US20150259993A1

US20150259993A1 - Exit Side Tool For Makeup And Breakout Of Pipe

Info

Publication number: US20150259993A1
Application number: US14/726,767
Authority: US
Inventors: Kalpeshkumar V. Patel; Kenneth L. Hunt; Rich Gentry; Richard Levings
Original assignee: American Augers Inc
Current assignee: American Augers Inc
Priority date: 2012-11-30
Filing date: 2015-06-01
Publication date: 2015-09-17

Abstract

A tool for making up and breaking out a drill string at an exit side of a bore. The tool includes a fixed wrench assembly and a moveable wrench assembly for torqueing a pipe joint. The tool also includes a drill pipe retainer assembly that is mounted indirectly of the frame and is adapted to receive and release a pipe section. A roller assembly is provided at a special hydraulically-adjustable table to allow low-torque unthreading and threading of pipe segments.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/005,275, filed on May 30, 2014, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/094,321, file Dec. 2, 2013, which claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/732,068, filed Nov. 30, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a tool that may be used in connection with a horizontal directional drilling system, comprised of a plurality of drill pipes that are joined together at pipe joints and to a method for using such a tool. More particularly, the invention comprises a tool that is used to perform various functions on or with respect to the drill pipe sections of the drill string on the exit side of the bore.

BACKGROUND

Many utility lines, pipelines and other underground components are installed in or under the ground by boring a borehole in a generally-horizontal direction in the ground rather than by digging a trench. This type of construction, which is sometimes referred to as “horizontal boring”, “directional drilling” or “horizontal directional drilling”, reduces the need to dig a trench in order to install an underground component, and thereby saves several steps in the installation process. If no trench is dug, there will be no trench to fill, and no disturbed surface to reclaim. A directional drilling machine may be operated to drill a bore along a planned path underground. Typically, the planned path is generally arcuate in shape from the entry point at the surface of the ground, continuing underneath a roadway, river or other obstacle, to an exit point on the surface on the other side of the obstacle.
There are several operations that must be performed on the exit side of the bore where the drill string emerges from the ground. For example, the boring tool may be disconnected from the end of the drill string and the pipe sections of the drill string may be disconnected one by one from the drill string. If a backreamer is used, it may be installed in place of the boring tool. High torque is typically used in order to loosen the boring tool or a pipe section for removal from the drill string or to install the backreamer on the drill string. Most commonly, the drill crew will use a pair of large wrenches such as pipe wrenches or oil field tongs to remove the boring tool and each pipe section, or to install a backreamer. Frequently, the drill crew will connect the handle of the wrench to the bucket of a hydraulic excavator using a chain or strap, and then use the excavator to apply a vertical force to the bucket while the drilling rig operator rotates the drill string to loosen the boring tool or a pipe section or to tighten the backreamer on the end of the drill string. If the drill string is to be disassembled on the exit side, the individual pipe sections may be placed in a stack or in a pipe section magazine. These pipe sections are heavy and long, and it is labor-intensive to disconnect them manually on the exit side of the drill site.

SUMMARY

The invention is directed to a system for the makeup and breakout of drill pipe. The system comprises a frame, a pair of retainers supported on the frame, and defining a retainer axis, a first wrench supported on the frame, and a second wrench supported on the frame and independently movable relative to the first wrench. The first and second wrench define a wrench axis which is not collinear to the retainer axis.
The invention is also directed to method for breakout of pipe sections from a drill string. The drill string comprises multiple pipe joints using a tool comprising a first wrench, a second wrench, and a retainer assembly. The method comprises pushing the drill string through the ground with a drill rig located at an entry side of a borehole until at least one pipe section extends from the ground at an exit side of the borehole. A spinner assembly is provided proximate the exit side of the borehole. The spinner assembly comprises a spinner and a tray. The spinner assembly aligns to the drill string, and the pipe joint is gripped with the first wrench and the second wrench such that the first wrench is located on a first side of the pipe joint and the second wrench is located on a second side of the pipe joint. The second wrench is rotated relative to the first wrench to break the at least one pipe section from the drill string at the pipe joint. The pipe section is rotated and spun and grasped with the retainer assembly, and removed from the tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a horizontal directional drilling machine and a drill string having a portion beyond the exit side of a bore.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a machine supporting a tool for making up and breaking out a pipe joint at the exit side of a bore.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the tool of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the tool of FIG. 2 having a drill string within the tool.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tool for making up and breaking out a drill string at the exit side of a bore.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the tool of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spinner table for use with the tool of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative spinner table.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the use of horizontal drilling machine or drill rig 20 to thrust and rotate a drill string 22 to drill a bore 24 from an entry point 26 to an exit point 28. The following figures illustrate the use of a tool for use at the exit point 28 to disconnect pipe sections from the drill string 22. The horizontal drilling machine 20 may be utilized with a one-pipe or two-pipe drill string.
A typical drill rig includes a thrust frame that can be aligned at an oblique angle with respect to the ground. Mounted on a drive carriage on the thrust frame is a pipe-rotation mechanism that is adapted to rotate and thrust or retract the drill string 22. The drive carriage also includes a carriage drive assembly that is adapted to push the carriage along the thrust frame. The combination of rotation of the drill string 22 and longitudinal movement by the drill rig 20 advances the drill string through the ground.
As the drilling operation proceeds, the drill string 22 is lengthened by adding pipe sections to the string. The pipe sections may be provided with a male threaded connector on one end and a female threaded connector on the other end. Each time a pipe section is added to the drill string, the pipe section being added is aligned with the drill string and the threaded connector on its far end is mated with the threaded connector on the near end of the drill string. Generally, the drill string 22 is restrained against rotation while the pipe being added is rotated to engage the threaded connector on the far end of the pipe section with the threaded connector on the near end of the drill string to create a threaded connection between the components.
When the boring tool reaches a desired depth during the drilling operation, it can be directed along a generally horizontal path and back up to break the surface of the ground at a distant exit point 28. To control the direction of the bore 24, a boring tool with an angled-face or a deflection member may be used. When the direction of the bore 24 must be changed, the boring tool is positioned with the angled-face or deflection member oriented to cause the tool to move in the desired direction. This ability to change the direction of travel of the drill string 22 also allows the operator to steer the drill string around underground obstacles like large roots and rocks.
When the pilot bore 24 is complete, the boring tool is removed from the second end of the drill string 22, and the pipe sections are disconnected from each other to disassemble the drill string on the exit side of the bore. In the alternative, the bore 24 may be enlarged by replacing the boring tool with an enlarging device, commonly known as a backreamer. If a backreamer is used, it will be connected to the far or distal end of the drill string 22 in place of the boring tool and moved through the pilot bore back towards the boring machine, either with or without rotation of the drill string. The backreamer expands and stabilizes the walls of the bore, generally while pulling a product pipe or other underground component through the enlarged bore behind it. Movement of the backreamer back towards the drilling machine is accomplished by driving the drive carriage in a rearward direction on the thrust frame to withdraw a pipe section, disconnecting the withdrawn pipe section from the drill string, connecting the next pipe section remaining in the drill string to the pipe rotation mechanism on the drive carriage and repeating the process until all of the pipe sections have been withdrawn from the ground.
With reference now to FIG. 2, shown therein is an embodiment of a pipe handler, or tool 30 that may be employed at the exit point 28 of the bore to perform various functions on or with respect to the drill string 22. As shown, a construction machine 32 is provided to support the tool 30. For purposes of illustration, the construction machine 32 of FIG. 2 is a tracked excavator. One skilled in the art will anticipate that many construction machines may be adapted to provide operative force to the tool 30.
The tool 30 comprises a frame 34. The frame 34 is connected to the construction machine 32 by an attachment assembly 42 which will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3 below. The attachment assembly 42 provides a pivotal connection such that the tool 30 may be oriented to the drill string 22 for makeup or breakout of pipe sections 80 to or from adjacent pipe sections 81.
With reference now to FIG. 3, the tool 30 is shown in greater detail. The frame 34 comprises a tubular frame component. The frame 34 comprises a first end 38 and a second end 40. The attachment assembly 42 comprises a base 46 pivotally mounted to the frame, and an attachment bracket 48. The frame 34 is pivoted about a first, substantially horizontal, axis 52 by a cylinder 50 disposed between the base 46 and the frame. The attachment bracket 48 serves as a mechanical connection to the machine 32 (FIG. 2). The frame 34 pivots about a second axis 54 relative to the attachment bracket 48 due to operation of a cylinder 60 extending between the base 46 and the attachment bracket 48. The frame 34 is manipulated by cylinders 50, 60 such that it is substantially parallel with a section of pipe 80 (FIG. 2) to be removed.
With continued reference to FIG. 3, the frame 34 supports and provides attachment for multiple components of the tool 30. The tool 30 comprises a first vice assembly 62, a second vice assembly 64, a first retainer assembly 66, a second retainer assembly 68, and a roller assembly 70. These assemblies work in concert to make up, or connect, and break out, or loosen, sections of pipe in accordance with the invention. The first vice assembly 62 grips the pipe string 22 (FIG. 2) at an adjacent pipe section 81 (FIG. 2) and second vice assembly 64 grips the pipe section to be removed 80 (FIG. 2), with a pipe joint between the first vice assembly and second vice assembly. The first retainer assembly 66 and second retainer assembly 68 retain the section of pipe to be removed. The roller assembly 70 applies a rotational force to the section of drill pipe to be removed after the pipe joint has been loosened by the first and second vice assemblies 62, 64. The roller assembly 70 is movable between an engaged and a disengaged position by actuation of roller cylinder 140.
Bracket assemblies 72 provide attachment between the components 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 of the tool and the frame 34. In one embodiment, the roller assembly 70 and retainer assemblies 66, 68 may be detachable, or movable along the frame 34. As shown, the bracket assemblies 72 have multiple configurations relative to the frame 34. The bracket assemblies 72 may be welded to a bottom side of the frame 34, or may include a top portion 73 that extends over the top of the frame 34. Further, a cap 74 may be bolted on top of the bracket assembly 72.
The first vice assembly 62 and second vice assembly 64 each comprise a first jaw 84 and second jaw 86. First jaw 84 and second jaw 86 are mounted so as to be moveable with respect to each other between an open position and a closed position in which the jaws may grip a pipe section. An actuator 88 is mounted on the first jaw 84 and adapted to move the first jaw between the open position and the closed position. Similarly, an actuator 88 is mounted on the second jaw 86 and adapted to move the second jaw between the open position and the closed position. The actuators 88 may comprise a hydraulic motor or other suitable actuator. Thus, first jaw 84 and second jaw 86 of the first vice assembly 62 will cooperate to grip a pipe section when in the closed position.
With reference now to FIG. 4, the first vice assembly 62 is fixed and the second vice assembly 64 is moveable with respect to the first vice assembly to apply a rotational force to a pipe section with respect to an adjacent pipe section that is gripped by the first vice assembly. The tool 30 comprises a linear actuator 100 for moving the second vice assembly 64 relative to the first vice assembly 62. The linear actuator 100 may be a hydraulic cylinder. Extension and retraction of the linear actuator 100 when the first vice assembly 62 is in the closed position will rotate the pipe section 80 (FIG. 2) relative to an adjacent section 81 causing the pipe joint formed between these sections to loosen.
The first vice assembly 62 is shown offset from second vice assembly 64. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that second vice assembly 64 may alternatively be fixed and first vice assembly 62 may be moveable with respect thereto. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, both vice assemblies 62, 64 may be moveable with respect to each other to apply a rotational force to the drill string 22 (FIG. 1). Further, the vice assemblies 62, 64 are preferably movable relative to the drill string 22 through operation of the cylinder 50 to pivot frame 34 relative to the attachment bracket 48.
With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first retainer assembly 66 is shown. The first retainer assembly 66 comprises at least one bracket frame 102 comprising a pipe receiver opening 104 and a pair of downwardly depending legs 110 and 112 that may be angled outwardly as they extend from the pipe receiver opening. As shown, the first retainer assembly 66 comprises two bracket frames 102. The first retainer assembly 66 further comprises a first retainer arm 114 that is pivotally attached to the bracket frame 102 and adapted to be moved between an open position that will allow a drill pipe section to be received in pipe receiver opening 104 and a closed position (as shown) that retains the pipe section 80 in the opening. As shown, the first retainer arm 114 includes two components that move parallel to one another. The first retainer arm 114 is controlled by a first retainer actuator 116. As shown, the first retainer actuator 116 is a hydraulic cylinder. The first retainer assembly 66 may also comprise a second retainer arm 120. The second retainer arm 120 is likewise pivotally attached to the bracket frame 102 and is adapted to be moved between an open position and a closed position. A second actuator 122 likewise moves the second retainer arm 120 between the open position and the closed position.
The second retainer assembly 68 is shown with identical components as the first retainer assembly 66, spaced apart from the first retainer assembly to provide two retaining locations for the pipe section 80. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the first 66 and second 68 retainer assemblies may be given different locations along the frame 34. As shown, the second retainer assembly 68 is proximate the second end 40 of the frame 34. Further, it is anticipated that the functions of the tool 30 may be performed with only one retainer assembly.
The roller assembly 70 comprises a means for rotating the pipe section 80 that is held in the first retainer assembly 66 and in the second retainer assembly 68 about a long axis of the pipe section. The roller assembly 70 may be used to rotate the drill pipe section 80 to engage the threads or disengage the threads of the threaded connectors of drill pipe section 81. In the embodiments shown herein, limited radial extent of the rotational force that second vice assembly 64 would require that second vice assembly grip, twist and release the pipe section 80 multiple times to disconnect it from the drill string. The roller assembly 70 is provided to overcome this limitation.
The roller assembly 70 comprises first roller jaw 130 comprising a first roller 134 and second roller jaw 132 comprising a second roller 136. Each of first roller jaw 130 and second roller jaw 132 is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame 34. Preferably, each roller jaw 130, 132 comprises a plurality of rollers that are rotationally driven. The roller assembly 70 further comprises a motor 138 to rotate the rollers 134, 136. As shown in FIG. 5, a motor 138 is utilized proximate each roller jaw 130, 132 to rotate the rollers 134, 136. The motors 138 may rotate the first and second rollers 134, 136 so as to impart a spin to the pipe section, thereby disengaging pipe section 80 from section 81. A first roller linear actuator 140 pivots first roller jaw 130 with respect to the frame 34. A second roller linear actuator (not shown) may be provided to pivot the second roller jaw 132 with respect to the frame 34. It is also possible that roller assembly 70 may be operated to impart a tightening spin to a pipe section or other component on the exit side of the bore by rotating the first and second rollers in the opposite direction to that which is used to disengage the pipe section 80.
With continued reference to FIG. 5, the tool 30 further comprises a control valve assembly 150 that is connected to an auxiliary hydraulic circuit (not shown) of construction machine 32 (FIG. 2), that may be used to control the various pipe gripping and torque requirements for the operation of the first and second vice assemblies 62, 64, the first and second retainer assemblies 66, 68, and the roller assembly 70. Preferably, a pressure reducer is provided to keep control valve assembly 150 from receiving hydraulic fluid at a pressure higher than about 3000 psi from the construction machine 32 (FIG. 2).
Control valve assembly 150 may include a radio control receiver that is operatively connected to the hydraulic actuators 88, 116, 122, 140 of the tool 30 and the cylinders 50, 60 (FIG. 3). The radio control receiver is adapted to communicate with remote controller (not shown) for remote operation of the tool 30.
While the majority of this description describes using the tool 30 for the purpose of removing, or breaking out, sections of pipe from the drill string 22, one of ordinary skill could envision the opposite purpose. For example, after a drill bit (not shown) used for primary boring operations is removed from the exit point 28 of the bore 24 and removed from the drill string 22, a backreamer or other tool can be provided to the drill string. This is accomplished by “making up” the drill string 22 using the tool 30. As shown in FIG. 5, a pipe section 80 to be added may be held in the retainer assemblies 66, 68. The roller assembly 70 may provide rotational force to cause the pipe section 80 to be threaded to the pipe string 22 at the adjacent pipe section 81. The connection is then completed through by gripping the adjacent pipe section 81 with the first vice 62, while using the second vice 64 to provide a rotational force to torque the connection.
With reference now to FIG. 6, shown therein is an alternative embodiment of a pipe handler, or tool 200 that may be employed at the exit point 18 of the bore to perform various functions on or with respect to the drill string 22 (FIG. 2).
The tool 200 comprises a frame 202. The frame 202 is connected to the construction machines 32 (FIG. 2) by an attachment assembly 42 as previously described with reference to FIG. 3. The attachment assembly 42 provides a pivotal connection to construction machine 32 (FIG. 2) such that the tool 200 may be properly oriented to the drill string 22 for makeup or breakout of pipe sections 80 to or from adjacent pipe sections 81 (FIG. 5).
As shown in FIG. 6, the attachment assembly 42 comprises a base 46 pivotally mounted to the frame, an attachment bracket 48 for quick attach to the construction machines (such as the arm of an excavator), a first cylinder 180, and a second cylinder 182. The attachment bracket 48 serves as a mechanical connection to the machine 32 (FIG. 2). The base 46 is pivotally attached to the attachment bracket 48 about axis 54, and pivotally attached to the frame 202 about axis 52. The first cylinder 180 is attached at a first end to the tool 200 and at a second end to the construction machine 32 (FIG. 2). Operation of the first cylinder 180 manipulates the tilt of the frame 202, particularly to switch between retaining and wrench operations, as will be described below. The second cylinder 182 extends between the base 46 and attachment bracket 48 and pivots the frame 202 about the second axis 54, rotating the frame 202 relative to the attachment bracket 48. With reference now to FIG. 7, the attachment assembly 42 further comprises a third cylinder 184 extending between the base 46 and the frame 202. The third cylinder 184 extends between the base 46 and the frame 202 to pivot the frame relative to first axis 52.
With reference again to FIG. 6, the frame 202 comprises an arm assembly 204. The arm assembly 204 supports a wrench assembly 206, a first retainer assembly 208 and a second retainer assembly 210. The first retainer assembly 208 and second retainer assembly 210 are attached at a first end 212 of the arm assembly 204. As shown, the first end 212 of the arm assembly 204 comprises three supports 214. Each of the supports 214 may define an aperture 216 for reducing the weight of the arm assembly 204 without sacrificing structural integrity.
The first retainer assembly 208 comprises both fixed tines 220 and movable tines 222. The fixed tines 220 provide a channel defining a retainer axis 252 to allow the pipe section to be correctly positioned within the first retainer assembly 208. The movable tines 222 are movable between an open position and a closed position, such that a pipe section may be held in the first retainer assembly 208 when the movable tines are in the closed position. The second retainer assembly 210 similarly comprises fixed tines 220 and movable tines 222 that may be independently or cooperatively operated with the first retainer assembly 208 between an open position and a closed position.
The wrench assembly 206 comprises a first wrench 226 and a second wrench 228 (FIG. 7). One of the first wrench 226 and the second wrench 228 is movable relative to the other to apply a rotational motion to a pipe section with respect to an adjacent pipe section. As shown, the first wrench 226 is a fixed wrench and the second wrench 228 is rotatable relative to the first wrench as shown in the previous embodiment with reference to FIG. 4. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that a cylinder or other linear actuator may be utilized to rotate the second wrench 228 as disclosed in FIG. 4.
With reference again to FIG. 7, the second wrench 228 is shown. The first wrench 226 and second wrench 228 define a wrench axis 250. The first retainer assembly 208 and second retainer assembly 210 define the retainer axis 252. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the wrench axis 250 and the retainer axis 252 are not collinear. As shown, wrench axis 250 and retainer axis 252 are parallel, though one of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations of the first retainer assembly 208 and second retainer assembly 210 may be contemplated. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the wrench axis and the retainer axis are collinear.
With reference now to FIG. 8, the first wrench 226 is shown in cross section. The first wrench 226 is supported on the frame 202 and comprises a first jaw 230, a second jaw 232 and a third jaw 234. The first jaw 230 and the second jaw 232 are each advanced by a linear actuator 88 such as a ram or cylinder. The third jaw 234 may not be actuated by a linear actuator, as shown in FIG. 7, but may provide a third gripping location for the first wrench 226. The first jaw 230 and the second jaw 232 cooperate to grip a pipe section that is located therebetween the first jaw, the second jaw, and the third jaw 234. The second wrench 238 (FIG. 8) may be similarly formed with a first, second and third jaw.
With reference now to FIGS. 9-10, a spinner assembly 300 is shown therein. The spinner assembly 300 comprises a frame 302, a spinner substructure 304, and a wrench storage 306. The frame provides unitary support for the wrench storage 306 (FIG. 9) and spinner substructure 304 for ease of transportation, though one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this arrangement is not strictly necessary. The spinner substructure 304 provides a low-torque assembly for making up and breaking out sections of pipe from a pipe string in cooperation with the high-torque function of the wrench assembly 206 (FIG. 6). The wrench storage 306 comprises a cylindrical rest 308 for placement of the wrench assembly 206 (FIG. 6) when not in use or disconnected from the construction machines 32 (FIG. 2).
The spinner substructure 304 comprises a first support tray 314, a second support tray 316, a plurality of spinners 318, a table actuator 320, and a pivot connection 322. The first support tray 314 and the second support tray 316 provide locations for adjacent pipe sections (not shown) to rest when the spinner substructure 304 is in operation. The spinners 318 are provided to rotate a distal pipe section relative to a drill string 22 (FIG. 1), threading or unthreading the pipe section. The spinners 318 may be moved between an engaged and disengaged position by spinner cylinder 324 (FIG. 9). Alternatively, the spinner cylinder 324 could be a jackscrew or other linear actuator. The spinners 318 and spinner cylinder 324 may traverse the spinner substructure 304 along a shuttle arm 350 (FIG. 10) to move with a pipe section as it is being spun.
Likewise, the table actuator 320 may comprise a hydraulic cylinder or other linear actuator. The table actuator 320 manipulates the spinner substructure 304 about the pivot connection 322 to match an exit angle of an exit side pipe such that the exit side pipe is supported on the first 314 and second 316 support tray. The first 314 and second 316 support tray may be fixed relative to one another, or may be movable relative to one another by several means, including hydraulically telescoping a frame element 326 of the spinner substructure 304. As shown in FIG. 10, a third support tray 327 may be utilized to support pipe sections.
One of skill in the art will appreciate that the frame 302 of the spinner assembly 300 may include and support a power pack (not shown) to power the table actuator 320, spinners 318, and other dedicated elements of the spinner assembly. Additionally, a power pack may be utilized to power elements of the tool 200 (FIGS. 6-8) when power from the construction machines 32 (not shown) is not provided.
With reference to FIGS. 6-10, in operation, a drill string 22 exits a bore hole at an exit point 28 (FIG. 1). The spinner table 300 is placed proximate the exit point 28 and manipulated by the table actuator 320 such that the spinner substructure 304 is appropriately aligned with the drill string 22. The wrench assembly 206 is manipulated to be placed over the pipe section such that the first wrench 226 is on a first side and the second wrench 228 is on a second side of a pipe joint. The first wrench 226 and second wrench 228 are actuated, and the second wrench is rotated relative to the first wrench to break the tension of the pipe joint. The plurality of spinners 318 then are moved from the disengaged to the engaged position. The spinners 318, when engaged, spin the distal pipe section to fully unthread the distal pipe section from the adjacent pipe section. The unthreaded pipe section is then supported by the first support tray 314 and the first retainer assembly 208 and second retainer assembly 210 are placed over the unthreaded section such that the section is along the retainer axis. The first 208 and second 210 retainer assemblies are moved from the open position to the closed position such that the unthreaded section is held by the tool 200 and can be moved to storage (not shown). One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that these steps may be repeated reversed to make up sections of pipe string.
Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for the makeup and breakout of drill pipe comprising:

a tool frame;

a pair of retainers supported on the frame, the pair of retainers defining a retainer axis;

a first wrench supported on the frame; and

a second wrench supported on the frame and independently movable relative to the first wrench;

wherein the first and second wrench define a wrench axis which is not collinear to the retainer axis.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a spinner assembly comprising:

a spinner frame;

a plurality of spinners supported on the spinner frame;

a tray proximate the plurality of spinners;

a means for tilting the tray and plurality of spinners relative to the frame.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the spinner assembly further comprises a wrench storage support.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of spinners are movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the tray.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the plurality of spinners are movable due to operation of a hydraulic cylinder.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the tool frame is rotatably and tiltably connected to a construction machine.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the tool frame is rotated relative to the construction machine by a cylinder.

8. A tool for making up and breaking out a pipe joint on the exit side of a bore and attachable to a construction machine, said tool comprising:

a frame comprising a first end and a second end and pivotable relative to the construction machines;

a first wrench assembly and a second wrench assembly mounted proximate the first end of the frame, each adapted to grip a pipe section on opposing sides of a pipe joint distal from an entry side of the bore, the first wrench assembly and second wrench assembly defining a wrench axis;

wherein the second wrench assembly is moveable with respect to the first wrench assembly; and

a retainer assembly supported at the second end of the frame and adapted to hold a pipe section, the retainer assembly defining a retainer axis;

wherein the wrench axis and retainer axis are not collinear.

9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the frame is pivoted by a cylinder.

10. The tool of claim 8 wherein the wrench axis and retainer axis are parallel.

11. The tool of claim 8 wherein the frame is pivotable about three pivot axes relative to the construction machines.

12. The tool of claim 8 wherein the retainer assembly comprises movable tines and fixed tines.

13. The tool of claim 8 wherein the first wrench assembly comprises two movable jaws.

14. The tool of claim 13 wherein the first wrench assembly further comprises one stationary jaw.

15. A method for breakout of pipe sections from a drill string comprising multiple pipe joints using a tool comprising a first wrench, a second wrench, and a retainer assembly, the method comprising:

pushing the drill string through the ground with a drill rig located at an entry side of a borehole until a pipe section extends from the ground at an exit side of the borehole;

providing a spinner assembly proximate the exit side of the borehole, the spinner assembly comprising a spinner and a tray;

aligning the spinner assembly to the pipe section;

gripping a pipe joint between the pipe section and an adjacent pipe section with the first wrench and the second wrench such that the first wrench is located on a first side of the pipe joint and the second wrench is located on a second side of the pipe joint;

rotating the second wrench relative to the first wrench to break the at least one pipe section from adjacent pipe section;

releasing the at least one pipe section;

spinning the at least one pipe section with the spinner;

grasping the at least one pipe section with the retainer assembly; and

removing the at least one pipe section from the tray.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein gripping the pipe joint with the first wrench comprises extending two jaws to contact the first side of the pipe joint

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising moving the spinner into an engaged position using a linear actuator prior to spinning the at least one pipe section with the spinner.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

adding a new pipe section to the tray with the retainer assembly;

spinning the at least one new pipe section onto the adjacent pipe section;

gripping the adjacent pipe section with the first wrench and the new pipe section with the second wrench such that the first wrench is located on a first side of a new pipe joint and the second wrench is located on a second side of the new pipe joint; and

rotating the second wrench relative to the first wrench to provide a torqued-up connection between the adjacent pipe section and the new pipe section.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the new pipe section is connected to a backreamer.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising backreaming the borehole.