Abstract: An expansion assembly (1) comprises an expandable bottom plug (10) arranged below a primary expander (6) for expanding a tubular element (2), which expandable bottom plug (10) includes an expandable tubular clad element with sealing means for sealing the expanded clad element to a lower portion of the expanded tubular element (2) and anchoring means for anchoring the expanded clad element to the lower portion of the expanded tubular element. A secondary expander (22) is provided for radially expanding the clad element in the lower portion of the expanded tubular element by axial movement of the secondary expander through the clad element.

Abstract: A system for sealing an expandable tubular connection (2, 20) in a wellbore comprises an annular resilient seal (32, 34) arranged in an annular groove (90) defining a section (82) of reduced wall thickness of an inner tubular element (20), which section (82) is subject to surplus expansion induced by an expansion cone such that, in the expanded state of the inner tubular element (20), the annular groove (90) has a wave-shaped profile thereby compressing the annular seal (32, 34) against an outer tubular element (2).

Abstract: A well casing or liner shoe (10) comprises a partially of fully openable central fluid channel (13) which is connected to at least one small width nozzle (46) and an additional large width fluid outlet (49), which is closed by a thin walled closure device arranged to open at a selected fluid overpressure in the fluid channel (13), and which has a flow area larger than each nozzle (46) to permit fluid circulation when the nozzles (46) are clogged and clearance of clogging debris through the additional large width additional fluid outlet (49).

Abstract: The invention provides a system for lining a wellbore. The system comprises an expandable tubular element arranged in the wellbore, the tubular element having a first end part and a second end part whereby the second end part extends into a tubular wall located in the wellbore. An expander is arranged to radially expand the tubular element by movement of the expander through the tubular element in a direction from the first end part to the second end part, said direction defining an expansion direction. The system further comprises an anchor arranged to anchor said second end part to the tubular wall in a manner that the anchor substantially prevents movement of said second end part in the expansion direction and allows movement of said second end part in the direction opposite to the expansion direction.

Abstract: A system and method for lining a section of a wellbore with an expandable tubular element. The system comprises an elongate drill string having a force multiplier near a lower end thereof, which is housed within the expandable tubular element. An expander for expanding the tubular element is arranged at a lower end of the force multiplier. Anchoring means are provided at the exterior of the tubular element for anchoring the tubular element in the wellbore. Pulling the expander through the expandable tubular using the force multiplier may be combined with pulling the drill string upwards. A sudden drop of the hydraulic pressure in the force multiplier drops will confirm fixation of the anchoring means in the wellbore wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.

Abstract: A system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, the second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. The support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of the anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with the ramping surface.

Abstract: A method is provided of radially expanding a tubular element (56) in a well-bore using an expander located in the tubular element, the expander (40) comprising an expansion member (48) and a plurality of segments (50) spaced in circumferential direction around the expansion member, the segments being movable between a radially retracted position and a radially expanded position by axial movement of the expansion member relative to the segments. The method includes a plurality of successive expansion cycles, wherein each expansion cycle comprises the steps of: (a) moving the expander (40) in axially forward direction through the tubular element (56) whereby the segments (56) are in the radially retracted position; and (b) radially expanding the tubular element by moving the segments to the radially expanded position by axially moving the expansion member relative to the segments.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for lining a wellbore. The system comprises an expandable tubular element arranged in the wellbore, the tubular element having a first end part and a second end part whereby the second end part extends into a tubular wall located in the wellbore. An expander is arranged to radially expand the tubular element by movement of the expander through the tubular element in a direction from the first end part to the second end part, said direction defining an expansion direction. The system further comprises an anchor arranged to anchor said second end part to the tubular wall in a manner that the anchor substantially prevents movement of said second end part in the expansion direction and allows movement of said second end part in the direction opposite to the expansion direction.

Abstract: A system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, the second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. The support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of the anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with the ramping surface.

Abstract: A system and method for lining a section of a wellbore with an expandable tubular element. The system comprises an elongate drill string having a force multiplier near a lower end thereof, which is housed within the expandable tubular element. An expander for expanding the tubular element is arranged at a lower end of the force multiplier. Anchoring means are provided at the exterior of the tubular element for anchoring the tubular element in the wellbore. Pulling the expander through the expandable tubular using the force multiplier may be combined with pulling the drill string upwards. A sudden drop of the hydraulic pressure in the force multiplier drops will confirm fixation of the anchoring means in the wellbore wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.

Abstract: A method is provided of radially expanding a tubular element. The method comprises inducing the wall of the tubular element to bend radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded section of the tubular element extending around an unexpanded section of the tubular element, wherein said bending occurs in a bending zone of the wall, and wherein an annular space is defined between the unexpanded and expanded sections. At least one guide member is located in the annular space, each guide member being arranged to guide the wall during said bending so that the wall bends at an increased bending radius relative to bending of the wall in case the guide member is absent from the annular space.

Abstract: A method is provided of radially expanding a tubular element (56) in a well-bore using an expander located in the tubular element, the expander (40) comprising an expansion member (48) and a plurality of segments (50) spaced in circumferential direction around the expansion member, the segments being movable between a radially retracted position and a radially expanded position by axial movement of the expansion member relative to the segments. The method includes a plurality of successive expansion cycles, wherein each expansion cycle comprises the steps of : (a) moving the expander (40) in axially forward direction through the tubular element (56) whereby the segments (56) are in the radially retracted position; and (b) radially expanding the tubular element by moving the segments to the radially expanded position by axially moving the expansion member relative to the segments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of radially expanding a tubular element. The method comprises inducing the wall of the tubular element to bend radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around an unexpanded section of the tubular element, said wall having a resistance to radially outward bending and a resistance to stretching in circumferential direction. Said wall is provided with at least one of primary means for increasing the resistance to radially outward bending of the wall, and secondary means for reducing the resistance to stretching in circumferential direction of the wall.

Abstract: An expander is provided for radially expanding a tubular element, the expander having an axially forward direction and being provided with thrust means for exerting a thrust force to the expander to move the expander in axially forward direction through the tubular element. The expander comprises an adjustable cone having an expander surface tapering radially inward in the axially forward direction, the adjustable cone being movable between a radially expanded mode and a radially collapsed mode. The expander further comprises adjusting means for moving the adjustable cone from the collapsed mode to the expanded mode by the action of said thrust force exerted to the thrust means.