Short tubular connection system

Abstract

A system for connecting together tubulars includes a first torque-applying device, a second torque-applying device that is offset from the first torque applying device in a first horizontal direction by a first length, a loading assembly configured to convey a first tubular into axial alignment with the first and second torque-applying devices, the first tubular having an axial length that is smaller than the first length, and a tubular spinner configured to spin a second tubular into connection with the first tubular. The first torque-applying device is configured to engage the first tubular, and the second torque-applying device is configured to engage the second tubular so as to apply torque to a connection between the first tubular and the second tubular.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for connecting together tubulars, comprising:
 a first torque-applying device configured to apply torque to a tubular;   a second torque-applying device configured to apply torque to a tubular, the second torque-applying device being offset from the first torque-applying device in a first horizontal direction by a first length;   a loading assembly configured to convey a first tubular at least in a second horizontal direction into axial alignment with the first and second torque-applying devices, wherein the first tubular has an axial length that is smaller than the first length between the first and second torque-applying devices; and   a tubular spinner configured to spin a second tubular into connection with the first tubular, wherein the first torque-applying device is configured to engage the first tubular, and wherein the second torque-applying device is configured to engage the second tubular so as to apply torque to a connection between the first tubular and the second tubular.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubulars are prevented from falling between the first and second torque-applying devices by engagement with the second tubular. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first tubular is only supported by connection with the second tubular at least partially during a time in which the first tubular is moved between the first and second torque-applying devices. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the loading assembly comprises a ramp and a conveyor device that is configured to move the first tubular and at least one other tubular sequentially in the second horizontal direction and along the ramp. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the loading assembly comprises a platform that is configured to move vertically so as to raise the first tubular into alignment with the first torque-applying device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the tubular spinner comprises rollers that engage the second tubular, and wherein the first tubular is restrained from rotation relative to the platform while the second tubular is spun into connection therewith. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first torque-applying device comprises a headstock that is configured to engage the second tubular and move the second tubular axially relative to the first tubular, and wherein the second torque-applying device comprises a headstock configured to rotate the first tubular relative to the second tubular. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular is axially shorter than the second tubular. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular is selected from the group consisting of a bottom-hole assembly component, a cross-over, and a slips lifting collars, and wherein the second tubular comprises a drill pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a base that connects together the loading assembly, the tubular spinner, and the first and second torque-applying devices. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 loading a plurality of first tubulars into a loading assembly;   moving one of the first tubulars in a first horizontal direction into alignment with a first torque-applying device using the loading assembly;   spinning a second tubular into connection with the one of the first tubulars;   moving the second tubular and the one of the first tubulars through the first torque-applying device in a second horizontal direction, such that the one of the first tubulars moves into a second torque-applying device, the second torque-applying device being spaced apart from the first torque-applying device by a distance that exceeds an axial length of each of the first tubulars; and   applying a torque to the one of the first tubulars and to the second tubular using the first and second torque-applying devices.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 applying a second torque to the one of the first tubulars and to the second tubular using the first and second torque-applying devices so as to break out a connection therebetween;   moving the second tubular and the one of the first tubulars through the first torque-applying device; and   spinning the second tubular relative to the one of the first tubulars so as to disengage the second tubular therefrom.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising restraining the one of the first tubulars while spinning the second tubular. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein moving the second tubular and the one of the first tubulars comprises advancing the second tubular on a roller in a second axial direction, and wherein the one of the first tubulars is prevented from falling between the first and second torque-applying devices by engagement with the second tubular. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein moving the one of the first tubulars comprises lifting the one of the first tubulars vertically relative to the first torque-applying device. 
     
     
         16 . A system for connecting together tubulars, comprising:
 a loading assembly for receiving a plurality of first tubulars;   a handling assembly including one or more supports for receiving a second tubular, the second tubular being axially longer than each of the first tubulars, wherein the one or more supports are configured to hold the second tubular in axial alignment with one of the plurality of first tubulars in the loading assembly and permit axial movement of the second tubular through one or more torque-applying devices; and   a spinner configured to spin at least one of the second tubular or the one of the plurality of first tubulars relative to the other, so as to connect the second tubular and the one of the plurality of first tubulars, such that the one of the first tubulars is prevented, by way of connection with the second tubular, from vertical displacement relative to the second tubular.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more torque-applying devices comprises a first torque-applying device and a second torque-applying device, the first and second torque-applying devices being offset by a horizontal distance that is greater than an axial length of the one of the plurality of first tubulars. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the loading assembly comprises a ramp and a mechanized conveyor configured to move the plurality of first tubulars sequentially along the ramp and into axial alignment with the second tubular. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the loading assembly further comprises a platform configured to raise the one of the plurality of first tubulars vertically upwards from the ramp and into axial alignment with the second tubular. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more supports are vertically extendable so as to permit the second tubular to be lowered into engagement with the spinner, and to be raised out of engagement with the spinner and into axial alignment with the one or more torque-applying devices.