Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.

Abstract: An expandable sand control screen (100) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member (102) that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (102). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium (106) that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member (118) that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (100), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member (118) allows the expandable sand control screen (100) to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen (100) and the wellbore.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: An expandable sand control screen (100) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member (102) that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (102). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium (106) that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member (118) that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (100), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member (118) allows the expandable sand control screen (100) to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen (100) and the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.

Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand-control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand-control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production.

Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production. The filter media is typically a particulate material and can be deposited as a slurry comprising liquid material and particulate material, or as a cement slurry.