Tubular slip device having non-metallic materials and method of use

Abstract

A tubular slip device for supporting a tubular member comprises a plurality of slip segments connected to form a slip opening adapted for the tubular member. Each slip segment comprises a slip body made of a composite and/or a non-metallic material.

1 . A tubular slip device for supporting a tubular member, comprising:
 a plurality of slip segments connected to form a slip opening adapted for the tubular member, each slip segment comprising a slip body made of a non-metallic material, the slip body comprises:
 a top end and a bottom end; 
 an outer face having an arcuate shape; and 
 an inner face having an arcuate shape at least partially surrounding the slip opening; and 
   a plurality of inserts attached to the inner face of the slip body in an attached position, and each insert comprises a front side adapted to grip the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The tubular slip device of  claim 1 , wherein the slip body is made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The tubular slip device of  claim 1 , wherein the slip body is made of a fiber-reinforced material. 
     
     
         4 . The tubular slip device of  claim 1 , wherein the slip body is made of a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The tubular slip device of  claim 1 , wherein the slip body is made of a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The tubular slip device of  claim 1 , wherein the slip body is made of a ceramic matrix composite material. 
     
     
         7 . The tubular slip device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner face comprises a plurality of ledges, and wherein each insert comprises a shoulder engaged with one of the plurality of ledges when in the attached position so as to secure the insert to the slip body when a tubular member is supported. 
     
     
         8 . The tubular slip device of  claim 1 , further comprising a load ring having an arcuate shape and an insert bottom surface, wherein the inner face includes a radial channel adapted for the load ring to fit within the radial channel, wherein the insert bottom surface of at least one of the plurality of inserts abuts against the load ring, and wherein the outer face has a tapered section disposed between the top end and the bottom end, and wherein the tapered section tapers inwardly towards the bottom end. 
     
     
         9 . A tubular slip device for supporting a tubular member, comprising:
 a plurality of slip segments connected to form a slip opening adapted for the tubular member, each slip segment comprising a slip body made of a composite material, the slip body comprises:
 a top end and a bottom end; 
 an outer face having an arcuate shape; and 
 an inner face having an arcuate shape at least partially surrounding the slip opening; and 
   a plurality of inserts attached to the inner face of the slip body in an attached position, and each insert comprises a front side adapted to grip the tubular member.   
     
     
         10 . The tubular slip device of  claim 9 , wherein the slip body comprises a laminate structure, wherein the laminate structure comprises a plurality of metallic layers and a plurality of fiber layers. 
     
     
         11 . The tubular slip device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of metallic layers comprises a first metallic layer and a second metallic layer and the plurality of fiber layers comprises a first fiber layer, and wherein the first fiber layer is disposed between the first metallic layer and the second metallic layer. 
     
     
         12 . The tubular slip device of  claim 11 , further comprising an adhesive material for securing the first fiber layer to the first metallic layer and the second metallic layer. 
     
     
         13 . The tubular slip device of  claim 9 , wherein the composite material is a fiber-reinforced material. 
     
     
         14 . The tubular slip device of  claim 13 , wherein the fiber-reinforced material is a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic or a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The tubular slip device of  claim 9 , wherein the composite material is a ceramic matrix composite material. 
     
     
         16 . The tubular slip device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of inserts extend from the top end to the bottom end. 
     
     
         17 . The tubular slip device of  claim 9 , wherein the inner face comprises a plurality of ledges, and wherein each insert comprises a shoulder engaged with one of the plurality of ledges when in the attached position so as to secure the insert to the slip body when a tubular member is supported. 
     
     
         18 . The tubular slip device of  claim 9 , further comprising a load ring having an arcuate shape and an insert bottom surface, wherein the inner face includes a radial channel adapted for the load ring to fit within the radial channel, wherein the insert bottom surface of at least one of the plurality of inserts abuts against the load ring, and wherein the outer face has a tapered section disposed between the top end and the bottom end, and wherein the tapered section tapers inwardly towards the bottom end. 
     
     
         19 . A method of engaging a tubular member within a rotary table on a drill rig floor comprising:
 providing a tubular slip device, the tubular slip device comprising:
 a plurality of slip segments connected to form a slip opening adapted for the tubular member, each slip segment comprising a slip body made of a composite material, the slip body comprises:
 a top end and a bottom end; 
 an outer face having an arcuate shape; and 
 an inner face having an arcuate shape at least partially surrounding the slip opening; and 
 
 a plurality of inserts attached to the inner face of the slip body in an attached position, and each insert comprises a front side adapted to grip the tubular member; 
   inserting a tubular member within the rotary table on the drill rig floor;   inserting the tubular slip device into the rotary table;   engaging the tubular slip device about the tubular member so that the plurality of inserts engage the tubular member, and wherein the tubular member is suspended from the rotary table so as to create a load;   transferring the load of the tubular member to the plurality of inserts; and   transferring the load of the plurality of inserts to each slip body of the plurality of slip segments.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the slip body has a laminate structure comprising a plurality of metallic layers made of a metallic material and a plurality of fiber layers.