Abstract: The invention relates to a tubing expansion tool including an expansion member which is movable between a first configuration and a larger expansion configuration for expanding tubing, and to a corresponding method. In one embodiment of the invention, a tubing expansion tool (10) is disclosed for expanding a length of expandable tubing such as expandable sand exclusion tubing (12). The tool (10) comprises an expansion member (16) adapted for movement between a first configuration and a larger expansion configuration, and means (17) for exerting a cyclical expansion force on the expansion member (16).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for expanding a downhole tubular. The apparatus includes a mandrel defining at least one curved support surface. The apparatus further includes an expansion member defining a curved bearing surface for contact with the support surface and corresponding to the mandrel support surface. The expansion member is movable relative to the mandrel, whereby the surfaces are in contact and movable over one another to move the expansion member from a smaller diameter first configuration towards a larger diameter second configuration.

Abstract: An expandable coupling arrangement for coupling first and second tubulars includes a male thread portion on an end of the first tubular and a female thread portion on an end of the second tubular. The thread portions comprise dovetail threads having flanks, roots and crests, wherein the flanks are inclined at an angle of greater than 10°.

Abstract: A method of sealing an expandable tubular within a bore comprises the steps of providing an expandable tubular describing a first diameter and having a sealing medium on its outer surface, running the tubular into a bore and expanding the tubular within the bore to describe a second larger diameter, and activating the sealing medium to facilitate provision of a seal between the tubular and the bore.

Abstract: A tubing expansion device is adapted to be advanced axially, without rotation, through tubing to be expanded. The device comprises a body and a plurality of expansion members mounted on the body, the expansion members being independently radially movable. The expansion members may be rotatable, or may be non-rotating.

Abstract: The use of an agent in the manufacture of a medicament to affect an allergic condition and/or a hypersensitivity condition is described. The agent is capable of modulating a ganglioside associated activity. The agent is not coupled to an antigen. The modulation of the ganglioside associated activity affects an allergic condition and/or a hypersensitivity condition.

Abstract: A method of removing produced fluid from a well producing both gas and liquid comprises utilising produced gas flowing from a formation to power a produced liquid pump. The produced liquid from the pump and the produced gas are carried towards surface in separate fluid streams, and may be commingled closer to surface.

Abstract: A method of expanding tubing downhole comprises providing a section of expandable tubing of a first diameter, and axially compressing the tubing to induce buckling, such that the buckled portion describes a larger second diameter. The resulting diametric expansion may be utilised to anchor or seal the tubing within a larger bore. The buckled portion may be used to anchor the tubing within the wellbore prior to expansion of the length of the tubing into the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of providing a downhole seal, such as a packer, in a drilled bore between inner tubing and outer tubing comprises: providing an intermediate tubing section defining a seal arrangement for engaging with the inner tubing; and radially plastically deforming the intermediate tubing section downhole to form an annular extension. The extension creates a sealing contact with the outer tubing.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a body defining a fluid chamber, a fluid outlet for directing fluid outwardly of the chamber, and an arrangement for producing a rapid reduction in the volume of the chamber, such that fluid in the chamber is displaced rapidly through the outlet. The fluid may be utilised to deform or perforate a surrounding tubular.

Abstract: A tubing expansion device (20) is adapted to be advanced axially, without rotation, through tubing (10) to be expanded. The device (20) comprises a body (22) and a plurality of expansion members (30,32,34) mounted on the body (22), the expansion members (30,32,34) being independently radially movable. The expansion members may be rotatable, or may be non-rotating.

Abstract: A tubing injector for injecting tubing (4) into a pipeline or bore or the like comprises: an annular piston for moving the tubing (4); a collet for gripping the tubing on movement of the piston in an injecting direction, the collet (14) and the tubing being movable with the piston, and the collet being releasable from the tubing (4) on movement of the piston in another direction, and a ratchet collet for preventing the tubing from being ejected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for shaping pipes, tubes, liners, or casing at downhole locations in wells. Use is made of rollers bearing radially outwards against the inside wall of the pipe (etc.), the rollers being rolled around the pipe to cause outward plastic deformation which expands and shapes the pipe to a desired profile. Where one pipe is inside another, the two pipes can be joined without separate components (except optional seals). Landing nipples and liner hangers can be formed in situ. valves can be deployed to a selected downhole location and there sealed to the casing or liner without separate packers. Casing can be deployed downhole in reduced-diameter lengths and then expanded to case a well without requiring larger diameter bores and casing further uphole. The invention enables simplified downhole working, and enables a well to be drilled & produced with the minimum downhole bore throughout its depth, obviating the need for large bores.

Abstract: A method of isolating a section of downhole tubing comprises: running a length of expandable tubing (20) into a tubing-lined borehole (12, 14) and positioning the expandable tubing (20) across a section of tubing to be isolated; deforming at least portions of the expandable tubing (36, 40) to increase the diameter of the portions to sealingly engage the tubing (14) and to isolate the tubing section.

Abstract: A method includes drilling and lining a wellbore, in one aspect by mounting a drill bit on a drill string including a section of expandable tubing and providing a tubing expander in the string, rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string through a bore, and passing the expander through the expandable tubing to expand the tubing. The apparatus comprises a drill string including a section of expandable tubing, a drill bit mounted on the string, and a tubing expander mounted on the string.

Abstract: A method of anchoring tubing in a bore comprising: providing tubing having a section with outer surface portions defining a tubing profile, and configured to describe an outer diameter less than a first diameter. The tubing is located within a bore having an internal diameter equal to the first diameter and defining a bore profile. The tubing is then reconfigured such that the tubing profile engages with the bore profile, anchoring the tubing within the bore.

Abstract: A method of anchoring tubing in a bore comprises: providing first tubing having a section with a wall configured to provide outer surface portions describing a diameter less than a first diameter. The tubing is located within a bore comprising a first section having an internal diameter greater than the first diameter and a second section having an internal diameter corresponding to the first diameter, with the tubing section in the first section of the bore. The tubing section is then reconfigured such that the outer surface portions describe a tubing diameter greater than the first diameter. The tubing is then axially translated relative to the bore to locate the tubing section in the second section of the bore such that the outer surface portions are restrained to the first diameter by the bore, and the outer surface portions engage with the bore.

Abstract: A method of expanding tubing downhole comprises the steps of: providing tubing (14;44) of a first diameter; running the tubing into a bore (10;40); expanding a first section of the tubing to a second diameter, and expanding a second section of the tubing to a third diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for injecting coiled tubing into a bore comprises a rotatable housing (28, 29) having an axis along which coiled tubing is to be translated. A set of rolling elements (12, 14) is rotatably mounted in the housing (28, 29), each rolling element (24) having a skewed axis of rotation with respect to the housing axis and being arranged for rolling contact with an outside diameter of the coiled tubing. The arrangement is such that rotation of the housing (28, 29) relative to the tubing causes the tubing to be moved axially through the rotating housing.

Abstract: A method of expanding tubing comprises the steps: providing a length of expandable tubing; locating an expansion tool, such as a cone, in the tubing; and applying impulses to the tool to drive the tool through the tubing and expand the tubing to a larger diameter. The tubing may be located downhole and may have a solid wall or a slotted wall.