US 12,129,717 B2
Drill pipe torque reducer and method
Logan Smith, Lafayette, LA (US); Jarret Daigle, Youngsville, LA (US); Keith Lutgring, Lafayette, LA (US); Matthew Weber, Duson, LA (US); Luk Servaes, Youngsville, LA (US); Todd Simar, Lafayette, LA (US); Dustin Pitre, Youngsville, LA (US); Paul E. Sellers, Lafayette, LA (US); Dax Joseph Neuville, Broussard, LA (US); and Charles M. Webre, Lafayette, LA (US)
Assigned to FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Frank's International, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Jun. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/833,032.
Application 17/833,032 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/898,099, filed on Jun. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,352,840.
Application 17/833,032 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/050,686, filed on Jul. 31, 2018, granted, now 10,724,308, issued on Jul. 28, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/539,607, filed on Aug. 1, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0298872 A1, Sep. 22, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 17/10 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 17/1064 (2013.01) [E21B 17/1078 (2013.01); E21B 17/1085 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for reducing torque in a drill string, comprising:
a clamp assembly comprising a first clamp segment and a second clamp segment, the first and second clamp segments each being generally arcuate and configured to connect together so as to secure the clamp assembly around an oilfield tubular and prevent the clamp assembly from axial and rotational movement relative to the oilfield tubular,
wherein the first and second clamp segments each include a first extension and a second extension, each of the first and second extensions having a tapered end that decreases in outer diameter as proceeding in an axial direction, so as to provide a conical guide surface; and
an outer sleeve positioned around the clamp assembly, wherein the outer sleeve is configured to rotate with respect to the oilfield tubular and the clamp assembly, and is prevented from axial movement relative thereto.