System and methods for handling drilling pipe

Abstract

The invention provides a modular pipe handling system comprising a lift arm assembly including a base member and a lift arm mounted on the base member. The lift arm is pivotable between a horizontal and vertical position. The lift arm further comprises at least one clamping system for clamping a length of pipe to the lift arm, to allow movement of the pipe between the horizontal and vertical positions. The base member includes a leveling system associated therewith for independent leveling of the base member and corresponding lift arm relative to a drilling rig with which the pipe handling system is used. The base member may also include a positioning system for positioning of the base member a predetermined distance from the drilling axis of a predetermined drilling rig, wherein the positioning system is adaptable to vary the distance from the drilling axis. The base member includes a positioning system for positioning of the base member relative to a sub-base on which a drilling rig is selectively positioned during a drilling operation. The sub-base includes a rig indexing system for positioning of a drilling rig at a predetermined position thereon, and the location of the based member can be modified.

1 . A modular pipe handling system comprising,
 a lift arm assembly including a base member and a lift arm mounted on the base member, wherein the lift arm is pivotable about a first end between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, and further comprises at least one clamping system for clamping a length of pipe to the lift arm, to allow movement of the pipe between the substantially horizontal and substantially vertical positions,   the base member including a positioning system for positioning of the base member a predetermined distance from the drilling axis of a predetermined drilling rig with which the pipe handling system is used, wherein the positioning system is adaptable to vary the predetermined distance from the drilling axis.   
   
   
       2 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the base member includes a leveling system associated therewith for independent leveling of the base member and corresponding lift arm relative to a drilling rig with which the pipe handling system is used. 
   
   
       3 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , further comprising, a sub-base on which a drilling rig is selectively positioned during a drilling operation, the sub-base having a rig indexing system for positioning of a drilling rig at a predetermined position thereon, wherein the rig indexing system is selectively varied to accommodate different drilling rigs. 
   
   
       4 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is selectively usable with drilling rigs of different types. 
   
   
       5 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping system comprises at least one clamping mechanism which is movable to accommodate different lengths of pipe. 
   
   
       6 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the lift arm is formed of a plurality of sections to enable adjustment of the length of the lift arm. 
   
   
       7 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , wherein lift arm is actuated by a hydraulic linkage. 
   
   
       8 . The pipe handling system of  claim 7 , wherein the hydraulic linkage comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder attached to the lift arm. 
   
   
       9 . The pipe handling system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of sections are formed of different lengths which are selectively chosen to form a lift arm of a predetermined length. 
   
   
       10 . The pipe handling system of  claim 9 , wherein the sections are selectively coupled to one another by a universal mounting plate. 
   
   
       11 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping system comprises at least one clamp member which is operated by a hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       12 . The pipe handling system of  claim 11  wherein the hydraulic cylinder is attached to a linkage system coupled to the lift arm. 
   
   
       13 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping system comprises at least one clamp member which is selectively rotatable. 
   
   
       14 . The pipe handling system of  claim 13 , wherein the clamp member is rotatable both to the right and left. 
   
   
       15 . The pipe handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping system comprises at least one clamp which is selectively movable on the lift arm. 
   
   
       16 . The pipe handling system of  claim 2 , wherein the leveling system comprises at least one stabilizing jack capable of leveling the base member. 
   
   
       17 . The pipe handling system of  claim 3 , wherein the base member and sub-base are coupled by at least one coupling arm extending therebetween. 
   
   
       18 . The pipe handling system of  claim 17 , where the coupling arm engages a coupling pocket. 
   
   
       19 . The pipe handling system of  claim 3 , wherein the sub-base includes a rig indexing system to position a drilling rig at a predetermined position thereon. 
   
   
       20 . A modular pipe handling system comprising,
 a lift arm assembly including a base member and a lift arm mounted on the base member, wherein the lift arm is pivotable about a first end between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, and further comprises at least one clamping system for clamping a length of pipe to the lift arm, to allow movement of the pipe between the horizontal and vertical positions,   the base member including a leveling system associated therewith for independent leveling of the base member and corresponding lift arm relative to a drilling rig with which the pipe handling system is used.   
   
   
       21 . A method of handling pipe during a drilling operation comprising the steps of,
 positioning a drilling rig in a predetermined position on a sub-base,   positioning a base member in a predetermined position relative to the sub-base,   providing a lift arm in association with the base member,   selectively using the lift arm to position a length of drilling pipe at the drilling axis of drilling pipe at the drilling axis of the drilling rig for tying into a drill string associated therewith.