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 invention comprises using a tube having a ductile and radially expansible upper portion, provided at the base thereof with a seal that is also radially expansible under the action of the weight of the tube, the latter being thus sized so that when its base abuts the bottom of the well, the upper portion is located above a fractured area to be isolated, the procedure comprising the following steps: the tube is inserted into the well so that the base thereof bears against the bottom, triggering the radial expansion of the seal; using an expansion tool, the upper portion of the tube is radially expanded beyond its yield strength in order to apply the same tightly against the wall of the well above the fractured area. The invention can be used in the petroleum industry.

Abstract: A packer for temporarily closing a well or a pipe including a support and an inflatable tubular element attached to the support, the element having a wall of elastic material that is deformable radially outwards under the action of internal pressure so as to press hermetically against the wall of the well or pipe and is reinforced with multistrand metal cables embedded in the wall of the material, wherein the spaces between the strands forming the metal cables contain a fluid impermeable material so that fluid is unable to flow through the spaces of the cables.

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 pressurised 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: Methods and tools to consolidate a wellbore by displacing conventional cement slurry or any other settable fluid, without any permanent casing are useful. A bladder is inflated inside the bore to act as a mold and to form an annulus that can be filled by cement slurry or any other settable fluid. When the cement or the resin is set, the form is retrieved by straight pull; leaving a cement or resin sheath to support the formation without requiring any re-drilling. The sheath can be perforated if necessary (in the producing zone). Applications include without limitations temporary cementation of mono-diameter wells, through-tubing repair of an open hole, or cementation of a slotted liner in water, oil or gas wells.

Abstract: According to the method, a cylindrical tube (1) is inserted into the well or the pipe (C) that is to be lined, after which part of the tube is radially expanded using an inflatable bladder (2) so that the wall of the tube is pressed against that of the well or of the pipe (C). According to the invention, this expansion is achieved by moving the already-expanded bladder axially and continuously along inside the tube (1) over a travel corresponding to the length of the tube or of the region of tube that is to be expanded. Fields of water or oil production.

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a device for sealing off a well or a pipe, that comprises a tubular sleeve that can be radially expanded by an inflating fluid, in order to press hermetically against the wall of the well or pipe, which sleeve is connected to end members, at least one of which comprises an annular skirt directed towards this sleeve. It is characterized essentially in that the skirt wall has a number of through-holes therein and in that the material of the sleeve surrounds said skirt in such a way as to cover its outside and inside faces, sealing said holes and leaving no gaps.

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 characterised 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: 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 device is a sleeve that is radially expandable under the action of an inflation fluid so as to press the sleeve hermetically against a wall. The sleeve includes firstly a pair of cylindrical membranes having walls that are flexible and elastic, the membranes being engaged coaxially one inside the other, comprising an inner membrane for being subjected internally to the pressure of the inflation fluid, and an outer membrane for being pressed against the wall of the pipe or the well in order to provide sealing, and secondly, interposed between said membranes, at least one very dense annular fiber structure made up of a multitude of fine and long fibers having high mechanical strength that interconnect said end members and that are wound helically around the inner membrane, said winding being such that the density of the fibers diminishes from each end towards the central portion.

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: This method consists in introducing within the well or pipe (C) a mandrel (1) equipped with an inflatable membrane (2) which can expand radially under the effect of an internal pressure, in positioning said mandrel opposite the portion to be treated, in introducing a pressurized fluid (L1) within the membrane (2) 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 (L2) which is liquid but able to harden, in leaving the cement to set so as to form a solid sleeve, in deflating the tubular membrane (2), and then in withdrawing the mandrel (1) together with the deflated membrane (2). The method can be used in the oil sector, particularly for repairing and/or plugging a portion of casing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and to a tool to consolidate a wellbore by displacing conventional cement slurry or any other settable fluid, without any permanent casing. A bladder is inflated inside the bore to act as a mold and to form an annulus that can be filled by cement slurry or any other settable fluid. When the cement or the resin is set, the form is retrieved by straight pull; leaving a cement or resin sheath to support the formation without requiring any re-dulling. The sheath can be perforated if necessary (in the producing zone).

Abstract: The device comprises a sleeve that is radially expandable under the action of an inflation fluid so as to press the sleeve hermetically against the wall of the pipe or the well, said sleeve being fastened to end members.

Abstract: A packer for temporarily closing a well or a pipe including a support and an inflatable tubular element attached to the support, the element having a wall of elastic material that is deformable radially outwards under the action of internal pressure so as to press hermetically against the wall of the well or pipe and is reinforced with multistrand metal cables embedded in the wall of the material, wherein the spaces between the strands forming the metal cables contain a fluid impermeable material so that fluid is unable to flow through the spaces of the cables.

Abstract: The device comprises a tubular membrane (3) of circular section, having a wall (30) of material that is leakproof, flexible, and elastic, e.g. of rubber, and that is inflatable and deformable radially outwards under the action of internal fluid pressure, said membrane (3) being mechanically reinforced by at least one sheet of flexible strands (6, 7); the device is remarkable in that it includes at least one and preferably a pair of adjacent and concentric cylindrical fiber layers (8, 9) embedded in the thickness of the wall (30) inside relative to the sheet of flexible strands (6, 7), and of a structure that acts as an anti-extrusion barrier, limiting creep of the material of the wall (30) and preventing it from passing outwards between said reinforcing wires /6, 7) under the effect of the pressure generated by the inflation fluid. The device serves for temporarily closing the casing of an oil well or a variety of pipes.

Abstract: A process and plant for laying a pipe in a trench comprising placing a flattened tubular preform in the trench, the perform having a reinforcement surrounding an inner seal, the reinforcement being impregnated with a resin, and inflating the perform in the trench.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of regulating the flow rate of formation fluids produced from a determined zone of an underground well whose cased wall is provided with orifices through which said formation fluids can pass, said method consisting in applying a tubular structure along the casing in said zone, which tubular structure prevents the fluids from flowing directly while also preserving a flow path along which the fluids can flow via the annular space outside the tubular structure so as to generate head loss. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method, which device is essentially constituted by a radially-expandable tubular structure that can be applied against the inside wall of the casing, the structure being provided with means for preserving the flow of the fluids via a path running along the casing and along the structure, in order to generate head loss.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of regulating the flow rate of formation fluids produced from a determined zone of an underground well whose cased wall is provided with orifices through which said formation fluids can pass, said method consisting in applying a tubular structure along the casing in said zone, which tubular structure prevents the fluids from flowing directly while also preserving a flow path along which the fluids can flow via the annular space outside the tubular structure so as to generate head loss. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method, which device is essentially constituted by a radially-expandable tubular structure that can be applied against the inside wall of the casing, the structure being provided with means for preserving the flow of the fluids via a path running along the casing and along the structure, in order to generate head loss.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unplugging a well or pipe obstructed by a gas hydrates. According to the invention, a moving heating element is applied against one end of the hydrate plug, and is displaced axially in the tube or the pipe towards the other end, so as to cause the plug to melt progressively from one end to the other. Application to the oil industry, in particular in off-shore wells.