catch. The control line catch  220  preferably comprise two substantially identical assemblies  140  which are substantially symmetrically disposed about the throughbore of the spider  12  (the bore through which the tubular string  7  passes). The catch assemblies  140  move substantially along a circumferential path and in a substantially horizontal plane about the through bore of the spider  12  (the bore through which the tubular string  7  passes). 
   The catch assemblies  140  preferably comprise two catch plates  40  which are attached to the spider  12  by flange bolts  40   c . The catch plates  40  each preferably comprise slots  40   b  which allow the plates to rotate, in a substantially circumferential direction to confine and release the control line  4 . The catch plates  40  further comprise openings  40   a , to accommodate the tubular string  7 , and openings  40   d  to receive and confine the control line  4 . It should be understood that the attachment and configuration of the catch assemblies  140  may be easily varied and the description provided herein should not be viewed as limiting as such varied methods of attachment and varied configurations are within the scope of the present invention. 
   The catch assemblies  140  may be operated either automatically or manually. For manual operation, handles  40   e  are attached, in a conventional manner, to catch plates  40 . For the automated operation of the catch assemblies  140 , motors M 2  may be utilized. Motors M 2  are conventional rotation capable motors and are typically powered by rig available power. Motors M 2  may comprise a motor driven gear  41 , a roller drive, or other motor driven device which can contact and rotate the catch plates  40 . It should be appreciated that the motor gear  41  may also be utilized with the manual operation upon the adaptation of a handle, wheel, or similar device capable of rotating gear  41 . 
     FIG. 15  further illustrates the utilization of a second catch  20 . It should be appreciated that more than one embodiment of the catch may be used to retain the position of the control line  4  for the purposes of redundancy and/or safety. 
   It should be understood that the embodiments of the catches and the passage  14  described hereinabove can be retrofitted into existing spiders of various configurations. The installation of such retrofits would preferably be as described hereinabove. Because the methods of retrofitting these embodiments, into existing spiders, would be known to those skilled in the art, after viewing the embodiments described herein, a detailed description of such adaptations will not be described in detail herein. It should be further understood that the embodiments of passage  14  and the various catches described herein are adaptable to other tubular gripping devices which may be used in lieu of conventional spiders or in conjunction with conventional spiders and are fully enveloped in the scope of the instant invention. 
   A preferred method of operation in utilizing the apparatus to guide and protect the control line  4  may comprise the following steps starting with a tubular string  7  being gripped by the elevator  26  before lowering the tubular string  7  into a wellbore. The control line  4  is moved toward the tubular string  7  (i.e. into path  10 ′) until the control line  4  is in close proximity to the tubular string  7 , and the control line  4  is attached to the tubular string by a clamp  18 . The tubular string  7  and the attached control line  4  are lowered into the wellbore. The control line  4  is then moved in a direction away from the tubular string  7  (preferably to avoid contact with the now lowering elevator  26 )and into passage  14  to avoid any contact between the control line  4  and spider slips  12   b  or other gripping apparatus as the slips or grips move to a closed position to grip the tubular string  7 . The spider slip  12   b  or other gripping apparatus is then closed. The elevator slips or grips are opened, thus releasing the tubular string  7  which is preferably supported by the spider  12  or other gripping apparatus. The elevator  26  is moved to its upper position and a new tubular section is added to the tubular string  7 . The tubular string load is then transferred to the elevator  26  and the spider slip  12   b  or other gripping apparatus is opened. After this step, the steps repeat with again moving the control line  4  toward the tubular string  7  (i.e. into path  10 ′) until the control line  4  is in close proximity to the tubular string  7 . It should be appreciated that this process continues until the tubular string  7  has been extended to a desired depth in the wellbore. 
     FIG. 16  illustrates a schematic for automatic sequencing control. Lines  52 ,  53 ,  54 , and  55  conduct signals to and from the processor  56 . The signals may include, but are not limited to, actuation commands or position data. The processor  56  preferably responds to the control  51  to actuate the main process functions in the proper sequence, including, but not limited to, actuating the manipulator arm cylinder  9 , actuating a catch  20 , or actuating the spider slips  50 . 
   In some rig operations, the spider slips  12   b  may be controlled by other sequencing controls. In this case the processor  56  is preferably adapted to prevent interference with any other sequencing controller. Typically, the primary concern is that the spider slips  12   b  must not open when the elevator  26  is not gripping the tubular string  7 . Therefore, opening of the spider slips  12   b , by another sequencer, can be used to sequence the opening of the catch  20 . It should be appreciated that the utilization of the catch  20 ,  120 ,  140 ,  220  are optional and not required for every embodiment of the present invention. It should be further appreciated that manual embodiments of the catch  20 ,  120 ,  140 ,  220  would not be responsive to process controllers accept that some embodiments may comprise position indicators of such manual catch  20 ,  120 ,  140 ,  220  when desired. Such position indications are known in the art and thus are not described in detail herein. 
   It should be further appreciated that when the spider slips  12   b  are controlled independent of the manipulator arm  3 , the speed of slip closure may be too fast for the proper retraction and confinement of the control line  4 . Therefore, the manipulator arm  3  may begin its retraction at some pre-determined position of the tubular string  7  such as when the last added tubularjoint is about half way through the spider  12 . This operation may also be necessary when the elevator  26  or other rig hardware, associated with the tubular string  7  lowering, is in close proximity to the manipulator arm  3 . The closing of the catch  20  or other retention method of the control line  4 , if such an embodiment is present, may be started when the manipulator arm  3  has completed its retraction and the control line  4  is now following path  10 . The closure of the spider slips  12   b  is sequenced and can only occur once the catches  20 ,  120 ,  140  or  220  have captured control line  4 . 
   It is known in the art that the spider slips  12   b  and the elevator  26  may be interconnected and such is more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,410 (issued to Castille, et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,768 (issued to Castille, et al) both of which are assigned to Frank&#39;s Casing Crew and Rental Tools, Inc., the assignee of the instant invention and which are incorporated by reference herein. It should be appreciated that in such a configuration the processor or controller, for the elevator  26 /spider 12  operation, can preferably be set such that the spider slips  12   b  are actuated only after the control line  4  manipulation has concluded. 
   It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are or utility and may De employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. It may be seen from the preceding description that a novel control line manipulation and control system has been provided. Although specific examples may have been described and disclosed, the invention of the instant application is considered to comprise and is intended to comprise any equivalent structure and may be constructed in many different ways to function and operate in the general manner as explained hereinbefore. Accordingly, it is noted that the embodiments described herein in detail for exemplary purposes are of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.