US20090084540A1 - Method of expanding a tubular element in a wellbore - Google Patents
Method of expanding a tubular element in a wellbore Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090084540A1 US20090084540A1 US12/161,618 US16161806A US2009084540A1 US 20090084540 A1 US20090084540 A1 US 20090084540A1 US 16161806 A US16161806 A US 16161806A US 2009084540 A1 US2009084540 A1 US 2009084540A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tubular element
- expander
- casing
- liner
- interior
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 42
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000004606 Fillers/Extenders Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/10—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
- E21B43/103—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like
- E21B43/105—Expanding tools specially adapted therefor
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, whereby an expander located in the tubular element, is operable to exert a radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element.
- Wellbores for the production of hydrocarbon fluid are conventionally provided with one or more casings to provide stability to the wellbore wall, and/or to provide zonal isolation between different earth formation layers.
- casings are set at different depth intervals in a nested arrangement whereby the diameter of each subsequent casing is smaller than the diameter of the previous casing in order to allow lowering of the casing through the previous casing.
- the expander is pumped through the tubular element whereby the interior of the expanded portion of the tubular element is pressurised to a maximum pressure at which the expander starts moving through the tubular element.
- a method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation comprising the steps of:
- the expander is operated to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element independently from pressurising the interior of the tubular element.
- the interior of the tubular element can be pressurised to a significantly higher pressure so that the required expansion forces exerted by the expander to the tubular element can be relatively low.
- the tubular element includes an expanded portion and an unexpanded portion, whereby the interior of the tubular element is pressurised both in the expanded portion and the unexpanded portion.
- the whole interior of the tubular element can be pressurised.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a wellbore provided with a casing expanded according to the method of the invention
- FIG. 2 schematically shows a second embodiment of a wellbore provided with a liner expanded according to the method of the invention.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a wellbore 1 for the production of oil or gas from an earth formation 2 .
- An expandable casing 4 extends from a wellhead 6 at surface to near the lower end of the wellbore 1 , whereby the casing 4 is sealingly connected to the wellhead 6 .
- An expander 8 for radially expanding the casing 4 is positioned in the casing 4 whereby an expanded portion 10 of the casing 4 extends below the expander 8 , and an unexpanded portion 12 of the casing 4 extends above the expander 8 .
- the lower end of the expanded casing portion 10 is closed by means of a packer 13 .
- the expander 8 tapers in upward direction from a relatively large diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the expanded casing 4 , to a relatively small diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the unexpanded casing 4 . There are no provisions to seal the outer surface of the expander 8 to the inner surface of the casing 4 , so that pressurised fluid can flow between the expander 8 and the casing 4 .
- the expander 8 is provided with a through-bore 14 providing fluid communication between the interior of the unexpanded casing portion 12 and the interior of the expanded casing portion 10 .
- the expander 8 is connected to a wireline 16 extending through the unexpanded casing portion 12 and the wellhead 6 , to a winch 18 at surface.
- the wireline 16 passes through a through-bore 19 provided in the wellhead 6 in a sealing manner so that the wireline 16 can be axially moved through the through-bore 19 while fluid is prevented from passing through the through-bore 19 .
- a fluid pump 20 is provided at surface for pumping fluid, via a conduit 22 and the wellhead 6 , into the casing 4 .
- FIG. 2 there is shown a wellbore 1 for the production of oil or gas from an earth formation 2 .
- a casing 24 extends from surface to a depth at a selected distance from the wellbore bottom, the casing 24 being fixed in the wellbore by a layer of cement (not shown).
- an expandable liner 26 extends in the wellbore below the casing 24 , whereby an upper end portion of the liner 26 extends into the casing 24 .
- the liner 26 is suspended on a drill pipe 28 , with a side entry sub 30 interconnecting the liner 26 and the drill pipe 30 .
- the drill pipe 28 extends to a conventional drilling rig (not shown) at surface, and is connected to a fluid pump (not shown) for pumping fluid via the drill pipe 28 into the liner 26 .
- An expander 32 for radially expanding the liner 26 is positioned in the liner 26 , whereby an expanded portion 34 of the liner 26 extends below the expander 32 , and an unexpanded portion 36 of the liner 26 extends above the expander 32 .
- the lower end of the expanded liner portion 34 is closed by means of a packer 37 .
- the expander 32 tapers in upward direction from a relatively large diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the expanded liner portion 34 , to a relatively small diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the unexpanded liner portion 34 .
- the expander is optionally provided with a through-bore (not shown) similar to the through-bore 14 of the FIG. 1 embodiment.
- the expander 32 is at its lower end provided with an extender 40 comprising a lower leg 42 and an upper leg 43 , the legs being axially movable relative to each other.
- the lower leg 42 is provided with a lower anchor 44
- the upper leg 43 is provided with an upper anchor 45 .
- Each anchor 44 , 45 is operable between a radially retracted position in which the anchor 44 , 45 is free from the inner surface of the liner 26 , and a radially extended position in which the anchor 44 , 45 is anchored to the inner surface of the liner 26 .
- the extender 40 is operable between an axially retracted position in which the anchors 43 , 45 are close to each other, and an axially extended position in which the anchors 43 , 45 are remote from each other.
- the extender 40 and the anchors 43 , 45 are electrically operated, whereby electric power is provided to the extender 40 and the anchors 43 , 45 through an electric power cable 46 extending from surface along the drill pipe 28 and passing, via an opening (not shown) in the side entry sub 30 , into the liner 26 .
- the power cable 46 extends in a loop 48 below the extender 40 to allow for axial displacement of the expansion assembly relative to the side entry sub 30 .
- the fluid pump 20 is operated to pump fluid, via the conduit 22 and the wellhead 6 , into the interior of the casing 4 at the upper end thereof.
- the packer 13 prevents outflow of fluid from the lower end of the casing 4 .
- the fluid pressure in the casing 4 increases whereby the increase of fluid pressure in the expanded (lower) casing portion 10 equals the increase of fluid pressure in the unexpanded (upper) casing portion 12 by virtue of the through-bore 14 of the expander 8 .
- the fluid pressure between the outer surface of the expander 8 and the inner surface of the casing 4 increases equally.
- the burst pressure of the casing is the internal fluid pressure at which the casing 4 deforms in an uncontrolled manner, leading to rupture of the casing.
- the burst pressure can be determined in a straightforward manner, either by calculation or by testing. Also, for most casings generally used the burst pressure is known or can be obtained from the manufacturer.
- the winch 20 Upon the fluid pressure in the casing 4 reaching about 90% of the casing burst pressure, the winch 20 is operated to pull the expander 8 upwardly by means of the wireline 16 .
- the force required to pull the expander 8 upwardly through the casing, and thereby to radially expand the casing 4 is relatively low.
- the pressurised fluid between the outer surface of the expander 8 and the inner surface of the casing delivers a major amount of the energy required to radially expand the casing 4 . Therefore the expander 8 only needs to exert a moderate radial force to the inner surface of the casing 4 to expand the casing.
- the fluid pump at surface is operated to pump fluid, via the drill pipe 28 and the side entry sub 30 , into the interior of the liner 26 .
- the packer 37 prevents outflow of fluid from the lower end of the liner 26 .
- the fluid pressure in the liner 26 increases whereby the fluid pressure increase in the expanded (lower) riser portion 34 equals the fluid pressure increase in the unexpanded (upper) liner portion 36 .
- the fluid pressure between the outer surface of the expander 32 and the inner surface of the liner 26 increases equally. Pumping of fluid into the liner 26 is continued until the fluid pressure in the liner 26 is about 90% of the burst pressure of the liner 26 .
- the burst pressure is the internal fluid pressure at which the liner 26 deforms in an uncontrolled manner, eventually leading to rupture of the liner 26 .
- the burst pressure for liner can be determined in a straightforward manner, either by calculation or by testing. Alternatively the burst pressure can be obtained from the manufacturer.
- the lower anchor 44 is operated to move to its radially extended position so as to anchor the lower leg 42 to the inner surface of the liner 26 .
- the extender 40 is operated to move to its axially extended position so as to move the expander 32 one stroke upwardly through the liner 26 and to further expand the liner 26 .
- the force required to move the expander 32 upwardly through the liner 26 , and thereby to radially expand the liner is relatively low.
- the pressurised fluid between the outer surface of the expander and the inner surface of the liner delivers a major amount of the energy required to radially expand the liner 26 . Therefore the expander 26 only needs to exert a moderate radial force to the inner surface of the liner 26 to expand the liner. Since the internal volume of the liner 26 increases during the expansion process, it is necessary to continue pumping fluid into the liner 26 during the expansion process in order to keep the fluid pressure at about 90% of the burst pressure.
- the upper anchor 45 Upon the extender 40 arriving at the end of its stroke, the upper anchor 45 is moved to its radially extended position so as to anchor the upper leg 43 to the inner surface of the liner 26 , and the lower anchor 44 is moved to its radially retracted position.
- the extender 40 is then moved to its axially retracted position whereby the lower leg 42 and lower anchor 44 move upwardly through the liner 26 .
- the expansion process described above is then repeated so as to move the expander 32 a further stroke upwardly, etc.
- the upper end portion of the liner 26 is expanded against the casing 24 whereby the liner becomes firmly fixed to the casing 24 .
- the expander 32 , the extender 40 , the power cable 46 , the side entry sub 30 and the drill pipe 28 are retrieved from the wellbore 1 .
- self-activating anchors can be used.
- an anchor can be used which anchors itself against the inner surface of the liner upon application of a downward force to the anchor, and which releases itself from the liner upon application of an upward force to the anchor.
- Such principle is similar to the principle of a conventional ball grabber.
- the extender and/or anchors can be hydraulically powered using, for example, a coiled tubing. Also, a combination of electric and hydraulic powering can be applied.
- the expander can be operated to exert said radially outward force to the inner surface of the tubular element by allowing the expander to move through the tubular element by gravitational force.
- the expander is suitably provided with additional weight means or with propelling means such as the extender described hereinbefore.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
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- Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
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.
Description
- The present invention relates to a method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, whereby an expander located in the tubular element, is operable to exert a radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element.
- Wellbores for the production of hydrocarbon fluid are conventionally provided with one or more casings to provide stability to the wellbore wall, and/or to provide zonal isolation between different earth formation layers. Generally, several casings are set at different depth intervals in a nested arrangement whereby the diameter of each subsequent casing is smaller than the diameter of the previous casing in order to allow lowering of the casing through the previous casing.
- Recently it has become practice to radially expand tubular elements in the wellbore, for example as a clad against an existing casing section. Also, it has been proposed to construct a monodiameter well by radially expanding each subsequent casing to substantially the same diameter as the previous casing. It is thus achieved that the available diameter of the wellbore is kept substantially constant along (a portion of) its depth, as opposed to the conventional nested arrangement whereby the available diameter decreases stepwise with each subsequent casing. The monodiameter concept is particularly of interest for very deep wellbores or extended reach wellbores. To expand the tubular element, an expander of diameter substantially equal to the required expanded inner diameter, is pumped, pushed or pulled, sometimes in combination with rotation, through the tubular element.
- In one such method the expander is pumped through the tubular element whereby the interior of the expanded portion of the tubular element is pressurised to a maximum pressure at which the expander starts moving through the tubular element. However it has been experienced that the required expansion forces exerted by the expander to the tubular element can be very high, thus potentially leading to damage to the expander and/or the inner surface of the tubular element.
- It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved method of expanding a tubular element in a wellbore, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
- In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, comprising the steps of:
- arranging an expander in the tubular element, the expander being operable to exert a radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element;
- radially expanding the tubular element by pressurising the interior of the tubular element and simultaneously operating the expander to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element,
- wherein the expander is operated to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element independently from pressurising the interior of the tubular element.
- By operating the expander independently from pressurising the interior of the tubular element, it is achieved that the interior of the tubular element can be pressurised to a significantly higher pressure so that the required expansion forces exerted by the expander to the tubular element can be relatively low.
- Suitably the tubular element includes an expanded portion and an unexpanded portion, whereby the interior of the tubular element is pressurised both in the expanded portion and the unexpanded portion. For example, the whole interior of the tubular element can be pressurised.
- The invention will be explained hereinafter in more detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a wellbore provided with a casing expanded according to the method of the invention; and -
FIG. 2 schematically shows a second embodiment of a wellbore provided with a liner expanded according to the method of the invention. - In the drawings and the detailed description below, like reference numerals relate to like components. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the terms “below”, “above”, “upward” and “downward” refer to wellbore depths measured along the longitudinal axis of the wellbore and relative to surface.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 there is shown awellbore 1 for the production of oil or gas from anearth formation 2. Anexpandable casing 4 extends from awellhead 6 at surface to near the lower end of thewellbore 1, whereby thecasing 4 is sealingly connected to thewellhead 6. Anexpander 8 for radially expanding thecasing 4, is positioned in thecasing 4 whereby an expandedportion 10 of thecasing 4 extends below theexpander 8, and anunexpanded portion 12 of thecasing 4 extends above theexpander 8. The lower end of the expandedcasing portion 10 is closed by means of apacker 13. - The expander 8 tapers in upward direction from a relatively large diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the expanded
casing 4, to a relatively small diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of theunexpanded casing 4. There are no provisions to seal the outer surface of theexpander 8 to the inner surface of thecasing 4, so that pressurised fluid can flow between theexpander 8 and thecasing 4. - The
expander 8 is provided with a through-bore 14 providing fluid communication between the interior of theunexpanded casing portion 12 and the interior of the expandedcasing portion 10. Theexpander 8 is connected to awireline 16 extending through theunexpanded casing portion 12 and thewellhead 6, to awinch 18 at surface. Thewireline 16 passes through a through-bore 19 provided in thewellhead 6 in a sealing manner so that thewireline 16 can be axially moved through the through-bore 19 while fluid is prevented from passing through the through-bore 19. Further, afluid pump 20 is provided at surface for pumping fluid, via aconduit 22 and thewellhead 6, into thecasing 4. - Referring to
FIG. 2 there is shown awellbore 1 for the production of oil or gas from anearth formation 2. Acasing 24 extends from surface to a depth at a selected distance from the wellbore bottom, thecasing 24 being fixed in the wellbore by a layer of cement (not shown). Further, anexpandable liner 26 extends in the wellbore below thecasing 24, whereby an upper end portion of theliner 26 extends into thecasing 24. Theliner 26 is suspended on adrill pipe 28, with aside entry sub 30 interconnecting theliner 26 and thedrill pipe 30. Thedrill pipe 28 extends to a conventional drilling rig (not shown) at surface, and is connected to a fluid pump (not shown) for pumping fluid via thedrill pipe 28 into theliner 26. - An
expander 32 for radially expanding theliner 26 is positioned in theliner 26, whereby an expandedportion 34 of theliner 26 extends below theexpander 32, and anunexpanded portion 36 of theliner 26 extends above theexpander 32. The lower end of the expandedliner portion 34 is closed by means of apacker 37. Theexpander 32 tapers in upward direction from a relatively large diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the expandedliner portion 34, to a relatively small diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of theunexpanded liner portion 34. There are no provisions to seal the outer surface of theexpander 32 to the inner surface of theliner 26, so that pressurised fluid can flow between theexpander 32 and theliner 26. To ensure free flow of fluid between theunexpanded liner portion 36 and the expandedliner portion 34, the expander is optionally provided with a through-bore (not shown) similar to the through-bore 14 of theFIG. 1 embodiment. - The
expander 32 is at its lower end provided with anextender 40 comprising alower leg 42 and anupper leg 43, the legs being axially movable relative to each other. Thelower leg 42 is provided with alower anchor 44, and theupper leg 43 is provided with anupper anchor 45. Eachanchor anchor liner 26, and a radially extended position in which theanchor liner 26. Theextender 40 is operable between an axially retracted position in which theanchors anchors extender 40 and theanchors extender 40 and theanchors drill pipe 28 and passing, via an opening (not shown) in theside entry sub 30, into theliner 26. The power cable 46 extends in aloop 48 below theextender 40 to allow for axial displacement of the expansion assembly relative to theside entry sub 30. - During normal operation of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 , thefluid pump 20 is operated to pump fluid, via theconduit 22 and thewellhead 6, into the interior of thecasing 4 at the upper end thereof. Thepacker 13 prevents outflow of fluid from the lower end of thecasing 4. As a result of the pumping operation, the fluid pressure in thecasing 4 increases whereby the increase of fluid pressure in the expanded (lower)casing portion 10 equals the increase of fluid pressure in the unexpanded (upper) casingportion 12 by virtue of the through-bore 14 of theexpander 8. Also, the fluid pressure between the outer surface of theexpander 8 and the inner surface of thecasing 4 increases equally. Pumping of fluid into thecasing 4 is continued until the fluid pressure in thecasing 4 is about 90% of the burst pressure of thecasing 4. It is to be understood that the burst pressure of the casing is the internal fluid pressure at which thecasing 4 deforms in an uncontrolled manner, leading to rupture of the casing. For given casing characteristics, such as diameter, wall thickness, steel properties, and roundness, the burst pressure can be determined in a straightforward manner, either by calculation or by testing. Also, for most casings generally used the burst pressure is known or can be obtained from the manufacturer. - Upon the fluid pressure in the
casing 4 reaching about 90% of the casing burst pressure, thewinch 20 is operated to pull theexpander 8 upwardly by means of thewireline 16. In view of the high fluid pressure in thecasing 4, the force required to pull theexpander 8 upwardly through the casing, and thereby to radially expand thecasing 4, is relatively low. The pressurised fluid between the outer surface of theexpander 8 and the inner surface of the casing delivers a major amount of the energy required to radially expand thecasing 4. Therefore theexpander 8 only needs to exert a moderate radial force to the inner surface of thecasing 4 to expand the casing. Since the internal volume of thecasing 4 increases during the expansion process, it is necessary to continue pumping fluid into thecasing 4 during the expansion process in order to keep the fluid pressure at about 90% of the burst pressure. The expansion process proceeds until the expander arrives at the upper end of thecasing 4, whereafter theexpander 8 is retrieved from thewellbore 1. - During normal operation of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2 the fluid pump at surface is operated to pump fluid, via thedrill pipe 28 and theside entry sub 30, into the interior of theliner 26. Thepacker 37 prevents outflow of fluid from the lower end of theliner 26. As a result of the pumping operation, the fluid pressure in theliner 26 increases whereby the fluid pressure increase in the expanded (lower)riser portion 34 equals the fluid pressure increase in the unexpanded (upper)liner portion 36. Also, the fluid pressure between the outer surface of theexpander 32 and the inner surface of theliner 26 increases equally. Pumping of fluid into theliner 26 is continued until the fluid pressure in theliner 26 is about 90% of the burst pressure of theliner 26. The burst pressure is the internal fluid pressure at which theliner 26 deforms in an uncontrolled manner, eventually leading to rupture of theliner 26. Similarly to the burst pressure for casing, the burst pressure for liner can be determined in a straightforward manner, either by calculation or by testing. Alternatively the burst pressure can be obtained from the manufacturer. - Upon the fluid pressure in the
liner 26 reaching about 90% of the liner burst pressure, with theextender 40 in the retracted position, thelower anchor 44 is operated to move to its radially extended position so as to anchor thelower leg 42 to the inner surface of theliner 26. Then theextender 40 is operated to move to its axially extended position so as to move theexpander 32 one stroke upwardly through theliner 26 and to further expand theliner 26. In view of the high fluid pressure in theliner 26, the force required to move theexpander 32 upwardly through theliner 26, and thereby to radially expand the liner, is relatively low. The pressurised fluid between the outer surface of the expander and the inner surface of the liner delivers a major amount of the energy required to radially expand theliner 26. Therefore theexpander 26 only needs to exert a moderate radial force to the inner surface of theliner 26 to expand the liner. Since the internal volume of theliner 26 increases during the expansion process, it is necessary to continue pumping fluid into theliner 26 during the expansion process in order to keep the fluid pressure at about 90% of the burst pressure. Upon theextender 40 arriving at the end of its stroke, theupper anchor 45 is moved to its radially extended position so as to anchor theupper leg 43 to the inner surface of theliner 26, and thelower anchor 44 is moved to its radially retracted position. Theextender 40 is then moved to its axially retracted position whereby thelower leg 42 andlower anchor 44 move upwardly through theliner 26. The expansion process described above is then repeated so as to move the expander 32 a further stroke upwardly, etc. During the final stage of the expansion process, the upper end portion of theliner 26 is expanded against thecasing 24 whereby the liner becomes firmly fixed to thecasing 24. After theliner 26 has been completely expanded, theexpander 32, theextender 40, the power cable 46, theside entry sub 30 and thedrill pipe 28 are retrieved from thewellbore 1. - Instead of using the electrically operated anchors described hereinbefore, self-activating anchors can be used. For example, an anchor can be used which anchors itself against the inner surface of the liner upon application of a downward force to the anchor, and which releases itself from the liner upon application of an upward force to the anchor. Such principle is similar to the principle of a conventional ball grabber.
- Furthermore, instead of powering the extender and/or anchors electrically, the extender and/or anchors can be hydraulically powered using, for example, a coiled tubing. Also, a combination of electric and hydraulic powering can be applied.
- Instead of pulling the expander through the tubular element in upward direction, the expander can be operated to exert said radially outward force to the inner surface of the tubular element by allowing the expander to move through the tubular element by gravitational force. In order to enhance the gravitational force acting on the expander, the expander is suitably provided with additional weight means or with propelling means such as the extender described hereinbefore.
Claims (12)
1. A method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, comprising the steps of:
arranging an expander in the tubular element, the expander being operable to exert a radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element;
radially expanding the tubular element by pressurising the interior of the tubular element and simultaneously operating the expander to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element,
wherein the expander is operated to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element independently from pressurising the interior of the tubular element.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubular element includes an expanded portion and an unexpanded portion, and wherein the interior of the tubular element is pressurised both in the expanded portion and the unexpanded portion.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein substantially the whole interior of the tubular element is pressurised.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interior of the tubular element is pressurised by pumping a fluid into the tubular element.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the tubular element has an upper end located substantially at surface, and wherein said fluid is pumped into the tubular element at or near said upper end of the tubular element.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interior of the tubular element is pressurised to a pressure of between 80%-95% of the burst pressure of the tubular element.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the interior of the tubular element is pressurised to a pressure of about 90% of the burst pressure of the tubular element.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expander has a largest diameter larger than the inner diameter of the unexpanded tubular element, and wherein the expander is operated to exert said radially outward force to the inner surface of the tubular element by moving the expander through the tubular element.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the expander is moved through the tubular element by pulling the expander through the tubular element by means of a pulling string.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expander is movable between a radially retracted mode and a radially expanded mode, and wherein the expander is operated to exert said radial force to the inner surface of the tubular element by moving the expander from said radially retracted mode to said radially expanded mode.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubular element is a wellbore casing or a wellbore liner.
12. (canceled)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/EP2006/050367 WO2007082590A1 (en) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-01-23 | Method of expanding a tubular element in a wellbore |
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US20090084540A1 true US20090084540A1 (en) | 2009-04-02 |
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US12/161,618 Abandoned US20090084540A1 (en) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-01-23 | Method of expanding a tubular element in a wellbore |
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US (1) | US20090084540A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101360883B (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0621041A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2636496A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2447389B (en) |
NO (1) | NO20083619L (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007082590A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP2696026A1 (en) * | 2012-08-10 | 2014-02-12 | Welltec A/S | Downhole turbine-driven system |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN216110695U (en) * | 2021-07-22 | 2022-03-22 | 上海勘察设计研究院(集团)有限公司 | Cabled light in-situ test system while drilling |
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US6575240B1 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2003-06-10 | Shell Oil Company | System and method for driving pipe |
US20030178204A1 (en) * | 2002-03-19 | 2003-09-25 | Echols Ralph H. | System and method for creating a fluid seal between production tubing and well casing |
US6712151B2 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2004-03-30 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Tubing expansion |
US20040094312A1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2004-05-20 | Lohbeck Wilhelmus Christianus Maria | Expander for expanding a tubular element |
US20040154808A1 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2004-08-12 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Tubing expansion |
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US20040251035A1 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2004-12-16 | Simpson Neil Andrew Abercrombie | Hydraulically assisted tubing expansion |
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US7191841B2 (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2007-03-20 | Hydril Company L.P. | Expansion pig |
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CN2668847Y (en) * | 2004-01-07 | 2005-01-05 | 中国石油集团科学技术研究院 | Expanding device for solid expanding tube |
WO2006072616A1 (en) * | 2005-01-07 | 2006-07-13 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Method of expanding a tubular element in a wellbore |
GB2440858A (en) * | 2005-10-13 | 2008-02-13 | Enventure Global Technology | Fluid expansion of liner into contact with existing tubular |
-
2006
- 2006-01-23 US US12/161,618 patent/US20090084540A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-01-23 WO PCT/EP2006/050367 patent/WO2007082590A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-01-23 CA CA002636496A patent/CA2636496A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-01-23 BR BRPI0621041-4A patent/BRPI0621041A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2006-01-23 CN CN2006800515660A patent/CN101360883B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-01-23 GB GB0812133A patent/GB2447389B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2008
- 2008-08-21 NO NO20083619A patent/NO20083619L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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US6575240B1 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2003-06-10 | Shell Oil Company | System and method for driving pipe |
US20050045342A1 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2005-03-03 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and method for completing a wellbore |
US20040094312A1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2004-05-20 | Lohbeck Wilhelmus Christianus Maria | Expander for expanding a tubular element |
US6712151B2 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2004-03-30 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Tubing expansion |
US20040251035A1 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2004-12-16 | Simpson Neil Andrew Abercrombie | Hydraulically assisted tubing expansion |
US20040154808A1 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2004-08-12 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Tubing expansion |
US20040173361A1 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2004-09-09 | Lohbeck Wilhelmus Christianus, Maria | Method of expanding a tubular element in a wellbore |
US20030178204A1 (en) * | 2002-03-19 | 2003-09-25 | Echols Ralph H. | System and method for creating a fluid seal between production tubing and well casing |
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Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2696026A1 (en) * | 2012-08-10 | 2014-02-12 | Welltec A/S | Downhole turbine-driven system |
WO2014023829A1 (en) * | 2012-08-10 | 2014-02-13 | Welltec A/S | Downhole turbine-driven system |
CN104541018A (en) * | 2012-08-10 | 2015-04-22 | 韦尔泰克有限公司 | Downhole turbine-driven system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2447389A (en) | 2008-09-10 |
BRPI0621041A2 (en) | 2012-07-10 |
CN101360883B (en) | 2012-08-01 |
WO2007082590A1 (en) | 2007-07-26 |
CN101360883A (en) | 2009-02-04 |
CA2636496A1 (en) | 2007-07-26 |
NO20083619L (en) | 2008-08-21 |
GB2447389B (en) | 2010-03-03 |
GB0812133D0 (en) | 2008-08-06 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SHELL OIL COMPANY, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SCHILTE, PAUL DIRK;REEL/FRAME:021264/0233 Effective date: 20080521 |
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Owner name: ENVENTURE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHELL OIL COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:025843/0861 Effective date: 20110125 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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