Patent ID: 7575061

Claim:
A method for installing a wireline entry sub between a string of conduit and a top drive of a drilling rig, the wireline entry sub including a frame assembly having an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal, center axis therebetween, a wireline blowout preventer and wireline packoff mounted to the lower end and extending upward inside the frame assembly toward the upper end, a wireline passage extending through the frame assembly and through the blowout preventer and packoff to open adjacent the lower end, and a sheave mounted to the frame assembly, the method comprising the steps of: extending a wireline over the sheave and through the wireline passage; connecting a wire line tool to a lower end of the wireline and inserting the tool into the string of conduit; coupling the upper end of the frame assembly to the top drive and coupling the lower end of the frame assembly to the string of conduit; and lifting the string of conduit with the top drive, the weight of the string of conduit passing through the frame assembly and bypassing the blowout preventer and the packoff.