Abstract: In a first scenario, nested darts provide pressure isolation between a space inside a liner assembly below an expansion cone and a well annulus. Increased pressure in this space can be used to push the expansion cone upward and assist the bottom-up expansion of a liner hanger provided at the top of the liner assembly. In a second scenario, an obstruction lands on a seat provided in a seat assembly. Pressure in a space located between the expansion cone and the seat assembly is increased such that an upward force acts on the expansion cone to expand the liner hanger. The second scenario may be utilized by itself. Alternatively, the second scenario may be utilized as a contingency method if the first scenario has failed.

Abstract: A liner hanger is used for deploying a liner into a wellbore. The liner hanger includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end. The first end can include a connection to a liner. The second end can include a sealed connection to an operational pipe. The sealed connection can be releasable. An expansion tool attached to a work string can be used for suspending the liner hanger into the wellbore. At least a portion of the expandable pipe is radially expanded using the expansion tool. The radial expansion of the expandable pipe can cause compression of at least one seal member against a base casing.

Abstract: A safety joint having threads with a first handedness, for example right-handed threads, to connect the safety joint to an upper drill pipe portion and a lower drill pipe portion. The safety joint includes a releasable threaded connection having a second handedness inverse of the first handedness. The safety joint also includes a hydraulically actuated piston sleeve that locks rotation across the releasable threaded connection. Disconnecting the upper drill pipe portion from the lower drill pipe portion is achieved by moving the piston sleeve to a position wherein the piston sleeve does not transmit rotation across the releasable threaded connection, and rotating the upper drill pipe portion in the first handedness direction to unscrew the releasable threaded connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding tubular members in a wellbore, such as casing, liners, sand screens, or other expandable tubular members, includes a first downhole tubular member, a second downhole tubular member that is radially expandable, and a sealed releasable connection coupling the first and second downhole tubular members. The sealed releasable connection is configured to decouple the first and second downhole tubular members by expansion of the second downhole tubular member. The sealed releasable connection had a metal-to-metal seal formed between the first and second downhole tubular members.

Abstract: An expandable tubular having a receptacle at its lower end is installed in a wellbore. An axial force is generated on a solid cone assembly to push the solid cone assembly. The solid cone assembly includes a cone body formed from a drillable material, the cone body having an expansion surface, a first expansion profile formed in a first portion of the expansion surface, and a second expansion profile formed in a second portion of the expansion surface. The second expansion profile includes one or more facets. The facets of the second expansion profile engage the receptacle, providing a rotational lock to the cone body. After expansion of the expandable tubular, the cone body may be drilled or milled.

Abstract: A centralizer comprises a plurality of bow springs, wherein each bow spring has a first and second end. A first collar is coupled to the first end of each of the plurality of bow springs and includes a longitudinal frangible region. A second collar is coupled to the second end of each of the plurality of bow springs and also includes a longitudinal frangible region.

Abstract: A system includes an inner string assembly disposed within an outer casing. The inner string assembly includes a seal member in sealing engagement with the outer casing. An expansion sleeve is coupled to an end of the outer casing. An expandable liner is coupled to the expansion sleeve. A cone assembly is coupled to the inner string assembly and positioned proximate to the expansion sleeve when the inner string is in a running position.

Abstract: A threaded connection comprising a pin member formed on an end of a first tubular member. The pin member includes an inner seal pin portion, a threaded pin portion, and an outer seal pin portion. The inner seal pin portion has an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the outer seal pin portion. A box member is formed on an end of a second tubular member. The box member includes an inner seal box portion, a threaded box portion, and an outer seal box portion. The inner seal box portion has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the outer seal box portion. The inner seal pin portion sealingly engages the inner seal box portion and the outer seal pin portion sealingly engages the outer seal box portion when the threaded pin portion is engaged with the threaded box portion.

Abstract: A method of expanding a tubular member by assembling an expansion system having an expansion cone and an expansion sleeve and coupling a tubular member to the expansion system so that the expansion sleeve is at least partially disposed within the tubular member. The expansion system and tubular member are then disposed in a wellbore and the expansion cone is translated relative to the expansion sleeve and tubular member so as to radially expand the tubular member into engagement with the wellbore and the expansion system is removed from the wellbore. The tubular member is expanded to an inside diameter equal to an expansion diameter of the expansion cone plus twice a thickness of the expansion sleeve.

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: A system including a housing having an upper end in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and a lower end releasably coupled to an expandable tubular. A piston is disposed within and sealingly engaged with the housing. An expansion cone is coupled to the piston and is operable to radially expand the expandable tubular as it moves longitudinally therethrough. A pressure chamber is disposed within the housing and defined by the piston and the expansion cone. A first pressure relief port is disposed within the housing and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and an annulus external to the housing. A second pressure relief port is disposed within the expansion cone and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and a portion of the expandable tubular below the expansion cone.

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: Methods and apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular include a resilient launcher. The resilient launcher includes a launcher portion and a sleeve portion. An inner diameter of the sleeve portion is smaller than an inner diameter of the launcher portion. An expansion cone is disposed in the launcher portion of the resilient launcher. The expandable tubular is disposed around the sleeve portion and above the launcher portion of the resilient launcher. The launcher portion comprises a port that is sealable below the expansion cone.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an expansion device that is coupled to a support member and operable to be disposed within a tubular member. The expansion device is operable to radially expand the tubular member as the expansion device moves axially through the tubular member. A latch assembly is coupled to the support member and is operable to engage a corresponding latch receptacle disposed within the tubular member so as to limit the axial movement of the expansion device relative to the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a support member operable to be disposed within a tubular member that includes a threaded connection with a pin member. The tubular member is coupled to an expansion device that is operable to radially expand the tubular member and a pin catcher that is operable to engage the pin member as the expansion device and pin catcher move axially through the tubular member.

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 downhole releasable tubular connection includes a joint between two tubing strings, wherein one of the two tubing strings is radially expanded and plastically deformed by an expansion device. When the expansion device is moved adjacent to the joint, a threaded connection mechanism in the joint reacts to the radially outward forces of the expansion device and releasably expands, thereby decoupling the tubing strings.