Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC

Frank Wern

Bjoern Thiemann

Christina Hebebrand

Michael Wiedecke

Christina Karin Hebebrand

Martin Liess

Aicam Zouhair

Federico Amezaga

John Ownby

Carlo Hoelterling

John Fielding Ownby

Jan Rothe

Thomas Kotschy

Heidi N Cline

A method and apparatus for local hydraulic power generation on an electric tong, including a power tong for spinning tubulars; a first electric motor functionally connected to the power tong; a plurality of hydraulic power consumers including a backup tong for clamping a tubular string; a second electric motor functionally connected to the plurality of hydraulic power consumers; electronics to drive the first electric motor and the second electric motor; and a switchbox providing at least two configurations of the system. A method includes arranging a tong system in a hydraulic power configuration; supplying hydraulic power with an onboard electric motor to at least one of a plurality of hydraulic power consumers to position a tubular for make-up; arranging the tong system in a rotary drive configuration; supplying at least one of torque and rotation with the onboard electric motor to a power tong.

Electric tong with onboard hydraulic power unit

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a multiple range load cell capable of automatically switching measuring range and method for operating the multiple range load cell.

Multi-range load cell

A method used to determine an operational mode of a tong. The method includes rotating a first sensor target relative to a first sensor and rotating a second sensor target relative to a second sensor. The method also includes identifying a position of the first sensor target using the first sensor and analyzing the position of the first sensor target to determine the operational mode of the tong.

Apparatus and methods for determining operational mode of tong assembly

Methods and systems for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery are presented. One example system generally includes a first tool and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool. The first control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing. The system further includes a second tool and a second control device mounted on the second tool and configured to operate the second tool. The second control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing.

Control system for hydrocarbon recovery tools

A system for tong assembly operation includes a mode switch for shifting the tong assembly between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the mode switch having a first portion associated with the first mode and a second portion associated with the second mode; a first target coupled to the first portion, the first target movable to a first position corresponding to the first mode of operation; a second target coupled to the second portion, the second target movable to a second position corresponding to the second mode of operation; a first sensor configured to identify the first position of the first target; and a second sensor configured to identify the second position of the second target.

A method and apparatus for supplying non-hydraulic power to a tool unit during well operation. A top drive supplies power to a power consumer of the tool unit with a non-hydraulic power supply: a mechanical power coupling from the top drive to the tool unit, a wireless power coupling from the top drive to the tool unit, a local power supply on the tool unit, and/or combinations thereof. The non-hydraulic power supply may be capable of supplying at least 2 kW for at least 10 s. The system may include a fixed gear coupled to the top drive, a slewing ring meshed to the fixed gear, and a revolving gear meshed with the slewing ring and coupled to the tool unit. The slewing ring is configured to transfer rotational force from the fixed gear to the revolving gear, and may be rotated by rotating a torque shaft or actuating the fixed gear.

Power supply for a top drive

A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes an identification reader for automatically identifying tools during operation for rig up and tool exchange. The identification reader may be disposed in one of a tool storage unit, a tool change unit or a top drive unit. Drilling tools, cementing tools and casing tools with one or more identification devices may be used with the modular top drive system. The one or more identification devices may be radio frequency identification devices, barcodes, text tags, micro-controllers, or combinations thereof.

Tool identification

A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes an alignment assembly configured to align a tool with a top drive unit to facilitate automatic tool installation during rig up.

Tool detection and alignment for tool installation

A top drive system for use with a tool for handling tubulars on a drilling rig includes a motor unit; a coupling unit that transfers torque to the tool; a torque measurement device (TMD) coupled to at least one of the motor unit, the tool, or the coupling unit, wherein the TMD includes a sensing member coupled to an evaluation unit, wherein the sensing member is configured to measure a magnetostrictive effect and the evaluation unit is configured to calculate a magnitude of the torque reaction force based on the magnetostrictive effect.

Top drive torque measurement device

A method and apparatus for optical imaging and assessment of tong cassette positioning devices, including identifying a focus area on a tong cassette; optically imaging the focus area with an optical imaging device on a positioning device; and analyzing information from the optical imaging to determine an assessment of the focus area. A system includes: a tong cassette having a focus area; a positioning device having an optical imaging device to image the focus area; and an analyzing device functionally connected to the optical imaging device to receive information therefrom.

Optical imaging and assessment system for tong cassette positioning device

A system includes an accessory tool selected from a group consisting of a casing unit, a cementing unit, and a drilling unit; and a genset mounted to the accessory tool and comprising: a fluid driven motor having an inlet and an outlet for connection to a control swivel of the system; an electric generator connected to the fluid driven motor; a manifold having an inlet for connection to the control swivel and an outlet connected an accessory tool actuator; and a control unit in communication with the electric generator and the manifold and comprising a wireless data link.

Genset for top drive unit

A method and apparatus for suppling non-hydraulic power to a tool unit during well operation. A top drive supplies power to a power consumer of the tool unit with a non-hydraulic power supply: a mechanical power coupling from the top drive to the tool unit, a wireless power coupling from the top drive to the tool unit, a local power supply on the tool unit, and/or combinations thereof. The non-hydraulic power supply may be capable of supplying at least 2 kW for at least 10 s. The system may include a fixed gear coupled to the top drive, a slewing ring meshed to the fixed gear, and a revolving gear meshed with the slewing ring and coupled to the tool unit. The slewing ring is configured to transfer rotational force from the fixed gear to the revolving gear, and may be rotated by rotating a torque shaft or actuating the fixed gear.

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Hannover, Germany

Frank Wern