Abstract: A method is provided of fixing at least one element, preferably a sensor or a valve, in a borehole formed in an earth formation. The method comprises positioning each element in the borehole, positioning a swellable body in the borehole, the swellable body being susceptible of swelling upon contact with a swell fluid, wherein the swellable body is arranged to press the element against a wall of the borehole upon swelling of the swellable body, and allowing the swell fluid to contact the swellable body thereby inducing the swellable body to swell and to press the element against said wall of the borehole.

Abstract: A method is provided of fixing at least one element, preferably a sensor or a valve, in a borehole formed in an earth formation. The method comprises positioning each element in the borehole, positioning a swellable body in the borehole, the swellable body being susceptible of swelling upon contact with a swell fluid, wherein the swellable body is arranged to press the element against a wall of the borehole upon swelling of the swellable body, and allowing the swell fluid to contact the swellable body thereby inducing the swellable body to swell and to press the element against said wall of the borehole.

Abstract: A method for adapting a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, where the tubular element is susceptible to damage caused by axially compressive forces acting on the tubular element as a result of compaction of the earth formation surrounding the tubular element. The method comprises the steps of reducing the axial stiffness of at least one section of the tubular element, and allowing each tubular element section of reduced axial stiffness to be axially compressed by the action of said axially compressive forces, thereby accommodating compaction of the earth formation surrounding the tubular element.

Abstract: A method of creating a borehole in an earth formation is provided. The method involves the steps of drilling a section of the borehole and lowering an expandable tubular element into the borehole whereby a lower portion of the tubular element extends into the drilled borehole section, radially expanding the lower portion of the tubular element so as to form a casing in the drilled borehole section, and separating an upper portion of the tubular element from the lower portion so as to allow the separated upper portion to be moved relative to the lower portion.

Abstract: A method is provided of radially expanding a tubular element (4) extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, comprising the steps of arranging an expander (8) in the tubular element (4), the expander (8) being operable to exert a radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element (4), and radially expanding the tubular element by pressurising the interior of the tubular element (4) and simultaneously operating the expander (8) to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element. The expander (8) is operated to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element (4) independently from pressurising the interior of the tubular element.

Abstract: A method of expanding a tubular element is provided, the tubular element having a first portion to be expanded to a first inner diameter and a second portion to be expanded to a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter. The method comprising: a) arranging an expandable sleeve of selected wall thickness in said second tubular element portion; b) positioning an expander in the tubular element; c) operating the expander so as to expand said first tubular element portion to the first inner diameter, and operating the expander so as to expand the sleeve to an inner diameter substantially equal to the second inner diameter minus double the wall thickness of the sleeve; and d) retrieving the sleeve from the tubular element.

Abstract: A method is provided for adapting a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the tubular element being susceptible of damage due to axially compressive forces acting on the tubular element due to compaction of the earth formation surrounding the tubular element. The method comprises the steps of reducing the axial stiffness of at least one section of the tubular element, and allowing each tubular element section of reduced axial stiffness to be axially compressed by the action of said axially compressive forces thereby accommodating compaction of the earth formation surrounding the tubular element.

Abstract: A steerable soil penetration system having a steerable penetration head, which compacts and does not cut away the surrounding soil and which is connected to an elongate flexible tubing such that the orientation of the penetration head can be varied relative to the tubing. The elongate tubing and/or a downhole hammer or tractor pushes the penetration head through the subsurface formation. Preferably the tubing is surrounded by a narrow annulus so that buckling of the tubing is inhibited and the tubing protects the pierced hole against caving in. Optionally the tubing is circumferentially expanded after completion of the piercing process thereby increasing the width of the pierced hole and providing a permanent hole lining.

Abstract: A method is provided of reducing an amount of a waste component present in a hydrocarbon fluid produced from an earth formation via a wellbore formed in the earth formation, the hydrocarbon fluid flowing in a stream of fluid through the wellbore. The method includes (a) inducing at least part of the amount of the waste component to move into a second fluid present in the stream of fluid; (b) separating the second fluid with the at least part of the amount of the waste component included therein, from the hydrocarbon fluid; and (c) disposing the second fluid with the waste component included therein by injecting it into the earth formation via at least one of the wellbore and another wellbore formed in the earth formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reducing an amount of a waste component present in a hydrocarbon fluid produced from an earth formation via a wellbore formed in the earth formation, the hydrocarbon fluid flowing in a stream of fluid through the wellbore. The method includes the steps of: a) inducing at least part of the amount of the waste component to move into a second fluid present in the stream of fluid as the stream flows through the wellbore; and b) separating the second fluid with the at least part of the amount of the waste component included therein, from the hydrocarbon fluid.