PIVOTING PIPE HANDLER FOR OFF-LINE MAKE UP DRILL PIPE JOINTS

摘要

An apparatus and method for use in the off-line make-up of drill pipe stands on drilling rigs used In the exploration and production of oil and gas reserves are disclosed. The disclosed invention is a pipe handling system In which a section of the V-door ramp attached to a drilling rig structure pivots to allow one or more joints of drill pipe to be placed In a vertical position. Through use of an off-line roughnec in conjunction with an off-line drill pipe elevator, the joints of drill pipe held in the vertical position via the pivoting pipe handler of the present invention can be connected together, connected to additional joints of dnll pipe and placed in a racking board to be stored until they are subsequently connected to the drill string.