CA2533725C - Apparatus and method for performing earth borehole operations - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for performing earth borehole operations comprising a base or substructure, a mast mounted on the base, a top drive mounted on the mast for longitudinal movement therealong, the top drive having an opening therethrough and a coiled tubing injector mounted on the mast above the top drive such that coiled tubing from the tubing injector can pass through the opening in the top drive, the apparatus being operable to selectively use the top drive to engage and manipulate a component used in borehole operations while the coiled tubing injector is substantially inoperative and selectively operable to use the coiled tubing injector to inject coiled tubing into an earth borehole while the top drive is substantially inoperative or alternatively using the coiled tubing injector to inject coiled tubing into a tubular string being manipulated by the top drive.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING EARTH BOREHOLE
OPERATIONS

2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION

3 The invention relates to apparatus for performing earth borehole

4 operations such as drilling, and in particular to apparatus which can use both coiled tubing and jointed-pipe.

8 The use of coiled tubing (CT) technology in oil and gas drilling and 9 servicing has become more and more common in the last few years. In CT
technology, a continuous pipe wound on a spool is straightened and pushed 11 down a well using a CT injector. CT technology can be used for both drilling and 12 servicing.
13 The advantages offered by the use of CT technology, including economy 14 of time and cost are well known. As compared with jointed-pipe technology wherein typically 30-45 foot straight sections of pipe are threadedly connected 16 one section at a time while drilling the wellbore, CT technology allows the 17 continuous deployment of pipe while drilling the well, significantly reducing the 18 frequency with which such drilling must be suspended to allow additional 19 sections of pipe to be connected. This results in less connection time, and as a result, an efficiency of both cost and time.
21 However, the adoption of CT technology in drilling has been less 22 widespread than originally anticipated as a result of certain problems inherent in 23 using CT in a drilling application. For example, because CT tends to be less 24 robust than jointed-pipe for surface-level drilling, it is often necessary to drill a surface hole using jointed-pipe, cement casing into the surface hole, and then _1_ 1 switch over to CT drilling. Additionally, when difficult formations such as rock are 2 encountered down-hole, it may be necessary to switch from CT drilling to jointed 3 pipe drilling until drilling through the formation is complete, and then switch back 4 to CT drilling to continue drilling the well. Similarly, when it is necessary to perform drill stem testing or coring operations to assess conditions downhole, it 6 may again be necessary to switch from CT drilling to jointed-pipe drilling and 7 then back again. Finally, a switch back to jointed pipe operations may be 8 necessary to run casing into the drilled well. In short, in CT drilling operations it 9 is generally necessary for customers and crew to switch back and forth between CT drilling rig and jointed-pipe conventional drilling rigs, a process which results 11 in significant down-time as one rig is moved out of the way, and another rig put 12 in place.
13 Another disadvantage of CT drilling is the time consuming process of 14 assembling a (bottom-hole-assembly (BHA) - the components at the end of the CT for drilling, testing, well servicing, etc.), and connecting the BHA to the end of 16 the CT. Presently, this step is performed manually through the use of rotary 17 tables and make-up/breakout equipment. In some instances, top drives are used 18 but the CT injector and the top drive must be moved out of each others way, i.e., 19 they cannot both be in line with the borehole. Not only does this process result in costly downtime, but it can also present safety hazards to the workers as they 21 are required to manipulate heavy components manually.
22 In U.S. Publication 2004/0206551 there is disclosed a rig adapted to 23 perform earth borehole operations using both CT and/or jointed-pipes, the CT
24 injector and a top drive being mounted on the same mast, the CT injector being selectively moveable between a first position wherein the CT injector is in line with the mast of the rig and hence the earth borehole and a second position 2 wherein the CT injector is out of line with the mast to allow operations using the 3 top drive involving jointed pipe.

2 In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for performing 3 earth borehole operations comprising a base or substructure, a mast mounted 4 on the base, a top drive mounted on the mast for longitudinal movement therealong, the top drive having an opening therethrough, and a coiled tubing 6 injector mounted on the mast above the top drive such that coiled tubing from 7 the tubing injector can pass through the opening in the top drive.
8 In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for 9 connecting the tubing of a coiled tubing injector to a bottom hole assembly comprising a base or substructure; a mast mounted on the base; a top drive 11 mounted on the mast for longitudinal movement therealong, the top drive having 12 an opening therethrough; a coiled tubing injector mounted on the mast above the 13 top drive such that coiled tubing from the coiled tubing injector can pass through 14 the opening in the top drive; a rotary table mounted on the base, the rotary table being operable to engage and manipulate a first component of a bottom hole 16 assembly, the top drive being operable to engage and manipulate a second 17 component of a bottom hole assembly, the top drive and the rotary table being 18 cooperatively operable to make up a complete bottom hole assembly, the coiled 19 tubing injector being selectively operable to move coiled tubing through the opening in the top drive and into and out of engagement with the complete 21 bottom hole assembly.
22 In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method 23 of performing earth borehole operations comprising: providing a base;
providing 24 a mast mounted on the base; providing a top drive mounted on the mast for longitudinal movement therealong, the top drive being operable to engage and 1 manipulate components used in earth borehole operations, the top drive having 2 an opening therethrough; providing a coiled tubing injector mounted on the mast 3 above the top drive such that coiled tubing from the injector can be passed 4 through the opening in the top drive; providing a rotary table mounted on said base; selectively using the top drive to engage and manipulate a components) 6 used in earth borehole operations while the coiled tubing injector is substantially 7 inoperative; and selectively using the coiled tubing injector to inject coiled tubing 8 into the earth borehole while the top drive is substantially inoperative, the coiled 9 tubing passing through the opening in the top drive.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of performing 11 earth borehole operations comprising: providing a base; providing a mast 12 mounted on the base; providing a top drive mounted on the mast for longitudinal 13 movement therealong, the top driving being operable to engage and manipulate 14 a component used in earth borehole operations, the top driving having an opening therethrough; providing a coiled tubing injector mounted on the mast 16 above the top drive such that coiled tubing from the injector can pass through the 17 opening in the top drive; using the top drive to engage and manipulate a 18 component used in earth borehole operations; and using the coiled tubing 19 injector to inject coiled tubing into said component through said opening in said top drive.

-5-2 Fig. 1 is a partial, side elevational view of an apparatus according to the 3 present invention.
4 Fig. 2 is a partial, side elevational view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

6 Fig. 3 is a partial, side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,

7 wherein the top drive is manipulating a tubular component.

8 Fig. 3A is a view taken along the lines 3A-3A of Fig. 3.

9 Fig. 4 is a partial, side elevational view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
11 Fig. 5 is a partial, side elevational view of the apparatus of the present 12 invention shown in Fig. 4 with the coiled tubing injector in a position to perform 13 earth borehole operations and shows, in phantom, positioning the mast of the 14 apparatus at an angle to the horizontal to effect off-vertical earth borehole operations.
16 Fig. 6 is a side, partial elevational view showing a bottom hole assembly 17 being made up using the apparatus of the present invention.
18 Fig. 7 is a side, partial elevational view showing another embodiment of 19 the apparatus of the present invention wherein the hydraulic ram system is used as the lifting mechanism for the top drive.
21 Fig. 7A is a view taken along the lines 7A-7A of Fig. 7.
22 Fig. 8 is a partial, side elevational view of another embodiment of the 23 apparatus of the present invention showing the top drive positioned directly 24 below the coiled tubing injector on a track system secured to the mast.

1 Fig. 9 is a partial, side elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 2 but with the top drive moved laterally on a spur track system such that the top 3 drive is laterally displaced from the coiled tubing injector.
4 Fig. 10 shows a top, detailed view of a split block arrangement for carrying the top drive.
6 Fig. 11 is an elevational view of a top drive-split block arrangement shown 7 in Fig. 10.
8 Fig. 12 is a top plan view, similar to Fig. 10 showing how the top drive can 9 be moved laterally relative to the mast.
Fig. 13 is an elevational view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 12.
11 Fig. 14 is a partial, side elevational view of another embodiment of the 12 apparatus of the present invention.
13 Fig. 15 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 14.
14 Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 13 showing the coiled tubing injector pivoted 90E from the position shown in Fig. 13.
16 Fig. 17 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 16.
17 Fig. 18 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the apparatus 18 of the present invention.
19 Fig. 19 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 18.
Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 18 but showing the coiled tubing injector 21 and the gooseneck being rotated 90E relative to the view shown in Fig. 18.
22 Fig. 21 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 20.

2 Referring first to Fig. 1, the apparatus of the present invention is seen to 3 comprise a mast, shown generally as 10, and a base shown generally as 12.
4 Mast 10, as shown particularly with reference to Fig. 3A, is comprised of a pair of spaced elongate frame members 14 interconnected at the top by a crown 16.
6 Although not shown, mast 12 is pivotally connected to base 12 for reasons 7 described hereafter. However, it is not necessary that mast 10 be pivotally 8 connected to base 12, i.e., it could be fixedly attached, if desired. As shown, 9 base 12 comprises a wheeled carrier or trailer 18 providing a generally centrally located platform 20, the wheeled carrier 18 having a tongue 22 which can be 11 attached to a motorized vehicle such that the trailer 18 can be moved from one 12 location to another. It will be appreciated that the wheeled carrier 18 can be self 13 propelled and even further that the base can comprise a stationary structure as, 14 for example, a skid or the like which can be raised and placed on a trailer or other transport vehicle for movement to another site, if desired. It will also be 16 appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention could be mounted on an 17 offshore platform via a skid or other substructure on while the mast and other 18 components are mounted. Wheeled trailer 18 also provides a second, rear 19 platform 26 on which is mounted a rotary table 24. Rear platform 22 provides a work surface 26 for workers to manipulate various downhole components into 21 and out of the rotary table and to perform other normal operations in conjunction 22 with earth borehole operations such as drilling, workover, servicing, etc.
23 Rotatably mounted on the platform 18 is a spool 28 upon which is wound 24 a length of coiled tubing 30. Spool 28 can be rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directions using a suitable drive assembly (not shown). Also _g_ 1 located on platform 18 is an engine 27 and a hydraulic tank 29 for storage of 2 hydraulic fluid used in operating the various hydraulic components of the 3 apparatus, e.g., motors, hydraulic cylinders, etc. As is well known, most of the 4 components of the apparatus can be operated hydraulically, electrically or, in some cases, pneumatically. The coiled tubing 30 extends up to a gooseneck or 6 guide 32 supported in a well-known manner. The gooseneck 32 is attached to a 7 coiled tubing injector 34 which, as shown in Fig. 3A, is positioned between 8 members 14 forming mast 10. As is well-known to those skilled in the art, coiled 9 tubing injector 34 typically comprises a series of blocks, sprockets or like grippers driven by endless chains or belts, shown in phantom as 39, and which 11 grab the coiled tubing 30 and force it downwardly in the direction of arrow A
12 when it is being injected into a well and move it upwardly in the direction of arrow 13 B when it is being removed from the well.
14 As shown in Figs. 1 and 3A, a top drive 36 is mounted on mast 10 between members 14 for longitudinal movement therealong in either the 16 direction of arrow A or arrow B. Typically, top drive 36 is mounted on a track 17 system, indicated as 15, which is affixed to members 14. It will be recognized, 18 however, that top drive 36 could be suspended in other fashions other than the 19 track system 15 such that it could be longitudinally moved along mast 10.
Top drive 36 is moved longitudinally along mast 10 by a hoisting system comprised of 21 a winch or draw works mounted on platform 18 and one or more cables 40 which 22 run through a crown block sheave assembly 16a located at the top of mast

10.
23 The cables 40 pass through or by coiled tubing injector 34 and are attached to 24 top drive 36 in a well-known manner whereby draw works 38 can selectively raise top drive 36 upwardly along mast 10 or lower top drive 36 downwardly _g_ 1 along mast 10, i.e., in the directions of arrows A and B, respectively. In the 2 embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the top drive serves as an elevator for the coiled 3 tubing injector 34, in that movement of the coiled tubing injector 34 longitudinally 4 along the mast 10 is effected by movement of the top drive 36. In this regard, as noted, the cables 40 run through or alongside coiled tubing injector 34 and are 6 attached to the top drive 36 in the well-known manner. It will be understood 7 however that, while more complicated, coiled tubing injector 34 could be moved 8 independently along mast 10 by a separate draw works or winch. However, the 9 apparatus of the present invention is vastly simplified by using the top drive 36 as an elevator to effect longitudinal movement of coiled tubing injector 34.

11 As seen in Fig. 1, top drive 36 has an opening 37 extending longitudinally

12 therethrough for a purpose to be described hereafter. While the opening 37 has

13 been described as extending longitudinally through the top drive 36, it is

14 conceivable that a top drive unit could be designed such that the opening was not through the top drive but rather was an opening in the form of a slot on the 16 side of the top drive. Obviously, such a top drive would be more complicated in 17 construction and might have to accommodate lateral movement such that when 18 the top drive was being used it was aligned with the vertical axis of the borehole, 19 but when the tubing injector was being used, the tubing issuing therefrom would also be aligned with the vertical axis of the borehole. Accordingly, the phrases 21 "longitudinally therethrough", "therethrough", or "through" with respect to the 22 opening in the top drive is intended to include slots or other formations in the top 23 drive which permit the coiled tubing injector to be positioned above the top drive 24 and the coiled tubing maintained in line with the vertical axis of the wellbore. A
suitable top drive for use in the apparatus of the present invention is a Foremost 1 Model F-100T. The Foremost Model F-100T is a hydraulic top drive system and 2 is commercially available. As in the case with other top drive systems, the Model 3 F-100T is provided with hydraulically actuated bails to assist in picking up or 4 laying down tubulars and includes a hydraulically actuated tong assembly mounted on the top drive to assist in breakout/make-up of the drill string or other 6 tubular downhole strings.
7 It will be appreciated that when, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, top 8 drive 36 is serving as an elevator for coiled tubing injector 34, provision could be 9 made to have a platform, cradle or the like upon which coiled tubing injector 34 would rest, the platform in turn resting on top drive 36. In any event, it will be 11 appreciated that there are a variety of ways in which the coiled tubing injector 34 12 can be positioned above top drive 36, such that top drive 36 can serve as an 13 elevator for top drive 34. For example, while as shown in Fig. 1 coiled tubing 14 injector 34 and top drive 36 are basically adjacent one another, it is contemplated that some axial spacing could be accommodated, if necessary, 16 consistent with having enough longitudinal length along mast 10 for top drive 36 17 to act independently when necessary. Such a situation would occur, for 18 example, when top drive 36 was being used to drill a surface borehole, run 19 casing, etc. In any event, it will be appreciated that with coiled tubing injector 34 positioned above top drive 36, and with top drive 36 having an opening 37 21 extending longitudinally therethrough, coiled tubing 30 from coiled tubing injector 22 34 can be passed through top drive 36 in which event top drive 36 would be 23 basically inoperative save for its function as serving as an elevator for coiled 24 tubing injector 34.

1 Turning now to Fig. 2, there is shown another embodiment of the present 2 invention, wherein the coiled tubing injector 34 is mounted on the crown of the 3 mast 10 such that it is not longitudinally movable along the mast 10, but is still 4 above top drive 36 such that, as in the case of the embodiment shown in Fig.
1, coiled tubing 30 from injector 34 passes through the opening 37 in top drive 36.
6 The present invention provides a universal rig which can selectively 7 handle and run different types of pipe, coiled tubing, and other earth borehole 8 equipment thereby eliminating the need for two rigs - one rig to use a top drive in 9 the conventional manner and a separate coiled tubing injector unit to perform coiled tubing operations. Thus, in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the 11 coiled tubing injector 34 is being used to manipulate coiled tubing 30, the coiled 12 tubing 30 passing through the top drive 36, the top drive 36 being basically in an 13 inoperative position vis-a-vis manipulating tubular components, components of 14 bottom hole assemblies or the like. However, and as noted above, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, top drive 36 does serve the purpose of being an elevator 16 for coiled tubing injector 34.
17 Turning now to Fig. 3, there is shown an embodiment of the present 18 invention wherein the coiled tubing injector 34 is basically in an inoperative 19 position while the top drive 36 is being operated to manipulate tubular components. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the coiled tubing injector 34 is 21 moved to the crown 16 of the mast 10 and is held in that position by a latching or 22 locking mechanism as, for example, one or more pins 43 (see Fig. 3A) which are 23 operatively mounted in mast 10 and which can be selectively operated, 24 electrically, hydraulically or in any other suitable fashion, to engage coiled tubing injector 34 or a cradle therefor and hold it in that position. It will also be 1 understood that a plurality of such latching or locking mechanisms can be 2 spaced longitudinally along mast 10 such that coiled tubing injector 34 can be 3 held at a variety of desired, longitudinally spaced locations along mast 10.
It will 4 also be appreciated that provision could be made to use a screw mechanism extending longitudinally along members 14 which could selectively engage or 6 disengage injector 34 to continuously or incrementally move coiled tubing 7 injector 34 along mast 10 rather than having longitudinally spaced latching 8 mechanisms such as the use of pins 43. In any event, with coiled tubing injector 9 34 temporarily locked in the position shown in Fig. 3, i.e., at crown 16, the top drive 36 can now perform operations typically performed by a top drive such as, 11 for example, manipulating a tubular component such as casing 42 brought in 12 through the V-door 44 as is common in typical oilfield operations. Although not 13 shown, it will be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention would be 14 provided with elevators and other components normally used to manipulate downhole components, e.g., pipe, as for example, to grip the pipe or other 16 downhole component and move it to a position where it could be engaged and 17 subsequently manipulated by the top drive. Thus, using the apparatus of the 18 present invention in the manner depicted in Fig. 3, the tubing injector 34 would 19 be inoperative while top drive 36 would be operative. This ability to selectively use the top drive and the injector independently of one another is clearly 21 advantageous in terms of saving cost and time.
22 With reference now to Fig. 4, there is shown a slightly different 23 embodiment wherein the draw works 38 is mounted on the mast 10, the cables 24 40 running through the crown block 16a in the crown 16 and down to the top drive 36. It will be appreciated that in cases, such as the embodiment shown in 1 Fig. 4, wherein the draw works 38 is mounted on the mast, the draw works could 2 be removably mounted, carried on a trolley, hingedly attached or the like, such 3 that, for transportation purposes, the draw works could basically be moved to a 4 position that it did not extend above the mast when the mast was lowered to the horizontal, transportation position. As shown in Fig. 4, extending from coiled 6 tubing injector 34, is a telescoping lubricator 44, lubricator 44 facilitating 7 connection or disconnection of coiled tubing 30 with a bottom hole assembly.
As 8 is well known to those skilled in the art, lubricator 44 can be extended or 9 contracted using a lubricator winch (not shown).
Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown still another, modified embodiment 11 of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 wherein the draw works 38, as in the case of 12 the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, is mounted on the mast 10. In the embodiment 13 shown in Fig. 5, the top drive 36 and the injector 34 have been moved to the 14 lowermost position, i.e., adjacent rotary table 24, and in this position, top drive 36 would be essentially inoperative and coiled tubing injector 34 would be operative 16 to perform downhole operations such as drilling, workovers, etc.
Additionally, 17 and as can be seen, mast 10 can be pivoted relative to the base 12 by a pivoting 18 assembly (not shown) to a position depicted in phantom in Fig. 5. Thus, it can 19 be seen that the mast 10 can be lowered off vertical to operate at any operating angle between the horizontal and vertical to permit off vertical drilling. It would 21 also be understood that in cases where off angle well operations were being 22 performed, reorientation of the rotary table and other component would have to 23 be accommodated. Additionally using a pivoting connection between the mast 24 10 and the base 12 allows the mast 10 to be lowered to a substantially horizontal position for purposes of moving the apparatus to another location if base 12 1 comprises a wheeled carrier which is either self-propelled or can be pulled by a 2 motorized vehicle, a skid or the like, etc.
3 As noted above, the apparatus of the present invention is universal in the 4 sense that the same rig carries a coiled tubing injector to manipulate coiled tubing and a top drive to manipulate jointed pipe or other downhole components, 6 the injector and the top drive being selectively, independently operable to 7 perform their customary functions. Additionally, the universal nature of the 8 apparatus of the present invention is attested to by the fact that when the top 9 drive is being used to manipulate a downhole component, e.g., a string of pipe, such as casing, tubing, drill pipe, etc., the coiled tubing injector can be 11 simultaneously used to inject coiled tubing through the top drive into the string of 12 pipe to perform an operation as, for example, freeing the pipe string if it is stuck 13 or to some other downhole operation.
14 The present invention also provides an efficient apparatus to cooperatively use the coiled tubing injector and the top drive. In this regard and 16 referring to Fig. 6, the top drive 36 is shown in a position displaced axially up 17 from the rotary table 24, the injector being positioned at the crown as shown in 18 Fig. 3. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the rotary table 24 is suspending a 19 downhole motor 50 on the end of which is connected to a drill bit 52. As can be seen, the threaded box end 54 of the downhole motor 50 (or a component 21 attached to the downhole motor 50), is in a position to receive the threaded pin 22 56 of a second downhole component 58 which can be a part of a bottom hole 23 assembly or alternatively, a conventional tubular member. To connect pin 56 24 with box 54, top drive 36 is lowered until pin 56 is received in box 54. At this point, with the rotary table 24 holding the downhole motor 50 fixed against either

-15-1 rotation or longitudinal movement, top drive 36 can be rotated to thread pin 2 into box 54. Alternatively, it will be understood that top drive 36 could be used to 3 hold component 58 against rotation while it was slowly being lowered and the 4 rotary table 24 could be used to rotate the downhole motor 50 which again would cause threaded engagement between pin 56 and box 54. As noted, in the 6 embodiment shown in Fig. 6, component 58 could be part of a string of pipe 7 wherein a plurality of joints of pipe are successively connected together, the 8 portion of the pipe string suspended in the rotary table 24 being released and 9 lowered as each successive joint of pipe is connected whereby eventually the entire string is lowered into the borehole. Fig. 6 also depicts a method of making 11 up and connecting a complete bottom hole assembly to the end of the coiled 12 tubing from the coiled tubing injector 34. Thus with the assembly shown in Fig.
13 6, once a complete bottom hole assembly, e.g., drill bit, downhole motor, drill 14 collars, logging equipment, sensors, etc., is made up, the end of the coiled tubing and the uppermost member of the complete bottom hole assembly could

16 be operatively engaged using intergaging latching mechanisms whereby the

17 coiled tubing could be latched into the uppermost member of the complete

18 bottom hole assembly and, when the bottom hole assembly is retrieved

19 unlatched, if desired.
Referring now to Figs. 7 and 7A, there is shown an embodiment of the 21 present invention wherein, as an alternative, telescoping hydraulic cylinder 22 systems are used to move the top drive longitudinally along the mast. The 23 apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 7A might be utilized when the mast 10 was 24 unusually long, e.g., on an offshore platform and in a situation where the top drive 36 was manipulating longer strings of jointed pipe that would result in 1 greater loading that might make a draw works lifting system such as shown in 2 the embodiments described above, impractical or at least require a larger winch, 3 more and heavier cables, etc. As can be seen from Fig. 7, the system depicted 4 in Figs. 7 and 7A has no draw works. Additionally, the base 12 has support legs 60 located generally under platform 36 to support the extra weight occasioned by 6 the hydraulic cylinder system employed and any additional loading from the 7 mast, pipe being handled, etc. It would be appreciated that the leg 60 could be 8 selectively extended and retracted as desired. The hydraulic cylinder systems 9 shown generally as 62 can be made in a four-stage cylinder design comprised of cylinders 64, 66, 68 and 70, as which can be seen, are telescopically received 11 into one another such that when all the hydraulic cylinders are in their lower most 12 position, they are all received in lower cylinder 64. It is well known to those 13 skilled in the art, that the cylinder systems would be operated using suitable 14 pumps, hoses, accumulators (are not shown) well known to those skilled in the art. The hydraulic cylinder systems 62 are mounted on a platform 72 formed on 16 base 12. It will be understood that with the use of the hydraulic cylinders and the 17 increased weight, and if the base 12 was part of a wheeled carrier, as described 18 above, the various portions of the base 12, particularly platform 72 would be built 19 to accommodate the additional weight and the downward force exerted on the base 12 when the cylinder systems were in a lifting position such as shown in 21 Fig. 7. As a practical matter, the apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 7A is more 22 ideally suited to use on a base or sub-structure such as on an offshore platform 23 that can easily accommodate heavy loads or downward forces. However, for 24 purposes only of depicting the use of a hydraulic cylinder systems) as a lifting or 1 hoisting device for the top drive 36, the hydraulic cylinder system 62 has been 2 shown as mounted on a wheeled carrier.
3 As can be seen particularly with reference to Fig. 7A, there could be two 4 of such hydraulic cylinder systems 62, one each positioned adjacent, generally on the inside, of members 14 forming mast 10. Referring then to Fig. 7, the 6 uppermost cylinders 70 are connected to plates 80 that in turn are generally 7 releasably connected to top drive 36. As shown, plates 80 on top drive 36 are 8 connected, via a nut and bolt arrangement or some other selectively releasable 9 mechanism, to a flange 82 connected to coiled tubing unit 34. In this configuration, movement of the hydraulic cylinder systems 62 would effect 11 movement of both the coiled tubing unit 34 and the top drive 36. However, if the 12 nut and bolt combinations 81 were removed, top drive 36 could now be moved 13 independently of coiled tubing injector 34 by the hydraulic cylinder systems 62 14 and, for example, coil tubing unit 34 could be latched or locked to the uppermost portion of the mast 10 below the crown 16 as, for example, by latching pins 43 16 such as shown in Fig. 3a.
17 As noted above, the system of the present invention positions the coiled 18 tubing injector in the mast above the top drive such that coiled tubing issuing 19 from the coiled tubing injector passes through the top drive. As further noted above, the coiled tubing need not move directly through any opening in the top 21 drive but can move in slots or other openings along the side of the top drive. It is 22 also contemplated that the top drive, albeit normally positioned below the coiled 23 tubing injector, could be moved to one side or another in a lateral or transverse 24 direction relative to the mast such that the coiled tubing injector remained in line with the wellbore while the top drive was out of alignment with the wellbore.

1 Thus, the coiled tubing injector and the top drive could be temporarily in a side-2 by-side arrangement. This arrangement is particularly useful in relatively small 3 rigs using relatively large diameter coiled tubing, e.g., 3". It will be understood, 4 as described above, that normally a lubricator (see Fig. 4) will be employed when coiled tubing injector is connected to a bottom hole assembly. Referring 6 then to Figs. 8 and 9, there is shown one embodiment of the present invention 7 wherein the coiled tubing injector can be releasably, fixedly positioned at a 8 desired point along the mast and the top drive parked or moved laterally relative 9 to the coiled tubing injector such that coiled tubing issuing from the coiled tubing injector passes alongside the top drive into the earth borehole. Each of frame 11 members 14 of mast 10 is provided with a mast track 100 upon which coiled 12 tubing injector 39 and top drive 36 travel longitudinally therealong. Each of mast 13 tracks 100 has operatively connected thereto a spur track or rail 102 which 14 extends transversely from mast tracks 100 to platform 26 or at least some distance laterally displaced from mast tracks 100. As shown in Fig. 8, top drive 16 36 is in the position acting as an elevator for coiled tubing injector 39 carried on 17 top drive 36, the combination of the coiled tubing injector 39 and top drive 36 18 being positioned generally half way along the frame members 14 forming mast 19 10. As was described above, top drive 36 is free to move longitudinally along mast tracks 100 substantially from rotary table 24 to a desired upper position 21 when coiled tubing injector 39 is positioned and releasably fixed in mast 22 proximate crown 16.
23 Referring now to Fig. 9, coiled tubing injector 39 is shown as being 24 releasably, fixedly held in mast 10 in a manner described above, while top drive 36 is now positioned in the lower portion of mast 10 but laterally displaced from 1 mast 10, coiled tubing injector 39 and the axis 106 of the wellbore. To 2 accomplish this, coiled tubing injector 39 is releasably fixed in mast 10 at the 3 location shown in Fig. 9. Top drive 36, as described, can move downwardly to a 4 point 107 where spur tracks 102 operatively intersect mast tracks 100. At this point, a switching mechanism 104 is activated to divert a trolley or the like on 6 which top drive 36 is sitting onto spur tracks 102 such that top drive 36 now 7 moves downwardly but tranversely to mast tracks 100 and can then be parked or 8 located at a position where it is out of alignment with the wellbore axis 106. As 9 shown, top drive 36 has been moved relatively close to work surface 26 but it is apparent that it could be positioned higher from the position shown in Fig. 9, 11 indeed even at least partially in the framework of mast 10, and still remain out of 12 alignment with the axis 106 of the wellbore. In any event, once the top drive 36 13 is moved laterally relative to coiled tubing injector 39, coiled tubing injector 39 14 can then inject coiled tubing 30 through rotary table 34 and into the wellbore, the coiled tubing passing alongside top drive 36. It will also be appreciated that in 16 the event coiled tubing injector 39 is provided with a separate hoisting 17 mechanism as previously described, it could be moved along mast 10 18 independently of any movement of top drive 36. In any event, top drive 36 still 19 serves as an elevator for coiled tubing injector 39 which can be positioned at a desired location in the mast 10 first, following which the top drive, if desired, can 21 be moved into a laterally displaced position as shown in Fig. 9. The terms 22 "operatively connected," "operatively intersect" or similar term with respect to the 23 spur tracks 102 and mast tracks 100 is intended to mean that the two track 24 systems are interrelated to the extent that the top drive 36 can be switched from mast tracks 100 to spur tracks 102 or vice versa.

-20-1 Switching mechanism 104 can be any one of well known switching 2 mechanisms used in track conveying systems to selectively switch a trolley or 3 similar conveying device moving along a first track system to a second track 4 system. Such switching systems can be mechanical, electromechanical, pneumatic, etc. It will also be appreciated that such switching mechanisms can 6 be activated manually or automatically such that when, in this case, top drive 36 7 reaches a certain position, i.e., at the juncture or intersection of spur tracks 102 8 and mast tracks 100, the switching system has been set in an automatic mode to 9 move the top drive from mast tracks 100 to spur tracks 102.
It is well known in the art that top drives used in oil and gas drilling and 11 well servicing operations are commonly carried by a so-called integrated split 12 block arrangement. In a split block arrangement, a frame having laterally spaced 13 side members is provided with one or more sheaves on each of the spaced side 14 members, each of the sheaves being connected by cables to a suitable crown block. The use of these split block arrangements reduces stack-up as is 16 common in simple traveling block assemblies. Such a split block arrangement is 17 ideally suited for use in the present invention to carry the top drive, the coiled 18 tubing injector being positioned on a platform, cradle or the like which would rest 19 on the top drive. In this manner, the split block assembly essentially forming part of the top drive, as described above, would act as an elevator for the coiled

21 tubing injector. Typical of split block arrangements used in conjunction with top

22 drives is the T75/T100 series of top drives manufactured and sold by TESCO

23 Corporation as can be seen at www.tescocorp.com.

24 Referring now to Figs. 10-13, there is shown a split block assembly for use in carrying the top drive used in the present invention. Frame members 14 1 of mast 10 are provided with longitudinally extending tracks 108 and 110. A
2 generally rectangular frame F shown as 110 comprises a first side frame 3 member 112, a second, laterally spaced side frame member 114, a first cross 4 frame member 16 and a second, laterally spaced cross frame member 118, members 112, 114, 116 and 118 forming a generally rectangular opening in 6 frame F. Pivotally attached to frame members 118 and 116 is a bail 120. Bail 7 120 is also pivotally attached to top drive 36 as shown at 122. A piston-cylinder 8 assembly 124 has one end of the cylinder pivotally attached as at 125 to frame 9 member 118, the pivot point 125 being laterally displaced toward side member 112 relative to the pivot point 121. Reciprocally extending out of the cylinder of 11 piston-cylinder assembly 124 is a piston rod 126 which has one end pivotally 12 attached at 122 to bail 120.
13 Side member 112 has attached thereto sheaves 130 and 132 while side 14 member 110 has attached thereto sheaves 134 and 136. Cables 138, 140, 142 and 146 extend from sheaves 130, 132, 134 and 136, respectively, up to a 16 crown block assembly (not shown) as is well known to those skilled in the art.
17 Thus, by movement of the cables 138-146, frame F can be moved longitudinally 18 along tracks 108 and 110 and hence longitudinally along the mast 10 formed by 19 frame members 14. To this end, roller assemblies 160 and 162 are attached to side frame member 112, while roller assemblies 164 and 166 are attached to 21 side frame 110. As shown, roller assemblies 160 and 162 engage track 108 22 while roller assemblies 164 and 166 engage track 109.
23 As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, top drive 36 is suspended below frame F so 24 as to be positioned generally centrally between side frame members 112 and 114, i.e., in a position generally in line with the wellbore axis 106.
_22_ 1 Referring now to Figs. 12 and 13, the top drive 36 is shown as being 2 displaced laterally off of the axis of the wellbore 106. To accomplish this, 3 hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 124 is activated to retract piston 126 which 4 results in bail 120 pivoting around pivot point 121 moving top drive 36 toward track 108. Piston-cylinder assembly 124 can be hydraulic, pneumatic and it will 6 be appreciated that any number of mechanisms can be used to move bail 120 7 and hence top drive 36 between the positions shown in Figs. 11 and 13, i.e., 8 from a position where top drive 36 is generally over center of the axis 106 of the 9 wellbore to a position, as shown in Fig. 13, where it is moved laterally with respect to the axis 106. While the use of only one piston-cylinder assembly 11 is shown, as a practical matter two such assemblies would be used, one being 12 attached to cross member 118 as shown, the other being attached to cross 13 member 116. It will be apparent that piston-cylinder assembly 124 can be 14 attached to frame F on the side nearest track 109 such that top drive 36 would now be moved to the left of wellbore axis 106 as viewed in Fig. 13. The 16 arrangement shown in Figs. 11 and 13 is as seen from the V-door side of the 17 drilling rig (see Fig. 3). Although perhaps somewhat more complicated, an 18 arrangement similar to that shown in Figs. 11-13 could be used to move the top 19 drive laterally either towards the V-door or towards the trailer upon which spool 28 is mounted.
21 Referring now to Figs. 14-17, there is shown an embodiment of the 22 present invention wherein the coiled tubing injector can be moved to the top of 23 the mast and pivoted at least 90E so as to provide more vertical working space 24 in the mast when the top drive is in use. The apparatus, shown generally as 200, comprises a mast shown generally as 202 which as seen in Fig. 15 is 1 comprised of a pair of spaced, elongate frame members 204 and 206 2 interconnected at the top by a crown 208 carrying a crown block assembly as 3 described above and as is well known in the art. Preferably, mast 202 is 4 pivotally connected to a base 210, e.g., in the form of a wheeled trailer, such that mast 202 can be pivoted to a generally horizontal position for transportation 6 purposes. Mounted on wheeled trailer 210 is a reel 212 of coiled tubing from 7 which coiled tubing 214 can be played out. Coiled tubing 214 passes through a 8 guide or gooseneck 216 and then into coiled tubing injector 218.
9 As seen particularly in Figs. 14 and 15, top drive 220 is located generally midway of mast 202, coiled tubing 214 being injected via coiled tubing injector 11 218 through a rotary table shown generally as 222, into a wellhead, tubing 12 passing through top drive 220 as described above.
13 Coiled tubing injector 218 is mounted on a carrier frame shown generally 14 as 224, carrier frame 224 comprising a pair of pillow blocks 226 and 228 which are operatively connected to frame members 204 and 206, respectively. Thus, 16 as in the other embodiments described above, coiled tubing injector 218 by 17 means of frame 224 can move longitudinally along mast 202 on suitable tracks 18 or the like mounted to the frame members 204, 206. Coiled tubing injector 19 is secured to or rotatably mounted on a shaft 230, one end of which is received in pillow block 226, the other end being received in pillow block 228. In the case 21 where coiled tubing injector 218 is fixedly secured to shaft 230, shaft 230 would 22 be rotatably journaled in pillow blocks 226 and 228, suitable bearings being 23 provided as is known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, if coiled tubing 24 injector 218 is rotatably mounted on shaft 230, then shaft 230 could be fixedly secured in pillow blocks 226 and 228. In either event, coiled tubing injector 1 is pivotally secured to frame 224. In the embodiment shown, coiled tubing 2 injector 218 is fixedly secured to shaft 230.
3 A pair of pistons/cylinder assemblies 232, 234, which can be hydraulic, 4 are interconnected between coiled tubing injector 218 and pillow blocks 226 and 228, respectively. As can be seen, with respect to piston/cylinder assembly 232, 6 piston rod 235 is pivotally connected at 236 by a clevis or other suitable 7 connector to coiled tubing injector 218. The other end of the piston/cylinder 8 assembly 232 is likewise pivotally connected as at 237 to pillow block 226 or for 9 that matter any other portion of carrier frame 224 which is not rotatable or pivotable relative to mast 202. For example, if coiled tubing injector 218 was 11 rotatably mounted on shaft 230 such that shaft 230 was fixedly secured in pillow 12 blocks 226 and 228, then the piston/cylinder assemblies could be secured to 13 shaft 230. As can be seen in Fig. 14, piston cylinder assemblies 232 and 14 are off-center with respect to the long axis of coiled tubing injector 218.
Accordingly, if piston rod 235, shown in its fully extended position in Figs.
14 and 16 15, is now retracted, there will be a vector of force generally in the direction of 17 arrow A which will tend to pivot coiled tubing injector 218 around an axis passing 18 through shaft 230. The end result is depicted in Figs. 16 and 17 wherein coiled 19 tubing injector 218 has been pivoted such that it is now substantially perpendicular to mast 202, i.e., to elongate frame members 204, 206. As can be 21 seen in Figs. 16 and 17, with piston cylinder assemblies 232, 234 retracted, 22 coiled tubing injector 218 has been moved 90E from a position where the coiled 23 tubing injector 218 and hence coiled tubing 214 passing therethrough is 24 substantially in line with rotary table 222 and hence the wellhead to a position, as

-25-1 shown in Figs. 16 and 17, wherein the coiled tubing injector 218 is substantially 2 perpendicular to an axis passing through rotary table 222.
3 As can also be seen from Figs. 16 and 17, by pivoting coiled tubing 4 injector 218 to the position shown, top drive 220 now has additional vertical space above the rotary table 222. This allows mast 202 to be more compact in 6 terms of its height. In this regard it will be appreciated that, depending upon the 7 size of coiled tubing injector 218, the arrangement shown in Figs. 14-17 permits 8 another 2 to 18 feet of vertical head space in mast 202 allowing top drive 220 to 9 move to a greater height in mast 202 than would be possible if coiled tubing injector 218 was confined to the position shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Ideally, the 11 pivot axis of coiled tubing injector 218 is as far up as practical, i.e., towards the 12 top of coiled tubing injector 218, so as to achieve the maximum vertical head 13 space in mast 202.
14 Suitable piston/cylinder assemblies useful in the embodiment described in Figs. 14-17 and methods of connecting the same to suitable sources of hydraulic 16 or pneumatic power are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be 17 described in any detail here.
18 Referring now to Figs. 18-20, there is shown a variation of the 19 embodiment of the invention depicted in Figs. 14-17, wherein the coiled tubing injector can be moved from a position where the coiled tubing injector is in line 21 with the rotary table/wellhead to a position where the coiled tubing injector is out 22 of line substantially 90E, with e.g., the wellhead. In the embodiment shown in 23 Figs. 18-21, the reel 212 of coiled tubing in conjunction with the coiled tubing 214 24 is used to rotate coiled tubing injector 218 from the position shown in Figs. 18 to the position shown in Fig. 20. In this regard, coiled tubing injector 218, as in the

-26-1 case of the embodiment shown in Figs. 14-17, is pivotally mounted on a frame 2 224 which in turn is longitudinally movable along the length of mast 202. In the 3 position shown in Figs. 18 and 19, coiled tubing injector 218 is in operation, 4 coiled tubing 214 being played off of reel 212 through top drive 220 and into the wellhead through rotary table 222. In this situation, and as will be appreciated, 6 reel 212 is rotating in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow B.
7 Turning now to Figs. 20 and 21, once it is desired to rotate coiled tubing 8 injector 218 from a position in line with the wellhead, i.e., through rotary table 9 222, to the position shown in Figs. 20 and 21, the coiled tubing 214 which is held or can be held by any convenient means in coiled tubing injector 218, is now 11 reeled back onto reel 212, reel 212 now rotating in a counterclockwise direction 12 as indicated by arrow C. In this manner, the coiled tubing injector 218, secured 13 to shaft 230 which in turn is rotatably journaled in journal boxes 226 and 228, will 14 now be caused to rotate around the axis passing through shaft 230 to the position shown in Figs. 20 and 21. At this point, top drive 220 can then be 16 moved to the desired location in mast 220, to manipulate a piece of jointed pipe 17 240 or other tubular member.
18 It will be appreciated that in the embodiment shown in Figs. 14-17, the 19 piston cylinder assemblies 232, 234 can be used to lock coiled tubing injector into the position shown in Figs. 16 and 17 by methods well know to those skilled 21 in the art. In the case of the embodiments shown in Figs. 18-21, a locking pin, 22 as described above, or other latching mechanism can be used to hold coiled 23 tubing injector 218 in the position shown in Figs. 16 and 17. Indeed, it will be 24 appreciated that any number of techniques and apparatuses can be used to maintain coiled tubing injector in the pivoted positions shown in Figs. 16 and 20.

-27-1 While two methods of pivoting coil tubing injector 218 have been 2 described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other devices such as 3 rotary actuators, gearing arrangements, winch systems, etc., can be employed.
4 The "carrier frame" on which coiled tubing injector 218 is pivotally mounted can comprise any assemblage of components which alone or together 6 with other operating mechanisms will (a) allow coiled tubing injector 218 to be 7 pivoted, and (b) allow coiled tubing injector 218 to be moved longitudinally along 8 the mast.
9 As thus seen from the description above, the apparatus of the present invention can be used in a manner wherein only the top drive is operative, the 11 coiled tubing injector being positioned, for example, at a point above the top 12 drive, e.g., at the top of the mast adjacent the crown and being inoperative.
13 Alternatively, the top drive can be moved to a lowered position on the mast, e.g., 14 at or near the rotary table with the coiled tubing injector being carried by the top drive, the coiled tubing injector continuously injecting tubing into the earth 16 borehole to perform a variety of operations. In this latter mode, the top drive is 17 essentially inoperative save for the fact that it carries the coiled tubing injector 18 and can still serve as an elevator for the coiled tubing injector. In any event all in 19 embodiments, the coiled tubing injector, the top drive and the rotary table are on axes that are substantially coincident or can be made coincident with the 21 wellbore.
22 The word "base" or "substructure" as used herein is intended to mean any 23 structure, be it portable or fixed, whether on land or offshore, to which the mast 24 can be fixedly, pivotally or removably attached, which will support the mast and the attendant equipment used in the apparatus of the present invention,

-28-1 including the coiled tubing spool, attendant motors, winches or draw works, and 2 any other equipment commonly used either with (a) coiled tubing injectors, or (b) 3 top drives.
4 The apparatus of the present invention can be used to accomplish numerous different earth borehole operations. In the case of employing the 6 coiled tubing injector, the apparatus can be used to drill using downhole mud 7 motors, such drilling being both directional and straight hole.
Additionally, coiled 8 tubing can be used in various completion operations such as fracturing;
9 acidizing; cleanouts; fishing operations; using coiled tubing as a velocity string, etc. The coiled tubing can also be run as production tubing. With respect to 11 typical top drive operations, conventional drilling can be done, casing can be run, 12 and completion operations as described above with respect of coiled tubing can 13 also be accomplished. Additionally, the top drive can be used to run 14 conventional production tubing.
In general, the apparatus of the present invention permits every earth 16 borehole operation that can be done in oil and gas well drilling using either a top 17 drive or a coiled tubing unit.
18 A distinct advantage of the apparatus of the present invention when 19 compared with prior art, so-called universal systems such as disclosed in U.S.
Publication 2004/0206551, is the ability to perform simultaneous operations with 21 both the coiled tubing injector and the top drive. In this regard, in the prior art 22 universal systems it is necessary, when using the top drive, to move the coiled 23 tubing injector laterally out of alignment from the borehole and vice versa. With 24 the apparatus of the present invention, since the coiled tubing injector remains positioned in line with the top drive and the borehole, in the event, for example,

-29-1 that operations with the top drive are being performed, e.g., running casing, and 2 the casing sticks, using the apparatus of the present invention, coiled tubing can 3 be run down through the top drive into the casing to assist in freeing the casing.
4 It will be apparent that other situations can occur where it would be necessary to quickly inject coiled tubing down through the top drive and through a tubular 6 string or other downhole component being manipulated by the top drive to effect 7 some downhole operation. This, of course, cannot be accomplished with the 8 prior art, so-called universal systems since, as noted, only one of the top drive or 9 the coiled tubing injector can be positioned in alignment with the wellbore at any given time.
11 In the above description, the word "mounted" has been used with respect 12 to the interrelationship between various components of the apparatus as, for 13 example, the relation of the mast to the top drive and/or the coiled tubing 14 injector. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the word "mounted", or variants thereof, in addition to its usual meaning, is intended to include meanings 16 such as "positioned", "positioned on", "carried by", "carried on", "carried", "sitting 17 on", "resting on", or any other similar term. In other words, the word "mounted", 18 or variants thereof, is not necessarily limited to meaning "affixed", "affixed to", 19 "attached to", "attached", "secured to" or other words or phrases carrying a similar meaning. Thus, for example, references in the description above to the 21 coiled tubing injector being "mounted on the mast" are intended to include 22 situations wherein the coiled tubing injector is positioned adjacent to the mast or 23 positioned relative to the mast, all with the goal of achieving a scenario wherein 24 the coiled tubing injector, when injecting coiled tubing, is above the top drive

-30-1 such that coiled tubing from the tubing injector can pass through the opening in 2 the top drive from a position above the top drive.
3 It will be understood, that the present invention is not limited to the use in 4 oilfield operations but can be used in water well drilling, mining operations, in drilling injection wells, etc. Also, as noted above, the apparatus of the present 6 invention is not limited to land earth borehole operations but can be used, as 7 well, on offshore drilling and production platforms.
8 The foregoing description and examples illustrate selected embodiments 9 of the present invention. In light thereof, variations and modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art, all of which are in the spirit and purview of 11 this invention.

-31 -

Claims (71)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for performing earth borehole operations comprising:
a base;
a mast mounted on said base;
a top drive mounted on said mast for longitudinal movement therealong, the top drive having an opening therethrough; and a coiled tubing injector mounted on said mast above said top drive such that coiled tubing from said tubing injector can pass through said opening in said top drive.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said mast comprises first and second, spaced frame members, said top drive and said coiled tubing injector being mounted between said frame members.

3. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said top drive is slidably mounted on said mast.

4. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said mast is provided with tracks and said top drive slides on said tracks.

5. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said coiled tubing injector is carried by said top drive whereby movement of said top drive moves said coiled tubing injector longitudinally along said mast.

6. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said top drive is moved longitudinally along said mast using a draw works.

7. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said mast is provided with tracks and said top drive and said coiled tubing injector slide on said tracks.

8. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein said draw works is mounted on said base.

9. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein said draw works is mounted on said mast.

10. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said apparatus further includes a rotary table mounted on said base.

11. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said coiled tubing injector is adapted to be selectively latched in a preselected position on said mast.

12. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said base comprises a wheeled structure.

13. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said mast is pivotally secured to said base for movement to preselected angles ranging from horizontal to vertical and at any desired angle therebetween.

14. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said coiled tubing injector includes a lubricator for guiding coiled tubing, said lubricator telescoping to selectively allow access to said coiled tubing.

15. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein said top drive and said coiled tubing injector are selectively operable, independent of one another, to perform earth borehole operations with jointed pipe or coiled tubing, respectively.

16. An apparatus for connecting the tubing of a coiled tubing injector to a bottom hole assembly comprising:
a base;
a mast mounted on said base;
a top drive mounted on said mast for longitudinal movement therealong, said top drive having an opening therethrough;
a coiled tubing injector mounted on said mast above said top drive such that coiled tubing from said coiled tubing injector can pass through said opening in said top drive; and a rotary table mounted on said base, said rotary table being operable to engage and manipulate a first component of a bottom hole assembly, said top drive being operable to engage and manipulate a second component of a bottom hole assembly, said top drive and said rotary table being cooperatively operable to make up a complete bottom hole assembly, said coiled tubing injector being selectively operable to move coiled tubing through said opening in said top drive into and out of engagement with said complete bottom hole assembly.

17. The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein said mast comprises first and second, spaced frame members, said top drive and said coiled tubing injector being mounted between said frame members.

18. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said top drive is slidably mounted on said mast.

19. The apparatus of Claim 18, wherein said mast is provided with tracks and said top drive slides on said tracks.

20. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said coiled tubing injectors carried by said top drive whereby said movement of said top drive moves said coiled tubing injector longitudinally along said mast.

21. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said top drive is moved longitudinally along said mast using a draw works.

22. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said mast is provided with tracks and said top drive and said coiled tubing injector slide on said tracks.

23. The apparatus of Claim 22, wherein said draw works is mounted on said base.

24. The apparatus of Claim 22, wherein said draw works is mounted on said mast.

25. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said apparatus further includes a rotary table mounted on said base.

26. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said coiled tubing injector is adapted to be selectively latched in a preselected position on said mast.

27. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said base comprises a wheeled structure.

28. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said mast is pivotally secured to said base for movement to preselected angles ranging from horizontal to vertical and at any desired angle therebetween.

29. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said coiled tubing injector includes a lubricator for guiding coiled tubing, said lubricator telescoping to selectively allow access to said coiled tubing.

30. The apparatus of any one of Claims 16 to 17, wherein said top drive and said coiled tubing injector are selectively operable, independent of one another, to perform earth borehole operations with jointed pipe or coiled tubing, respectively.

31. A method of performing earth borehole operations comprising:
providing a base;
providing a mast mounted on said base;
providing a top drive mounted on said mast for longitudinal movement therealong, said top drive being operable to engage and manipulate components used in earth borehole operations, said top drive having an opening therethrough;
providing a coiled tubing injector mounted on said mast above said top drive such that coiled tubing from said injector can pass through said opening in said top drive;
providing a rotary table on said base;
selectively using said top drive to engage and manipulate a component used in earth borehole operations while said coiled tubing injector is substantially inoperative; and selectively using said coiled tubing injector to inject coiled tubing into said earth borehole while said top drive is substantially inoperative, said coiled tubing passing through said opening in said top drive.

32. The method of Claim 31, including engaging a first component of a bottom hole assembly by said rotary table.

33. The method of Claim 31, including engaging a second component of a bottom hole assembly by said top drive.

34. The method of Claim 33, comprising operating said rotary table and said top drive to connect said first and second components of said bottom hole assembly together.

35. The method of Claim 34, comprising further operating said rotary table and said top drive to successively connect components of a bottom hole assembly to make up a complete bottom hole assembly.

36. The method of Claim 35, comprising disengaging said top drive from said complete bottom hole assembly while suspending said complete bottom hole assembly from said rotary table.

37. The method of Claim 36, comprising moving said coiled tubing injector to a position such that coiled tubing passing through said opening in said top drive can engage said complete bottom hole assembly.

38. The method of Claim 37, comprising disengaging said rotary table from said bottom hole assembly whereby said complete bottom hole assembly can be lowered using said coiled tubing injector to perform earth borehole operations.

39. The method of Claim 31, wherein said earth borehole operations comprise drilling with coiled tubing.

40. The method of Claim 39, wherein said drilling comprises directional drilling.

41. The method of Claim 31, wherein said earth borehole operations comprise drilling with conventional jointed drill pipe using said top drive.

42. The method of Claim 31, where said drilling comprises directional drilling.

43. The method of Claim 31, wherein said earth borehole operations comprise using coiled tubing in completion operations.

44. The method of Claim 31, wherein said earth borehole operations comprise running coiled tubing as production tubing.

45. The method of Claim 31, wherein said earth borehole operations comprise running casing using said top drive.

46. The method of Claim 31, wherein said earth borehole operations comprise conducting completion operations using said top drive.

47. The method of Claim 31, wherein said earth borehole operations comprise running production tubing using said top drive.

48. A method of performing earth borehole operations comprising:
providing a base;
providing a mast mounted on said base;
providing a top drive mounted on said mast for longitudinal movement therealong, said top drive being operable to engage and manipulate a component used in earth borehole operations, said top drive having an opening therethrough;
providing a coiled tubing injector mounted on said mast above said top drive such that coiled tubing from said injector can pass through said opening in said top drive;
using said top drive to engage and manipulate a component used in earth borehole operations; and using said coiled tubing injector to inject coiled tubing into said component through said opening in said top drive, while said top drive is manipulating said component.

49. The method of Claim 48, wherein said component is a string of casing.

50. The method of Claim 48, wherein said component is a string of tubing.

51. The method of Claim 48, wherein said component is a string of drill pipe.

52. The apparatus of Claim 1, 2, 16 or 17, wherein said top drive is moved longitudinally along said mast using a hydraulic cylinder system.

53. An apparatus for performing earth borehole operations comprising:
a base;
a mast mounted on said base;
a coiled tubing injector mounted on said mast for longitudinal movement therealong;
a top drive mounted on said mast for longitudinal movement therealong, said top drive being mounted below said coiled tubing injector, said top drive having a first position wherein said coiled tubing injector can pass through said top drive and a second position wherein coiled tubing from said coiled tubing injector can pass alongside said top drive.

54. The apparatus of Claim 53, wherein said mast comprises first and second, spaced frame members, said first and second spaced frame members being provided with first and second mast tracks extending longitudinally along said first and second frame members, said top drive being movable along said first and second tracks.

55. The apparatus of Claim 54, wherein there are first and second spur tracks operatively connected to said first and second mast tracks, respectively, said first and second spur tracks extending transversely to said first and second mast tracks, respectively, said top drive being movable from said mast tracks to said spur tracks.

56. The apparatus of Claim 55, further including a switching mechanism to switch said top drive from said mast tracks to said spur tracks.

57. The apparatus of Claim 54, wherein said top drive is carried by a frame, said frame having a first side and a second side, said fast side carrying a first roller assembly engaging said first mast track, said second side carrying a second roller assembly engaging said second mast track whereby said frame can move longitudinally along said mast tracks.

58. The apparatus of Claim 57, wherein said top drive has a first frame position generally centrally of said frame between said first and second sides and a second frame position proximate one of said first and second sides.

59. The apparatus of Claim 58, wherein said top drive is suspended from said frame by first and second bails, said first and second bails being pivotally secured to said frame and to said top drive.

60. The apparatus of Claim 59, wherein there is a mechanical linkage between at least one of said first and second bails and said frame to effect pivoting of said at least one of said bails whereby said top drive is moved from said first to said second frame position.

61. The apparatus of Claim 60, wherein said mechanical linkage comprises a piston cylinder arrangement.

62. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said coiled tubing injector is mounted on a carrier frame, said carrier frame being longitudinally movable along said mast, said coiled tubing injector being pivotally mounted on said carrier frame whereby said coiled tubing injector can be moved from a first position to a second position.

63. The apparatus of Claim 62, wherein in said first position said coiled tubing injector is generally parallel to said mast and in said second position said coiled tubing injector is transverse to said mast.

64. The apparatus of Claim 63, wherein in said second position said coiled tubing is substantially perpendicular to said mast.

65. The apparatus of Claim 62, wherein said carrier frame includes a shaft, said coiled tubing injector being affixed to said shaft.

66. The apparatus of Claim 65, wherein said mast comprises first and second spaced frame members and said carrier frame comprises a first pillow block operatively connected to said first frame member and a second pillow block operatively connected to said second frame member, said shaft being rotatably journaled in said first and second pillow blocks.

67. The apparatus of Claim 62, wherein there is a first piston/cylinder assembly interconnecting said coiled tubing injector and a portion of said carrier frame which is not rotatable relative to said mast, said first piston/cylinder assembly being operative to move said coiled tubing injector from said first position to said second position.

68. The apparatus of Claim 67, wherein there is a second piston cylinder assembly interconnecting said coiled tubing injector and a second portion of said frame which is not rotatable relative to said mast.

69. The apparatus of Claim 62, wherein said carrier frame includes a shaft, such coiled tubing injector being rotatable on said shaft.

70. The apparatus of Claim 69, wherein said mast comprises first and second spaced frame members and said carrier frame comprises a first pillow block operatively connected to said first frame member and a second pillow block operatively connected to said second frame member, said shaft being fixedly secured in said first and second pillow blocks.

71. The apparatus of Claim 62, wherein said coiled tubing injector is connected to a reel of coiled tubing by said coiled tubing, said reel being rotatable in a first direction to pivot said coiled tubing injector from said first position toward said second position, said reel being rotatable in a second direction to permit said coiled tubing injector to move from said second position to said first position.