Method and apparatus for stabbing tubular goods

Abstract

A stabbing apparatus having a substantially planar plate member with a central bore and at least one remote actuated cylinder assembly connected to a single joint elevator or similar clamp. The at least one cylinder assembly can be used to axially align the joint of pipe, and raise or lower the pipe into mating relationship with a set of elevators, fill-up tool, stabbing connection or the like.

1 . A stabbing apparatus comprising:
 a) a substantially planar plate member having a central bore extending therethrough;   b) at least one cylinder assembly, wherein the longitudinal axis of each such at least one cylinder assembly is oriented substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar plate member;   c) a gripping apparatus adapted to grip a section of pipe; and   d) a link member connecting said at least one cylinder assembly to said gripping apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The stabbing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said stabbing apparatus is mounted to slip-type elevators having a central bore, and said central bore of said substantially planar plate member is substantially aligned with said central bore of said elevators. 
     
     
         3 . The stabbing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said stabbing apparatus is mounted to a casing running tool having a lower extension, wherein said at least one cylinder assembly is oriented substantially parallel to said lower extension. 
     
     
         4 . The stabbing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cylinder assembly is hydraulically actuated. 
     
     
         5 . The stabbing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cylinder assembly is pneumatically actuated. 
     
     
         6 . A method of running pipe with a casing running tool comprising:
 a. mounting a stabbing apparatus to said casing running tool, wherein said stabbing apparatus comprises:
 i) at least one cylinder assembly oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said casing running tool; 
 ii) a gripping apparatus; and 
 iii) at least one link member connecting said at least one cylinder assembly to said gripping apparatus; 
   b. gripping a pipe section with said gripping apparatus;   c. actuating at least one cylinder assembly to move said pipe section toward said casing running tool; and   d. gripping said pipe section with said casing running tool.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of stabbing a portion of said casing running tool into the central bore of said pipe section. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of stabbing a portion of said casing running tool over the outer surface of said pipe section. 
     
     
         9 . A method of running pipe with a set of slip-type elevators comprising:
 a. mounting a stabbing apparatus to said slip-type elevators having a central bore, wherein said stabbing apparatus comprises:
 i) a substantially planar plate member having a central bore extending therethrough, wherein the central bore of said plate member is substantially aligned with the central bore of said elevators; 
 ii) at least one cylinder assembly, wherein the longitudinal axis of each such at least one cylinder assembly is oriented substantially perpendicular to said substantially planar plate member; 
 iii) a gripping apparatus adapted to grip a section of pipe; and 
 iv) a link member connecting said at least one cylinder assembly to said gripping apparatus; 
   b. gripping a pipe section with said gripping apparatus;   c. actuating at least one cylinder assembly to move said pipe section toward the central bore of said slip-type elevators; and   d. gripping said pipe section with said slip-type elevators.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one cylinder assembly is hydraulically actuated. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one cylinder assembly is pneumatically actuated. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said gripping apparatus comprises single joint elevators.