PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF LANDING ITEMS AT A WELL LOCATION.

摘要

A drill pipe (18) and drill pipe handling apparatus for oil and gas drilling rigs, the drill pipe (18) having an enlarged diameter section (21) positioned between the ends of the drill pipe (18). The enlarged diameter section (21) of drill pipe (18) has a shoulder (21a and b) which corresponds with and is engaged by a shoulder (109 or 209) located on wedge members (106 or 206) of a holder (100 or 200) on a drilling rig (10) for supporting the drill pipe (18) without crushing or otherwise damaging the drill pipe (18) during and after addition or removal of joints of drill pipe (18). A method of lowering items from a drilling rig (10) to a well (14) located below it through the use of a landing string (19) comprised of drill pipe (18) having an enlarged diameter section (21) with a shoulder (21a and b), in combination with upper and lower holders (100 and 200) having wedge members (106 and 206) with shoulders (109 and 209) that engage and support the drill pipe (18) at the shoulder (21a and b) of the enlarged diameter section (21).