Apparatus and methods for tubular makeup interlock

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. In one embodiment, an interlock system is used to control the operations of a gripping apparatus connected to the top drive and a spider such that at least one of the top drive or the spider retains the tubular. The interlock system allows the spider to open when the gripping apparatus is supporting a load of the tubular or is in position to support a load of the tubular.

1 . A method of handling a tubular string using a top drive, comprising:
 retaining the tubular string using a spider;   retaining the tubular string using a tubular gripping apparatus connected to the top drive;   determining a string load on the tubular gripping apparatus; and   allowing the spider to open or close in response to the determined string load.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular gripping apparatus includes a gripping element movable between a tubular retaining position and a tubular releasing position. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising ensuring the gripping element is in the tubular retaining position prior to opening the spider. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining a string load comprises measuring the string load using a load measuring device. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a position of an actuator supporting the tubular gripping apparatus. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is extended when the tubular gripping apparatus is supporting the string load. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising opening the spider when a string load is detected. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising lowering the tubular string and re-gripping the tubular string using the spider. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the spider in a closed position when no load is detected. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the tubular gripping apparatus to open when no string load is detected at the tubular gripping apparatus. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular gripping apparatus is one of external tubular gripping apparatus, internal tubular gripping apparatus, and elevator. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for handling a tubular, comprising:
 a tubular handling apparatus;   a load compensator coupled to the tubular handling apparatus, wherein the load compensator is movable from a load compensating position to a non-load compensating position; and   an interlock system adapted to allow engagement or disengagement of the tubular handling apparatus with the tubular in response to the position of the load compensator.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular handling apparatus is allowed to disengage from the tubular when the load compensator is at the load compensating position. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the load compensator comprises a piston and cylinder assembly. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the piston and cylinder assembly is at least partially retracted when in the load compensating position. 
   
   
       16 . A method of handling tubulars, comprising:
 gripping a first tubular using a first gripping apparatus;   gripping a second tubular using a second gripping apparatus;   connecting the first tubular to the second tubular;   moving the first gripping apparatus to a load supporting position; and   allowing the second gripping apparatus to release the second tubular when the first gripping apparatus is in the load supporting position.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising determining a gripping element of the first gripping apparatus is engaged with the first tubular before allowing the second gripping apparatus to open. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first tubular includes a collar and a body, and the method further comprises determining a gripping element of the first gripping apparatus is engaged with a body of the first tubular before allowing the second gripping apparatus to open. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising activating an acceptance feature before opening the second gripping apparatus. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the acceptance feature is activated only after the second gripping apparatus is allowed to open. 
   
   
       21 . A method of handling a tubular string using a top drive and a spider, comprising:
 coupling a load compensator to a tubular gripping apparatus connected to the top drive;   retaining the tubular string using the tubular gripping apparatus;   determining a string load on the load compensator; and   allowing the spider to open or close in response to the determined string load.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the spider is allowed to open when the load compensator is not supporting a load. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular gripping apparatus is allowed to open when the load compensator is supporting a load. 
   
   
       24 . A method of handling a tubular using a top drive and a spider, comprising:
 coupling a load compensator to a tubular gripping apparatus connected to the top drive, wherein the load compensator has a load compensating position and a non-load compensating position;   retaining the tubular string using the tubular gripping apparatus;   determining the position of the load compensator; and   allowing the spider to open or close in response to the position of the load compensator.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the spider is allowed to open when the spider is in the non-loading supporting position. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein a load of the tubular is supported by the top drive. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the load compensator comprises a piston and cylinder assembly. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the piston is extended when the load compensator is in the non-loading compensating position.