WO2006088743A2

WO2006088743A2 - Radial expansion of a wellbore casing against a formation

Info

Publication number: WO2006088743A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/004809
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott Costa
Original assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.
Priority date: 2005-02-14
Filing date: 2006-02-09
Publication date: 2006-08-24
Also published as: NO20074665L; GB0717265D0; MX2007009917A; GB2438554A; CA2597909A1; WO2006088743A3; AU2006214566A1; WO2006088743B1

Abstract

Radial expansion of a wellbore casing against a formation.

Description

RADIAL EXPANSION OF A WELLBORE CASING AGAINST

A FORMATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of US provisional patent application serial number 60/652,564, attorney docket number 25791.348, filed on February 14, 2005, the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference. [0002] This application is related to the following co-pending applications: (1) U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (2) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/510,913, attorney docket no. 25791.7.02, filed on 2/23/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,702, filed on 2/25/99, (3) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on 2/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611, filed on 2/11/99, (4) U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (5) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/169,434, attorney docket no. 25791.10.04, filed on 7/1/02, which claims priority from provisional application 60/183,546, filed on 2/18/00, (6) U.S. patent no. 6,640,903 which was filed as U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (7) U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841, filed on 2/26/99, (8) U.S. patent number 6,575,240, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/511 ,941 , attorney docket no. 25791.16.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,907, filed on 2/26/99, (9) U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (10) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/981 ,916, attorney docket no. 25791.18, filed on 10/18/01 as a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (11) U.S. patent number 6,604,763, which was filed as application serial no. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on 4/26/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131 ,106, filed on 4/26/99, (12) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/030,593, attorney docket no. 25791.25.08, filed on 1/8/02, which claims priority from provisional application 60/146,203, filed on 7/29/99, (13) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/143,039, attorney docket no. 25791.26, filed on 7/9/99, (14) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/111 ,982, attorney docket no. 25791.27.08, filed on 4/30/02, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/162,671 , attorney docket no. 25791.27, filed on 11/1/1999, (15) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/154,047, attorney docket no. 25791.29, filed on 9/16/1999, (16) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/438,828, attorney docket no. 25791.31 , filed on 1/9/03, (17) U.S. patent number 6,564,875, which was filed as application serial no. 09/679,907, attorney docket no. 25791.34.02, on 10/5/00, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/159,082, attorney docket no. 25791.34, filed on 10/12/1999, (18) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/089,419, filed on 3/27/02, attorney docket no. 25791.36.03, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/159,039, attorney docket no. 25791.36, filed on 10/12/1999, (19) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/679,906, filed on 10/5/00, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on 10/12/1999, (20) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/303,992, filed on 11/22/02, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/212,359, attorney docket no. 25791.38, filed on 6/19/2000, (21) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/165,228, attorney docket no. 25791.39, filed on 11/12/1999, (22) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/455,051 , attorney docket no. 25791.40, filed on 3/14/03, (23) PCT application US02/2477, filed on 6/26/02, attorney docket no. 25791.44.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/303,711 , attorney docket no. 25791.44, filed on 7/6/01 , (24) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/311 ,412, filed on 12/12/02, attorney docket no. 25791.45.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/221 ,443, attorney docket no. 25791.45, filed on 7/28/2000, (25) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/, filed on 12/18/02, attorney docket no. 25791.46.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/221 ,645, attorney docket no. 25791.46, filed on 7/28/2000, (26) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/322,947, filed on 1/22/03, attorney docket no. 25791.47.03, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/233,638, attorney docket no. 25791.47, filed on 9/18/2000, (27) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/406,648, filed on 3/31/03, attorney docket no. 25791.48.06, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/237,334, attorney docket no. 25791.48, filed on 10/2/2000, (28) PCT application US02/04353, filed on 2/14/02, attorney docket no. 25791.50.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/270,007, attorney docket no. 25791.50, filed on 2/20/2001 , (29) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/465,835, filed on 6/13/03, attorney docket no. 25791.51.06, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/262,434, attorney docket no. 25791.51 , filed on 1/17/2001 , (30) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/465,831 , filed on 6/13/03, attorney docket no. 25791.52.06, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/259,486, attorney docket no. 25791.52, filed on 1/3/2001 , (31) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/452,303, filed on 3/5/03, attorney docket no. 25791.53, (32) U.S. patent number 6,470,966, which was filed as patent application serial number 09/850,093, filed on 5/7/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (33) U.S. patent number 6,561 ,227, which was filed as patent application serial number 09/852,026 , filed on 5/9/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.56, as a divisional application of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (34) U.S. patent application serial number 09/852,027, filed on 5/9/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.57, as a divisional application of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (35) PCT Application US02/25608, attorney docket no. 25791.58.02, filed on 8/13/02, which claims priority from provisional application 60/318,021 , filed on 9/7/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.58, (36) PCT Application US02/24399, attorney docket no. 25791.59.02, filed on 8/1/02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/313,453, attorney docket no. 25791.59, filed on 8/20/2001 , (37) PCT Application US02/29856, attorney docket no. 25791.60.02, filed on 9/19/02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/326,886, attorney docket no. 25791.60, filed on 10/3/2001 , (38) PCT Application US02/20256, attorney docket no. 25791.61.02, filed on 6/26/02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/303,740, attorney docket no. 25791.61 , filed on 7/6/2001 , (39) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,469, filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.62, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, (now U.S. Patent 6,640,903 which issued 11/4/2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (40) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,470, filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.63, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, (now U.S. Patent 6,640,903 which issued 11/4/2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (41) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,471 , filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.64, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, (now U.S. Patent 6,640,903 which issued 11/4/2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (42) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,467, filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.65, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, (now U.S. Patent 6,640,903 which issued 11/4/2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (43) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,468, filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.66, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, (now U.S. Patent 6,640,903 which issued 11/4/2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (44) PCT application US 02/25727, filed on 8/14/02, attorney docket no. 25791.67.03, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/317,985, attorney docket no. 25791.67, filed on 9/6/2001 , and U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/318,386, attorney docket no. 25791.67.02, filed on 9/10/2001 , (45) PCT application US 02/39425, filed on 12/10/02, attorney docket no. 25791.68.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/343,674 , attorney docket no. 25791.68, filed on 12/27/2001 , (46) U.S. utility patent application serial no. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on 10/3/2001 , (now U.S. Patent 6,634,431 which issued 10/21/2003), which is a continuation-in- part application of U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (47) U.S. utility patent application serial no. 10/516,467, attorney docket no. 25791.70, filed on 12/10/01 , which is a continuation application of U.S. utility patent application serial no. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on 10/3/2001 , (now U.S. Patent 6,634,431 which issued 10/21/2003), which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (48) PCT application US 03/00609, filed on 1/9/03, attorney docket no. 25791.71.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/357,372 , attorney docket no. 25791.71 , filed on 2/15/02, (49) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/074,703, attorney docket no. 25791.74, filed on 2/12/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (50) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/074,244, attorney docket no. 25791.75, filed on 2/12/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (51) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/076,660, attorney docket no. 25791.76, filed on 2/15/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (52) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/076,661 , attorney docket no. 25791.77, filed on 2/15/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (53) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/076,659, attorney docket no. 25791.78, filed on 2/15/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841, filed on 2/26/99, (54) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/078,928, attorney docket no. 25791.79, filed on 2/20/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (55) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/078,922, attorney docket no. 25791.80, filed on 2/20/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (56) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/078,921 , attorney docket no. 25791.81 , filed on 2/20/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841, filed on 2/26/99, (57) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/261,928, attorney docket no. 25791.82, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (58) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/079,276, attorney docket no. 25791.83, filed on 2/20/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (59) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/262,009, attorney docket no. 25791.84, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (60) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/092,481 , attorney docket no. 25791.85, filed on 3/7/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (61) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/261 ,926, attorney docket no. 25791.86, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (62) PCT application US 02/36157, filed on 11/12/02, attorney docket no. 25791.87.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/338,996, attorney docket no. 25791.87, filed on 11/12/01 , (63) PCT application US 02/36267, filed on 11/12/02, attorney docket no. 25791.88.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/339,013, attorney docket no. 25791.88, filed on 11/12/01 , (64) PCT application US 03/11765, filed on 4/16/03, attorney docket no. 25791.89.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/383,917, attorney docket no. 25791.89, filed on 5/29/02, (65) PCT application US 03/15020, filed on 5/12/03, attorney docket no. 25791.90.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/391 ,703, attorney docket no. 25791.90, filed on 6/26/02, (66) PCT application US 02/39418, filed on 12/10/02, attorney docket no. 25791.92.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/346,309, attorney docket no. 25791.92, filed on 1/7/02, (67) PCT application US 03/06544, filed on 3/4/03, attorney docket no. 25791.93.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/372,048, attorney docket no. 25791.93, filed on 4/12/02, (68) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/331 ,718, attorney docket no. 25791.94, filed on 12/30/02, which is a divisional U.S. patent application serial no. 09/679,906, filed on 10/5/00, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on 10/12/1999, (69) PCT application US 03/04837, filed on 2/29/03, attorney docket no. 25791.95.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/363,829, attorney docket no. 25791.95, filed on 3/13/02, (70) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/261 ,927, attorney docket no. 25791.97, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (71) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/262,008, attorney docket no. 25791.98, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (72) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/261 ,925, attorney docket no. 25791.99, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (73) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/199,524, attorney docket no. 25791.100, filed on 7/19/02, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (74) PCT application US 03/10144, filed on 3/28/03, attorney docket no. 25791.101.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/372,632, attorney docket no. 25791.101 , filed on 4/15/02, (75) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,542, attorney docket no. 25791.102, filed on 9/20/02, (76) PCT application US 03/14153, filed on 5/6/03, attorney docket no. 25791.104.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/380,147, attorney docket no. 25791.104, filed on 5/6/02, (77) PCT application US 03/19993, filed on 6/24/03, attorney docket no. 25791.106.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/397,284, attorney docket no. 25791.106, filed on 7/19/02, (78) PCT application US 03/13787, filed on 5/5/03, attorney docket no. 25791.107.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/387,486, attorney docket no. 25791.107, filed on 6/10/02, (79) PCT application US 03/18530, filed on 6/11/03, attorney docket no. 25791.108.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/387,961 , attorney docket no. 25791.108, filed on 6/12/02, (80) PCT application US 03/20694, filed on 7/1/03, attorney docket no. 25791.110.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/398,061, attorney docket no. 25791.110, filed on 7/24/02, (81) PCT application US 03/20870, filed on 7/2/03, attorney docket no. 25791.111.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/399,240, attorney docket no. 25791.111 , filed on 7/29/02, (82) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,487, attorney docket no. 25791.112, filed on 9/20/02, (83) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,488, attorney docket no. 25791.114, filed on 9/20/02, (84) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/280,356, attorney docket no. 25791.115, filed on 10/25/02, which is a continuation of U.S. patent number 6,470,966, which was filed as patent application serial number 09/850,093, filed on 5/7/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (85) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,177, attorney docket no. 25791.117, filed on 9/20/02, (86) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,653, attorney docket no. 25791.118, filed on 9/20/02, (87) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/405,610, attorney docket no. 25791.119, filed on 8/23/02, (88) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/405,394, attorney docket no. 25791.120, filed on 8/23/02, (89) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,544, attorney docket no. 25791.121 , filed on 9/20/02, (90) PCT application US 03/24779, filed on 8/8/03, attorney docket no. 25791.125.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/407,442, attorney docket no. 25791.125, filed on 8/30/02, (91) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/423,363, attorney docket no. 25791.126, filed on 12/10/02, (92) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,196, attorney docket no. 25791.127, filed on 9/20/02, (93) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,187, attorney docket no. 25791.128, filed on 9/20/02, (94) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,371 , attorney docket no. 25791.129, filed on 9/20/02, (95) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/382,325, attorney docket no. 25791.145, filed on 3/5/03, which is a continuation of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (96) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/624,842, attorney docket no. 25791.151 , filed on 7/22/03, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on 2/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611 , filed on 2/11/99, (97) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/431 ,184, attorney docket no. 25791.157, filed on 12/5/02, (98) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/448,526, attorney docket no. 25791.185, filed on 2/18/03, (99) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/461 ,539, attorney docket no. 25791.186, filed on 4/9/03, (100) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/462,750, attorney docket no. 25791.193, filed on 4/14/03, (101) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/436,106, attorney docket no. 25791.200, filed on 12/23/02, (102) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/442,942, attorney docket no. 25791.213, filed on 1/27/03, (103) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/442,938, attorney docket no. 25791.225, filed on 1/27/03, (104) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/418,687, attorney docket no. 25791.228, filed on 4/18/03, (105) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/454,896, attorney docket no. 25791.236, filed on 3/14/03, (106) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/450,504, attorney docket no. 25791.238, filed on 2/26/03, (107) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/451 ,152, attorney docket no. 25791.239, filed on 3/9/03, (108) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/455,124, attorney docket no. 25791.241 , filed on 3/17/03, (109) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/453,678, attorney docket no. 25791.253, filed on 3/11/03, (110) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/421 ,682, attorney docket no. 25791.256, filed on 4/23/03, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, (now U.S. Patent 6,640,903 which issued 11/4/2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (111) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/457,965, attorney docket no. 25791.260, filed on 3/27/03, (112) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/455,718, attorney docket no. 25791.262, filed on 3/18/03, (113) U.S. patent number 6,550,821, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/811,734, filed on 3/19/01 , (114) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/436,467, attorney docket no. 25791.268, filed on 5/12/03, which is a continuation of U.S. patent number 6,604,763, which was filed as application serial no. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on 4/26/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131 ,106, filed on 4/26/99, (115) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/459,776, attorney docket no. 25791.270, filed on 4/2/03, (116) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/461 ,094, attorney docket no. 25791.272, filed on 4/8/03, (117) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/461 ,038, attorney docket no. 25791.273, filed on 4/7 '/03, (118) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/463,586, attorney docket no. 25791.277, filed on 4/17/03, (119) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/472,240, attorney docket no. 25791.286, filed on 5/20/03, (120) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/619,285, attorney docket no. 25791.292, filed on 7/14/03, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent application serial no. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on 10/3/2001 , (now U.S. Patent 6,634,431 which issued 10/21/2003), which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (121) U.S. utility patent application serial no. 10/418,688, attorney docket no. 25791.257, which was filed on 4/18/03, as a division of U.S. utility patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, (now U.S. Patent 6,640,903 which issued 11/4/2003), which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99; (122) PCT patent application serial no. PCT/US2004/06246, attor ney docket no. 25791.238.02, filed on 2/26/2004; (123) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/08170, attorney docket number 25791.40.02, filed on 3/15/04; (124) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/08171 , attorney docket number 25791.236.02, filed on 3/15/04; (125) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/08073, attorney docket number 25791.262.02, filed on 3/18/04; (126) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/07711 , attorney docket number 25791.253.02, filed on 3/11/2004; (127) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/029025, attorney docket number 25791.260.02, filed on 3/26/2004; (128) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010317, attorney docket number 25791.270.02, filed on 4/2/2004; (129) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010712, attorney docket number 25791.272.02, filed on 4/6/2004; (130) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010762, attorney docket number 25791.273.02, filed on 4/6/2004; (131) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/011973, attorney docket number 25791.277.02, filed on 4/15/2004; (132) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/495056, attorney docket number 25791.301, filed on 8/14/2003; (133) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/600679, attorney docket number 25791.194, filed on 8/11/2004; (134) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/027318, attorney docket number 25791.329.02, filed on 7/29/2005; (135) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028936, attorney docket number 25791.338.02, filed on 8/12/2005; (136) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028669, attorney docket number 25791.194.02, filed on 8/11/2005; (137) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028453, attorney docket number 25791.371, filed on 8/11/2005; (138) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028641 , attorney docket number 25791.372, filed on 8/11/2005; (139) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028819, attorney docket number 25791.373, filed on 8/11/2005; (140) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028446, attorney docket number 25791.374, filed on 8/11/2005; (141) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028642, attorney docket number 25791.375, filed on 8/11/2005; (142) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/028451 , attorney docket number 25791.376, filed on 8/11/2005, and (143). 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1/21/2005, (161) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2005/ , attorney docket number 25791.326.02, filed on 11/29/2005 which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/631703, attorney docket number 25791.326, filed on

11/30/2004, and (162) U.S. provisional patent application serial number , attorney docket number 25791.339, filed on 12/22/2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to oil and gas exploration, and in particular to forming and repairing wellbore casings to facilitate oil and gas exploration.

Summary Of The Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of coupling a wellbore casing to the interior surface of a wellbore is provided that includes positioning a wellbore casing within the wellbore; and radially expanding and plastically deforming the wellbore casing into engagement with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a wellbore; and a wellbore casing positioned within and engaged with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore. [0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of determining one or more properties of at least one of a wellbore and a formation traversed by the wellbore is provided that includes radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within the wellbore using an expansion device; monitoring one or more operating parameters of the expansion device; and correlating one or more of the operating parameters of the expansion device to one or more of the properties of at least one of the wellbore and the formation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Fig. 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an expandable tubular member positioned within a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation.

[0008] Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the expandable tubular member of Fig. 1 after positioning an expansion device within the expandable tubular member. [0009] Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the expandable tubular member of Fig. 2 after operating the expansion device within the expandable tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform at least a portion of the expandable tubular member into engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the wellbore. [00010] Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the expandable tubular member of Fig. 3 after further operating the expansion device within the expandable tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform another portion of the expandable tubular member into engagement with at least another portion of the interior surface of the wellbore. [0010] Fig. 5 is a graphical illustration of the operating pressure of the expansion device and the inside diameter of the wellbore during an exemplary experimental radial expansion and plastic deformation of the tubular member.

[0011] Fig. 6 is a graphical illustration of an exemplary experimental implementation of a pressure test and a pull test following an exemplary experimental radial expansion and plastic deformation of the tubular member.

Detailed Description of the Illustrative Embodiments

[0012] Referring initially to Fig. 1 , an expandable tubular member 10 is positioned within a wellbore 12 that traverses a subterranean formation 14.

[0013] As illustrated in Fig. 2, an expansion device 16 is then positioned within the tubular member 10. In several exemplary embodiments, the expansion device 16 may be positioned within the tubular member 10 before, during, or after the placement of the tubular member within the wellbore 12.

[0014] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the expansion device 16 is then operated to radially expand and plastically deform at least a portion of the tubular member 10 into engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the wellbore 12.

[0015] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the expansion device 16 is then further operated to radially expand the remainining portion of the tubular member 10 into engagement with first portions of the interior surface of the wellbore 12.

[0016] In several exemplary embodiments, the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the tubular member 10 using the expansion device 16 is provided using one or more of the disclosures of one or more of the following: (1) U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (2) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/510,913, attorney docket no. 25791.7.02, filed on 2/23/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,702, filed on 2/25/99, (3) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on 2/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611 , filed on 2/11/99, (4) U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (5) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/169,434, attorney docket no. 25791.10.04, filed on 7/1/02, which claims priority from provisional application 60/183,546, filed on 2/18/00, (6) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (7) U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (8) U.S. patent number 6,575,240, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/511 ,941 , attorney docket no. 25791.16.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,907, filed on 2/26/99, (9) U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (10) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/981 ,916, attorney docket no. 25791.18, filed on 10/18/01 as a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (11) U.S. patent number 6,604,763, which was filed as application serial no. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on 4/26/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131 ,106, filed on 4/26/99, (12) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/030,593, attorney docket no. 25791.25.08, filed on 1/8/02, which claims priority from provisional application 60/146,203, filed on 7/29/99, (13) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/143,039, attorney docket no. 25791.26, filed on 7/9/99, (14) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/111 ,982, attorney docket no. 25791.27.08, filed on 4/30/02, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/162,671 , attorney docket no. 25791.27, filed on 11/1/1999, (15) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/154,047, attorney docket no. 25791.29, filed on 9/16/1999, (16) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/438,828, attorney docket no. 25791.31 , filed on 1/9/03, (17) U.S. patent number 6,564,875, which was filed as application serial no. 09/679,907, attorney docket no. 25791.34.02, on 10/5/00, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/159,082, attorney docket no. 25791.34, filed on 10/12/1999, (18) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/089,419, filed on 3/27/02, attorney docket no. 25791.36.03, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/159,039, attorney docket no. 25791.36, filed on 10/12/1999, (19) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/679,906, filed on 10/5/00, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on 10/12/1999, (20) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/303,992, filed on 11/22/02, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/212,359, attorney docket no. 25791.38, filed on 6/19/2000, (21 ) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/165,228, attorney docket no. 25791.39, filed on 11/12/1999, (22) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/455,051 , attorney docket no. 25791.40, filed on 3/14/03, (23) PCT application US02/2477, filed on 6/26/02, attorney docket no. 25791.44.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/303,711 , attorney docket no. 25791.44, filed on 7/6/01 , (24) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/311 ,412, filed on 12/12/02, attorney docket no. 25791.45.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/221 ,443, attorney docket no. 25791.45, filed on 7/28/2000, (25) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/, filed on 12/18/02, attorney docket no. 25791.46.07, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/221 ,645, attorney docket no. 25791.46, filed on 7/28/2000, (26) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/322,947, filed on 1/22/03, attorney docket no. 25791.47.03, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/233,638, attorney docket no. 25791.47, filed on 9/18/2000, (27) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/406,648, filed on 3/31/03, attorney docket no. 25791.48.06, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/237,334, attorney docket no. 25791.48, filed on 10/2/2000, (28) PCT application US02/04353, filed on 2/14/02, attorney docket no. 25791.50.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/270,007, attorney docket no. 25791.50, filed on 2/20/2001 , (29) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/465,835, filed on 6/13/03, attorney docket no. 25791.51.06, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/262,434, attorney docket no. 25791.51 , filed on 1/17/2001 , (30) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/465,831 , filed on 6/13/03, attorney docket no. 25791.52.06, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/259,486, attorney docket no. 25791.52, filed on 1/3/2001 , (31) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/452,303, filed on 3/5/03, attorney docket no. 25791.53, (32) U.S. patent number 6,470,966, which was filed as patent application serial number 09/850,093, filed on 5/7/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (33) U.S. patent number 6,561 ,227, which was filed as patent application serial number 09/852,026 , filed on 5/9/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.56, as a divisional application of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (34) U.S. patent application serial number 09/852,027, filed on 5/9/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.57, as a divisional application of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (35) PCT Application US02/25608, attorney docket no. 25791.58.02, filed on 8/13/02, which claims priority from provisional application 60/318,021 , filed on 9/7/01 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(40) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,470, filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.63, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (41) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,471 , filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.64, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (42) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,467, filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.65, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (43) U.S. patent application serial no. 09/962,468, filed on 9/25/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.66, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on 3/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (44) PCT application US 02/25727, filed on 8/14/02, attorney docket no. 25791.67.03, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/317,985, attorney docket no. 25791.67, filed on 9/6/2001 , and U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/318,386, attorney docket no. 25791.67.02, filed on 9/10/2001, (45) PCT application US 02/39425, filed on 12/10/02, attorney docket no. 25791.68.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/343,674 , attorney docket no. 25791.68, filed on 12/27/2001 , (46) U.S. utility patent application serial no. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on 10/3/2001 , which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (47) U.S. utility patent application serial no. 10/516,467, attorney docket no. 25791.70, filed on 12/10/01 , which is a continuation application of U.S. utility patent application serial no. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on 10/3/2001 , which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent no. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial number 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on 11/15/99, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on 11/16/98, (48) PCT application US 03/00609, filed on 1/9/03, attorney docket no. 25791.71.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/357,372 , attorney docket no. 25791.71 , filed on 2/15/02, (49) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/074,703, attorney docket no. 25791.74, filed on 2/12/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841, filed on 2/26/99, (50) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/074,244, attorney docket no. 25791.75, filed on 2/12/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (51) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/076,660, attorney docket no. 25791.76, filed on 2/15/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (52) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/076,661 , attorney docket no. 25791.77, filed on 2/15/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (53) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/076,659, attorney docket no. 25791.78, filed on 2/15/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (54) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/078,928, attorney docket no. 25791.79, filed on 2/20/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (55) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/078,922, attorney docket no. 25791.80, filed on 2/20/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841, filed on 2/26/99, (56) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/078,921 , attorney docket no. 25791.81 , filed on 2/20/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (57) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/261 ,928, attorney docket no. 25791.82, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (58) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/079,276 , attorney docket no. 25791.83, filed on 2/20/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (59) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/262,009, attorney docket no. 25791.84, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (60) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/092,481 , attorney docket no. 25791.85, filed on 3/7/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,568,471 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on 2/24/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121 ,841 , filed on 2/26/99, (61) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/261 ,926, attorney docket no. 25791.86, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (62) PCT application US 02/36157, filed on 11/12/02, attorney docket no. 25791.87.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/338,996, attorney docket no. 25791.87, filed on 11/12/01 , (63) PCT application US 02/36267, filed on 11/12/02, attorney docket no. 25791.88.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/339,013, attorney docket no. 25791.88, filed on 11/12/01 , (64) PCT application US 03/11765, filed on 4/16/03, attorney docket no. 25791.89.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/383,917, attorney docket no. 25791.89, filed on 5/29/02, (65) PCT application US 03/15020, filed on 5/12/03, attorney docket no. 25791.90.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/391 ,703, attorney docket no. 25791.90, filed on 6/26/02, (66) PCT application US 02/39418, filed on 12/10/02, attorney docket no. 25791.92.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/346,309, attorney docket no. 25791.92, filed on 1/7/02, (67) PCT application US 03/06544, filed on 3/4/03, attorney docket no. 25791.93.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/372,048, attorney docket no. 25791.93, filed on 4/12/02, (68) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/331 ,718, attorney docket no. 25791.94, filed on 12/30/02, which is a divisional U.S. patent application serial no. 09/679,906, filed on 10/5/00, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which claims priority from provisional patent application serial no. 60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on 10/12/1999, (69) PCT application US 03/04837, filed on 2/29/03, attorney docket no. 25791.95.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/363,829, attorney docket no. 25791.95, filed on 3/13/02, (70) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/261 ,927, attorney docket no. 25791.97, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (71) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/262,008, attorney docket no. 25791.98, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (72) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/261 ,925, attorney docket no. 25791.99, filed on 10/1/02, which is a divisional of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (73) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/199,524, attorney docket no. 25791.100, filed on 7/19/02, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111 ,293, filed on 12/7/98, (74) PCT application US 03/10144, filed on 3/28/03, attorney docket no. 25791.101.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/372,632, attorney docket no. 25791.101 , filed on 4/15/02, (75) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,542, attorney docket no. 25791.102, filed on 9/20/02, (76) PCT application US 03/14153, filed on 5/6/03, attorney docket no. 25791.104.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/380,147, attorney docket no. 25791.104, filed on 5/6/02, (77) PCT application US 03/19993, filed on 6/24/03, attorney docket no. 25791.106.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/397,284, attorney docket no. 25791.106, filed on 7/19/02, (78) PCT application US 03/13787, filed on 5/5/03, attorney docket no. 25791.107.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/387,486 , attorney docket no. 25791.107, filed on 6/10/02, (79) PCT application US 03/18530, filed on 6/11/03, attorney docket no. 25791.108.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/387,961 , attorney docket no. 25791.108, filed on 6/12/02, (80) PCT application US 03/20694, filed on 7/1/03, attorney docket no. 25791.110.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/398,061 , attorney docket no. 25791.110, filed on 7/24/02, (81) PCT application US 03/20870, filed on 7/2/03, attorney docket no. 25791.111.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/399,240, attorney docket no. 25791.111, filed on 7/29/02, (82) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,487, attorney docket no. 25791.112, filed on 9/20/02, (83) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,488, attorney docket no. 25791.114, filed on 9/20/02, (84) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/280,356, attorney docket no. 25791.115, filed on 10/25/02, which is a continuation of U.S. patent number 6,470,966, which was filed as patent application serial number 09/850,093, filed on 5/7/01 , attorney docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Patent Number 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. Patent Application serial no. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on 12/3/1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on 12/7/98, (85) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,177, attorney docket no. 25791.117, filed on 9/20/02, (86) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,653, attorney docket no. 25791.118, filed on 9/20/02, (87) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/405,610, attorney docket no. 25791.119, filed on 8/23/02, (88) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/405,394, attorney docket no. 25791.120, filed on 8/23/02, (89) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,544, attorney docket no. 25791.121 , filed on 9/20/02, (90) PCT application US 03/24779, filed on 8/8/03, attorney docket no. 25791.125.02, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/407,442, attorney docket no. 25791.125, filed on 8/30/02, (91) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/423,363, attorney docket no. 25791.126, filed on 12/10/02, (92) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,196, attorney docket no. 25791.127, filed on 9/20/02, (93) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,187, attorney docket no. 25791.128, filed on 9/20/02, (94) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/412,371 , attorney docket no. 25791.129, filed on 9/20/02, (95) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/382,325, attorney docket no. 25791.145, filed on 3/5/03, which is a continuation of U.S. patent number 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on 6/7/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on 6/7/99, (96) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/624,842, attorney docket no. 25791.151 , filed on 7/22/03, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application serial no. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on 2/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611 , filed on 2/11/99, (97) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/431 ,184, attorney docket no. 25791.157, filed on 12/5/02, (98) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/448,526, attorney docket no. 25791.185, filed on 2/18/03, (99) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/461 ,539, attorney docket no. 25791.186, filed on 4/9/03, (100) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/462,750, attorney docket no. 25791.193, filed on 4/14/03, (101 ) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/436,106, attorney docket no. 25791.200, filed on 12/23/02, (102) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/442,942, attorney docket no. 25791.213, filed on 1/27/03, (103) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/442,938, attorney docket no. 25791.225, filed on 1/27/03, (104) U.S. provisional 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patent application serial no. 60/457,965, attorney docket no. 25791.260, filed on 3/27/03, (112) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/455,718, attorney docket no. 25791.262, filed on 3/18/03, (113) U.S. patent number 6,550,821 , which was filed as patent application serial no. 09/811 ,734, filed on 3/19/01 , (114) U.S. patent application serial no. 10/436,467, attorney docket no. 25791.268, filed on 5/12/03, which is a continuation of U.S. patent number 6,604,763, which was filed as application serial no. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on 4/26/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131 ,106, filed on 4/26/99, (115) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/459,776, attorney docket no. 25791.270, filed on 4/2/03, (116) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/461 ,094, attorney docket no. 25791.272, filed on 4/8/03, (117) U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/461 ,038, attorney docket no. 25791.273, filed 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3/10/2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on 3/11/99, (122) PCT patent application serial no. PCT/US04/06246, attorney docket no. 25791.238.02, filed on 2/26/2004, (123) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/08170, attorney docket number 25791.40.02, filed on 3/15/04, (124) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/08171, attorney docket number 25791.236.02, filed on 3/15/04, (125) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/08073, attorney docket number 25791.262.02, filed on 3/18/04, (126) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US04/07711 , attorney docket number 25791.253.02, filed on 3/11/2004, (127) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/009434, attorney docket number 25791.260.02, filed on 3/26/2004, (128) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010317, attorney docket number 25791.270.02, filed on 4/2/2004, (129) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010712, attorney docket number 25791.272.02, filed on 4/6/2004, (130) PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2004/010762, attorney docket number 25791.273.02, filed on 4/6/2004, (131) PCT patent application serial number PCT/2004/011973, attorney docket number 25791.277.02, filed on 4/15/2004, (132) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/495,056, attorney docket number 25791.301 , filed on 8/14/2003, (133) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/585,370, attorney docket number 25791.299, filed on 7/2/2004, (134) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/598,020, attorney docket number 25791.329, filed on 8/2/2004, (135) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/600,679, attorney docket number 25791.194, filed on 8/11/2004, and (136) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/601 ,502, attorney docket number 25791.338 filed on 8/13/2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] In an exemplary experimental implementation, the wellbore casing 10 was radially expanded and plastically deformed into engagement with the interior surface of a wellbore 12 using a fluid powered expansion device 16. In the exemplary experimental implementation, the fluid powered expansion device 16 comprised a conventional solid expansion cone that was displaced upwardly through the casing 10 in a conventional manner using fluid pressure.

[0018] As illustrated in Fig. 5, during the exemplary experimental implementation, the operating pressure 100 of the expansion device 16, the inside diameter 102 of the wellbore 12 at one radial location proximate the expansion device, and the inside diameter 104 of the wellbore at another radial location proximate the expansion device were monitored in a conventional manner using conventional measuring devices.

[0019] As illustrated in Fig. 5, during the exemplary experimental implementation, the operating pressure 100 of the expansion device varied inversely with respect to the inside diameters, 102 and 104, of the wellbore 12. Thus, by monitoring the expansion forces required to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member 10, the geometry of the wellbore 12 may be determined. Furthermore, by monitoring the expansion forces required to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member 10, the material properties and geometry of the formation 14 may also be determined. For example, empirical data may be used to develop and generate a functional relationship between the expansion forces required to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member 10 and the material properties and geometry of the formation 14. In this manner, by monitoring the expansion forces required to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member 10, a log of the formation 14 may be generated.

[0020] As illustrated in Fig. 6, in an exemplary experimental implementation, following the completion of the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the tubular member 10, a pressure test was conducted to determine the degree to which a fluid tight metal to formation seal was created between the tubular member and the interior surface of the wellbore 12. [0021] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the fluid tight metal to formation seal generated during the exemplary experimental implementation was capable of withstanding an operating pressure 200 of up to about 2700 psi.

[0022] As also illustrated in Fig. 6, in an exemplary experimental implementation, following the completion of the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the tubular member 10, a pull test was conducted to determine the degree to which a fluid tight metal to formation seal was created between the tubular member and the interior surface of the wellbore 12.

[0023] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the fluid tight metal to formation seal generated during the exemplary experimental implementation was capable of withstanding a tensile load 202 of about 180,000 Ibf.

[0024] The experimental results, and observations derived therefrom, illustrated and described above with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 were unexpected results. [0025] An expandable tubular member has been described that includes: a tubular body; wherein a yield point of an inner tubular portion of the tubular body is less than a yield point of an outer tubular portion of the tubular body. In an exemplary embodiment, the yield point of the inner tubular portion of the tubular body varies as a function of the radial position within the tubular body. In an exemplary embodiment, the yield point of the inner tubular portion of the tubular body varies in an linear fashion as a function of the radial position within the tubular body.

[0026] A method of coupling a wellbore casing to the interior surface of a wellbore has been described that includes positioning a wellbore casing within the wellbore and radially expanding and plastically deforming the wellbore casing into engagement with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operating pressure of up to about 2700 psi. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of up to about 180,000 Ibf.

[0027] An apparatus has been described that includes a wellbore; and a wellbore casing positioned within and engaged with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operating pressure of up to about 2700 psi. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of up to about 180,000 Ibf. [0028] A method of determining one or more properties of at least one of a wellbore and a formation traversed by the wellbore has been described that includes radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within the wellbore using an expansion device; monitoring one or more operating parameters of the expansion device; and correlating one or more of the operating parameters of the expansion device to one or more of the properties of at least one of the wellbore and the formation.

[0029] It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the teachings of the present illustrative embodiments may be used to provide a wellbore casing, a pipeline, or a structural support. Furthermore, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments. [0030] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, changes and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of coupling a wellbore casing to the interior surface of a wellbore, comprising: positioning a wellbore casing within the wellbore; and radially expanding and plastically deforming the wellbore casing into direct contact with the wellbore to form a RuId tight seal between the casing and the wellbore.

2. The method of claim 1. wherein the fluid tight sea) between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fiuidlc materials having an operating pressure of up to about 2700 psi.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operating pressure of at least about 2500 psi.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore Is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operation pressure of at least about 2000 psi.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operation pressure of at least about 1500 psi.

6. The method of claim 1. wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore Is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operation pressure of at least about 1000 psi.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operation pressure of at least about 600 psi.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of up to about 180,000 ibf.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 160,000 Ibf.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 120,000 Ibf.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the Wθllbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 100,000 Ibf.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore Is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 80,000 Ibf.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore Is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 60,000 Ibf.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 40,000 Ibf.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore Is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at feast about 20,000 Ibf.

16. An apparatus, comprising: a wellbore; a wellbore casing positioned within and engaged with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operating pressure of up to about 2700 psi.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operating pressure of at least about 2500 psi.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore Is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operation pressure of at least about 2000 psi.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off flυidic materials having an operation pressure of at least about 1500 pel.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off flυidic materials having an operation pressure of at least about 100O pSl.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of sealing off fluidic materials having an operation pressure of at least about 500 psl.

23. The apparatus of claim 1$, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellborβ is capable of withstanding a tensile load of up to about 180,000 Ibf.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 160,000 Ibf.

25. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 120,000 Ibf.

26. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 100,000 Ibf.

27. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 80,000 Ibf.

28. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore Is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 60,000 Ibf.

29. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore Is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 40,000 Ibf.

30. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore is capable of withstanding a tensile load of at least about 20,000 Ibf.

31. A method of determining one or more properties of at least one of a wellbore and a formation traversed by the wellbore, comprising: radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within the wellbore using an expansion device; monitoring one or more operating parameters of the expansion device; and correlating one or more of the operating parameters of the expansion device to one or more of the properties of at least one of the wellbore and the formation.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within the wellbore using an expansion device comprises: radially expanding and plastically deforming the wellbore casing into direct contact with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore.