A lifting elevator, comprising: a first elevator segment having a first plurality of slips; a second elevator segment having a second plurality of slips; and a hinge about which both the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment are rotatable with respect to each other, wherein the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment each comprise a swept angle of about 180°, and a first lifting lug directly coupled to the first elevator segment; a second lifting lug directly coupled to the second elevator segment, wherein the first lifting lug and the second lifting lug are configured to carry a load of a conductor string that includes the joint of pipe; wherein each of the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips comprises a die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe; characterized by a segmented timing ring coupled to the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips, wherein the segmented timing ring is actuated by one of a pneumatically, hydraulically, and electrically powered actuator, wherein the lifting elevator is configured to laterally receive a joint of pipe between the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment when in an open position and the joint of pipe is disposed in a non-vertical position, and wherein the lifting elevator is configured to grip and reorient the joint of pipe from the non-vertical position to a vertical position and lowered into a well when the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips are engaged with the joint of pipe in a closed position. a first elevator segment having a first plurality of slips; a second elevator segment having a second plurality of slips; and a hinge about which both the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment are rotatable with respect to each other, wherein the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment each comprise a swept angle of about 180°, and a first lifting lug directly coupled to the first elevator segment; a second lifting lug directly coupled to the second elevator segment, wherein the first lifting lug and the second lifting lug are configured to carry a load of a conductor string that includes the joint of pipe; swept angle of about 180°, and a first lifting lug directly coupled to the first elevator segment; a second lifting lug directly coupled to the second elevator segment, wherein the first lifting lug and the second lifting lug are configured to carry a load of a conductor string that includes the joint of pipe; wherein each of the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips comprises a die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe; characterized by a segmented timing ring coupled to the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips, wherein the segmented timing ring is actuated by one of a pneumatically, hydraulically, and electrically powered actuator, wherein the lifting elevator is configured to laterally receive a joint of pipe between the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment when in an open position and the joint of pipe is disposed in a non-vertical position, and wherein the lifting elevator is configured to grip and reorient the joint of pipe from the non-vertical position to a vertical position and lowered into a well when the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips are engaged with the joint of pipe in a closed position. die configured to grip an external surface of a pipe; characterized by a segmented timing ring coupled to the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips, wherein the segmented timing ring is actuated by one of a pneumatically, hydraulically, and electrically powered actuator, wherein the lifting elevator is configured to laterally receive a joint of pipe between the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment when in an open position and the joint of pipe is disposed in a non-vertical position, and wherein the lifting elevator is configured to grip and reorient the joint of pipe from the non-vertical position to a vertical position and lowered into a well when the first plurality of slips and the second plurality of slips are engaged with the joint of pipe in a closed position.