Assemblies and methods for inserting and removing tubulars from a wellbore

Abstract

A completion system and method adapted for use in wells having long lateral boreholes includes a mast assembly having an upper mast fixture comprising a tong assembly and an alignment guide, a top drive, a gripping mechanism, and a crown. The crown lowers the gripping mechanism, which secures one end of a tubular, and then elevates the gripping mechanism to drag the tubular towards the mast assembly. The alignment guide receives the other end of the tubular and positions it in vertical alignment with the top drive and a wellbore.

1 . A mobile rig system for engaging and disengaging pipes to and from a pipe string, and lowering and raising the pipe string into and out of a wellbore, the mobile rig system comprising:
 a mast assembly;   a top drive located within and guided vertically by the mast assembly;   a gripping apparatus attached to the top drive, wherein the gripping apparatus receives a pipe segment at a first end thereof; and   an alignment assembly located within the mast assembly, comprising a frame, a tong within the frame, and an alignment guide pivotable about the frame to receive a second end of the pipe segment between a first position and a second position,   wherein the first position secures the pipe segment in vertical alignment with the top drive to allow engagement therebetween, and wherein the second position releases the pipe segment, and allows the top drive to descend and insert the pipe segment into the wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile rig system of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping apparatus is attached to the top drive by a plurality of hydraulic pistons for hydraulically actuating the gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile rig system of  claim 2 , wherein the gripping apparatus is pivotable between a downward position and an outward position. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile rig system of  claim 3 , wherein the gripping apparatus pivots to the outward position when receiving the first end of the pipe segment, and pivots to the downward position as the gripping apparatus ascends. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile rig system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of telescoping lower members, wherein the telescoping lower members move the alignment assembly into and out of vertical alignment with the top drive. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile rig system of  claim 5 , wherein the telescoping lower members move the alignment assembly into vertical alignment with the top drive when the alignment guide is in the first position and out of vertical alignment with the top drive when the alignment guide is in the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile rig system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment guide comprises a C-shape. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile rig system of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a catwalk, the catwalk comprising a central surface, a plurality of side surfaces, and a hydraulic lift, wherein the central surface comprises a groove for receiving the pipe segment, and wherein the hydraulic lift is operably connected to the central surface and capable of vertically elevating the central surface above the plurality of side surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile rig system of  claim 8 , wherein the catwalk additionally comprises a pusher plate operable along the central surface to extend the first end of the pipe segment beyond the central surface for engagement with the gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . A method of engaging and disengaging pipe segments to and from a pipe string, and lowering and raising the pipe string into and out of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
 elevating a catwalk containing a pipe segment;   extending a first end of the pipe segment from a catwalk;   lowering a gripping apparatus along a mast assembly to engage with the first end of the pipe segment;   actuating the gripping apparatus to secure the pipe segment;   raising the gripping apparatus along the mast assembly, thereby dragging the second end of the pipe segment towards the mast assembly along the pipe arm;   pivoting an alignment guide over the wellbore;   catching the second end of the pipe segment with the alignment guide as the pipe segment becomes vertical and swings free from the pipe arm;   aligning the pipe segment with a pipe string;   connecting the pipe segment to a pipe string with a tong;   pivoting the alignment guide away from the pipe segment; and   lowering the gripping apparatus along the mast assembly, thereby lowering the pipe string, now additionally comprising the pipe segment, into the wellbore.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 extending a first end of an additional pipe segment from a catwalk; and   engaging the gripping apparatus with the first end of the additional pipe segment.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the steps of lowering and raising the gripping apparatus along the mast assembly further comprise lowering and raising a top drive along the mast assembly, wherein the top drive is hydraulically connected to the gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of actuating the gripping apparatus to secure the pipe segment further comprises pivoting the gripping apparatus to an outward position, and wherein the step of raising the gripping apparatus along the mast assembly further comprises pivoting the gripping apparatus to a downward position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of pivoting the alignment guide away from the pipe segment additionally comprises moving the tong and alignment guide out of alignment with the pipe segment by actuating a telescoping carriage frame. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of engaging the gripping apparatus with the pipe segment comprises guiding the pipe segment through at least one bore therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of elevating the catwalk containing the pipe segment further comprises elevating a central surface of the catwalk above a plurality of side surfaces of the catwalk using a hydraulic lift positioned below said central surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of extending the first end of the pipe segment from the catwalk further comprises actuating a pusher plate along the central surface of the catwalk to contact the second end of the pipe segment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of extending the first end of the additional pipe segment from the catwalk further comprises actuating a plurality of pipe moving elements such that the additional pipe segment is urged toward a central surface of the catwalk.