RADIAL EXPANSION OF A WELLBORE CASING AGAINST A FORMATION
Radial expansion of a wellbore casing against a formation.
Latest Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C. Patents:
This application is based on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/948,890, attorney docket number 14147.105348P2US, filed Jul. 10, 2007; and is a continuation in part of PCT application serial number PCT/US2006/004809, attorney docket number 25791.348.02, filed on Feb. 9, 2006, which claimed priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/652,564, attorney docket number 25791.348, filed on Feb. 14, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This application is a continuation in part of: (1) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/938,225, which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,985, attorney docket number 25791.331, filed on Sep. 10, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/303,992, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, filed Nov. 22, 2002, which is the National Stage filing of the International Application No. PCT/US01/19014, filed Jun. 12, 2001, attorney docket number 25791.38.02, which is based on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/212,359, attorney docket number 25791.38, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, (2) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/952,288, attorney docket no. 25791.332, filed on Sep. 28, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/303,992, filed Nov. 22, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which is the National Stage of the International Application No. PCT/US01/19014, filed Jun. 12, 2001, attorney docket number 25791.38.02, which is based on U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/212,359, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, attorney docket number 25791.38, (3) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/952,416, attorney docket no. 25791.333, filed on Sep. 28, 2004 which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/303,992, filed Nov. 22, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which is the National Stage filing of the International Application No. PCT/US01/19014, filed Jun. 12, 2001, attorney docket number 25791.38.02, which is based on U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 60/212,359, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, attorney docket number 25791.38, (4) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/950,749, attorney docket no. 25791.334, filed on Sep. 27, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/303,992, filed Nov. 22, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which is the National Stage filing of the International Application No. PCT/US01/19014, filed Jun. 12, 2001, attorney docket number 25791.38.02, which is based on U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 60/212,359, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, attorney docket number 25791.38, (5) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/950,869, which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,667, attorney docket no. 25791.335, filed on Sep. 27, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/303,992, filed Nov. 22, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which is the National Stage filing of the International Application No. PCT/US01/19014, filed Jun. 12, 2001, attorney docket number 25791.38.02, which is based on U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/212,359, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, attorney docket number 25791.38. Applicants incorporate by reference the disclosures of these applications.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of the following: (1) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US02/36157, attorney docket number 25791.87.02, filed on Nov. 12, 2002, (2) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US02/36267, attorney docket number 25791.88.02, filed on Nov. 12, 2002, (3) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US03/04837, attorney docket number 25791.95.02, filed on Feb. 29, 2003, (4) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US03/29859, attorney docket no. 25791.102.02, filed on Sep. 22, 2003, (5) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US03/14153, attorney docket number 25791.104.02, filed on Nov. 13, 2003, (6) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US03/18530, attorney docket number 25791.108.02, filed on Jun. 11, 2003, (7) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US03/29858, attorney docket number 25791.112.02, filed on Sep. 22, 2003 (8) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US03/29460, attorney docket number 25791.114.02, filed on Sep. 23, 2003, (9) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/07711, attorney docket number 25791.253.02, filed on Mar. 11, 2004, (10) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/009434, attorney docket number 25791.260.02, filed on Mar. 26, 2004, (11) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/010317, attorney docket number 25791.270.02, filed on Apr. 2, 2004, (12) PCT patent application Ser. No. PCT/US04/010712, attorney docket number 25791.272.02, filed on Apr. 7, 2004, (13) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/010762, attorney docket number 25791.273.02, filed on Apr. 6, 2004, (14) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/011973, attorney docket number 25791.277.02, filed on Apr. 15, 2004, and (15) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/531,041, attorney docket number 25791.214.04, filed Sep. 12, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/011973, attorney docket number 25791.277.02, filed on Apr. 15, 2004, and claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/717,391, attorney docket no. 25791.214, filed on Sep. 15, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This application is also a CIP of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/553,094, attorney docket number 25791.193, filed on Apr. 13, 2004, which is the National Stage of the International Application Serial Number PCT/US2004/011177, attorney docket number 25791.193.02, filed on Apr. 14, 2004, which claimed the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/462,750, attorney docket no. 25791.193, filed on Apr. 14, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
This application is related to the following co-pending applications: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 12, 1998, (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, attorney docket no, 25791.7.02, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb. 11, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, (4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/169,434, attorney docket no. 25791.10.04, filed on Jul. 1, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application 60/183,546, filed on Feb. 18, 2000, (6) U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,903 which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (7) U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (8) U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,240, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/511,941, attorney docket no. 25791.16.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,907, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (9) U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (10) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/981,916, attorney docket no. 25791.18, filed on Oct. 18, 2001 as a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (11) U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,763, which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr. 26, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (12) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/030,593, attorney docket no. 25791.25.08, filed on Jan. 8, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application 60/146,203, filed on Jul. 29, 1999, (13) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/143,039, attorney docket no. 25791.26, filed on Jul. 9, 1999, (14) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/111,982, attorney docket no. 25791.27.08, filed on. Apr. 30, 2002, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/162,671, attorney docket no. 25791.27, filed on Nov. 1, 1999, (15) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/154,047, attorney docket no. 25791.29, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, (16) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/438,828, attorney docket no. 25791.31, filed on Jan. 9, 2003, (17) U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,875, which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/679,907, attorney docket no. 25791.34.02, on Oct. 5, 2000, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,082, attorney docket no. 25791.34, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (18) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/089,419, filed on Mar. 27, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.36.03, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,039, attorney docket no. 25791.36, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (19) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/679,906, filed on Oct. 5, 2000, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (20) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/303,992, filed on Nov. 22, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/212,359, attorney docket no. 25791.38, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, (21) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/165,228, attorney docket no. 25791.39, filed on Nov. 12, 1999, (22) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/455,051, attorney docket no. 25791.40, filed on Mar. 14, 2003, (23) PCT application US02/2477, filed on Jun. 26, 2002 attorney docket no. 25791.44.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,711, attorney docket no. 25791.44, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (24) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/311,412, filed on Dec. 12, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.45.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/221,443, attorney docket no. 25791.45, filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (25) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______, filed on Dec. 18, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.46.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/221,645, attorney docket no. 25791.46, filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (26) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/322,947, filed on Jan. 22, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.47.03, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/233,638, attorney docket no. 25791.47, filed on Sep. 18, 2000, (27) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/406,648, filed on Mar. 31, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.48.06, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/237,334, attorney docket no. 25791.48, filed on Oct. 2, 2000, (28) PCT application US02/04353, filed on Feb. 14.2002, attorney docket no. 25791.50.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/270,007, attorney docket no. 25791.50, filed on Feb. 20, 2001, (29) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/465,835, filed on. Jun. 13, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.51.06, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/262,434, attorney docket no. 25791.51, filed on Jan. 17, 2001, (30) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/465,831, filed on Jun. 13, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.52.06, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/259,486, attorney docket no. 25791.52, filed on Jan. 3, 2001, (31) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/452,303, filed on Mar. 5, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.53, (32) U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,966, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/850,093, filed on May 7, 2001, attorney docket no, 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (33) U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,227, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/852,026, filed on May 5, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.56, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (34) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/852,027, filed on May 9, 2001, attorney docket no. 25.791.57, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 12, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (35) PCT Application US02/25608, attorney docket no. 25791.58.02, filed on Aug. 13, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application 60/318,021, filed on Sep. 7, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.58, (36) PCT Application US02/24399, attorney docket no. 25791.59.02, filed on Aug. 1, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/313,453, attorney docket no. 25791.59, filed on Aug. 20, 2001, (37) PCT Application US02/29856, attorney docket no. 25791.60.02, filed on Sep. 19, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/326,886, attorney docket no. 25791.60, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, (38) PCT Application US02/20256, attorney docket no. 25791.61.02, filed on Jun. 26, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,740, attorney docket no. 25791.61, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (39) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,469, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.62, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,903 which issued Nov. 4, 2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (40) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,470, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.63, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,903 which issued Nov. 4, 2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (41) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,471, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.64, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,903 which issued. Nov. 4, 2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (42) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,467, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.65, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,903 which issued Nov. 14, 2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (43) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,468, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.66, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,903 which issued Nov. 4, 2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (44) PCT application US02/25727, filed on Aug. 4, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.67.03, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/317,985, attorney docket no. 25791.67, filed on Sep. 6, 2001, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/318,386, attorney docket no. 25791.67.02, filed on Sep. 10, 2001, (45) PCT application US02/39425, filed on Dec. 10, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.68.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/343,674, attorney docket no. 25791.68, filed on Dec. 27, 2001, (46) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,431 which issued Oct. 21, 2003), which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (47) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/516,467, attorney docket no. 25791.70, filed on Dec. 10, 2001, which is a continuation application of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,431 which issued Oct. 21, 2003), which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (48) PCT application US03/00609, filed on Jan. 9, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.71.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/357,372, attorney docket no. 25791.71, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, (49) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,703, attorney docket no. 25791.74, filed on Feb. 12, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (50). U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,244, attorney docket no. 25791.75, filed on Feb. 12, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (51) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,660, attorney docket no. 25791.76, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (52) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,661, attorney docket no. 25791.77, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (53) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,659, attorney docket no. 25791.78, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (54) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/078,928, attorney docket no. 25791.79, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (55) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/078,922, attorney docket no. 25791.80, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (56) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/078,921, attorney docket no. 25791.81, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (57) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,928, attorney docket no. 25791.82, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (58) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/079,276, attorney docket no. 25791.83, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (59) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/262,009, attorney docket no. 25791.84, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (60) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/092,481, attorney docket no. 25791.85, filed on Mar. 7, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 26791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (61) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,926, attorney docket no. 25791.86, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (62) PCT application US02/36157, filed on Nov. 12, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.87.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/338,996, attorney docket no. 25791.87, filed on Nov. 12, 2001, (63) PCT application US02/36267, filed on Nov. 12, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.88.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/339,013, attorney docket no. 25791.88, filed on Nov. 12, 2001, (64) PCT application US 03/11765, filed on Apr. 16, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.89.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/383,917, attorney docket no. 25791.89, filed on May 29, 2002, (65) PCT application US 03/15020, filed on May 12, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.90.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/391,703, attorney docket no. 25791.90, filed on Jun. 26, 2002, (66) PCT application US02/39418, filed on Dec. 10, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.92.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/346,309, attorney docket no. 25791.92, filed on Jan. 7, 2002, (67) PCT application US 03/06544, filed on Mar. 14, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.93.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/372,048, attorney docket no. 25791.93, filed on Apr. 12, 2002, (68) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/331,718; attorney docket no. 25791.94, filed on Dec. 30, 2002, which is a divisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/679,906, filed on Oct. 5, 2000, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (69) PCT application US03/04837; filed on Feb. 29, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.95.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/363,829, attorney docket no. 25791.95, filed on Mar. 13, 2002, (70) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,927, attorney docket no. 25791.97, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (71) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/262,008, attorney docket no. 25791.98, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (72) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,925, attorney docket no. 25791.99, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (73) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/199,524, attorney docket no. 25791.100, filed on Jul. 19, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (74) PCT application US 03/10144, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.101.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/372,632, attorney docket no. 25791.101, filed on Apr. 15, 2002, (75) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,542, attorney docket no. 25791.102, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (76) PCT application US03/14153, filed on May 6, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.104.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/380,147, attorney docket no. 25791.104, filed on May 16, 2002, (77) PCT application US03/19993, filed on Jun. 24, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.106.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/397,284, attorney docket no. 25791.106, filed on Jul. 19, 2002, (78) PCT application US03/13787, filed on May 5, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.107.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/387,486, attorney docket no. 25791.107, filed on Jun. 10, 2002, (79) PCT application US03/18530, filed on Jun. 11, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.108.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/387,961, attorney docket no. 25791.108, filed on Jun. 12, 2002, (80) PCT application US03/20694, filed on Jul. 1, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.110.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/398,061, attorney docket no. 25791.110, filed on Jul. 24, 2002, (81) PCT application US 03/20870, filed on Jul. 2, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.111.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/399,240, attorney docket no. 25791.111, filed on Jul. 29, 2002, (82) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,487, attorney docket no. 25791.112, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (83) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,488, attorney docket no. 25791.114, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (84) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/280,356, attorney docket no. 25791.115, filed on Oct. 25, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,966, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/850,093, filed on May 7, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (85) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,177, attorney docket no. 25791.117, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (86) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,653, attorney docket no. 25791.118, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (87) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/405,610, attorney docket no. 25791.119, filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (88) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/405,394, attorney docket no. 25791.120, filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (89) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,544, attorney docket no. 25791.121, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (90) PCT application. US03/24779, filed on Aug. 8, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.125.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/407,442, attorney docket no. 25791.125, filed on Aug. 30, 2002, (91) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/423,363, attorney docket no. 25791.126, filed on Dec. 10, 2002, (92) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,196, attorney docket no. 25791.127, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (93) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,187, attorney docket no. 25791.128, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (94) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,371, attorney docket no. 25791.129, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (95) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/382,325, attorney docket no. 25791.145, filed on Mar. 5, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (96) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/624,842, attorney docket no. 25791.151, filed on Jul. 22, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, (97) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/431,184, attorney docket no. 25791.157, filed on Dec. 5, 2002, (98) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/448,526, attorney docket no. 25791.185, filed on Feb. 18, 2003, (99) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/461,539, attorney docket no. 25791.186, filed on Apr. 9, 2003, (100) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/462,750, attorney docket no. 25791.193, filed on Apr. 14, 2003, (101) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/436,106, attorney docket no. 25791.200, filed on Dec. 23, 2002, (102) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/442,942, attorney docket no. 25791.213, filed on Jan. 27, 2003, (103) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/442,938, attorney docket no. 25791.225, filed on Jan. 27, 2003, (104) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/418,687, attorney docket no. 25791.228, filed on Apr. 18, 2003, (105) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/454,896, attorney docket no. 25791.236, filed on Mar. 14, 2003, (106) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/450,504, attorney docket no. 25791.238, filed on Feb. 26, 2003, (107) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/451,152, attorney docket no. 25791.239, filed on Mar. 9, 2003, (108) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/455,124, attorney docket no. 25791.241, filed on Mar. 17, 2003, (109) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/453,678, attorney docket no. 25791.253, filed on Mar. 11, 2003, (110) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/421,682, attorney docket no. 25791.256, filed on Apr. 23, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,903 which issued Nov. 4, 2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (111) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/457,965, attorney docket no. 25791.260, filed on Mar. 27, 2003, (112) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/455,718, attorney docket no. 25791.262, filed on Mar. 18, 2003, (113) U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,821, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/811,734, filed on Mar. 19, 2001, (114) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/436,467, attorney docket no. 25791.268, filed on May 12, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,763, which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr. 26, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (115) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/459,776, attorney docket no. 25791.270, filed on Apr. 2, 2003, (116). U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/461,094, attorney docket no. 25791.272, filed on Apr. 8, 2003, (117) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/461,038, attorney docket no. 25791.273, filed on Apr. 7, 2003, (118) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/463,586, attorney docket no. 25791.277, filed on Apr. 17, 2003, (119) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/472,240, attorney docket no. 25791.286, filed on May 20, 2003, (120) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/619,285, attorney docket: no. 25791.292, filed on Jul. 14, 2003, Which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,431 which issued Oct. 21, 2003), which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (121) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/418,688, attorney docket no. 25791.257, which was filed on Apr. 18, 2003, as a division of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,903 which issued Nov. 14, 2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999; (122) PCT patent application serial no. PCT/US2004/06246, attorney docket no. 25791.238.02, filed on Feb. 26, 2004; (123) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/08170, attorney docket number 25791.40.02, filed on Mar. 15, 2004; (124) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/08171, attorney docket number 25791.236.02, filed on Mar. 15, 2004; (125) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/08073, attorney docket number 25791.262.02, filed on Mar. 18, 2004; (126) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/07711, attorney docket number 25791.253.02, filed on Mar. 11, 2004; (127) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/029025, attorney docket number 25791.260.02, filed on Mar. 26, 2004; (128) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010317, attorney docket number 25791.270.02, filed on Apr. 2, 2004; (129) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010712, attorney docket number 25791.272.02, filed on Apr. 6, 2004; (130) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010762, attorney docket number 25791.273.02, filed on Apr. 6, 2004; (131) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/011973, attorney docket number 25791.277.02, filed on Apr. 15, 2004; (132) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/495,056, attorney docket number 25791.301, filed on Aug. 14, 2003; (133) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/600,679, attorney docket number 25791.194, filed on Aug. 11, 2004; (134) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/027318, attorney docket number 25791.329.02, filed on Jul. 29, 2005; (135) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028936, attorney docket number 25791.338.02, filed on Aug. 12, 2005; (136) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028669, attorney docket number 25791.194.02, filed on Aug. 11, 2005; (137) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028453, attorney docket number 25791.371, filed on Aug. 11, 2005; (138) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028641, attorney docket number 25791.372, filed on Aug. 11, 2005; (139) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028819, attorney docket number 25791.373, filed on Aug. 11, 2005; (140) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028446, attorney docket number 25791.374, filed on Aug. 11, 2005; (141) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028642, attorney docket number 25791.375, filed on Aug. 11, 2005; (142) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028451, attorney docket number 25791.376, filed on Aug. 11, 2005, and (143). PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028473, attorney docket number 25791.377, filed on Aug. 11, 2005, (144) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/546,082, attorney docket number 25791.378, filed on Aug. 16, 2005, (145) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/546,076, attorney docket number 25791.379, filed on Aug. 16, 2005, (146) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/545,936, attorney docket number 25791.380, filed on Aug. 16, 2005, (147) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/546,079, attorney docket number 25791.381, filed on Aug. 16, 2005 (148) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/545,941, attorney docket number 25791.382, filed on Aug. 16, 2005, (149) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 546,078, attorney docket number 25791.383, filed on Aug. 16, 2005, filed on Aug. 11, 2005, (150) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/545,941, attorney docket number 25791.185.05, filed on Aug. 16, 2005, (151) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 11/249,967, attorney docket number 25791.384, filed on Oct. 13, 2005, (152) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/734,302, attorney docket number 25791.24, filed on Nov. 7, 2005, (153) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/725,181, attorney docket number 25791.184, filed on Oct. 11, 2005, (154), PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/023391, attorney docket number 25791.299.02 filed Jun. 29, 2005 which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/585,370, attorney docket number 25791.299, filed on Jul. 2, 2004, (155) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/721,579, attorney docket number 25791.327, filed on Sep. 28, 2005, (156) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/717,391, attorney docket number 25791.214, filed on Sep. 15, 2005, (157) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/702,935, attorney docket number 25791.133, filed on Jul. 27, 2005, (158) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/663,913, attorney docket number 25791.32, filed on Mar. 21, 2005, (159) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/652,564, attorney docket number 25791.348, filed on Feb. 14, 2005, (160) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/645,840, attorney docket number 25791.324, filed on Jan. 21, 2005, (161) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/043122, attorney docket number 25791.326.02, filed on Nov. 29, 2005 which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/631,703, attorney docket number 25791.326, filed on Nov. 30, 2004, and (162) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/752,787, attorney docket number 25791.339, filed on Dec. 22, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to oil and gas exploration, and in particular to forming and repairing wellbore casings to facilitate oil and gas exploration.
Referring initially to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment, following the operation of the expansion device 16, the tubular member 10 remains in circumferential compression and the formation 14 surrounding the tubular member remains in circumferential tension. As a result, an interference fit is formed between the tubular member 10 and the surrounding formation 14.
In several exemplary embodiments, the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the tubular member 10 using the expansion device 16 is provided using one or more of the disclosures of one or more of the following: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, attorney docket no. 25791.7.02, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, (4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/169,434, attorney docket no. 25791.10.04, filed on Jul. 1, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application 60/183,546, filed on Feb. 18, 2000, (6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (7) U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (8) U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,249, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/511,941, attorney docket no. 25791.16.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,907, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (9) U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (10) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/981,916, attorney docket no. 25791.18, filed on Oct. 18, 2001 as a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (11) U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,763, which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr. 26, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (12) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/030,593, attorney docket no. 25791.25.08, filed on Jan. 8, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application 60/146,203, filed on Jul. 29, 1999, (13) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/143,039, attorney docket no. 25791.26, filed on Jul. 9, 1999, (14) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/111,982, attorney docket no. 25791.27.08, filed on Apr. 30, 2002, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/162,671, attorney docket no. 25791.27, filed on Nov. 1, 1999, (15) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/154,047, attorney docket no. 25791.29, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, (16) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/438,828, attorney docket no. 25791.31, filed on Jan. 9, 2003, (17) U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,875, which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/679,907, attorney docket no. 25791.34.02, on Oct. 5, 2000, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,082, attorney docket no. 25791.34, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (18) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/089,419, filed on Mar. 27, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.36.03, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,039, attorney docket no. 25791.36, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (19) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/679,906, filed on Oct. 5, 2000, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (20) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/303,992, filed on Nov. 22, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/212,359, attorney docket no. 25791.38, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, (21) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/165,228, attorney docket no. 25791.39, filed on Nov. 12, 1999, (22) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/455,051, attorney docket no. 25791.40, filed on Mar. 14, 2003, (23) PCT application US02/2477, filed on Jun. 26, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.44.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,711, attorney docket no. 25791.44, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (24) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/311,412, filed on Dec. 12, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.45.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/221,443, attorney docket no. 25791.45, filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (25) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______, filed on Dec. 18, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.46.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/221,645, attorney docket no. 25791.46, filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (26) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/322,947, filed on Jan. 22, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.47.03, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/233,638, attorney docket no. 25791.47, filed on Sep. 18, 2000, (27) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/406,648, filed on Mar. 31, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.48.06, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/237,334, attorney docket no. 25791.48, filed on Oct. 2, 2000, (28) PCT application US02/04353, filed on Feb. 14, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.50.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/270,007, attorney docket no. 25791.50, filed on Feb. 20, 2001, (29) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/465,835, filed on Jun. 13, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.51.06, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/262,434, attorney docket no. 25791.51, filed on Nov. 17, 2001, (30) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/465,831, filed on Jun. 13, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.52.06, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/259,486, attorney docket no. 25791.52, filed on Jan. 3, 2001, (31) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/452,303, filed on Mar. 5, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.53, (32) U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,966, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/850,093, filed on May 7, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (33) U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,227, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/852,026, filed on May 9, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.56, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (34) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/852,027, filed on May 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.57, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (35) PCT Application US02/25608, attorney docket no. 25791.58.02, filed on Aug. 13, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application 60/318,021, filed on Sep. 7, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.58, (36) PCT Application US02/24399, attorney docket no. 25791.59.02, filed on Aug. 1, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/313,453, attorney docket no. 25791.59, filed on Aug. 20, 2001, (37) PCT Application US02/29856, attorney docket no. 25791.60.02, filed on Sep. 19, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/326,886, attorney docket no. 25791.60, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, (38): PCT Application US02/20256, attorney docket no. 25791.61.02, filed on Jun. 26, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,740, attorney docket no. 25791.61, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (39) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,469, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.62, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (40) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,470, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.63, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 10, 1999, (41) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,471, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.64, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (42) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,467, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.65, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (43) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,468, filed on Sep. 25, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.66, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (44) PCT application US02/25727, filed on Aug. 14, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.67.03, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/317,985, attorney docket no. 25791.67, filed on Sep. 6, 2001, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/318,386, attorney docket no. 25791.67.02, filed on Sep. 10, 2001, (45) PCT application US02/39425, filed on Dec. 10, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.68.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/343,674, attorney docket no. 25791.68, filed on Dec. 27, 2001, (46) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (47) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/516,467, attorney docket no. 25791.70, filed on Dec. 10, 2001, which is a continuation application of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (48) PCT application US03/00609, filed on Jan. 9, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.71.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/357,372, attorney docket no. Feb. 15, 2002 filed on Feb. 15, 2002, (49) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,703, attorney docket no. 2579.1.74, filed on Feb. 12, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (50) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,244, attorney docket no, 25791.75, filed on Feb. 12, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (51) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,660, attorney docket no. 25791.76, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (52) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,661, attorney docket no. 25791.77, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (53) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,659, attorney docket no. 25791.78, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (54) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/078,928, attorney docket no. 25791.79, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 99, (55) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/078,922, attorney docket no. 25791.80, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (56) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/078,921, attorney docket no. 25791.81, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (57) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,928, attorney docket no. 25791.82, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (58) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/079,276, attorney docket no. 25791.83, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121, 841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (59) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/262,009, attorney docket no. 25791.84, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 17, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (60) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/092,481, attorney docket no. 25791.85, filed on Mar. 7, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (61) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,926, attorney docket no. 25791.86, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (62) PCT application US02/36157, filed on Nov. 12, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.87.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/338,996, attorney docket no. 25791.87, filed on Nov. 12, 2001, (63) PCT application US02/36267, filed on Nov. 12, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.88.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/339,013, attorney docket no. 25791.88, filed on Nov. 12, 2001, (64) PCT application US03/11765, filed on Apr. 16, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.89.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/383,917, attorney docket no. 25791.89, filed on May 29, 2002, (65) PCT application US 03/15020, filed on May 12, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.90.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/391,703, attorney docket no. 25791.90, filed on Jun. 26, 2002, (66) PCT application US02/39418, filed on Dec. 10, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.92.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/346,309, attorney docket no. 25791.92, filed on Jan. 7, 2002, (67) PCT application US 03/06544, filed on Mar. 4, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.93.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/372,048, attorney docket no. 25791.93, filed on Apr. 12, 2002, (68) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/331,718, attorney docket no. 25791.94, filed on Dec. 30, 2002, which is a divisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/679,906, filed on Oct. 5, 2000, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (69) PCT application US03/04837, filed on Oct. 29, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.95.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/363,829, attorney docket no. 25791.95, filed on Mar. 13, 2002, (70) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,927, attorney docket no. 25791.97, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (71) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/262,008, attorney docket no. 25791.98, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (72) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,925, attorney docket no. 25791.99, filed on Oct. 1, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 17, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (73) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/199,524, attorney docket no. 25791.100, filed on Jul. 19, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 17, 1998, (74) PCT application US 03/10144, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.101.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/372,632, attorney docket no. 25791.101, filed on Apr. 15, 2002, (75) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,542, attorney docket no. 25791.102, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (76) PCT application US03/14153, filed on May 6, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.104.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/380,147, attorney docket no. 25791.104, filed on May 6, 2002, (77) PCT application US 03/19993, filed on Jun. 24, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.106.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/397,284, attorney docket no. 25791.106, filed on Jul. 19, 2002, (78) PCT application US03/13787, filed on May 5, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.107.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/387,486, attorney docket no. 25791.107, filed on Jun. 10, 2002, (79) PCT application US03/18530, filed on Jun. 11, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.108.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/387,961, attorney docket no. 25791.108, filed on Jun. 12, 2002, (80) PCT application US03/20694, filed on Jul. 1, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.110.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/398,061, attorney docket no. 25791.110, filed on Jul. 24, 2002, (81) PCT application US 03/20870, filed on Jul. 2, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.111.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/399,240, attorney docket no. 25791.111, filed on Jul. 29, 2002, (82) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,487, attorney docket no. 25791.112, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (83) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,488, attorney docket no. 25791.114, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (84) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/280,356, attorney docket no. 25791.115, filed on Oct. 25, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,966, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/850,093, filed on May 7, 2001, attorney docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (85) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,177, attorney docket no. 25791.117, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (86) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,653, attorney docket no. 25791.118, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (87) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/405,610, attorney docket no. 25791.119, filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (88) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/405,394, attorney docket no. 25791.120, filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (89) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,544, attorney docket no. 25791.121, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (90) PCT application US03/24779, filed on Aug. 8, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.125.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/407,442, attorney docket no. 25791.125, filed on Aug. 30, 2002, (91) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/423,363, attorney docket no. 25791.126, filed on Dec. 10, 2002, (92) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,196, attorney docket no. 25791.127, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (93) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,187, attorney docket no. 25791.128, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (94) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,371, attorney docket no. 25791.129, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (95) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/382,325, attorney docket no. 25791.145, filed on Mar. 5, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (96) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/624,842, attorney docket no. 25791.151, filed on Jul. 22, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, (97) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/431,184, attorney docket no. 25791.157, filed on Dec. 5, 2002, (98) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/448,526, attorney docket no. 25791.185, filed on Feb. 18, 2003, (99) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/461,539, attorney docket no. 25791.186, filed on Apr. 19, 2003, (100) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/462,750, attorney docket no. 25791.193, filed on Apr. 14, 2003, (101) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/436,106, attorney docket no. 25791.200, filed on Dec. 23, 2002, (102) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/442,942, attorney docket no. 25791.213, filed on Jan. 27, 2003, (103) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/442,938, attorney docket no. 25791.225, filed on Jan. 27, 2003, (104) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/418,687, attorney docket no. 25791.228, filed on Apr. 18, 2003, (105) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/454,896, attorney docket no. 25791.236, filed on Mar. 14, 2003, (106) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/450,504, attorney docket no. 25791.238, filed on Feb. 26, 2003, (107) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/451,152, attorney docket no. 25791.239, filed on Mar. 9, 2003, (108) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/455,124, attorney docket no. 25791.241, filed on Mar. 17, 2003, (109) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/453,678, attorney docket no. 25791.253, filed on Mar. 11, 2003, (110) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/421,682, attorney docket no. 25791.256, filed on Apr. 23, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (111) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/457,965, attorney docket no. 2579.1.260, filed on Mar. 27, 2003, (112) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/455,718, attorney docket no. 25791.262, filed on Mar. 18, 2003, (113) U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,821, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/811,734, filed on Mar. 19, 2001, (114) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/436,467, attorney docket no. 25791.268, filed on May 1, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,763, which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr. 26, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (115) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/459,776, attorney docket no. 25791.270, filed on Apr. 2, 2003, (116) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/461,094, attorney docket no. 25791.272, filed on Apr. 8, 2003, (1.17) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/461,038, attorney docket no. 25791.273, filed on Apr. 7, 2003, (118) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/463,586, attorney docket no. 25791.277, filed on Apr. 17, 2003, (119) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/472,240, attorney docket no. 25791.286, filed on May 20, 2003, (120) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/619,285, attorney docket no. 25791.292, filed on Jul. 14, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (121) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/418,688, attorney docket no. 25791.257, which was filed on Apr. 18, 2003, as a division of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (122) PCT patent application serial no. PCT/US04/06246, attorney docket no. 25791.238.02, filed on Feb. 26, 2004, (123) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/08170, attorney docket number 25791.40.02, filed on Mar. 15, 2004, (124) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/08171, attorney docket number 25791.236.02, filed on Mar. 15, 2004, (125) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/08073, attorney docket number 25791.262.02, filed on Mar. 18, 2004, (126) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/07711, attorney docket number 25791.253.02, filed on Mar. 11, 2004, (127) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/009434, attorney docket number 25791.260.02, filed on Mar. 26, 2004, (128) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010317, attorney docket number 25791.270.02, filed on Apr. 2, 2004, (129) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010712, attorney docket number 25791.272.02, filed on Apr. 6, 2004, (130) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010762, attorney docket number 25791.273.02, filed on Apr. 6, 2004, (131) PCT patent application serial number PCT/2004/011973, attorney docket number 25791.277.02, filed on Apr. 15, 2004, (132).U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/495,056, attorney docket number 25791.301, filed on Aug. 14, 2003, (133) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/585,370, attorney docket number 25791.299, filed on Jul. 2, 2004, (134) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/698,020, attorney docket number 25791.329, filed on Aug. 2, 2004, (135) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/600,679, attorney docket number 25791.194, filed on Aug. 11, 2004, and (136) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/601,502, attorney docket number 25791.338 filed on Aug. 13, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In an exemplary experimental implementation, the wellbore casing 10 was radially expanded and plastically deformed into engagement with the interior surface of a wellbore 12 using a fluid powered expansion device 16. In the exemplary experimental implementation, the fluid powered expansion device 16 comprised a conventional solid expansion cone that was displaced upwardly through the casing 10 in a conventional manner using fluid pressure.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As also illustrated in
As illustrated in
The experimental results, and observations derived therefrom, illustrated and described above with reference to
Referring now to
Another end of the locking device 704 is coupled to an end of a tubular support member 706 and another end of the tubular support member is coupled to an end of an actuator 708. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular support member 706 is a conventional drill pipe and the actuator 708 is a conventional actuator such as, for example, an hydraulic actuator suitable for displacing one or more elements relative to the actuator.
Another end of the actuator 708 is coupled to an end of a tubular support member 710 and another end of the tubular support member is coupled to an end of a release device 712. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular support member 710 is a conventional drill pipe and the release device 712 is a conventional release device for controllably releasing one or more elements coupled to the release device such, for example, upon the application of a loading condition greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
An end of an expansion device 714 having one or more tapered expansion surfaces 714a is coupled to another end of the release device 712. In an exemplary embodiment, the expansion device 714 is a conventional expansion device.
An end of an expandable tubular member 716, that receives at least the actuator 708, the tubular support member 710, and the release device 712, is coupled to an supported by the tapered expansion surface 714a of the end of the expansion device 714. Another end of the expandable tubular member 716 is coupled to an end of a casing release 718 and another end of the casing release 718 is coupled to an end of an expandable tubular member 720. In an exemplary embodiment, the outside diameters of at least one of the expandable tubular member 716, the casing release 718, and/or the expandable tubular member 720 are greater than the outside diameter of the expansion device 714.
Referring now to
The casing release 718 further includes an inner tubular member 718c that defines one or more radial passages 718ca having an end that is coupled to an end of a tapered tubular member 718d. Another end of the tapered tubular member 718b is coupled to an end of the tubular support member 716.
In an exemplary embodiment, the diametrical clearance between the inner and outer tubular members, 718a and 718c, is a sliding fit.
The casing release further includes a conventional shear pin 718e having ends that mate with and are received within the passages, 718aa and 718ca, of the outer and inner tubular members, 718a and 718c, respectively.
In an exemplary embodiment, the casing release 718 is adapted to permit the application of radial expansion forces to the casing release without releasing the upper end of the expandable tubular member 716 from the lower end of the expandable tubular member 720 while permitting the upper end of the expandable tubular member 716 to be disengaged from the lower end of the expandable tubular member 720 if a predetermined toque loading is applied to the casing release.
In several exemplary embodiments, the casing release 718 includes may include one or more of the following in addition to, or instead of, the structural features described above: 1) collets; 2) collets with a release sleeve; 3) a threaded connection that may be released by rotation; 4) splines to transfer torque; and/or 5) stress concentrations that permit release after radial expansion, and/or equivalents thereof.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In an alternative embodiment, the expansion assembly 700 may be further operated to radially expand and plastically deform the remaining portion of the expandable tubular member 716, the casing release 718 and at least a portion of the expandable tubular member 720 by resetting the actuator 708 and then re-stroking the actuator 708. In an alternative embodiment, during the re-stroking of the actuator 708, an upward tensile load may also be applied to the end of the tubular support member 702.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular support member 702, the locking device 704, the tubular support member 706, the actuator 708, the tubular support member 710, the release device 712, and the expansion device 714 of the assembly 900 define internal passages, 702a, 704a, 706a, 708a, 710a, 712a, and 714b, respectively, that are fluidicly coupled to one another.
In an exemplary embodiment, an end of a tubular support member 902 that defines an internal passage 902a is coupled to the other end of the expansion device 914. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal passage 902a of the tubular support member 902 is fluidicly coupled to the internal passage 714b of the expansion device 714.
In an exemplary embodiment, another end of the tubular support member 902 is coupled to a conventional fluid powered motor 904 that includes one or more exhaust ports 904a for exhausting fluidic materials from the motor and an output shaft 904b.
In an exemplary embodiment, a conventional drilling device 906 is coupled to an end of the output shaft 904b of the motor 904. In an exemplary embodiment, the drilling device 906 may include a conventional underreamer.
In an exemplary embodiment, during operation of the assembly 900, as illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment, during further operation of the assembly 900, as illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
In an alternative embodiment, the assembly 900 may be further operated to radially expand and plastically deform the remaining portion of the expandable tubular member 716, the casing release 718 and at least a portion of the expandable tubular member 720 by resetting the actuator 708 and then re-stroking the actuator 708. In an alternative embodiment, during the re-stroking of the actuator 708, an upward tensile load may also be applied to the end of the tubular support member 702.
Referring to
Referring to
In an exemplary embodiment, during the operation of the assembly 1100, as illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment, during the operation of the assembly 1100, the motor 904 and drilling device 906 may be removed from the assembly after the insertion of the assembly into the wellbore 740, either before or after the initiation and/or completion of the expansion process.
Referring now to
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment, the design and operation of the expansion assembly 1208 may include one or more of the apparatus and methods described above with reference to
In an exemplary embodiment, after positioning the expansion assembly 1208 at a predetermined position within the wellbore 1204, the gripping device 1212 is operated to engage the wellbore casing 1202 thereby locking the position of the tubular support member 1210 to the wellbore casing.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment, the inside diameters of the wellbore casings 1202 and 1208a are substantially identical. As a result, a mono-diameter wellbore casing is formed within the wellbore.
Referring now to
Another end of the actuator 1304 is coupled to an end of a tubular support member 1306 and the other end of the tubular support member is coupled to an end of the release device 712. An end of the expansion device 714 having one or more tapered expansion surfaces 714a is coupled to another end of the release device 712.
An end of an expandable tubular member 1308, that receives at least the tubular support member 1306 and the release device 712, is coupled to an supported by the tapered expansion surface 714a of the end of the expansion device 714. Another end of the expandable tubular member 1308 is coupled to a locking assembly 1310 that defines a passage 1310a that receives the tubular support member 1306. In this manner, the tubular support member 1308 may be displaced relative to and within the passage 1310a of the locking assembly 1310.
In an exemplary embodiment, the locking assembly 1310 may be a conventional commercially available locking assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking assembly 1310 may further include one or more slips for engaging the end of the expandable tubular member 1308.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In an alternative embodiment, the expansion assembly 1300 may be further operated to radially expand and plastically deform the remaining portion of the expandable tubular member 1308 by continuing to operate the actuator 1304. In an alternative embodiment, during the operation of the actuator 1304, an upward tensile load may also be applied to the end of the tubular support member 1302.
Referring now to
The tubular support member 1306 defines a passage 1306a that is fluidicly coupled to the passage 1304a of the actuator 1304 and the release device 712 defines a passage 712a that is fluidicly coupled to the passage 1306a defined within the tubular support member. The expansion device 714 defines a passage 714b that is fluidicly coupled to the passage 712a defined within the release device 712.
An end of a tubular support member 1402 that defines a passage 1402a that is fluidicly coupled to the passage 714b defined within the expansion device. The passage 1402a is also fluidicly coupled to the fluid powered motor 904 that includes an exhaust 904a and an output shaft 904b. The output shaft 904b of the motor 904 is coupled to the drilling device 906.
During operation of the assembly 1400, the assembly may be operated to drill out a wellbore and/or to radially expand and plastically deform the expandable tubular member 1308.
Referring now to
Free Expansion 1502 refers to pipe body expansion forces without cladding into and or against formation.
Free Conn Expansion 1504 refers to applying expansion forces across connections between adjacent tubulars without cladding into or against formation.
EAF Expansion 1506 refers to the forces required or used for pipe body expansion cladding into and or against the formation.
EAF Conn Expansion 1508 refers to the forces required or used for expanding the connections between adjacent tubulars while cladding into and or against the formation.
Free OvL Expansion 1510 refers to the expansion forces across the overlap which includes pipe against pipe without cement or formation behind the outer pipe.
EAF OvL Expansion 1512 refers to expansion forces across an overlap between inner and outer tubulars while cladding into or against the formation.
EAF OvL Conn Exp 1514 refers to the expansion forces across the overlap between inner and outer tubulars with two connections between adjacent tubulars overlaying each other while cladding into or against the formation.
An expandable tubular member has been described that includes: a tubular body; wherein a yield point of an inner tubular portion of the tubular body is less than a yield point of an outer tubular portion of the tubular body. In an exemplary embodiment, the yield point of the inner tubular portion of the tubular body varies as a function of the radial position within the tubular body. In an exemplary embodiment, the yield point of the inner tubular portion of the tubular body varies in an linear fashion as a function of the radial position within the tubular body.
A method of coupling a wellbore casing to the interior surface of a wellbore has been described that includes positioning a wellbore casing within the wellbore and radially expanding and plastically deforming the wellbore casing into engagement with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operating pressure of up to about 2700 psi. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of up to about 180,000 lbf.
An apparatus has been described that includes a wellbore; and a wellbore casing positioned within and engaged with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operating pressure of up to about 2700 psi. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of up to about 180,000 lbf.
A method of determining one or more properties of at least one of a wellbore and a formation traversed by the wellbore has been described that includes radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within the wellbore using an expansion device; monitoring one or more operating parameters of the expansion device; and correlating one or more of the operating parameters of the expansion device to one or more of the properties of at least one of the wellbore and the formation.
An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member has been described that includes a support member; a locking device coupled to the support member for controllably locking a position of the tubular member relative to the locking device; an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member; and an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, an outside diameter of the expansion device is less than or equal to an outside diameter of a bottom end of the tubular member proximate the expansion device. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a tubular release member for releasably coupling an end of the tubular member to an end of another adjacent tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular release member comprises a frangible element coupled between the tubular member and the other tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a release device for releasably coupling the expansion device to the actuator. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a drilling device coupled to the support member for drilling a wellbore. In an exemplary embodiment, the expansion device defines a longitudinal passage; and wherein an internal diameter of the longitudinal passage is greater than an outside diameter of the drilling device. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a motor operably coupled to the drilling device for operating the drilling device. In an exemplary embodiment, the expansion device defines a longitudinal passage; and wherein an internal diameter of the longitudinal passage is greater than an outside diameter of the motor and the drilling device. In an exemplary embodiment, the expansion device defines a longitudinal passage.
An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member has been described that includes: a support member; a locking device coupled to the support member for controllably locking a position of the tubular member relate to the locking device; an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member; an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member; a release device for releasably coupling the expansion device to the actuator; another tubular member; a tubular release member for releasably coupling an end of the tubular member to an end of the other tubular member; a drilling device coupled to the support member for drilling a wellbore; and a motor operably coupled to the drilling device for operating the drilling device; wherein an outside diameter of the expansion device is less than or equal to an outside diameter of a bottom end of the tubular member proximate the expansion device; wherein the expansion device defines a longitudinal passage; wherein an internal diameter of the longitudinal passage of the expansion device is greater than an outside diameter of the motor and the drilling device; and wherein the tubular release member comprises a frangible element coupled between the tubular member and the other tubular member.
A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises: unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises: unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member, and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and removing the tubular support member from the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular member comprises first and second tubular members coupled to one another; and the method further comprises: decoupling the first and second tubular members; and removing one of the first and second tubular members from the preexisting structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: drilling out the preexisting structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: drilling out the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: drilling out the preexisting structure after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: drilling out the preexisting structure using a drilling device; and removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation. In an exemplary embodiment, the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.
A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes: positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; wherein then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of: unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.
A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member assembly, comprising first and second tubular members coupled to one another, within a preexisting structure has been described that includes positioning the tubular member assembly and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; locking the position of the tubular member assembly relative to the support member; then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly into engagement with the preexisting structure; then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly; decoupling the first and second tubular members; and removing one of the first and second tubular members from the preexisting structure.
A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure; locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; wherein then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of: unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; and wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.
A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises: means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises: means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; means for relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member, and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and means for removing the tubular support member from the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular member comprises first and second tubular members coupled to one another; and wherein the method further comprises: means for decoupling the first and second tubular members; and means for removing one of the first and second tubular members from the preexisting structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for drilling out the preexisting structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for drilling out the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for drilling out the preexisting structure after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for drilling out the preexisting structure using a drilling device; and means for removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises: means for locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation. In an exemplary embodiment, the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.
A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; wherein means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of: means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; means for relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes: means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; means for decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and means for removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.
A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member assembly, comprising first and second tubular members coupled to one another, within a preexisting structure has been described that includes: means for positioning the tubular member assembly and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; means for locking the position of the tubular member assembly relative to the support member; means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly into engagement with the preexisting structure; means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly; means for decoupling the first and second tubular members; and means for removing one of the first and second tubular members from the preexisting structure.
A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes: means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; means for drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and means for removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure has been described that includes: means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member; means for locking a position of the support-member to the preexisting structure; means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; wherein means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of: means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; means for relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; and wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.
A method of forming a wellbore casing system within a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation has been described that includes: radially expanding and plastically deforming a first tubular member within a first portion of the wellbore; and then radially expanding and plastically deforming a second tubular member within a second portion of the wellbore using any one of the methods or apparatus described above. In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: radially expanding and plastically deforming a first tubular member within a first portion of the wellbore using any one of the methods or apparatus described above. In an exemplary embodiment, an inside diameter of the first and second tubular members are substantially identical.
It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the teachings of the present illustrative embodiments may be used to provide a wellbore casing, a pipeline, or a structural support. Furthermore, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, changes and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A method of coupling a wellbore casing to the interior surface of a wellbore, comprising:
- positioning a wellbore casing within the wellbore; and
- radially expanding and plastically deforming the wellbore casing into direct contact with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore.
2. An apparatus, comprising:
- a wellbore;
- a wellbore casing positioned within and engaged with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore.
3. A method of determining one or more properties of at least one of a wellbore and a formation traversed by the wellbore, comprising:
- radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within the wellbore using an expansion device;
- monitoring one or more operating parameters of the expansion device; and
- correlating one or more of the operating parameters of the expansion device to one or more of the properties of at least one of the wellbore and the formation.
4. An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
- a support member;
- a locking device coupled to the support member for controllably locking a position of the tubular member relative to the locking device;
- an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member; and
- an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member.
5. An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
- a support member;
- a locking device coupled to the support member for controllably locking a position of the tubular member relative to the locking device;
- an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member;
- an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member;
- a release device for releasably coupling the expansion device to the actuator;
- another tubular member;
- a tubular release member for releasably coupling an end of the tubular member to an end of the other tubular member;
- a drilling device coupled to the support member for drilling a wellbore; and
- a motor operably coupled to the drilling device for operating the drilling device;
- wherein an outside diameter of the expansion device is less than or equal to an outside diameter of a bottom end of the tubular member proximate the expansion device;
- wherein the expansion device defines a longitudinal passage;
- wherein an internal diameter of the longitudinal passage of the expansion device is greater than an outside diameter of the motor and the drilling device and
- wherein the tubular release member comprises a frangible element coupled between the tubular member and the other tubular member.
6. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
7. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and
- then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- wherein then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of: unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
8. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and
- removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.
9. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member assembly, comprising first and second tubular members coupled to one another, within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member assembly and an expansion: device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- locking the position of the tubular member assembly relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly;
- decoupling the first and second tubular members; and
- removing one of the first and second tubular members from the preexisting structure.
10. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and
- removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
11. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure;
- locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and
- then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- wherein then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of: unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; and
- wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and
- wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.
12. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
13. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and
- means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- wherein means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of: means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; means for relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
14. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- means for decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and
- means for removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.
15. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member assembly, comprising first and second tubular members coupled to one another, within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member assembly and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for locking the position of the tubular member assembly relative to the support member;
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly;
- means for decoupling the first and second tubular members; and
- means for removing one of the first and second tubular members from the preexisting structure.
16. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- means for drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and
- means for removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
17. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure;
- means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and
- means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- wherein means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of: means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; means for relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; and
- wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and
- wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.
18. An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
- a support member;
- an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member;
- an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member; and
- a locking device coupled to the tubular member for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the actuator.
19. An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
- a support member;
- an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member;
- an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member;
- a locking device coupled to the tubular member for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the actuator;
- a release device for releasably coupling the expansion device to the actuator;
- a drilling device coupled to the support member for drilling a wellbore; and
- a motor operably coupled to the drilling device for operating the drilling device;
- wherein an outside diameter of the expansion device is less than or equal to an outside diameter of a bottom end of the tubular member proximate the expansion device;
- wherein the expansion device defines a longitudinal passage; and
- wherein an internal diameter of the longitudinal passage of the expansion device is greater than an outside diameter of the motor and the drilling device.
20. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member; and
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
21. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and
- then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
22. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and
- removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.
23. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and
- removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
24. A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure;
- limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and
- then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and
- wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.
25. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member; and
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
26. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and
- means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
27. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- means for decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and
- means for removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.
28. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;
- means for drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and
- means for removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.
29. A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
- means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;
- means for locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure;
- means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;
- means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and
- means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;
- wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and
- wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 14, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 19, 2008
Applicant: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C. (Houston, TX)
Inventors: Darrell Scott Costa (Katy, TX), Kevin K. Waddell (Houston, TX), Edwin A. Zwald (Houston, TX), Charles Butterfield (Cypress, TX), Mark Holland (Katy, TX), Akindele Olufowoshe (Katy, TX), Gregory M. Noel (Katy, TX), Donald B. Campo (Richmond, TX)
Application Number: 11/838,782
International Classification: E21B 29/00 (20060101); E21B 47/00 (20060101);
