Abstract: The invention concerns a radially expandable metal tubular element having on its outer surface a series of spaced apart annular sealing modules. This element is noteworthy in that each sealing module comprises two annular metal abutments between which there are inserted an annular seal and two anti-extrusion rings, the seal being positioned between the two anti-extrusion rings and the two metal abutments being secured against the outer surface of the said tubular element, in that the two anti-extrusion rings are made in elastically and plastically deformable material and are in one or two parts, and in that the two anti-extrusion rings and/or the seal comprise at least two opposite facing bevelled surfaces capable of sliding relative to one another under the effect of axial movement of the said seal so as to cause outward radial displacement of one of the anti-extrusion rings or at least one of the two parts thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a well are disclosed. The method includes introducing a plug axially into the well, with a mouth of the plug turned up and a bottom wall part turned down, the plug being positioned in the well at a desired depth. The plug is inflated by injecting a high-pressure liquid into it via its mouth so that a tubular wall part of the plug expands radially beyond its elastic limit and presses firmly and tightly against the wall of the well by a crimping effect, while its bottom wall part serves as a sealing partition, forming a tight barrier between lower and upper parts of the well that it separates. The plug has an internal axial mandrel that connects its mouth to its bottom wall, the mandrel being pierced with channels that allow injection of high-pressure liquid inside the plug via the mouth and channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling and isolating a tool for isolating areas in a well which comprises: a main inlet conduit which communicates with the inside of said casing, and which is obturated by a first element able to form a barrier to a fluid circulating in said casing, while yielding beyond a first pressure, this conduit communicating, with two auxiliary conduits, the ends of which join up in order to form an outlet conduit, one of these auxiliary conduits, forming a first chamber, while, in the other one, a second element is provided forming a barrier, moveable between a first position and a second position wherein said first position, said second element forming a barrier and the wall of said second auxiliary conduit make between them a sealed annular chamber in which prevails a so-called <<isolation>> pressure, this chamber not communicating with the outside, notably with the well.

Abstract: A support device for tubular equipment, such as a liner inside a well, and methods for using the support device, the support device including two elements attached to each other. The two elements are: a) a cylindrical sleeve, made of ductile metal and having an external diameter slightly less than an inner diameter of the well or of a casing inserted into the well; and b) a set of tabs made of hard metal, which are spaced apart from each other and integral with the cylindrical sleeve. The tabs extend downwards from the cylindrical sleeve and an outer wall of the tabs is fitted with a series of notched formations, such as teeth, whereas an inner wall of the tabs has a conical form, the apex of which is turned down.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for laying an expansible lining in a conduit. The device may include a patch having an initial diameter less than that of the conduit, and the patch may be configured to deform by radial expansion beyond an elastic limit to an expanded diameter such that it may contact a wall of the conduit. The device may also include an expander tool axially displaceable inside the patch, and the expander tool may be configured to cause the radial expansion of the patch to an expanded diameter. The device may also include a checking member mounted in proximity to the expander tool. A section of the checking member may be calibrated so that the checking member and the expander tool are capable of passing freely inside the patch when the patch is properly expanded, and the checking member and the expander tool are unable to pass inside the patch when the patch is improperly expanded.

Abstract: The present invention relates in particular to a lining process for a line (C) using hydroforming of a liner (3), according to which: a) a tool (1) is inserted axially into said liner (3) whereon are mounted two radially expandable plugs (2); said tool (1) is positioned inside the liner (3) so that the plugs (2) are located facing its end portions (33); the plugs (2) are slightly expanded so as to bind the tool (1) to said liner (3); the assembly consisting of the tool (1) and the liner (3) is inserted axially into the well or the line (C); fluid under pressure is sent into the liner (3), between the two plugs (2) so as to cause radial expansion of only the central portion of the liner (3); eventually, said plugs (2) are again expanded with sufficient pressure for them to cause radial expansion of the two end portion (33) of the liner (3), applying them against the inner wall (Cp) of the line (C); said plugs (2) are retracted and the tool (1) is withdrawn from the line (C), characterized by the fact that retr

Abstract: The present invention relates especially to a hydraulic fracturing equipment of the rock of a well (A), characterised in that it comprises, on the one hand: a conduit (1) provided along its external face with at least one pair of expandable metallic tubular sleeves (2) fixedly, connected to the conduit (1), this conduit having opposite each sleeve (2) at least one opening (10) known as “first opening” to put the internal space of the conduit (1) in communication with the space delimited by the latter and each sleeve (2), and opposite the space separating the two sleeves (2) of a same pair at least one other opening (3), known as “second opening” for putting the internal space of the conduit (1) in communication with the interior of the well (A); a tubular element (4) of diameter provided to allow it to be engaged in said conduit (1), such that there is a free annular space between them; the wall of this tubular element (4) comprising at least one first through-hole (42); the wall being also provided externall

Abstract: The present invention relates especially to a hydraulic fracturing device which comprises:—a tubular conduit (1);—and, against its external face, a cylindrical sleeve (2) whereof the opposite ends (20) are connected together and hermetically to this external face;—the wall of said tubular conduit (1) comprising at least one opening (10) to have it communicate with the interior of the sleeve (2). This device is remarkable in that said sleeve (2) comprises at least one mechanical weakening zone (21) which is peripheral, sinuous and with closed contour, that is, its opposite ends rejoin, this mechanical weakening zone being capable of breaking under the effect of predetermined pressure (10) known as “burst pressure” applied to the interior of the latter to form in its wall a sinuous opening (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates especially to a radially expandable tubular metallic element (2) which comprises on its external face (211) at least a series of annular sealing lips (5) made of elastically deformable material, these lips being spaced in pairs, the transversal cross section of each lip (5) having an end face (51) and two lateral walls (52, 53), characterised in that said lips (5) are in a non-metallic material and are inclined in the same direction, relative to said external face (211), that is, each of the lateral walls (52, 53) of each lip (5) forms a non-zero angle (?; ?) relative to a radial plane (PR) of said element.

Abstract: A pipe designed to be placed within a well for producing a fluid of interest, a pipe onto the outer face whereof is crimped a tubular metal element, wherein: the inner face of the tubular element exhibits an annular groove wherein is engaged a metal anchoring ring or a pair of anchoring rings set back-to-back; each anchoring ring consists of a ring split transversely at least partially, is provided on its inner face with projecting anchoring members, and exhibits, in cross-section, a base equipped with the projecting members and at least one flank forming an acute angle with the base; the annular groove exhibits a profile that is substantially complementary to that of the ring or of the pair of rings; the depth of the groove being less than the thickness of the ring or of the rings; such that the projecting members are at least partially embedded into the pipe after crimping of the metal element onto the pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolation of part of a well, which comprises pipe provided, along its external face, with a first external sleeve, wherein the opposite ends are connected directly or indirectly to said external face of the pipe. The pipe, first external sleeve and its ends together delimit an annular space, the wall of said pipe exhibiting at least one opening which allows it to communicate with said space, this sleeve being likely to expand and to be applied tightly against the well over an intermediate part of its length. The device also comprises on the one hand, a second internal sleeve, which extends between said pipe and the first sleeve, its ends being also connected directly or indirectly to the external face of said pipe and, on the other hand, at least one communication passage between the exterior of the first sleeve and said space.

Abstract: This flexible pipe comprises a versatile and flexible tubular body (PP) which comprises, from the outside toward the inside, a pressure arch (1b-1c) with filaments (10) submerged in a layer of elastomer and wound in a helix with an angle of 54.7° in relation to the profile plates and an attached sealing layer (1a), as well as a pair of rigid end connector tips (EC) which comprises two coaxial cylindrical sleeves, an inner one (2) in which the sealing layer (1a) is fitted and held, and an outer one (7) which extends axially from the body side (PP) beyond the inner sleeve (2) while surrounding the transitional area, with variable diameter, of the pressure arch; the connector end is provided with a pair of flexible annular support elements (5, 6) with variable profile, arranged at this transitional area and inserted between the sealing layer (1a) and the pressure arch (1b-1c), and between the pressure arch (1b-1c) and the flange (7), respectively, avoiding shearing of the filaments upon inflation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support device for tubular equipment, such as a liner inside a well, said support device including two elements attached to each other, comprising: a) a cylindrical sleeve, made of ductile metal, the cylindrical sleeve having an external diameter slightly less than an inner diameter of the well or of a casing inserted into the well; b) a set of tabs made of hard metal, which are spaced apart from each other and integral with the cylindrical sleeve, the tabs extending downwards from the cylindrical sleeve, wherein an outer wall of the tabs is fitted with a series of notched formations, such as teeth, whereas an inner wall of the tabs has a conical form, the apex of which is turned down. Methods of using the aforementioned support device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of sealing a well comprising introducing a plug axially into the well, with a mouth of the plug turned up and a bottom wall part turned down, the plug being positioned in the well at a desired depth, after which the plug is inflated by injecting a high-pressure liquid into it via its mouth so that a tubular wall part of the plug expands radially beyond its elastic limit and presses firmly and tightly against the wall of the well by a crimping effect, while its bottom wall part serves as a sealing partition, forming a tight barrier between lower and upper parts of the well that it separates, the plug having an internal axial mandrel that connects its mouth to its bottom wall, the mandrel being pierced with channels that allow injection of high-pressure liquid inside the plug via the mouth and channels.

Abstract: A flexible pipe comprising a flexible cylindrical tubular pipe body connected at each of its ends to a rigid connector end fitting in the form of a sleeve. The wall of the pipe body is mechanically reinforced by at least one traction layer of filaments of small thickness, presenting high traction strength, that are wound helically about the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The traction layer is composed of an array of uninterrupted filaments interconnecting the two end fittings alternately in one direction and then in the other direction, while being fastened on the end fittings.

Abstract: The invention relates to device for controlling an inflatable tool used to treat a well or pipeline. The device, which is inserted between the outlet of a fluid supply pipe and the tool, comprises: a chamber communicating with the exterior through a tube and with the tool via a pipeline; and a piston mounted in said chamber, which, under the force of a spring, normally occupies a first position in which it seals the outlet of the pipe, the aforementioned tube then communicating with the pipeline. The pipeline is provided with at least one spring-loaded check valve which allows the passage of the pressurized fluid from the chamber to the tool when the pressure upstream of the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold value, which prevents the passage of the fluid in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for laying an expansible lining in a conduit. The device may include a patch having an initial diameter less than that of the conduit, and the patch may be configured to deform by radial expansion beyond an elastic limit to an expanded diameter such that it may contact a wall of the conduit. The device may also include an expander tool axially displaceable inside the patch, and the expander tool may be configured to cause the radial expansion of the patch to an expanded diameter. The device may also include a checking member mounted in proximity to the expander tool. A section of the checking member may be calibrated so that the checking member and the expander tool are capable of passing freely inside the patch when the patch is properly expanded, and the checking member and the expander tool are unable to pass inside the patch when the patch is improperly expanded.

Abstract: A method of patching a well or a pipe by hydroforming a tubular metal patch. A tool provided with a pair of inflatable packers is inserted inside the patch. The pair of inflatable packers are axially spaced apart from each other by a distance that is substantially equal to the length of the patch. The tool is positioned inside the patch so that the packers are in register with the end portions of the patch. The assembly of the tool and the patch is axially inserted inside the well or the pipe, and positioned in register with the zone for patching. The packers are inflated to a high pressure, sufficient for radially expanding the end portions of the patch and pressing them in a leak-tight manner against the wall of the well or the pipe. The packers are subsequently deflated and the tool is withdrawn. The method is applicable to the oil industry.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises inserting into the well or the piping to be cased, a tube (1) including tube sections previously connected end to end, proceeding with the radial expansion of the tube using an inflatable bladder (3) so that the wall thereof bears against that (C) of the well or the piping; wherein the method is characterized in that the expansion is achieved not on the entire length of the tube but only at certain areas (4) thereof which are spaced from each other by non-expanded portions (5), so that the total length of the expanded areas (4) is substantially smaller than the total length of the non-expanded areas (5), the number of expanded areas (4) being at least equal to three. The invention can be used in the field of water or crude oil production.

Abstract: Introducing within a well or pipe a mandrel equipped with an inflatable membrane which can expand radially under the effect of an internal pressure. Positioning the mandrel opposite the portion to be treated, in introducing a pressurized fluid within the membrane such that its end regions form annular bulges pressing firmly against the wall, whereas its mid-region expands to a lesser degree. Forming a peripheral annular space into which is then injected a cement which is liquid but able to harden. Leaving the cement to set so as to form a solid sleeve. Deflating the tubular membrane. Withdrawing the mandrel together with the deflated membrane. The method can be used in the oil sector, particularly for repairing and/or plugging a portion of casing.