Jim Hollingsworth

Eliminating the Stabber When Running Casing and Tubing: The Next Step in the Rig Mechanization Process

While running a string of casing or tubing one of the crew works thirty to forty feet above the rig floor secured to the rig by a safety cable. He is known as the stabber and his is arguably the most physically demanding and potentially dangerous job on a casing crew. Due to the inherent danger of the stabbers job along with the industrys ongoing pursuit of accident reduction, a system was developed to eliminate the need for the stabber without requiring major rig modifications or new construction. This system incorporates all of the stabbers functions using a combination of both new equipment and existing tools that have been modified. A mechanized stabbing device, air-operated elevator and spider with an integrated safety interlock system, a flagging device and a redesigned single-joint elevator compose the system. The mechanized stabbing device and elevator and spider with safety interlock system have been used with great success in the running of casing and tubing in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea. Trials on a test rig have been completed on the single-joint elevator and flagging device and both are awaiting field trials as of the submission date. With the introduction of this system, safety and reliability during pipe running operations will be greatly enhanced and from this will follow the economic benefits.