Method and Apparatus for Handling Drill Tubes

Abstract

A pipe handling apparatus, for handling drill tubes on a drilling platform, has an upper guide member comprising a retention head mounted on an arm. The arm can extend telescopically so as to position it to allow the retention head to engage a drill tube for placement in and removal from a rack.

1 . A pipe handling apparatus for handling drill tubes on a drilling platform, the apparatus including an upper guide member comprising a retention head mounted on an arm; wherein the arm is positionable so as to allow the retention head to engage a drill tube for placement in and removal from a rack. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the arm comprises a plurality of sections connected together telescopically and arranged to extend and contract. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm is arranged in use to pivot/rotate about a substantially vertical axis. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm is arranged to move along a track. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm is mountable to an underside of a rack support platform for stowing drill tubes. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the track is positioned under a rack support platform. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the retention head comprises a static portion and a movable portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the movable portion is arranged to rotate so as to grip a drill tube when in use. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the arm and/or retention head is arranged to be achieved by electrical motor, hydraulics and/or pneumatics. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lower guide member for handling drill tubes, the member comprising a lower arm mounted for pivotable movement, and a head portion for supporting a drill tube in use. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the lower arm is mounted for pivotable movement about two axes. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the head portion is moveable between two configurations, to present two different support tools to the drill tube. 
     
     
         13 . A method for handling drill tubes on a drilling platform, the method comprising selecting a drill tube and guiding an upper portion of the drill tube with an upper guide arm. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , comprising guiding a lower portion of the drill tube with a lower guide arm; so as to move the drill tube between a first, stowed position and a second, operative position. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the upper guide arm and lower guide arm are automatically directed to a drill tube once selected. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the upper guide arm comprises an extendable, telescopic, arm arranged in use to position the upper guide arm for retrieval/storage of a drill tube.