A load transfer system for oilfield tubulars, the system comprising: a load transfer bushing (100, 104) comprising a first arcuate segment and a second arcuate segment, the first and second arcuate segments being configured to engage a load surface of a tubular or of a collar connected to the tubular; a floor mounted support structure positioned at a rig floor and through which the tubular is received; and an elevator suspended from a rig and configured to receive the load transfer bushing (100, 104) so as to support the tubular via engagement with the load transfer bushing, the elevator having an open position and a closed position, wherein moving the elevator from the closed position to the open position while the elevator engages the load transfer bushing (100, 104) moves the first and second arcuate segments (200, 202) apart, so as to permit the elevator and the load transfer bushing to be received around the tubular, wherein moving the elevator from the opened position to the closed position with the load transfer bushing (100, 104) and elevator surrounding the tubular forms an axial engagement load surface for the load surface of the tubular or the collar, and wherein the load transfer bushing is disengageable from the elevator; characterized in that: the load transfer bushing (100, 104) is configured to engage the floor mounted support structure such that downward axial movement of the elevator relative to the floor mounted support structure displaces the load transfer bushing with respect to the elevator while the elevator is in the closed position, and, when the load transfer bushing engages the floor mounted support structure and has been displaced with respect to the elevator, the elevator is movable to the open position without separating the first and second arcuate segments (200, 202) of the load transfer bushing apart, the elevator comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent axial displacement of the load transfer bushing (100, 104) from within the elevator, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that the load transfer bushing engaging the floor mounted support structure causes the locking mechanism to disengage from the load transfer bushing. a load transfer bushing (100, 104) comprising a first arcuate segment and a second arcuate segment, the first and second arcuate segments being configured to engage a load surface of a tubular or of a collar connected to the tubular; a floor mounted support structure positioned at a rig floor and through which the tubular is received; and an elevator suspended from a rig and configured to receive the load transfer bushing (100, 104) so as to support the tubular via engagement with the load transfer bushing, the elevator having an open position and a closed position, wherein moving the elevator from the closed position to the open position while the elevator engages the load transfer bushing (100, 104) moves the first and second arcuate segments (200, 202) apart, so as to permit the elevator and the load transfer bushing to be received around the tubular, wherein moving the elevator from the opened position to the closed position with the load transfer bushing (100, 104) and elevator surrounding the tubular forms an axial engagement load surface for the load surface of the tubular or the collar, and wherein the load transfer bushing is disengageable from the elevator; characterized in that: the load transfer bushing (100, 104) is configured to engage the floor mounted support structure such that downward axial movement of the elevator relative to the floor mounted support structure displaces the load transfer bushing with respect to the elevator while the elevator is in the closed position, and, when the load transfer bushing engages the floor mounted support structure and has been displaced with respect to the elevator, the elevator is movable to the open position without separating the first and second arcuate segments (200, 202) of the load transfer bushing apart, the elevator comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent axial displacement of the load transfer bushing (100, 104) from within the elevator, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that the load transfer bushing engaging the floor mounted support structure causes the locking mechanism to disengage from the load transfer bushing. the load transfer bushing (100, 104) is configured to engage the floor mounted support structure such that downward axial movement of the elevator relative to the floor mounted support structure displaces the load transfer bushing with respect to the elevator while the elevator is in the closed position, and, when the load transfer bushing engages the floor mounted support structure and has been displaced with respect to the elevator, the elevator is movable to the open position without separating the first and second arcuate segments (200, 202) of the load transfer bushing apart, the elevator comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent axial displacement of the load transfer bushing (100, 104) from within the elevator, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that the load transfer bushing engaging the floor mounted support structure causes the locking mechanism to disengage from the load transfer bushing.