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

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for expanding an expandable tubular assembly in a borehole. In one aspect, a system for expanding a tubular having an anchor portion in a borehole is provided. The system includes a running tool configured to position the tubular in the borehole. The running tool including a first expander configured to activate the anchor portion by expanding the tubular to a first diameter. The system further includes a second expander configured to expand the tubular to a second larger diameter, wherein the second expander is movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. In another aspect, a method of expanding a tubular having an anchor portion in a borehole is provided.

Abstract: A downhole expandable liner hanger apparatus for extending the length of an existing tubular such as a casing or liner string is described. The apparatus comprises a tubular portion and a securing and/or sealing means for securing the tubular portion to the existing tubular such as a casing string to thereby extend the length of the existing tubular and preferably simultaneously provide a sealed coupling between the tubular portion and the existing tubular. A first part or a length of the tubular portion preferably comprises a first sidewall thickness and a second part or length of the tubular portion is located adjacent the first part, where the second part comprises a second sidewall thickness, said first sidewall thickness being less than the second sidewall thickness.

Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore comprises arranging a drill string and an expandable tubular in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded section extending around a remaining section of the tubular, drill string extending through the remaining section, and axially extending the expanded section by moving the remaining section downward relative to the expanded section so that the lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction, wherein the expanded section covers the wellbore wall in an upper portion of the wellbore. The drill string is operated so as to drill a lower wellbore portion, and a compound is transferred between the lower wellbore portion and a layer of the earth formation surrounding the lower wellbore portion.

Abstract: A method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation comprises inducing the wall of the tubular element to bend radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein the bending occurs in a bending zone of the tubular element. The bending zone is induced to move in an axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section to increase the length of the expanded tubular section. An annular space is formed between the expanded tubular section and the remaining tubular section, wherein the method further comprises arranging a seal element in the annular space to define an upper portion and a lower portion of the annular space, the upper and lower portions being sealed from each other by the seal element.

Abstract: A setting tool has an expansion cone drive sub-assembly operable to axially move an expansion cone of the setting tool through the liner to radially, plastically expand the liner. With the wellbore liner residing outside of a wellbore, the setting tool is changed to enable decoupling the wellbore liner from the setting tool while leaving at least the expansion cone drive sub-assembly substantially assembled.

Abstract: A geometrically optimized expansion cone for radially expanding a tubular member. In some embodiments, the expansion cone includes an annular body having an outer surface. The outer surface includes a linear surface having a constant diameter, a curvilinear surface extending from the linear surface, a recessed surface having a diameter less than the diameter of the curvilinear surface, and a chamfer between the recessed surface and the curvilinear surface. The diameter of the linear surface is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the tubular member after expansion, while the chamfer has a maximum diameter less than an inner diameter of the tubular member prior to expansion. The curvilinear surface has a diameter defined by a radius of curvature which is tangent to the chamfer at the maximum diameter and tangent to the linear surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore. An expandable tubular may comprise a first end having a first wall thickness, a second end having a second wall thickness, and a middle section disposed between the first and second ends and having a third wall thickness that is less than the first and second wall thicknesses. The first and second ends may include grooves. A method for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore may comprise running the tubular past the restriction, wherein the tubular comprises a first end and a second end, each end having a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of a middle section disposed between the ends. The method may include expanding the tubular, wherein the first and second ends of the expanded tubular have outer diameters greater than the outer diameter of the middle section.

Abstract: A method of patching a well or a pipe by hydroforming a tubular metal patch. A tool provided with a pair of inflatable packers is inserted inside the patch. The pair of inflatable packers are axially spaced apart from each other by a distance that is substantially equal to the length of the patch. The tool is positioned inside the patch so that the packers are in register with the end portions of the patch. The assembly of the tool and the patch is axially inserted inside the well or the pipe, and positioned in register with the zone for patching. The packers are inflated to a high pressure, sufficient for radially expanding the end portions of the patch and pressing them in a leak-tight manner against the wall of the well or the pipe. The packers are subsequently deflated and the tool is withdrawn. The method is applicable to the oil industry.

Abstract: An expandable device comprising a plurality of expandable cells. The cells may be bistable cells or other types of cells that are expanded from a contracted position towards an expanded position. Additionally, the cells may be combined with locking mechanisms to hold the structure in an expanded position.

Abstract: A downhole releasable tubing connection includes a joint between two tubing strings, wherein one of the two tubing strings is radially expanded and plastically deformed by an expansion device. When the expansion device is moved adjacent to the joint, a mechanism in the joint reacts to the radially outward forces of the expansion device and releasably expands, separates, breaks, or otherwise provides a release between the two tubing strings. One tubing string and the expansion device can then be removed to the surface of the well bore while the expanded tubing remains installed in the well bore.

Abstract: An expansion and cementing assembly is run into the well as the expandable liner is made up. A work string is tagged into the expansion assembly and run to depth. Pressure drives the swage to initially expand and move uphole with the attached work string until the liner is expanded above the location of the subsequent cement placement. The assembly is then lowered to engage the guide/float shoe to perform the cementing step. The swage assembly is then released from the guide/float shoe and the balance of the expansion is performed without further expansion against the recently placed cement. The expansion assembly can start at the guide/float shoe or higher, in which case expansion can occur initially in a downhole direction and later be completed in an uphole direction. Variations without cementing are also contemplated.

Abstract: An expandable device comprising a plurality of expandable cells. The cells may be bistable cells or other types of cells that are expanded from a contracted position towards an expanded position. Additionally, the cells may be combined with locking mechanisms to hold the structure in an expanded position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.

Abstract: An expansion assembly is run into the well as the expandable liner is made up. A work string is tagged into the expansion assembly and run to depth. Pressure drives the swage to initially expand and move uphole with the attached work string until the liner is expanded to set at least one external packer. The balance of the expansion in the uphole direction is continued until the string is expanded into sealing support of a higher string in the wellbore and the variable swage comes out of the hole with the work string. A shoe is milled out and the process can be repeated.

Abstract: An expandable pipe section, intended to be joined with a corresponding pipe section for use in connection with a well casing of a production well for hydrocarbons, where the pipe section is configured to be screwed on or off an adjoining expandable pipe section, the pipe section at one end being provided with a male end having externally arranged threads and where the adjoining expandable pipe section is provided with a correspondingly shaped female end having corresponding internal threads. The distance between adjacent threads at their widest point is less than the maximum width of a thread. Those parts of the pipe being provided with threads are provided with at least two step wise arranged parts with a cylindrical surface being coaxially arranged with the pipe wall(s).

Abstract: An expandable tubular liner includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanical coupling for coupling the first and second tubes, and an insert coupled to the mechanical coupling. The insert is capable of forming a metallurgical bond with at least one of the tubes when energy is injected into the insert.

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

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an expansion device that is coupled to a support member and operable to be disposed within a tubular member. The expansion device is operable to radially expand the tubular member as the expansion device moves axially through the tubular member.

Abstract: A tubular element can be expanded using an expander tool that includes a flexible sleeve having an outer diameter less than or equal to the inner diameter of the tubular element, a cone expander section on which the sleeve is mounted and an elongate mandrel. The cone expander section includes a first cone having a first narrow end that fits inside the sleeve and that increases in diameter from the first narrow end to a maximum at a base that is greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve but less than the inner diameter of the tubular element. The expander tool can be positioned at a predetermined location in the tubular element, fixed in place, and the expander section can be urged through the sleeve to expand the sleeve and thus the tubular element.

Abstract: Composite tubular casing with hardened material between thin pipe-in-pipe increasing the bending capability of the casing wall delivers high collapse resistance. Solid Expandable technology allows substantial wellbore slimming at the expense of collapse resistance. By combining both technologies, cost effective high collapse resistance wellbore construction can be achieved.

Abstract: A radial expansion system.

Abstract: A system and method for radially expanding a tubular element. The method comprises the steps of bending the tubular element radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around an unexpanded tubular section, wherein bending occurs in a bending zone; and increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the respective bending zones of the layers to move in axial direction relative to the unexpanded tubular section. The tubular element comprises a first layer, a second layer extending around the first layer, and a third layer interconnecting the first layer and the second layer and allowing the first layer and the second layer to shift relative to each other near the bending zone.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing and a locating profile and optionally a sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus when subsequent attachment of an expanded liner is intended and the expanded liner is to be cemented in place. A barrier sleeve, nose, and outer sleeve define a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside that covers the mounting location on the casing. A locating profile and an optional sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus can be provided. The cementing of the casing takes place through the barrier sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve and nose are drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for protecting tubular connections. In one aspect, an expandable tubular connection for use in a wellbore is provided. The tubular connection includes a tubular pin member. The tubular connection also includes a tubular box member having an end portion, wherein the tubular pin member is matable with the tubular box member to form the tubular connection. Additionally, the tubular connection includes a sleeve member disposed on the tubular pin member, wherein the sleeve member is configured to substantially protect the end portion of the tubular box member as the tubular connection is lowered into the wellbore. In yet a further aspect, a method for utilizing a tubular connection in a wellbore is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly installing or withdrawing a sealing liner into or out of a subsurface well bore or borehole. An eversion aid, such as an open-ended cylinder, is engaged with the liner, the eversion aid serving to push the liner down the borehole during installation, and to assist in proper liner extraction during its withdrawal from the borehole. Water is transferred between the liner interior and the borehole outside the liner to regulate the disposition of borehole water, and to aid in proper sealing functions of the liner and to promote proper liner extraction during withdrawal.

Abstract: An expanded non-bonded mesh well screen. A method of manufacturing a well screen includes the steps of: expanding at least a portion of a screen jacket; and then securing the screen jacket onto a base pipe. A well screen system includes a base pipe and an at least partially expanded screen jacket surrounding the base pipe. The screen jacket is expanded prior to being positioned on the base pipe.

Abstract: A down hole well tool (3) for installing a casing or liner (1) in a well bore, wherein the down hole well tool comprises a tool unit comprising at least one first fluid conduit (4) and a return fluid conduit (15) in use forming an annulus between the tool unit and the casing or liner (1). The tool unit further comprises at least one piston (5) in the annulus dividing the annulus into annulus spaces, wherein an expansion module for the expansion of the casing or liner is provided in the annulus. The expansion module has at least two sets of rolling means (9a, 9b, 9c) arranged along the axial direction of the expansion module. Each set of rolling means is provided at an outer circumference of the expansion module and the diameter of the rolling means decreases along the expansion module in the axial down hole direction of the well bore providing the expansion module with an decreasing diameter.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore. An expandable tubular may comprise a first end having a first wall thickness, a second end having a second wall thickness, and a middle section disposed between the first and second ends and having a third wall thickness that is less than the first and second wall thicknesses. The first and second ends may include one or more grooves disposed along a length of the ends. A method for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore may comprise running the tubular past the restriction, wherein the tubular comprises a first end and a second end, each end having a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of a middle section disposed between the ends. The method may include expanding the tubular, wherein the first and second ends of the expanded tubular have outer diameters greater than the outer diameter of the middle section.

Abstract: A down hole well tool (3) for installing a casing/liner (1) in a well bore (2), wherein the down hole well tool comprises a tool unit comprising at least one first fluid conduit (6) and a return fluid conduit (5) in use forming an annulus between the tool unit and the casing/liner. The tool unit further comprises at least one piston (7a, 7b) in the annulus dividing the annulus into annulus spaces (8a, 8b, 8c). At least two expansion modules (9a, 9b) for the expansion of the casing are positioned displaced in the axial direction of the casing. The expansion modules are arranged to be moved relative to each other in the axial direction of the casing.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises inserting into the well or the piping to be cased, a tube (1) including tube sections previously connected end to end, proceeding with the radial expansion of the tube using an inflatable bladder (3) so that the wall thereof bears against that (C) of the well or the piping; wherein the method is characterized in that the expansion is achieved not on the entire length of the tube but only at certain areas (4) thereof which are spaced from each other by non-expanded portions (5), so that the total length of the expanded areas (4) is substantially smaller than the total length of the non-expanded areas (5), the number of expanded areas (4) being at least equal to three. The invention can be used in the field of water or crude oil production.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.

Abstract: A method is provided of radially expanding a tubular element. The method comprises inducing the wall of the tubular element to bend radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded section of the tubular element extending around an unexpanded section of the tubular element, wherein said bending occurs in a bending zone of the wall, and wherein an annular space is defined between the unexpanded and expanded sections. At least one guide member is located in the annular space, each guide member being arranged to guide the wall during said bending so that the wall bends at an increased bending radius relative to bending of the wall in case the guide member is absent from the annular space.

Abstract: A tubing connection arrangement and a method used for coupling expandable tubing sections together. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a tubing connection arrangement comprising a first expandable tubing section defining a male portion; a second expandable tubing section defining a female portion, the first and second expandable tubing sections being engageable with one another; one of the first and second expandable tubing sections including a restraining member for restraining part of the other expandable tubing section; and the first expandable tubing section including a tapered shoulder for co-operating with a corresponding tapered shoulder of the second expandable tubing section.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tubing string anchor for resisting angular rotation of the tubing string, as when undergoing pumping through the string. The anchor includes a plurality of anchoring members each rotatable about a fulcrum between a locking position and a non-locking position. The anchor housing has a groove formed between adjacent anchoring members through which a string may be run to access below the anchor when the anchor is installed.

Abstract: A tool allows in a single trip advancing the liner while more hole is made until the liner is properly positioned. Slips are actuated into the inside of the liner to grasp it as a swage is released to move to support the liner to the surrounding tubular. With the liner supported in the hole, the running tool can be picked up to test the release feature and then set down again for cementing. The tool is then picked up higher to release a flapper and re-pressurized to set a seal adjacent the support previously engaged by swage operation. The flapper has a rupture disc blown and the tool is removed. The tool has an emergency release.

Abstract: A method and device for a running tool for drilling or cleaning and setting a lining and a completion string in an underground borehole. The running tool comprising a drilling tool, an expandable casing, an expansion tool, a packer arranged to seal against the wall of the casing, and at least one conduit extending up to the surface. The drilling tool is releasably connected to the lower portion of the expanding casing, and the expansion tool and the packer are releasably connected to the upper portion of the expanding casing. The running tool is arranged to communicate with the surface through at least one pipe conduit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member using a lower expansion cone and an upper expandable cone. The apparatus includes an expandable tubular, a support member releasably secured to the expandable tubular, and an extendable section below where the support member is releasably anchored. An upper expandable cone is attached to the extendable section and in a retracted state and an anchor is disposed below the upper expandable cone. The anchor is releasable from below the upper expandable cone. A lower expansion cone is disposed below the anchor. An expansion sleeve is disposed in the lower end of the expandable tubular. The lower expansion cone is configured to expand the expansion sleeve radially outward to an outer diameter greater than the inside diameter of the expandable tubular when axially displaced downward by the extendable section.

Abstract: An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines.

Abstract: Devices and methods for setting a packer inside a wellbore with little appreciable reduction of the useable area of the wellbore. The outer casing or liner of the wellbore contains one or more integrated casing coupler joints having an increased diameter chamber portion. A large bore packing element is carried within the increased diameter chamber portion. The packing element may be selectively actuated to form a seal against an interior tubular member. Because the packing element is located within the chamber portion of the casing coupler, the packer may be set while saving useable cross-sectional area within the casing.

Abstract: Casing segments and an expansion cone are positioned and cemented within a new section of a wellbore with a lower casing segment in an overlapping relationship with an upper casing segment. The lower casing segment is radially expanded such that an upper end of the lower casing segment comes into contact with the interior wall of the upper casing segment at the overlap region. The upper casing segment has an inward facing profile at the overlap region that includes a set of wickers that are driven into the lower casing exterior when it is expanded. This forms a metal-to-metal seal between the upper and lower casing segments at the overlap region.

Abstract: Pipe-in-pipe composite tubular structure having between layers a hardenable filling material associating the layers to enhance the structure mechanical performance mostly in collapse. Prior to harden the filling material, the composite tubular structure can be longitudinally deployable between a folded configuration and a deployed configuration, and has a radial dimension increasing between the folded configuration and the deployed configuration. Such structure is well fitted to be used in oil-well downhole structure and casings or underwater pipeline/flowline.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a wellbore formed in an earth formation, comprising an expandable tubular element and an outer structure having first and second portions arranged at a distance from each other, the portions being restrained to the tubular element in a manner that the distance changes as a result of radial expansion of the tubular element, the outer structure further having a third portion arranged to move radially outward upon said change in distance between the first and second portions, wherein said radially outward movement of the third portion is larger than the radially outward movement of the tubular element as a result of radial expansion of the tubular element.

Abstract: A downhole contraction joint. The downhole contraction joint can include at least one anti-rotation assembly. The anti-rotation assembly can include a first tubular member at least partially disposed within a second tubular member. An axial slot can be formed through at least a portion of the first tubular member, and at least one key can be at least partially disposed within the second tubular member and the axial slot. The downhole contraction joint can also have at least one resetting assembly disposed at a first end of the anti-rotation assembly. The resetting assembly can include a c-ring secured to the second tubular member. The first tubular member can be secured to the lock ring, and the lock ring can be aligned with the c-ring. The downhole contraction joint can also include at least one control line assembly disposed about a portion of the anti-rotation assembly.

Abstract: A method for radially expanding a tubular element in a wellbore and providing a control line that extends along the tubular element comprises (a) inducing the wall of the tubular element to bend radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein said bending occurs in a bending zone of the tubular element, (b) increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the bending zone to move in axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section, wherein said wall includes a material that is plastically deformed in the bending zone during the bending process so that the expanded tubular section retains an expanded shape as a result of said plastic deformation, and (c) extending the control line along the tubular element.

Abstract: A system is provided for drilling a borehole into an earth formation, comprising a casing arranged in the borehole, a drill string extending through the interior of the casing to a lower end portion of the borehole, and a body of drilling fluid extending into the casing, the casing having an inner surface susceptible of wear due to frictional contact with an outer surface of the drill string during drilling of the borehole with the drill string. The system further comprises means for reducing wear of the inner surface of the casing, the means including at least one of a hardened layer at the inner surface of the casing, a friction-reducing layer at the outer surface of the drill string, and a lubricating compound contained in the body of drilling fluid.

Abstract: A tubular sleeve overlaps the threaded connection between a pair of adjacent tubular members that are to receive an expansion device for radial expansion and plastic deformation of the threaded tubular connection.

Abstract: An actuator includes a tubular configured to longitudinally expand in response to radial expansion of at least a portion of the tubular.

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding first and second portions of a downhole tubular in a single trip comprises a support and first and second expansion devices. The first expansion device is mounted on the support and is operable to expand a first portion of tubular. The second expansion device is mounted to a second portion of tubular and is adapted to be engaged by the support following the expansion of the first portion of tubular, and is then used to expand the second portion of tubular.