Tubular compensation system

Abstract

A tubular handling assembly includes an elevator and a tubular compensator assembly. The tubular compensator assembly includes a housing; a lift member coupled to the housing; a support member; and an actuator for moving the housing and the lift member relative to the support member and the elevator.

1 . A tubular compensator assembly, comprising:
 a lift member from which an elevator is suspended;   a support member; and   a piston and cylinder assembly adapted to selectively raise and lower the lift member relative to the support member, wherein extension of the piston and cylinder assembly acts to raise the lift member relative to the support member, and wherein retraction of the piston and cylinder assembly acts to lower the lift member relative to the support member.   
     
     
         2 . The tubular compensator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lift member extends through the support member. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The tubular compensator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is attached to a distal end of the piston of the piston and cylinder assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The tubular compensator assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a swivel which permits rotation of the lift member. 
     
     
         6 . The tubular compensator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lift member is rotatable relative to the support member. 
     
     
         7 . The tubular compensator assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer member disposed below the support member. 
     
     
         8 . The tubular compensator assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide member coupled to the support member. 
     
     
         9 . A tubular handling assembly, comprising:
 first and second elevators, wherein the first elevator is positioned above the second elevator;   a lift member from which the second elevator is suspended; and   a compensator comprising a support member and a piston and cylinder assembly, wherein the compensator is positioned on top of the first elevator, and wherein the lift member is rotatably supported by the compensator.   
     
     
         10 . The tubular handling assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the piston and cylinder assembly has an extended position and a retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . The tubular handling assembly of  claim 10 , wherein a load applied from the lift member is transferred through the compensator to the first elevator. 
     
     
         12 . The tubular handling assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a guide member coupled to the support member. 
     
     
         13 . The tubular handling assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a swivel which permits rotation of the lift member. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The tubular handling assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the support member is in contact with the first elevator at both the extended position and the retracted position. 
     
     
         16 . The tubular handling assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a spacer member disposed below the support member, wherein the spacer member is in contact with the first elevator. 
     
     
         17 . The tubular handling assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a guide member coupled to the support member, wherein the guide member is at least partially disposed in the first elevator. 
     
     
         18 - 22 . (canceled)