WO2004080658A2

WO2004080658A2 - Apparatus and method for determining the position of the end of a threaded connection, and for positioning a power tong relative thereto

Info

Publication number: WO2004080658A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/006895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey King
Original assignee: Rogers Oil Tool Services Inc
Current assignee: Rogers Oil Tool Services Inc
Priority date: 2003-03-06
Filing date: 2004-03-05
Publication date: 2004-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2005-09-06
Also published as: WO2004080658A3; EP1601959A2; EP1601959A4; CA2518255A1; US20050104583A1; NO20054594D0; NO20054594L; US6965230B2; US20040174163A1; CA2518255C

Abstract

Apparatus and method for positioning a power makeup/breakout device, commonly referred to as a “power tong unit” along the longitudinal axis of a tubular, with respect to the end of a connection. A probe having an electric coil is mounted on the power tong. An alternating electric current is flowed through the coil, creating an electro-magnetic field emanating from the coil. Positioning the coil such that the tubular connection is within the magnetic field, then moving the coil such that the connection end moves within the magnetic field, permits the connection end to be seen as a discontinuity, by the principles of eddy current testing. The location of the connection end is used to manually position the tong, or is input to a processor and then to a power positioner, which properly positions the power tong with respect to the connection end.

Description

Apparatus and Method for Determining the Position of the End of a Threaded

Connection, and for Positioning a Power Tong Relative Thereto

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application no. 60/452,400., filed

March 6, 2003.

Background - Field of Art

This invention relates to method and apparatus used in connection with the handling

of threaded tubulars. More particularly, this invention relates to method and apparatus used

to position power makeup/breakout devices with respect to the end of a threaded connection

half (of a threaded connection joining joints of tubular goods), in order that the power

makeup/breakout device may either makeup (that is, screw together) or breakout (that is,

unscrew) the threaded connection.

Background - Related Art

Tubular goods manufactured in "joints," typically on the order of 30 to 40 feet long,

are commonly joined together to make up very long tubular strings, at times on the order of

tens of thousands of feet long. While some tubular goods joints are welded together,

commonly some sort of threaded connection is used, which permits the joints to be screwed

together to form the tubular string, then unscrewed when needed. Tubulars having threaded connections on either end are used in many industries,

including but not limited to the oil and gas industry, borehole drilling, the drilling of pipeline

crossing bores, and in a myriad of industrial settings such as chemical plants, manufacturing

facilities, and the like. While the scope of the present invention is not restricted to any

particular setting or use of tubulars having threaded connections, for illustrative purposes the

following description will focus on tubulars used in the drilling of earthen boreholes for oil

and gas wells, in particular drill pipe. Joints of drill pipe are usually joined by threaded

comiections commonly known as "tool joints." The threaded connection is comprised of two

halves: one half is the box, which contains the female threads, while the other half is the pin,

containing the male threads. Fig. 1 shows a typical tool joint, not made up (that is, the pin

not engaged in the box). The ends of the respective connection halves are also shown in Fig.

1. As can be seen in Fig. 1, an "upset" or larger outer diameter section is commonly present

on both halves of the connection. The upset provides greater strength and provides a gripping

surface for the tongs used to make up and breakout the connection. Fig. 1 A shows the same

threaded connection made up. The line at which the ends of the pin and box halves of the

connection meet, for purposes of this application, is referred to as the "connection seam."

Similarly, a "connection end" is simply the end of a threaded connection, for example the end

of the box connection, as shown in Fig. 1. For purposes of this application, the term

"connection end" will encompass also the seam marking where two connection ends meet.

Traditionally, tool joints were made up and broken out with "manual" tongs, which

hung from the rig derrick via cables and were swung into place onto the tool joint by the rig

workers. The rig drawworks were then used to pull on the tongs (via cables), to makeup or

break out the connection. Manual tongs are quite heavy, can be relatively slow to use, and require at least one rig worker for each tong (the "lead tong" and "backup tong"). For these

and a variety of other reasons, including safety and efficiency reasons, combined power

tong/backup units have come into common use on rigs to makeup and break out threaded

connections. Power tong/backup units, while available in a variety of configurations,

generally have a "power tong" section which has a set of powered rotary jaws, powered

usually by hydraulic means, coupled to a "backup" section, wliich has hydraulic means to grip

the connection and hold it stationary. The backup holds one side of the connection stationary,

while the power tong turns the other side to makeup or break out as desired. For illustrative

purposes, power tong/backup units and their use will be described for an arrangement with

the power tong positioned over or above the backup. However, it is understood that an

inverted arrangement is possible.

It is to be understood that the scope of the invention herein encompasses any sort of

powered device to make up, and/or break out, threaded connections. For brevity, such

devices (including the above-described power tong/backup units) may be referred to at times

in this application as a "power tong unit." Regardless of the configuration, it is readily

appreciated that the power tong unit must be positioned so that one side of the power tong

unit is grasping one side of the connection, while the other side of the power tong unit is

grasping the other side of the connection end. The term "power tong unit" as used herein also

encompasses the power tong half alone (that is, for example, used in conjunction with some

sort of detached backup) .

While power tong units can be suspended from the rig derrick by a cable, and swung

into and out of engagement with the connection, powered positioning devices in various

configurations have now come into use. Various configurations of such powered positioning devices comprising booms, rails, etc. are in use. Such positioning devices enable the operator

to move power tong units horizontally into proper position to enable the tong jaws to grip the

connection, and vertically into position with respect to the connection seam, with the power

tong on one side of the seam and the backup on the other side. The operator moves the power

tong unit into proper position by visually sighting the connection, particularly the connection

seam. Obviously, the operator must stand relatively close to the connection to do so, and may

have to contend with his line of sight being partially blocked by the power tong itself or other

machinery.

For purposes of this application, the term "power positioner" is used at times to refer

to any type or configuration of powered (whether by hydraulic or other means) device which

at least partially positions a power tong unit on a connection.

This situation gives rise to the desirable goal of, at least partially, automating the

positioning of the power tong on the connection. When manipulating threaded connections in

rig operations, the position of the connection in a horizontal plane is always (within

reasonably close tolerances) centered in the rotary drive of the rig. Therefore, automation of

the horizontal element of power tong positioning is relatively easy.

However, the vertical position of the connection end with respect to the rig floor is a

variable. The tubular is not set into the slips in the rotary table at a consistent height above

the rotary table for every connection, therefore the position of the connection end above the

rig floor will vary from connection to connection.

It can be readily appreciated that in order to automate tong positioning (that is, to

position the tong on the connection with minimal human guidance) the height of the

connection end with respect to some datum, for example above the rig floor, must first be determined, then that information must be input to a power positioner to vertically position

the power tong unit along the longitude of the tubular (in addition to horizontal positioning).

Other applications have similar positioning needs. For example, in so-called "shop"

environments, the power tong unit may be stationary and oriented to grasp substantially

horizontally positioned tubulars; the tubular is placed horizontally, for example, on a powered

roller. With this arrangement, rather than the power tong unit being moved with respect to

stationary tubular, the power tong unit is stationary, and the tubular is moved by the roller so

as to properly position the connection end with respect to the power tong.

Prior art methods and/or apparatus which have attempted to locate the connection end

are believed to include mechanical devices such as feelers, and optical devices such as lasers.

However, these prior art apparatus and methods are believed to exhibit various limitations on

their use.

"Eddy current" techniques for connection end detection

It is known in the prior art to use so-called "eddy current" principles to detect

discontinuities in the shape or structure of electrically conductive materials. For the present

invention, eddy current principles are used to detect a "discontinuity" in electrically

conductive tubulars, in the form of the connection end - whether the connection end marks

the top or bottom of the tubular, as when only one of the connection halves is in place and the

discontinuity is due to no material present past the connection end; or whether the connection

end forms a connection seam, which, with respect to the tubular on either side of it, is a

discontinuity, in that the seam marks where two separate pieces of electrically conductive

material (metal) meet. An alternating electric current, preferably a radio frequency alternating current, is

flowed through at least one electric coil which is usually disposed in a housing and the

resulting assembly commonly referred to in the art as a "probe." An electro-magnetic field is

thereby created around the probe. Impedance (generally, resistance to electric current flow),

current, and phase angle can all be measured for the electric coil. These values can be

measured, in a first or "undisturbed" state (that is, with unchanging presence of an electrically

conductive object within the electro-magnetic field). Thereafter, an electrically conductive

object (the object being examined to detect discontinuities therein) is moved within and

relative to the electro-magnetic field, either by moving the electrically conductive object, or

moving the coil. By principles well known to those in the relevant art, discontinuities in the

electrically conductive object, for example, cracks, voids, or the like, both on and below the

surface, can be detected by noting a change in the measured impedance, current or phase

angle of current through the electric coil, as compared to the impedance when the

discontinuity is not present within the magnetic field. The size and number of electric coils,

geometry of the coils and/or housing, proximity of the electric coils to the object being tested,

frequency of alternating current, voltage, etc. can be varied to accommodate particular

applications, conditions to be investigated, etc. Inspection of various electrically conductive

objects, especially metallic objects in the form of tubular goods, plates, fasteners, etc. may be

carried out, to find discontinuities in the objects.

The present invention utilizes these principles in a novel method and apparatus for

determining the position of a connection end on a tubular workpiece, to position power tongs

on the threaded connection. A "discontinuity" in the form of the connection end is detected,

and then the connection end and power tong unit (comprising a power tong alone, or combined power tong and backup) are properly positioned relative to one another, either by

moving the power tong unit or the tubular or both.

Summary of the Invention

This invention comprises a method and apparatus for positioning a power tong unit

along the longitude of a tubular, with respect to a connection end on a electrically conductive

tubular workpiece. In one preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a probe

comprising at least one electric coil, the coil carried by the power tong unit, for example

mounted on the backup portion thereof. Typically, the coil is disposed in a housing, and the

coil/housing unit referred to as a probe. The face of the probe is positioned at or close to the

edge of the throat of the power tong unit, typically within about ^lA" of the throat edge. A

radio frequency alternating electric current source, supplies an alternating electric current to

the probe. A measuring means, which can measure impedance, current and phase angle for

the current flow through the electric coil, is provided. A means for detecting changes in

impedance, current and/or phase of the current flow through the electric coil, such as a

processor, said changes indicative of a discontinuity in the tubular, emits a signal when such

changes are detected. The signal can cause an audio and/or visual alarm, for detection by an

operator and manual control of a power positioner to place the tong in the proper location.

Alternatively, the power positioner can be coupled to the means for detecting impedance and

other changes, receiving the signal with (for example) a second processor which utilizes

various positional data and the connection end detection data to automatically position the

power tong unit on the connection.

In another embodiment of the apparatus, the power tong unit is held stationary while a

tubular positioner moves the tubular into the proper position relative to the power tong unit. The corresponding method of the present invention comprises the steps of:

• providing a probe comprising at least one electric coil, and flowing an alternating

electric current through the coil, while the probe is positioned sufficiently close to an

electrically conductive tubular that the tubular is within the electro-magnetic field thus

generated;

• moving the tubular and the electric coil relative to one another, whether by moving

the tubular with the probe held stationary or by moving the electric coil with the

tubular held stationary, a sufficient distance that the connection end is moved within

the magnetic field;

• detecting the presence of the connection end by monitoring impedance, current and/or

phase angle for the electric coil, for a change indicative of the connection end;

• correlating the relative positions of the power tong unit along the longitude of the

tubular and the position of the connection end; and

• manually controlling a power positioner to place the power tong unit on the

connection, or signaling a power positioner to move the power tong unit along the

longitude of the tubular, or alternatively moving the tubular, to a position where the

power tong unit is properly positioned thereto, in position to advance transverse to the

tubular and grasp it for makeup or breakout.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a typical tubular threaded connection, not made up (or screwed together).

Fig. 2 shows a typical tubular threaded connection, made up (or screwed together).

Fig. 3 is a drawing of a power tong unit (power tong and backup), a power positioner,

tubular connection, and probe. Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the probe of the present

invention, comprising two electric coils in an elongated housing.

Fig. 5 is a top view showing the probe mounted on the power tong unit, and a tubular

in position within the throat of the power tong unit.

Fig. 6 shows the various components of the invention.

Fig. 7 is an example of a video output of the impedance measurement.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the invention.

Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiments

Those having skill in the relevant art field will recognize that many changes may be

made to the preferred embodiments described herein, without departing from the spirit of the

invention. However, with reference to the drawings, some of the presently preferred

embodiments will now be described. For convenience only, one embodiment of the invention

is described in conjunction with one application, that being the makeup and breakout of

threaded connections on drill pipe or other tubulars, such as on a drilling rig. However, the

scope of the invention is not limited to that specific application.

This invention comprises a method and apparatus for detecting the position of a

tubular threaded connection end, and using that positional information to properly place a

power tong unit (via a power positioner) onto the connection, to permit either making up or

breaking out the threaded connection. For purposes of this patent application, the term

"power tong unit" encompasses any type of power tong, power tong and backup combination,

power makeup/breakout device, or any other powered device which grips the tubular and

rotates it, to make up or break out a connection. The term "power positioner" is to be construed to refer to any device which moves a power tong unit vertically and/or horizontally

with respect to a tubular, in order to place the power tong unit correctly onto the tubular.

As can be seen in the accompanying Figs. 1, threaded connections (whether on drill

pipe, tubing, or casing) comprise two halves (pin and box), each having an end, and the ends

forming a "seam" where the pin and box ends meet (see Fig. 2). Figs. 1 - 3 illustrate a

common setting for employment of the method and apparatus in a rig setting, in which the

tubular is disposed substantially vertically (that is, the longitude of the tubular is vertical),

typically in the rotary of a drilling or workover rig. A power tong unit 10 must be vertically

positioned, as shown in Fig. 3, with the power tong 20 (the part which rotates the tubular) on

one side (either above or below) of the connection seam, and the backup 30 (the part which

holds the other side of the connection, either stationary or rotates it in a direction opposite to

the direction of rotation of the power tong) on the other side, so that relative rotation of the

two may be effected. While Fig. 3 shows power tong 20 placed above the connection seam

(to grip and rotate the upper half of the threaded connection, typically the pin), with backup

30 placed below the connection seam, it is to be understood that the positions could be

reversed. It can be readily appreciated that the connection end is the relevant positional

reference point for proper positioning of a power tong unit.

The apparatus and method of this embodiment of the invention detects the vertical

position of the threaded connection end, and emits a signal when the connection end is

detected. This signal may cause an audio and/or visual alarm to be emitted, which can be

used by an operator to manipulate a power positioner to longitudinally properly position a

power tong unit on the connection. Alternatively, the signal can be supplied to a processor

which automatically controls a power positioner to longitudinally position the power tong unit properly about the two halves of the threaded connection, about the connection seam, or

on the one half (usually the box) of the connection. The basic physical principle which the

apparatus and method employs is so-called "eddy current" detection of discontinuities in an

electrically conducting object, as earlier described herein. For purposes of this invention, the

eddy current principle is used to detect a "discontinuity" in electrically conductive tubular

goods, in the form of the connection seam (the connection seam, with respect to the tubular

on either side of it, being a discontinuity, in that the seam marks where two separate pieces of

metal meet) or the connection end (with the absence of metal beyond the end being the

discontinuity).

Various modifications to the apparatus and its method of operation may be made in

order to optimize discontinuity detection for differing configurations of tubulars, material

type, etc. The scope of the present invention encompasses any such methods and apparatus

of using eddy current principles to detect the location of a connection end, for purposes of

vertical, horizontal, or other positioning of a power tong/backup on the connection.

As shown in Figs. 3 - 6, the invention preferably comprises a probe 40 comprising at

least one electric coil 50 mounted in a housing 60. Fig. 4 is a schematical exemplary drawing

of probe 40, in partial cross section, and shows a presently preferred embodiment comprising

two coils 50. It is to be understood that Fig. 4 is schematical in nature, and the actual

physical configuration of the coils and their placement in the housing may take a number of

forms, as is known to those having skill in the relevant art field; the scope of the present

invention encompasses any number and configuration (size, geometry, etc.) of coils. Probe

40 is mounted on a means for moving the coil along the longitude of the tubular, which

means also places probe 40 in close proximity to the tubular and moves the probe along the longitude of the tubular. In the preferred embodiment, the means for moving the coil along

the longitude of the tubular on which probe 40 is mounted is a power tong unit 10, for

example probe 40 being mounted on backup 30. The probe face 41 is positioned at or close

to the edge of the throat 15 of power tong unit 10, typically within about 3/8" or less of the

throat edge. That distance may of course be modified to accommodate particular operating

conditions. This permits the probe face to be within about Α" or less of the tubular when the

invention is in use. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of the present invention

includes embodiments where the coil is carried by apparatus other than the power tong unit,

for example some arrangement of movable carrier dedicated to the probe positioning

function.

Fig. 5 is a top view of probe 40 positioned in power tong unit 10. Fig. 5 also shows a

tubular (in cross section) in position within the throat of power tong unit 10, for example

against the rearward surface of the throat, and thereby positioned sufficiently close to probe

face 41 to be within the magnetic field emanating therefrom, as later described.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary arrangement of the apparatus of the present invention. An

electric current source 70, preferably a radio frequency alternating electric current source,

supplies a radio frequency electric current to probe 40. As is later described, a means for

detecting a change in the electro-magnetic field of coil 50 as it moves along the longitude of

the tubular is provided, which can comprise a first processor 80 measuring impedance,

current, and phase angle for the electric current flow through the electric coil. A means for

moving electric coil 50 parallel to the longitude of the tubular can comprise power tong unit

10 moved by the power positioner. Processor 80 is coupled to an indicator 90, which may

have audio and/or visual output when a change indicative of a connection end is detected. Processor 80 may additionally be coupled to a second processor 90, in turn coupled to the

power positioner, which positions power tong unit 10 both horizontally and vertically (along

the longitude of the tubular). Indicator 90 is typically mounted on a control console 110,

which also typically contains manual controls for the power positioner as well as for power

tong unit 10 (e.g., the throat door, rotary, etc. of the power tong and backup).

Use of the apparatus

An exemplary sequence of steps in the use of the invention can now be described.

A power positioner is actuated so as to advance probe 40, in the presently preferred

embodiment carried by power tong unit 10, horizontally toward a tubular. Power tong unit 10

is moved so that probe face 41 is close enough to the tubular that the tubular will be within

the electro-magnetic field emanating from probe 40, as can be seen in Fig. 6, and as later

described. Typically, probe face 41 will be set back around 3/8" from the rearward surface of

tong throat 15; when the power tong unit is advanced until the rearward surface of the throat

butts up against the tubular, then the tubular will be within V." or so of probe face 41. This

spacing suffices for most configurations of probe 40, tubular material, etc., but obviously can

be modified if needed.

An electric current, preferably an alternating current, is flowed by electric current

source 70 tlirough electric coils 50 within probe 40, generating the electro-magnetic field

earlier described. The means for moving electric coil 50 along the longitude of the tubular, in

the illustrated embodiment being power tong unit 10 (as electric coil 50 is mounted thereon)

moved by the power positioner, is then activated, under either automatic or manual control, to

move probe 40 along the longitude of the tubular. Processor 80 is monitoring changes in the

electro-magnetic field, including impedance, current and phase angle through the electric coil. Advantageously, impedance can be visually output on an oscilloscope-type screen as probe

40 advances along the tubular. Fig. 7 shows a typical impedance display. When probe 40

moves to a position in wliich a connection end is within the magnetic field, an impedance

change is noted, as shown on the exemplary plot of Fig. 7 in the area so noted. Of course,

other useful values can be so plotted and used to note position of the connection end. The

characteristic impedance signature of the connection end can be readily established

empirically, by a test case on a connection end.

Processor 80, upon detecting the presence of a connection end, generates a signal

which is sent to indicator 90, as represented in Fig. 6. Indicator 90 may be visual (a signal

light), audio, or a combination. When the power positioner is under manual control, upon

receiving the signal the operator can adjust the position of power tong unit 10 along the

longitude of the tubular by a known, fixed amount (which can also be established

empirically), to place power tong unit 10 properly on the connection.

Alternatively, the signal from processor 80 can be sent to and received by a second

processor 100, which controls the power positioner. Upon receiving the signal from

processor 80 denoting the location of the connection end, the relative vertical position of

power tong unit 10 is recorded by processor 100. Then, processor 100 signals the power

positioner to raise or lower power tong unit 10 by a fixed amount (which is calibrated, and

dependent upon the physical arrangement of the probe, the power tong unit, etc.) to properly

place power tong unit 10 on the connection.

Once properly positioned along the longitude of the tubular, with respect to

connection end, the tong throat door can be closed, the jaws advanced to grip and turn the

connection to makeup or breakout the threaded connection as needed. The method of the present invention therefore comprises the steps of:

• providing a probe comprising an electric coil, operatively connected to means for

moving the electric coil along the longitude of a tubular, such as a power tong unit

carried by a power positioner;

• flowing an alternating electric current, preferably a radio frequency alternating electric

current, through the electric coil, while the electric coil is positioned sufficiently close

to a tubular that the tubular is within the electro-magnetic field generated by the

electric current flow through the electric coil;

• moving the tubular and the electric coil relative to one another, along the longitude of

the tubular, whether by moving the tubular with the coil held stationary or by moving

the coil with the tubular held stationary, a sufficient distance that the connection end

is moved within the electro-magnetic field;

• detecting the presence of the connection end by monitoring changes in the electro¬

magnetic field, represented by changes in impedance, current and/or phase angle and

sensing a change in those values, caused by the connection end;

° emitting a signal when the connection end is detected, the signal causing a visual

and/or audio alarm to be given;

• from the longitudinal position of the power tong unit when the alarm is given,

adjusting the position of the power tong unit by a pre-determined amount to a position

where the power tong can grasp the connection for makeup or breakout.

Another presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus and method

Fig. 8 shows another preferred embodiment of the apparatus. In this embodiment, the

tubular is disposed substantially horizontal, and the power tong unit is correspondingly disposed so as to grasp the horizontal tubular. This embodiment of the invention has

particular utility in so-called "shop" environments, where tubulars such as bottom-hole

assemblies may be advantageously madeup before being sent out to a drilling rig.

In this embodiment, the tubular is disposed substantially horizontally. A means for

moving the tubular in a direction parallel to its longitude, for example a power roller 120, is

provided to permit moving the tubular back and forth horizontally past probe 40 (which

comprises electric coil 50). Power tong unit 10 is disposed such that its axis of rotation is

also substantially horizontal. Probe 40 can be mounted either in power tong unit 10 (for

example, on backup 30, as in the previous embodiment), or simply fixedly mounted as to

hold probe face 41 within the required distance from the tubular. In other respects, this

embodiment is similar in operation to the previously disclosed embodiment. An alternating

electric current source 70, preferably a radio frequency alternating current, flows electricity

through the electric coil or coils in probe 40. The tubular is moved along by power roller

120, within the electro-magnetic field emanating from probe 40. A means for detecting

changes in the electro-magnetic field is provided, such as processor 80 receiving a signal

(impedance, current, and phase angle) from probe 40, and when the characteristic signal

signature is detected for a connection end a signal is send to audio and/or visual indicator 90,

and/or to processor 100, in this embodiment controlling power roller 120. Power roller 120

therefore moves the tubular horizontally so as to place the connection seam in the proper

location for makeup and/or breakout.

The method corresponding to this embodiment therefore comprises the steps of:

• providing a probe comprising an electric coil; • flowing an alternating electric current, preferably a radio frequency alternating electric

current, through the coil, while a tubular is positioned within the electro-magnetic

field generated by the electric current flow through the electric coil;

• moving the tubular longitudinally relative to the coil, whether by moving the tubular

with the coil held stationary or by moving the coil with the tubular held stationary, a

sufficient distance that the connection end is moved within the electro-magnetic field;

• detecting the presence of the connection end by monitoring coil impedance, current, and phase angle and sensing a change in those values, caused by the connection end;

• emitting a signal when the connection end is detected, the signal causing a visual

and/or audio indication to be given;

• from the longitudinal position of the power tong unit when the indication is given,

adjusting the position of the tubular by a pre-determined amount to a position where

the power tong can grasp the tubular for makeup or breakout.

Other embodiments of the invention

The present invention encompasses various embodiments and changes that may be

appropriate to adapt the apparatus and method to particular physical settings, e.g. different

tubulars, power tong/backup combinations, environmental conditions, etc. It will be

recognized by those having skill in the relevant art field that at least the following

characteristics of the method and apparatus may be varied as needed, all within the scope of

the present invention:

• operating frequency of the alternating current supplied to the electric coil;

• distance of the probe/coil from the tubular; • rate at which the probe/coil is moved with respect to the tubular and the connection

seam;

• shape and geometry of the probe/coil(s);

• the number of coils in the probe, including, the use of multiple "differential coils";

and

• different processor means to receive and transmit information regarding coil

impedance, current, and phase angle; height of connection seam; and height of power

tong unit.

It is to be understood also that the method and apparatus of the present invention may

be used on tubulars in which the longitudinal axis is neither vertical nor horizontal, but at

some inclination (e.g. 45 degrees from vertical), to suit particular applications, such as a

tubular being in a mousehole or rathole on a drilling rig; or to make up and breakout tubulars

being used to create waterway crossings (in which the borehole is drilled at a very steep

angle, to create a borehole underneath a river, for example).

It should be appreciated that an apparatus and method for determining the position of

a connection seam, for positioning of a power tong unit properly on the threaded connection,

in accordance with the teachings of the present inventive disclosure, constitutes an

advancement in the relevant art. While the above description contains certain specificities,

these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather only as

examples of presently preferred embodiments thereof. Accordingly, the various elements of

the invention should be understood as including alternative structures and methods which

those skilled in the relevant art would recognize as equivalent. The scope of the invention should therefore be measured not by the examples given, but by the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

We claim:

1. An apparatus for positioning a power tong unit at a desired position along the

longitude of an electrically conductive tubular, comprising:

a) an electric coil operatively connected to a source of alternating electric current,

thereby creating an electro-magnetic field therearound, said electric coil

adapted to be placed radially with respect to an electrically conductive tubular

so that said electro-magnetic field is influenced by the presence of said

tubular;

b) a means for moving said electric coil in a direction parallel to the longitude of

said tubular;

c) a means for detecting a change in said electro-magnetic field of said electric

coil in response to movement of said electric coil in a direction parallel to the

longitude of said tubular;

d) a power tong unit, comprising a power tong and a backup unit;

e) a means for positioning said power tong unit at a desired position along a line

parallel to the longitude of said tubular, in response to a change in said electro¬

magnetic field of said electric coil.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said electric coil is mounted on said power tong

unit.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein said alternating current is a radio frequency

alternating current, and wherein said change in said electro-magnetic field is

indicative of a connection end.

4. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said means for positioning said power tong unit is

coupled to said means for detecting a change in said electro-magnetic field indicative

of a connection end.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises at least two electric coils.

6. An apparatus for positioning a connection end with respect to a power tong unit, to

enable makeup and breakout of the connection, comprising:

thereby creating an electro-magnetic field therearound, said electric coil

so that said electro-magnetic field is influenced by the presence of said

tubular;

b) a means for detecting a change in said electro-magnetic field of said electric

coil in response to movement of said tubular by said electric coil;

c) a power tong unit, comprising a power tong and a backup unit; and

d) a means for moving said tubular in a direction parallel to the longitude of said

tubular, past said electric coil, in response to a change in said electro-magnetic

field of said electric coil.

7. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein said alternating current is a radio frequency

alternating current, and wherein said change in said electro-magnetic field is

indicative of a connection end.

8. The apparatus of Claim 7, wherein said means for moving said tubular is coupled to

said means for detecting a change in said electro-magnetic field indicative of a

connection end.

9. The apparatus of Claim 8, wherein said means for moving said tubular comprises a

powered roller.

10. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein said apparatus comprises at least two electric coils.

11. A method for positioning a power tong unit longitudinally along a tubular, with

respect to a threaded connection seam or end, comprising the steps of:

a) positioning an electric coil, tlirough which an alternating electric current is

being flowed, sufficiently close to a tubular that said tubular is within an

electro-magnetic field emanating from said coil;

b) moving said electric coil along the longitude of said tubular, until a threaded

connection seam or end is within said electro-magnetic field;

c) detecting a change in said electro-magnetic field, caused by the presence of

said threaded connection end therein;

d) generating a signal when said change is detected, and sending said signal to a

processor, said signal comprising data from which a height of said connection

end above a datum may be determined;

e) emitting a signal from said processor to a power positioner holding a power

tong unit, said power positioner positioning said power tong unit along a

longitude of said tubular such that said threaded connection may be gripped by

said power tong unit, for makeup or breakout of said threaded connection.

12. The method of Claim 11 , wherein said alternating electric current is a radio frequency

alternating electric current.

13. A method for longitudinally positioning a threaded connection seam or end in relation

to a power tong unit, comprising the steps of: a) positioning an electric coil, through which an alternating electric current is

being flowed, sufficiently close to a tubular that said tubular is within an

electro- magnetic field emanating from said coil;

b) moving said tubular longitudinally past said electric coil, until a threaded

connection end is within said electro-magnetic field;

c) detecting a change in said electro-magnetic field, caused by the presence of

said threaded connection end therein;

processor, said signal comprising data from which a longitudinal distance of

said connection end from said power tong unit may be determined; and

e) emitting a signal from said processor to a tubular positioner, said tubular

positioner moving said tubular along its longitude such that said threaded

connection may be gripped by said power tong unit, for makeup or breakout of

said threaded connection.

14. The method of Claim 13, wherein said alternating electric current is a radio frequency

alternating electric current.