Abstract: A technique for subsea intervention operations utilizes a retrievable dynamic seal system. The technique provides an improved dynamic seal system that is retrievable from a subsea installation. A retrievable dynamic seal is deployed with a tool string on a conveyance and positioned in or at the subsea installation. The retrievable dynamic seal is then actuated to form a seal with the conveyance by mechanically manipulating a seal element to force the seal element into sealing engagement with the conveyance.

Abstract: A multi part centralizer can be secured quickly to tubular to be cemented and expanded in a deviated wellbore. The segments ratchet with respect to each other and are capable of holding the centralizer snug against the tubular for delivery downhole and cementing. After cementing the expansion of the tubular is not significantly resisted by the centralizer as its diameter increases with the expanded tubular below it. The end position after expansion is held due to the ratchet feature insuring the fixation of the centralizer as the cement sets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation. 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 tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein said bending occurs in a bending zone of the tubular element. The method further comprises increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the bending zone to move in axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section. 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.

Abstract: A very low carbon steel alloy is provided for use in manufacturing tubular members such as oil country tubular goods. The tubular members may be radially expanded from at least twenty percent to forty percent. Sections or joints of casing formed from the steel alloy may be installed within a wellbore and radially expanded during completion of the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid into a wellbore tubular includes a flow path associated with a production control device; an occlusion member positioned along the flow path that selectively occludes the flow path, and a reactive media disposed along the flow path that change a pressure differential across at least a portion of the flow path by interacting with a selected fluid. The reactive media may be a water swellable material or an oil swellable material. The reactive media may be selected or formulated to change a parameter related to the flow path. Illustrative parameters include, but are not limited to, (i) permeability, (ii) tortuosity, (iii) turbulence, (iv) viscosity, and (v) cross-sectional flow area.

Abstract: Expandable casing has an expandable slip used for completion of a mono-diameter wellbore. The expandable casing is run through the upper casing and has an upper end that overlaps a lower end of the upper casing to form a fluid flow path between the expandable casing and the upper casing. The operator expands the overlapping portion of the expandable casing to an intermediate position, causing the expandable slip to anchor the expandable casing to the upper causing without blocking the flow path. Cement is then pumped up around the outside of the expandable casing and wellbore fluid displaced by the cement and excess cement are permitted to flow through the fluid flow path and up the upper casing. After sufficient cement is in place, the expandable casing is further expanded, compressing the expandable slip into to the inner wall of the upper casing and sealing off the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of expanding tubing is provided. The method may include expanding a first portion of an expandable tubing into contact with a surrounding tubing using a first expander; expanding a second portion of the expandable tubing that extends beyond the surrounding tubing using a second expander; and further expanding the first portion of the expandable tubing using the second expander, thereby expanding the surrounding tubing. The apparatus may include a fluted expander coupled to a first end of the expandable tubing; and a collapsible cone disposed inside the expandable tubing.

Abstract: An expandable slip ring is used to secure attachment of an expanded tubular to a surrounding tubular. It features elongated generally axially oriented openings separated by narrow segments. As a swage is advanced within a tubular that has the slip ring outside it the narrow segments or tabs expand and can break but the ring is still held to its shape as the expansion progresses due to the integrity of other tabs that can subsequently break as the swage advances within the tubular that is surrounded by the slip ring. The integrity of the slip ring is enhanced for storage and run in while the expansion characteristics are more uniform as the ring retains some structural integrity during much of the expansion process.

Abstract: A pipe expansion device having an expansion cone tapering in forward direction, a cone-guide, an actuator for displacing the expansion cone and the elongated cone-guide relative to each other, a retrievable end anchor, and a middle anchor joined to the expansion cone.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of lining a well using expandable tubing including the steps of lowering a expandable tubing in a well bore; injecting a sealant composition into said well; letting the sealant composition solidify into a deformable matrix embedding at least a bottom section of said tubing within said well; and expanding the tubing. The invention allows the creation of a high quality seal at the shoe of the expandable casing because the deformable material is highly stressed by the expansion, and it also allows for the rest of the casing to be properly supported and protected by conventional cement, without incurring excessive wait-on-cement times.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making a connection that can be rotationally locked by expansion are disclosed. Threaded tubular ends include a slot cut across a thread at a location along the circumference of the thread. Threading two tubular members that have the slot disposed in either or both of a pin or box end of the tubular members establishes the connection. The slots represent no impediment to the make-up or break-out of a box by pin connection prior to expansion. During expansion of the connection, the threads of either the box or pin end are forced via plastic flow into the slot in the corresponding thread. This results in locking the connection and preventing relative rotation between the two tubular members, which could otherwise loosen the connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding tubulars are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for radially expanding a tubular in a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus includes an expansion swage. In addition, the apparatus includes at least one anchoring device for selective and releasable anchoring of selected parts of the apparatus to an inner surface of the tubular. The apparatus also includes a thruster providing a force for longitudinal movement of the expansion swage inside the tubular. Moreover, the apparatus includes a hydraulic valve for selective control of a flow of operating fluid to the thruster. The hydraulic valve includes a valve cylinder slidably positioned on a shaft and a position control device for selective and releasable securing a position of the valve cylinder on the shaft. The hydraulic valve also includes an elastic device for shifting the valve cylinder between two end positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding a tubular member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that are particularly suited for creating a seal in a borehole annulus. In one embodiment, an outer surface 10s of an expandable conduit 10 is provided with a formation 20 that includes an elastomeric material (e.g. a rubber) that can expand and/or swell when the material comes into contact with an actuating agent (e.g. water, brine, drilling fluid etc.). The expandable conduit 10 is located inside a second conduit (e.g. a pre-installed casing, liner or open borehole) and radially expanded. The actuating agent can be naturally occurring in the borehole or can be injected or pumped therein to expand or swell the elastomeric material to create the seal.

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

Abstract: A method of increasing the collapse resistance of a tubular comprises locating a tool having at least one, and typically three, bearing members within a tubular. The bearing members are positioned in engagement with a wall of the tubular to apply a radial force to a discrete zone of the wall. This radial force is then applied to further discrete zones of the wall, the level of radial force being selected such that the collapse resistance of the tubular is increased.

Abstract: A connection to a stub downhole is accomplished in a variety of ways. A string has a tapered lower end inserted into the stub and expansion occurs from within the tapered lower end into the stub to leave a connection without reduction of the internal diameter. An overshot fitting can be lowered outside the stub and the stub expanded from within against the overshot. Both options in a single tool can be used to get sealing around the inside and the outside of the stub. An adjustable swage can be used with the overshot configuration where the overshot has an internal groove. The adjustable swage expands from within the stub into the surrounding groove in the overshot.

Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member includes a collapsible expansion cone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a downhole retrieving tool. The tool includes, a tubular member with a deformable portion having a reduced internal dimension, and a swage member engagable with the reduced internal dimension such that movement of the swage member through the deformable portion radially increases the internal dimension and the outer surface of the deformable portion causing the deformable portion to move radially outwardly.

Abstract: A flow control system for an apparatus for radially expanding tubular members.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming casing in a borehole.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing when subsequently attaching a tubular is disclosed. A sleeve that defines a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside covers the mounting location on the casing. The cementing of the casing takes place through the sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve is drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A tubular is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing. At the end of expansion, the run in shoe on the tubular is retrieved.

Abstract: An apparatus 30 for isolating at least a portion of a tubular for use in a wellbore comprising a first, inner tubular in the form of carrier tube 32 and a second, outer tubular in the form of protective shroud 34, coupled to the carrier tube 32. One or more aperture 46 is provided in a wall of the carrier tube 32 for permitting fluid transfer through the tube 32 and one or more aperture 50 is provided to permit fluid transfer through the shroud 34. A seal member in the form of a sealing layer 36 is disposed on a surface of the shroud 34, the sealing layer 36 defining a first configuration permitting fluid flow through the apertures 46,50 and, on exposure to a selected reactant, adopting a second configuration to restrict fluid flow through the apertures 46, 50, the sealing layer 36 adapted to return from the second configuration to the first configuration where concentration of the selected reactant falls below a selected threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable expanding a tubular in a wellbore. The method and apparatus include running a bottom hole assembly (BHA) into a wellbore. The BHA is anchored to the wellbore and a portion of the BHA is released from the anchor. An expansion member is then pulled by a work string through the tubular thereby engaging the tubular with the wellbore. The work string is reconnected to the anchor and used to release the anchor. The BHA is then removed from the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a support member and an adjustable expansion device coupled thereto. The adjustable expansion device includes a tubular support member with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart inclined surfaces, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart expansion segments movably coupled to the tubular support member, and an actuator for displacing the expansion segments relative to the tubular support member to thereby displace each of the expansion segments onto corresponding inclined surfaces.

Abstract: A method of creating a borehole in an earth formation is provided. The method involves the steps of drilling a section of the borehole and lowering an expandable tubular element into the borehole whereby a lower portion of the tubular element extends into the drilled borehole section, radially expanding the lower portion of the tubular element so as to form a casing in the drilled borehole section, and separating an upper portion of the tubular element from the lower portion so as to allow the separated upper portion to be moved relative to the lower portion.

Abstract: Methods relate to tubulars that may be part of a tubular string for isolating one or more zones within a wellbore. In one embodiment, the tubular string includes a first expandable zone isolation unit disposed on a first side of a zone to be isolated, a second expandable zone isolation unit disposed on a second side of the zone to be isolated, and a perforated tubular disposed in fluid communication with a producing zone. The tubular string may be expanded using an expansion assembly having a first expander for expanding the first and second expandable zone isolation units and a second expander for expanding the at least one perforated tubular. Tags or markers along the tubular string may indicate locations where expansion is desired such that connections or connectors between joints are not expanded.

Abstract: A patch for placement in a wellbore and associated methods includes a longitudinal member and an anchor that is radially expanded to engage the wall of the borehole to secure the patch against axial and radial movement. The anchor is set using a running tool that radially expands the anchor and the longitudinal body. The anchor may include one or more elements that can be securely engaged within the wellbore. The longitudinal member and/or the anchor may include a sealing element to provide a seal between the wellbore inside and the earth formation surrounding the wellbore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a downhole swaging system. The system includes, a tubular having an area of strength with a different resistance to swaging as compared to areas of the tubular outside of the area of strength, and a swaging tool. The swaging tool has a first swage, and a second swage with an adjustable swaging dimension, the second swage is in functional communication with the first swage such that the adjustable swaging dimension is adjusted in response to the first swage encountering a change in resistance to swaging.

Abstract: A system for radially expanding an expandable tubular within a wellbore to form a wellbore casing. In some embodiments, the system includes a support member insertable within and displaceable relative to the expandable tubular, an expansion cone coupled to the support member, a tubular sleeve translatably disposed about the support member, an annular chamber between the tubular sleeve and the expandable tubular, and a tubular piston disposed in the annular chamber, the tubular piston dividing the annular chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The support member has a tubular body with an axial flowbore, a first radial passage, and a second radial passage. The tubular sleeve has a third and a fourth radial passage. The flowbore is in fluid communication with the first chamber when the first and third radial passages are aligned, and with the second chamber when the second and fourth radial passages are aligned.

Abstract: A casing apparatus is provided to install a hard, pressure-resistant seal along a wall of a well in situ. The casing apparatus includes a moving device and a deformable tubular sleeve having a first end and a second end and. The moveable element is radially inflatable and movable inside the deformable tubular sleeve along a longitudinal axis of the deformable tubular sleeve. When the moving device is radially inflatable to an inflated condition and is moved from the first end to the second end, the moving device deforms the deformable tubular sleeve radially against the wall and progressively from the first end to the second end. A force of deforming the tubular sleeve applied by the inflated moving device is adjustable by changing the inflated condition of the moving device during the deformation process.

Abstract: A system is provided for sealing a space in a wellbore formed in an earth formation. The system has a swelleable body arranged in the wellbore in a manner so as to seal the space upon swelling of the swelleable body, the swelleable body being susceptible of being in contact with formation water flowing into the wellbore, the swelleable body including a matrix material provided with a compound soluble in the formation water. The matrix material substantially prevents or restricts migration of the compound out of the swelleable body and allows migration of the formation water into the swelleable body by osmosis so as to induce swelling of the swelleable body upon migration of the formation water into the swelleable body.

Abstract: Casing is scored but not penetrated in one embodiment of a method that allows access to the formation without perforating or section milling the casing. In the run in condition the casing is impervious, to allow cement to be pumped through it to seal the annular space between the casing and the wellbore. After the cement is delivered and displaced through a shoe, the casing is expanded in the regions where it was scored to create openings that go against the wellbore wall. In between the expanded sections the cemented casing offers isolation between adjacent formations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cement shoe assembly for use on a string of tubulars in a well. In one aspect of the invention, the cement shoe assembly includes a housing having a lower portion with an enlarged inside diameter and a drillable cement shoe disposed therein. The shoe includes a weakened portion of material adjacent the enlarged inside diameter portion of the housing and ensures that as a cutting tool passes through the housing, all portions of the cement shoe are removed from the enlarged inside diameter portion, leaving a connection surface clear of debris for a subsequent tubular string. When a smaller tubular is expanded into the enclosed diameter portion of the housing, a connection is made therebetween without enlarging the outer diameter of the housing.

Abstract: A mono-diameter wellbore casing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method according to which a tubular liner is positioned in a preexisting structure such as, for example, a wellbore, a wellbore casing, a pipeline or a structural support, and the tubular liner is anchored to the preexisting structure during radial expansion.

Abstract: A bottom plug and a method of using a bottom plug for forming a mono diameter wellbore casing is provided that includes an expandable packer initially attached below an expansion device. A packer setting mechanism is coupled between the expansion device and the expandable packer for expanding the expandable packer and sealingly setting it in an expanded portion of the wellbore casing. A release mechanism is coupled between the expansion device and the expandable bottom packer for releasing expandable bottom packer from the expansion device. Fluid is pumped into the wellbore casing between the cone and the set expandable bottom packer to facilitate forcing the expansion device into and through an unexpanded portion of the wellbore casing, thereby expanding the casing.

Abstract: A method is provided of radially expanding a tubular element (4) extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, comprising the steps of arranging an expander (8) in the tubular element (4), the expander (8) being operable to exert a radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element (4), and radially expanding the tubular element by pressurising the interior of the tubular element (4) and simultaneously operating the expander (8) to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element. The expander (8) is operated to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element (4) independently from pressurising the interior of the tubular element.

Abstract: A technique that prevents the tangling of communication lines routed along a contraction joint. The technique enables deployment of a well completion having a contraction joint with a plurality of communication lines routed along the contraction joint. A communication line organizer is positioned along the contraction joint to prevent tangling of the plurality of communication lines while enabling sufficient movement of the communication lines to accommodate expansion and contraction of the contraction joint.

Abstract: A system for radially expanding a tubular member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wellscreen and a wellscreen that have the mechanical properties of a direct-wrap wellscreen and the precise slot tolerance of a slip-on wellscreen are provided. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a wellscreen for use in a wellbore is provided. The method includes disposing a filter subassembly on a base pipe sized so that there is annulus between the base pipe and the filter subassembly. The filter subassembly includes a length of wire wrapped and welded along a plurality of rods so that a slot is defined between adjacent coils of wire. The method further includes expanding the base pipe so that the slot is not substantially altered, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the annulus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable expanding tubulars in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a first tubular string having an expansion member disposed at a lower end and connected with a threaded connection which will permit movement of the expansion member relative to the tubular string. The tubular string is held at the surface of the well while a second, smaller string is run into the first tubular string and engaged with the expansion member. Thereafter, the assembly including the first tubular string, expansion member and second tubular string are run to depth in a wellbore. Finally, the expansion member is urged upwards into the tubular string to expand the tubular string and bring it into frictional contact with surrounding wellbore walls. The initial expansion can be performed with a hydraulic jack and additional expansion can be performed by urging the cone upwards with the second tubular string.

Abstract: A lubrication system for lubricating an interface between one or more expansion surfaces of an expansion device and one or more interior surfaces of a tubular member during a radial expansion of the tubular member using the expansion device.

Abstract: A method for expanding a tubular member in a wellbore includes applying a downward force to an expansion cone through a work string to anchor the tubular member in the wellbore and pulling upwards on the expansion cone with the work string to expand the tubular member. The expansion cone is disposed in a launcher portion connected to the tubular member being expanded.

Abstract: A method of expanding a tubular downhole comprises mounting a sensing device in a downhole tubular to be expanded, expanding at least a portion of the tubular and then engaging the sensing device with a retrieving device. The sensing device is then translated through the expanded tubular.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tubular expansion are disclosed. In an embodiment, an apparatus for radially expanding a tubular comprises at least two expansion swages. At least one expansion swage is axially movable relative to other expansion swages. In addition, the apparatus includes sealing means capable of providing fluid tight pressure chambers between the expansion swages and an expanded portion of the tubular.

Abstract: A method and apparatus expand tubulars with a tubular expansion apparatus. In an embodiment, a tubular expansion apparatus includes an expansion swage. In addition, the tubular expansion apparatus includes an actuator. Moreover, the tubular expansion apparatus includes at least two anchors. The tubular expansion apparatus further includes at least one anchor longitudinally moveable relative to the other anchor while both anchors are engaged with the inner diameter of the tubular.

Abstract: A device which is expandable to engage the interior of a tube, for example the casing of an oil well, comprises first and second tubular members in partial telescopic engagement with each other, the first tubular member having an end region which is received on the second tubular member and which is expandable radially outwardly to engage the interior of the tube. The second tubular member has tapered regions which, when forced into the end region, will cause radial expansion of the end region. The taper angle of the second tapered zone is less than the taper angle of both the first tapered zone and the third tapered zone. The fourth tapered zone preferably has a taper angle which is greater than that of the second tapered zone and less than that of the third tapered zone. In one embodiment, the tapered zones have respective taper angles of 15°, 1°, 5° and 1.25°.

Abstract: A method of drilling and lining a wellbore includes operably coupling a support member to a drilling device, an expansion cone configured to expand a tubular member, an actuator configured to pull the expansion cone through the tubular member, a releasable locking device configured to limit displacement of the tubular member relative to the actuator during actuation. The drilling device is disposed below the expansion cone and the expansion cone is disposed at a lower end of the tubular member. The method further includes locking the locking device. After locking the locking device, a wellbore is drilled to have a diameter greater than an outside diameter of the tubular member. After the drilling, the actuator is actuated to pull the expansion cone towards the locking device to expand at least a portion of the tubular member into contact with the drilled wellbore. The method further includes releasing the locking device and removing the drilling device through the expanded tubular member.

Abstract: A method of lining a drilled bore comprises running an expandable first tubular into a bore and locating a portion of the first tubular in an unlined section of the bore and another portion of the first tubular overlapping a portion of an existing second tubular. The first tubular is secured relative to the second tubular while retaining the provision of fluid outlets to permit displacement of fluid from an annulus between the first tubular and the bore wall. An expansion device is then run through the first tubular to expand the first tubular to a larger diameter. Cement is then circulated into the annulus between the expanded first tubular and the bore wall. The fluid outlets are then closed.