System and method for rotating casing string

Abstract

In one aspect, a system includes a tool, a hanger connected to the tool, and a plurality of tubulars connected to the hanger and adapted to be positioned within a wellbore. The tool, hanger, and tubulars are rotatable in response to at least the application of torsion to the tool, and without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, a method includes positioning a tubular string within a wellbore, connecting a hanger to the tubular string, and applying torsion to the tubular string to rotate the tubular string. To apply torsion to rotate, a tool is connected to the hanger, and torsion is applied to the tool without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for rotating a tubular string in a preexisting structure, such as a wellbore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus adapted to be associated with an oil and gas wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
 a first tubular member;   a second tubular member extending within the first tubular member;   a torsion nut connected to the first tubular member; and   a third tubular member extending through the torsion nut and within the first tubular member;   wherein the third tubular member is engageable with the second tubular member to transmit torque therebetween; and   wherein the third tubular member is engageable with the torsion nut to transmit torque therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second tubular member comprises a first plurality of keys or slots; and wherein the third tubular member comprises a second plurality of keys or slots. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the third tubular member further comprises a third plurality of keys or slots axially spaced from the second plurality of keys or slots; and
 wherein the torsion nut comprises a fourth plurality of keys or slots.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the third tubular member is moveable, within the first tubular member, between:
 a first position in which the second plurality of keys or slots of the third tubular member are complementarily engaged with the first plurality of keys or slots of the second tubular member so that torque is permitted to be transmitted between the third and second tubular members; and   a second position in which the third plurality of keys or slots of the third tubular member are complementarily engaged with the fourth plurality of keys or slots of the torsion nut so that torque is permitted to be transmitted between the third tubular member and the torsion nut.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a first indicator associated with the third tubular member and configured to indicate that the third tubular member is in the first position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a second indicator associated with the third tubular member and configured to indicate that the third tubular member is in the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first indicator comprises a first annular groove formed in an outside surface of the third tubular member;
 wherein the first annular groove is generally aligned with an end of the torsion nut when the third tubular member is in the first position;   wherein the second indicator comprises a second annular groove formed in the outside surface of the third tubular member and axially spaced from the first annular groove; and   wherein the second annular groove is generally aligned with the end of the torsion nut when the third tubular member is in the second position.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the third tubular member is moveable, within the first tubular member, between:
 a first position in which the third tubular member is engaged with the second tubular member so that torque is permitted to be transmitted between the third and second tubular members;   and   a second position in which the third tubular member is engaged with the torsion nut so that torque is permitted to be transmitted between the third tubular member and the torsion nut.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a first indicator associated with the third tubular member and configured to indicate that the third tubular member is in the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a second indicator associated with the third tubular member and configured to indicate that the third tubular member is in the second position. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first indicator comprises a first annular groove formed in an outside surface of the third tubular member;
 wherein the first annular groove is generally aligned with an end of the torsion nut when the third tubular member is in the first position;   wherein the second indicator comprises a second annular groove formed in the outside surface of the third tubular member and axially spaced from the first annular groove; and   wherein the second annular groove is generally aligned with an end of the torsion nut when the third tubular member is in the second position.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of keys connected to the first tubular member at one end thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first tubular member comprises openings formed in the one end thereof, and respective internal threaded connections formed in the openings;
 wherein the keys comprise respective external threaded connections; and   wherein the keys extend into the openings, respectively, and the respective external threaded connections of the keys are threadably engaged with the respective internal threaded connections of the openings.   
     
     
         14 . A method associated with an oil and gas wellbore, the method comprising:
 connecting a tool to a component, the tool comprising a first tubular member, a second tubular member extending within the first tubular member, and a third tubular member extending within the first tubular member, the component being connected to a tubular string that extends within the oil and gas wellbore;   wherein connecting the tool to the component comprises:
 positioning the third tubular member is in a first position, relative to each of the first and second tubular members; and 
 when the third tubular member is in the first position, transmitting torque between the third and second tubular members to connect the tool to the component. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 positioning the third tubular member in a second position, relative to each of the first and second tubular members; and   when the third tubular member is in the second position, transmitting torque between the third and first tubular members.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein transmitting the torque between the third and first tubular members comprises:
 transmitting the torque between the third and first tubular members via at least a torsion nut, which is connected to the first tubular member and through which the third tubular member extends.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the third tubular member comprises a first plurality of keys or slots, and the torsion nut comprises a second plurality of keys or slots; and
 wherein transmitting the torque between the third and first tubular members via at least the torsion nut comprises complementarily engaging the first plurality of keys or slots of the third tubular member with the second plurality of keys or slots of the torsion nut.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 disconnecting the tool from the component;   wherein disconnecting the tool from the component comprises:
 positioning the third tubular member in the first position, relative to each of the first and second tubular members; and 
 when the third tubular member is in the first position, transmitting torque between the third and second tubular members to disconnect the tool from the component. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second tubular member and the third tubular member comprise a first plurality of keys or slots and a second plurality of keys or slots, respectively; and
 wherein transmitting the torque between the third and second tubular members, to connect the tool to the component, comprises:
 complementarily engaging the second plurality of keys or slots of the third tubular member with the first plurality of keys or slots of the second tubular member. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 positioning the third tubular member in a second position, relative to each of the first and second tubular members; and   when the third tubular member is in the second position, transmitting torque between the component and the tubular string;   wherein transmitting the torque between the component and the tubular string comprises:
 transmitting torque between the third and first tubular members; and 
 transmitting torque between the first tubular member and the component.