Tubular running apparatus

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided to prevent collisions between one drilling tool and another drilling tool during drilling operations. If the drilling tools reach a certain proximity to one another, a controller takes action to prevent a collision.

1 . An apparatus for preventing well component collisions, comprising: 
 a first component moveable along a first predetermined path;    a second component moveable along a second predetermined path, wherein the first and second predetermined paths intersect in at least one location; and    a sensing member for monitoring the location of the first component relative to the second component.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein in the first path comprises a substantially vertical path toward and away from a rig floor.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second path comprises a substantially horizontal path toward and away from the well center.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first component lowers a tubular towards the wellbore surface and the second component aligns the tubular over the wellbore surface in a horizontal plane.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a second sensing member for monitoring the location of the second component.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second sensing member is a linear potentiometer attachable to the second component.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second sensing member is a position sensor attachable to the second component incorporated in a triangulating positioning system.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing member is a strain gauge attachable to a railing system for guiding a top drive.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is operable to receive data from the sensing member and transmit data for controlling functions of the first component and the second component.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a controller is operable. to receive data from the sensing member and the second sensing member and transmit data for controlling functions of the first component and the second component.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing member is a wheel counter attachable to a cable from a draw-works which operates the first component.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing member is a position sensor incorporated in a triangulating positioning system attachable to the second component.  
   
   
       13 . A method for preventing a collision between a first and a second component at a well, comprising: 
 moving the first component substantially along a first path;    moving the second component substantially along a second path, wherein the first and second paths intersect in at least one location;    sensing the location of the first component;    transmitting the location of the first component to a controller; and    preventing the collision between the first component and the second component.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first component is for raising and lowering a tubular over a well center and the second component for aligning the tubular over a well center.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the controller moving the second component to a safe location upon the first component reaching an elevation A.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising sensing the location of the second component.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising transmitting the location of the second component to the controller.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising transmitting the unsafe location of the second component to the controller and moving the second component to a safe location upon the first component reaching an elevation A.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising stopping the first component upon reaching an elevation B if the second component is in an unsafe location.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising controlling functions of the first and second component with the controller.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising sensing the location of the second component and transmitting the location of the second component to the controller.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the controller preventing a collision between the first component and second component.  
   
   
       22 . An anti-collision system comprising: 
 a first sensor for monitoring the location of a first component;    a second sensor for monitoring the location of a second component; and    a controller for receiving data from the first and the second sensor and controlling functions of the first and second component in order to prevent a collision.    
   
   
       23 . An anti-collision system, comprising: 
 a calculator comprising: 
 a first algorithm for calculating the location of a first component; and  
 a second algorithm for calculating the location of a second component; and  
   a controller communicatively connected with the calculator and at least one of the first and second components in order to prevent a collision.    
   
   
       24 . A method for preventing a collision between a first and a second component at a well, comprising: 
 sensing the location of the first component relative to the second component;    transmitting the location to a controller;    utilizing the information transmitted to the controller to move the first component to a predetermined location while avoiding a collision between the components.