WO2007106999A1

WO2007106999A1 - Portable tubular stabbing assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2007106999A1
Application number: PCT/CA2007/000454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ken Jensen; Milan Cerovsek; David George Sweeney
Original assignee: Tesco Corp Canada
Current assignee: Tesco Corp Canada
Priority date: 2006-03-20
Filing date: 2007-03-20
Publication date: 2007-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-20

Abstract

A tubular stabbing assembly comprising: a mounting subassembly for releasable positioning on a drill rig without direct fastening thereto, an arm moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end, a drive system to drive movement of the arm relative to the mounting subassembly; and a stabbing hand equipped with a drive system for open/close operation mounted on the outboard end of the arm.

Description

Portable Tubular Stabbing Assembly

Field

The present invention relates to a tubular handling device, and in particular a tubular stabbing assembly, for use on a drill rig.

Background

The stabbing operation is important part of a casing running or drilling operation. In the stabbing operation, it is desired to ensure that the pin and box of the oilfield tubulars to be connected are in-line for the proper thread connection during make-up.

In a conventional process, the stabbing operation is manual employing one or two floor-men who guide the insertion of the pin into the box end of an oilfield tubular supported in the floor. During the operation, the floor-men are in contact with the tubular in motion and are exposed to increased risk of injury.

Summary

In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tubular stabbing assembly comprising: a mounting subassembly for releasable positioning on a drill rig without direct fastening thereto, an arm moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end, a drive system to drive movement of the arm relative to the mounting subassembly; and a stabbing hand equipped with a drive system for open/close operation mounted on the outboard end of the arm.

In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tubular stabbing assembly comprising: a floor mount stand including a base plate, a post extending upwardly from the base plate and a support on the post, an arm moveably attached to the support at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end, a drive system to drive movement of the arm relative to the mounting subassembly and a stabbing hand equipped with a drive system for open/close operation mounted on the outboard end of the arm. In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tubular stabbing assembly comprising: a mounting subassembly; an upper arm moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end; a stabbing hand mounted on the outboard end of the upper arm; a lower arm moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end; a lower stabbing hand mounted on the outboard end of the lower arm; and a drive system to drive movement of the upper and lower arms relative to the mounting subassembly and to drive open/close operation of the stabbing hand and the lower stabbing hand.

In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mounting adapting a drill rig to handle a tubular stabbing operation over well center, the method comprising: positioning a stabbing arm with a stabbing hand thereon on a drill rig, the positioning including installing the stabbing arm without direct fastening of the stabbing arm to a drill rig structure.

In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mounting a tubular stabbing assembly in a drill rig to handle tubulars over well center, the method comprising: providing a tubular stabbing assembly including a portable stand and an extendable stabbing arm supported on the portable stand; positioning the tubular stabbing assembly adjacent well center; and installing a power slip at well center that overlaps and anchors a portion of the portable stand in position adjacent well center.

It is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable for other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Description of the Drawings

Figures are attached to illustrate the components and operation of some various embodiments of the system. Several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tubular stabbing assembly installed on a torque track and in the parked position.

Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of one embodiment of a tubular stabbing assembly, the tubular stabbing assembly being torque-track mounted and in the extended position.

Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of tubular stabbing assembly of Figure 2, the tubular stabbing assembly being in the stabbing position.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a stabbing hand useful in the present invention.

Figures 5A to 5C are a series of views of one embodiment of a floor mounted tubular stabbing assembly. Figure 5A, is a side elevation of the tubular stabbing assembly in the parked position. Figure 5B, is a side elevation of the tubular stabbing assembly in the extended position to engage a tubular to be stabbed into the stump supported in the rig floor. Figure 5C, is an upper perspective view of the tubular stabbing assembly in the stabbing position engaging a tubular over well center x.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a mounting plate useful for a tubular stabbing assembly.

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a floor mounted tubular stabbing assembly in the stabbing position.

Description of Various Embodiments

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

A tubular stabbing system has been invented to mechanize the stabbing process. Using this assembly and depending on particular nature of the rig's overall tubular handling system only one floor-man may be required for the visual thread inspection and thread lubrication. During this process the floor-man does not need to be in contact with the tubular in motion. This will significantly reduce the risk of injury occurring during the stabbing operation. The tubular stabbing assembly may also offer accuracy and repeatability once the system is adjusted.

The tubular stabbing assembly includes a mounting subassembly for positioning the stabbing assembly on a drill rig, an arm moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end and having an opposite end opposite the first end, a drive system to drive movement of the arm relative to the mounting subassembly and a stabbing hand mounted on the opposite end of the arm, the hand equipped with a drive system for open/close operation thereof.

The tubular stabbing assembly may be portable and may be mounted in a non-permanent manner to or on an existing part of the drill rig. Two mounting options are described hereinbelow.

With reference to Figure 1, a tubular stabbing assembly 10 for mechanization of a stabbing operation for stabbing an unconnected tubular 12 to a tubular 14 engaged at well center x in the rotary table 17 of a drill floor 16 on a drill rig. Tubular stabbing assembly 10 may include a mounting subassembly 20 for positioning the stabbing assembly on the drill rig, an arm 22 moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end 22' and having an outboard end 22" opposite the first end, a drive system, generally indicated at 24, to drive movement of arm 22 relative to the mounting subassembly and a stabbing hand 26 mounted on outboard end 22" of the arm, hand 26 being equipped with a drive system for open/close operation thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, mounting subassembly 20 is adapted to permit the stabbing assembly to be releasably mounted on a torque track 28 installed in the rig. The illustrated torque track is a single, center torque track such as may be installed in a top drive rig as is available from Tesco Corporation. As will be appreciated, single center torque track 28 is supported adjacent hole center x and spaced above the drill floor. The mounting assembly may include, for example, a clamp including clamp sections 30a, 30b connected by fasteners 32. Fasteners 32 may be adjustable or removable such that the clamp sections can be separated for positioning on a part of the rig, for example, on the torque track, and can be secured together in a clamping arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp includes clamp sections formed as oppositely acting plates and fasteners securing between them that together form an arrangement that may be tightened to secure on the torque track without any direct fastening engagement of the clamp or stabbing assembly to the torque track. As such, for example, no fastener apertures need be formed through the rig structures, including the torque track, and no welds need be placed between any parts of the bracket or stabbing assembly and the rig structures. Of course, the clamp may be formed or may include inserts such that it can fit about a variety of forms, for example a plurality of torque track cross sectional shapes.

The mounting subassembly may include a support for accepting installation of the arm in a manner that permits pivotal movement of the arm relative to the mounting subassembly. In one embodiment the support is formed as a bracket 34 extending from a clamp section 30a. Arm 22 is mounted by pivot pins 36 to the bracket. The arm may rotate through a plane about pins 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement and structure of clamp 30a, bracket 34 and pins 36, once set for operation, restrict arm 22 to move in a single plane. However, if desired, other rotatable connections can be used to increase the range of motion through which arm 22 can be moved.

The arm drive system 26 may include one or more drive cylinders 38 such as a hydraulic cylinder acting between the mounting subassembly and the arm. In one embodiment, drive system 26 includes drive cylinders 38 for movement of arm 22, formed as two cylinders with their rods connected or double acting cylinders to permit drive control in both directions. While the assembly operation will be described in greater detail hereinafter, it is noted that the arm drive system moves the arm through three main positions: "Parked", as shown in Figure 1, extended to the "V-Door" as shown in Figure 2 and "Stabbing" as shown in Figure 3. The hydraulic cylinders may be selected to be at the end of the stroke for those three positions, which may simplify the control of the system.

In one embodiment, as illustrated, for provision of greater strength and stability, arm 22 includes a pair of structural elongate members 40 each with a hydraulic drive cylinder 38 attached thereto, as by use of clamps 42. Elongate members 40 and cylinders 38 act in unison between the sides.

Arm 22 is connected, for example through pivot pins 42, at its outboard end 22" to stabbing hand 26. The stabbing arm assembly may, in one embodiment, operate to maintain stabbing hand 26 in a generally horizontal position relative to the drill floor. For example, arm 22 may include a link arrangement including a link member 44 that extends alongside structural members 40 and also pivotally connect between hand 26 and bracket 34. Of course, other means may be employed to pivot the stabbing hand relative to the arm, if desired.

Stabbing hand 26 may be selected to hold a tubular therein, for example during a stabbing operation. As such hand may include hingedly connected segments 46a, 46b that can be opened to accept a tubular therebetween and can be closed to hold a tubular therebetween, as by substantially encircling greater than 50% of a tubular's circumference. Stabbing hand 26 may include a drive system (shown generally as 47 in Figure 4) for automated opening and closing of segments. Drive system 47 may employ a hydraulic cylinder, as shown, or other means such as a linear screw drive, etc.

Stabbing hand 26 may be formed to hold and guide a tubular when closed such that the tubular can rotate and axially move through the hand, while being held thereby. In one embodiment, for example, the stabbing hand can include polymeric pads 48 on the inner facing sides of segments 46a, 46b, such pads acting as bearings to permit the segments to close about and tightly hold a tubular while the tubular can move axially and rotationally through the closed segments. In another embodiment, shown in Figure 4, a stabbing hand 126 may include rollers 50, as shown, or ball bearings on its segments 146a, 146b, 146c to provide a low-friction bearing surface that permits a tubular to rotate and move axially while being held by the hand.

The stabbing hand may be formed to accept a set of inserts mountable on inner facing sides of hand segments to accommodate different tubular OD sizes. The inserts may be releasably installable by fasteners such as bolts 54, 154. The inserts may including bearing surfaces such as pads 48 and/or rollers 50 thereon.

If desired, stabbing hand 26 may include an articulated connection, such as a pivotal connection 56, between its base portion 26' that is connected to arm 22 and segments 46a, 46b. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, pivotal connection 56 allows the segments to be lifted about a substantially horizontal axis. A stop, such as may be provided by a stop plate 58, may be provided for pivotal connection 56 to prevent the segments from rotating in an undesirable direction, such as downwardly towards drill floor 16.

If desired, tubular stabbing assembly 10 may include various adjusters for positioning of the stabbing hand in the horizontal plane to ensure that a center axial line of the segments 46a, 46b is alignable over hole center, so that any tubular 12 held by hand 26 is positioned in-line with the box of tubular 14 supported in the drill floor. Adjusters may include those for side- to-side adjustment and arm length adjustment. For example, adjusters may include clamps 42 for sliding adjustment along members 40, sliders, etc.

Arm 22 may be mounted to torque track with its mounting connection on a side of the torque track opposite well center such that the clamp plate 30a and bracket 34 are connected behind the torque track, relative to hole center, and arm members 40 may be pivoted to extend from behind the torque track along either side of the torque track out towards the V-door.

With reference to Figure 5, if it is desired to use a stabbing assembly on a rig without a single torque track and without connecting the assembly to another structure above the rig floor, a tubular stabbing assembly 210 may be positioned on the drill floor using a mounting subassembly including a stand that is supported on the rotary table. A stand may include, for example, a base plate 221, one or more posts 223 extending upwardly from base plate 221 and a support 225 on posts 223 for supporting an arm 222 in a position elevated above drill floor 16.

Plate 221 may be installable on the drill rig floor. In one embodiment, the stand may be portable and may be installable in a non-permanent manner on the drill floor. To facilitate installation, plate may be installable without any direct fastening engagement of the stand to the drill floor or other part of the rig. As such, for example, no fastener apertures need be formed for the plate through the rig structures, including the drill floor, and no welds need be placed between any parts of the stand or stabbing assembly and the rig structures.

Plate 221 may be formed in parts or may be formed entirely from one piece of material. In the illustrated embodiment, plate 221 includes a main plate on which a base 223a for posts 223 is mounted thereon by welding, bolts or other fasteners. Plate 221 may include a first end 221a, that being the end on which the posts are mounted and the end above which arm 222 will be mounted to reach toward hole center. Plate 221 may include a forward extension 221b selected to extend out from the first end, and the mounting position of posts 223 thereon, a distance suitable to position a portion of plate 221 adjacent the rotary table hole. In such a position, power slips 227, used for running wellbore tubulars, may be positioned over a portion of plate 221 to secure the plate in place by weight or by the slips being secured to the rig substructure. In an illustrated embodiment shown in Figure 6, a plate 321 is shown adapted for extending about the rotary table hole and for operating with a square drive or a pin drive rotary table. For example, plate 321 has an end 321a on which the posts are connected and a forwardly extended end 321b formed to extend about hole center, for example, including a center hole 329, for access to the drill floor hole and in this case formed to accommodate use with a square drive rotary table, and possibly, as shown, a plurality, for example four, pin holes 331 spaced apart and sized for accommodating a pin drive arrangement.

Returning to Figures 5, plate 221 may include leveling bolts such as bolt 231 for threading through the plate to level the plate should the drill floor be uneven, for example, if rotary table 17 is higher than the floor around it.

Assembly 210 may be mounted on support 225 in various ways such as by fastening bracket 234 thereto using welds, bolts, etc. In one embodiment, arm 222 may be detachably installed on support 225 so that the arm may be separated from the stand for transport and use apart from the stand. To increase the versatility of the invention, an arm may be formed to be useful either for connection to a torque track or a stand. For example arm 222 may include a clamp 230 and for use with such an arm, the stand may include a mounting post 233 having the cross sectional form of a torque track and a length to accept mounting thereon of clamp 230. As such any tubular stabbing assembly including an arm and a mounting clamp may be easily used for either a torque track on its own or a floor installation with a stand.

It may not be desirable or possible to form the stand with a height sufficient to allow arm 222 to have sufficient reach to both extend out to the V-door and to rotate down over hole center x. If such a condition is encountered, as shown, the arm may be installed in a position inverted from that in Figure 1 so that arm 222 rotates upwardly from the V-door position shown in Figure 5B, to the stabbing position, shown in Figure 5C. For example, where a clamp 230 is employed with the arm, the clamp may be formed to be open at both ends so that it may be installable on post 233 in either orientation.

Support 225 may include stops 228 for limiting rotation of and supporting extension of arm 222. In particular, arm 222 in the illustrated embodiment, may rotate through a substantially vertical plane between the extended position and upwardly to the stabbing position and beyond that to the parking position. Stops 228 prevent the arm from rotating downwardly beyond the extended position. The floor mount assembly may be equipped with a second stabbing hand 247 attached to the stand to extend out below the position of the arm-carried stabbing hand 226 in the stabbing position. In the illustrated embodiment, second stabbing hand 247 is installed below the mounting position of arm and, in particular, on an underside of support 225. Second stabbing hand 247 may be useful to stabilize the lower end of a tubular 212 being handled if the height of the main stabbing hand in the stabbing position leaves the lower end without sufficient guidance. Second stabbing hand 247 may be installed on an extendable arm 249 including a driving system 251 , such that it can be moved from a stabbing position, Figure 5C to a parked position Figure 5A. Driving system may include for example a hydraulic cylinder and a rail support for arm 249.

Second stabbing hand 247 may be formed in various ways to grip the tubular being handled. For example, second stabbing hand 247 may include inserts and bearing surfaces such as those described above with respect to stabbing hand 26 of Figure 1.

The arms 222, 249 of assembly 210 may be driven, for example by driving system 251 and cylinders 238 driving movement about pivot points 236, through three main positions: "Parked" shown in Figure 5A, "V-door" shown in Figure 5B and "Stabbing" shown in Figure 5C. Since the stand including plate 221, posts 223 and support 225 may be manufactured with consideration as to the size and reach of arm 222 with which it is to be used, few adjustments may need to be made to ensure that hands 226, 247 become positioned over hole center when in the stabbing configuration. However, adjusters such as slide 251a for adjustment of the mounting position of the cylinder of drive system 251, may be provided in any event, if desired.

For comparison reference may be made to Figure 7 wherein a floor mounted tubular stabbing assembly is shown in a stabbing configuration, but without a second stabbing hand. In such an embodiment, an arm 422 may be mounted on a stand 420 and carries a stabbing hand 426 for holding a tubular 412 and stabbing it into a stump 414 engaged in the drill floor.

Stabbing hands, such as primary and/or second stabbing hands, may be adapted to apply torque to a tubular as desired. For example, driving means may be installed to apply torque to a tubular held therein such that the stabbing assembly of the present invention may be used as a pipe spinner or a torque wrench to make up or break out connections or for other purposes. If hydraulic cylinders are used for the drive systems, hydraulic power is required for the operation. In one embodiment, hydraulic pressure may be a minimum 2000 psi and maximum 3000 psi. Control could be manual, electric, logic or a combination thereof. In the embodiments as shown, three (five for the floor mounted) directional control valves are required for the operation, including pressure and flow control.

Operation

An assembly according to the present invention may be portable and removable such that it may be transported to the rig and installed quickly and in a non-permanent manner.

To install a torque track mounted assembly, as shown in Figure 1, the assembly 10 may be lifted onto rig floor 16, clamp sections 30a, 30b loosened and the clamp slid up over the end of the torque track 28. When in a selected position, fasteners 32 are tightened to secure the clamp on the track. Hydraulic lines to the various cylinders and control and power lines are connected to their sources. Since the distance from hole center to the torque track may vary in some rigs, the assembly may have to be adjusted to properly line up with hole center. In case of misalignment between tubulars 12 and 14, adjustment may be done on the arm, on the clamps 42 between the arms and the hydraulic cylinders or using side-to-side adjusters between hand 26 and arm 22. Once adjusted the system will always repeat the same stabbing position. During the make-up the stabbing hand is closed to support the operation. Thereafter, the stabbing arm is ready to be operated. In addition, to properly perform a stabbing operation, the bushings in the rotary table may have to be removed and a power slip 27 installed over the rotary table hole.

To install a floor mounted torque track, such as that shown in Figures 5, the bushings in the rotary table may have to be removed. The stand may be lifted onto the rig and installed with its plate positioned on the rotary table. In particular, any holes 329, 331 will be aligned over their respective holes in the rotary table and posts 223 are positioned diametrically opposite the V-door. A power slip 227 is then installed over the plate 231. If the rotary table includes a pin drive, the power slips may require an adapter plate to be also installed. Generally, power slips 227 will either be retained in positioned by weight (some slip devices weigh thousands of pounds) and by the insertion of an extension on the slips into the holes of the rotary table or be connected to the floor substructure. After the power slips are installed to overlap plate 231, the stand of the stabbing assembly is positioned firmly on the drill floor. If the stand does not already have an arm 222 mounted thereon, an arm may be mounted on the stand for example by installation over a mounting post 233.

Hydraulic lines to the various cylinders and control and power lines are connected and the stabbing arm is ready to be operated. Since the distance from hole center to the support 225 can be preselected by formation of plate 231, the assembly may not require any adjustment to properly line up with hole center.

Regardless of mode of installation, the tubular stabbing assembly may be operated to guide tubulars from the V-door into a stabbing position, with the pin end of unconnected tubular 12, 212 aligned for insertion into the box of the tubular 14, 214 enagaged in the drill floor. Thereafter and when the stabbing arm is not guiding a tubular, the arm of the assembly may be moved into a parked position, which is selected to be out of the way of the normal movement of the top drive, for example in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, behind torque track 28.

With further reference to Figures 5, in the "Extended"/" V-door" position (Figure 5B) the tubular stabbing assembly can receive an unconnected tubular 212 with stabbing hand 226 in the open position. In some cases, hand 226 may tilt up about a pivotal connection 256 thereon to better fit against the tubular. With hand remaining open, tubular 212 is then transferred to the "Stabbing" position (Figure 5C) in the controlled manner by movement of members 240, 244 about their pivotal connections as driven by the arm drive system including cylinders 238. In the illustrated embodiment, movement from the V-door position to the stabbing position rotates the arm upwardly.

In one embodiment, the assembly may be operated to stop movement of the tubular as it is conveyed from the V-door to the stabbing position so that the tubular threads can be inspected and/or lubricated.

In the "Stabbing" position, the stabbing hand closes and upper tubular 212 should be in-line with the box of the lower tubular, possibly by any adjustments made at set up to ensure same. A top drive in the rig may then be operated to make up the connection. Stabbing hand 226 holds tubular 212 but allows the tubular to be rotated and axially moved therethrough. When the make-up is complete between tubulars 212 and 214, stabbing hand 226 opens, and arm 222 returns to the "Parked" position (Figure 5A) allowing continuing of drilling or casing running operation. In particular, in the Parked position, the arm is maintained back to allow the top drive and its tools to come down past arm 222, such that assembly 210 does not interfere with normal operations. For example, arm 222 may extend substantially vertically from its mounting position on mounting subassembly and may be angled away from well center x.

If an assembly is used including a second hand 247, as shown, arm 249 and drive system 251 moves the arm between a parked position (Figure 5A) and a stabbing position (Figure 5C). During operation, second hand 247 is extended out and opened to accept tubular 212 as it approaches the stabbing position. Once in the stabbing position, second stabbing hand 247 closes such that upper tubular 212 is supported by it and hand 226 above it. Hands 247, 226 may be substantially vertically aligned. As with stabbing hand 226, stabbing hand 247 also holds tubular 212 in such a way that while held, it can be rotated and axially moved by the top drive. When make-up is complete between tubulars 212 and 214, stabbing hands 226, 247 open, and arms 222, 249 return to their "Parked" positions (Figure 5A) allowing continuing of drilling or casing running operation.

A tubular stabbing assembly may also be operated in reverse to guide tubulars away from hole center x, for example when breaking down a tubular string.

To control operation of the stabbing assembly, a control panel may be useful. The use of programmable logic simplifies operator requirements. In one embodiment, operation of the stabbing assembly may be, for example, by timer-controlled sequence, tripped sequencing or by manually selectable sequences. For example, in one embodiment, a control panel may be provided for controlling operation of the stabbing assembly that includes a few selectors for:

"V-door", where the arm is moved out towards the V-door and the hand is opened;

"Stab", where the arm moves into the stab position and, if installed, the second hand moves out;

"Pause", for a selected stop during any movement, which may be useful for example to inspect and lubricate threads; "Close hand", for closing the hands at any time, but generally useful after the hands are in their stab positions;

"Park", where the hands are opened and the arms are retracted and set back.

Of course, various other control systems and control panel arrangements may be useful.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article "a" or "an" is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are know or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 1 12, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for" or "step for".

Claims

We claim:

1. A tubular stabbing assembly comprising: a mounting subassembly for releasable positioning on a drill rig without direct fastening thereto, an arm moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end, a drive system to drive movement of the arm relative to the mounting subassembly; and a stabbing hand equipped with a drive system for open/close operation mounted on the outboard end of the arm.

2. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting subassembly includes a clamp including a pair of facing plates and a plurality of fasteners between the facing plates.

3. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 2 wherein the clamp is open at each end

4. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 2 wherein the clamp is sized to fit over a single torque track.

5. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting subassembly includes a stand for positioning on the drill floor.

6. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 5 wherein the stand includes a plate, and posts mounted thereon for supporting the arm in a position elevated above the plate.

7. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 6 wherein the plate includes a first end above which the arm is supported and a forward extension extending from the end.

8. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 7 further comprising an opening in the forward extension.

9. A tubular stabbing assembly comprising: a floor mount stand including a base plate, a post extending upwardly from the base plate and a support on the post, an arm moveably attached to the support at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end, a drive system to drive movement of the arm relative to the mounting subassembly and a stabbing hand equipped with a drive system for open/close operation mounted on the outboard end of the arm.

10. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 9 wherein the base plate includes a first end on which the post is mounted and a forward extension extending from the first end.

11. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 10 further comprising an opening in the forward extension.

12. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 11 wherein the opening is positioned with material of the base plate extending all sides thereof.

13. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 11 wherein the opening is square hole sized to correspond to a square drive rotary table hole.

14. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 11 wherein the opening includes four holes spaced about a center hole configured to correspond to a pin drive rotary table.

15. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 10 further comprising leveling bolts extending through the first end of the base plate.

16. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 9 further comprising a second stabbing hand supported on the posts below the arm.

17. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 9 wherein the arm is removeably attached to the support.

18. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 9 further comprising a clamp and the clamp clamps the arm to the support.

19. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 9 further comprising a mounting post extending from the support and a clamp on the arm, the clamp operable to releasably clamp the arm to the mounting post.

20. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 19 wherein the mounting post is formed to correspond to the cross sectional shape of a single torque track.

21. A tubular stabbing assembly comprising: a mounting subassembly; an upper arm moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end; a stabbing hand mounted on the outboard end of the upper arm; a lower arm moveably attached to the mounting subassembly at a first end and having an outboard end opposite the first end; a lower stabbing hand mounted on the outboard end of the lower arm; and a drive system to drive movement of the upper and lower arms relative to the mounting subassembly and to drive open/close operation of the stabbing hand and the lower stabbing hand.

22. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 21 wherein the mounting subassembly includes a stand for positioning on the drill floor.

23. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 22 wherein the stand includes a plate, and posts mounted thereon for supporting the arm in a position elevated above the plate.

24. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 22 wherein the plate includes a first end above which the arm is supported and a forward extension extending from the end.

25. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 24 further comprising an opening in the forward extension.

26. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 25 wherein the opening is square hole sized to correspond to a square drive rotary table hole.

27. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 25 wherein the opening includes four holes spaced about a center hole configured to correspond to a pin drive rotary table.

28. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 24 further comprising leveling bolts extending through the first end of the base plate.

29. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 21 wherein the upper arm rotates along a substantially vertical plane between an extended position and a position elevated above the extended position.

30. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 29 wherein the mounting subassembly includes a stop to prevent the upper arm from rotating down past the extended position.

31. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 29 wherein the upper arm further rotates along the substantially vertical plane into a parked position extending substantially vertically up from the mounting subassembly.

32. The tubular stabbing assembly of claim 21 wherein the lower arm moves substantially axially between an extended position and a position closer to the stand than in the extended position.

33. A method for mounting adapting a drill rig to handle a tubular stabbing operation over well center, the method comprising: positioning a stabbing arm with a stabbing hand thereon on a drill rig, the positioning including installing the stabbing arm without direct fastening of the stabbing arm to a drill rig structure.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein installing includes opening a clamp and clamping the stabbing arm to a drill rig structure.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the drill rig includes a torque track and the installing includes positioning the stabbing arm on the torque track

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the installing includes clamping the stabbing arm on a lower end of the torque track.

37. The method of claim 33 wherein during installing the stabbing arm is oriented to pivot between a V-door position extending toward the V-door and a stabbing position with its stabbing hand substantially aligned over well center.

38. The method of claim 33 wherein during installing the stabbing arm is oriented to pivot along a substantially vertical plane.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the arm pivots downwardly to move from the V-door position into the stabbing position.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein the arm pivots upwardly to move from the V-door position into the stabbing position.

41. A method for mounting a tubular stabbing assembly in a drill rig to handle tubulars over well center, the method comprising: providing a tubular stabbing assembly including a portable stand and an extendable stabbing arm supported on the portable stand; positioning the tubular stabbing assembly adjacent well center; and installing a power slip at well center that overlaps and anchors a portion of the portable stand in position adjacent well center.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising prior to positioning the tubular stabbing assembly adjacent well center, removing the bushings in the drill rig's rotary table.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the portable stand includes a base plate with an opening therein to correspond with the drive of the rotary table and wherein positioning includes aligning the opening with its respective hole in the drill rigs rotary table.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the portable stand includes a base plate, and posts mounted thereon for supporting the stabbing arm in a position elevated above the base plate and in positioning, the posts are positioned substantially diametrically opposite the drill rig's V-door.

45. The method of claim 41 wherein positioning includes substantially leveling the portable stand.

46. The method of claim 41 wherein the drill rig rotary table includes a pin drive and the portable stand includes a forward extension including a plurality of holes for accommodating the rotary table pin drive.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein installing the power slip includes installing an adapter plate on the power slip for operating with a rotary table pin drive.

48. The method of claim 41 wherein the drill rig rotary table includes a square drive and the portavble stand includes a forward base plate extension with a square hole therein.

49. The method of claim 41 wherein providing a tubular stabbing assembly includes transporting the portable stand and the extendable stabbing arm separately and securing them together at the drill rig.

50. The method of claim 41 further comprising mounting the extendable stabbing arm to the portable stand after the portable stand is anchored at well center.

51. The method of claim 41 further comprising releasably mounting the extendable stabbing arm to the portable stand by clamping the arm to a mounting post of the portable stand.