WO2020148518A1

WO2020148518A1 - Method and apparatus for creating a support in a bore

Info

Publication number: WO2020148518A1
Application number: PCT/GB2020/050038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Greig ROSS
Original assignee: R.B. Ross Sales and Rentals
Priority date: 2019-01-14
Filing date: 2020-01-08
Publication date: 2020-07-23
Also published as: GB201900492D0; GB202109758D0; US20220120150A1; GB2594837A; GB2580432A

Abstract

A method for creating a support within a bore comprises providing a support body with a non-round profile which permits deployment through the bore when the support body is in a first orientation, wherein the support body defines an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining a perimeter which is larger than a perimeter of the bore. The method comprises deploying the support body through the bore when oriented in its first orientation, and re-orientating the support body towards a second orientation to cause the support body to be reformed by engagement with a wall of the bore to establish an interference fit between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A SUPPORT IN A BORE

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for creating a support within a bore, such as a wellbore.

BACKGROUND

Many operations in the oil and gas industry require the presence of a support or anchor within a wellbore. For example, it may be required to hang equipment within a wellbore. Also, many operations may require the setting of seals or plugs within a wellbore, which require robust anchoring and wellbore mechanical and sealing engagement.

In some circumstances a suitable support to facilitate future operations may be installed as part of the wellbore infrastructure, for example run as part of a wellbore completion. However, the support may create a bore restriction when not in use. In other examples operators may choose to install a desired support whenever required. Many options exist for such installation, such as using expandable tools, extendable slips and the like. However, such tools may suffer issues concerning complexity of structure and operation, less than favourable expansion ratios, less than favourable anchoring capabilities, especially at high expansion ratios, and the like.

While it is required in many operations to create a support within a wellbore, such support requirements may also extend to other applications involving pipelines and other conduit structures.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for creating a support within a bore, comprising:

providing a support body with a non-round profile which permits deployment through the bore when the support body is in a first orientation, wherein the support body defines an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining a perimeter which is larger than a perimeter of the bore;

deploying the support body through the bore when oriented in its first orientation; and re-orientating the support body towards a second orientation to cause the support body to be reformed by engagement with a wall of the bore to establish an interference fit between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore.

When the support body is secured within the bore by virtue of the interference fit, the support body may thus define a support within the bore. In some examples the support body, when in its second orientation may provide support in an axial direction of the bore.

The support provided by the support body may be used in any desired application, for example in a sealing application, hanging application, force reaction application and/or the like. Non-limiting example applications will be presented below in more detail.

The method may be for use in creating a support within a wellbore. In some examples the method may be for use in creating a support within a bore defined within a pipe or pipeline, such as a surface pipeline, subsea pipeline, subsurface pipeline and/or the like.

The support body may define first and second opposing surfaces which each extend between the inner and outer surfaces. The first and second opposing surfaces may define opposing axially facing surfaces. In some examples at least one of the first and second opposing surfaces may define a support surface for providing support to a separate tool, structure, object, operation and/or the like.

The support body may define a length between the first and second opposing surfaces. The support body may define a thickness between the inner and outer surfaces. The length and/or thickness may be provided in accordance with a user preference, application requirements or the like.

The interference fit between the outer surface of the support body and the wall of the bore may involve plastic deformation, for example, the support body and/or the wall of the bore may undergo plastic deformation during re-orientation of the support body.

The non-round profile of the support body enables said support body to be deployed through the bore to a desired location, while having an outer perimeter which is larger than that of the bore to facilitate an interference fit between the support body and the bore wall during the re-orientating and reforming step. This arrangement may provide significant advantages over known systems in which a support structure must be capable of being radially expanded into engagement with a bore wall. In these known systems significant restrictions may be present in view of the expansion mechanism, limitations on expansion ratios, limitations on achievable interference, and the like.

Re-orientation of the support body causes the support body to be reformed by virtue of engagement with the wall of the bore. This arrangement may also provide advantages over known systems in which specialised expansion tools may be required in order to expand (e.g., radially expand) a body into engagement with a bore wall. Re-orientation of the support body causes the support body to be reformed and comply with the profile of the bore. In some examples the bore may be approximated as being round or near round. In such an example the support body may adopt a round or near round profile when in its second configuration. The support body may thus be reformed to adopt a general ring form. However, in some cases the bore may be out of round, for example by virtue of a bore design feature, by corrosion, deformation (desired or otherwise), or the like.

By virtue of the creation of interference during re-orientating the support body, the wall of the bore may be subject to a cleaning action, which may provide benefits in improving grip between the support body and the bore wall, improving sealing capabilities, if desired, between the support body and the bore wall, and the like.

The method may comprise deforming the bore wall during re-orientating of the support body. In some examples such deformation of the bore wall may establish interlocking, for example axial interlocking, between the support body and bore wall.

The perimeter of the support body may be continuous in both its first and second orientations. The support body may define a non-round curved profile. In one example the curved profile may be continuously curved. The curved profile may be such that the outer surface of the support body is continuously convex. This arrangement may permit desired re-forming of the support body and compliance with the geometry of the bore wall. The curved profile may be such that the inner surface of the support body is continuously concave. The support body may be provided with a first width in a first lateral direction, and a second width in a second lateral direction, wherein the first width is larger than the second width. The first and second lateral directions may be substantially perpendicular relative to each other. The first lateral direction may define a major axis of the support body, and the second lateral direction may define a minor axis of the support body. Such an arrangement of the differing first and second lateral widths may provide the support body with an elongate form. That is, the support body may be elongated along the first lateral direction. Such an elongate form may facilitate deployment of the support body through the bore. For example, the first orientation of the support body may be such that the elongation direction of the support body is aligned generally in the direction of deployment of the support body through the bore.

The second width may be smaller than a width or diameter of the bore. In this example the first orientation of the support body may be such that the second lateral direction (and second width) of the support body is aligned generally laterally of (or across) the bore to permit the support body to be deployed therethrough.

The support body may be ovate in form. The support body may be oval, elliptical or the like.

The method may comprise providing the support body in its non-round profile in preparation to be deployed through the bore. The method may comprise providing the support body initially in a circular or ring form, and then forming the support body to adopt the non-round profile prior to being deployed in the bore. The method may comprise laterally deforming the circular support body to adopt its non-round form.

When the support body is in its first orientation within the bore said support body may define leading and trailing ends relative to a direction of deployment through the bore. The leading and trailing ends may be aligned with the first lateral direction, or major axis, as defined above.

The support body may be re-orientated to establish the interference fit with the wall of the bore at any location within the bore. That is, the support body may not require a corresponding feature in the bore to be re-orientated, and as such may be located anywhere in the bore without prior intention of locating the support body in that location. Re-orientation of the support body towards its second orientation may comprise engaging the leading and trailing ends of the support body with the bore wall, for example opposing sides of the bore wall. Continued re-orientation of the support body may establish a compressive force between the leading and trailing ends of the support body to cause re-forming of the support body, and establish the interference fit. Such re forming by establishing a compressive force between the leading and trailing ends may cause the support body to expand along the second lateral direction, or minor axis, as defined above. During the course of re-orientation and reforming in this manner the outer surface regions between the leading and trailing ends of the support body may be gradually brought into interfering engagement with the bore wall.

The method may comprise rotating the support body within the bore to re-orientate the support body towards its second configuration. Such rotation may be performed about a minor axis of the support body. Rotation may be achieved about the leading or trailing end of the support body. In such an example the support body may pivot about its leading or trailing end.

The method may comprise locating the support body in its second orientation to be perpendicular to an axis of the bore. In alternative examples the method may comprise locating the support body in its second orientation to be aligned in a non-perpendicular, such as oblique, orientation relative to the axis of the bore. The particular orientation of the support body when in its second orientation may be selected in accordance with a desired end use, desired level of interference, and/or the like.

The method may comprise deploying the support body through the bore when in its first orientation using a running tool. The running tool may hold the support body in its first orientation during deployment to a desired setting location. In some examples the running tool may also function as a setting tool for re-orientating the support body towards its second orientation. However, in some examples a separate setting tool may be utilised.

The method may comprise applying a force to the support body to re-orientate the support body towards its second orientation and cause the desired reforming and interference. The method may comprise applying a force via a setting tool. The setting tool may function to cause the support body to be rotated towards its second orientation. In one example the setting tool may also function as a running tool, to deploy the support body through the bore to a desired setting location. However, in some examples a separate running tool may be utilised.

The method may comprise engaging a portion of the support body with a reaction surface within the bore, and then re-orientating the support body while engaged with the reaction surface. In this respect any force applied to the support body to achieve re-orientation and reforming will be reacted off the reaction surface. The reaction surface may establish a pivot point for rotation of the support body. The reaction surface may be provided in the form of a no-go profile, step, lip or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, a suitable reaction function may be achieved by a setting tool.

The method may comprise subsequently expanding, for example radially expanding, the support body when in its second orientation. Such expansion may function to increase the level of interference between the support body and the bore wall. However, in some examples the level of interference established by re-orientating the support body towards its second orientation may be sufficient for desired purposes. The additional expanding step may be provided in circumstances where a larger interference and support force is required.

The method may comprise engaging an expansion tool with the inner surface of the support body and applying an expansion force to expand the support body. Any suitable form of expansion method and/or tool may be utilised. In one example the method may comprise driving an expansion tool through the support body to generate an expansion force against the inner surface of the support body. The method may comprise driving the expansion tool through the support body in an axial direction relative to the bore. The expansion tool may function to swage the support body. The expansion tool may comprise a cone expander. In some examples the expansion tool may form part of a running and/or setting tool.

The expansion tool may be removed from the support body following the required level of expansion being achieved. This may then permit the support body to be utilised for its desired function. In some examples the method may comprise retaining the expansion tool in place within the support body to provide a desired function. For example, the expansion tool may provide a seal or plug within the support body. Such an arrangement may function to provide a plug within the bore, such as a bridge plug. In this respect, the support body may function to mechanically and sealingly engage the bore wall, and the expansion tool may function, following any expansion, to seal/plug within the support body.

The inner surface may define a curved profile in a direction between first and second opposing surfaces of the support body. This curved profile may assist in alignment of an expansion tool within the support body.

During any expansion process an expansion tool may deform at least a portion of the inner surface of the support body. Such deformation may cause the inner surface to comply with the expansion tool, which may provide benefits in terms of sealing and/or the like.

The outer surface of the support body may comprise or define an interface structure configured to engage the bore wall at least when the support body is in its second orientation. The interface structure may define a profile which assists in achieving interference with the wall of the wellbore. The interface structure may comprise at least one protruding structure or element extending outwardly from the support body. The interface structure may comprise one or more gripping elements, piercing elements, deformable elements, sealing elements and/or the like. The interface structure may comprise at least one of a rib, lip or the like. In some examples the interface structure may comprise a pointed structure, such as a tapered structure.

The interface structure may facilitate the creation of an improved seal between the support body and the bore wall.

The interface structure may be substantially centrally positioned between first and second opposing surfaces of the support body. Alternatively, the interface structure may be positioned offset from a central position.

The interface structure may be rigidly provided on the support body. The interface structure may be integrally formed with the support body. Alternatively, the interface structure may be separately formed and secured or otherwise mounted to the support body. In such an example the interface structure may be composed of the same or a different material than the support body.

The interface structure may extend partially around the perimeter of the support body. Alternatively, the interference structure may extend continuously around the perimeter of the support body.

The interface structure may be configured to sealingly engage the bore wall when the support body is in its second orientation.

The method may comprise expanding the support body when in its second orientation to increase interference between the interface structure and the bore wall. For example, expanding the support body may provide a deeper penetration of the interface structure into the bore wall.

The interface structure may define a primary interface structure and the outer surface of the support body may further comprise or define a secondary interface structure. The primary and secondary interface structures may be provided adjacent each other, for example one above the other. The secondary interface structure may provide a degree of protection to the primary interface structure during deployment through the bore and/or during reorientation of the support body towards its second orientation. While the secondary interface structure may function to protect the primary interface structure, in some examples the secondary interface structure may still contribute to the interference between the support body and the bore wall.

The secondary interface structure may comprise at least one protruding structure or element extending outwardly from the support body. The secondary interface structure may initially protrude further from the support body than the primary interface structure. Such an arrangement may allow the secondary interface structure to provide initial engagement with the bore wall and function to protect the primary interface structure.

The secondary interface structure may comprise one or more gripping elements, piercing elements, deformable elements, sealing elements and/or the like. The secondary interface structure may comprise at least one of a rib, lip or the like. In some examples the secondary interface structure may comprise a pointed structure, such as a tapered structure. The secondary interface structure may be integrally formed with the support body. Alternatively, the interface structure may be separately formed and secured or otherwise mounted to the support body.

The secondary interface structure may extend partially around the perimeter of the support body. Alternatively, the secondary interference structure may extend continuously around the perimeter of the support body.

The secondary interface structure may be configured to sealingly engage the bore wall when the support body is in its second orientation.

The secondary interface structure may be rigidly provided on the support body. Alternatively, the secondary interface structure may be compliantly provided on the support body, with such compliance requiring a lower level of applied load for a given deformation of the secondary interface structure than the primary interface structure.

The secondary interface structure may comprise a cantilever portion which provides compliant mounting on the support body. The cantilever portion may comprise a fixed or proximal end connected to the support body, and a free or distal end. The free end may carry an interface element, such as a lip, ridge, rib or the like. The free end may be positioned adjacent or in close proximity to the primary interface structure (i.e. , in closer proximity than the fixed end).

The primary interface structure may comprise an anvil surface, wherein the secondary interface structure is initially disengaged from the anvil surface, and is brought into engagement with the anvil surface when the support body is re-orientated towards its second orientation. This arrangement may permit the secondary interface structure to at least initially have a higher degree of compliance than the primary interface structure, while still permitting a more robust structure to be established when the support body is positioned in its second orientation.

The support body may comprise first and second secondary interface structures provided adjacent or in proximity to the primary interface structure. The first and second secondary interface structures may be provided on opposite sides of the primary interface structure.

The support body may comprise any suitable material. In one example the support body may comprise a metal. The support body may comprise a metal alloy. The support body may comprise a metal composite (e.g., different parts formed of different metals or metal alloys). At least a portion of the support body may comprise one or more of aluminium, bronze, steel, such as stainless steel, mild steel and/or the like.

The method may comprise permanently installing the support body within the bore. Alternatively, the method may comprise temporarily installing the support body. In this example the method may comprise retrieving the support body from the bore.

As noted above, the support provided by the support body may be used in any desired application. In one example the method may comprise creating a support within a bore to provide bore sealing. The method may comprise re-orientating the support body towards its second orientation to cause the support body to establish sealing interference between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore. In some examples a sealing material may be mounted on the outer surface of the support body to assist in the creation of a seal. However, in many examples the ability to provide robust interference between the support body and the bore wall in the manner disclosed herein may eliminate the requirement for any additional sealing material. In some examples, the method may comprise establishing metal-to-metal sealing interference between the support body and the bore wall.

The method may comprise setting a plug within the support body. The plug may sealingly engage the inner surface of the support body. In some examples the process of setting the plug within the support body may increase the interference fit between the support body and the bore wall, for example in a manner as described above. The plug may be provided in the form of a cone.

The support body, when installed, may provide a more appropriate sealing interface within the bore in the form of the inner surface of the support body. In this respect a plug may more readily seal against the relatively fresh inner surface of the support body than against the bore wall. In some examples the inner surface of the support body may define a polished bore.

The method may comprise setting a bridge plug within the bore, configured to isolate and/or retain pressure on one side of the bridge plug.

In some examples the method may comprise establishing a plug within a bore, for example a wellbore, to support a plug and abandon operation. For example, a material such as cement may be deployed into the bore and held in place by the installed plug.

The method may comprise creating a support within the bore to provide a hanger within the bore. For example, other equipment, tooling, structures, tubing, liner, wellbore skins and the like may be hung from the support body. In one example the support body may define a tubing hanger when installed. In some examples the inner surface of the support body may define an interface to permit equipment etc. to be engaged therewith. In some examples an axial face of the support body may define an interface for engaging with equipment etc.

The support body may define a seat when installed within the bore. The seat may be configured to be subsequently engaged by an object, such as a ball, dart, spear or the like deployed through the bore.

The support body may define a reaction load point when installed within the bore. For example the support body may facilitate jacking operations within the bore, and the like.

The method may comprise installing multiple support bodies in a bore. Each installed support body may provide its own dedicated function. Alternatively, each support body may contribute to a common function. For example, the method may comprise installing multiple stacked seals in the bore.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a support body for use in creating a support within a bore, the support body comprising:

an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining a perimeter of the support body, wherein the support body has a non-round profile which permits deployment through the bore when the support body is in a first orientation;

and wherein the support body is deformable by engagement with a wall of the bore during re-orientating the support body towards a second orientation to cause the support body to be reformed to establish an interference fit between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore.

The perimeter of the support body may be larger than a perimeter of the bore in which the support body is to be installed.

The support body may be used in performing the method of any other aspect. The support body may be provided in accordance with the support body defined in relation to any other aspect.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for creating a seal within a bore, comprising:

deploying the support body through the bore when oriented in its first orientation; re-orientating the support body towards a second orientation to cause the support body to be reformed by engagement with a wall of the bore to establish sealing interference between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore; and

setting a plug within the support body, the plug sealingly engaging the inner surface of the support body.

The method may comprise increasing the interference between the support body and the bore wall by setting the plug within the support body.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a sealing assembly to be deployed in a bore, the assembly comprising:

a support body, for example as defined in relation to any other aspect, wherein the support body is configured to be installed in a bore to provide sealing interference with a wall of the bore; and a plug configured to be sealingly engaged within the support body.

Features defined in relation to one aspect may be provided in accordance with any other aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top elevation view of a support body for use in creating a support within a bore;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support body of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a top elevation of the support body of Figure 1 , shown in an initial form;

Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates the support body of Figure 1 being deployed within a bore;

Figure 5 diagrammatically illustrates, in perspective view, the support body of Figure 1 following setting in a bore;

Figures 6 to 9 provide multiple example uses of the support body when installed;

Figure 10 provides a side elevation of an alternative form of support body to be installed within a bore;

Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of region A of Figure 10;

Figure 12 diagrammatically illustrates the support body of Figure 10 installed, after a first installation stage, in a bore;

Figure 13 is an enlarged view of region B of Figure 12; Figure 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the support body of Figure 10 shown in the process of a second stage of installation; and

Figures 15 and 16 show enlarged views of a portion of alternative forms of support body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A support body, generally identified by reference numeral 10, is shown in top elevation in Figure 1 , and in perspective view in Figure 2. In the present example the support body is formed of a metallic material, although in other examples different materials may be used. The support body 10 is substantially ring shaped, albeit defining a non-round profile, specifically an ellipse in the present example, with a major axis 12 and a minor axis 14. The elliptical form is such that the support body 10 has a width X along the major axis 12 which is larger than a width Y along the minor axis 14. The support body 10 includes an outer surface 16 and an inner surface 18, wherein the outer surface 16 defines an outer perimeter of the support body 10. For the purposes of the subsequent description, the support body 10 defines opposing leading and trailing ends 20, 22 aligned along the major axis 12.

The support body 10 may be directly formed in the elliptical shape of Figures 1 and 2. However, in one example the support body 10 is initially formed as a circular ring, as illustrated in Figure 3, with an outer diameter D. The circular ring may then be laterally compressed, in the direction of arrows 24, in order to provide the elliptical form of Figures 1 and 2.

Reference is additionally made to Figure 4 which diagrammatically illustrates the support body 10 being deployed through a bore 26 in the direction of arrow 28 using a running/setting tool 30. The support body 10 may be deployed in any bore, such as might be provided within a pipeline. However, in the present example the bore 26 may be defined by a tubular 32 (e.g., casing, liner etc.) located within a wellbore. In this example the bore 26 defines an inner diameter Z, and the support body 10 is provided such that its width X is larger than the diameter Z, with its width Y smaller than the diameter Z. Furthermore, the outer perimeter of the support body 10 defined by its outer surface 16 is larger than the perimeter (or circumference) of the bore 26. That is, the outer diameter D of the support body 10 when in its initial circular form of Figure 3 is larger than the inner diameter Z of the bore 26. The support body 10 is deployed when in a first orientation in which the leading end 20 is generally aligned in the advancing direction of deployment (arrow 28), with the trailing end 22 opposing. The inclined nature of the support body 10 along its major axis 12 relative to the bore axis 34 is merely exemplary in Figure 4, and any suitable inclination which permits the support body 10 to be deployed through the bore 26 may be utilised. In some examples the first orientation of the support body 10 may be such that the major axis 12 thereof is fully aligned with the bore axis 34.

When the support body 10 reaches its target location in the bore 26, the running/setting tool 30 may be operated to re-orientate the support body 10 through application of setting forces 36 which cause the support body 10 to rotate in the direction of arrow 38. Such rotation will initially engage the leading and trailing ends 20, 22 of the support body 10 with opposing sides of the bore wall 27, with continued rotation establishing a compressive force between the leading and trailing ends 20, 22 to cause the support body 10 to begin to deform into compliance with the bore profile/circumference. That is, the compressive force will cause the outer surface regions of the support body 10 between the leading and trailing ends 20, 22 to be gradually brought into engagement with the bore wall 27, until reaching a second orientation illustrated in Figure 5. In this example the support body 10 is aligned perpendicular to the bore axis 34 when in its second orientation.

By virtue of the support body 10 having a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter (circumference) of the bore 26, the support body 10 will establish an interference fit with the bore wall 27 when in the second orientation illustrated in Figure 5. In this example a level of interference is illustrated in Figure 5 by a region 40 of outward deformation of the tubular 32. This interference will cause the support body 10 to be anchored within the bore 26, and thus provide a suitable support function, examples of which will be described below. In addition to being anchored within the bore 26, the support body 10 may also be sealed with the bore wall 27 by virtue of the creation of a metal-to-metal seal.

The level of interference established may be determined in advance, for example in accordance with a required end use of the installed support body 10. For example, the level of interference to be created may be determined in advance by selecting an appropriate differential between the perimeter of the support body 10 and the perimeter (circumference) of the bore 26.

In the example of Figure 4, the setting tool 30 is responsible for applying the opposing forces 36 to rotate the support body 10. However, in other examples (not shown), the leading end 20 (or the trailing end 22) may be engaged with a no-go profile in the bore 26, which thus establishes a reaction pivot point to allow the support body 10 to be rotated by a force applied by the setting tool 30 in a single direction.

In some examples the level of interference and anchoring force established between the support body 10 and the bore wall 27 provided by the re-orientation of the support body 10 may be entirely sufficient for its end use. For example, the interference provided may provide an axial anchoring force of from a few Newtons to several hundred kilo Newtons. However, in other examples the disclosed method may permit the level of interference and thus anchoring force to be increased by expanding the support body 10, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 6. In this example a cone 42 is driven axially through the support body 10, in the direction of arrow 44, to thus provide outward radial expansion of the support body 10, increasing the interference between the support body 10 and the bore wall 27 of the tubular 32. While a cone expanded is provided in the present example, in alternative examples different types of expander may be utilised.

In some examples the cone 42 may be removed from the support body 10 after the expansion operation to permit the support body 10 to provide its subsequent desired function. However, in other examples the cone 42 may be retained in place. In the example illustrated in Figure 6 the cone 42 functions as a sealing plug, which provides a seal with the inner surface 18 of the support body 10. With a metal-to-metal seal provided between the outer surface 16 of the support body 10 and the bore wall 27, a complete bore plug assembly 46 may thus be provided. In the present example the plug assembly 46 may define a bridge plug, and may support any wellbore operation. In some examples the plug assembly 46 may provide support to a cement column on one axial side thereof, for example as part of a plug and abandon operation.

While the cone 42 in the example described above functions to both expand the support body 10 and provide a seal, the cone 42 may be utilised in some examples only to provide a sealing function (i.e. , without necessarily expanding the support body 10). In some examples multiple support bodies 10a, 10b may be installed, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, wherein the support bodies 10a, 10b are arranged axially along the bore 26. The support bodies 10a, 10b may provide any supporting function. In Figures 7 and 8 the support bodies 10a, 10b provide a sealing function, with respective plugs 42a, 42b installed therein. A variation in the installed direction of the respective plugs 42a, 42b is provided in Figures 7 and 8. Although not illustrated, a jacking assembly or tool may be interposed between the plugs 42a, 42b to provide a necessary axial force to appropriately set the plugs 42a, 42b within their associated support body 10a, 10b.

In an alternative use, as illustrated in Figure 9, the support body 10, when installed within the bore 26 may provide a hanger, from which any equipment 48 may be hung from or supported. For example, the support body 10 may support a further tubular, casing, liner, tool string, wellbore skin and/or the like.

Figure 10 is a side elevation view of a support body 110 according to an alternative example, with Figure 1 1 providing an enlarged sectional view of the support body in region A of Figure 10. The support body 1 10 is largely similar to support body 10 first shown in Figure 1 , and has an elliptical form with outer and inner surfaces 116, 1 18. However, in the present example the outer surface 1 16 comprises an interface structure 50 configured to engage a bore wall and establish interference therewith. The interface structure 50 comprises a central primary interface structure 52 and a pair of secondary interface structures 54 on opposing sides of the primary interface structure 52.

The primary interface structure 52 includes a pointed rib which extends continuously around the outer surface of the support body 110. Each secondary interface structure 54 includes a cantilever arm 56 with a fixed end 58 secured to the support body 110 and an opposite free end 60 which terminates adjacent the primary interface structure 52. Each secondary interface structure 54 includes a pointed rib 62 on the free ends 60 of the respective cantilever arms 56. The secondary interface structures 54 are initially configured such that the pointed ribs 62 protrude further than the primary interface structure 52, such that the primary interface structure 52 may be initially provided in a protected position. In this respect the secondary interface structures 54 may function to protect the primary interface structure 52, at least during deployment of the support body 1 10 through a bore. The primary interface structure 52 includes a pair of anvil surfaces 64, wherein the secondary interface structures 54, and specifically the free ends 60 thereof, are initially positioned to be separated from the anvil surfaces 64. In this manner, the cantilever arms 56 may be permitted to accommodate a degree of compliance, as will be described in more detail below.

The support body 1 10 may be deployed and set largely in the same manner as support body 10 (see, for example, Figures 4 and 5). That is, the support body 1 10 may be deployed through a bore 26 of a tubular 32 when in a first orientation, and then set at the target location by re-orientating to adopt a second orientation, as illustrated in Figure 12, with Figure 13 providing an enlarged view of region B of Figure 12. During the course of re-orientating the secondary interface structures 54 are deformed through engagement with the bore wall 27, thus establishing a degree of interference between the support body 1 10 and the bore wall 27. In the present example the secondary interface structures 54 are deformed to such an extent that their respective free ends 60 become engaged and landed on the respective anvil surfaces 64 of the primary interface structure 52, thus establishing a more robust arrangement. In the present example, this initial setting of the support body 1 10 also causes the primary interface structure 52 to engage with the wall 27 in an interfering manner. In a similar manner described above, the interference established between the support body 110 and the bore wall 27 may also provide sealing engagement, for example metal-to-metal sealing engagement.

In some circumstances the interference established as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 may be sufficient. However, in a similar manner to that described above the interference may be increased by expanding the support body 1 10, for example by driving an expander, such as a cone (not shown) therethrough. In the present example, as best illustrated in Figure 13, the inner surface 118 of the support body 10 is curved in an axial direction between opposing (or upper and lower) axially facing surfaces 66, 68. Such curvature may assist in alignment of an expander within the support body 110. When expanded, the inner surface 118 may be deformed to comply with the shape of the expander, as illustrated in Figure 14. Such an arrangement may permit a sealing interface to be established between the expander and the inner surface. As further shown in Figure 14, expansion of the support body 1 10 causes the primary interface structure 52, and perhaps also the secondary interface structures 54 to further penetrate/engage/interfere with the bore wall 27.

It should be understood that any alternative form of interface structure may be provided. For example, as illustrated in Figure 15 a support body 210 may be provided which includes only primary interface structure 152. Further, as illustrated in Figure 16 a support body 310 may be provided which includes a primary interface structure 252 and a single secondary interface structure 254. It should be understood that the examples provided herein are indeed only exemplary, and that various modifications may be made thereto.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for creating a support within a bore, comprising:

deploying the support body through the bore when oriented in its first orientation; and

re-orientating the support body towards a second orientation to cause the support body to be reformed by engagement with a wall of the bore to establish an interference fit between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein re-orientation of the support body causes the support body to be reformed and comply with the profile of the bore.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the support body comprises a first width in a first lateral direction, and a second width in a second lateral direction, wherein the first width is larger than the second width such that the support body is elongated along the first lateral direction, the first orientation of the support body being such that the elongation direction of the support body is aligned in a direction of deployment of the support body through the bore.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the support body is at least one of oval and elliptical.

5. The method according to any preceding claim comprising providing the support body initially in a circular form, and then forming the support body to adopt the non-round profile.

6. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein when the support body is in its first orientation within the bore said support body defines leading and trailing ends relative to a direction of deployment through the bore, and wherein re-orientation of the support body towards its second orientation comprises engaging the leading and trailing ends of the support body with the bore wall, with continued re-orientation of the support body establishing a compressive force between the leading and trailing ends of the support body to cause re-forming of the support body, and establishing the interference fit.

7. The method according to any preceding claim, comprising rotating the support body within the bore to re-orientate the support body towards its second configuration.

8. The method according to any preceding claim, comprising expanding the support body when in its second orientation to increase the level of interference between the support body and the bore wall.

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising engaging an expansion tool with the inner surface of the support body and applying an expansion force to expand the support body.

10. The method according to claim 9, comprising driving the expansion tool through the support body in an axial direction relative to the bore.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, comprising removing the expansion tool from the support body after expansion of the support body.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, comprising retaining the expansion tool in place within the support body.

13. The method according to any preceding claim, comprising re-orientating the support body towards its second orientation to cause the support body to establish sealing interference between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore.

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising establishing metal-to-metal sealing interference between the support body and the bore wall.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising setting a sealing plug within the support body to provide sealing within the bore.

16. The method according to any preceding claim, comprising hanging an object from the support body within the bore.

17. A support body for use in creating a support within a bore, the support body comprising:

an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining a perimeter of the support body which is selected to be larger than a perimeter of the bore in which the support body is to be installed,

wherein the support body has a non-round profile which permits deployment through the bore when the support body is in a first orientation;

18. The support body of claim 17, wherein the support body comprises a first width in a first lateral direction, and a second width in a second lateral direction, wherein the first width is larger than the second width such that the support body is elongated along the first lateral direction, the first orientation of the support body being such that the elongation direction of the support body is aligned in a direction of deployment of the support body through the bore.

19. The support body of claim 17 or 18, wherein the support body is at least one of oval and elliptical.

20. The support body of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the outer surface of the support body comprises an interface structure configured to engage the bore wall at least when the support body is in its second orientation.

21. The support body of claim 20, wherein the interface structure defines a primary interface structure and the outer surface of the support body further comprises a secondary interface structure adjacent to the primary interface structure, the secondary interface structure initially protruding further from the support body than the primary interface structure.

22. The support body according to claim 21 , wherein the secondary interface structure comprises a cantilever portion which provides compliant mounting on the support body, the cantilever portion comprising a fixed end connected to the support body and a free end, the free end being positioned adjacent to the primary interface structure.

23. The support body according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the primary interface structure comprises an anvil surface, wherein the secondary interface structure is initially disengaged from the anvil surface, and is brought into engagement with the anvil surface when the support body is re-orientated towards its second orientation.

24. The support body according to any one of claims 21 to 21 , comprising first and second secondary interface structures provided on opposite sides of the primary interface structure.

25. A method for creating a seal within a bore, comprising: