MXPA06002190A - Expandable tubulars for use in geologic structures, methods for expanding tubulars, and methods of manufacturing expandable tubulars - Google Patents

Abstract

Expandable turbulators (50) m for use in geologic structures, including methods for expandable tubulars, and methods of manufacturing them, include the use of an expansive energy storage component, which provides a self-expanding feature for the expandable tubulars.

Description

EXTENSIBLE TUBULARS FOR USE IN GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES, METHODS FOR EXTENSIBLE TUBULARS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING EXTENSIBLE TUBULARS. 1. - Related applications. (0001) the applicant claims the benefit of the U.S Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 497,688 entered on August 25, 2003, and 60 / 503,287 filed on September 16, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 2. Field of the Invention (0002) The invention relates to: extendable tubulars for use in geological structures, such as in the production of hydrocarbons such as petroleum, and gas or tubular oil fields and for use in similar structures and wells as wells water, monitoring and remediation tunnels and pipelines; methods for expanding tubulars in oil fields and other expandable tubulars; and methods for the manufacture of expandable tubulars. Expandable tubulars include but are not limited to products such as coatings, coat hangers, sand control screens, gaskets and insulation sleeves that are generally used in geological structures such as hydrocarbon production and expand outwardly in contact with either the diameter of the well or the outside or packing of the well as well as for products for use in similar well structures as previously established. 3. Information incorporated as reference. (0003) the applicant hereby incorporates the U.S. Patent No. 5, 785,122; 6,089,316; and 6,298,914 each entitled "Wire Wrapped Well Screen" and commonly owned by the applicant herein. 4. Description of the related Art. (0004) drilling and construction of oil and gas wells remains slow, dangerous and a very expensive process despite continuous technological advances. With the cost of some wells approaching 100 million dollars, the primary cause of these costs occurs due to the need to suspend the progress of the drilling in order to repair geological problems in sections of the wells. (0005) The main problems of loss of circulation, lack of stability in the drilling hole and control of the well pressure are still rectified only by very expensive cement and embedded operations. Said conventional sealing processes are required in each problem, often dictating the installation of a series of diametrically descendant or telescopic threads in almost all wells. Generally, each wire frame is installed from the surface in each problem zone and at a depth of 10,000 feet in a well that often requires 20,000-30,000 feet of pipe. (0006) The disadvantages of telescopic practices are numerous including the requirements of excessive excavation work and the requirements for equipment for large rock drilling and its cost of overproduction in terms of derived waste products. Diameters in excess of 24"should generally require at least 5" or less of production cable at the end. Large-scale drilling operations currently require drilling equipment that charges rates as high as 2,000,000 pounds and consumes several acres of drilling site, and both requirements are largely due to different frame or cover requirements for every operation Frequently and in spite of the great expenses and efforts, the size of the telescopic cover at the end or the production line can be very small to produce hydrocarbon resources resulting in a failed well. (0007) The energy industry has followed the development of monobore packaging systems in recent years where a single-size cover or packaging is used from the surface to the target area, typically 1-7 miles below. The monobore concepts replace each of the concentric problems of surface- to area- problem- installation of the packing thread with placement in discrete zones of an expandable package. A medium package of 7-5 / 8"outside diameter (" OD) could ideally expand to approximately a nominal 10"hole by cold working, mechanical in situ steel deformation processes. The expandable packing configuration must meet certain strength requirements and allow the passage of subsequent 7-5 / 8"OD yarns as the drilling depth increases and new problem areas are encountered. (0008) The above deformation process inherently requires the use of mild steels that can not produce the critical mechanical properties required in the highly required environments where oil and gas are found. It is believed that 60-70% of potential customers can not consider current expandable tubes due to unsolvable technical issues. The deformed packaging does not provide a sealing effect and thus cement laying operations are still required. (0009) A large variety of tubes and tools are currently used in the production of gas and oil. The ultimate success of these new expandable tubes and / or in situ tools will depend on the ability to meet or adhere to the varied subsurface geometries against which they expand and their use to create some control over the fluids flowing from the well. Surface conditions continually change during the life and type of well due to the abve wear of particle formation, or various biological, chemical and geochemical processes that occur over the years. These expandable tubulars after being expanded must substantially retain their compliance and durability over the course of their lifetime of use. (0010) Real tracking of the expandable tubulars or apparatus with the current tubulars can not be achieved due initially to the natural tenure of the steel materials to "return" from their altered state to their natural or original state or shape. This is called "recovery," "flexibility," "elastic recovery," "elastic hysteresis," and / or "dynamic shift." The principle exists in all stages of worked steel or other metallic materials to the point of rupture due to excess of deformation For pre-ruptured pipes, there are different degrees of deformation through the thickness of the arc of the tube, translating a rebound to its original form in indexes that vary according to the severity of the arc corresponding to the deformation. return "is greater if the metallic material such as steel, has not been deformed beyond its elastic limit. (0011) the current methods of expansion and expandable apparatuses are capable of only deforming the material according to a single vector and assuming a freeing of apparatus or without obstructions or additional work requirements like pressure against the rock of the drilled hole. Certainly, the local expansion ceases when encountering this obstacle of work; and the expansion probably can never be 100% adherent. The expansion stops when encountering an obstruction, rock and the tubulars shrink and an annular space always exists with current technologies. (0012) It is located mainly in excess deformation material and over expansion that collides with the imperfections that are very common in any well excavation area or covered well environment that creates any type of apparatus or tube well welded or stuck; however, the expandable apparatus and the well formation are not substantially adhered to one another. The problem is complicated by the expansion that occurs in irregular geometric environments. Since the end of the expansion the apparatus is static, absent from the tendency toward recovery or return and any work imposed on it by the well environment, problems caused by tracking gaps or uncontrolled hot spots of the fluid at high speed and high pressure flowing from the wells. (0013) The purpose of expandable tubulars is to allow a "solid tube" such as a packing, coating, insulation sleeve, packing and / or sand control screen to be passed through a tiny coating and / or hole in a well for the production of the hydrocarbons and subsequently can expand against the coating or directly against a larger package inside the hole. An important economic benefit is that the expense and time to install cement or gravel packages is eliminated or greatly reduced. (0014) for sand control screens the technical benefits start with a better proximity of the screen with the inlet hole and the well fluids are less inhibited when entering the screen. Other benefits may include improved access and mechanical effectiveness by removing the mud from the hole, repairing the damage of the drilling machine and restoring potential natural production. Additionally, a larger functional area-surface-screen is produced, which provides more liquid flow area and clogging resistance. Another benefit created by the expansion of the well screen is a larger internal diameter of the expandable tubular. This allows the placement of larger diameter pumps and other equipment or tools within the production areas of a well that are in "smart well" use, flow control hardware, such as pumps, valves and insite separators. (0015) In general, the current expandable tubulars and methods for expanding them use a grooved or perforated line base or an original tubular member that expands or deforms beyond the elastic limit of the material forming the base pipe or plastically deformed force an expansion device such as an ingot or lathe shaft through the base of the pipe and expand and deform it or pull it through or rotate inside the pipe base, wedges or rollers again to permanently expand and deform the base of the pipe. the pipe. It is believed that current expandable tubulars have a capacity to have an expanded external diameter by a factor of 25 to 50 percent while it is believed that an increase of one hundred percent would be desirable. Another advantage of the current extendable tubulars is a reliability in terms of expansion. Reliability problems arise from the complexity of the apparatuses themselves where several layers of elements are required to act in coordination with each other with some of the current tubulars. Irregularities in the excavation zone include the excess of the severity of bending, the induced swelling of diameter restrictions and a lack of concentricity that may tend to prevent the coordination of all requirements. (0016) Another disadvantage of the current expandable tabulars is related to the limited collapse resistance. The expansion and permanent deformation of the current pipe bases, inherently results in a thinning of the thickness of the outer wall. For a resistance to collapse, a greater wall thickness is required when increasing the diameter of the expandable tubulars or appliances. Some of the current products can provide approximately as little as 250 psi of collapse resistance to full expansion, while others can provide approximately 1000 psi of collapse resistance. The industry preference is at least 3500 psi.

The thinning of a conventional tubular occurs rapidly when its diameter is increased. It is also well known that high levels of deformation cause stress cracking and a variety of metallurgical problems. The resistance of the deformed apparatus to collapse forces is lost at a certain rate proportional to the cube of its outer diameter. It is believed that the loss of collapse resistance is accelerated by using slotted pipe bases that actually result in substantial vacuum areas of any steel mass. By using a thicker wall for the pipe bases, it can represent a solution to the problems of resistance to collapse. A robust wall requires significant additional mechanical work to be expanded. The additional work is believed to be in turn out of your current expansion skills, costs and work time requirements in the field. In addition, an overly robust expansion process can create an additional vacuum in geological areas as well as more materials. (0017) Another disadvantage is the general monitoring where only the perfect conditions are covered but very few aspects of the geometry of a well pit are perfect. This is true, particularly in terms of roundness since this condition is usually required for the effectiveness of conventional technologies. Even in covered pits there is only a slight variation in degrees of eccentricity or ellipticity, not generally with perfect roundness. The potential geometry of a hole in the process of excavation is unlimited. It is believed that expandable tubulars can not be used in non-round conditions since these conditions join all collapse stress problems to exponential levels to already available variables found in Tomoshenko and similar plates and formulas. (0018) Another disadvantage of conventional expandable tubulars is the lack of actual tracking in the form of energy-expansion storage and dynamic adjustment capabilities.

Currently, no mechanism has been provided to maximize the adhesion of an expanded tubular due to: the effects that decrease the energy created through the deformity of the duct materials, inefficiency of energy transfer through multiple layers of some tubulars expandable; and the "return or spring" principles inherent in the materials of any phase. Additionally, the expansion or deformation of soft ductile materials for pipe bases in addition to their elastic / plastic limits can create problems with pressure or stress cracks. (0019 = Another disadvantage of current conventional tubulars is that the pipe base or the original tubular member is deformed outwardly and comes into contact with the orifice and said radial expansion causes the overall length of the tube to shorten. together with the longitudinal axis of the tubular member can prevent radial expansion when it is fitted between the stuck points and presents space and connection problems when joining multiple sections of the pipe pass with the inlet, since it is axially divided with spaces of different length that may be present, depending on how much radial expansion of the base of the pipe or line has occurred, which results in the shortening of the axial length of the pipe base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (0020) In general, the present invention is an expandable tubular having at least one energy storage component associated therewith wherein the expandable tubular expands from a first diameter without expansion the stored energy is released to cause expansion, the tubular in follow-up or substantially in shock in relation to the interior of a geological structure or similar as for example the fitting of a drill hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS In the illustrations: (0021) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inclusion of an expandable tubular according to the present invention; (0022) Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; (0023) Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another inclusion of an expandable tubular similar to that seen in Fig. 2; (0024) Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an inclusion of the expandable tubular of Fig. 3 after it has begun to expand; (0025) Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the inclusion of the expandable tubular of Fig. 2 after it has expanded to its wider diameter. (0026) Fig. 6 is a perspective of another inclusion of an expandable tubular according to the present invention. (0027) Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of another inclusion of the expandable tubular according to the present invention; (0028) Fig. 8 is a perspective of another inclusion of an expandable tubular according to the present invention. (0029) Fig. 9 is a perspective of another inclusion of an expandable tubular according to the present invention. (0030) Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a sand screen according to the present invention; Y (0031) Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a sleeve according to the present invention. (0032) Although the invention will be described in connection with the preferred inclusion it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to this inclusion. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and as defined in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (0033) with reference to Fig. 1 in an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in connection with the expandable tubular50. The term "expandable tubular" is intended to include but is not limited to tubular shapes or members that are used in geological structures such as those used in a drilling site or within a hole or drilling well or within its socket or Generally tubular members for use in water well structures, monitoring and remediation of wells, tunnels and gas pipelines or pipelines. Such generally tubular shapes include but are not limited to, covers, sand control screens, gaskets and insulation sleeves as are known in the art of hydrocarbon production such as gas as well as for products for use in similar wells and structures. previously established. The expandable tubular 50 shown in Fig. 1 in combination with the filter member as will be described in more detail, can be used as a sand screen or well screen. The expandable tubular 50 or tubular, 50 if provided with a solid layer of plastic or elastomeric material 53 (Fig.2) said layer of rubber, plastic or similar elastomeric material upon contacting the outer surface 51 of the tubular 50 becomes in an insulation sleeve. Through the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for elements that have the same or similar function or structure with numeral references that generally denote different inclusions of the element being described. (0034) the expandable tubular 50 includes a first portion 55 of an expandable tubular 50 wherein the portion 55 has a first diameter D without expanding with a first portion 55 having a length L measured along the longitudinal axis 56 of the tubular 50. a second portion 57 of expandable tube 50 representing the transitional or intermediate stage of the tubular 50 having a length L '; wherein the second portion 57 is shown in the process of expanding from a diameter D to an expanded diameter that is greater than the first diameter D without expanding. A third portion 58 of the expandable tubular 50 represents the configuration of an expandable tubular once it has been expanded as will be described in more detail below to a desired expansion diameter D '. Thus, in Fig. 1 an expanded tubular section 50 is illustrated as it is expanding and acquiring an increase in diameter (0035) still referring to Fig. 1, the expandable tubular 50 generally includes a pipe base or conventional expandable tube or a generally tube-shaped member 60 having an outer surface wall 51 and a surface wall internal 52. The base of the pipe line 60 may initially be formed with a plurality of openings or perforations 61 formed therein; the perforations 61 initially have an elliptical or oval shape as seen in connection with the first portion 55 of the expandable tubular 50 when the first portion 55 has the diameter D not expanded. By expanding the line of the pipe 60 in a conventional manner, using a drill or apparatus that is pushed or pulled by the line of pipe 60. The line of pipe 60 passes through the intermediate section or second transition portion 57 during the which it is seen that the oval shape of the perforations or transition openings of an oval shape to an intermediate or elliptical shape 62. A pipe baseline 60 is continued to be expanded and deformed to a configuration shown in connection with the third portion 58 having a diameter D ', the apertures of the perforations assume a circular shape 63. The change in the shape of the apertures 61-63 is generally a result of the expansion of the diameter of the line of the pipe base 60 in a radial shape in an outward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 56 of the expandable tubular 50. Similarly, when expansion occurs, the overall length of the expandable tubular or base line d The pipe 60 will decrease in one direction along the longitudinal axis 56 of the expandable tubular 50. Similarly, the thickness of the wall 65 that forms the line of the pipe 60 will decrease to some extent as it becomes thinner as it increases or expands. the diameter D '. (0036) Still further, with reference to Fig. 1, the perforations 61 of the present can be heated and cooled with a bend towards their elongation. The final mass provided to the function of resistance to collapse of the expandable tubular 50 that can be amplified if the holes or perforations 61 are forged instead of being drilled since drilling with a drill or other removes the materials or mass. The same heat treatment can be used with tubulars having a plurality of grooves as will be described below. (0037) alternatively the line of pipe 60 may have a plurality of alternating grooves formed therein as known in the art, and the grooves are generally located along the longitudinal axis 56 of the expanded tubular 50. Upon expansion of the inclusion of pipe line 60 () is not illustrated) the slots or openings formed in the pipe line line 60 assume a hexagonal configuration when pipe line 60 is expanded as is known in the art. As is conventional, pipe line 60 is commonly made of steel and has the necessary strength and durability characteristics to function as an expandable tubular in an underground environment. Alternatively, any other material that has sufficient strength, durability, flexibility and is capable of operating in the manner described above in a drilling or underground environment can also be employed to manufacture a pipe 60. (0038) still with reference to Fig. 1 the expandable tubular 50 also includes at least a plurality preferably of springs or energy storage components 70 which serves to store energy or expansive energy when the pipeline has its first expanded diameter D and the energy of the energy storage component 70 releases a part, preferably a substantial part of its stored energy, preferably continuous over a period of time since the expandable tubular 50 is disposed in an underground area within its cover or hole 75 (Fig. 2). The release of the stored energy tends to cause the outer wall surface 51 of the expandable tubular 50 to be biased outward in a radial direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 56 of the expandable tubular 50. This outward biasing force tends to deviate in shape. Continuing or forcing the expandable tubular 50 when it has the desired diameter D 'so that it sticks to the inside of the cover of the hole 75 to achieve a complete shock or closure relationship with the interior of the cover and the hole. (0039) the energy storage component 70 in the inclusion illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 which may initially include a slot, channel or depression 71 associated with the pipe line 60. The depression 71 may be a separate component or spring type disposed in sections adjacent to the pipe line 50 as in a welding process. Alternatively, the energy storage component 70 or depression 71 can be formed integrally with the line of pipe 60 as if it were formed with a roller or any other manufacturing technique. The emergy storage component 70 or groove 71 generally extends in a direction along its longitudinal axis 56 of the expandable tubular 50 as illustrated in Fig. 1, the energy component 70 is generally wrapped around the line of pipe 60 in a helical or spiral shape. (0040) As seen in Fig. 2, slot 71 in a first portion 55 of expandable tubular 50 can be initially formed to have a slotted configuration wherein outer surface 72 of wall 74 of slot 71 is convex with respect to to a surface of the outer wall 51 of the pipe line 60 of the inner wall 73 having a concave configuration with respect to the surface of the inner wall 52 of the pipe line 60. the cross configuration of the storage component of energy 70 or groove 71 may commonly have a semi-circular shape or other configuration with the surface of the outer wall 72 of the groove 71 being convex with respect to the surface of the outer wall 51 of the pipeline 60. Energy or energy expansive is stored within the energy storage component 70 or the wall 7u4 of the slot 71 by forcing or compressing the wall 74 radially inwardly along its axis longit udinal 56 of the pipe line 60. As seen in Fig. 2 By compressing or forcing the wall 74 of the groove 71 inwardly, the groove 71 is located with the outer wall 72 being concave with respect to the outer surface of the wall 51 of the line of the pipe 60 and is in a convex relation with respect to the inner wall surface 52 of the line of the pipe 60. The energy stored in the energy storage component 70 as long as the wall 74 is not deformed beyond its elastic limit to sink the inward relation shown in Fig. 2: in other words, the wall 74 forming a slot or depression or channel 71 serves as a spring which is now compressed and stores energy . Any fastening apparatus such as an outer cover or fastening strips or strips (not shown) disposed on the surface of the outer wall 51 of the first portion 55 of the expandable tubular 50 that can serve to maintain the groove 71, or energy storage component 70, in its compressed state, wherein the desired energy is stored therein. Alternatively, solders, epoxies, bed bugs, removable, or metallic material in sheets or gauges or covers or fastening strips, or a chemical adhesive can be used to hold, hold the energy component 70 in its compressed storage state. By releasing the compressed force acting on the energy storage element 70 either by dissolving, cutting, etching, removing or breaking the outer cover or strips or by dissolving the solders and the chemical adhesive etc., the wall 74 of the slot 71 will begin to bounce outwardly and into the interior of the cover or drilling hole 75. At that time the wall 74 can be moved outwards until it is in the same plane with the surfaces of the inner and outer walls 51. , 52 of the pipe line 60 as shown at 80 in Fig. 1 and then the wall 74 bounces outwardly so that the surface of the outer wall 72 of the wall 74 has a configuration illustrated as 81 in Fig. 1 In connection with the third portion 58 of the expandable tubular 50. The energy storage component 70 functions as a spring or a spring or deflection force, the surface of the outer wall 51 of the third portion expanded 58 of the expanded tubular 50 outwardly and colliding in accordance with the ratio of the interior of the perforation cover or hole 75 as shown in Fig. 5 (0041) The force or energy stored in the energy storage component or spring 70 can also be released simultaneously with the expansion of the pipes or base pipes in a conventional manner either by pushing the lathe through the line of pipe 60. The expansion of pipeline 60 could in turn release any other fastening apparatus or mechanism that is being employed to maintain wall 74 of energy storage component 70 or slot 71 in its initial compressed configuration. Thus, when fastening strips or an outer cover (not shown) are placed to be placed on the surface of the outer walls of the wall 51 or line of pipe 60 the expansion of the line of pipe 60 may initially cause the break or opening the strips and / or cover thereby releasing the stored energy spring within the energy storage component 70. (0042) alternatively, it should be noted that what has been described above of the energy storage component 70 and those energy storage components described hereinafter may also be employed alone with the line of pipe 60 without openings or perforations, 61 or in grooves . The desired expansion of the expandable tubulars can be achieved only with the use of energy storage components of the present invention that provide a self-expanding tubular. (0043) still referring to Fig. 2 the line of pipe 60 is located within the bore hole 75 and is unexpanded or is smaller than the diameter illustrated which may be a tube of a diameter of 4", with therefore less an energy storage component or high voltage spring, groove 71 fixed on a propeller The natural shape of the groove 71 can be concave as described and illustrated in Fig. 2, but also initially it can be convex since once it has expanded, its working form, shown in Fig. 5, is convex, furthermore, forcing an arc position or configuration at the time of manufacture is an aional method of providing greater mass-energy and auto deviation. expandable to the pipe line 60. (0044) It should be apparent to someone skilled in the art that the energy storage component 70 could have other configurations as well as other mechanisms that could be employed to provide the necessary energy of deflection. For example, instead of a slot 71 having a semi-circular configuration providing the energy of the store, the energy storage component 70 'could be a part or parts of a wall 74 formed in a cross configuration having a Serpentine or Z-shaped form as shown in Fig. 3. The serpentine configuration of Fig. 3 compared to the Z-shaped spring (not illustrated) 70 'Features more rounded connector portions 91 wherein the legs 92 of the spring 70 'are connected to one another. The serpentine or Z-shaped wall 90 functions as a spring 70 'which can be compressed to store energy. The energy storage component Z 'can be placed parallel to the longitudinal axis 56 of an expandable tubular 50 or can have a spiral or helical shape with respect to the longitudinal axis 56 in the manner of a groove 71 shown in Fig. 1 the energy storage component 70 'has a serpentine or Z shape with a cross configuration, it functions as a spring that can be compressed to store the desired energy in the previously described manner. (0045) With reference to Fig. 4, a partially cross-sectional view of an expandable tubular 50 'of Fig. 3 is shown in its transition phase or intermediate stage 57 (Fig. spring or energy storage component 70 'is in transition to a serpentine or Z form during transformation from a concave shape to a convex actuated or activated shape. With reference to Fig. 5, a partial cross-sectional view of the line of expandable pipe 60 or tubular 50 of the expanded end portion 58 'of Fig. 1, but only illustrating the shape 81 (Fig. 1) of the energy storage component, in exaggerated relation, for purposes of illustration of the elastic component or groove 71 is shown with the external wall surface 72 of the wall 74 of the groove 71 in tangential contact with the piercing hole 75. (0046) the outwardly deflected spring component or energy storage component, 70, 70 ', and those that will be described in the following perform three functions. First, it is the elastic contact point where the energy of the expanded tubular manifests proactively determining certain geometry and behavior in the bore hole 75. Second, the spring 70 is providing tracking of pressure type or equivalent of resistant mass to collapse and deviating in a circumferential way. Finally, the energy storage component or spring 70.70 'provides the desired final diameter D' of the pipe line 60. (0047) in a 200% expansion scenario, such as a 4"OD to 8" OD of pipeline 60 with a robust ½ "wall thickness, a replacement of the spring element 70 with materials of greater strength is permitted. tension such as slip / radial outward / radial thrust spring The components of the energy store or springs 70 in this inclusion as will be discussed below, have a hair pin geometry and are relatively thin wall members. Walls with a thin wall diameter or with partial roof structural principles can be used as elastic force suppliers, the transformation of said cylinders into a ½ "or ¾" or other proportions cover and add short, opaque panels To create the hair pin shape, it allows the manipulation of the appropriate ex situ compression and the final monitoring of the orifice elasticity and the interacting elements. that many of these small members can be arranged in layers. (0048) with reference to Fig. 6, another inclusion of expandable tubular 50"is shown in which the expandable tubular 50" is shown in three portions 55, 57,58, or expansion stages, illustrated in connection with the expandable tubular 50 of FIG. 1. The portion or step 55 has an unexpanded diameter D '. The expandable tubular 50"has at least plurality of energy storage components 70 radially disposed about and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 56 of the expandable tubular 50". The energy storage components 70 are axially extending and are substantially rigid members or support members 110. The energy storage components 70 can be springs of elongated shape, generally V-shaped or generally U-shaped, members 11, which are initially compressed and disposed between the wall members 110 to form the pipe line 60"as shown in portion 55. The expansion portion 55 of the expandable tubular 50" is initially constrained in any desirable manner as shown in FIG. previously described in connection with the tubulars 50, 50 '. By releasing the restraining force on the energy storage components 70, or springs 11, the springs 11 that are initially placed in spaces of the surface of the outer wall 51 or line of pipe 60, expand and slide radially towards outside, until they are in the configuration illustrated in portion 58 of expandable tubular 50"of Fig. 6. For purposes of the illustration, a portion 120 of expandable tubular 50 'is shown to the left side of Fig. 6. and illustrates the springs 11 spaced inward from the outer surface 51 of the expandable tubular 50", with each of the spring members 111 being preferably spaced apart between the elongate support members 110. In this regard, the portion 120 of the expandable tubular 50"is more representative of the configuration of the expandable tubular 50" while in its transition stage or portion 57 shown in Fig. 6. (0049) Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of another inclusion of the expandable tubular 50"'with a piercing hole 75, similar to the expandable tubular 50" of Fig. 6. The expandable tubular 50"' is illustrated in its configuration fully expanded of a portion or step 58 of Fig. 6, wherein the substantially elongated V-shaped, U, 111 spring members are located between the spring members 110 '. The support members 110 'instead of being relatively rigid as are the support members 110 of the inclusion in Fig. 6, are formed almost as energy storage components 70, or elongated substantially in the form of V or U as spring members 112. It is believed that this expandable tubular 50"'can provide better and more detailed tracking levels of the energy storage components 70 or spring members 11, 112. In this inclusion of the expandable tubular 50'", a sheet or coating 53 is preferably used. The cover member 53 may be a membrane or screen for sand or a solid layer depending on the use for the expandable tubular 50"'. (0050) with reference to Fig. 8 another inclusion of the expandable tubular 50"" is shown. In its unexpanded configuration or portion 55 as well as in its configuration or portion 58. The construction of this expandable tubular may be the same as or similar to those previously described in connection with Figs. 6 and 7, as well as in the subsequent inclusions of the expandable tubulars that will be described hereinafter. If desired, the post tensioning principles can be employed in connection with the expandable tubular wherein an additional force of outward deflection or self expansion outwardly of the surface of the outer wall 51 of the pipeline 60 'can be obtained pulling or applying a tension force in the direction shown by the arrows 130 in the elongate members 110 or alternatively to the elongated members 110 '. Tension or pull force is applied from a larger diameter clamping point or post tension practices where an outward deflection arc is created by placing the tension members below or from other members. For purposes of illustration, FIG. 8 illustrates a few elongate members 110 under tension; however, preferably all elongated members 110 must be pensioned. As previously described, if desired, a sheet or cover 53 may also be employed. (0051) With reference to Fig. 9, Another inclusion of the expandable tubular 50"" is illustrated in its unexpanded state 55, and in its expanded state to a final diameter D '58. the outer part of the wall 51 of the Line of pipe 60 is formed by a plurality of energy components 70 extending substantially parallel to longitudinal portion 56 or pipe line 60? Of the expandable tubular 50"". Alternatively, at least a portion of the surface of the outer wall 51 of the pipeline 60 'is formed by energy storage components 70' (0052) still referring to Fig. 9 at least one of the energy storage components 70 and preferably a substantial number if not all of the energy storage components 70 are of springs of generally U or V 11 'shape, each of which is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 56 of the pipeline 60 '. Each elongated spring member 11 G preferably includes a curved wall surface 140, which is located in a direction lying substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 56 of the line 60 '. The wall surface 140 covers the space between the legs 92 of the spring members 1 G. The spring members 11 'which include the curved wall surfaces 140, can be considered as a cylindrical surface supported by walls or legs 92, whose structure is commonly referred to as "vault" as seen in Fig. 9. Curved surface wall 140 may be secured by legs 92 of spring members 111 'in any suitable manner as long as the resulting structure can function to allow that the expandable tubular 50"" expand towards the release of the restraining force as already described. Preferably, when a tubular is made with the suitable steel or other metallic material, the curved wall members 140 can be secured to legs 92 by a weld if the material employed is plastic, the surface of the curved wall or wall members. 140 can be secured to the legs 92 by any adhesive or epoxy glue or the like or any other suitable securing technique. Although the two legs 92 are shown a smaller number or greater number of legs 92 can be employed in the spring members 111 '. (0053) An expandable tubular 50"" can be assembled by associating a plurality of energy storage components 70 or springs 11G in its expanded stage 58 and then the expandable tubular 50"" can be radially compressed to assume a configuration 55. If the expandable tubular 50"" is compressed, the legs 92 of the spring members 111 'move towards each of them and the curved wall surfaces or wall members are forced outward in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis 56 of the pipe line 60 as shown in Figure 145. The compressed expandable tubular 50"" is restricted in the configuration in the restriction step 55 as previously described in connection with other inclusions of the present invention.

After the expandable tubular 50"" is in the geological or borehole structure 75 for example, the restraining force can be eliminated as previously described where the legs 92 of the spring members 11 'move away from each or self-expand, causing the outer part of the walls 140 of each spring member 11 'to assume a smaller arc while at the same time increasing the diameter of the expandable tubular 50"". (0054) Still with reference to Fig. 9, the expandable tubular 50"" can alternatively be constructed by assembling a plurality of spring members 111 'to form a line of tubing 60 at its reduced diameter of the configuration 55. In any In each case, each of the spring members 11 G is preferably associated or secured in some way to the spring members 11 G or the wall members 11 (not illustrated) either by a mechanism of retainers such as welded studs , chemical adhesives an expandable inner liner (not illustrated) or plastics or epoxy adhesives or similar techniques. Alternatively the tubular 50"" can be formed in an integral structure formed by a generally cylindrical shape, integral with a planked or bent structure where each of the planks or bends is a spring or spring type member. (055) it should be mentioned that when the surfaces of the curved walls or wall members 140 as well as the legs 92 of the spring members 1 are compressed, care must be taken not to permanently deform the legs 92 or the surfaces of curved wall 140 beyond its elastic limit. It will be apparent to any person skilled in the art that if the legs 92 or the surface of the curved wall are deformed beyond their yield point, the expandable tubular 50"" may not expand or self-expand as desired or if it continues to expand itself, self expansion is not as efficient. For example, if the legs 92 are compressed with a force below their elastic limit of the material forming the legs, but the surfaces of walls 140 are compressed or deformed with a force greater than their elastic limit of the material forming the limbs of the legs. curved wall 140, it is possible that the spring members 11 'do not self-expand or alternatively will not self-expand to their maximum point since their movement may be restricted by permanently deformed wall surfaces 140. (0056) with reference to Fig. 10 an expandable tubular in the form of a sand screen, or well screen, 150 is used in a perforation as illustrated. The sand screen 150 is similar in general construction to the already patented sand screens that are included as a reference; however, the sand screen 150 of Fig. 10 of the present invention self-expands according to the present invention. The construction of the sand screen 150 is similar to the construction of the expandable tubular 50"of Fig. 6 and includes a plurality of energy storage components 70, radially disposed along its longitudinal axis 56 of the sand screen 150. The energy storage components 70 or spring members can be formed in elongated form of V or U. because the spring members 11 'are located between axially rigid members or wall members 110 as illustrated in FIG. Fig. 6, the longitudinal spring members IIV are spaced in relation to the adjacent spring members 11 G by a plurality of spacer members 151. The spacer members 151 provide a plurality of voids or openings between the adjacent spring members 11, wherein a fluid (not shown) can pass into the sand screen 150 as is known in the art As seen in Fig. 10 a sand screen 150 expands from its reduced diameter 55 to its fully expanded diameter configuration 58, the desired sand screen configuration is provided. As with other expandable tubular inclusions, the sand screen 150 may be initially compressed to a desired configuration illustrated at 55 and temporally restricted in those settings by the use of any of the techniques previously described in connection with the other inclusions. By releasing the restraining force, the sand screen expands or self-expands to the configuration illustrated at 58. the sand screen also functions as an expandable pipe line 60 that can serve as a cover to another line of pipe 60 or that it can function as a line of pipe 60 that can be employed with a layer of rubber or plastic material (not illustrated) as previously described in connection with Figs. 2 and 7. (0057) Fig. 11 illustrates the sand screen 150 of Fig. 10 with an elastomeric layer 53 of the outer surface 51 of the sand screen 150 where the sand screen 150, in combination with the elastomeric layer 53 can function as a self-conformal sleeve structure for use in geological structures. The spring members 11 G may have the same construction as those of Fig. 10 including the space members 151. If desired, an inner layer of elastomer 160 may be provided. Additionally, an expandable filter layer can be employed on the external wall surface of the well screen or sand control screen 150. (0058) It should be mentioned that in each of the inclusions of the expandable tubulars of the present invention when the tubular or sand screen is expanded outward to its desired expanded configuration, there is no substantial reduction in the length of the expandable tubular or sand shield along its longitudinal axis. This feature of the present invention wherein the length of each of the tubulars follows in the same way, either in its expanded configuration 58 or in its compressed configuration 55 is believed to be the result of the efficient connection of the tubular lengths expandable, as well as the efficient and simple installation of expandable tubulars in the geological structure such as a well. It is also believed that to the extent of the obstructions found in the geological structure, such as a well, the flexible nature of the energy storage components or springs allow the expandable tubulars of the present invention to conform better to the interior of the surface from the wall of a well or from any geological structure. (0059) it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or inclusions shown or described since the obvious and equivalent modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a well screen as shown in the incorporated patents could be fabricated with: a longitudinal tension or stretching force applied and sealed or stored in the well screen; a radially applied force of compression and stored in the well screen; or a torsion force applied and stored in the well screen. All these stored energy forces when initially applied would reduce the diameter of the well screen. When this force is released, the stored energy would provide an outward deflection force once the well wall has reached its enlarged diameter. The applied forces would be less than the elastic limit of the material that is retiring, compressing or twisting.

In the same way, the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (41)

1. an expandable tubular for use in geological structures including: A tubular member that generally has a first diameter, an outer wall surface and a longitudinal axis; The tubular member includes at least one energy storage component that stores expansive energy in the tubular member when it has the first diameter; Y By releasing the expansive energy of at least one of the energy storage components, the generally tubular member expands to have a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

2. the expandable tubular of claim 1 wherein at least one emergy storage component is a spring.

3. The expandable tubular of claim 2 wherein the spring is formed as a groove formed in the outer wall surface of the tubular member.

4. - the expandable tubular of claim 2 wherein the spring is a portion of the outer surface of the wall that has a configuration in the form of serpentine or Z.

5. The expandable tubular of claim 2 wherein the spring is an elongated V-shaped spring member or generally U-shaped, the spring is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

6. the expandable tubular of claim 5 wherein the spring includes an elongate wall surface disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

7. The expandable tubular of claim 6 wherein the spring member includes at least 2 legs and a curved wall surface that is secured to the two legs.

8. The expandable tubular of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is maintained with the first diameter by a clamping apparatus.

9. The expandable tubular of claim 8 wherein the holding apparatus maintains at least one energy storage component in a compressed state wherein the expansive energy is stored within at least one energy storage component.

10. The expandable tubular of claim 1 wherein at least one of the energy storage components forms at least a portion of the surface of the outer wall of the tubular member.

11. The expandable tubular of claim 1, including an elastomeric layer disposed on the outer surface of the wall of the tubular member.

12. The tubular member of claim 1 wherein a plurality of openings or grooves are formed in the surface of the outer wall of the tubular member, wherein the tubular member can also be expanded with a lathe or drill.

13. a method for expanding an expandable tubular in a geological structure including the steps of: Providing an expandable tubular having a first diameter an outer wall surface, a longitudinal axis, the expandable tubular includes at least one energy storage component that stores energy inside the expandable tubular when it is in its first diameter; Arrange the expandable tubular within geological structures; and Releasing the expansive energy of at least one energy storage component that causes the expandable tubular to have a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

14. The method of claim 13, which includes the step of using at least one energy storage component or a spring.

15. The method of claim 14 including the step of arranging the spring substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expandable tubular.

16. The method of claim 13 including the step of holding the expandable tubular with its first diameter with a holding apparatus.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of maintaining at least one energy storage component in its compressed state is included, when the expandable tubular has its first diameter, to store the expansive energy within at least one of the energy storage components.

18. The method of claim 13 including the step of providing the surface of the outer wall of the expandable tubular with an elastomeric layer.

19. the method of claim 13 including the steps of: providing an outer wall surface of the expandable tubular with a plurality of slots or openings; and after that the expandable tubular in the geological structure expanding and deforming at least a portion of the expandable tubular.

20. A method for forming expandable tubulars for use in a geological structure, which includes the steps of: Form tubular members that have a first diameter that will allow the expandable tubular to be located within the geological structure; Y Providing the member with a generally tubular shape with at least one energy storage source, when the expandable tubular is within the geological structure, the expandable tubular has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

21. The method of claim 20 including steps of using at least one storage source.

22. The method of claim 21 including the step of disposing a spring substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expandable tubular.

23. The method of claim 20 including the step of providing the generally tubular shaped member with a holding apparatus for holding the tubular member with the first diameter.

24. The method of claim 20 including the step of maintaining at least one of the storage components in their compressed state, when the tubular member has a first diameter, for storing expansive energy within at least one energy storage component. .

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of providing on the surface of the outer wall of the tubular member a layer of elastomeric material is included.

26. The method of claim 20 including the steps of providing the surface of the outer wall of the tubular member with a plurality of apertures or slots; and after the tubular member is already within the geologic structure, expand and deform at least a portion of the tubular member.

27. A sand control screen for use in geological structures that includes: A tubular shape that includes at least one energy storage source that stores expansive energy in the tubular member when it has the first diameter; and By releasing the expansive energy of at least one energy store, the tubular member expands to have a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

28. The sand control screen of claim 27 wherein at least one energy storage source is at least one spring.

29. The sand control screen of claim 28 wherein the spring is elongated or is a spring of generally V or U-shaped shape, the spring member being located substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the generally tubular shaped member.

The sand control screen of claim 29 wherein the spring member includes at least one curved wall surface substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

31. The sand control screen of claim 30 wherein the spring member includes at least two legs and a curved wall surface that is secured to at least two legs.

32. The sand control screen of claim 27 wherein the tubular member is maintained with its first diameter by a clamping apparatus.

33. The sand control screen of claim 32 wherein the holding apparatus maintains at least one energy storage component in a compressed state wherein the expansive energy is stored within at least one energy storage component.

34. The sand control screen of claim 27 wherein at least one energy component forms at least part of the surface of the outer wall of the generally tubular member.

35. The expandable tubular of claim 27 including a filter layer disposed on the surface of the dismembered outer wall of generally tubular shape.

36. A method to expand a sand control screen in a geological structure that includes the steps of: Provide a sand control screen that has a first diameter; an outer wall surface, and a longitudinal axis, the sand control screen includes at least one energy storage component that stores expansive energy in the sand control screen when it is at its first diameter. Locate the sand control screen in a geological structure; Y Releasing the expansive energy of at least one energy storage component that causes the sand control screen to expand to have a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

37. The method of claim 36 which includes the step of using at least one energy storage component.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the step of arranging the spring substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sand control screen is included.

39. The method of claim 36 including the step of keeping the sand control screen within its first diameter with a holding apparatus.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of maintaining at least one of the energy components in a compressed state is included, when the sand control screen has a first diameter, to store the expansive energy within minus one energy storage component.

41. The method of claim 36 including the step of providing the surface of the outer wall of the sand control screen with a filter layer.