Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable packer, and methods for seating an expandable packer. The apparatus comprises an expandable seating body configure to receive a packer body. The seating body is tubular in configuration, and is run into a cased wellbore. The seating body is then set by expanding it into frictional contact with the inner surface of the casing. Thereafter, a packer body is lowered into the seating body. In this respect, the inner surface of the seating body is configured to receive the outer surface of the packer body. The expandable packer can then seal the annulus between one or more tubulars and the casing within the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for seating a whipstock. The apparatus comprises an expandable seat, or nipple, configured to receive a whipstock. The seat is run into a cased wellbore, and is set by expanding it into frictional contact with the inner surface of the casing. Thereafter, a whipstock is seated onto the seat. The seat includes a keyway configured to receive an orientation member extending from the whipstock. In this manner, the orientation of the seat can be determined. An orientation member of the whipstock can be adjusted to properly orient the face of the whipstock in the seat, and the whipstock lowered onto the seat so that it automatically seats in the proper direction. The whipstock then serves as a diverter tool for drilling a lateral wellbore such as a horizontal well.

Abstract: A method of selective plastic expansion of sections of a tubing to create one or more recesses in the tubing with a larger diameter than that of the original tubing in which the tubing is radially symmetrically or asymmetrically expanded at one or more locations by application of a radial force to the interior of the tubing thereby inducing a plastic radial deformation of the tubing and removing said radial force from the interior of the tubing.

Abstract: A method of creating a downhole sealing and hanging device comprising the steps of lowering a first tubular in a well bore, then lowering through the first tubular a second tubular with slightly smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of the first tubular, and made of formable steel, in such a way that the upper section of the second tubular remains within the lower section of the first tubular, and finally plastically expanding at least the upper section of the second tubular by application of a radial force to the interior of the upper section of the second tubular thereby creating an interference fit capable of forming a bond and a hydraulic seal between the first and second tubular.

Abstract: A method of creating a wellbore in an underground formation comprising drilling a borehole in the underground formation using a drilling tubular, capable of being expanded, to which a downhole motor driving a drill bit has been connected, and, after drilling to the desired casing setting depth, expanding the drilling tubular into place to line the borehole by applying a radial load to the drilling tubular and removing said load from the drilling tubular.

Abstract: Selective isolation of a zone within a slotted liner completion of a wellbore is accomplished by expanding the original slotted liner to the full inner diameter of the wellbore into the annular area normally found around slotted liners. At least one solid tubular is run into the expanded area of the slotted liner and expanded at least in that section of the wellbore to be isolated. A custom expandable slotted liner can be run and expanded within the existing expanded slotted liner if excessive splits or rips should occur in the existing slotted liner due to expansion. Epoxies, rubber, or other sealing materials can also be utilized to better effect a seal between the liners.

Abstract: An internal junction stabilizer is formed with an outer dimension less than the internal bore of a junction to be strengthened The stabilizer is inserted into the junction, and expanded into tight fit. Multiple stabilizers may be expanded one inside another to form a laminate for reinforcement in high pressure applications. Each layer of metal expanded to the next outermost section provides an additive effective on the mechanical properties of the junction. Expansion can be performed in a number of ways, including mechanical, hydraulic, explosive methods. Use of directional or selective swaging can be used to further effect a fit. Further embodiments of the invention include the use of sealing compounds, elastomers, and plastics to effect a hydraulic seal and fill gaps for strength purposes.

Abstract: A method of creating a wellbore in an underground formation comprising drilling a borehole in the underground formation using a drilling tubular, capable of being expanded, to which a downhole motor driving a drill bit has been connected, and, after drilling to the desired casing setting depth, expanding the drilling tubular into place to line the borehole by applying a radial load to the drilling tubular and removing said load from the drilling tubular.