Expandable connector

Abstract
An expandable threaded connection includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member and a threaded connection for coupling the tubular members that includes one or more sealing members.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates generally to wellbore casings, and in particular to wellbore casings that are formed using expandable tubing.




Conventionally, when a wellbore is created, a number of casings are installed in the borehole to prevent collapse of the borehole wall and to prevent undesired outflow of drilling fluid into the formation or inflow of fluid from the formation into the borehole. The borehole is drilled in intervals whereby a casing which is to be installed in a lower borehole interval is lowered through a previously installed casing of an upper borehole interval. As a consequence of this procedure the casing of the lower interval is of smaller diameter than the casing of the upper interval. Thus, the casings are in a nested arrangement with casing diameters decreasing in downward casings are in a nested arrangement with casing diameters decreasing in downward direction. Cement annuli are provided between the outer surfaces of the casings and the borehole wall to seal the casings from the borehole wall. As a consequence of this nested arrangement a relatively large borehole diameter is required at the upper part of the wellbore. Such a large borehole diameter involves increased costs due to heavy casing handling equipment, large drill bits and increased volumes of drilling fluid and drill cuttings. Moreover, increased drilling rig time is involved due to required cement pumping, cement hardening, required equipment changes due to large variations in hole diameters drilled in the course of the well, and the large volume of cuttings drilled and removed.




Conventionally, at the surface end of the wellbore, a wellhead is formed that typically includes a surface casing, a number of production and/or drilling spools, valving, and a Christmas tree. Typically the wellhead further includes a concentric arrangement of casings including a production casing and one or more intermediate casings. The casings are typically supported using load bearing slips positioned above the ground. The conventional design and construction of wellheads is expensive and complex.




Conventionally, a wellbore casing cannot be formed during the drilling of a wellbore. Typically, the wellbore is drilled and then a wellbore casing is formed in the newly drilled section of the wellbore. This delays the completion of a well.




The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations of the existing procedures for forming wellbores and wellheads.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a wellbore casing is provided that includes installing a tubular liner and a mandrel in the borehole, injecting fluidic material into the borehole, and radially expanding the liner in the borehole by extruding the liner off of the mandrel.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a wellbore casing is provided that includes drilling out a new section of the borehole adjacent to the already existing casing. A tubular liner and a mandrel are then placed into the new section of the borehole with the tubular liner overlapping an already existing casing. A hardenable fluidic sealing material is injected into an annular region between the tubular liner and the new section of the borehole. The annular region between the tubular liner and the new section of the borehole is then fluidicly isolated from an interior region of the tubular liner below the mandrel. A non hardenable fluidic material is then injected into the interior region of the tubular liner below the mandrel. The tubular liner is extruded off of the mandrel. The overlap between the tubular liner and the already existing casing is sealed. The tubular liner is supported by overlap with the already existing casing. The mandrel is removed from the borehole. The integrity of the seal of the overlap between the tubular liner and the already existing casing is tested. At least a portion of the second quantity of the hardenable fluidic sealing material is removed from the interior of the tubular liner. The remaining portions of the fluidic hardenable fluidic sealing material are cured. At least a portion of cured fluidic hardenable sealing material within the tubular liner is removed.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for expanding a tubular member is provided that includes a support member, a mandrel, a tubular member, and a shoe. The support member includes a first fluid passage. The mandrel is coupled to the support member and includes a second fluid passage. The tubular member is coupled to the mandrel. The shoe is coupled to the tubular liner and includes a third fluid passage. The first, second and third fluid passages are operably coupled.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for expanding a tubular member is provided that includes a support member, an expandable mandrel, a tubular member, a shoe, and at least one sealing member. The support member includes a first fluid passage, a second fluid passage, and a flow control valve coupled to the first and second fluid passages. The expandable mandrel is coupled to the support member and includes a third fluid passage. The tubular member is coupled to the mandrel and includes one or more sealing elements. The shoe is coupled to the tubular member and includes a fourth fluid passage. The at least one sealing member is adapted to prevent the entry of foreign material into an interior region of the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of joining a second tubular member to a first tubular member, the first tubular member having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second tubular member, is provided that includes positioning a mandrel within an interior region of the second tubular member. A portion of an interior region of the second tubular member is pressurized and the second tubular member is extruded off of the mandrel into engagement with the first tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a tubular liner is provided that includes an annular member having one or more sealing members at an end portion of the annular member, and one or more pressure relief passages at an end portion of the annular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellbore casing is provided that includes a tubular liner and an annular body of a cured fluidic sealing material. The tubular liner is formed by the process of extruding the tubular liner off of a mandrel.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a tie-back liner for lining an existing wellbore casing is provided that includes a tubular liner and an annular body of cured fluidic sealing material. The tubular liner is formed by the process of extruding the tubular liner off of a mandrel. The annular body of a cured fluidic sealing material is coupled to the tubular liner.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for expanding a tubular member is provided that includes a support member, a mandrel, a tubular member and a shoe. The support member includes a first fluid passage. The mandrel is coupled to the support member. The mandrel includes a second fluid passage operably coupled to the first fluid passage, an interior portion, and an exterior portion. The interior portion of the mandrel is drillable. The tubular member is coupled to the mandrel. The shoe is coupled to the tubular member. The shoe includes a third fluid passage operably coupled to the second fluid passage, an interior portion, and an exterior portion. The interior portion of the shoe is drillable.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellhead is provided that includes an outer casing and a plurality of concentric inner casings coupled to the outer casing. Each inner casing is supported by contact pressure between an outer surface of the inner casing and an inner surface of the outer casing.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellhead is provided that include an outer casing at least partially positioned within a wellbore and a plurality of substantially concentric inner casings coupled to the interior surface of the outer casing. One or more of the inner casings are coupled to the outer casing by expanding one or more of the inner casings into contact with at least a portion of the interior surface of the outer casing.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a wellhead is provided that includes drilling a wellbore. An outer casing is positioned at least partially within an upper portion of the wellbore. A first tubular member is positioned within the outer casing. At least a portion of the first tubular member is expanded into contact with an interior surface of the outer casing. A second tubular member is positioned within the outer casing and the first tubular member. At least a portion of the second tubular member is expanded into contact with an interior portion of the outer casing.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes an outer tubular member, and a plurality of substantially concentric and overlapping inner tubular members coupled to the outer tubular member. Each inner tubular member is supported by contact pressure between an outer surface of the inner casing and an inner surface of the outer inner tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes an outer tubular member, and a plurality of substantially concentric inner tubular members coupled to the interior surface of the outer tubular member by the process of expanding one or more of the inner tubular members into contact with at least a portion of the interior surface of the outer tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellbore casing is provided that includes a first tubular member, and a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member in an overlapping relationship. The inner diameter of the first tubular member is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the second tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellbore casing is provided that includes a tubular member including at least one thin wall section and a thick wall section, and a compressible annular member coupled to each thin wall section.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of creating a casing in a borehole located in a subterranean formation is provided that includes supporting a tubular liner and a mandrel in the borehole using a support member. A fluidic material is injected into the borehole. An interior region of the mandrel is pressurized. A portion of the mandrel is displaced relative to the support member. The tubular liner is expanded.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellbore casing is provided that includes a first tubular member having a first inside diameter, and a second tubular member having a second inside diameter substantially equal to the first inside diameter coupled to the first tubular member in an overlapping relationship. The first and second tubular members are coupled by the process of deforming a portion of the second tubular member into contact with a portion of the first tubular member




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for expanding a tubular member is provided that includes a support member including a fluid passage, a mandrel movably coupled to the support member including an expansion cone, at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and mandrel fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage, and one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes one or more solid tubular members, each solid tubular member including one or more external seals, one or more slotted tubular members coupled to the solid tubular members, and a shoe coupled to one of the slotted tubular members.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of joining a second tubular member to a first tubular member, the first tubular member having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second tubular member is provided that includes positioning a mandrel within an interior region of the second tubular member. A portion of the interior region of the mandrel is pressurized. The mandrel is displaced relative to the second tubular member. At least a portion of the second tubular member is extruded off of the mandrel into engagement with the first tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes one or more primary solid tubulars, each primary solid tubular including one or more external annular seals, n slotted tubulars coupled to the primary solid tubulars, n−1 intermediate solid tubulars coupled to and interleaved among the slotted tubulars, each intermediate solid tubular including one or more external annular seals, and a shoe coupled to one of the slotted tubulars.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of isolating a first subterranean zone from a second subterranean zone in a wellbore is provided that includes positioning one or more primary solid tubulars within the wellbore, the primary solid tubulars traversing the first subterranean zone. One or more slotted tubulars are also positioned within the wellbore, the slotted tubulars traversing the second subterranean zone. The slotted tubulars and the solid tubulars are fluidicly coupled. The passage of fluids from the first subterranean zone to the second subterranean zone within the wellbore external to the solid and slotted tubulars is prevented.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of extracting materials from a producing subterranean zone in a wellbore, at least a portion of the wellbore including a casing, is provided that includes positioning one or more primary solid tubulars within the wellbore. The primary solid tubulars with the casing are fluidicly coupled. One or more slotted tubulars are positioned within the wellbore, the slotted tubulars traversing the producing subterranean zone. The slotted tubulars are fluidicly coupled with the solid tubulars. The producing subterranean zone is fluidicly isolated from at least one other subterranean zone within the wellbore. At least one of the slotted tubulars is fluidicly isolated from the producing subterranean zone.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of creating a casing in a borehole while also drilling the borehole is also provided that includes installing a tubular liner, a mandrel, and a drilling assembly in the borehole. A fluidic material is injected within the tubular liner, mandrel and drilling assembly. At least a portion of the tubular liner is radially expanded while the borehole is drilled using the drilling assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting includes injecting the fluidic material within an expandable chamber.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is also provided that includes a support member, the support member including a first fluid passage; a mandrel coupled to the support member, the mandrel including: a second fluid passage; a tubular member coupled to the mandrel; and a shoe coupled to the tubular liner, the shoe including a third fluid passage; and a drilling assembly coupled to the shoe; wherein the first, second and third fluid passages and the drilling assembly are operably coupled.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming an underground pipeline within an underground tunnel including at least a first tubular member and a second tubular member, the first tubular member having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second tubular member, is also provided that includes positioning the first tubular member within the tunnel; positioning the second tubular member within the tunnel in an overlapping relationship with the first tubular member; positioning a mandrel and a drilling assembly within an interior region of the second tubular member; injecting a fluidic material within the mandrel, drilling assembly and the second tubular member; extruding at least a portion of the second tubular member off of the mandrel into engagement with the first tubular member; and drilling the tunnel.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is also provided that includes a wellbore, the wellbore formed by the process of drilling the wellbore; and a tubular liner positioned within the wellbore, the tubular liner formed by the process of extruding the tubular liner off of a mandrel while drilling the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner is formed by the process of: placing the tubular liner and mandrel within the wellbore; and pressurizing an interior portion of the tubular liner.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a wellbore casing in a wellbore is also provided that includes drilling out the wellbore while forming the wellbore casing.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of expanding a tubular member is provided that includes placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of coupling a tubular member to preexisting structure is provided that includes positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of repairing a defect in a preexisting structure using a tubular member is provided that includes positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the defect in the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for radially expanding a tubular member is provided that includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member positioned within the first tubular member, a third tubular member movably coupled to and positioned within the second tubular member, a first annular sealing member for sealing an interface between the first and second tubular members, a second annular sealing member for sealing an interface between the second and third tubular members, and a mandrel positioned within the first tubular member and coupled to an end of the third tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a tubular member, a piston adapted to expand the diameter of the tubular member positioned within the tubular member, and an annular chamber defined by the piston and tubular member. The piston includes a passage for conveying fluids out of the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellbore casing is provided that includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member. The second tubular member is coupled to the first tubular member by the process of: positioning the second tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the first tubular member, placing a mandrel within the second tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the second tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the second tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a preexisting structure and a tubular member coupled to the preexisting structure. The tubular member is coupled to the preexisting structure by the process of: positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a preexisting structure having a defective portion and a tubular member coupled to the defective portion of the preexisting structure. The tubular member is coupled to the defective portion of the preexisting structure by the process of: positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the defect in the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of expanding a tubular member is provided that includes placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing a region within the tubular member; and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of coupling a tubular member to preexisting structure has been provided that includes positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of repairing a defect in a preexisting structure using a tubular member is provided that includes positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the defect in the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for radially expanding a tubular member is provided that includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member, a third tubular member coupled to the second tubular member, and a mandrel positioned within the second tubular member and coupled to an end portion of the third tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a tubular member, a piston adapted to expand the diameter of the tubular member positioned within the tubular member, the piston including a passage for conveying fluids out of the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellbore casing is provided that includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member. The second tubular member is coupled to the first tubular member by the process of: positioning the second tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the first tubular member, placing a mandrel within the second tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the second tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the second tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a preexisting structure and a tubular member coupled to the preexisting structure. The tubular member is coupled to the preexisting structure by the process of: positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the preexisting structure; placing a mandrel within the tubular member; pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member; and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a preexisting structure having a defective portion and a tubular member coupled to the defective portion of the preexisting structure. The tubular member is coupled to the defective portion of the preexisting structure by the process of: positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the defect in the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member.




According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member, and a threaded connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member. The threaded connection includes one or more sealing members for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a tubular assembly having a first tubular member, a second tubular member, and a threaded connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member. The threaded connection includes one or more sealing members for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members. The tubular assembly is formed by the process of radially expanding the tubular assembly.




According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a tubular member and a mandrel positioned within the tubular member that includes a conical surface have an angle of attack ranging from about 10 to 30 degrees.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the drilling of a new section of a well borehole.





FIG. 2

is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the placement of an embodiment of an apparatus for creating a casing within the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 3

is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the injection of a first quantity of a fluidic material into the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 3



a


is another fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the injection of a first quantity of a hardenable fluidic sealing material into the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 4

is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the injection of a second quantity of a fluidic material into the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 5

is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the drilling out of a portion of the cured hardenable fluidic sealing material from the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 6

is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the overlapping joint between adjacent tubular members.





FIG. 7

is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for creating a casing within a well borehole.





FIG. 8

is a fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the placement of an expanded tubular member within another tubular member.





FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional illustration of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for forming a casing including a drillable mandrel and shoe.





FIG. 9



a


is another cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


9


.





FIG. 9



b


is another cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


9


.





FIG. 9



c


is another cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


9


.





FIG. 10



a


is a cross-sectional illustration of a wellbore including a pair of adjacent overlapping casings.





FIG. 10



b


is a cross-sectional illustration of an apparatus and method for creating a tie-back liner using an expandable tubular member.





FIG. 10



c


is a cross-sectional illustration of the pumping of a fluidic sealing material into the annular region between the tubular member and the existing casing.





FIG. 10



d


is a cross-sectional illustration of the pressurizing of the interior of the tubular member below the mandrel.





FIG. 10



e


is a cross-sectional illustration of the extrusion of the tubular member off of the mandrel.





FIG. 10



f


is a cross-sectional illustration of the tie-back liner before drilling out the shoe and packer.





FIG. 10



g


is a cross-sectional illustration of the completed tie-back liner created using an expandable tubular member.





FIG. 11



a


is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the drilling of a new section of a well borehole.





FIG. 11



b


is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the placement of an embodiment of an apparatus for hanging a tubular liner within the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 11



c


is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the injection of a first quantity of a hardenable fluidic sealing material into the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 11



d


is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the introduction of a wiper dart into the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 11



e


is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the injection of a second quantity of a hardenable fluidic sealing material into the new section of the well borehole.





FIG. 11



f


is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the completion of the tubular liner.





FIG. 12

is a cross-sectional illustration of a preferred embodiment of a wellhead system utilizing expandable tubular members.





FIG. 13

is a partial cross-sectional illustration of a preferred embodiment of the wellhead system of FIG.


12


.





FIG. 14



a


is an illustration of the formation of an embodiment of a mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 14



b


is another illustration of the formation of the mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 14



c


is another illustration of the formation of the mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 14



d


is another illustration of the formation of the mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 14



e


is another illustration of the formation of the mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 14



f


is another illustration of the formation of the mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 15

is an illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus for expanding a tubular member.





FIG. 15



a


is another illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


15


.





FIG. 15



b


is another illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


15


.





FIG. 16

is an illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 17

is an illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus for expanding a tubular member.





FIG. 17



a


is another illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


16


.





FIG. 17



b


is another illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


16


.





FIG. 18

is an illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 19

is an illustration of another embodiment of an apparatus for expanding a tubular member.





FIG. 19



a


is another illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


17


.





FIG. 19



b


is another illustration of the apparatus of FIG.


17


.





FIG. 20

is an illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing.





FIG. 21

is an illustration of the isolation of subterranean zones using expandable tubulars.





FIG. 22



a


is a fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus for forming a wellbore casing while drilling a wellbore.





FIG. 22



b


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 22



a.







FIG. 22



c


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 22



a.







FIG. 22



d


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 22



a.







FIG. 23



a


is a fragmentary cross-section illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus and method for expanding tubular members.





FIG. 23



b


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 23



a.







FIG. 23



c


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 23



a.







FIG. 24



a


is a fragmentary cross-section illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus and method for expanding tubular members.





FIG. 24



b


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 24



a.







FIG. 24



c


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 24



a.







FIG. 24



d


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 24



a.







FIG. 24



e


is another fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of the apparatus of

FIG. 24



a.







FIG. 25

is a partial cross-sectional illustration of an expansion mandrel expanding a tubular member.





FIG. 26

is a graphical illustration of the relationship between propagation pressure and the angle of attack of the expansion mandrel.





FIG. 27

is a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of an expandable connector.





FIG. 28

is a cross-sectional illustration of another embodiment of an expandable connector.





FIG. 29

is a cross-sectional illustration of another embodiment of an expandable connector.





FIG. 30

is a cross-sectional illustration of another embodiment of an expandable connector.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS




An apparatus and method for forming a wellbore casing within a subterranean formation is provided. The apparatus and method permits a wellbore casing to be formed in a subterranean formation by placing a tubular member and a mandrel in a new section of a wellbore, and then extruding the tubular member off of the mandrel by pressurizing an interior portion of the tubular member. The apparatus and method further permits adjacent tubular members in the wellbore to be joined using an overlapping joint that prevents fluid and or gas passage. The apparatus and method further permits a new tubular member to be supported by an existing tubular member by expanding the new tubular member into engagement with the existing tubular member. The apparatus and method further minimizes the reduction in the hole size of the wellbore casing necessitated by the addition of new sections of wellbore casing.




An apparatus and method for forming a tie-back liner using an expandable tubular member is also provided. The apparatus and method permits a tie-back liner to be created by extruding a tubular member off of a mandrel by pressurizing and interior portion of the tubular member. In this manner, a tie-back liner is produced. The apparatus and method further permits adjacent tubular members in the wellbore to be joined using an overlapping joint that prevents fluid and/or gas passage. The apparatus and method further permits a new tubular member to be supported by an existing tubular member by expanding the new tubular member into engagement with the existing tubular member.




An apparatus and method for expanding a tubular member is also provided that includes an expandable tubular member, mandrel and a shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the interior portions of the apparatus is composed of materials that permit the interior portions to be removed using a conventional drilling apparatus. In this manner, in the event of a malfunction in a downhole region, the apparatus may be easily removed.




An apparatus and method for hanging an expandable tubular liner in a wellbore is also provided. The apparatus and method permit a tubular liner to be attached to an existing section of casing. The apparatus and method further have application to the joining of tubular members in general.




An apparatus and method for forming a wellhead system is also provided. The apparatus and method permit a wellhead to be formed including a number of expandable tubular members positioned in a concentric arrangement. The wellhead preferably includes an outer casing that supports a plurality of concentric casings using contact pressure between the inner casings and the outer casing. The resulting wellhead system eliminates many of the spools conventionally required, reduces the height of the Christmas tree facilitating servicing, lowers the load bearing areas of the wellhead resulting in a more stable system, and eliminates costly and expensive hanger systems.




An apparatus and method for forming a mono-diameter well casing is also provided. The apparatus and method permit the creation of a well casing in a wellbore having a substantially constant internal diameter. In this manner, the operation of an oil or gas well is greatly simplified.




An apparatus and method for expanding tubular members is also provided. The apparatus and method utilize a piston-cylinder configuration in which a pressurized chamber is used to drive a mandrel to radially expand tubular members. In this manner, higher operating pressures can be utilized. Throughout the radial expansion process, the tubular member is never placed in direct contact with the operating pressures. In this manner, damage to the tubular member is prevented while also permitting controlled radial expansion of the tubular member in a wellbore.




An apparatus and method for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing is also provided. The apparatus and method utilize a piston-cylinder configuration in which a pressurized chamber is used to drive a mandrel to radially expand tubular members. In this manner, higher operating pressures can be utilized. Throughput the radial expansion process, the tubular member is never placed in direct contact with the operating pressures. In this manner, damage to the tubular member is prevented while also permitting controlled radial expansion of the tubular member in a wellbore.




An apparatus and method for isolating one or more subterranean zones from one or more other subterranean zones is also provided. The apparatus and method permits a producing zone to be isolated from a nonproducing zone using a combination of solid and slotted tubulars. In the production mode, the teachings of the present disclosure may be used in combination with conventional, well known, production completion equipment and methods using a series of packers, solid tubing, perforated tubing, and sliding sleeves, which will be inserted into the disclosed apparatus to permit the commingling and/or isolation of the subterranean zones from each other.




An apparatus and method for forming a wellbore casing while the wellbore is drilled is also provided. In this manner, a wellbore casing can be formed simultaneous with the drilling out of a new section of the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus and method is used in combination with one or more of the apparatus and methods disclosed in the present disclosure for forming wellbore casings using expandable tubulars. Alternatively, the method and apparatus can be used to create a pipeline or tunnel in a time efficient manner.




An expandable connector is also provided. In a preferred implementation, the expandable connector is used in conjunction with one or more of the disclosed embodiments for expanding tubular members. In this manner, the expansion of a plurality of tubular members coupled to one another using the expandable connector is optimized.




In several alternative embodiments, the apparatus and methods are used to form or repair wellbore casings, pipelines, and/or structural supports.




Referring initially to

FIGS. 1-5

, an embodiment of an apparatus and method for forming a wellbore casing within a subterranean formation will now be described. As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, a wellbore


100


is positioned in a subterranean formation


105


. The wellbore


100


includes an existing cased section


110


having a tubular casing


115


and an annular outer layer of cement


120


.




In order to extend the wellbore


100


into the subterranean formation


105


, a drill string


125


is used in a well known manner to drill out material from the subterranean formation


105


to form a new section


130


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 2

, an apparatus


200


for forming a wellbore casing in a subterranean formation is then positioned in the new section


130


of the wellbore


100


. The apparatus


200


preferably includes an expandable mandrel or pig


205


, a tubular member


210


, a shoe


215


, a lower cup seal


220


, an upper cup seal


225


, a fluid passage


230


, a fluid passage


235


, a fluid passage


240


, seals


245


, and a support member


250


.




The expandable mandrel


205


is coupled to and supported by the support member


250


. The expandable mandrel


205


is preferably adapted to controllably expand in a radial direction. The expandable mandrel


205


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available expandable mandrels modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable mandrel


205


comprises a hydraulic expansion tool as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,095, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




The tubular member


210


is supported by the expandable mandrel


205


. The tubular member


210


is expanded in the radial direction and extruded off of the expandable mandrel


205


. The tubular member


210


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, Oilfield Country Tubular Goods (OCTG), 13 chromium steel tubing/casing, or plastic tubing/casing. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


210


is fabricated from OCTG in order to maximize strength after expansion. The inner and outer diameters of the tubular member


210


may range, for example, from approximately 0.75 to 47 inches and 1.05 to 48 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the inner and outer diameters of the tubular member


210


range from about 3 to 15.5 inches and 3.5 to 16 inches, respectively in order to optimally provide minimal telescoping effect in the most commonly drilled wellbore sizes. The tubular member


210


preferably comprises a solid member.




In a preferred embodiment, the end portion


260


of the tubular member


210


is slotted, perforated, or otherwise modified to catch or slow down the mandrel


205


when it completes the extrusion of tubular member


210


. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the tubular member


210


is limited to minimize the possibility of buckling. For typical tubular member


210


materials, the length of the tubular member


210


is preferably limited to between about 40 to 20,000 feet in length.




The shoe


215


is coupled to the expandable mandrel


205


and the tubular member


210


. The shoe


215


includes fluid passage


240


. The shoe


215


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available shoes such as, for example, Super Seal II float shoe, Super Seal II Down-Jet float shoe or a guide shoe with a sealing sleeve for a latch down plug modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


215


comprises an aluminum down-jet guide shoe with a sealing sleeve for a latch-down plug available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex., modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, in order to optimally guide the tubular member


210


in the wellbore, optimally provide an adequate seal between the interior and exterior diameters of the overlapping joint between the tubular members, and to optimally allow the complete drill out of the shoe and plug after the completion of the cementing and expansion operations.




In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


215


includes one or more through and side outlet ports in fluidic communication with the fluid passage


240


. In this manner, the shoe


215


optimally injects hardenable fluidic sealing material into the region outside the shoe


215


and tubular member


210


. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


215


includes the fluid passage


240


having an inlet geometry that can receive a dart and/or a ball sealing member. In this manner, the fluid passage


240


can be optimally sealed off by introducing a plug, dart and/or ball sealing elements into the fluid passage


230


.




The lower cup seal


220


is coupled to and supported by the support member


250


. The lower cup seal


220


prevents foreign materials from entering the interior region of the tubular member


210


adjacent to the expandable mandrel


205


. The lower cup seal


220


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available cup seals such as, for example, TP cups, or Selective Injection Packer (SIP) cups modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the lower cup seal


220


comprises a SIP cup seal, available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally block foreign material and contain a body of lubricant.




The upper cup seal


225


is coupled to and supported by the support member


250


. The upper cup seal


225


prevents foreign materials from entering the interior region of the tubular member


210


. The upper cup seal


225


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available cup seals such as, for example, TP cups or SIP cups modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the upper cup seal


225


comprises a SIP cup, available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally block the entry of foreign materials and contain a body of lubricant.




The fluid passage


230


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the interior region of the tubular member


210


below the expandable mandrel


205


. The fluid passage


230


is coupled to and positioned within the support member


250


and the expandable mandrel


205


. The fluid passage


230


preferably extends from a position adjacent to the surface to the bottom of the expandable mandrel


205


. The fluid passage


230


is preferably positioned along a centerline of the apparatus


200


.




The fluid passage


230


is preferably selected, in the casing running mode of operation, to transport materials such as drilling mud or formation fluids at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to minimize drag on the tubular member being run and to minimize surge pressures exerted on the wellbore which could cause a loss of wellbore fluids and lead to hole collapse.




The fluid passage


235


permits fluidic materials to be released from the fluid passage


230


. In this manner, during placement of the apparatus


200


within the new section


130


of the wellbore


100


, fluidic materials


255


forced up the fluid passage


230


can be released into the wellbore


100


above the tubular member


210


thereby minimizing surge pressures on the wellbore section


130


. The fluid passage


235


is coupled to and positioned within the support member


250


. The fluid passage is further fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage


230


.




The fluid passage


235


preferably includes a control valve for controllably opening and closing the fluid passage


235


. In a preferred embodiment, the control valve is pressure activated in order to controllably minimize surge pressures. The fluid passage


235


is preferably positioned substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the apparatus


200


.




The fluid passage


235


is preferably selected to convey fluidic materials at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to reduce the drag on the apparatus


200


during insertion into the new section


130


of the wellbore


100


and to minimize surge pressures on the new wellbore section


130


.




The fluid passage


240


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the region exterior to the tubular member


210


and shoe


215


. The fluid passage


240


is coupled to and positioned within the shoe


215


in fluidic communication with the interior region of the tubular member


210


below the expandable mandrel


205


. The fluid passage


240


preferably has a cross-sectional shape that permits a plug, or other similar device, to be placed in fluid passage


240


to thereby block further passage of fluidic materials. In this manner, the interior region of the tubular member


210


below the expandable mandrel


205


can be fluidicly isolated from the region exterior to the tubular member


210


. This permits the interior region of the tubular member


210


below the expandable mandrel


205


to be pressurized. The fluid passage


240


is preferably positioned substantially along the centerline of the apparatus


200


.




The fluid passage


240


is preferably selected to convey materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally fill the annular region between the tubular member


210


and the new section


130


of the wellbore


100


with fluidic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


240


includes an inlet geometry that can receive a dart and/or a ball sealing member. In this manner, the fluid passage


240


can be sealed off by introducing a plug, dart and/or ball sealing elements into the fluid passage


230


.




The seals


245


are coupled to and supported by an end portion


260


of the tubular member


210


. The seals


245


are further positioned on an outer surface


265


of the end portion


260


of the tubular member


210


. The seals


245


permit the overlapping joint between the end portion


270


of the casing


115


and the portion


260


of the tubular member


210


to be fluidicly sealed. The seals


245


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, rubber, Teflon, or epoxy seals modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the seals


245


are molded from Stratalock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a load bearing interference fit between the end


260


of the tubular member


210


and the end


270


of the existing casing


115


.




In a preferred embodiment, the seals


245


are selected to optimally provide a sufficient frictional force to support the expanded tubular member


210


from the existing casing


115


. In a preferred embodiment, the frictional force optimally provided by the seals


245


ranges from about 1,000 to 1,000,000 lbf in order to optimally support the expanded tubular member


210


.




The support member


250


is coupled to the expandable mandrel


205


, tubular member


210


, shoe


215


, and seals


220


and


225


. The support member


250


preferably comprises an annular member having sufficient strength to carry the apparatus


200


into the new section


130


of the wellbore


100


. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


250


further includes one or more conventional centralizers (not illustrated) to help stabilize the apparatus


200


. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


250


comprises coiled tubing.




In a preferred embodiment, a quantity of lubricant


275


is provided in the annular region above the expandable mandrel


205


within the interior of the tubular member


210


. In this manner, the extrusion of the tubular member


210


off of the expandable mandrel


205


is facilitated. The lubricant


275


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available lubricants such as, for example, Lubriplate, chlorine based lubricants, oil based lubricants or Climax 1500 Antisieze (3100). In a preferred embodiment, the lubricant


275


comprises Climax 1500 Antisieze (3100) available from Climax Lubricants and Equipment Co. in Houston, Tex. in order to optimally provide optimum lubrication to faciliate the expansion process.




In a preferred embodiment, the support member


250


is thoroughly cleaned prior to assembly to the remaining portions of the apparatus


200


. In this manner, the introduction of foreign material into the apparatus


200


is minimized. This minimizes the possibility of foreign material clogging the various flow passages and valves of the apparatus


200


.




In a preferred embodiment, before or after positioning the apparatus


200


within the new section


130


of the wellbore


100


, a couple of wellbore volumes are circulated in order to ensure that no foreign materials are located within the wellbore


100


that might clog up the various flow passages and valves of the apparatus


200


and to ensure that no foreign material interferes with the expansion process.




As illustrated in

FIG. 3

, the fluid passage


235


is then closed and a hardenable fluidic sealing material


305


is then pumped from a surface location into the fluid passage


230


. The material


305


then passes from the fluid passage


230


into the interior region


310


of the tubular member


210


below the expandable mandrel


205


. The material


305


then passes from the interior region


310


into the fluid passage


240


. The material


305


then exits the apparatus


200


and fills the annular region


315


between the exterior of the tubular member


210


and the interior wall of the new section


130


of the wellbore


100


. Continued pumping of the material


305


causes the material


305


to fill up at least a portion of the annular region


315


.




The material


305


is preferably pumped into the annular region


315


at pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 5000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min, respectively. The optimum flow rate and operating pressures vary as a function of the casing and wellbore sizes, wellbore section length, available pumping equipment, and fluid properties of the fluidic material being pumped. The optimum flow rate and operating pressure are preferably determined using conventional empirical methods.




The hardenable fluidic sealing material


305


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available hardenable fluidic sealing materials such as, for example, slag mix, cement or epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the hardenable fluidic sealing material


305


comprises a blended cement prepared specifically for the particular well section being drilled from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to provide optimal support for tubular member


210


while also maintaining optimum flow characteristics so as to minimize difficulties during the displacement of cement in the annular region


315


. The optimum blend of the blended cement is preferably determined using conventional empirical methods.




The annular region


315


preferably is filled with the material


305


in sufficient quantities to ensure that, upon radial expansion of the tubular member


210


, the annular region


315


of the new section


130


of the wellbore


100


will be filled with material


305


.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated in

FIG. 3



a


, the wall thickness and/or the outer diameter of the tubular member


210


is reduced in the region adjacent to the mandrel


205


in order optimally permit placement of the apparatus


200


in positions in the wellbore with tight clearances. Furthermore, in this manner, the initiation of the radial expansion of the tubular member


210


during the extrusion process is optimally facilitated.




As illustrated in

FIG. 4

, once the annular region


315


has been adequately filled with material


305


, a plug


405


, or other similar device, is introduced into the fluid passage


240


thereby fluidicly isolating the interior region


310


from the annular region


315


. In a preferred embodiment, a non-hardenable fluidic material


306


is then pumped into the interior region


310


causing the interior region to pressurize. In this manner, the interior of the expanded tubular member


210


will not contain significant amounts of cured material


305


. This reduces and simplifies the cost of the entire process. Alternatively, the material


305


may be used during this phase of the process.




Once the interior region


310


becomes sufficiently pressurized, the tubular member


210


is extruded off of the expandable mandrel


205


. During the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


205


may be raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


210


. In a preferred embodiment, during the extrusion process, the mandrel


205


is raised at approximately the same rate as the tubular member


210


is expanded in order to keep the tubular member


210


stationary relative to the new wellbore section


130


. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the extrusion process is commenced with the tubular member


210


positioned above the bottom of the new wellbore section


130


, keeping the mandrel


205


stationary, and allowing the tubular member


210


to extrude off of the mandrel


205


and fall down the new wellbore section


130


under the force of gravity.




The plug


405


is preferably placed into the fluid passage


240


by introducing the plug


405


into the fluid passage


230


at a surface location in a conventional manner. The plug


405


preferably acts to fluidicly isolate the hardenable fluidic sealing material


305


from the non hardenable fluidic material


306


.




The plug


405


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available devices from plugging a fluid passage such as, for example, Multiple Stage Cementer (MSC) latch-down plug, Omega latch-down plug or three-wiper latch-down plug modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the plug


405


comprises a MSC latch-down plug available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex.




After placement of the plug


405


in the fluid passage


240


, a non hardenable fluidic material


306


is preferably pumped into the interior region


310


at pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from approximately 400 to 10,000 psi and 30 to 4,000 gallons/min. In this manner, the amount of hardenable fluidic sealing material within the interior


310


of the tubular member


210


is minimized. In a preferred embodiment, after placement of the plug


405


in the fluid passage


240


, the non hardenable material


306


is preferably pumped into the interior region


310


at pressures and flow rates ranging from approximately 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min in order to maximize the extrusion speed.




In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


200


is adapted to minimize tensile, burst, and friction effects upon the tubular member


210


during the expansion process. These effects will depend upon the geometry of the expansion mandrel


205


, the material composition of the tubular member


210


and expansion mandrel


205


, the inner diameter of the tubular member


210


, the wall thickness of the tubular member


210


, the type of lubricant, and the yield strength of the tubular member


210


. In general, the thicker the wall thickness, the smaller the inner diameter, and the greater the yield strength of the tubular member


210


, then the greater the operating pressures required to extrude the tubular member


210


off of the mandrel


205


.




For typical tubular members


210


, the extrusion of the tubular member


210


off of the expandable mandrel will begin when the pressure of the interior region


310


reaches, for example, approximately 500 to 9,000 psi.




During the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


205


may be raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


210


at rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 5 ft/sec. In a preferred embodiment, during the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


205


is raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


210


at rates ranging from about 0 to 2 ft/sec in order to minimize the time required for the expansion process while also permitting easy control of the expansion process.




When the end portion


260


of the tubular member


210


is extruded off of the expandable mandrel


205


, the outer surface


265


of the end portion


260


of the tubular member


210


will preferably contact the interior surface


410


of the end portion


270


of the casing


115


to form an fluid tight overlapping joint. The contact pressure of the overlapping joint may range, for example, from approximately 50 to 20,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure of the overlapping joint ranges from approximately 400 to 10,000 psi in order to provide optimum pressure to activate the annular sealing members


245


and optimally provide resistance to axial motion to accommodate typical tensile and compressive loads.




The overlapping joint between the section


410


of the existing casing


115


and the section


265


of the expanded tubular member


210


preferably provides a gaseous and fluidic seal. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sealing members


245


optimally provide a fluidic and gaseous seal in the overlapping joint.




In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure and flow rate of the non hardenable fluidic material


306


is controllably ramped down when the expandable mandrel


205


reaches the end portion


260


of the tubular member


210


. In this manner, the sudden release of pressure caused by the complete extrusion of the tubular member


210


off of the expandable mandrel


205


can be minimized. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure is reduced in a substantially linear fashion from 100% to about 10% during the end of the extrusion process beginning when the mandrel


205


is within about 5 feet from completion of the extrusion process.




Alternatively, or in combination, a shock absorber is provided in the support member


250


in order to absorb the shock caused by the sudden release of pressure. The shock absorber may comprise, for example, any conventional commercially available shock absorber adapted for use in wellbore operations.




Alternatively, or in combination, a mandrel catching structure is provided in the end portion


260


of the tubular member


210


in order to catch or at least decelerate the mandrel


205


.




Once the extrusion process is completed, the expandable mandrel


205


is removed from the wellbore


100


. In a preferred embodiment, either before or after the removal of the expandable mandrel


205


, the integrity of the fluidic seal of the overlapping joint between the upper portion


260


of the tubular member


210


and the lower portion


270


of the casing


115


is tested using conventional methods.




If the fluidic seal of the overlapping joint between the upper portion


260


of the tubular member


210


and the lower portion


270


of the casing


115


is satisfactory, then any uncured portion of the material


305


within the expanded tubular member


210


is then removed in a conventional manner such as, for example, circulating the uncured material out of the interior of the expanded tubular member


210


. The mandrel


205


is then pulled out of the wellbore section


130


and a drill bit or mill is used in combination with a conventional drilling assembly


505


to drill out any hardened material


305


within the tubular member


210


. The material


305


within the annular region


315


is then allowed to cure.




As illustrated in

FIG. 5

, preferably any remaining cured material


305


within the interior of the expanded tubular member


210


is then removed in a conventional manner using a conventional drill string


505


. The resulting new section of casing


510


includes the expanded tubular member


210


and an outer annular layer


515


of cured material


305


. The bottom portion of the apparatus


200


comprising the shoe


215


and dart


405


may then be removed by drilling out the shoe


215


and dart


405


using conventional drilling methods.




In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in

FIG. 6

, the upper portion


260


of the tubular member


210


includes one or more sealing members


605


and one or more pressure relief holes


610


. In this manner, the overlapping joint between the lower portion


270


of the casing


115


and the upper portion


260


of the tubular member


210


is pressure-tight and the pressure on the interior and exterior surfaces of the tubular member


210


is equalized during the extrusion process.




In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


605


are seated within recesses


615


formed in the outer surface


265


of the upper portion


260


of the tubular member


210


. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the sealing members


605


are bonded or molded onto the outer surface


265


of the upper portion


260


of the tubular member


210


. The pressure relief holes


610


are preferably positioned in the last few feet of the tubular member


210


. The pressure relief holes reduce the operating pressures required to expand the upper portion


260


of the tubular member


210


. This reduction in required operating pressure in turn reduces the velocity of the mandrel


205


upon the completion of the extrusion process. This reduction in velocity in turn minimizes the mechanical shock to the entire apparatus


200


upon the completion of the extrusion process.




Referring now to

FIG. 7

, a particularly preferred embodiment of an apparatus


700


for forming a casing within a wellbore preferably includes an expandable mandrel or pig


705


, an expandable mandrel or pig container


710


, a tubular member


715


, a float shoe


720


, a lower cup seal


725


, an upper cup seal


730


, a fluid passage


735


, a fluid passage


740


, a support member


745


, a body of lubricant


750


, an overshot connection


755


, another support member


760


, and a stabilizer


765


.




The expandable mandrel


705


is coupled to and supported by the support member


745


. The expandable mandrel


705


is further coupled to the expandable mandrel container


710


. The expandable mandrel


705


is preferably adapted to controllably expand in a radial direction. The expandable mandrel


705


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available expandable mandrels modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable mandrel


705


comprises a hydraulic expansion tool substantially as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,095, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




The expandable mandrel container


710


is coupled to and supported by the support member


745


. The expandable mandrel container


710


is further coupled to the expandable mandrel


705


. The expandable mandrel container


710


may be constructed from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, Oilfield Country Tubular Goods, stainless steel, titanium or high strength steels. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable mandrel container


710


is fabricated from material having a greater strength than the material from which the tubular member


715


is fabricated. In this manner, the container


710


can be fabricated from a tubular material having a thinner wall thickness than the tubular member


210


. This permits the container


710


to pass through tight clearances thereby facilitating its placement within the wellbore.




In a preferred embodiment, once the expansion process begins, and the thicker, lower strength material of the tubular member


715


is expanded, the outside diameter of the tubular member


715


is greater than the outside diameter of the container


710


.




The tubular member


715


is coupled to and supported by the expandable mandrel


705


. The tubular member


715


is preferably expanded in the radial direction and extruded off of the expandable mandrel


705


substantially as described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-6

. The tubular member


715


may be fabricated from any number of materials such as, for example, Oilfield Country Tubular Goods (OCTG), automotive grade steel or plastics. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


715


is fabricated from OCTG.




In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


715


has a substantially annular cross-section. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tubular member


715


has a substantially circular annular cross-section.




The tubular member


715


preferably includes an upper section


805


, an intermediate section


810


, and a lower section


815


. The upper section


805


of the tubular member


715


preferably is defined by the region beginning in the vicinity of the mandrel container


710


and ending with the top section


820


of the tubular member


715


. The intermediate section


810


of the tubular member


715


is preferably defined by the region beginning in the vicinity of the top of the mandrel container


710


and ending with the region in the vicinity of the mandrel


705


. The lower section of the tubular member


715


is preferably defined by the region beginning in the vicinity of the mandrel


705


and ending at the bottom


825


of the tubular member


715


.




In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the upper section


805


of the tubular member


715


is greater than the wall thicknesses of the intermediate and lower sections


810


and


815


of the tubular member


715


in order to optimally faciliate the initiation of the extrusion process and optimally permit the apparatus


700


to be positioned in locations in the wellbore having tight clearances.




The outer diameter and wall thickness of the upper section


805


of the tubular member


715


may range, for example, from about 1.05 to 48 inches and ⅛ to 2 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the outer diameter and wall thickness of the upper section


805


of the tubular member


715


range from about 3.5 to 16 inches and ⅜ to 1.5 inches, respectively.




The outer diameter and wall thickness of the intermediate section


810


of the tubular member


715


may range, for example, from about 2.5 to 50 inches and {fraction (1/16)} to 1.5 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the outer diameter and wall thickness of the intermediate section


810


of the tubular member


715


range from about 3.5 to 19 inches and ⅛ to 1.25 inches, respectively.




The outer diameter and wall thickness of the lower section


815


of the tubular member


715


may range, for example, from about 2.5 to 50 inches and {fraction (1/16)} to 1.25 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the outer diameter and wall thickness of the lower section


810


of the tubular member


715


range from about 3.5 to 19 inches and ⅛ to 1.25 inches, respectively. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the lower section


815


of the tubular member


715


is further increased to increase the strength of the shoe


720


when drillable materials such as, for example, aluminum are used.




The tubular member


715


preferably comprises a solid tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the end portion


820


of the tubular member


715


is slotted, perforated, or otherwise modified to catch or slow down the mandrel


705


when it completes the extrusion of tubular member


715


. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the tubular member


715


is limited to minimize the possibility of buckling. For typical tubular member


715


materials, the length of the tubular member


715


is preferably limited to between about 40 to 20,000 feet in length.




The shoe


720


is coupled to the expandable mandrel


705


and the tubular member


715


. The shoe


720


includes the fluid passage


740


. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


720


further includes an inlet passage


830


, and one or more jet ports


835


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the inlet passage


830


is adapted to receive a latch-down dart, or other similar elements, for blocking the inlet passage


830


. The interior of the shoe


720


preferably includes a body of solid material


840


for increasing the strength of the shoe


720


. In a particularly preferred embodiment; the body of solid material


840


comprises aluminum.




The shoe


720


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available shoes such as, for example, Super Seal II Down-Jet float shoe, or guide shoe with a sealing sleeve for a latch down plug modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


720


comprises an aluminum down-jet guide shoe with a sealing sleeve for a latch-down plug available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, in order to optimize guiding the tubular member


715


in the wellbore, optimize the seal between the tubular member


715


and an existing wellbore casing, and to optimally faciliate the removal of the shoe


720


by drilling it out after completion of the extrusion process.




The lower cup seal


725


is coupled to and supported by the support member


745


. The lower cup seal


725


prevents foreign materials from entering the interior region of the tubular member


715


above the expandable mandrel


705


. The lower cup seal


725


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available cup seals such as, for example, TP cups or Selective Injection Packer (SIP) cups modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the lower cup seal


725


comprises a SIP cup, available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a debris barrier and hold a body of lubricant.




The upper cup seal


730


is coupled to and supported by the support member


760


. The upper cup seal


730


prevents foreign materials from entering the interior region of the tubular member


715


. The upper cup seal


730


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available cup seals such as, for example, TP cups or Selective Injection Packer (SIP) cup modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the upper cup seal


730


comprises a SIP cup available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a debris barrier and contain a body of lubricant.




The fluid passage


735


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the interior region of the tubular member


715


below the expandable mandrel


705


. The fluid passage


735


is fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage


740


. The fluid passage


735


is preferably coupled to and positioned within the support member


760


, the support member


745


, the mandrel container


710


, and the expandable mandrel


705


. The fluid passage


735


preferably extends from a position adjacent to the surface to the bottom of the expandable mandrel


705


. The fluid passage


735


is preferably positioned along a centerline of the apparatus


700


. The fluid passage


735


is preferably selected to transport materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 40 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 500 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally provide sufficient operating pressures to extrude the tubular member


715


off of the expandable mandrel


705


.




As described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-6

, during placement of the apparatus


700


within a new section of a wellbore, fluidic materials forced up the fluid passage


735


can be released into the wellbore above the tubular member


715


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


700


further includes a pressure release passage that is coupled to and positioned within the support member


260


. The pressure release passage is further fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage


735


. The pressure release passage preferably includes a control valve for controllably opening and closing the fluid passage. In a preferred embodiment, the control valve is pressure activated in order to controllably minimize surge pressures. The pressure release passage is preferably positioned substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the apparatus


700


. The pressure release passage is preferably selected to convey materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 500 gallons/minute and 0 to 1,000 psi in order to reduce the drag on the apparatus


700


during insertion into a new section of a wellbore and to minimize surge pressures on the new wellbore section.




The fluid passage


740


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the region exterior to the tubular member


715


. The fluid passage


740


is preferably coupled to and positioned within the shoe


720


in fluidic communication with the interior region of the tubular member


715


below the expandable mandrel


705


. The fluid passage


740


preferably has a cross-sectional shape that permits a plug, or other similar device, to be placed in the inlet


830


of the fluid passage


740


to thereby block further passage of fluidic materials. In this manner, the interior region of the tubular member


715


below the expandable mandrel


705


can be optimally fluidicly isolated from the region exterior to the tubular member


715


. This permits the interior region of the tubular member


715


below the expandable mandrel


205


to be pressurized.




The fluid passage


740


is preferably positioned substantially along the centerline of the apparatus


700


. The fluid passage


740


is preferably selected to convey materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally fill an annular region between the tubular member


715


and a new section of a wellbore with fluidic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


740


includes an inlet passage


830


having a geometry that can receive a dart and/or a ball sealing member. In this manner, the fluid passage


240


can be sealed off by introducing a plug, dart and/or ball sealing elements into the fluid passage


230


.




In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


700


further includes one or more seals


845


coupled to and supported by the end portion


820


of the tubular member


715


. The seals


845


are further positioned on an outer surface of the end portion


820


of the tubular member


715


. The seals


845


permit the overlapping joint between an end portion of preexisting casing and the end portion


820


of the tubular member


715


to be fluidicly sealed. The seals


845


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, rubber, Teflon, or epoxy seals modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the seals


845


comprise seals molded from StrataLock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a hydraulic seal and a load bearing interference fit in the overlapping joint between the tubular member


715


and an existing casing with optimal load bearing capacity to support the tubular member


715


.




In a preferred embodiment, the seals


845


are selected to provide a sufficient frictional force to support the expanded tubular member


715


from the existing casing. In a preferred embodiment, the frictional force provided by the seals


845


ranges from about 1,000 to 1,000,000 lbf in order to optimally support the expanded tubular member


715


.




The support member


745


is preferably coupled to the expandable mandrel


705


and the overshot connection


755


. The support member


745


preferably comprises an annular member having sufficient strength to carry the apparatus


700


into a new section of a wellbore. The support member


745


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available support members such as, for example, steel drill pipe, coiled tubing or other high strength tubular modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


745


comprises conventional drill pipe available from various steel mills in the United States.




In a preferred embodiment, a body of lubricant


750


is provided in the annular region above the expandable mandrel container


710


within the interior of the tubular member


715


. In this manner, the extrusion of the tubular member


715


off of the expandable mandrel


705


is facilitated. The lubricant


705


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available lubricants such as, for example, Lubriplate, chlorine based lubricants, oil based lubricants, or Climax 1500 Antisieze (3100). In a preferred embodiment, the lubricant


750


comprises Climax 1500 Antisieze (3100) available from Halliburton Energy Services in Houston, Tex. in order to optimally provide lubrication to faciliate the extrusion process.




The overshot connection


755


is coupled to the support member


745


and the support member


760


. The overshot connection


755


preferably permits the support member


745


to be removably coupled to the support member


760


. The overshot connection


755


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available overshot connections such as, for example, Innerstring Sealing Adapter, Innerstring Flat-Face Sealing Adapter or EZ Drill Setting Tool Stinger. In a preferred embodiment, the overshot connection


755


comprises a Innerstring Adapter with an Upper Guide available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex.




The support member


760


is preferably coupled to the overshot connection


755


and a surface support structure (not illustrated). The support member


760


preferably comprises an annular member having sufficient strength to carry the apparatus


700


into a new section of a wellbore. The support member


760


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available support members such as, for example, steel drill pipe, coiled tubing or other high strength tubulars modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


760


comprises a conventional drill pipe available from steel mills in the United States.




The stabilizer


765


is preferably coupled to the support member


760


. The stabilizer


765


also preferably stabilizes the components of the apparatus


700


within the tubular member


715


. The stabilizer


765


preferably comprises a spherical member having an outside diameter that is about 80 to 99% of the interior diameter of the tubular member


715


in order to optimally minimize buckling of the tubular member


715


. The stabilizer


765


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available stabilizers such as, for example, EZ Drill Star Guides, packer shoes or drag blocks modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the stabilizer


765


comprises a sealing adapter upper guide available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex.




In a preferred embodiment, the support members


745


and


760


are thoroughly cleaned prior to assembly to the remaining portions of the apparatus


700


. In this manner, the introduction of foreign material into the apparatus


700


is minimized. This minimizes the possibility of foreign material clogging the various flow passages and valves of the apparatus


700


.




In a preferred embodiment, before or after positioning the apparatus


700


within a new section of a wellbore, a couple of wellbore volumes are circulated through the various flow passages of the apparatus


700


in order to ensure that no foreign materials are located within the wellbore that might clog up the various flow passages and valves of the apparatus


700


and to ensure that no foreign material interferes with the expansion mandrel


705


during the expansion process.




In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


700


is operated substantially as described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-7

to form a new section of casing within a wellbore.




As illustrated in

FIG. 8

, in an alternative preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus described herein is used to repair an existing wellbore casing


805


by forming a tubular liner


810


inside of the existing wellbore casing


805


. In a preferred embodiment, an outer annular lining of cement is not provided in the repaired section. In the alternative preferred embodiment, any number of fluidic materials can be used to expand the tubular liner


810


into intimate contact with the damaged section of the wellbore casing such as, for example, cement, epoxy, slag mix, or drilling mud. In the alternative preferred embodiment, sealing members


815


are preferably provided at both ends of the tubular member in order to optimally provide a fluidic seal. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the tubular liner


810


is formed within a horizontally positioned pipeline section, such as those used to transport hydrocarbons or water, with the tubular liner


810


placed in an overlapping relationship with the adjacent pipeline section. In this manner, underground pipelines can be repaired without having to dig out and replace the damaged sections.




In another alternative preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus described herein is used to directly line a wellbore with a tubular liner


810


. In a preferred embodiment, an outer annular lining of cement is not provided between the tubular liner


810


and the wellbore. In the alternative preferred embodiment, any number of fluidic materials can be used to expand the tubular liner


810


into intimate contact with the wellbore such as, for example, cement, epoxy, slag mix, or drilling mud.




Referring now to

FIGS. 9

,


9




a


,


9




b


and


9




c


, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus


900


for forming a wellbore casing includes an expandable tubular member


902


, a support member


904


, an expandable mandrel or pig


906


, and a shoe


908


. In a preferred embodiment, the design and construction of the mandrel


906


and shoe


908


permits easy removal of those elements by drilling them out. In this manner, the assembly


900


can be easily removed from a wellbore using a conventional drilling apparatus and corresponding drilling methods.




The expandable tubular member


902


preferably includes an upper portion


910


, an intermediate portion


912


and a lower portion


914


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the tubular member


902


is preferably extruded off of the mandrel


906


by pressurizing an interior region


966


of the tubular member


902


. The tubular member


902


preferably has a substantially annular cross-section.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, an expandable tubular member


915


is coupled to the upper portion


910


of the expandable tubular member


902


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the tubular member


915


is preferably extruded off of the mandrel


906


by pressurizing the interior region


966


of the tubular member


902


. The tubular member


915


preferably has a substantially annular cross-section. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the tubular member


915


is greater than the wall thickness of the tubular member


902


.




The tubular member


915


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield tubulars, low alloy steels, titanium or stainless steels. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


915


is fabricated from oilfield tubulars in order to optimally provide approximately the same mechanical properties as the tubular member


902


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tubular member


915


has a plastic yield point ranging from about 40,000 to 135,000 psi in order to optimally provide approximately the same yield properties as the tubular member


902


. The tubular member


915


may comprise a plurality of tubular members coupled end to end.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper end portion of the tubular member


915


includes one or more sealing members for optimally providing a fluidic and/or gaseous seal with an existing section of wellbore casing.




In a preferred embodiment, the combined length of the tubular members


902


and


915


are limited to minimize the possibility of buckling. For typical tubular member materials, the combined length of the tubular members


902


and


915


are limited to between about 40 to 20,000 feet in length.




The lower portion


914


of the tubular member


902


is preferably coupled to the shoe


908


by a threaded connection


968


. The intermediate portion


912


of the tubular member


902


preferably is placed in intimate sliding contact with the mandrel


906


.




The tubular member


902


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield tubulars, low alloy steels, titanium or stainless steels. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


902


is fabricated from oilfield tubulars in order to optimally provide approximately the same mechanical properties as the tubular member


915


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tubular member


902


has a plastic yield point ranging from about 40,000 to 135,000 psi in order to optimally provide approximately the same yield properties as the tubular member


915


.




The wall thickness of the upper, intermediate, and lower portions,


910


,


912


and


914


of the tubular member


902


may range, for example, from about {fraction (1/16)} to 1.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the upper, intermediate, and lower portions,


910


,


912


and


914


of the tubular member


902


range from about ⅛ to 1.25 in order to optimally provide wall thickness that are about the same as the tubular member


915


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the lower portion


914


is less than or equal to the wall thickness of the upper portion


910


in order to optimally provide a geometry that will fit into tight clearances downhole.




The outer diameter of the upper, intermediate, and lower portions,


910


,


912


and


914


of the tubular member


902


may range, for example, from about 1.05 to 48 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the upper, intermediate, and lower portions,


910


,


912


and


914


of the tubular member


902


range from about 3 ½ to 19 inches in order to optimally provide the ability to expand the most commonly used oilfield tubulars.




The length of the tubular member


902


is preferably limited to between about 2 to 5 feet in order to optimally provide enough length to contain the mandrel


906


and a body of lubricant.




The tubular member


902


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available tubular members modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


902


comprises Oilfield Country Tubular Goods available from various U.S. steel mills. The tubular member


915


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available tubular members modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


915


comprises Oilfield Country Tubular Goods available from various U.S. steel mills.




The various elements of the tubular member


902


may be coupled using any number of conventional process such as, for example, threaded connections, welding or machined from one piece. In a preferred embodiment, the various elements of the tubular member


902


are coupled using welding. The tubular member


902


may comprise a plurality of tubular elements that are coupled end to end. The various elements of the tubular member


915


may be coupled using any number of conventional process such as, for example, threaded connections, welding or machined from one piece. In a preferred embodiment, the various elements of the tubular member


915


are coupled using welding. The tubular member


915


may comprise a plurality of tubular elements that are coupled end to end. The tubular members


902


and


915


may be coupled using any number of conventional process such as, for example, threaded connections, welding or machined from one piece.




The support member


904


preferably includes an innerstring adapter


916


, a fluid passage


918


, an upper guide


920


, and a coupling


922


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the support member


904


preferably supports the apparatus


900


during movement of the apparatus


900


within a wellbore. The support member


904


preferably has a substantially annular cross-section.




The support member


904


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield tubulars, low alloy steel, coiled tubing or stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


904


is fabricated from low alloy steel in order to optimally provide high yield strength.




The innerstring adaptor


916


preferably is coupled to and supported by a conventional drill string support from a surface location. The innerstring adaptor


916


may be coupled to a conventional drill string support


971


by a threaded connection


970


.




The fluid passage


918


is preferably used to convey fluids and other materials to and from the apparatus


900


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


918


is fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage


952


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


918


is used to convey hardenable fluidic sealing materials to and from the apparatus


900


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


918


may include one or more pressure relief passages (not illustrated) to release fluid pressure during positioning of the apparatus


900


within a wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


918


is positioned along a longitudinal centerline of the apparatus


900


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


918


is selected to permit the conveyance of hardenable fluidic materials at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi.




The upper guide


920


is coupled to an upper portion of the support member


904


. The upper guide


920


preferably is adapted to center the support member


904


within the tubular member


915


. The upper guide


920


may comprise any number of conventional guide members modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the upper guide


920


comprises an innerstring adapter available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. order to optimally guide the apparatus


900


within the tubular member


915


.




The coupling


922


couples the support member


904


to the mandrel


906


. The coupling


922


preferably comprises a conventional threaded connection.




The various elements of the support member


904


may be coupled using any number of conventional processes such as, for example, welding, threaded connections or machined from one piece. In a preferred embodiment, the various elements of the support member


904


are coupled using threaded connections.




The mandrel


906


preferably includes a retainer


924


, a rubber cup


926


, an expansion cone


928


, a lower cone retainer


930


, a body of cement


932


, a lower guide


934


, an extension sleeve


936


, a spacer


938


, a housing


940


, a sealing sleeve


942


, an upper cone retainer


944


, a lubricator mandrel


946


, a lubricator sleeve


948


, a guide


950


, and a fluid passage


952


.




The retainer


924


is coupled to the lubricator mandrel


946


, lubricator sleeve


948


, and the rubber cup


926


. The retainer


924


couples the rubber cup


926


to the lubricator sleeve


948


. The retainer


924


preferably has a substantially annular cross-section. The retainer


924


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available retainers such as, for example, slotted spring pins or roll pin.




The rubber cup


926


is coupled to the retainer


924


, the lubricator mandrel


946


, and the lubricator sleeve


948


. The rubber cup


926


prevents the entry of foreign materials into the interior region


972


of the tubular member


902


below the rubber cup


926


. The rubber cup


926


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available rubber cups such as, for example, TP cups or Selective Injection Packer (SIP) cup. In a preferred embodiment, the rubber cup


926


comprises a SIP cup available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally block foreign materials.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, a body of lubricant is further provided in the interior region


972


of the tubular member


902


in order to lubricate the interface between the exterior surface of the mandrel


902


and the interior surface of the tubular members


902


and


915


. The lubricant may comprise any number of conventional commercially available lubricants such as, for example, Lubriplate, chlorine based lubricants, oil based lubricants or Climax 1500 Antiseize (3100). In a preferred embodiment, the lubricant comprises Climax 1500 Antiseize (3100) available from Climax Lubricants and Equipment Co. in Houston, Tex. in order to optimally provide lubrication to faciliate the extrusion process.




The expansion cone


928


is coupled to the lower cone retainer


930


, the body of cement


932


, the lower guide


934


, the extension sleeve


936


, the housing


940


, and the upper cone retainer


944


. In a preferred embodiment, during operation of the apparatus


900


, the tubular members


902


and


915


are extruded off of the outer surface of the expansion cone


928


. In a preferred embodiment, axial movement of the expansion cone


928


is prevented by the lower cone retainer


930


, housing


940


and the upper cone retainer


944


. Inner radial movement of the expansion cone


928


is prevented by the body of cement


932


, the housing


940


, and the upper cone retainer


944


.




The expansion cone


928


preferably has a substantially annular cross section. The outside diameter of the expansion cone


928


is preferably tapered to provide a cone shape. The wall thickness of the expansion cone


928


may range, for example, from about 0.125 to 3 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the expansion cone


928


ranges from about 0.25 to 0.75 inches in order to optimally provide adequate compressive strength with minimal material. The maximum and minimum outside diameters of the expansion cone


928


may range, for example, from about 1 to 47 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the maximum and minimum outside diameters of the expansion cone


928


range from about 3.5 to 19 in order to optimally provide expansion of generally available oilfield tubulars




The expansion cone


928


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, ceramic, tool steel, titanium or low alloy steel. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


928


is fabricated from tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength and abrasion resistance. The surface hardness of the outer surface of the expansion cone


928


may range, for example, from about 50 Rockwell C to 70 Rockwell C. In a preferred embodiment, the surface hardness of the outer surface of the expansion cone


928


ranges from about 58 Rockwell C to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high yield strength. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


928


is heat treated to optimally provide a hard outer surface and a resilient interior body in order to optimally provide abrasion resistance and fracture toughness.




The lower cone retainer


930


is coupled to the expansion cone


928


and the housing


940


. In a preferred embodiment, axial movement of the expansion cone


928


is prevented by the lower cone retainer


930


. Preferably, the lower cone retainer


930


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The lower cone retainer


930


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, ceramic, tool steel, titanium or low alloy steel. In a preferred embodiment, the lower cone retainer


930


is fabricated from tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength and abrasion resistance. The surface hardness of the outer surface of the lower cone retainer


930


may range, for example, from about 50 Rockwell C to 70 Rockwell C. In a preferred embodiment, the surface hardness of the outer surface of the lower cone retainer


930


ranges from about 58 Rockwell C to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high yield strength. In a preferred embodiment, the lower cone retainer


930


is heat treated to optimally provide a hard outer surface and a resilient interior body in order to optimally provide abrasion resistance and fracture toughness.




In a preferred embodiment, the lower cone retainer


930


and the expansion cone


928


are formed as an integral one-piece element in order reduce the number of components and increase the overall strength of the apparatus. The outer surface of the lower cone retainer


930


preferably mates with the inner surfaces of the tubular members


902


and


915


.




The body of cement


932


is positioned within the interior of the mandrel


906


. The body of cement


932


provides an inner bearing structure for the mandrel


906


. The body of cement


932


further may be easily drilled out using a conventional drill device. In this manner, the mandrel


906


may be easily removed using a conventional drilling device.




The body of cement


932


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available cement compounds. Alternatively, aluminum, cast iron or some other drillable metallic, composite, or aggregate material may be substituted for cement. The body of cement


932


preferably has a substantially annular cross-section.




The lower guide


934


is coupled to the extension sleeve


936


and housing


940


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the lower guide


934


preferably helps guide the movement of the mandrel


906


within the tubular member


902


. The lower guide


934


preferably has a substantially annular cross-section.




The lower guide


934


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield tubulars, low alloy steel or stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the lower guide


934


is fabricated from low alloy steel in order to optimally provide high yield strength. The outer surface of the lower guide


934


preferably mates with the inner surface of the tubular member


902


to provide a sliding fit.




The extension sleeve


936


is coupled to the lower guide


934


and the housing


940


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the extension sleeve


936


preferably helps guide the movement of the mandrel


906


within the tubular member


902


. The extension sleeve


936


preferably has a substantially annular cross-section.




The extension sleeve


936


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield tubulars, low alloy steel or stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the extension sleeve


936


is fabricated from low alloy steel in order to optimally provide high yield strength. The outer surface of the extension sleeve


936


preferably mates with the inner surface of the tubular member


902


to provide a sliding fit. In a preferred embodiment, the extension sleeve


936


and the lower guide


934


are formed as an integral one-piece element in order to minimize the number of components and increase the strength of the apparatus.




The spacer


938


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


942


. The spacer


938


preferably includes the fluid passage


952


and is adapted to mate with the extension tube


960


of the shoe


908


. In this manner, a plug or dart can be conveyed from the surface through the fluid passages


918


and


962


into the fluid passage


962


. Preferably, the spacer


938


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The spacer


938


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum or cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer


938


is fabricated from aluminum in order to optimally provide drillability. The end of the spacer


938


preferably mates with the end of the extension tube


960


. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer


938


and the sealing sleeve


942


are formed as an integral one-piece element in order to reduce the number of components and increase the strength of the apparatus.




The housing


940


is coupled to the lower guide


934


, extension sleeve


936


, expansion cone


928


, body of cement


932


, and lower cone retainer


930


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the housing


940


preferably prevents inner radial motion of the expansion cone


928


. Preferably, the housing


940


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The housing


940


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield tubulars, low alloy steel or stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the housing


940


is fabricated from low alloy steel in order to optimally provide high yield strength. In a preferred embodiment, the lower guide


934


, extension sleeve


936


and housing


940


are formed as an integral one-piece element in order to minimize the number of components and increase the strength of the apparatus.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the interior surface of the housing


940


includes one or more protrusions to faciliate the connection between the housing


940


and the body of cement


932


.




The sealing sleeve


942


is coupled to the support member


904


, the body of cement


932


, the spacer


938


, and the upper cone retainer


944


. During operation of the apparatus, the sealing sleeve


942


preferably provides support for the mandrel


906


. The sealing sleeve


942


is preferably coupled to the support member


904


using the coupling


922


. Preferably, the sealing sleeve


942


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The sealing sleeve


942


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum or cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


942


is fabricated from aluminum in order to optimally provide drillability of the sealing sleeve


942


.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the sealing sleeve


942


includes one or more protrusions to faciliate the connection between the sealing sleeve


942


and the body of cement


932


.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spacer


938


and the sealing sleeve


942


are integrally formed as a one-piece element in order to minimize the number of components.




The upper cone retainer


944


is coupled to the expansion cone


928


, the sealing sleeve


942


, and the body of cement


932


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the upper cone retainer


944


preferably prevents axial motion of the expansion cone


928


. Preferably, the upper cone retainer


944


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The upper cone retainer


944


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum or cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the upper cone retainer


944


is fabricated from aluminum in order to optimally provide drillability of the upper cone retainer


944


.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper cone retainer


944


has a cross-sectional shape designed to provide increased rigidity. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper cone retainer


944


has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially I-shaped to provide increased rigidity and minimize the amount of material that would have to be drilled out,




The lubricator mandrel


946


is coupled to the retainer


924


, the rubber cup


926


, the upper cone retainer


944


, the lubricator sleeve


948


, and the guide


950


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the lubricator mandrel


946


preferably contains the body of lubricant in the annular region


972


for lubricating the interface between the mandrel


906


and the tubular member


902


. Preferably, the lubricator mandrel


946


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The lubricator mandrel


946


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum or cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the lubricator mandrel


946


is fabricated from aluminum in order to optimally provide drillability of the lubricator mandrel


946


.




The lubricator sleeve


948


is coupled to the lubricator mandrel


946


, the retainer


924


, the rubber cup


926


, the upper cone retainer


944


, the lubricator sleeve


948


, and the guide


950


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the lubricator sleeve


948


preferably supports the rubber cup


926


. Preferably, the lubricator sleeve


948


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The lubricator sleeve


948


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum or cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the lubricator sleeve


948


is fabricated from aluminum in order to optimally provide drillability of the lubricator sleeve


948


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 9



c


, the lubricator sleeve


948


is supported by the lubricator mandrel


946


. The lubricator sleeve


948


in turn supports the rubber cup


926


. The retainer


924


couples the rubber cup


926


to the lubricator sleeve


948


. In a preferred embodiment, seals


949




a


and


949




b


are provided between the lubricator mandrel


946


, lubricator sleeve


948


, and rubber cup


926


in order to optimally seal off the interior region


972


of the tubular member


902


.




The guide


950


is coupled to the lubricator mandrel


946


, the retainer


924


, and the lubricator sleeve


948


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the guide


950


preferably guides the apparatus on the support member


904


. Preferably, the guide


950


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The guide


950


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum or cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the guide


950


is fabricated from aluminum order to optimally provide drillability of the guide


950


.




The fluid passage


952


is coupled to the mandrel


906


. During operation of the apparatus, the fluid passage


952


preferably conveys hardenable fluidic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


952


is positioned about the centerline of the apparatus


900


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


952


is adapted to convey hardenable fluidic materials at pressures and flow rate ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/min in order to optimally provide pressures and flow rates to displace and circulate fluids during the installation of the apparatus


900


.




The various elements of the mandrel


906


may be coupled using any number of conventional process such as, for example, threaded connections, welded connections or cementing. In a preferred embodiment, the various elements of the mandrel


906


are coupled using threaded connections and cementing.




The shoe


908


preferably includes a housing


954


, a body of cement


956


, a sealing sleeve


958


, an extension tube


960


, a fluid passage


962


, and one or more outlet jets


964


.




The housing


954


is coupled to the body of cement


956


and the lower portion


914


of the tubular member


902


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the housing


954


preferably couples the lower portion of the tubular member


902


to the shoe


908


to facilitate the extrusion and positioning of the tubular member


902


. Preferably, the housing


954


has a substantially annular cross-section.




The housing


954


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel or aluminum. In a preferred embodiment, the housing


954


is fabricated from aluminum in order to optimally provide drillability of the housing


954


.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the interior surface of the housing


954


includes one or more protrusions to faciliate the connection between the body of cement


956


and the housing


954


.




The body of cement


956


is coupled to the housing


954


, and the sealing sleeve


958


. In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the body of cement


956


is selected to permit the body of cement to be easily drilled out using conventional drilling machines and processes.




The composition of the body of cement


956


may include any number of conventional cement compositions. In an alternative embodiment, a drillable material such as, for example, aluminum or iron may be substituted for the body of cement


956


.




The sealing sleeve


958


is coupled to the body of cement


956


, the extension tube


960


, the fluid passage


962


, and one or more outlet jets


964


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the sealing sleeve


958


preferably is adapted to convey a hardenable fluidic material from the fluid passage


952


into the fluid passage


962


and then into the outlet jets


964


in order to inject the hardenable fluidic material into an annular region external to the tubular member


902


. In a preferred embodiment, during operation of the apparatus


900


, the sealing sleeve


958


further includes an inlet geometry that permits a conventional plug or dart


974


to become lodged in the inlet of the sealing sleeve


958


. In this manner, the fluid passage


962


may be blocked thereby fluidicly isolating the interior region


966


of the tubular member


902


.




In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


958


has a substantially annular cross-section. The sealing sleeve


958


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum or cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


958


is fabricated from aluminum in order to optimally provide drillability of the sealing sleeve


958


.




The extension tube


960


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


958


, the fluid passage


962


, and one or more outlet jets


964


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the extension tube


960


preferably is adapted to convey a hardenable fluidic material from the fluid passage


952


into the fluid passage


962


and then into the outlet jets


964


in order to inject the hardenable fluidic material into an annular region external to the tubular member


902


. In a preferred embodiment, during operation of the apparatus


900


, the sealing sleeve


960


further includes an inlet geometry that permits a conventional plug or dart


974


to become lodged in the inlet of the sealing sleeve


958


. In this manner, the fluid passage


962


is blocked thereby fluidicly isolating the interior region


966


of the tubular member


902


. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the extension tube


960


mates with one end of the spacer


938


in order to optimally faciliate the transfer of material between the two.




In a preferred embodiment, the extension tube


960


has a substantially annular cross-section. The extension tube


960


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, steel, aluminum or cast iron. In a preferred embodiment, the extension tube


960


is fabricated from aluminum in order to optimally provide drillability of the extension tube


960


.




The fluid passage


962


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


958


, the extension tube


960


, and one or more outlet jets


964


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the fluid passage


962


is preferably conveys hardenable fluidic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


962


is positioned about the centerline of the apparatus


900


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


962


is adapted to convey hardenable fluidic materials at pressures and flow rate ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/min in order to optimally provide fluids at operationally efficient rates.




The outlet jets


964


are coupled to the sealing sleeve


958


, the extension tube


960


, and the fluid passage


962


. During operation of the apparatus


900


, the outlet jets


964


preferably convey hardenable fluidic material from the fluid passage


962


to the region exterior of the apparatus


900


. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


908


includes a plurality of outlet jets


964


.




In a preferred embodiment, the outlet jets


964


comprise passages drilled in the housing


954


and the body of cement


956


in order to simplify the construction of the apparatus


900


.




The various elements of the shoe


908


may be coupled using any number of conventional process such as, for example, threaded connections, cement or machined from one piece of material. In a preferred embodiment, the various elements of the shoe


908


are coupled using cement.




In a preferred embodiment, the assembly


900


is operated substantially as described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-8

to create a new section of casing in a wellbore or to repair a wellbore casing or pipeline.




In particular, in order to extend a wellbore into a subterranean formation, a drill string is used in a well known manner to drill out material from the subterranean formation to form a new section.




The apparatus


900


for forming a wellbore casing in a subterranean formation is then positioned in the new section of the wellbore. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus


900


includes the tubular member


915


. In a preferred embodiment, a hardenable fluidic sealing hardenable fluidic sealing material is then pumped from a surface location into the fluid passage


918


. The hardenable fluidic sealing material then passes from the fluid passage


918


into the interior region


966


of the tubular member


902


below the mandrel


906


. The hardenable fluidic sealing material then passes from the interior region


966


into the fluid passage


962


. The hardenable fluidic sealing material then exits the apparatus


900


via the outlet jets


964


and fills an annular region between the exterior of the tubular member


902


and the interior wall of the new section of the wellbore. Continued pumping of the hardenable fluidic sealing material causes the material to fill up at least a portion of the annular region.




The hardenable fluidic sealing material is preferably pumped into the annular region at pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 5,000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the hardenable fluidic sealing material is pumped into the annular region at pressures and flow rates that are designed for the specific wellbore section in order to optimize the displacement of the hardenable fluidic sealing material while not creating high enough circulating pressures such that circulation might be lost and that could cause the wellbore to collapse. The optimum pressures and flow rates are preferably determined using conventional empirical methods.




The hardenable fluidic sealing material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available hardenable fluidic sealing materials such as, for example, slag mix, cement or epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the hardenable fluidic sealing material comprises blended cements designed specifically for the well section being lined available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide support for the new tubular member while also maintaining optimal flow characteristics so as to minimize operational difficulties during the displacement of the cement in the annular region. The optimum composition of the blended cements is preferably determined using conventional empirical methods.




The annular region preferably is filled with the hardenable fluidic sealing material in sufficient quantities to ensure that, upon radial expansion of the tubular member


902


, the annular region of the new section of the wellbore will be filled with hardenable material.




Once the annular region has been adequately filled with hardenable fluidic sealing material, a plug or dart


974


, or other similar device, preferably is introduced into the fluid passage


962


thereby fluidicly isolating the interior region


966


of the tubular member


902


from the external annular region. In a preferred embodiment, a non hardenable fluidic-material is then pumped into the interior region


966


causing the interior region


966


to pressurize. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plug or dart


974


, or other similar device, preferably is introduced into the fluid passage


962


by introducing the plug or dart


974


, or other similar device into the non hardenable fluidic material. In this manner, the amount of cured material within the interior of the tubular members


902


and


915


is minimized.




Once the interior region


966


becomes sufficiently pressurized, the tubular members


902


and


915


are extruded off of the mandrel


906


. The mandrel


906


may be fixed or it may be expandable. During the extrusion process, the mandrel


906


is raised out of the expanded portions of the tubular members


902


and


915


using the support member


904


. During this extrusion process, the shoe


908


is preferably substantially stationary.




The plug or dart


974


is preferably placed into the fluid passage


962


by introducing the plug or dart


974


into the fluid passage


918


at a surface location in a conventional manner. The plug or dart


974


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available devices for plugging a fluid passage such as, for example, Multiple Stage Cementer (MSC) latch-down plug, Omega latch-down plug or three-wiper latch down plug modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the plug or dart


974


comprises a MSC latch-down plug available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex.




After placement of the plug or dart


974


in the fluid passage


962


, the non hardenable fluidic material is preferably pumped into the interior region


966


at pressures and flow rates ranging from approximately 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min in order to optimally extrude the tubular members


902


and


915


off of the mandrel


906


.




For typical tubular members


902


and


915


, the extrusion of the tubular members


902


and


915


off of the expandable mandrel will begin when the pressure of the interior region


966


reaches approximately 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion of the tubular members


902


and


915


off of the mandrel


906


begins when the pressure of the interior region


966


reaches approximately 1,200 to 8,500 psi with a flow rate of about 40 to 1250 gallons/minute.




During the extrusion process, the mandrel


906


may be raised out of the expanded portions of the tubular members


902


and


915


at rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 5 ft/sec. In a preferred embodiment, during the extrusion process, the mandrel


906


is raised out of the expanded portions of the tubular members


902


and


915


at rates ranging from about 0 to 2 ft/sec in order to optimally provide pulling speed fast enough to permit efficient operation and permit full expansion of the tubular members


902


and


915


prior to curing of the hardenable fluidic sealing material; but not so fast that timely adjustment of operating parameters during operation is prevented.




When the upper end portion of the tubular member


915


is extruded off of the mandrel


906


, the outer surface of the upper end portion of the tubular member


915


will preferably contact the interior surface of the lower end portion of the existing casing to form an fluid tight overlapping joint. The contact pressure of the overlapping joint may range, for example, from approximately 50 to 20,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure of the overlapping joint between the upper end of the tubular member


915


and the existing section of wellbore casing ranges from approximately 400 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally provide contact pressure to activate the sealing members and provide optimal resistance such that the tubular member


915


and existing wellbore casing will carry typical tensile and compressive loads.




In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure and flow rate of the non hardenable fluidic material will be controllably ramped down when the mandrel


906


reaches the upper end portion of the tubular member


915


. In this manner, the sudden release of pressure caused by the complete extrusion of the tubular member


915


off of the expandable mandrel


906


can be minimized. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure is reduced in a substantially linear fashion from 100% to about 10% during the end of the extrusion process beginning when the mandrel


906


has completed approximately all but about the last 5 feet of the extrusion process.




In an alternative preferred embodiment, the operating pressure and/or flow rate of the hardenable fluidic sealing material and/or the non hardenable fluidic material are controlled during all phases of the operation of the apparatus


900


to minimize shock.




Alternatively, or in combination, a shock absorber is provided in the support member


904


in order to absorb the shock caused by the sudden release of pressure.




Alternatively, or in combination, a mandrel catching structure is provided above the support member


904


in order to catch or at least decelerate the mandrel


906


.




Once the extrusion process is completed, the mandrel


906


is removed from the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, either before or after the removal of the mandrel


906


, the integrity of the fluidic seal of the overlapping joint between the upper portion of the tubular member


915


and the lower portion of the existing casing is tested using conventional methods. If the fluidic seal of the overlapping joint between the upper portion of the tubular member


915


and the lower portion of the existing casing is satisfactory, then the uncured portion of any of the hardenable fluidic sealing material within the expanded tubular member


915


is then removed in a conventional manner. The hardenable fluidic sealing material within the annular region between the expanded tubular member


915


and the existing casing and new section of wellbore is then allowed to cure.




Preferably any remaining cured hardenable fluidic sealing material within the interior of the expanded tubular members


902


and


915


is then removed in a conventional manner using a conventional drill string. The resulting new section of casing preferably includes the expanded tubular members


902


and


915


and an outer annular layer of cured hardenable fluidic sealing material. The bottom portion of the apparatus


900


comprising the shoe


908


may then be removed by drilling out the shoe


908


using conventional drilling methods.




In an alternative embodiment, during the extrusion process, it may be necessary to remove the entire apparatus


900


from the interior of the wellbore due to a malfunction. In this circumstance, a conventional drill string is used to drill out the interior sections of the apparatus


900


in order to facilitate the removal of the remaining sections. In a preferred embodiment, the interior elements of the apparatus


900


are fabricated from materials such as, for example, cement and aluminum, that permit a conventional drill string to be employed to drill out the interior components.




In particular, in a preferred embodiment, the composition of the interior sections of the mandrel


906


and shoe


908


, including one or more of the body of cement


932


, the spacer


938


, the sealing sleeve


942


, the upper cone retainer


944


, the lubricator mandrel


946


, the lubricator sleeve


948


, the guide


950


, the housing


954


, the body of cement


956


, the sealing sleeve


958


, and the extension tube


960


, are selected to permit at least some of these components to be drilled out using conventional drilling methods and apparatus. In this manner, in the event of a malfunction downhole, the apparatus


900


may be easily removed from the wellbore.




Referring now to

FIGS. 10



a


,


10




b


,


10




c


,


10




d


,


10




e


,


10




f


, and


10




g


a method and apparatus for creating a tie-back liner in a wellbore will now be described. As illustrated in

FIG. 10



a


, a wellbore


1000


positioned in a subterranean formation


1002


includes a first casing


1004


and a second casing


1006


.




The first casing


1004


preferably includes a tubular liner


1008


and a cement annulus


1010


. The second casing


1006


preferably includes a tubular liner


1012


and a cement annulus


1014


. In a preferred embodiment, the second casing


1006


is formed by expanding a tubular member substantially as described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-9



c


or below with reference to

FIGS. 11



a


-


11




f.






In a particularly preferred embodiment, an upper portion of the tubular liner


1012


overlaps with a lower portion of the tubular liner


1008


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an outer surface of the upper portion of the tubular liner


1012


includes one or more sealing members


1016


for providing a fluidic seal between the tubular liners


1008


and


1012


.




Referring to

FIG. 10



b


, in order to create a tie-back liner that extends from the overlap between the first and second casings,


1004


and


1006


, an apparatus


1100


is preferably provided that includes an expandable mandrel or pig


1105


, a tubular member


1110


, a shoe


1115


, one or more cup seals


1120


, a fluid passage


1130


, a fluid passage


1135


, one or more fluid passages


1140


, seals


1145


, and a support member


1150


.




The expandable mandrel or pig


1105


is coupled to and supported by the support member


1150


. The expandable mandrel


1105


is preferably adapted to controllably expand in a radial direction. The expandable mandrel


1105


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available expandable mandrels modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable mandrel


1105


comprises a hydraulic expansion tool substantially as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,095, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




The tubular member


1110


is coupled to and supported by the expandable mandrel


1105


. The tubular member


1105


is expanded in the radial direction and extruded off of the expandable mandrel


1105


. The tubular member


1110


may be fabricated from any number of materials such as, for example, Oilfield Country Tubular Goods,


13


chromium tubing or plastic piping. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


1110


is fabricated from Oilfield Country Tubular Goods.




The inner and outer diameters of the tubular member


1110


may range, for example, from approximately 0.75 to 47 inches and 1.05 to 48 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the inner and outer diameters of the tubular member


1110


range from about 3 to 15.5 inches and 3.5 to 16 inches, respectively in order to optimally provide coverage for typical oilfield casing sizes. The tubular member


1110


preferably comprises a solid member.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper end portion of the tubular member


1110


is slotted, perforated, or otherwise modified to catch or slow down the mandrel


1105


when it completes the extrusion of tubular member


1110


. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the tubular member


1110


is limited to minimize the possibility of buckling. For typical tubular member


1110


materials, the length of the tubular member


1110


is preferably limited to between about 40 to 20,000 feet in length.




The shoe


1115


is coupled to the expandable mandrel


1105


and the tubular member


1110


. The shoe


1115


includes the fluid passage


1135


. The shoe


1115


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available shoes such as, for example, Super Seal II float shoe, Super Seal II Down-Jet float shoe or a guide shoe with a sealing sleeve for a latch down plug modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


1115


comprises an aluminum down-jet guide shoe with a sealing sleeve for a latch-down plug with side ports radiating off of the exit flow port available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, in order to optimally guide the tubular member


1100


to the overlap between the tubular member


1100


and the casing


1012


, optimally fluidicly isolate the interior of the tubular member


1100


after the latch down plug has seated, and optimally permit drilling out of the shoe


1115


after completion of the expansion and cementing operations.




In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


1115


includes one or more side outlet ports


1140


in fluidic communication with the fluid passage


1135


. In this manner, the shoe


1115


injects hardenable fluidic sealing material into the region outside the shoe


1115


and tubular member


1110


. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


1115


includes one or more of the fluid passages


1140


each having an inlet geometry that can receive a dart and/or a ball sealing member. In this manner, the fluid passages


1140


can be sealed off by introducing a plug, dart and/or ball sealing elements into the fluid passage


1130


.




The cup seal


1120


is coupled to and supported by the support member


1150


. The cup seal


1120


prevents foreign materials from entering the interior region of the tubular member


1110


adjacent to the expandable mandrel


1105


. The cup seal


1120


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available cup seals such as, for example, TP cups or Selective Injection Packer (SIP) cups modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the cup seal


1120


comprises a SIP cup, available from Haliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a barrier to debris and contain a body of lubricant.




The fluid passage


1130


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the expandable mandrel


1105


. The fluid passage


1130


is coupled to and positioned within the support member


1150


and the expandable mandrel


1105


. The fluid passage


1130


preferably extends from a position adjacent to the surface to the bottom of the expandable mandrel


1105


. The fluid passage


1130


is preferably positioned along a centerline of the apparatus


1100


. The fluid passage


1130


is preferably selected to transport materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally provide sufficient operating pressures to circulate fluids at operationally efficient rates,




The fluid passage


1135


permits fluidic materials to be transmitted from fluid passage


1130


to the interior of the tubular member


1110


below the mandrel


1105


.




The fluid passages


1140


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the region exterior to the tubular member


1110


and shoe


1115


. The fluid passages


1140


are coupled to and positioned within the shoe


1115


in fluidic communication with the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the expandable mandrel


1105


. The fluid passages


1140


preferably have a cross-sectional shape that permits a plug, or other similar device, to be placed in the fluid passages


1140


to thereby block further passage of fluidic materials. In this manner, the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the expandable mandrel


1105


can be fluidicly isolated from the region exterior to the tubular member


1105


. This permits the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the expandable mandrel


1105


to be pressurized.




The fluid passages


1140


are preferably positioned along the periphery of the shoe


1115


. The fluid passages


1140


are preferably selected to convey materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally fill the annular region between the tubular member


1110


and the tubular liner


1008


with fluidic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passages


1140


include an inlet geometry that can receive a dart and/or a ball sealing member. In this manner, the fluid passages


1140


can be sealed off by introducing a plug, dart and/or ball sealing elements into the fluid passage


1130


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


1100


includes a plurality of fluid passage


1140


.




In an alternative embodiment, the base of the shoe


1115


includes a single inlet passage coupled to the fluid passages


1140


that is adapted to receive a plug, or other similar device, to permit the interior region of the tubular member


1110


to be fluidicly isolated from the exterior of the tubular member


1110


.




The seals


1145


are coupled to and supported by a lower end portion of the tubular member


1110


. The seals


1145


are further positioned on an outer surface of the lower end portion of the tubular member


1110


. The seals


1145


permit the overlapping joint between the upper end portion of the casing


1012


and the lower end portion of the tubular member


1110


to be fluidicly sealed.




The seals


1145


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, rubber, Teflon or epoxy seals modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the seals


1145


comprise seals molded from Stratalock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a hydraulic seal in the overlapping joint and optimally provide load carrying capacity to withstand the range of typical tensile and compressive loads.




In a preferred embodiment, the seals


1145


are selected to optimally provide a sufficient frictional force to support the expanded tubular member


1110


from the tubular liner


1008


. In a preferred embodiment, the frictional force provided by the seals


1145


ranges from about 1,000 to 1,000,000 lbf in tension and compression in order to optimally support the expanded tubular member


1110


.




The support member


1150


is coupled to the expandable mandrel


1105


, tubular member


1110


, shoe


1115


, and seal


1120


. The support member


1150


preferably comprises an annular member having sufficient strength to carry the apparatus


1100


into the wellbore


1000


. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


1150


further includes one or more conventional centralizers (not illustrated) to help stabilize the tubular member


1110


.




In a preferred embodiment, a quantity of lubricant


1150


is provided in the annular region above the expandable mandrel


1105


within the interior of the tubular member


1110


. In this manner, the extrusion of the tubular member


1110


off of the expandable mandrel


1105


is facilitated. The lubricant


1150


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available lubricants such as, for example, Lubriplate, chlorine based lubricants or Climax 1500 Antiseize (3100). In a preferred embodiment, the lubricant


1150


comprises Climax 1500 Antiseize (3100) available from Climax Lubricants and Equipment Co. in Houston, Tex. in order to optimally provide lubrication for the extrusion process.




In a preferred embodiment, the support member


1150


is thoroughly cleaned prior to assembly to the remaining portions of the apparatus


1100


. In this manner, the introduction of foreign material into the apparatus


1100


is minimized. This minimizes the possibility of foreign material clogging the various flow passages and valves of the apparatus


1100


and to ensure that no foreign material interferes with the expansion mandrel


1105


during the extrusion process.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus


1100


includes a packer


1155


coupled to the bottom section of the shoe


1115


for fluidicly isolating the region of the wellbore


1000


below the apparatus


1100


. In this manner, fluidic materials are prevented from entering the region of the wellbore


1000


below the apparatus


1100


. The packer


1155


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available packers such as, for example, EZ Drill Packer, EZ SV Packer or a drillable cement retainer. In a preferred embodiment, the packer


1155


comprises an EZ Drill Packer available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. In an alternative embodiment, a high gel strength pill may be set below the tie-back in place of the packer


1155


. In another alternative embodiment, the packer


1155


may be omitted.




In a preferred embodiment, before or after positioning the apparatus


1100


within the wellbore


1100


, a couple of wellbore volumes are circulated in order to ensure that no foreign materials are located within the wellbore


1000


that might clog up the various flow passages and valves of the apparatus


1100


and to ensure that no foreign material interferes with the operation of the expansion mandrel


1105


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 10c

, a hardenable fluidic sealing material


1160


is then pumped from a surface location into the fluid passage


1130


. The material


1160


then passes from the fluid passage


1130


into the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the expandable mandrel


1105


. The material


1160


then passes from the interior region of the tubular member


1110


into the fluid passages


1140


. The material


1160


then exits the apparatus


1100


and fills the annular region between the exterior of the tubular member


1110


and the interior wall of the tubular liner


1008


. Continued pumping of the material


1160


causes the material


1160


to fill up at least a portion of the annular region.




The material


1160


may be pumped into the annular region at pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 5,000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the material


1160


is pumped into the annular region at pressures and flow rates specifically designed for the casing sizes being run, the annular spaces being filled, the pumping equipment available, and the properties of the fluid being pumped. The optimum flow rates and pressures are preferably calculated using conventional empirical methods.




The hardenable fluidic sealing material


1160


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available hardenable fluidic sealing materials such as, for example, slag mix, cement or epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the hardenable fluidic sealing material


1160


comprises blended cements specifically designed for well section being tied-back, available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide proper support for the tubular member


1110


while maintaining optimum flow characteristics so as to minimize operational difficulties during the displacement of cement in the annular region. The optimum blend of the blended cements are preferably determined using conventional empirical methods.




The annular region may be filled with the material


1160


in sufficient quantities to ensure that, upon radial expansion of the tubular member


1110


, the annular region will be filled with material


1160


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 10



d


, once the annular region has been adequately filled with material


1160


, one or more plugs


1165


, or other similar devices, preferably are introduced into the fluid passages


1140


thereby fluidicly isolating the interior region of the tubular member


1110


from the annular region external to the tubular member


1110


. In a preferred embodiment, a non hardenable fluidic material


1161


is then pumped into the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the mandrel


1105


causing the interior region to pressurize. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more plugs


1165


, or other similar devices, are introduced into the fluid passage


1140


with the introduction of the non hardenable fluidic material. In this manner, the amount of hardenable fluidic material within the interior of the tubular member


1110


is minimized.




As illustrated in

FIG. 10



e


, once the interior region becomes sufficiently pressurized, the tubular member


1110


is extruded off of the expandable mandrel


1105


. During the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


1105


is raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


1110


.




The plugs


1165


are preferably placed into the fluid passages


1140


by introducing the plugs


1165


into the fluid passage


1130


at a surface location in a conventional manner. The plugs


1165


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available devices from plugging a fluid passage such as, for example, brass balls, plugs, rubber balls, or darts modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




In a preferred embodiment, the plugs


1165


comprise low density rubber balls. In an alternative embodiment, for a shoe


1105


having a common central inlet passage, the plugs


1165


comprise a single latch down dart.




After placement of the plugs


1165


in the fluid passages


1140


, the non hardenable fluidic material


1161


is preferably pumped into the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the mandrel


1105


at pressures and flow rates ranging from approximately 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min. In a preferred embodiment, after placement of the plugs


1165


in the fluid passages


1140


, the non hardenable fluidic material


1161


is preferably pumped into the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the mandrel


1105


at pressures and flow rates ranging from approximately 1200 to 8500 psi and 40 to 1250 gallons/min in order to optimally provide extrusion of typical tubulars.




For typical tubular members


1110


, the extrusion of the tubular member


1110


off of the expandable mandrel


1105


will begin when the pressure of the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the mandrel


1105


reaches, for example, approximately 1200 to 8500 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion of the tubular member


1110


off of the expandable mandrel


1105


begins when the pressure of the interior region of the tubular member


1110


below the mandrel


1105


reaches approximately 1200 to 8500 psi.




During the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


1105


may be raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


1110


at rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 5 ft/sec. In a preferred embodiment, during the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


1105


is raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


1110


at rates ranging from about 0 to 2 ft/sec in order to optimally provide permit adjustment of operational parameters, and optimally ensure that the extrusion process will be completed before the material


1160


cures.




In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion


1180


of the tubular member


1110


has an internal diameter less than the outside diameter of the mandrel


1105


. In this manner, when the mandrel


1105


expands the section


1180


of the tubular member


1110


, at least a portion of the expanded section


1180


effects a seal with at least the wellbore casing


1012


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the seal is effected by compressing the seals


1016


between the expanded section


1180


and the wellbore casing


1012


. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure of the joint between the expanded section


1180


of the tubular member


1110


and the casing


1012


ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally provide pressure to activate the sealing members


1145


and provide optimal resistance to ensure that the joint will withstand typical extremes of tensile and compressive loads.




In an alternative preferred embodiment, substantially all of the entire length of the tubular member


1110


has an internal diameter less than the outside diameter of the mandrel


1105


. In this manner, extrusion of the tubular member


1110


by the mandrel


1105


results in contact between substantially all of the expanded tubular member


1110


and the existing casing


1008


. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure of the joint between the expanded tubular member


1110


and the casings


1008


and


1012


ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally provide pressure to activate the sealing members


1145


and provide optimal resistance to ensure that the joint will withstand typical extremes of tensile and compressive loads.




In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure and flow rate of the material


1161


is controllably ramped down when the expandable mandrel


1105


reaches the upper end portion of the tubular member


1110


. In this manner, the sudden release of pressure caused by the complete extrusion of the tubular member


1110


off of the expandable mandrel


1105


can be minimized. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure of the fluidic material


1161


is reduced in a substantially linear fashion from 100% to about 10% during the end of the extrusion process beginning when the mandrel


1105


has completed approximately all but about 5 feet of the extrusion process.




Alternatively, or in combination, a shock absorber is provided in the support member


1150


in order to absorb the shock caused by the sudden release of pressure.




Alternatively, or in combination, a mandrel catching structure is provided in the upper end portion of the tubular member


1110


in order to catch or at least decelerate the mandrel


1105


.




Referring to

FIG. 10



f


, once the extrusion process is completed, the expandable mandrel


1105


is removed from the wellbore


1000


. In a preferred embodiment, either before or after the removal of the expandable mandrel


1105


, the integrity of the fluidic seal of the joint between the upper portion of the tubular member


1110


and the upper portion of the tubular liner


1108


is tested using conventional methods. If the fluidic seal of the joint between the upper portion of the tubular member


1110


and the upper portion of the tubular liner


1008


is satisfactory, then the uncured portion of the material


1160


within the expanded tubular member


1110


is then removed in a conventional manner. The material


1160


within the annular region between the tubular member


1110


and the tubular liner


1008


is then allowed to cure.




As illustrated in

FIG. 10



f


, preferably any remaining cured material


1160


within the interior of the expanded tubular member


1110


is then removed in a conventional manner using a conventional drill string. The resulting tie-back liner of casing


1170


includes the expanded tubular member


1110


and an outer annular layer


1175


of cured material


1160


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 10



g


, the remaining bottom portion of the apparatus


1100


comprising the shoe


1115


and packer


1155


is then preferably removed by drilling out the shoe


1115


and packer


1155


using conventional drilling methods.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus


1100


incorporates the apparatus


900


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 11



a


-


11




f


, an embodiment of an apparatus and method for hanging a tubular liner off of an existing wellbore casing will now be described. As illustrated in

FIG. 11



a


, a wellbore


1200


is positioned in a subterranean formation


1205


. The wellbore


1200


includes an existing cased section


1210


having a tubular casing


1215


and an annular outer layer of cement


1220


.




In order to extend the wellbore


1200


into the subterranean formation


1205


, a drill string


1225


is used in a well known manner to drill out material from the subterranean formation


1205


to form a new section


1230


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 11



b


, an apparatus


1300


for forming a wellbore casing in a subterranean formation is then positioned in the new section


1230


of the wellbore


100


. The apparatus


1300


preferably includes an expandable mandrel or pig


1305


, a tubular member


1310


, a shoe


1315


, a fluid passage


1320


, a fluid passage


1330


, a fluid passage


1335


, seals


1340


, a support member


1345


, and a wiper plug


1350


.




The expandable mandrel


1305


is coupled to and supported by the support member


1345


. The expandable mandrel


1305


is preferably adapted to controllably expand in a radial direction. The expandable mandrel


1305


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available expandable mandrels modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable mandrel


1305


comprises a hydraulic expansion tool substantially as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,095, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




The tubular member


1310


is coupled to and supported by the expandable mandrel


1305


. The tubular member


1310


is preferably expanded in the radial direction and extruded off of the expandable mandrel


1305


. The tubular member


1310


may be fabricated from any number of materials such as, for example, Oilield Country Tubular Goods (OCTG),


13


chromium steel tubing/casing or plastic casing. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


1310


is fabricated from OCTG. The inner and outer diameters of the tubular member


1310


may range, for example, from approximately 0.75 to 47 inches and 1.05 to 48 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the inner and outer diameters of the tubular member


1310


range from about 3 to 15.5 inches and 3.5 to 16 inches, respectively in order to optimally provide minimal telescoping effect in the most commonly encountered wellbore sizes.




In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


1310


includes an upper portion


1355


, an intermediate portion


1360


, and a lower portion


1365


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness and outer diameter of the upper portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


range from about ⅜ to 1½ inches and 3½ to 16 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness and outer diameter of the intermediate portion


1360


of the tubular member


1310


range from about 0.625 to 0.75 inches and 3 to 19 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness and outer diameter of the lower portion


1365


of the tubular member


1310


range from about ⅜ to 1.5 inches and 3.5 to 16 inches, respectively.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the lower portion


1365


of the tubular member


1310


is significantly less than the outer diameters of the upper and intermediate portions,


1355


and


1360


, of the tubular member


1310


in order to optimize the formation of a concentric and overlapping arrangement of wellbore casings. In this manner, as will be described below with reference to

FIGS. 12 and 13

, a wellhead system is optimally provided. In a preferred embodiment, the formation of a wellhead system does not include the use of a hardenable fluidic material.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the intermediate section


1360


of the tubular member


1310


is less than or equal to the wall thickness of the upper and lower sections,


1355


and


1365


, of the tubular member


1310


in order to optimally faciliate the initiation of the extrusion process and optimally permit the placement of the apparatus in areas of the wellbore having tight clearances.




The tubular member


1310


preferably comprises a solid member. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


is slotted, perforated, or otherwise modified to catch or slow down the mandrel


1305


when it completes the extrusion of tubular member


1310


. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the tubular member


1310


is limited to minimize the possibility of buckling. For typical tubular member


1310


materials, the length of the tubular member


1310


is preferably limited to between about 40 to 20,000 feet in length.




The shoe


1315


is coupled to the tubular member


1310


. The shoe


1315


preferably includes fluid passages


1330


and


1335


. The shoe


1315


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available shoes such as, for example, Super Seal II float shoe, Super Seal II Down-Jet float shoe or guide shoe with a sealing sleeve for a latch-down plug modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


1315


comprises an aluminum down-jet guide shoe with a sealing sleeve for a latch-down plug available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, in order to optimally guide the tubular member


1310


into the wellbore


1200


, optimally fluidicly isolate the interior of the tubular member


1310


, and optimally permit the complete drill out of the shoe


1315


upon the completion of the extrusion and cementing operations.




In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


1315


further includes one or more side outlet ports in fluidic communication with the fluid passage


1330


. In this manner, the shoe


1315


preferably injects hardenable fluidic sealing material into the region outside the shoe


1315


and tubular member


1310


. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


1315


includes the fluid passage


1330


having an inlet geometry that can receive a fluidic sealing member. In this manner, the fluid passage


1330


can be sealed off by introducing a plug, dart and/or ball sealing elements into the fluid passage


1330


.




The fluid passage


1320


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the interior region of the tubular member


1310


below the expandable mandrel


1305


. The fluid passage


1320


is coupled to and positioned within the support member


1345


and the expandable mandrel


1305


. The fluid passage


1320


preferably extends from a position adjacent to the surface to the bottom of the expandable mandrel


1305


. The fluid passage


1320


is preferably positioned along a centerline of the apparatus


1300


. The fluid passage


1320


is preferably selected to transport materials such as cement, drilling mud, or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally provide sufficient operating pressures to circulate fluids at operationally efficient rates.




The fluid passage


1330


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the region exterior to the tubular member


1310


and shoe


1315


. The fluid passage


1330


is coupled to and positioned within the shoe


1315


in fluidic communication with the interior region


1370


of the tubular member


1310


below the expandable mandrel


1305


. The fluid passage


1330


preferably has a cross-sectional shape that permits a plug, or other similar device, to be placed in fluid passage


1330


to thereby block further passage of fluidic materials. In this manner, the interior region


1370


of the tubular member


1310


below the expandable mandrel


1305


can be fluidicly isolated from the region exterior to the tubular member


1310


. This permits the interior region


1370


of the tubular member


1310


below the expandable mandrel


1305


to be pressurized. The fluid passage


1330


is preferably positioned substantially along the centerline of the apparatus


1300


.




The fluid passage


1330


is preferably selected to convey materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally fill the annular region between the tubular member


1310


and the new section


1230


of the wellbore


1200


with fluidic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1330


includes an inlet geometry that can receive a dart and/or a ball sealing member. In this manner, the fluid passage


1330


can be sealed off by introducing a plug, dart and/or ball sealing elements into the fluid passage


1320


.




The fluid passage


1335


permits fluidic materials to be transported to and from the region exterior to the tubular member


1310


and shoe


1315


. The fluid passage


1335


is coupled to and positioned within the shoe


1315


in fluidic communication with the fluid passage


1330


. The fluid passage


1335


is preferably positioned substantially along the centerline of the apparatus


1300


. The fluid passage


1335


is preferably selected to convey materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally fill the annular region between the tubular member


1310


and the new section


1230


of the wellbore


1200


with fluidic materials.




The seals


1340


are coupled to and supported by the upper end portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


. The seals


1340


are further positioned on an outer surface of the upper end portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


. The seals


1340


permit the overlapping joint between the lower end portion of the casing


1215


and the upper portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


to be fluidicly sealed. The seals


1340


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, rubber, Teflon, or epoxy seals modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the seals


1340


comprise seals molded from Stratalock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a hydraulic seal in the annulus of the overlapping joint while also creating optimal load bearing capability to withstand typical tensile and compressive loads.




In a preferred embodiment, the seals


1340


are selected to optimally provide a sufficient frictional force to support the expanded tubular member


1310


from the existing casing


1215


. In a preferred embodiment, the frictional force provided by the seals


1340


ranges from about 1,000 to 1,000,000 lbf in order to optimally support the expanded tubular member


1310


.




The support member


1345


is coupled to the expandable mandrel


1305


, tubular member


1310


, shoe


1315


, and seals


1340


. The support member


1345


preferably comprises an annular member having sufficient strength to carry the apparatus


1300


into the new section


1230


of the wellbore


1200


. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


1345


further includes one or more conventional centralizers (not illustrated) to help stabilize the tubular member


1310


.




In a preferred embodiment, the support member


1345


is thoroughly cleaned prior to assembly to the remaining portions of the apparatus


1300


. In this manner, the introduction of foreign material into the apparatus


1300


is minimized. This minimizes the possibility of foreign material clogging the various flow passages and valves of the apparatus


1300


and to ensure that no foreign material interferes with the expansion process.




The wiper plug


1350


is coupled to the mandrel


1305


within the interior region


1370


of the tubular member


1310


. The wiper plug


1350


includes a fluid passage


1375


that is coupled to the fluid passage


1320


. The wiper plug


1350


may comprise one or more conventional commercially available wiper plugs such as, for example, Multiple Stage Cementer latch-down plugs, Omega latch-down plugs or three-wiper latch-down plug modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the wiper plug


1350


comprises a Multiple Stage Cementer latch-down plug available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. modified in a conventional manner for releasable attachment to the expansion mandrel


1305


.




In a preferred embodiment, before or after positioning the apparatus


1300


within the new section


1230


of the wellbore


1200


, a couple of wellbore volumes are circulated in order to ensure that no foreign materials are located within the wellbore


1200


that might clog up the various flow passages and valves of the apparatus


1300


and to ensure that no foreign material interferes with the extrusion process.




As illustrated in

FIG. 11



c


, a hardenable fluidic sealing material


1380


is then pumped from a surface location into the fluid passage


1320


. The material


1380


then passes from the fluid passage


1320


, through the fluid passage


1375


, and into the interior region


1370


of the tubular member


1310


below the expandable mandrel


1305


. The material


1380


then passes from the interior region


1370


into the fluid passage


1330


. The material


1380


then exits the apparatus


1300


via the fluid passage


1335


and fills the annular region


1390


between the exterior of the tubular member


1310


and the interior wall of the new section


1230


of the wellbore


1200


. Continued pumping of the material


1380


causes the material


1380


to fill up at least a portion of the annular region


1390


.




The material


1380


may be pumped into the annular region


1390


at pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 5000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the material


1380


is pumped into the annular region


1390


at pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 5000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min, respectively, in order to optimally fill the annular region between the tubular member


1310


and the new section


1230


of the wellbore


1200


with the hardenable fluidic sealing material


1380


.




The hardenable fluidic sealing material


1380


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available hardenable fluidic sealing materials such as, for example, slag mix, cement or epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the hardenable fluidic sealing material


1380


comprises blended cements designed specifically for the well section being drilled and available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide support for the tubular member


1310


during displacement of the material


1380


in the annular region


1390


. The optimum blend of the cement is preferably determined using conventional empirical methods.




The annular region


1390


preferably is filled with the material


1380


in sufficient quantities to ensure that, upon radial expansion of the tubular member


1310


, the annular region


1390


of the new section


1230


of the wellbore


1200


will be filled with material


1380


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 11



d


, once the annular region


1390


has been adequately filled with material


1380


, a wiper dart


1395


, or other similar device, is introduced into the fluid passage


1320


. The wiper dart


1395


is preferably pumped through the fluid passage


1320


by a non hardenable fluidic material


1381


. The wiper dart


1395


then preferably engages the wiper plug


1350


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 11



e


, in a preferred embodiment, engagement of the wiper dart


1395


with the wiper plug


1350


causes the wiper plug


1350


to decouple from the mandrel


1305


. The wiper dart


1395


and wiper plug


1350


then preferably will lodge in the fluid passage


1330


, thereby blocking fluid flow through the fluid passage


1330


, and fluidicly isolating the interior region


1370


of the tubular member


1310


from the annular region


1390


. In a preferred embodiment, the non hardenable fluidic material


1381


is then pumped into the interior region


1370


causing the interior region


1370


to pressurize. Once the interior region


1370


becomes sufficiently pressurized, the tubular member


1310


is extruded off of the expandable mandrel


1305


. During the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


1305


is raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


1310


by the support member


1345


.




The wiper dart


1395


is preferably placed into the fluid passage


1320


by introducing the wiper dart


1395


into the fluid passage


1320


at a surface location in a conventional manner. The wiper dart


1395


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available devices from plugging a fluid passage such as, for example, Multiple Stage Cementer latch-down plugs, Omega latch-down plugs or three wiper latch-down plug/dart modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the wiper dart


1395


comprises a three wiper latch-down plug modified to latch and seal in the Multiple Stage Cementer latch down plug


1350


. The three wiper latch-down plug is available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex.




After blocking the fluid passage


1330


using the wiper plug


1330


and wiper dart


1395


, the non hardenable fluidic material


1381


may be pumped into the interior region


1370


at pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from approximately 0 to 5000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min in order to optimally extrude the tubular member


1310


off of the mandrel


1305


. In this manner, the amount of hardenable fluidic material within the interior of the tubular member


1310


is minimized.




In a preferred embodiment, after blocking the fluid passage


1330


, the non hardenable fluidic material


1381


is preferably pumped into the interior region


1370


at pressures and flow rates ranging from approximately 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min in order to optimally provide operating pressures to maintain the expansion process at rates sufficient to permit adjustments to be made in operating parameters during the extrusion process.




For typical tubular members


1310


, the extrusion of the tubular member


1310


off of the expandable mandrel


1305


will begin when the pressure of the interior region


1370


reaches, for example, approximately 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion of the tubular member


1310


off of the expandable mandrel


1305


is a function of the tubular member diameter, wall thickness of the tubular member, geometry of the mandrel, the type of lubricant, the composition of the shoe and tubular member, and the yield strength of the tubular member. The optimum flow rate and operating pressures are preferably determined using conventional empirical methods.




During the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


1305


may be raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


1310


at rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 5 ft/sec. In a preferred embodiment, during the extrusion process, the expandable mandrel


1305


may be raised out of the expanded portion of the tubular member


1310


at rates ranging from about 0 to 2 ft/sec in order to optimally provide an efficient process, optimally permit operator adjustment of operation parameters, and ensure optimal completion of the extrusion process before curing of the material


1380


.




When the upper end portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


is extruded off of the expandable mandrel


1305


, the outer surface of the upper end portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


will preferably contact the interior surface of the lower end portion of the casing


1215


to form an fluid tight overlapping joint. The contact pressure of the overlapping joint may range, for example, from approximately 50 to 20,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure of the overlapping joint ranges from approximately 400 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally provide contact pressure sufficient to ensure annular sealing and provide enough resistance to withstand typical tensile and compressive loads. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sealing members


1340


will ensure an adequate fluidic and gaseous seal in the overlapping joint.




In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure and flow rate of the non hardenable fluidic material


1381


is controllably ramped down when the expandable mandrel


1305


reaches the upper end portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


. In this manner, the sudden release of pressure caused by the complete extrusion of the tubular member


1310


off of the expandable mandrel


1305


can be minimized. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure is reduced in a substantially linear fashion from 100% to about 10% during the end of the extrusion process beginning when the mandrel


1305


has completed approximately all but about 5 feet of the extrusion process.




Alternatively, or in combination, a shock absorber is provided in the support member


1345


in order to absorb the shock caused by the sudden release of pressure.




Alternatively, or in combination, a mandrel catching structure is provided in the upper end portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


in order to catch or at least decelerate the mandrel


1305


.




Once the extrusion process is completed, the expandable mandrel


1305


is removed from the wellbore


1200


. In a preferred embodiment, either before or after the removal of the expandable mandrel


1305


, the integrity of the fluidic seal of the overlapping joint between the upper portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


and the lower portion of the casing


1215


is tested using conventional methods. If the fluidic seal of the overlapping joint between the upper portion


1355


of the tubular member


1310


and the lower portion of the casing


1215


is satisfactory, then the uncured portion of the material


1380


within the expanded tubular member


1310


is then removed in a conventional manner. The material


1380


within the annular region


1390


is then allowed to cure.




As illustrated in

FIG. 11



f


, preferably any remaining cured material


1380


within the interior of the expanded tubular member


1310


is then removed in a conventional manner using a conventional drill string. The resulting new section of casing


1400


includes the expanded tubular member


1310


and an outer annular layer


1405


of cured material


305


. The bottom portion of the apparatus


1300


comprising the shoe


1315


may then be removed by drilling out the shoe


1315


using conventional drilling methods.




Referring now to

FIGS. 12 and 13

, a preferred embodiment of a wellhead system


1500


formed using one or more of the apparatus and processes described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-11



f


will be described. The wellhead system


1500


preferably includes a conventional Christmas tree/drilling spool assembly


1505


, a thick wall casing


1510


, an annular body of cement


1515


, an outer casing


1520


, an annular body of cement


1525


, an intermediate casing


1530


, and an inner casing


1535


.




The Christmas tree/drilling spool assembly


1505


may comprise any number of conventional Christmas tree/drilling spool assemblies such as, for example, the SS-15 Subsea Wellhead System, Spool Tree Subsea Production System or the Compact Wellhead System available from suppliers such as Dril-Quip, Cameron or Breda, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. The drilling spool assembly


1505


is preferably operably coupled to the thick wall casing


1510


and/or the outer casing


1520


. The assembly


1505


may be coupled to the thick wall casing


1510


and/or outer casing


1520


, for example, by welding, a threaded connection or made from single stock. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly


1505


is coupled to the thick wall casing


1510


and/or outer casing


1520


by welding.




The thick wall casing


1510


is positioned in the upper end of a wellbore


1540


. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the thick wall casing


1510


extends above the surface


1545


in order to optimally provide easy access and attachment to the Christmas tree/drilling spool assembly


1505


. The thick wall casing


1510


is preferably coupled to the Christmas tree/drilling spool assembly


1505


, the annular body of cement


1515


, and the outer casing


1520


.




The thick wall casing


1510


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available high strength wellbore casings such as, for example, Oilfield Country Tubular Goods, titanium tubing or stainless steel tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the thick wall casing


1510


comprises Oilfield Country Tubular Goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills. In a preferred embodiment, the thick wall casing


1510


has a yield strength of about 40,000 to 135,000 psi in order to optimally provide maximum burst, collapse, and tensile strengths. In a preferred embodiment, the thick wall casing


1510


has a failure strength in excess of about 5,000 to 20,000 psi in order to optimally provide maximum operating capacity and resistance to degradation of capacity after being drilled through for an extended time period.




The annular body of cement


1515


provides support for the thick wall casing


1510


. The annular body of cement


1515


may be provided using any number of conventional processes for forming an annular body of cement in a wellbore. The annular body of cement


1515


may comprise any number of conventional cement mixtures.




The outer casing


1520


is coupled to the thick wall casing


1510


. The outer casing


1520


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available tubular members modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing


1520


comprises any one of the expandable tubular members described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-11



f.






In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing


1520


is coupled to the thick wall casing


1510


by expanding the outer casing


1520


into contact with at least a portion of the interior surface of the thick wall casing


1510


using any one of the embodiments of the processes and apparatus described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-11



f


. In an alternative embodiment, substantially all of the overlap of the outer casing


1520


with the thick wall casing


1510


contacts with the interior surface of the thick wall casing


1510


.




The contact pressure of the interface between the outer casing


1520


and the thick wall casing


1510


may range, for example, from about 500 to 10,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the outer casing


1520


and the thick wall casing


1510


ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally activate the pressure activated sealing members and to ensure that the overlapping joint will optimally withstand typical extremes of tensile and compressive loads that are experienced during drilling and production operations.




As illustrated in

FIG. 13

, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper end of the outer casing


1520


includes one or more sealing members


1550


that provide a gaseous and fluidic seal between the expanded outer casing


1520


and the interior wall of the thick wall casing


1510


. The sealing members


1550


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, plastic, rubber, Teflon or epoxy, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


1550


comprise seals molded from StrataLock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide an hydraulic seal and a load bearing interference fit between the tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure of the interface between the thick wall casing


1510


and the outer casing


1520


ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally activate the sealing members


1550


and also optimally ensure that the joint will withstand the typical operating extremes of tensile and compressive loads during drilling and production operations.




In an alternative preferred embodiment, the outer casing


1520


and the thick walled casing


1510


are combined in one unitary member.




The annular body of cement


1525


provides support for the outer casing


1520


. In a preferred embodiment, the annular body of cement


1525


is provided using any one of the embodiments of the apparatus and processes described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-11



f.






The intermediate casing


1530


may be coupled to the outer casing


1520


or the thick wall casing


1510


. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate casing


1530


is coupled to the thick wall casing


1510


. The intermediate casing


1530


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available tubular members modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate casing


1530


comprises any one of the expandable tubular members described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-11



f.






In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate casing


1530


is coupled to the thick wall casing


1510


by expanding at least a portion of the intermediate casing


1530


into contact with the interior surface of the thick wall casing


1510


using any one of the processes and apparatus described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-11



f


. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the entire length of the overlap of the intermediate casing


1530


with the thick wall casing


1510


contacts the inner surface of the thick wall casing


1510


. The contact pressure of the interface between the intermediate casing


1530


and the thick wall casing


1510


may range, for example from about 500 to 10,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the intermediate casing


1530


and the thick wall casing


1510


ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally activate the pressure activated sealing members and to optimally ensure that the joint will withstand typical operating extremes of tensile and compressive loads experienced during drilling and production operations.




As illustrated in

FIG. 13

, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper end of the intermediate casing


1530


includes one or more sealing members


1560


that provide a gaseous and fluidic seal between the expanded end of the intermediate casing


1530


and the interior wall of the thick wall casing


1510


. The sealing members


1560


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, plastic, lead, rubber, Teflon or epoxy, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


1560


comprise seals molded from StrataLock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide a hydraulic seal and a load bearing interference fit between the tubular members.




In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure of the interface between the expanded end of the intermediate casing


1530


and the thick wall casing


1510


ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally activate the sealing members


1560


and also optimally ensure that the joint will withstand typical operating extremes of tensile and compressive loads that are experienced during drilling and production operations.




The inner casing


1535


may be coupled to the outer casing


1520


or the thick wall casing


1510


. In a preferred embodiment, the inner casing


1535


is coupled to the thick wall casing


1510


. The inner casing


1535


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available tubular members modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the inner casing


1535


comprises any one of the expandable tubular members described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-11



f.






In a preferred embodiment, the inner casing


1535


is coupled to the outer casing


1520


by expanding at least a portion of the inner casing


1535


into contact with the interior surface of the thick wall casing


1510


using any one of the processes and apparatus described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-11



f


. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the entire length of the overlap of the inner casing


1535


with the thick wall casing


1510


and intermediate casing


1530


contacts the inner surfaces of the thick wall casing


1510


and intermediate casing


1530


. The contact pressure of the interface between the inner casing


1535


and the thick wall casing


1510


may range, for example from about 500 to 10,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the inner casing


1535


and the thick wall casing


1510


ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally activate the pressure activated sealing members and to ensure that the joint will withstand typical extremes of tensile and compressive loads that are commonly experienced during drilling and production operations.




As illustrated in

FIG. 13

, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper end of the inner casing


1535


includes one or more sealing members


1570


that provide a gaseous and fluidic seal between the expanded end of the inner casing


1535


and the interior wall of the thick wall casing


1510


. The sealing members


1570


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, plastic, rubber, Teflon or epoxy, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


1570


comprise seals molded from StrataLock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide an hydraulic seal and a load bearing interference fit. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure of the interface between the expanded end of the inner casing


1535


and the thick wall casing


1510


ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally activate the sealing members


1570


and also to optimally ensure that the joint will withstand typical operating extremes of tensile and compressive loads that are experienced during drilling and production operations.




In an alternative embodiment, the inner casings,


1520


,


1530


and


1535


, may be coupled to a previously positioned tubular member that is in turn coupled to the outer casing


1510


. More generally, the present preferred embodiments may be used to form a concentric arrangement of tubular members.




Referring now to

FIGS. 14



a


,


14




b


,


14




c


,


14




d


,


14




e


and


14




f


, a preferred embodiment of a method and apparatus for forming a mono-diameter well casing within a subterranean formation will now be described.




As illustrated in

FIG. 14



a


, a wellbore


1600


is positioned in a subterranean formation


1605


. A first section of casing


1610


is formed in the wellbore


1600


. The first section of casing


1610


includes an annular outer body of cement


1615


and a tubular section of casing


1620


. The first section of casing


1610


may be formed in the wellbore


1600


using conventional methods and apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the first section of casing


1610


is formed using one or more of the methods and apparatus described above with reference to

FIGS. 1-13

or below with reference to

FIGS. 14



b


-


17




b.






The annular body of cement


1615


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available cement, or other load bearing, compositions. Alternatively, the body of cement


1615


may be omitted or replaced with an epoxy mixture.




The tubular section of casing


1620


preferably includes an upper end


1625


and a lower end


1630


. Preferably, the lower end


1625


of the tubular section of casing


1620


includes an outer annular recess


1635


extending from the lower end


1630


of the tubular section of casing


1620


. In this manner, the lower end


1625


of the tubular section of casing


1620


includes a thin walled section


1640


. In a preferred embodiment, an annular body


1645


of a compressible material is coupled to and at least partially positioned within the outer annular recess


1635


. In this manner, the body of compressible material


1645


surrounds at least a portion of the thin walled section


1640


.




The tubular section of casing


1620


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, stainless steel, automotive grade steel, carbon steel, low alloy steel, fiberglass or plastics. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular section of casing


1620


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills. The wall thickness of the thin walled section


1640


may range from about 0.125 to 1.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the thin walled section


1640


ranges from 0.25 to 1.0 inches in order to optimally provide burst strength for typical operational conditions while also minimizing resistance to radial expansion. The axial length of the thin walled section


1640


may range from about 120 to 2400 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the thin walled section


1640


ranges from about 240 to 480 inches.




The annular body of compressible material


1645


helps to minimize the radial force required to expand the tubular casing


1620


in the overlap with the tubular member


1715


, helps to create a fluidic seal in the overlap with the tubular member


1715


, and helps to create an interference fit sufficient to permit the tubular member


1715


to be supported by the tubular casing


1620


. The annular body of compressible material


1645


may comprise any number of commercially available compressible materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, Teflon, plastics or lead tubes. In a preferred embodiment, the annular body of compressible material


1645


comprises StrataLock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide an hydraulic seal in the overlapped joint while also having compliance to thereby minimize the radial force required to expand the tubular casing. The wall thickness of the annular body of compressible material


1645


may range from about 0.05 to 0.75 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the annular body of compressible material


1645


ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5 inches in order to optimally provide a large compressible zone, minimize the radial forces required to expand the tubular casing, provide thickness for casing strings to provide contact with the inner surface of the wellbore upon radial expansion, and provide an hydraulic seal.




As illustrated in

FIG. 14



b


, in order to extend the wellbore


1600


into the subterranean formation


1605


, a drill string is used in a well known manner to drill out material from the subterranean formation


1605


to form a new wellbore section


1650


. The diameter of the new section


1650


is preferably equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the tubular section of casing


1620


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 14



c


, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus


1700


for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing in a subterranean formation is then positioned in the new section


1650


of the wellbore


1600


. The apparatus


1700


preferably includes a support member


1705


, an expandable mandrel or pig


1710


, a tubular member


1715


, a shoe


1720


, slips


1725


, a fluid passage


1730


, one or more fluid passages


1735


, a fluid passage


1740


, a first compressible annular body


1745


, a second compressible annular body


1750


, and a pressure chamber


1755


.




The support member


1705


supports the apparatus


1700


within the wellbore


1600


. The support member


1705


is coupled to the mandrel


1710


, the tubular member


1715


, the shoe


1720


, and the slips


1725


. The support member


1075


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member. The fluid passage


1730


is positioned within the support member


1705


. The fluid passages


1735


fluidicly couple the fluid passage


1730


with the pressure chamber


1755


. The fluid passage


1740


fluidicly couples the fluid passage


1730


with the region outside of the apparatus


1700


.




The support member


1705


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, stainless steel, low alloy steel, carbon steel,


13


chromium steel, fiberglass, or other high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


1705


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide operational strength and faciliate the use of other standard oil exploration handling equipment. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the support member


1705


comprises coiled tubing or a drill pipe. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support member


1705


includes a load shoulder


1820


for supporting the mandrel


1710


when the pressure chamber


1755


is unpressurized.




The mandrel


1710


is supported by and slidingly coupled to the support member


1705


and the shoe


1720


. The mandrel


1710


preferably includes an upper portion


1760


and a lower portion


1765


. Preferably, the upper portion


1760


of the mandrel


1710


and the support member


1705


together define the pressure chamber


1755


. Preferably, the lower portion


1765


of the mandrel


1710


includes an expansion member


1770


for radially expanding the tubular member


1715


.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion


1760


of the mandrel


1710


includes a tubular member


1775


having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the support member


1705


. In this manner, an annular pressure chamber


1755


is defined by and positioned between the tubular member


1775


and the support member


1705


. The top


1780


of the tubular member


1775


preferably includes a bearing and a seal for sealing and supporting the top


1780


of the tubular member


1775


against the outer surface of the support member


1705


. The bottom


1785


of the tubular member


1775


preferably includes a bearing and seal for sealing and supporting the bottom


1785


of the tubular member


1775


against the outer surface of the support member


1705


or shoe


1720


. In this manner, the mandrel


1710


moves in an axial direction upon the pressurization of the pressure chamber


1755


.




The lower portion


1765


of the mandrel


1710


preferably includes an expansion member


1770


for radially expanding the tubular member


1715


during the pressurization of the pressure chamber


1755


. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion member is expandable in the radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the lower portion


1765


of the mandrel


1710


mates with and slides with respect to the outer surface of the shoe


1720


. The outer diameter of the expansion member


1770


may range from about 90 to 100% of the inner diameter of the tubular casing


1620


. In a preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the expansion member


1770


ranges from about 95 to 99% of the inner diameter of the tubular casing


1620


. The expansion member


1770


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, machine tool steel, ceramics, tungsten carbide, titanium or other high strength alloys. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion member


1770


is fabricated from D2 machine tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength and abrasion resistance.




The tubular member


1715


is coupled to and supported by the support member


1705


and slips


1725


. The tubular member


1715


includes an upper portion


1790


and a lower portion


1795


.




The upper portion


1790


of the tubular member


1715


preferably includes an inner annular recess


1800


that extends from the upper portion


1790


of the tubular member


1715


. In this manner, at least a portion of the upper portion


1790


of the tubular member


1715


includes a thin walled section


1805


. The first compressible annular member


1745


is preferably coupled to and supported by the outer surface of the upper portion


1790


of the tubular member


1715


in opposing relation to the thin wall section


1805


.




The lower portion


1795


of the tubular member


1715


preferably includes an outer annular recess


1810


that extends from the lower portion


1790


of the tubular member


1715


. In this manner, at least a portion of the lower portion


1795


of the tubular member


1715


includes a thin walled section


1815


. The second compressible annular member


1750


is coupled to and at least partially supported within the outer annular recess


1810


of the upper portion


1790


of the tubular member


1715


in opposing relation to the thin wall section


1815


.




The tubular member


1715


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, stainless steel, low alloy steel, carbon steel, automotive grade steel, fiberglass,


13


chrome steel, other high strength material, or high strength plastics. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


1715


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide operational strength.




The shoe


1720


is supported by and coupled to the support member


1705


. The shoe


1720


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the shoe


1720


is greater than the wall thickness of the support member


1705


in order to optimally provide increased radial support to the mandrel


1710


. The shoe


1720


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, stainless steel, automotive grade steel, low alloy steel, carbon steel, or high strength plastics. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


1720


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide matching operational strength throughout the apparatus.




The slips


1725


are coupled to and supported by the support member


1705


. The slips


1725


removably support the tubular member


1715


. In this manner, during the radial expansion of the tubular member


1715


, the slips


1725


help to maintain the tubular member


1715


in a substantially stationary position by preventing upward movement of the tubular member


1715


.




The slips


1725


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips, RTTS packer wicker type mechanical slips, or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug tungsten carbide upper mechanical slips. In a preferred embodiment, the slips


1725


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips available from Halliburton Energy Services. In a preferred embodiment, the slips


1725


are adapted to support axial forces ranging from about 0 to 750,000 lbf.




The fluid passage


1730


conveys fluidic materials from a surface location into the interior of the support member


1705


, the pressure chamber


1755


, and the region exterior of the apparatus


1700


. The fluid passage


1730


is fludicly coupled to the pressure chamber


1755


by the fluid passages


1735


. The fluid passage


1730


is fluidicly coupled to the region exterior to the apparatus


1700


by the fluid passage


1740


.




In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1730


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, drilling muds, slag mix, water or drilling gasses. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1730


is adapted to convey fluidic materials at flow rate and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi. in order to optimally provide flow rates and operational pressures for the radial expansion processes.




The fluid passages


1735


convey fluidic material from the fluid passage


1730


to the pressure chamber


1755


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1735


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, drilling muds, water or drilling gasses. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1735


is adapted to convey fluidic materials at flow rate and pressures ranging from about 0 to 500 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi. in order to optimally provide operating pressures and flow rates for the various expansion processes.




The fluid passage


1740


conveys fluidic materials from the fluid passage


1730


to the region exterior to the apparatus


1700


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1740


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, drilling muds, water or drilling gasses. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1740


is adapted to convey fluidic materials at flow rate and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi. in order to optimally provide operating pressures and flow rates for the various radial expansion processes.




In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1740


is adapted to receive a plug or other similar device for sealing the fluid passage


1740


. In this manner, the pressure chamber


1755


may be pressurized.




The first compressible annular body


1745


is coupled to and supported by an exterior surface of the upper portion


1790


of the tubular member


1715


. In a preferred embodiment, the first compressible annular body


1745


is positioned in opposing relation to the thin walled section


1805


of the tubular member


1715


.




The first compressible annular body


1745


helps to minimize the radial force required to expand the tubular member


1715


in the overlap with the tubular casing


1620


, helps to create a fluidic seal in the overlap with the tubular casing


1620


, and helps to create an interference fit sufficient to permit the tubular member


1715


to be supported by the tubular casing


1620


. The first compressible annular body


1745


may comprise any number of commercially available compressible materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, Teflon, plastics, or hollow lead tubes. In a preferred embodiment, the first compressible annular body


1745


comprises StrataLock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide an hydraulic seal, and compressibility to minimize the radial expansion force.




The wall thickness of the first compressible annular body


1745


may range from about 0.05 to 0.75 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the first compressible annular body


1745


ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5 inches in order to optimally (1) provide a large compressible zone, (2) minimize the required radial expansion force, (3) transfer the radial force to the tubular casings. As a result, in a preferred embodiment, overall the outer diameter of the tubular member


1715


is approximately equal to the overall inner diameter of the tubular member


1620


.




The second compressible annular body


1750


is coupled to and at least partially supported within the outer annular recess


1810


of the tubular member


1715


. In a preferred embodiment, the second compressible annular body


1750


is positioned in opposing relation to the thin walled section


1815


of the tubular member


1715


.




The second compressible annular body


1750


helps to minimize the radial force required to expand the tubular member


1715


in the overlap with another tubular member, helps to create a fluidic seal in the overlap of the tubular member


1715


with another tubular member, and helps to create an interference fit sufficient to permit another tubular member to be supported by the tubular member


1715


. The second compressible annular body


1750


may comprise any number of commercially available compressible materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, Teflon, plastics or hollow lead tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the first compressible annular body


1750


comprises StrataLock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide an hydraulic seal in the overlapped joint, and compressibility that minimizes the radial expansion force.




The wall thickness of the second compressible annular body


1750


may range from about 0.05 to 0.75 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the second compressible annular body


1750


ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5 inches in order to optimally provide a large compressible zone, and minimize the radial force required to expand the tubular member


1715


during subsequent radial expansion operations.




In an alternative embodiment, the outside diameter of the second compressible annular body


1750


is adapted to provide a seal against the surrounding formation thereby eliminating the need for an outer annular body of cement.




The pressure chamber


1755


is fludicly coupled to the fluid passage


1730


by the fluid passages


1735


. The pressure chamber


1755


is preferably adapted to receive fluidic materials such as, for example, drilling muds, water or drilling gases. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure chamber


1755


is adapted to receive fluidic materials at flow rate and pressures ranging from about 0 to 500 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi. in order to optimally provide expansion pressure. In a preferred embodiment, during pressurization of the pressure chamber


1755


, the operating pressure of the pressure chamber ranges from about 0 to 5,000 psi in order to optimally provide expansion pressure while minimizing the possibility of a catastrophic failure due to over pressurization.




As illustrated in

FIG. 14



d


, the apparatus


1700


is preferably positioned in the wellbore


1600


with the tubular member


1715


positioned in an overlapping relationship with the tubular casing


1620


. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thin wall sections,


1640


and


1805


, of the tubular casing


1620


and tubular member


1725


are positioned in opposing overlapping relation. In this manner, the radial expansion of the tubular member


1725


will compress the thin wall sections,


1640


and


1805


, and annular compressible members,


1645


and


1745


, into intimate contact.




After positioning of the apparatus


1700


, a fluidic material


1825


is then pumped into the fluid passage


1730


. The fluidic material


1825


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, water, drilling mud, drilling gases, cement or epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material


1825


comprises a hardenable fluidic sealing material such as, for example, cement in order to provide an outer annular body around the expanded tubular member


1715


.




The fluidic material


1825


may be pumped into the fluid passage


1730


at operating pressures and flow rates, for example, ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The fluidic material


1825


pumped into the fluid passage


1730


passes through the fluid passage


1740


and outside of the apparatus


1700


. The fluidic material


1825


fills the annular region


1830


between the outside of the apparatus


1700


and the interior walls of the wellbore


1600


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 14



e


, a plug


1835


is then introduced into the fluid passage


1730


. The plug


1835


lodges in the inlet to the fluid passage


1740


fluidicly isolating and blocking off the fluid passage


1730


.




A fluidic material


1840


is then pumped into the fluid passage


1730


. The fluidic material


1840


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, water, drilling mud or drilling gases. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material


1825


comprises a non-hardenable fluidic material such as, for example, drilling mud or drilling gases in order to optimally provide pressurization of the pressure chamber


1755


.




The fluidic material


1840


may be pumped into the fluid passage


1730


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 500 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material


1840


is pumped into the fluid passage


1730


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 5,000 psi and 0 to 500 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operating pressures and flow rates for radial expansion.




The fluidic material


1840


pumped into the fluid passage


1730


passes through the fluid passages


1735


and into the pressure chamber


1755


. Continued pumping of the fluidic material


1840


pressurizes the pressure chamber


1755


. The pressurization of the pressure chamber


1755


causes the mandrel


1710


to move relative to the support member


1705


in the direction indicated by the arrows


1845


. In this manner, the mandrel


1710


will cause the tubular member


1715


to expand in the radial direction.




During the radial expansion process, the tubular member


1715


is prevented from moving in an upward direction by the slips


1725


. A length of the tubular member


1715


is then expanded in the radial direction through the pressurization of the pressure chamber


1755


. The length of the tubular member


1715


that is expanded during the expansion process will be proportional to the stroke length of the mandrel


1710


. Upon the completion of a stroke, the operating pressure of the pressure chamber


1755


is then reduced and the mandrel


1710


drops to it rest position with the tubular member


1715


supported by the mandrel


1715


. The position of the support member


1705


may be adjusted throughout the radial expansion process in order to maintain the overlapping relationship between the thin walled sections,


1640


and


1805


, of the tubular casing


1620


and tubular member


1715


. The stroking of the mandrel


1710


is then repeated, as necessary, until the thin walled section


1805


of the tubular member


1715


is expanded into the thin walled section


1640


of the tubular casing


1620


.




In a preferred embodiment, during the final stroke of the mandrel


1710


, the slips


1725


are positioned as close as possible to the thin walled section


1805


of the tubular member


1715


in order minimize slippage between the tubular member


1715


and tubular casing


1620


at the end of the radial expansion process. Alternatively, or in addition, the outside diameter of the first compressive annular member


1745


is selected to ensure sufficient interference fit with the tubular casing


1620


to prevent axial displacement of the tubular member


1715


during the final stroke. Alternatively, or in addition, the outside diameter of the second compressive annular body


1750


is large enough to provide an interference fit with the inside walls of the wellbore


1600


at an earlier point in the radial expansion process so as to prevent further axial displacement of the tubular member


1715


. In this final alternative, the interference fit is preferably selected to permit expansion of the tubular member


1715


by pulling the mandrel


1710


out of the wellbore


1600


, without having to pressurize the pressure chamber


1755


.




During the radial expansion process, the pressurized areas of the apparatus


1700


are limited to the fluid passages


1730


within the support member


1705


and the pressure chamber


1755


within the mandrel


1710


. No fluid pressure acts directly on the tubular member


1715


. This permits the use of operating pressures higher than the tubular member


1715


could normally withstand.




Once the tubular member


1715


has been completely expanded off of the mandrel


1710


, the support member


1705


and mandrel


1710


are removed from the wellbore


1600


. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the deformed thin wall sections,


1640


and


1805


, and compressible annular members,


1645


and


1745


, ranges from about 400 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally support the tubular member


1715


using the tubular casing


1620


.




In this manner, the tubular member


1715


is radially expanded into contact with the tubular casing


1620


by pressurizing the interior of the fluid passage


1730


and the pressure chamber


1755


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 14



f


, in a preferred embodiment, once the tubular member


1715


is completely expanded in the radial direction by the mandrel


1710


, the support member


1705


and mandrel


1710


are removed from the wellbore


1600


. In a preferred embodiment, the annular body of hardenable fluidic material is then allowed to cure to form a rigid outer annular body


1850


. In the case where the tubular member


1715


is slotted, the hardenable fluidic material will preferably permeate and envelop the expanded tubular member


1715


.




The resulting new section of wellbore casing


1855


includes the expanded tubular member


1715


and the rigid outer annular body


1850


. The overlapping joint


1860


between the tubular casing


1620


and the expanded tubular member


1715


includes the deformed thin wall sections,


1640


and


1805


, and the compressible annular bodies,


1645


and


1745


. The inner diameter of the resulting combined wellbore casings is substantially constant. In this manner, a mono-diameter wellbore casing is formed. This process of expanding overlapping tubular members having thin wall end portions with compressible annular bodies into contact can be repeated for the entire length of a wellbore. In this manner, a mono-diameter wellbore casing can be provided for thousands of feet in a subterranean formation.




Referring now to

FIGS. 15

,


15




a


and


15




b


, an embodiment of an apparatus


1900


for expanding a tubular member will be described. The apparatus


1900


preferably includes a drillpipe


1905


, an innerstring adapter


1910


, a sealing sleeve


1915


, an inner sealing mandrel


1920


, an upper sealing head


1925


, a lower sealing head


1930


, an outer sealing mandrel


1935


, a load mandrel


1940


, an expansion cone


1945


, a mandrel launcher


1950


, a mechanical slip body


1955


, mechanical slips


1960


, drag blocks


1965


, casing


1970


, and fluid passages


1975


,


1980


,


1985


, and


1990


.




The drillpipe


1905


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


1910


. During operation of the apparatus


1900


, the drillpipe


1905


supports the apparatus


1900


. The drillpipe


1905


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The drillpipe


1905


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular drillpipe, fiberglass or coiled tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


1905


is fabricated from coiled tubing in order to faciliate the placement of the apparatus


1900


in non-vertical wellbores. The drillpipe


1905


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


1910


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connectors, OCTG specialty type box and pin connectors, a ratchet-latch type connector or a standard box by pin connector. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


1905


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


1910


by a drillpipe connection.




The drillpipe


1905


preferably includes a fluid passage


1975


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from a surface location into the fluid passage


1980


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1975


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, drilling mud, epoxy or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The innerstring adapter


1910


is coupled to the drill string


1905


and the sealing sleeve


1915


. The innerstring adapter


1910


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The innerstring adapter


1910


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oil country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


1910


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods in order to optimally provide mechanical properties that closely match those of the drill string


1905


.




The innerstring adapter


1910


may be coupled to the drill string


1905


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connectors, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connectors, ratchet-latch type stab in connector, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


1910


is removably coupled to the drill pipe


1905


by a drillpipe connection. The innerstring adapter


1910


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


1915


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connector, ratchet-latch type stab in connectors, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


1910


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


1915


by a standard threaded connection.




The innerstring adapter


1910


preferably includes a fluid passage


1980


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


1975


into the fluid passage


1985


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1980


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, drilling mud, epoxy, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The sealing sleeve


1915


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


1910


and the inner sealing mandrel


1920


. The sealing sleeve


1915


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The sealing sleeve


1915


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel or other high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


1915


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods in order to optimally provide mechanical properties that substantially match the remaining components of the apparatus


1900


.




The sealing sleeve


1915


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


1910


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type stab in connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


1915


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


1910


by a standard threaded connection. The sealing sleeve


1915


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


1920


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


1915


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


1920


by a standard threaded connection.




The sealing sleeve


1915


preferably includes a fluid passage


1985


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


1980


into the fluid passage


1990


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1985


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, drilling mud, epoxy or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The inner sealing mandrel


1920


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


1915


and the lower sealing head


1930


. The inner sealing mandrel


1920


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The inner sealing mandrel


1920


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, stainless steel, low alloy steel, carbon steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


1920


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide mechanical properties similar to the other components of the apparatus


1900


while also providing a smooth outer surface to support seals and other moving parts that can operate with minimal wear, corrosion and pitting.




The inner sealing mandrel


1920


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


1915


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


1920


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


1915


by a standard threaded connections. The inner sealing mandrel


1920


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


1930


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type stab in connectors or standard threaded connections. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


1920


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


1930


by a standard threaded connections connection.




The inner sealing mandrel


1920


preferably includes a fluid passage


1990


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


1985


into the fluid passage


1995


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1990


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, drilling mud, epoxy or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The upper sealing head


1925


is coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


1935


and the expansion cone


1945


. The upper sealing head


1925


is also movably coupled to the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


1920


and the inner surface of the casing


1970


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


1925


, outer sealing mandrel


1935


, and the expansion cone


1945


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


1925


and the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


1920


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


1925


and the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


1920


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide clearance for pressure seal placement. The radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


1925


and the inner surface of the casing


1970


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


1925


and the inner surface of the casing


1970


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


1945


as the expansion cone


1945


is upwardly moved inside the casing


1970


.




The upper sealing head


1925


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The upper sealing head


1925


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, stainless steel, machine tool steel, or similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


1925


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength and smooth outer surfaces that are resistant to wear, galling, corrosion and pitting.




The inner surface of the upper sealing head


1925


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2000


for sealing the interface between the upper sealing head


1925


and the inner sealing mandrel


1920


. The sealing members


2000


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2000


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial motion.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


1925


includes a shoulder


2005


for supporting the upper sealing head


1925


on the lower sealing head


1930


.




The upper sealing head


1925


may be coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


1935


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connections. In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


1925


is removably coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


1935


by a standard threaded connections. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the upper sealing head


1925


and the outer sealing mandrel


1935


includes one or more sealing members


2010


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the upper sealing head


1925


and the outer sealing mandrel


1935


. The sealing members


2010


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2010


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroking motion.




The lower sealing head


1930


is coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


1920


and the load mandrel


1940


. The lower sealing head


1930


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


1935


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


1925


and outer sealing mandrel


1935


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the lower sealing head


1930


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


1935


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the lower sealing head


1930


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


1935


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.010 inches in order to optimally provide a close tolerance having room for the installation of pressure seal rings.




The lower sealing head


1930


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The lower sealing head


1930


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, stainless steel, machine tool steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


1930


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength and resistance to wear, galling, corrosion, and pitting.




The outer surface of the lower sealing head


1930


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2015


for sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


1930


and the outer sealing mandrel


1935


. The sealing members


2015


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2015


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The lower sealing head


1930


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


1920


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


1930


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


1920


by a standard threaded connection.




In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


1930


and the inner sealing mandrel


1920


includes one or more sealing members


2020


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


1930


and the inner sealing mandrel


1920


. The sealing members


2020


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2020


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial motion.




The lower sealing head


1930


may be coupled to the load mandrel


1940


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connections, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


1930


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


1940


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


1930


and the load mandrel


1940


includes one or more sealing members


2025


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


1930


and the load mandrel


1940


. The sealing members


2025


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2025


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


1930


includes a throat passage


2040


fluidicly coupled between the fluid passages


1990


and


1995


. The throat passage


2040


is preferably of reduced size and is adapted to receive and engage with a plug


2045


, or other similar device. In this manner, the fluid passage


1990


is fluidicly isolated from the fluid passage


1995


. In this manner, the pressure chamber


2030


is pressurized.




The outer sealing mandrel


1935


is coupled to the upper sealing head


1925


and the expansion cone


1945


. The outer sealing mandrel


1935


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


1970


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


1930


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


1925


, outer sealing mandrel


1935


, and the expansion cone


1945


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the outer sealing mandrel


1935


and the inner surface of the casing


1970


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the outer sealing mandrel


1935


and the inner surface of the casing


1970


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide maximum piston surface area to maximize the radial expansion force. The radial clearance between the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


1935


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


1930


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


1935


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


1930


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.010 inches in order to optimally provide a minimum gap for the sealing elements to bridge and seal.




The outer sealing mandrel


1935


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The outer sealing mandrel


1935


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, low alloy steel, carbon steel,


13


chromium steel or stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


1935


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide maximum strength and minimum wall thickness while also providing resistance to corrosion, galling and pitting.




The outer sealing mandrel


1935


may be coupled to the upper sealing head


1925


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, standard threaded connections, or welding. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


1935


is removably coupled to the upper sealing head


1925


by a standard threaded connections connection. The outer sealing mandrel


1935


may be coupled to the expansion cone


1945


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connections connection, or welding. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


1935


is removably coupled to the expansion cone


1945


by a standard threaded connections connection.




The upper sealing head


1925


, the lower sealing head


1930


, the inner sealing mandrel


1920


, and the outer sealing mandrel


1935


together defme a pressure chamber


2030


. The pressure chamber


2030


is fluidicly coupled to the passage


1990


via one or more passages


2035


. During operation of the apparatus


1900


, the plug


2045


engages with the throat passage


2040


to fluidicly isolate the fluid passage


1990


from the fluid passage


1995


. The pressure chamber


2030


is then pressurized which in turn causes the upper sealing head


1925


, outer sealing mandrel


1935


, and expansion cone


1945


to reciprocate in the axial direction. The axial motion of the expansion cone


1945


in turn expands the casing


1970


in the radial direction.




The load mandrel


1940


is coupled to the lower sealing head


1930


and the mechanical slip body


1955


. The load mandrel


1940


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The load mandrel


1940


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


1940


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods in order to optimally provide high strength.




The load mandrel


1940


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


1930


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


1940


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


1930


by a standard threaded connection. The load mandrel


1940


may be coupled to the mechanical slip body


1955


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, a drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connections, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connections connection. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


1940


is removably coupled to the mechanical slip body


1955


by a standard threaded connections connection.




The load mandrel


1940


preferably includes a fluid passage


1995


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


1990


to the region outside of the apparatus


1900


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


1995


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The expansion cone


1945


is coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


1935


. The expansion cone


1945


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


1970


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


1925


, outer sealing mandrel


1935


, and the expansion cone


1945


reciprocate in the axial direction. The reciprocation of the expansion cone


1945


causes the casing


1970


to expand in the radial direction.




The expansion cone


1945


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and conical outer surfaces. The outside radius of the outside conical surface may range, for example, from about 2 to 34 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the outside radius of the outside conical surface ranges from about 3 to 28 inches in order to optimally provide cone dimensions for the typical range of tubular members.




The axial length of the expansion cone


1945


may range, for example, from about 2 to 8 times the largest outer diameter of the expansion cone


1945


. In a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the expansion cone


1945


ranges from about 3 to 5 times the largest outer diameter of the expansion cone


1945


in order to optimally provide stability and centralization of the expansion cone


1945


during the expansion process. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the expansion cone


1945


ranges from about 5 to 30 degrees in order to optimally balance friction forces with the desired amount of radial expansion. The expansion cone


1945


angle of attack will vary as a function of the operating parameters of the particular expansion operation.




The expansion cone


1945


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, machine tool steel, ceramics, tungsten carbide, nitride steel, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


1945


is fabricated from D2 machine tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength and resistance to corrosion, wear, galling, and pitting. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outside surface of the expansion cone


1945


has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high strength and resist wear and galling.




The expansion cone


1945


may be coupled to the outside sealing mandrel


1935


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield tubular country goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connections connection. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


1945


is coupled to the outside sealing mandrel


1935


using a standard threaded connections connection in order to optimally provide connector strength for the typical operating loading conditions while also permitting easy replacement of the expansion cone


1945


.




The mandrel launcher


1950


is coupled to the casing


1970


. The mandrel launcher


1950


comprises a tubular section of casing having a reduced wall thickness compared to the casing


1970


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher is about 50 to 100% of the wall thickness of the casing


1970


. In this manner, the initiation of the radial expansion of the casing


1970


is facilitated, and the insertion of the larger outside diameter mandrel launcher


1950


into the wellbore and/or casing is facilitated.




The mandrel launcher


1950


may be coupled to the casing


1970


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. The mandrel launcher


1950


may have a wall thickness ranging, for example, from about 0.15 to 1.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


1950


ranges from about 0.25 to 0.75 inches in order to optimally provide high strength with a small overall profile. The mandrel launcher


1950


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oil field tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel launcher


1950


is fabricated from oil field tubular goods of higher strength but lower wall thickness than the casing


1970


in order to optimally provide a thin walled container with approximately the same burst strength as the casing


1970


.




The mechanical slip body


1955


is coupled to the load mandrel


1970


, the mechanical slips


1960


, and the drag blocks


1965


. The mechanical slip body


1955


preferably comprises a tubular member having an inner passage


2050


fluidicly coupled to the passage


1995


. In this manner, fluidic materials may be conveyed from the passage


2050


to a region outside of the apparatus


1900


.




The mechanical slip body


1955


may be coupled to the load mandrel


1940


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


1955


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


1940


using a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and permit the mechanical slip body


1955


to be easily replaced. The mechanical slip body


1955


may be coupled to the mechanical slips


1955


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


1955


is removably coupled to the mechanical slips


1955


using threads and sliding steel retainer rings in order to optimally provide high strength coupling and also permit easy replacement of the mechanical slips


1955


. The mechanical slip body


1955


may be coupled to the drag blocks


1965


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


1955


is removably coupled to the drag blocks


1965


using threaded connections and sliding steel retainer rings in order to optimally provide high strength and also permit easy replacement of the drag blocks


1965


.




The mechanical slips


1960


are coupled to the outside surface of the mechanical slip body


1955


. During operation of the apparatus


1900


, the mechanical slips


1960


prevent upward movement of the casing


1970


and mandrel launcher


1950


. In this manner, during the axial reciprocation of the expansion cone


1945


, the casing


1970


and mandrel launcher


1950


are maintained in a substantially stationary position. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


1950


and casing


1970


are expanded in the radial direction by the axial movement of the expansion cone


1945


.




The mechanical slips


1960


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available mechanical slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips, RTTS packer wicker type mechanical slips or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug tungsten carbide upper mechanical slips. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slips


1960


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


1970


during the expansion process.




The drag blocks


1965


are coupled to the outside surface of the mechanical slip body


1955


. During operation of the apparatus


1900


, the drag blocks


1965


prevent upward movement of the casing


1970


and mandrel launcher


1950


. In this manner, during the axial reciprocation of the expansion cone


1945


, the casing


1970


and mandrel launcher


1950


are maintained in a substantially stationary position. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


1950


and casing


1970


are expanded in the radial direction by the axial movement of the expansion cone


1945


.




The drag blocks


1965


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available mechanical slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips, RTTS packer wicker type mechanical slips or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug tungsten carbide upper mechanical slips. In a preferred embodiment, the drag blocks


1965


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


1970


during the expansion process.




The casing


1970


is coupled to the mandrel launcher


1950


. The casing


1970


is further removably coupled to the mechanical slips


1960


and drag blocks


1965


. The casing


1970


preferably comprises a tubular member. The casing


1970


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, slotted tubulars, oil field country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the casing


1970


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide high strength. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end of the casing


1970


includes one or more sealing members positioned about the exterior of the casing


1970


.




During operation, the apparatus


1900


is positioned in a wellbore with the upper end of the casing


1970


positioned in an overlapping relationship within an existing wellbore casing. In order minimize surge pressures within the borehole during placement of the apparatus


1900


, the fluid passage


1975


is preferably provided with one or more pressure relief passages. During the placement of the apparatus


1900


in the wellbore, the casing


1970


is supported by the expansion cone


1945


.




After positioning of the apparatus


1900


within the bore hole in an overlapping relationship with an existing section of wellbore casing, a first fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


1975


from a surface location. The first fluidic material is conveyed from the fluid passage


1975


to the fluid passages


1980


,


1985


,


1990


,


1995


, and


2050


. The first fluidic material will then exit the apparatus and fill the annular region between the outside of the apparatus


1900


and the interior walls of the bore hole.




The first fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, drilling mud, water, epoxy or cement. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material comprises a hardenable fluidic sealing material such as, for example, cement or epoxy. In this manner, a wellbore casing having an outer annular layer of a hardenable material may be formed.




The first fluidic material may be pumped into the apparatus


1900


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi, and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material is pumped into the apparatus


1900


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operating pressures and flow rates for typical operating conditions.




At a predetermined point in the injection of the first fluidic material such as, for example, after the annular region outside of the apparatus


1900


has been filed to a predetermined level, a plug


2045


, dart, or other similar device is introduced into the first fluidic material. The plug


2045


lodges in the throat passage


2040


thereby fluidicly isolating the fluid passage


1990


from the fluid passage


1995


.




After placement of the plug


2045


in the throat passage


2040


, a second fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


1975


in order to pressurize the pressure chamber


2030


. The second fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, water, drilling gases, drilling mud or lubricant. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material comprises a non-hardenable fluidic material such as, for example, water, drilling mud or lubricant in order minimize frictional forces.




The second fluidic material may be pumped into the apparatus


1900


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 4,500 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material is pumped into the apparatus


1900


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi, and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide expansion of the casing


1970


.




The pressurization of the pressure chamber


2030


causes the upper sealing head


1925


, outer sealing mandrel


1935


, and expansion cone


1945


to move in an axial direction. As the expansion cone


1945


moves in the axial direction, the expansion cone


1945


pulls the mandrel launcher


1950


and drag blocks


1965


along, which sets the mechanical slips


1960


and stops further axial movement of the mandrel launcher


1950


and casing


1970


. In this manner, the axial movement of the expansion cone


1945


radially expands the mandrel launcher


1950


and casing


1970


.




Once the upper sealing head


1925


, outer sealing mandrel


1935


, and expansion cone


1945


complete an axial stroke, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced and the drill string


1905


is raised. This causes the inner sealing mandrel


1920


, lower sealing head


1930


, load mandrel


1940


, and mechanical slip body


1955


to move upward. This unsets the mechanical slips


1960


and permits the mechanical slips


1960


and drag blocks


1965


to be moved upward within the mandrel launcher and casing


1970


. When the lower sealing head


1930


contacts the upper sealing head


1925


, the second fluidic material is again pressurized and the radial expansion process continues. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


1950


and casing


1970


are radial expanded through repeated axial strokes of the upper sealing head


1925


, outer sealing mandrel


1935


and expansion cone


1945


. Throughput the radial expansion process, the upper end of the casing


1970


is preferably maintained in an overlapping relation with an existing section of wellbore casing.




At the end of the radial expansion process, the upper end of the casing


1970


is expanded into intimate contact with the inside surface of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members provided at the upper end of the casing


1970


provide a fluidic seal between the outside surface of the upper end of the casing


1970


and the inside surface of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the casing


1970


and the existing section of wellbore casing ranges from about 400 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally provide contact pressure for activating sealing members, provide optimal resistance to axial movement of the expanded casing


1970


, and optimally support typical tensile and compressive loads.




In a preferred embodiment, as the expansion cone


1945


nears the end of the casing


1970


, the operating flow rate of the second fluidic material is reduced in order to minimize shock to the apparatus


1900


. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


1900


includes a shock absorber for absorbing the shock created by the completion of the radial expansion of the casing


1970


.




In a preferred embodiment, the reduced operating pressure of the second fluidic material ranges from about 100 to 1,000 psi as the expansion cone


1945


nears the end of the casing


1970


in order to optimally provide reduced axial movement and velocity of the expansion cone


1945


. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced during the return stroke of the apparatus


1900


to the range of about 0 to 500 psi in order minimize the resistance to the movement of the expansion cone


1945


. In a preferred embodiment, the stroke length of the apparatus


1900


ranges from about 10 to 45 feet in order to optimally provide equipment lengths that can be handled by typical oil well rigging equipment while also minimizing the frequency at which the expansion cone


1945


must be stopped so the apparatus


1900


can be re-stroked for further expansion operations.




In an alternative embodiment, at least a portion of the upper sealing head


1925


includes an expansion cone for radially expanding the mandrel launcher


1950


and casing


1970


during operation of the apparatus


1900


in order to increase the surface area of the casing


1970


acted upon during the radial expansion process. In this manner, the operating pressures can be reduced.




In an alternative embodiment, mechanical slips are positioned in an axial location between the sealing sleeve


1915


and the inner sealing mandrel


1920


in order to simplify the operation and assembly of the apparatus


1900


.




Upon the complete radial expansion of the casing


1970


, if applicable, the first fluidic material is permitted to cure within the annular region between the outside of the expanded casing


1970


and the interior walls of the wellbore. In the case where the expanded casing


1970


is slotted, the cured fluidic material will preferably permeate and envelop the expanded casing. In this manner, a new section of wellbore casing is formed within a wellbore. Alternatively, the apparatus


1900


may be used to join a first section of pipeline to an existing section of pipeline. Alternatively, the apparatus


1900


may be used to directly line the interior of a wellbore with a casing, without the use of an outer annular layer of a hardenable material. Alternatively, the apparatus


1900


may be used to expand a tubular support member in a hole.




During the radial expansion process, the pressurized areas of the apparatus


1900


are limited to the fluid passages


1975


,


1980


,


1985


, and


1990


, and the pressure chamber


2030


. No fluid pressure acts directly on the mandrel launcher


1950


and casing


1970


. This permits the use of operating pressures higher than the mandrel launcher


1950


and casing


1970


could normally withstand.




Referring now to

FIG. 16

, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus


2100


for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing will be described. The apparatus


2100


preferably includes a drillpipe


2105


, an innerstring adapter


2110


, a sealing sleeve


2115


, an inner sealing mandrel


2120


, slips


2125


, upper sealing head


2130


, lower sealing head


2135


, outer sealing mandrel


2140


, load mandrel


2145


, expansion cone


2150


, and casing


2155


.




The drillpipe


2105


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


2110


. During operation of the apparatus


2100


, the drillpipe


2105


supports the apparatus


2100


. The drillpipe


2105


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The drillpipe


2105


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength material. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


2105


is fabricated from coiled tubing in order to faciliate the placement of the apparatus


1900


in non-vertical wellbores. The drillpipe


2105


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


2110


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


2105


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


2110


by a drill pipe connection.




The drillpipe


2105


preferably includes a fluid passage


2160


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from a surface location into the fluid passage


2165


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2160


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The innerstring adapter


2110


is coupled to the drill string


2105


and the sealing sleeve


2115


. The innerstring adapter


2110


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The innerstring adapter


2110


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2110


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, low friction, and resistance to corrosion and wear.




The innerstring adapter


2110


may be coupled to the drill string


2105


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2110


is removably coupled to the drill pipe


2105


by a drillpipe connection. The innerstring adapter


2110


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


2115


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2110


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


2115


by a standard threaded connection.




The innerstring adapter


2110


preferably includes a fluid passage


2165


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2160


into the fluid passage


2170


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2165


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water drilling muds, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The sealing sleeve


2115


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


2110


and the inner sealing mandrel


2120


. The sealing sleeve


2115


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The sealing sleeve


2115


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oil field tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2115


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, low friction surfaces, and resistance to corrosion, wear, galling, and pitting.




The sealing sleeve


2115


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


2110


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, a standard threaded connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connections, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2115


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


2110


by a standard threaded connection. The sealing sleeve


2115


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2120


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, a standard threaded connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connections, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2115


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2120


by a standard threaded connection.




The sealing sleeve


2115


preferably includes a fluid passage


2170


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2165


into the fluid passage


2175


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2170


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The inner sealing mandrel


2120


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


2115


, slips


2125


, and the lower sealing head


2135


. The inner sealing mandrel


2120


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The inner sealing mandrel


2120


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2120


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, low friction surfaces, and corrosion and wear resistance.




The inner sealing mandrel


2120


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


2115


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2120


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


2115


by a standard threaded connection. The standard threaded connection provides high strength and permits easy replacement of components. The inner sealing mandrel


2120


may be coupled to the slips


2125


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2120


is removably coupled to the slips


2125


by a standard threaded connection. The inner sealing mandrel


2120


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


2135


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2120


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


2135


by a standard threaded connection.




The inner sealing mandrel


2120


preferably includes a fluid passage


2175


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2170


into the fluid passage


2180


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2175


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The slips


2125


are coupled to the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2120


. During operation of the apparatus


2100


, the slips


2125


preferably maintain the casing


2155


in a substantially stationary position during the radial expansion of the casing


2155


. In a preferred embodiment, the slips


2125


are activated using the fluid passages


2185


to convey pressurized fluid material into the slips


2125


.




The slips


2125


may comprise any number of commercially available hydraulic slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide hydraulic slips or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug hydraulic slips. In a preferred embodiment, the slips


2125


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide hydraulic slips available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


2155


during the expansion process. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the slips include a fluid passage


2190


, pressure chamber


2195


, spring return


2200


, and slip member


2205


.




The slips


2125


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2120


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the slips


2125


are removably coupled to the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2120


by a thread connection in order to optimally provide interchangeability of parts.




The upper sealing head


2130


is coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2140


and expansion cone


2150


. The upper sealing head


2130


is also movably coupled to the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2120


and the inner surface of the casing


2155


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2130


reciprocates in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2130


and the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2120


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2130


and the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2120


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.010 inches in order to optimally provide a pressure seal. The radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2130


and the inner surface of the casing


2155


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2130


and the inner surface of the casing


2155


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2130


during axial movement of the expansion cone


2130


.




The upper sealing head


2130


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The upper sealing head


2130


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2130


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The inner surface of the upper sealing head


2130


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2210


for sealing the interface between the upper sealing head


2130


and the inner sealing mandrel


2120


. The sealing members


2210


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2210


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2130


includes a shoulder


2215


for supporting the upper sealing head


2130


on the lower sealing head


2135


.




The upper sealing head


2130


may be coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2140


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2130


is removably coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2140


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the upper sealing head


2130


and the outer sealing mandrel


2140


includes one or more sealing members


2220


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the upper sealing head


2130


and the outer sealing mandrel


2140


. The sealing members


2220


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2220


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The lower sealing head


2135


is coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2120


and the load mandrel


2145


. The lower sealing head


2135


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2140


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2130


, outer sealing, mandrel


2140


, and expansion cone


2150


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2135


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2140


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2135


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2140


ranges from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The lower sealing head


2135


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The lower sealing head


2135


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2135


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The outer surface of the lower sealing head


2135


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2225


for sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


2135


and the outer sealing mandrel


2140


. The sealing members


2225


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2225


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The lower sealing head


2135


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2120


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2135


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2120


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


2135


and the inner sealing mandrel


2120


includes one or more sealing members


2230


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


2135


and the inner sealing mandrel


2120


. The sealing members


2230


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2230


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The lower sealing head


2135


may be coupled to the load mandrel


2145


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2135


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


2145


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


2135


and the load mandrel


2145


includes one or more sealing members


2235


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


1930


and the load mandrel


2145


. The sealing members


2235


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2235


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2135


includes a throat passage


2240


fluidicly coupled between the fluid passages


2175


and


2180


. The throat passage


2240


is preferably of reduced size and is adapted to receive and engage with a plug


2245


, or other similar device. In this manner, the fluid passage


2175


is fluidicly isolated from the fluid passage


2180


. In this manner, the pressure chamber


2250


is pressurized.




The outer sealing mandrel


2140


is coupled to the upper sealing head


2130


and the expansion cone


2150


. The outer sealing mandrel


2140


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2155


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2135


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2130


, outer sealing mandrel


2140


, and the expansion cone


2150


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2140


and the inner surface of the casing


2155


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2140


and the inner surface of the casing


2155


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2130


during the expansion process. The radial clearance between the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2140


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2135


may range, for example, from about 0.005 to 0.125 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2140


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2135


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.010 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The outer sealing mandrel


2140


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The outer sealing mandrel


2140


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2140


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The outer sealing mandrel


2140


may be coupled to the upper sealing head


2130


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2140


is removably coupled to the upper sealing head


2130


by a standard threaded connection. The outer sealing mandrel


2140


may be coupled to the expansion cone


2150


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2140


is removably coupled to the expansion cone


2150


by a standard threaded connection.




The upper sealing head


2130


, the lower sealing head


2135


, inner sealing mandrel


2120


, and the outer sealing mandrel


2140


together defme a pressure chamber


2250


. The pressure chamber


2250


is fluidicly coupled to the passage


2175


via one or more passages


2255


. During operation of the apparatus


2100


, the plug


2245


engages with the throat passage


2240


to fluidicly isolate the fluid passage


2175


from the fluid passage


2180


. The pressure chamber


2250


is then pressurized which in turn causes the upper sealing head


2130


, outer sealing mandrel


2140


, and expansion cone


2150


to reciprocate in the axial direction. The axial motion of the expansion cone


2150


in turn expands the casing


2155


in the radial direction.




The load mandrel


2145


is coupled to the lower sealing head


2135


. The load mandrel


2145


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The load mandrel


2145


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2145


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction bearing surfaces.




The load mandrel


2145


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


2135


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2145


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


2135


by a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and permit easy replacement of the load mandrel


2145


.




The load mandrel


2145


preferably includes a fluid passage


2180


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2180


to the region outside of the apparatus


2100


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2180


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The expansion cone


2150


is coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2140


. The expansion cone


2150


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2155


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2130


, outer sealing mandrel


2140


, and the expansion cone


2150


reciprocate in the axial direction. The reciprocation of the expansion cone


2150


causes the casing


2155


to expand in the radial direction.




The expansion cone


2150


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and conical outer surfaces. The outside radius of the outside conical surface may range, for example, from about 2 to 34 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the outside radius of the outside conical surface ranges from about 3 to 28 inches in order to optimally provide cone dimensions that are optimal for typical casings. The axial length of the expansion cone


2150


may range, for example, from about 2 to 6 times the largest outside diameter of the expansion cone


2150


. In a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the expansion cone


2150


ranges from about 3 to 5 times the largest outside diameter of the expansion cone


2150


in order to optimally provide stability and centralization of the expansion cone


2150


during the expansion process. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the maximum outside diameter of the expansion cone


2150


is between about 90 to 100% of the inside diameter of the existing wellbore that the casing


2155


will be joined with. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the expansion cone


2150


ranges from about 5 to 30 degrees in order to optimally balance friction forces and radial expansion forces. The optimal expansion cone


2150


angle of attack will vary as a function of the particular operating conditions of the expansion operation.




The expansion cone


2150


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, machine tool steel, nitride steel, titanium, tungsten carbide, ceramics, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


2150


is fabricated from D2 machine tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength and resistance to wear and galling. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outside surface of the expansion cone


2150


has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide resistance to wear.




The expansion cone


2150


may be coupled to the outside sealing mandrel


2140


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


2150


is coupled to the outside sealing mandrel


2140


using a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and permit the expansion cone


2150


to be easily replaced.




The casing


2155


is removably coupled to the slips


2125


and expansion cone


2150


. The casing


2155


preferably comprises a tubular member. The casing


2155


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, slotted tubulars, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength material. In a preferred embodiment, the casing


2155


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide high strength.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper end


2260


of the casing


2155


includes a thin wall section


2265


and an outer annular sealing member


2270


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the thin wall section


2265


is about 50 to 100% of the regular wall thickness of the casing


2155


. In this manner, the upper end


2260


of the casing


2155


may be easily expanded and deformed into intimate contact with the lower end of an existing section of wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the lower end of the existing section of casing also includes a thin wall section. In this manner, the radial expansion of the thin walled section


2265


of casing


2155


into the thin walled section of the existing wellbore casing results in a wellbore casing having a substantially constant inside diameter.




The annular sealing member


2270


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available sealing materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, metal or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the annular sealing member


2270


is fabricated from StrataLock epoxy in order to optimally provide compressibility and resistance to wear. The outside diameter of the annular sealing member


2270


preferably ranges from about 70 to 95% of the inside diameter of the lower section of the wellbore casing that the casing


2155


is joined to. In this manner, after expansion, the annular sealing member


2270


preferably provides a fluidic seal and also preferably provides sufficient frictional force with the inside surface of the existing section of wellbore casing during the radial expansion of the casing


2155


to support the casing


2155


.




In a preferred embodiment, the lower end


2275


of the casing


2155


includes a thin wall section


2280


and an outer annular sealing member


2285


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the thin wall section


2280


is about 50 to 100% of the regular wall thickness of the casing


2155


. In this manner, the lower end


2275


of the casing


2155


may be easily expanded and deformed. Furthermore, in this manner, an other section of casing may be easily joined with the lower end


2275


of the casing


2155


using a radial expansion process. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end of the other section of casing also includes a thin wall section. In this manner, the radial expansion of the thin walled section of the upper end of the other casing into the thin walled section


2280


of the lower end of the casing


2155


results in a wellbore casing having a substantially constant inside diameter.




The annular sealing member


2285


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available sealing materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, metal or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the annular sealing member


2285


is fabricated from StrataLock epoxy in order to optimally provide compressibility and wear resistance. The outside diameter of the annular sealing member


2285


preferably ranges from about 70 to 95% of the inside diameter of the lower section of the existing wellbore casing that the casing


2155


is joined to. In this manner, the annular sealing member


2285


preferably provides a fluidic seal and also preferably provides sufficient frictional force with the inside wall of the wellbore during the radial expansion of the casing


2155


to support the casing


2155


.




During operation, the apparatus


2100


is preferably positioned in a wellbore with the upper end


2260


of the casing


2155


positioned in an overlapping relationship with the lower end of an existing wellbore casing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thin wall section


2265


of the casing


2155


is positioned in opposing overlapping relation with the thin wall section and outer annular sealing member of the lower end of the existing section of wellbore casing. In this manner, the radial expansion of the casing


2155


will compress the thin wall sections and annular compressible members of the upper end


2260


of the casing


2155


and the lower end of the existing wellbore casing into intimate contact. During the positioning of the apparatus


2100


in the wellbore, the casing


2155


is supported by the expansion cone


2150


.




After positioning of the apparatus


2100


, a first fluidic material is then pumped into the fluid passage


2160


. The first fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, drilling mud, water, epoxy, or cement. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material comprises a hardenable fluidic sealing material such as, for example, cement or epoxy in order to provide a hardenable outer annular body around the expanded casing


2155


.




The first fluidic material may be pumped into the fluid passage


2160


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


2160


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The first fluidic material pumped into the fluid passage


2160


passes through the fluid passages


2165


,


2170


,


2175


,


2180


and then outside of the apparatus


2100


. The first fluidic material then fills the annular region between the outside of the apparatus


2100


and the interior walls of the wellbore.




The plug


2245


is then introduced into the fluid passage


2160


. The plug


2245


lodges in the throat passage


2240


and fluidicly isolates and blocks off the fluid passage


2175


. In a preferred embodiment, a couple of volumes of a non-hardenable fluidic material are then pumped into the fluid passage


2160


in order to remove any hardenable fluidic material contained within and to ensure that none of the fluid passages are blocked.




A second fluidic material is then pumped into the fluid passage


2160


. The second fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, drilling mud, water, drilling gases, or lubricants. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material comprises a non-hardenable fluidic material such as, for example, water, drilling mud or lubricant in order to optimally provide pressurization of the pressure chamber


2250


and minimize frictional forces.




The second fluidic material may be pumped into the fluid passage


2160


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 4,500 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


2160


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The second fluidic material pumped into the fluid passage


2160


passes through the fluid passages


2165


,


2170


, and


2175


into the pressure chambers


2195


of the slips


2125


, and into the pressure chamber


2250


. Continued pumping of the second fluidic material pressurizes the pressure chambers


2195


and


2250


.




The pressurization of the pressure chambers


2195


causes the slip members


2205


to expand in the radial direction and grip the interior surface of the casing


2155


. The casing


2155


is then preferably maintained in a substantially stationary position.




The pressurization of the pressure chamber


2250


causes the upper sealing head


2130


, outer sealing mandrel


2140


and expansion cone


2150


to move in an axial direction relative to the casing


2155


. In this manner, the expansion cone


2150


will cause the casing


2155


to expand in the radial direction.




During the radial expansion process, the casing


2155


is prevented from moving in an upward direction by the slips


2125


. A length of the casing


2155


is then expanded in the radial direction through the pressurization of the pressure chamber


2250


. The length of the casing


2155


that is expanded during the expansion process will be proportional to the stroke length of the upper sealing head


2130


, outer sealing mandrel


2140


, and expansion cone


2150


.




Upon the completion of a stroke, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced and the upper sealing head


2130


, outer sealing mandrel


2140


, and expansion cone


2150


drop to their rest positions with the casing


2155


supported by the expansion cone


2150


. The position of the drillpipe


2105


is preferably adjusted throughout the radial expansion process in order to maintain the overlapping relationship between the thin walled sections of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing and the upper end of the casing


2155


. In a preferred embodiment, the stroking of the expansion cone


2150


is then repeated, as necessary, until the thin walled section


2265


of the upper end


2260


of the casing


2155


is expanded into the thin walled section of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In this manner, a wellbore casing is formed including two adjacent sections of casing having a substantially constant inside diameter. This process may then be repeated for the entirety of the wellbore to provide a wellbore casing thousands of feet in length having a substantially constant inside diameter.




In a preferred embodiment, during the final stroke of the expansion cone


2150


, the slips


2125


are positioned as close as possible to the thin walled section


2265


of the upper end of the casing


2155


in order minimize slippage between the casing


2155


and the existing wellbore casing at the end of the radial expansion process. Alternatively, or in addition, the outside diameter of the annular sealing member


2270


is selected to ensure sufficient interference fit with the inside diameter of the lower end of the existing casing to prevent axial displacement of the casing


2155


during the final stroke. Alternatively, or in addition, the outside diameter of the annular sealing member


2285


is selected to provide an interference fit with the inside walls of the wellbore at an earlier point in the radial expansion process so as to prevent further axial displacement of the casing


2155


. In this final alternative, the interference fit is preferably selected to permit expansion of the casing


2155


by pulling the expansion cone


2150


out of the wellbore, without having to pressurize the pressure chamber


2250


.




During the radial expansion process, the pressurized areas of the apparatus


2100


are limited to the fluid passages


2160


,


2165


,


2170


, and


2175


, the pressure chambers


2195


within the slips


2125


, and the pressure chamber


2250


. No fluid pressure acts directly on the casing


2155


. This permits the use of operating pressures higher than the casing


2155


could normally withstand.




Once the casing


2155


has been completely expanded off of the expansion cone


2150


, remaining portions of the apparatus


2100


are removed from the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the deformed thin wall sections and compressible annular members of the lower end of the existing casing and the upper end


2260


of the casing


2155


ranges from about 500 to 40,000 psi in order to optimally support the casing


2155


using the existing wellbore casing.




In this manner, the casing


2155


is radially expanded into contact with an existing section of casing by pressurizing the interior fluid passages


2160


,


2165


,


2170


, and


2175


and the pressure chamber


2250


of the apparatus


2100


.




In a preferred embodiment, as required, the annular body of hardenable fluidic material is then allowed to cure to form a rigid outer annular body about the expanded casing


2155


. In the case where the casing


2155


is slotted, the cured fluidic material preferably permeates and envelops the expanded casing


2155


. The resulting new section of wellbore casing includes the expanded casing


2155


and the rigid outer annular body. The overlapping joint between the pre-existing wellbore casing and the expanded casing


2155


includes the deformed thin wall sections and the compressible outer annular bodies. The inner diameter of the resulting combined wellbore casings is substantially constant. In this manner, a mono-diameter wellbore casing is formed. This process of expanding overlapping tubular members having thin wall end portions with compressible annular bodies into contact can be repeated for the entire length of a wellbore. In this manner, a mono-diameter wellbore casing can be provided for thousands of feet in a subterranean formation.




In a preferred embodiment, as the expansion cone


2150


nears the upper end of the casing


2155


, the operating flow rate of the second fluidic material is reduced in order to minimize shock to the apparatus


2100


. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


2100


includes a shock absorber for absorbing the shock created by the completion of the radial expansion of the casing


2155


.




In a preferred embodiment, the reduced operating pressure of the second fluidic material ranges from about 100 to 1,000 psi as the expansion cone


2130


nears the end of the casing


2155


in order to optimally provide reduced axial movement and velocity of the expansion cone


2130


. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced during the return stroke of the apparatus


2100


to the range of about 0 to 500 psi in order minimize the resistance to the movement of the expansion cone


2130


during the return stroke. In a preferred embodiment, the stroke length of the apparatus


2100


ranges from about 10 to 45 feet in order to optimally provide equipment lengths that can be handled by conventional oil well rigging equipment while also minimizing the frequency at which the expansion cone


2130


must be stopped so that the apparatus


2100


can be re-stroked.




In an alternative embodiment, at least a portion of the upper sealing head


2130


includes an expansion cone for radially expanding the casing


2155


during operation of the apparatus


2100


in order to increase the surface area of the casing


2155


acted upon during the radial expansion process. In this manner, the operating pressures can be reduced.




Alternatively, the apparatus


2100


may be used to join a first section of pipeline to an existing section of pipeline. Alternatively, the apparatus


2100


may be used to directly line the interior of a wellbore with a casing, without the use of an outer annular layer of a hardenable material. Alternatively, the apparatus


2100


may be used to expand a tubular support member in a hole.




Referring now to

FIGS. 17

,


17




a


and


17




b


, another embodiment of an apparatus


2300


for expanding a tubular member will be described. The apparatus


2300


preferably includes a drillpipe


2305


, an innerstring adapter


2310


, a sealing sleeve


2315


, a hydraulic slip body


2320


, hydraulic slips


2325


, an inner sealing mandrel


2330


, an upper sealing head


2335


, a lower sealing head


2340


, a load mandrel


2345


, an outer sealing mandrel


2350


, an expansion cone


2355


, a mechanical slip body


2360


, mechanical slips


2365


, drag blocks


2370


, casing


2375


, fluid passages


2380


,


2385


,


2390


,


2395


,


2400


,


2405


,


2410


,


2415


, and


2485


, and mandrel launcher


2480


.




The drillpipe


2305


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


2310


. During operation of the apparatus


2300


, the drillpipe


2305


supports the apparatus


2300


. The drillpipe


2305


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The drillpipe


2305


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


2305


is fabricated from coiled tubing in order to faciliate the placement of the apparatus


2300


in non-vertical wellbores. The drillpipe


2305


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


2310


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


2305


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


2310


by a drillpipe connection.




The drillpipe


2305


preferably includes a fluid passage


2380


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from a surface location into the fluid passage


2385


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2380


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, water, epoxy, drilling muds, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 5,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The innerstring adapter


2310


is coupled to the drill string


2305


and the sealing sleeve


2315


. The innerstring adapter


2310


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The innerstring adapter


2310


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2310


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The innerstring adapter


2310


may be coupled to the drill string


2305


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2310


is removably coupled to the drill pipe


2305


by a drillpipe connection. The innerstring adapter


2310


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


2315


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, a drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2310


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


2315


by a standard threaded connection.




The innerstring adapter


2310


preferably includes a fluid passage


2385


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2380


into the fluid passage


2390


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2385


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, drilling gases or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The sealing sleeve


2315


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


2310


and the hydraulic slip body


2320


. The sealing sleeve


2315


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The sealing sleeve


2315


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2315


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low-friction surfaces.




The sealing sleeve


2315


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


2310


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connections, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connections, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2315


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


2310


by a standard threaded connection. The sealing sleeve


2315


may be coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2320


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2315


is removably coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2320


by a standard threaded connection.




The sealing sleeve


2315


preferably includes a fluid passage


2390


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2385


into the fluid passage


2395


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2315


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The hydraulic slip body


2320


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


2315


, the hydraulic slips


2325


, and the inner sealing mandrel


2330


. The hydraulic slip body


2320


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The hydraulic slip body


2320


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other high strength material. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic slip body


2320


is fabricated from carbon steel in order to optimally provide high strength at low cost.




The hydraulic slip body


2320


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


2315


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic slip body


2320


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


2315


by a standard threaded connection. The hydraulic slip body


2320


may be coupled to the slips


2325


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic slip body


2320


is removably coupled to the slips


2325


by a standard threaded connection. The hydraulic slip body


2320


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2330


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic slip body


2320


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2330


by a standard threaded connection.




The hydraulic slips body


2320


preferably includes a fluid passage


2395


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2390


into the fluid passage


2405


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2395


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The hydraulic slips body


2320


preferably includes fluid passage


2400


that are adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2395


into the pressure chambers


2420


of the hydraulic slips


2325


. In this manner, the slips


2325


are activated upon the pressurization of the fluid passage


2395


into contact with the inside surface of the casing


2375


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passages


2400


are adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The slips


2325


are coupled to the outside surface of the hydraulic slip body


2320


. During operation of the apparatus


2300


, the slips


2325


are activated upon the pressurization of the fluid passage


2395


into contact with the inside surface of the casing


2375


. In this manner, the slips


2325


maintain the casing


2375


in a substantially stationary position.




The slips


2325


preferably include the fluid passages


2400


, the pressure chambers


2420


, spring bias


2425


, and slip members


2430


. The slips


2325


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available hydraulic slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide hydraulic slips or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug with hydraulic slips. In a preferred embodiment, the slips


2325


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide hydraulic slips available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


2375


during the radial expansion process.




The inner sealing mandrel


2330


is coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2320


and the lower sealing head


2340


. The inner sealing mandrel


2330


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The inner sealing mandrel


2330


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2330


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The inner sealing mandrel


2330


may be coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2320


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2330


is removably coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2320


by a standard threaded connection. The inner sealing mandrel


2330


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


2340


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2330


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


2340


by a standard threaded connection.




The inner sealing mandrel


2330


preferably includes a fluid passage


2405


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2395


into the fluid passage


2415


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2405


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The upper sealing head


2335


is coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2345


and expansion cone


2355


. The upper sealing head


2335


is also movably coupled to the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2330


and the inner surface of the casing


2375


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2335


reciprocates in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2335


and the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2330


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2335


and the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2330


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal clearance. The radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2335


and the inner surface of the casing


2375


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2335


and the inner surface of the casing


2375


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2355


during the expansion process.




The upper sealing head


2335


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The upper sealing head


2335


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2335


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The inner surface of the upper sealing head


2335


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2435


for sealing the interface between the upper sealing head


2335


and the inner sealing mandrel


2330


. The sealing members


2435


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2435


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2335


includes a shoulder


2440


for supporting the upper sealing head on the lower sealing head


1930


.




The upper sealing head


2335


may be coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2350


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2335


is removably coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2350


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the upper sealing head


2335


and the outer sealing mandrel


2350


includes one or more sealing members


2445


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the upper sealing head


2335


and the outer sealing mandrel


2350


. The sealing members


2445


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2445


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The lower sealing head


2340


is coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2330


and the load mandrel


2345


. The lower sealing head


2340


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2350


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2335


and outer sealing mandrel


2350


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2340


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2350


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2340


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2350


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.010 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The lower sealing head


2340


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The lower sealing head


2340


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield tubular members, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2340


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The outer surface of the lower sealing head


2340


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2450


for sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


2340


and the outer sealing mandrel


2350


. The sealing members


2450


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2450


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The lower sealing head


2340


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2330


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2340


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2330


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


2340


and the inner sealing mandrel


2330


includes one or more sealing members


2455


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


2340


and the inner sealing mandrel


2330


. The sealing members


2455


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2455


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke length.




The lower sealing head


2340


may be coupled to the load mandrel


2345


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2340


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


2345


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


2340


and the load mandrel


2345


includes one or more sealing members


2460


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


2340


and the load mandrel


2345


. The sealing members


2460


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2460


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke length.




In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2340


includes a throat passage


2465


fluidicly coupled between the fluid passages


2405


and


2415


. The throat passage


2465


is preferably of reduced size and is adapted to receive and engage with a plug


2470


, or other similar device. In this manner, the fluid passage


2405


is fluidicly isolated from the fluid passage


2415


. In this manner, the pressure chamber


2475


is pressurized.




The outer sealing mandrel


2350


is coupled to the upper sealing head


2335


and the expansion cone


2355


. The outer sealing mandrel


2350


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2375


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2340


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2335


, outer sealing mandrel


2350


, and the expansion cone


2355


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2350


and the inner surface of the casing


2375


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2350


and the inner surface of the casing


2375


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2355


during the expansion process. The radial clearance between the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2350


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2340


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.375 inches, In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2350


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2340


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.010 inches in order to optimally provide minimal clearance.




The outer sealing mandrel


2350


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The outer sealing mandrel


2350


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2350


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The outer sealing mandrel


2350


may be coupled to the upper sealing head


2335


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connections, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connections, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2350


is removably coupled to the upper sealing head


2335


by a standard threaded connection. The outer sealing mandrel


2350


may be coupled to the expansion cone


2355


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2350


is removably coupled to the expansion cone


2355


by a standard threaded connection.




The upper sealing head


2335


, the lower sealing head


2340


, the inner sealing mandrel


2330


, and the outer sealing mandrel


2350


together defme a pressure chamber


2475


. The pressure chamber


2475


is fluidicly coupled to the passage


2405


via one or more passages


2410


. During operation of the apparatus


2300


, the plug


2470


engages with the throat passage


2465


to fluidicly isolate the fluid passage


2415


from the fluid passage


2405


. The pressure chamber


2475


is then pressurized which in turn causes the upper sealing head


2335


, outer sealing mandrel


2350


, and expansion cone


2355


to reciprocate in the axial direction. The axial motion of the expansion cone


2355


in turn expands the casing


2375


in the radial direction.




The load mandrel


2345


is coupled to the lower sealing head


2340


and the mechanical slip body


2360


. The load mandrel


2345


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The load mandrel


2345


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2345


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The load mandrel


2345


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


2340


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2345


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


2340


by a standard threaded connection. The load mandrel


2345


may be coupled to the mechanical slip body


2360


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2345


is removably coupled to the mechanical slip body


2360


by a standard threaded connection.




The load mandrel


2345


preferably includes a fluid passage


2415


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2405


to the region outside of the apparatus


2300


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2415


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The expansion cone


2355


is coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2350


. The expansion cone


2355


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2375


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2335


, outer sealing mandrel


2350


, and the expansion cone


2355


reciprocate in the axial direction. The reciprocation of the expansion cone


2355


causes the casing


2375


to expand in the radial direction.




The expansion cone


2355


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and conical outer surfaces. The outside radius of the outside conical surface may range, for example, from about 2 to 34 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the outside radius of the outside conical surface ranges from about 3 to 28 inches in order to optimally provide radial expansion of the typical casings. The axial length of the expansion cone


2355


may range, for example, from about 2 to 8 times the largest outside diameter of the expansion cone


2355


. In a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the expansion cone


2355


ranges from about 3 to 5 times the largest outside diameter of the expansion cone


2355


in order to optimally provide stability and centralization of the expansion cone


2355


during the expansion process. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the expansion cone


2355


ranges from about 5 to 30 degrees in order to optimally frictional forces with radial expansion forces. The optimum angle of attack of the expansion cone


2355


will vary as a function of the operating parameters of the particular expansion operation.




The expansion cone


2355


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, machine tool steel, nitride steel, titanium, tungsten carbide, ceramics or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


2355


is fabricated from D2 machine tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength, abrasion resistance, and galling resistance. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outside surface of the expansion cone


2355


has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high strength, abrasion resistance, resistance to galling.




The expansion cone


2355


may be coupled to the outside sealing mandrel


2350


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


2355


is coupled to the outside sealing mandrel


2350


using a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and permit the expansion cone


2355


to be easily replaced.




The mandrel launcher


2480


is coupled to the casing


2375


. The mandrel launcher


2480


comprises a tubular section of casing having a reduced wall thickness compared to the casing


2375


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


2480


is about 50 to 100% of the wall thickness of the casing


2375


. In this manner, the initiation of the radial expansion of the casing


2375


is facilitated, and the placement of the apparatus


2300


into a wellbore casing and wellbore is facilitated.




The mandrel launcher


2480


may be coupled to the casing


2375


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. The mandrel launcher


2480


may have a wall thickness ranging, for example, from about 0.15 to 1.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


2480


ranges from about 0.25 to 0.75 inches in order to optimally provide high strength in a minimal profile. The mandrel launcher


2480


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel launcher


2480


is fabricated from oilfield tubular goods having a higher strength than that of the casing


2375


but with a smaller wall thickness than the casing


2375


in order to optimally provide a thin walled container having approximately the same burst strength as that of the casing


2375


.




The mechanical slip body


2460


is coupled to the load mandrel


2345


, the mechanical slips


2365


, and the drag blocks


2370


. The mechanical slip body


2460


preferably comprises a tubular member having an inner passage


2485


fluidicly coupled to the passage


2415


. In this manner, fluidic materials may be conveyed from the passage


2484


to a region outside of the apparatus


2300


.




The mechanical slip body


2360


may be coupled to the load mandrel


2345


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


2360


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


2345


using threads and sliding steel retaining rings in order to optimally provide a high strength attachment. The mechanical slip body


2360


may be coupled to the mechanical slips


2365


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


2360


is removably coupled to the mechanical slips


2365


using threads and sliding steel retaining rings in order to optimally provide a high strength attachment. The mechanical slip body


2360


may be coupled to the drag blocks


2370


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


2360


is removably coupled to the drag blocks


2365


using threads and sliding steel retaining rings in order to optimally provide a high strength attachment.




The mechanical slips


2365


are coupled to the outside surface of the mechanical slip body


2360


. During operation of the apparatus


2300


, the mechanical slips


2365


prevent upward movement of the casing


2375


and mandrel launcher


2480


. In this manner, during the axial reciprocation of the expansion cone


2355


, the casing


2375


and mandrel launcher


2480


are maintained in a substantially stationary position. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


are expanded in the radial direction by the axial movement of the expansion cone


2355


.




The mechanical slips


2365


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available mechanical slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips, RTTS packer wicker type mechanical slips or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug tungsten carbide upper mechanical slips. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slips


2365


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


2375


during the expansion process.




The drag blocks


2370


are coupled to the outside surface of the mechanical slip body


2360


. During operation of the apparatus


2300


, the drag blocks


2370


prevent upward movement of the casing


2375


and mandrel launcher


2480


. In this manner, during the axial reciprocation of the expansion cone


2355


, the casing


2375


and mandrel launcher


2480


are maintained in a substantially stationary position. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


are expanded in the radial direction by the axial movement of the expansion cone


2355


.




The drag blocks


2370


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available mechanical slips such as, for example, RTTS packer mechanical drag blocks or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug drag blocks. In a preferred embodiment, the drag blocks


2370


comprise RTTS packer mechanical drag blocks available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


2375


during the expansion process.




The casing


2375


is coupled to the mandrel launcher


2480


. The casing


2375


is further removably coupled to the mechanical slips


2365


and drag blocks


2370


. The casing


2375


preferably comprises a tubular member. The casing


2375


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, slotted tubulars, oil country tubular goods, carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the casing


2375


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide high strength. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end of the casing


2375


includes one or more sealing members positioned about the exterior of the casing


2375


.




During operation, the apparatus


2300


is positioned in a wellbore with the upper end of the casing


2375


positioned in an overlapping relationship within an existing wellbore casing. In order minimize surge pressures within the borehole during placement of the apparatus


2300


, the fluid passage


2380


is preferably provided with one or more pressure relief passages. During the placement of the apparatus


2300


in the wellbore, the casing


2375


is supported by the expansion cone


2355


. After positioning of the apparatus


2300


within the bore hole in an overlapping relationship with an existing section of wellbore casing, a first fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


2380


from a surface location. The first fluidic material is conveyed from the fluid passage


2380


to the fluid passages


2385


,


2390


,


2395


,


2405


,


2415


, and


2485


. The first fluidic material will then exit the apparatus


2300


and fill the annular region between the outside of the apparatus


2300


and the interior walls of the bore hole.




The first fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, epoxy, drilling mud, slag mix, cement, or water. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material comprises a hardenable fluidic sealing material such as, for example, slag mix, epoxy, or cement. In this manner, a wellbore casing having an outer annular layer of a hardenable material may be formed.




The first fluidic material may be pumped into the apparatus


2300


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi, and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material is pumped into the apparatus


2300


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




At a predetermined point in the injection of the first fluidic material such as, for example, after the annular region outside of the apparatus


2300


has been filled to a predetermined level, a plug


2470


, dart, or other similar device is introduced into the first fluidic material. The plug


2470


lodges in the throat passage


2465


thereby fluidicly isolating the fluid passage


2405


from the fluid passage


2415


.




After placement of the plug


2470


in the throat passage


2465


, a second fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


2380


in order to pressurize the pressure chamber


2475


. The second fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, water, drilling gases, drilling mud or lubricants. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material comprises a non-hardenable fluidic material such as, for example, water, drilling mud or lubricant.




The second fluidic material may be pumped into the apparatus


2300


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 4,500 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material is pumped into the apparatus


2300


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The pressurization of the pressure chamber


2475


causes the upper sealing head


2335


, outer sealing mandrel


2350


, and expansion cone


2355


to move in an axial direction. The pressurization of the pressure chamber


2475


also causes the hydraulic slips


2325


to expand in the radial direction and hold the casing


2375


in a substantially stationary position. Furthermore, as the expansion cone


2355


moves in the axial direction, the expansion cone


2355


pulls the mandrel launcher


2480


and drag blocks


2370


along, which sets the mechanical slips


2365


and stops further axial movement of the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


. In this manner, the axial movement of the expansion cone


2355


radially expands the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


.




Once the upper sealing head


2335


, outer sealing mandrel


2350


, and expansion cone


2355


complete an axial stroke, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced. The reduction in the operating pressure of the second fluidic material releases the hydraulic slips


2325


. The drill string


2305


is then raised. This causes the inner sealing mandrel


2330


, lower sealing head


2340


, load mandrel


2345


, and mechanical slip body


2360


to move upward. This unsets the mechanical slips


2365


and permits the mechanical slips


2365


and drag blocks


2370


to be moved within the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


. When the lower sealing head


2340


contacts the upper sealing head


2335


, the second fluidic material is again pressurized and the radial expansion process continues. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


are radial expanded through repeated axial strokes of the upper sealing head


2335


, outer sealing mandrel


2350


and expansion cone


2355


. Throughput the radial expansion process, the upper end of the casing


2375


is preferably maintained in an overlapping relation with an existing section of wellbore casing.




At the end of the radial expansion process, the upper end of the casing


2375


is expanded into intimate contact with the inside surface of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members provided at the upper end of the casing


2375


provide a fluidic seal between the outside surface of the upper end of the casing


2375


and the inside surface of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the casing


2375


and the existing section of wellbore casing ranges from about 400 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally provide contact pressure, activate the sealing members, and withstand typical tensile and compressive loading conditions.




In a preferred embodiment, as the expansion cone


2355


nears the upper end of the casing


2375


, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced in order to minimize shock to the apparatus


2300


. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


2300


includes a shock absorber for absorbing the shock created by the completion of the radial expansion of the casing


2375


.




In a preferred embodiment, the reduced operating pressure of the second fluidic material ranges from about


100


to 1,000 psi as the expansion cone


2355


nears the end of the casing


2375


in order to optimally provide reduced axial movement and velocity of the expansion cone


2355


. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced during the return stroke of the apparatus


2300


to the range of about 0 to 500 psi in order minimize the resistance to the movement of the expansion cone


2355


during the return stroke. In a preferred embodiment, the stroke length of the apparatus


2300


ranges from about 10 to 45 feet in order to optimally provide equipment that can be handled by typical oil well rigging equipment and minimize the frequency at which the expansion cone


2355


must be stopped to permit the apparatus


2300


to be re-stroked.




In an alternative embodiment, at least a portion of the upper sealing head


2335


includes an expansion cone for radially expanding the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


during operation of the apparatus


2300


in order to increase the surface area of the casing


2375


acted upon during the radial expansion process. In this manner, the operating pressures can be reduced.




In an alternative embodiment, mechanical slips


2365


are positioned in an axial location between the sealing sleeve


2315


and the inner sealing mandrel


2330


in order to optimally the construction and operation of the apparatus


2300


.




Upon the complete radial expansion of the casing


2375


, if applicable, the first fluidic material is permitted to cure within the annular region between the outside of the expanded casing


2375


and the interior walls of the wellbore. In the case where the casing


2375


is slotted, the cured fluidic material preferably permeates and envelops the expanded casing


2375


. In this manner, a new section of wellbore casing is formed within a wellbore. Alternatively, the apparatus


2300


may be used to join a first section of pipeline to an existing section of pipeline. Alternatively, the apparatus


2300


may be used to directly line the interior of a wellbore with a casing, without the use of an outer annular layer of a hardenable material. Alternatively, the apparatus


2300


may be used to expand a tubular support member in a hole.




During the radial expansion process, the pressurized areas of the apparatus


2300


are limited to the fluid passages


2380


,


2385


,


2390


,


2395


,


2400


,


2405


, and


2410


, and the pressure chamber


2475


. No fluid pressure acts directly on the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


. This permits the use of operating pressures higher than the mandrel launcher


2480


and casing


2375


could normally withstand.




Referring now to

FIG. 18

, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus


2500


for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing will be described. The apparatus


2500


preferably includes a drillpipe


2505


, an innerstring adapter


2510


, a sealing sleeve


2515


, a hydraulic slip body


2520


, hydraulic slips


2525


, an inner sealing mandrel


2530


, upper sealing head


2535


, lower sealing head


2540


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


, load mandrel


2550


, expansion cone


2555


, casing


2560


, and fluid passages


2565


,


2570


,


2575


,


2580


,


2585


,


2590


,


2595


, and


2600


.




The drillpipe


2505


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


2510


. During operation of the apparatus


2500


, the drillpipe


2505


supports the apparatus


2500


. The drillpipe


2505


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The drillpipe


2505


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


2505


is fabricated from coiled tubing in order to faciliate the placement of the apparatus


2500


in non-vertical wellbores. The drillpipe


2505


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


2510


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


2505


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


2510


by a drillpipe connection a drillpipe connection provides the advantages of high strength and easy disassembly.




The drillpipe


2505


preferably includes a fluid passage


2565


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from a surface location into the fluid passage


2570


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2565


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The innerstring adapter


2510


is coupled to the drill string


2505


and the sealing sleeve


2515


. The innerstring adapter


2510


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The innerstring adapter


2510


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2510


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The innerstring adapter


2510


may be coupled to the drill string


2505


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2510


is removably coupled to the drill pipe


2505


by a drillpipe connection. The innerstring adapter


2510


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


2515


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2510


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


2515


by a standard threaded connection.




The innerstring adapter


2510


preferably includes a fluid passage


2570


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2565


into the fluid passage


2575


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2570


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The sealing sleeve


2515


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


2510


and the hydraulic slip body


2520


. The sealing sleeve


2515


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The sealing sleeve


2515


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2515


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low-friction surfaces.




The sealing sleeve


2515


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


2510


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connections, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2515


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


2510


by a standard threaded connection. The sealing sleeve


2515


may be coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2520


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2515


is removably coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2520


by a standard threaded connection.




The sealing sleeve


2515


preferably includes a fluid passage


2575


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2570


into the fluid passage


2580


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2575


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The hydraulic slip body


2520


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


2515


, the hydraulic slips


2525


, and the inner sealing mandrel


2530


. The hydraulic slip body


2520


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The hydraulic slip body


2520


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic slip body


2520


is fabricated from carbon steel in order to optimally provide high strength.




The hydraulic slip body


2520


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


2515


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic slip body


2520


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


2515


by a standard threaded connection. The hydraulic slip body


2520


may be coupled to the slips


2525


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, threaded connection or welding. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic slip body


2520


is removably coupled to the slips


2525


by a threaded connection. The hydraulic slip body


2520


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2530


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic slip body


2520


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2530


by a standard threaded connection.




The hydraulic slips body


2520


preferably includes a fluid passage


2580


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2575


into the fluid passage


2590


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2580


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The hydraulic slips body


2520


preferably includes fluid passages


2585


that are adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2580


into the pressure chambers of the hydraulic slips


2525


. In this manner, the slips


2525


are activated upon the pressurization of the fluid passage


2580


into contact with the inside surface of the casing


2560


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passages


2585


are adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The slips


2525


are coupled to the outside surface of the hydraulic slip body


2520


. During operation of the apparatus


2500


, the slips


2525


are activated upon the pressurization of the fluid passage


2580


into contact with the inside surface of the casing


2560


. In this manner, the slips


2525


maintain the casing


2560


in a substantially stationary position.




The slips


2525


preferably include the fluid passages


2585


, the pressure chambers


2605


, spring bias


2610


, and slip members


2615


. The slips


2525


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available hydraulic slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide hydraulic slips or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug with hydraulic slips. In a preferred embodiment, the slips


2525


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide hydraulic slips available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


2560


during the expansion process.




The inner sealing mandrel


2530


is coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2520


and the lower sealing head


2540


. The inner sealing mandrel


2530


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The inner sealing mandrel


2530


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2530


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The inner sealing mandrel


2530


may be coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2520


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2530


is removably coupled to the hydraulic slip body


2520


by a standard threaded connection. The inner sealing mandrel


2530


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


2540


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, drillpipe connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing mandrel


2530


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


2540


by a standard threaded connection.




The inner sealing mandrel


2530


preferably includes a fluid passage


2590


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2580


into the fluid passage


2600


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2590


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The upper sealing head


2535


is coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2545


and expansion cone


2555


. The upper sealing head


2535


is also movably coupled to the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2530


and the inner surface of the casing


2560


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2535


reciprocates in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2535


and the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2530


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2535


and the outer surface of the inner sealing mandrel


2530


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance. The radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2535


and the inner surface of the casing


2560


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the upper sealing head


2535


and the inner surface of the casing


2560


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2535


during the expansion process.




The upper sealing head


2535


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The upper sealing head


2535


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, ow alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2535


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The inner surface of the upper sealing head


2535


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2620


for sealing the interface between the upper sealing head


2535


and the inner sealing mandrel


2530


. The sealing members


2620


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2620


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2535


includes a shoulder


2625


for supporting the upper sealing head


2535


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


, and expansion cone


2555


on the lower sealing head


2540


.




The upper sealing head


2535


may be coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2545


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, pipeline connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the upper sealing head


2535


is removably coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2545


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the upper sealing head


2535


and the outer sealing mandrel


2545


includes one or more sealing members


2630


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the upper sealing head


2535


and the outer sealing mandrel


2545


. The sealing members


2630


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2630


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The lower sealing head


2540


is coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2530


and the load mandrel


2550


. The lower sealing head


2540


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2545


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2535


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


, and expansion cone


2555


reciprocate in the axial direction.




The radial clearance between the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2540


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2545


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2540


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2545


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The lower sealing head


2540


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The lower sealing head


2540


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2540


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The outer surface of the lower sealing head


2540


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2635


for sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


2540


and the outer sealing mandrel


2545


. The sealing members


2635


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2635


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The lower sealing head


2540


may be coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2530


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connections, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2540


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2530


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


2540


and the inner sealing mandrel


2530


includes one or more sealing members


2640


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


2540


and the inner sealing mandrel


2530


. The sealing members


2640


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2640


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The lower sealing head


2540


may be coupled to the load mandrel


2550


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2540


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


2550


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


2540


and the load mandrel


2550


includes one or more sealing members


2645


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the lower sealing head


2540


and the load mandrel


2550


. The sealing members


2645


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2645


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2540


includes a throat passage


2650


fluidicly coupled between the fluid passages


2590


and


2600


. The throat passage


2650


is preferably of reduced size and is adapted to receive and engage with a plug


2655


, or other similar device. In this manner, the fluid passage


2590


is fluidicly isolated from the fluid passage


2600


. In this manner, the pressure chamber


2660


is pressurized.




The outer sealing mandrel


2545


is coupled to the upper sealing head


2535


and the expansion cone


2555


. The outer sealing mandrel


2545


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2560


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2540


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2535


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


, and the expansion cone


2555


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2545


and the inner surface of the casing


2560


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2545


and the inner surface of the casing


2560


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2535


during the expansion process. The radial clearance between the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2545


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2540


may range, for example, from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


2545


and the outer surface of the lower sealing head


2540


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The outer sealing mandrel


2545


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The outer sealing mandrel


2545


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2545


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The outer sealing mandrel


2545


may be coupled to the upper sealing head


2585


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2545


is removably coupled to the upper sealing head


2535


by a standard threaded connection. The outer sealing mandrel


2545


may be coupled to the expansion cone


2555


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


2545


is removably coupled to the expansion cone


2555


by a standard threaded connection.




The upper sealing head


2535


, the lower sealing head


2540


, the inner sealing mandrel


2530


, and the outer sealing mandrel


2545


together define a pressure chamber


2660


. The pressure chamber


2660


is fluidicly coupled to the passage


2590


via one or more passages


2595


. During operation of the apparatus


2500


, the plug


2655


engages with the throat passage


2650


to fluidicly isolate the fluid passage


2590


from the fluid passage


2600


. The pressure chamber


2660


is then pressurized which in turn causes the upper sealing head


2535


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


, and expansion cone


2555


to reciprocate in the axial direction. The axial motion of the expansion cone


2555


in turn expands the casing


2560


in the radial direction.




The load mandrel


2550


is coupled to the lower sealing head


2540


. The load mandrel


2550


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The load mandrel


2550


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2550


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The load mandrel


2550


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


2540


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, drillpipe connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2550


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


2540


by a standard threaded connection.




The load mandrel


2550


preferably includes a fluid passage


2600


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2590


to the region outside of the apparatus


2500


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2600


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The expansion cone


2555


is coupled to the outer sealing mandrel


2545


. The expansion cone


2555


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2560


. In this manner, the upper sealing head


2535


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


, and the expansion cone


2555


reciprocate in the axial direction. The reciprocation of the expansion cone


2555


causes the casing


2560


to expand in the radial direction.




The expansion cone


2555


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and conical outer surfaces. The outside radius of the outside conical surface may range, for example, from about 2 to 34 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the outside radius of the outside conical surface ranges from about 3 to 28 in order to optimally provide radial expansion for the widest variety of tubular casings. The axial length of the expansion cone


2555


may range, for example, from about 2 to 8 times the largest outside diameter of the expansion cone


2535


. In a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the expansion cone


2535


ranges from about 3 to 5 times the largest outside diameter of the expansion cone


2535


in order to optimally provide stabilization and centralization of the expansion cone


2535


during the expansion process. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the maximum outside diameter of the expansion cone


2555


is between about 95 to 99% of the inside diameter of the existing wellbore that the casing


2560


will be joined with. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the expansion cone


2555


ranges from about 5 to 30 degrees in order to optimally balance frictional forces and radial expansion forces. The optimum angle of attack of the expansion cone


2535


will vary as a function of the particular operational features of the expansion operation.




The expansion cone


2555


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, machine tool steel, nitride steel, titanium, tungsten carbide, ceramics or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


2555


is fabricated from D2 machine tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength, and resistance to wear and galling. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outside surface of the expansion cone


2555


has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high strength and wear resistance.




The expansion cone


2555


may be coupled to the outside sealing mandrel


2545


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


2555


is coupled to the outside sealing mandrel


2545


using a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and easy replacement of the expansion cone


2555


.




The casing


2560


is removably coupled to the slips


2525


and expansion cone


2555


. The casing


2560


preferably comprises a tubular member. The casing


2560


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, slotted tubulars, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the casing


2560


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide high strength using standardized materials.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper end


2665


of the casing


2560


includes a thin wall section


2670


and an outer annular sealing member


2675


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the thin wall section


2670


is about 50 to 100% of the regular wall thickness of the casing


2560


. In this manner, the upper end


2665


of the casing


2560


may be easily radially expanded and deformed into intimate contact with the lower end of an existing section of wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the lower end of the existing section of casing also includes a thin wall section. In this manner, the radial expansion of the thin walled section


2670


of casing


2560


into the thin walled section of the existing wellbore casing results in a wellbore casing having a substantially constant inside diameter.




The annular sealing member


2675


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available sealing materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, metal, or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the annular sealing member


2675


is fabricated from StrataLock epoxy in order to optimally provide compressibility and resistance to wear. The outside diameter of the annular sealing member


2675


preferably ranges from about 70 to 95% of the inside diameter of the lower section of the wellbore casing that the casing


2560


is joined to. In this manner, after radial expansion, the annular sealing member


2670


optimally provides a fluidic seal and also preferably optimally provides sufficient frictional force with the inside surface of the existing section of wellbore casing during the radial expansion of the casing


2560


to support the casing


2560


.




In a preferred embodiment, the lower end


2680


of the casing


2560


includes a thin wall section


2685


and an outer annular sealing member


2690


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the thin wall section


2685


is about 50 to 100% of the regular wall thickness of the casing


2560


. In this manner, the lower end


2680


of the casing


2560


may be easily expanded and deformed. Furthermore, in this manner, an other section of casing may be easily joined with the lower end


2680


of the casing


2560


using a radial expansion process. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end of the other section of casing also includes a thin wall section. In this manner, the radial expansion of the thin walled section of the upper end of the other casing into the thin walled section


2685


of the lower end


2680


of the casing


2560


results in a wellbore casing having a substantially constant inside diameter.




The annular sealing member


2690


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available sealing materials such as, for example, rubber, metal, plastic or epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the annular sealing member


2690


is fabricated from StrataLock epoxy in order to optimally provide compressibility and resistance to wear. The outside diameter of the annular sealing member


2690


preferably ranges from about 70 to 95% of the inside diameter of the lower section of the existing wellbore casing that the casing


2560


is joined to. In this manner, after radial expansion, the annular sealing member


2690


preferably provides a fluidic seal and also preferably provides sufficient frictional force with the inside wall of the wellbore during the radial expansion of the casing


2560


to support the casing


2560


.




During operation, the apparatus


2500


is preferably positioned in a wellbore with the upper end


2665


of the casing


2560


positioned in an overlapping relationship with the lower end of an existing wellbore casing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thin wall section


2670


of the casing


2560


is positioned in opposing overlapping relation with the thin wall section and outer annular sealing member of the lower end of the existing section of wellbore casing. In this manner, the radial expansion of the casing


2560


will compress the thin wall sections and annular compressible members of the upper end


2665


of the casing


2560


and the lower end of the existing wellbore casing into intimate contact. During the positioning of the apparatus


2500


in the wellbore, the casing


2560


is supported by the expansion cone


2555


.




After positioning of the apparatus


2500


, a first fluidic material is then pumped into the fluid passage


2565


. The first fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, cement, water, slag-mix, epoxy or drilling mud. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material comprises a hardenable fluidic sealing material such as, for example, cement, epoxy, or slag-mix in order to optimally provide a hardenable outer annular body around the expanded casing


2560


.




The first fluidic material may be pumped into the fluid passage


2565


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


2565


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The first fluidic material pumped into the fluid passage


2565


passes through the fluid passages


2570


,


2575


,


2580


,


2590


,


2600


and then outside of the apparatus


2500


. The first fluidic material then preferably fills the annular region between the outside of the apparatus


2500


and the interior walls of the wellbore.




The plug


2655


is then introduced into the fluid passage


2565


. The plug


2655


lodges in the throat passage


2650


and fluidicly isolates and blocks off the fluid passage


2590


. In a preferred embodiment, a couple of volumes of a non-hardenable fluidic material are then pumped into the fluid passage


2565


in order to remove any hardenable fluidic material contained within and to ensure that none of the fluid passages are blocked.




A second fluidic material is then pumped into the fluid passage


2565


. The second fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, water, drilling gases, drilling mud or lubricant. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material comprises a non-hardenable fluidic material such as, for example, water, drilling mud, or lubricant in order to optimally provide pressurization of the pressure chamber


2660


and minimize friction.




The second fluidic material may be pumped into the fluid passage


2565


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 4,500 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


2565


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The second fluidic material pumped into the fluid passage


2565


passes through the fluid passages


2570


,


2575


,


2580


,


2590


and into the pressure chambers


2605


of the slips


2525


, and into the pressure chamber


2660


. Continued pumping of the second fluidic material pressurizes the pressure chambers


2605


and


2660


.




The pressurization of the pressure chambers


2605


causes the slip members


2525


to expand in the radial direction and grip the interior surface of the casing


2560


. The casing


2560


is then preferably maintained in a substantially stationary position.




The pressurization of the pressure chamber


2660


causes the upper sealing head


2535


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


and expansion cone


2555


to move in an axial direction relative to the casing


2560


. In this manner, the expansion cone


2555


will cause the casing


2560


to expand in the radial direction, beginning with the lower end


2685


of the casing


2560


.




During the radial expansion process, the casing


2560


is prevented from moving in an upward direction by the slips


2525


. A length of the casing


2560


is then expanded in the radial direction through the pressurization of the pressure chamber


2660


. The length of the casing


2560


that is expanded during the expansion process will be proportional to the stroke length of the upper sealing head


2535


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


, and expansion cone


2555


.




Upon the completion of a stroke, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced and the upper sealing head


2535


, outer sealing mandrel


2545


, and expansion cone


2555


drop to their rest positions with the casing


2560


supported by the expansion cone


2555


. The position of the drillpipe


2505


is preferably adjusted throughout the radial expansion process in order to maintain the overlapping relationship between the thin walled sections of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing and the upper end of the casing


2560


. In a preferred embodiment, the stroking of the expansion cone


2555


is then repeated, as necessary, until the thin walled section


2670


of the upper end


2665


of the casing


2560


is expanded into the thin walled section of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In this manner, a wellbore casing is formed including two adjacent sections of casing having a substantially constant inside diameter. This process may then be repeated for the entirety of the wellbore to provide a wellbore casing thousands of feet in length having a substantially constant inside diameter.




In a preferred embodiment, during the final stroke of the expansion cone


2555


, the slips


2525


are positioned as close as possible to the thin walled section


2670


of the upper end


2665


of the casing


2560


in order minimize slippage between the casing


2560


and the existing wellbore casing at the end of the radial expansion process. Alternatively, or in addition, the outside diameter of the annular sealing member


2675


is selected to ensure sufficient interference fit with the inside diameter of the lower end of the existing casing to prevent axial displacement of the casing


2560


during the final stroke. Alternatively, or in addition, the outside diameter of the annular sealing member


2690


is selected to provide an interference fit with the inside walls of the wellbore at an earlier point in the radial expansion process so as to prevent further axial displacement of the casing


2560


. In this final alternative, the interference fit is preferably selected to permit expansion of the casing


2560


by pulling the expansion cone


2555


out of the wellbore, without having to pressurize the pressure chamber


2660


.




During the radial expansion process, the pressurized areas of the apparatus


2500


are preferably limited to the fluid passages


2565


,


2570


,


2575


,


2580


, and


2590


, the pressure chambers


2605


within the slips


2525


, and the pressure chamber


2660


. No fluid pressure acts directly on the casing


2560


. This permits the use of operating pressures higher than the casing


2560


could normally withstand.




Once the casing


2560


has been completely expanded off of the expansion cone


2555


, the remaining portions of the apparatus


2500


are removed from the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the deformed thin wall sections and compressible annular members of the lower end of the existing casing and the upper end


2665


of the casing


2560


ranges from about 400 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally support the casing


2560


using the existing wellbore casing.




In this manner, the casing


2560


is radially expanded into contact with an existing section of casing by pressurizing the interior fluid passages


2565


,


2570


,


2575


,


2580


, and


2590


, the pressure chambers of the slips


2605


and the pressure chamber


2660


of the apparatus


2500


.




In a preferred embodiment, as required, the annular body of hardenable fluidic material is then allowed to cure to form a rigid outer annular body about the expanded casing


2560


. In the case where the casing


2560


is slotted, the cured fluidic material preferably permeates and envelops the expanded casing


2560


. The resulting new section of wellbore casing includes the expanded casing


2560


and the rigid outer annular body. The overlapping joint between the pre-existing wellbore casing and the expanded casing


2560


includes the deformed thin wall sections and the compressible outer annular bodies. The inner diameter of the resulting combined wellbore casings is substantially constant. In this manner, a mono-diameter wellbore casing is formed. This process of expanding overlapping tubular members having thin wall end portions with compressible annular bodies into contact can be repeated for the entire length of a wellbore. In this manner, a mono-diameter wellbore casing can be provided for thousands of feet in a subterranean formation.




In a preferred embodiment, as the expansion cone


2555


nears the upper end


2665


of the casing


2560


, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced in order to minimize shock to the apparatus


2500


. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


2500


includes a shock absorber for absorbing the shock created by the completion of the radial expansion of the casing


2560


.




In a preferred embodiment, the reduced operating pressure of the second fluidic material ranges from about 100 to 1,000 psi as the expansion cone


2555


nears the end of the casing


2560


in order to optimally provide reduced axial movement a velocity of the expansion cone


2555


. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced during the return stroke of the apparatus


2


500 to the range of about 0 to 500 psi in order minimize the resistance to the movement of the expansion cone


2555


during the return stroke. In a preferred embodiment, the stroke length of the apparatus


2500


ranges from about 10 to 45 feet in order to optimally provide equipments lengths that can be easily handled using typical oil well rigging equipment and also minimize the frequency at which apparatus


2500


must be re-stroked.




In an alternative embodiment, at least a portion of the upper sealing head


2535


includes an expansion cone for radially expanding the casing


2560


during operation of the apparatus


2500


in order to increase the surface area of the casing


2560


acted upon during the radial expansion process. In this manner, the operating pressures can be reduced.




Alternatively, the apparatus


2500


may be used to join a first section of pipeline to an existing section of pipeline. Alternatively, the apparatus


2500


may be used to directly line the interior of a wellbore with a casing, without the use of an outer annular layer of a hardenable material. Alternatively, the apparatus


2500


may be used to expand a tubular support member in a hole.




Referring now to

FIGS. 19

,


19




a


and


19




b


, another embodiment of an apparatus


2700


for expanding a tubular member will be described. The apparatus


2700


preferably includes a drillpipe


2705


, an innerstring adapter


2710


, a sealing sleeve


2715


, a first inner sealing mandrel


2720


, a first upper sealing head


2725


, a first lower sealing head


2730


, a first outer sealing mandrel


2735


, a second inner sealing mandrel


2740


, a second upper sealing head


2745


, a second lower sealing head


2750


, a second outer sealing mandrel


2755


, a load mandrel


2760


, an expansion cone


2765


, a mandrel launcher


2770


, a mechanical slip body


2775


, mechanical slips


2780


, drag blocks


2785


, casing


2790


, and fluid passages


2795


,


2800


,


2805


,


2810


,


2815


,


2820


,


2825


, and


2830


.




The drillpipe


2705


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


2710


. During operation of the apparatus


2700


, the drillpipe


2705


supports the apparatus


2700


. The drillpipe


2705


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The drillpipe


2705


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


2705


is fabricated from coiled tubing in order to facilitate the placement of the apparatus


2700


in non-vertical wellbores. The drillpipe


2705


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


2710


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


2705


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


2710


by a drillpipe connection in order to optimally provide high strength and easy disassembly.




The drillpipe


2705


preferably includes a fluid passage


2795


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from a surface location into the fluid passage


2800


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2795


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The innerstring adapter


2710


is coupled to the drill string


2705


and the sealing sleeve


2715


. The innerstring adapter


2710


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The innerstring adapter


2710


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2710


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The innerstring adapter


2710


may be coupled to the drill string


2705


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2710


is removably coupled to the drill pipe


2705


by a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and easy disassembly. The innerstring adapter


2710


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


2715


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


2710


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


2715


by a standard threaded connection.




The innerstring adapter


2710


preferably includes a fluid passage


2800


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2795


into the fluid passage


2805


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2800


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The sealing sleeve


2715


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


2710


and the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


. The sealing sleeve


2715


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The sealing sleeve


2715


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2715


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The sealing sleeve


2715


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


2710


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2715


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


2710


by a standard threaded connector. The sealing sleeve


2715


may be coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


2715


is removably coupled to the inner sealing mandrel


2720


by a standard threaded connection.




The sealing sleeve


2715


preferably includes a fluid passage


2802


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2800


into the fluid passage


2805


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2802


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The first inner sealing mandrel


2720


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


2715


and the first lower sealing head


2730


. The first inner sealing mandrel


2720


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The first inner sealing mandrel


2720


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The first inner sealing mandrel


2720


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


2715


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a referred embodiment, the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


2715


by a standard threaded connection. The first inner sealing mandrel


2720


may be coupled to the first lower sealing head


2730


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


is removably coupled to the first lower sealing head


2730


by a standard threaded connection.




The first inner sealing mandrel


2720


preferably includes a fluid passage


2805


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2802


into the fluid passage


2810


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2805


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The first upper sealing head


2725


is coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


, the second upper sealing head


2745


, the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


, and the expansion cone


2765


. The first upper sealing head


2725


is also movably coupled to the outer surface of the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


2725


reciprocates in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the first upper sealing head


2725


and the outer surface of the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the first upper sealing head


2725


and the outer surface of the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance. The radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the first upper sealing head


2725


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the first upper sealing head


2725


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2765


during the expansion process.




The first upper sealing head


2725


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The first upper sealing head


2725


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the first upper sealing head


2725


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance and low friction surfaces. The inner surface of the first upper sealing head


2725


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2835


for sealing the interface between the first upper sealing head


2725


and the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


. The sealing members


2835


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2835


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




In a preferred embodiment, the first upper sealing head


2725


includes a shoulder


2840


for supporting the first upper sealing head


2725


on the first lower sealing head


2730


.




The first upper sealing head


2725


may be coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first upper sealing head


2725


is removably coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the first upper sealing head


2725


and the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


includes one or more sealing members


2845


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the first upper sealing head


2725


and the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


. The sealing members


2845


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2845


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The first lower sealing head


2730


is coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


and the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


. The first lower sealing head


2730


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


2725


and first outer sealing mandrel


2735


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


2730


and the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


2730


and the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The first lower sealing head


2730


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The first lower sealing head


2730


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the first lower sealing head


2730


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The outer surface of the first lower sealing head


2730


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2850


for sealing the interface between the first lower sealing head


2730


and the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


. The sealing members


2850


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2850


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The first lower sealing head


2730


may be coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connections, welding, amorphous bonding, or standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first lower sealing head


2730


is removably coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the first lower sealing head


2730


and the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


includes one or more sealing members


2855


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the first lower sealing head


2730


and the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


. The sealing members


2855


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2855


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The first lower sealing head


2730


may be coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the lower sealing head


2730


is removably coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the first lower sealing head


2730


and the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


includes one or more sealing members


2860


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the first lower sealing head


2730


and the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


. The sealing members


2860


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2860


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The first outer sealing mandrel


2735


is coupled to the first upper sealing head


2725


, the second upper sealing head


2745


, the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


, and the expansion cone


2765


. The first outer sealing mandrel


2735


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2790


and the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


2730


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


2725


, first outer sealing mandrel


2735


, second upper sealing head


2745


, second outer sealing mandrel


2755


, and the expansion cone


2765


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2765


during the expansion process. The radial clearance between the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


and the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


2730


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


and the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


2730


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The outer sealing mandrel


1935


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The first outer sealing mandrel


2735


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The first outer sealing mandrel


2735


may be coupled to the first upper sealing head


2725


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


is removably coupled to the first upper sealing head


2725


by a standard threaded connection. The first outer sealing mandrel


2735


may be coupled to the second upper sealing head


2745


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


is removably coupled to the second upper sealing head


2745


by a standard threaded connection.




The second inner sealing mandrel


2740


is coupled to the first lower sealing head


2730


and the second lower sealing head


2750


. The second inner sealing mandrel


2740


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The second inner sealing mandrel


2740


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The second inner sealing mandrel


2740


may be coupled to the first lower sealing head


2730


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


is removably coupled to the first lower sealing head


2740


by a standard threaded connection. The mechanical coupling between the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


and the first lower sealing head


2730


preferably includes sealing members


2860


.




The second inner sealing mandrel


2740


may be coupled to the second lower sealing head


2750


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, welding, amorphous bonding, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second inner sealing mandrel


2720


is removably coupled to the second lower sealing head


2750


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


and the second lower sealing head


2750


includes one or more sealing members


2865


. The sealing members


2865


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2865


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals.




The second inner sealing mandrel


2740


preferably includes a fluid passage


2810


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2805


into the fluid passage


2815


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2810


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The second upper sealing head


2745


is coupled to the first upper sealing head


2725


, the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


, the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


, and the expansion cone


2765


. The second upper sealing head


2745


is also movably coupled to the outer surface of the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


. In this manner, the second upper sealing head


2745


reciprocates in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the second upper sealing head


2745


and the outer surface of the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the second upper sealing head


2745


and the outer surface of the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance. The radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the second upper sealing head


2745


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the second upper sealing head


2745


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2765


during the expansion process.




The second upper sealing head


2745


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The second upper sealing head


2745


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second upper sealing head


2745


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The inner surface of the second upper sealing head


2745


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2870


for sealing the interface between the second upper sealing head


2745


and the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


. The sealing members


2870


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2870


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




In a preferred embodiment, the second upper sealing head


2745


includes a shoulder


2875


for supporting the second upper sealing head


2745


on the second lower sealing head


2750


.




The second upper sealing head


2745


may be coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second upper sealing head


2745


is removably coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the second upper sealing head


2745


and the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


includes one or more sealing members


2880


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the second upper sealing head


2745


and the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


. The sealing members


2880


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2880


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The second upper sealing head


2745


may be coupled to the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second upper sealing head


2745


is removably coupled to the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the second upper sealing head


2745


and the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


includes one or more sealing members


2885


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the second upper sealing head


2745


and the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


. The sealing members


2885


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2885


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The second lower sealing head


2750


is coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


and the load mandrel


2760


. The second lower sealing head


2750


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


2725


, the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


, second upper sealing head


2745


, second outer sealing mandrel


2755


, and the expansion cone


2765


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


2750


and the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


2750


and the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The second lower sealing head


2750


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The second lower sealing head


2750


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second lower sealing head


2750


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The outer surface of the second lower sealing head


2750


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


2890


for sealing the interface between the second lower sealing head


2750


and the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


. The sealing members


2890


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2890


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The second lower sealing head


2750


may be coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second lower sealing head


2750


is removably coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the second lower sealing head


2750


and the second inner sealing mandrel


2740


includes one or more sealing members


2895


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the second sealing head


2750


and the second sealing mandrel


2740


. The sealing members


2895


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2895


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The second lower sealing head


2750


may be coupled to the load mandrel


2760


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield tubular goods specialty threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second lower sealing head


2750


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


2760


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the second lower sealing head


2750


and the load mandrel


2760


includes one or more sealing members


2900


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the second lower sealing head


2750


and the load mandrel


2760


. The sealing members


2900


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


2900


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




In a preferred embodiment, the second lower sealing head


2750


includes a throat passage


2905


fluidicly coupled between the fluid passages


2810


and


2815


. The throat passage


2905


is preferably of reduced size and is adapted to receive and engage with a plug


2910


, or other similar device. In this manner, the fluid passage


2810


is fluidicly isolated from the fluid passage


2815


. In this manner, the pressure chambers


2915


and


2920


are pressurized. The use of a plurality of pressure chambers in the apparatus


2700


permits the effective driving force to be multiplied. While illustrated using a pair of pressure chambers,


2915


and


2920


, the apparatus


2700


may be further modified to employ additional pressure chambers.




The second outer sealing mandrel


2755


is coupled to the first upper sealing head


2725


, the first outer sealing mandrel


2735


, the second upper sealing head


2745


, and the expansion cone


2765


. The second outer sealing mandrel


2755


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2790


and the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


2750


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


2725


, first outer sealing mandrel


2735


, second upper sealing head


2745


, second outer sealing mandrel


2755


, and the expansion cone


2765


reciprocate in the axial direction.




The radial clearance between the outer surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


and the inner surface of the casing


2790


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


2765


during the expansion process. The radial clearance between the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


and the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


2750


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


and the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


2750


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The second outer sealing mandrel


2755


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The second outer sealing mandrel


2755


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The second outer sealing mandrel


2755


may be coupled to the second upper sealing head


2745


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


is removably coupled to the second upper sealing head


2745


by a standard threaded connection. The second outer sealing mandrel


2755


may be coupled to the expansion cone


2765


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


is removably coupled to the expansion cone


2765


by a standard threaded connection.




The load mandrel


2760


is coupled to the second lower sealing head


2750


and the mechanical slip body


2755


. The load mandrel


2760


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The load mandrel


2760


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2760


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The load mandrel


2760


may be coupled to the second lower sealing head


2750


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2760


is removably coupled to the second lower sealing head


2750


by a standard threaded connection. The load mandrel


2760


may be coupled to the mechanical slip body


2775


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


2760


is removably coupled to the mechanical slip body


2775


by a standard threaded connection.




The load mandrel


2760


preferably includes a fluid passage


2815


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2810


to the fluid passage


2820


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2815


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The expansion cone


2765


is coupled to the second outer sealing mandrel


2755


. The expansion cone


2765


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


2790


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


2725


, first outer sealing mandrel


2735


, second upper sealing head


2745


, second outer sealing mandrel


2755


, and the expansion cone


2765


reciprocate in the axial direction. The reciprocation of the expansion cone


2765


causes the casing


2790


to expand in the radial direction.




The expansion cone


2765


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and conical outer surfaces. The outside radius of the outside conical surface may range, for example, from about 2 to 34 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the outside radius of the outside conical surface ranges from about 3 to 28 inches in order to optimally provide expansion cone dimensions that accommodate the typical range of casings. The axial length of the expansion cone


2765


may range, for example, from about 2 to 8 times the largest outer diameter of the expansion cone


2765


. In a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the expansion cone


2765


ranges from about 3 to 5 times the largest outer diameter of the expansion cone


2765


in order to optimally provide stabilization and centralization of the expansion cone


2765


. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the expansion cone


2765


ranges from about 5 to 30 degrees in order to optimally balance frictional forces and radial expansion forces.




The expansion cone


2765


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, machine tool steel, nitride steel, titanium,. tungsten carbide, ceramics or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


2765


is fabricated from D2 machine tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength and resistance to corrosion and galling. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outside surface of the expansion cone


2765


has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high strength and resistance to wear and galling.




The expansion cone


2765


may be coupled to the second outside sealing mandrel


2765


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


2765


is coupled to the second outside sealing mandrel


2765


using a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and easy replacement of the expansion cone


2765


.




The mandrel launcher


2770


is coupled to the casing


2790


. The mandrel launcher


2770


comprises a tubular section of casing having a reduced wall thickness compared to the casing


2790


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


2770


is about 50 to 100% of the wall thickness of the casing


2790


. The wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


2770


may range, for example, from about 0.15 to 1.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


2770


ranges from about 0.25 to 0.75 inches. In this manner, the initiation of the radial expansion of the casing


2790


is facilitated, the placement of the apparatus


2700


within a wellbore casing and wellbore is facilitated, and the mandrel launcher


2770


has a burst strength approximately equal to that of the casing


2790


.




The mandrel launcher


2770


may be coupled to the casing


2790


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings such as, for example, a standard threaded connection. The mandrel launcher


2770


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel launcher


2770


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods of higher strength than that of the casing


2790


but with a reduced wall thickness in order to optimally provide a small compact tubular container having a burst strength approximately equal to that of the casing


2790


.




The mechanical slip body


2775


is coupled to the load mandrel


2760


, the mechanical slips


2780


, and the drag blocks


2785


. The mechanical slip body


2775


preferably comprises a tubular member having an inner passage


2820


fluidicly coupled to the passage


2815


. In this manner, fluidic materials may be conveyed from the passage


2820


to a region outside of the apparatus


2700


.




The mechanical slip body


2775


may be coupled to the load mandrel


2760


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


2775


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


2760


using a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and easy disassembly. The mechanical slip body


2775


may be coupled to the mechanical slips


2780


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


2755


is removably coupled to the mechanical slips


2780


using threaded connections and sliding steel retainer rings in order to optimally provide a high strength attachment. The mechanical slip body


2755


may be coupled to the drag blocks


2785


using any number of conventional mechanical couplings. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slip body


2775


is removably coupled to the drag blocks


2785


using threaded connections and sliding steel retainer rings in order to optimally provide a high strength attachment.




The mechanical slip body


2775


preferably includes a fluid passage


2820


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


2815


to the region outside of the apparatus


2700


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


2820


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The mechanical slips


2780


are coupled to the outside surface of the mechanical slip body


2775


. During operation of the apparatus


2700


, the mechanical slips


2780


prevent upward movement of the casing


2790


and mandrel launcher


2770


. In this manner, during the axial reciprocation of the expansion cone


2765


, the casing


2790


and mandrel launcher


2770


are maintained in a substantially stationary position. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


2765


and casing


2790


and mandrel launcher


2770


are expanded in the radial direction by the axial movement of the expansion cone


2765


.




The mechanical slips


2780


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available mechanical slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips, RTTS packer wicker type mechanical slips or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug tungsten carbide upper mechanical slips. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slips


2780


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide mechanical slips available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


2790


and mandrel launcher


2770


during the expansion process.




The drag blocks


2785


are coupled to the outside surface of the mechanical slip body


2775


. During operation of the apparatus


2700


, the drag blocks


2785


prevent upward movement of the casing


2790


and mandrel launcher


2770


. In this manner, during the axial reciprocation of the expansion cone


2765


, the casing


2790


and mandrel launcher


2770


are maintained in a substantially stationary position. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


2770


and casing


2790


are expanded in the radial direction by the axial movement of the expansion cone


2765


.




The drag blocks


2785


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available mechanical slips such as, for example, RTTS packer mechanical drag blocks or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug drag blocks. In a preferred embodiment, the drag blocks


2785


comprise RTTS packer mechanical drag blocks available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


2790


and mandrel launcher


2770


during the expansion process.




The casing


2790


is coupled to the mandrel launcher


2770


. The casing


2790


is further removably coupled to the mechanical slips


2780


and drag blocks


2785


. The casing


2790


preferably comprises a tubular member. The casing


2790


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, slotted tubulars, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the casing


2790


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide high strength using standardized materials. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end of the casing


2790


includes one or more sealing members positioned about the exterior of the casing


2790


.




During operation, the apparatus


2700


is positioned in a wellbore with the upper end of the casing


2790


positioned in an overlapping relationship within an existing wellbore casing. In order minimize surge pressures within the borehole during placement of the apparatus


2700


, the fluid passage


2795


is preferably provided with one or more pressure relief passages. During the placement of the apparatus


2700


in the wellbore, the casing


2790


is supported by the expansion cone


2765


.




After positioning of the apparatus


2700


within the bore hole in an overlapping relationship with an existing section of wellbore casing, a first fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


2795


from a surface location. The first fluidic material is conveyed from the fluid passage


2795


to the fluid passages


2800


,


2802


,


2805


,


2810


,


2815


, and


2820


. The first fluidic material will then exit the apparatus


2700


and fill the annular region between the outside of the apparatus


2700


and the interior walls of the bore hole.




The first fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, epoxy, drilling mud, slag mix, water or cement. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material comprises a hardenable fluidic sealing material such as, for example, slag mix, epoxy, or cement. In this manner, a wellbore casing having an outer annular layer of a hardenable material may be formed.




The first fluidic material may be pumped into the apparatus


2700


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material is pumped into the apparatus


2700


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about


0


to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




At a predetermined point in the injection of the first fluidic material such as, for example, after the annular region outside of the apparatus


2700


has been filled to a predetermined level, a plug


2910


, dart, or other similar device is introduced into the first fluidic material. The plug


2910


lodges in the throat passage


2905


thereby fluidicly isolating the fluid passage


2810


from the fluid passage


2815


.




After placement of the plug


2910


in the throat passage


2905


, a second fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


2795


in order to pressurize the pressure chambers


2915


and


2920


. The second fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, water, drilling gases, drilling mud or lubricants. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material comprises a non-hardenable fluidic material such as, for example, water, drilling mud or lubricant. The use of lubricant optimally provides lubrication of the moving parts of the apparatus


2700


.




The second fluidic material may be pumped into the apparatus


2700


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 4,500 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material is pumped into the apparatus


2700


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The pressurization of the pressure chambers


2915


and


2920


cause the upper sealing heads,


2725


and


2745


, outer sealing mandrels,


2735


and


2755


, and expansion cone


2765


to move in an axial direction. As the expansion cone


2765


moves in the axial direction, the expansion cone


2765


pulls the mandrel launcher


2770


, casing


2790


, and drag blocks


2785


along, which sets the mechanical slips


2780


and stops further axial movement of the mandrel launcher


2770


and casing


2790


. In this manner, the axial movement of the expansion cone


2765


radially expands the mandrel launcher


2770


and casing


2790


.




Once the upper sealing heads,


2725


and


2745


, outer sealing mandrels,


2735


and


2755


, and expansion cone


2765


complete an axial stroke, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced and the drill string


2705


is raised. This causes the inner sealing mandrels,


2720


and


2740


, lower sealing heads,


2730


and


2750


, load mandrel


2760


, and mechanical slip body


2755


to move upward. This unsets the mechanical slips


2780


and permits the mechanical slips


2780


and drag blocks


2785


to be moved upward within the mandrel launcher


2770


and casing


2790


. When the lower sealing heads,


2730


and


2750


, contact the upper sealing heads,


2725


and


2745


, the second fluidic material is again pressurized and the radial expansion process continues. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


2770


and casing


2790


are radially expanded through repeated axial strokes of the upper sealing heads,


2725


and


2745


, outer sealing mandrels,


2735


and


2755


, and expansion cone


2765


. Throughout the radial expansion process, the upper end of the casing


2790


is preferably maintained in an overlapping relation with an existing section of wellbore casing.




At the end of the radial expansion process, the upper end of the casing


2790


is expanded into intimate contact with the inside surface of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members provided at the upper end of the casing


2790


provide a fluidic seal between the outside surface of the upper end of the casing


2790


and the inside surface of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the casing


2790


and the existing section of wellbore casing ranges from about 400 to 10,000 in order to optimally provide contact pressure for activating the sealing members, provide optimal resistance to axial movement of the expanded casing, and optimally resist typical tensile and compressive loads on the expanded casing.




In a preferred embodiment, as the expansion cone


2765


nears the end of the casing


2790


, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced in order to minimize shock to the apparatus


2700


. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


2700


includes a shock absorber for absorbing the shock created by the completion of the radial expansion of the casing


2790


.




In a preferred embodiment, the reduced operating pressure of the second fluidic material ranges from about 100 to 1,000 psi as the expansion cone


2765


nears the end of the casing


2790


in order to optimally provide reduced axial movement and velocity of the expansion cone


2765


. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced during the return stroke of the apparatus


2700


to the range of about 0 to 500 psi in order minimize the resistance to the movement of the expansion cone


2765


during the return stroke. In a preferred embodiment, the stroke length of the apparatus


2700


ranges from about 10 to 45 feet in order to optimally provide equipment that can be easily handled by typical oil well rigging equipment and minimize the frequency at which the apparatus


2700


must be re-stroked during an expansion operation.




In an alternative embodiment, at least a portion of the upper sealing heads,


2725


and


2745


, include expansion cones for radially expanding the mandrel launcher


2770


and casing


2790


during operation of the apparatus


2700


in order to increase the surface area of the casing


2790


acted upon during the radial expansion process. In this manner, the operating pressures can be reduced.




In an alternative embodiment, mechanical slips are positioned in an axial location between the sealing sleeve


1915


and the first inner sealing mandrel


2720


in order to optimally provide a simplified assembly and operation of the apparatus


2700


.




Upon the complete radial expansion of the casing


2790


, if applicable, the first fluidic material is permitted to cure within the annular region between the outside of the expanded casing


2790


and the interior walls of the wellbore. In the case where the casing


2790


is slotted, the cured fluidic material preferably permeates and envelops the expanded casing


2790


. In this manner, a new section of wellbore casing is formed within a wellbore. Alternatively, the apparatus


2700


may be used to join a first section of pipeline to an existing section of pipeline. Alternatively, the apparatus


2700


may be used to directly line the interior of a wellbore with a casing, without the use of an outer annular layer of a hardenable material. Alternatively, the apparatus


2700


may be used to expand a tubular support member in a hole.




During the radial expansion process, the pressurized areas of the apparatus


2700


are limited to the fluid passages


2795


,


2800


,


2802


,


2805


, and


2810


, and the pressure chambers


2915


and


2920


. No fluid pressure acts directly on the mandrel launcher


2770


and casing


2790


. This permits the use of operating pressures higher than the mandrel launcher


2770


and casing


2790


could normally withstand.




Referring now to

FIG. 20

, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus


3000


for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing will be described. The apparatus


3000


preferably includes a drillpipe


3005


, an innerstring adapter


3010


, a sealing sleeve


3015


, a first inner sealing mandrel


3020


, hydraulic slips


3025


, a first upper sealing head


3030


, a first lower sealing head


3035


, a first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, a second inner sealing mandrel


3045


, a second upper sealing head


3050


, a second lower sealing head


3055


, a second outer sealing -mandrel


3060


, load mandrel


3065


, expansion cone


3070


, casing


3075


, and fluid passages


3080


,


3085


,


3090


,


3095


,


3100


,


3105


,


3110


,


3115


and


3120


.




The drillpipe


3005


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


3010


. During operation of the apparatus


3000


, the drillpipe


3005


supports the apparatus


3000


. The drillpipe


3005


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The drillpipe


3005


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


3005


is fabricated from coiled tubing in order to faciliate the placement of the apparatus


3000


in non-vertical wellbores. The drillpipe


3005


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


3010


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the drillpipe


3005


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


3010


by a drillpipe connection.




The drillpipe


3005


preferably includes a fluid passage


3080


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from a surface location into the fluid passage


3085


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


3080


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The innerstring adapter


3010


is coupled to the drill string


3005


and the sealing sleeve


3015


. The innerstring adapter


3010


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The innerstring adapter


3010


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


3010


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The innerstring adapter


3010


may be coupled to the drill string


3005


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


3010


is removably coupled to the drill pipe


3005


by a drillpipe connection. The innerstring adapter


3010


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


3015


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the innerstring adapter


3010


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


3015


by a standard threaded connection.




The innerstring adapter


3010


preferably includes a fluid passage


3085


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


3080


into the fluid passage


3090


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


3085


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The sealing sleeve


3015


is coupled to the innerstring adapter


3010


and the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


. The sealing sleeve


3015


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The sealing sleeve


3015


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


3015


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The sealing sleeve


3015


may be coupled to the innerstring adapter


3010


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


3015


is removably coupled to the innerstring adapter


3010


by a standard threaded connection. The sealing sleeve


3015


may be coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeve


3015


is removably coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


by a standard threaded connection.




The sealing sleeve


3015


preferably includes a fluid passage


3090


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


3085


into the fluid passage


3095


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


3090


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


is coupled to the sealing sleeve


3015


, the hydraulic slips


3025


, and the first lower sealing head


3035


. The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


is further movably coupled to the first upper sealing head


3030


. The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, or similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


may be coupled to the sealing sleeve


3015


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


is removably coupled to the sealing sleeve


3015


by a standard threaded connection. The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


may be coupled to the hydraulic slips


3025


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


is removably coupled to the hydraulic slips


3025


by a standard threaded connection. The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


may be coupled to the first lower sealing head


3035


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


is removably coupled to the first lower sealing head


3035


by a standard threaded connection.




The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


preferably includes a fluid passage


3095


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


3090


into the fluid passage


3100


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


3095


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, water, drilling mud, cement, epoxy, or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


further preferably includes fluid passages


3110


that are adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


3095


into the pressure chambers of the hydraulic slips


3025


. In this manner, the slips


3025


are activated upon the pressurization of the fluid passage


3095


into contact with the inside surface of the casing


3075


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passages


3110


are adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling fluids or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The first inner sealing mandrel


3020


further preferably includes fluid passages


3115


that are adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


3095


into the first pressure chamber


3175


defined by the first upper sealing head


3030


, the first lower sealing head


3035


, the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


, and the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


. During operation of the apparatus


3000


, pressurization of the pressure chamber


3175


causes the first upper sealing head


3030


, the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, the second upper sealing head


3050


, the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and the expansion cone


3070


to move in an axial direction.




The slips


3025


are coupled to the outside surface of the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


. During operation of the apparatus


3000


, the slips


3025


are activated upon the pressurization of the fluid passage


3095


into contact with the inside surface of the casing


3075


. In this manner, the slips


3025


maintain the casing


3075


in a substantially stationary position.




The slips


3025


preferably include fluid passages


3125


, pressure chambers


3130


, spring bias


3135


, and slip members


3140


. The slips


3025


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available hydraulic slips such as, for example, RTTS packer tungsten carbide hydraulic slips or Model 3L retrievable bridge plug with hydraulic slips. In a preferred embodiment, the slips


3025


comprise RTTS packer tungsten carbide hydraulic slips available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide resistance to axial movement of the casing


3075


during the expansion process.




The first upper sealing head


3030


is coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, the second upper sealing head


3050


, the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and the expansion cone


3070


. The first upper sealing head


3030


is also movably coupled to the outer surface of the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


3030


, the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, the second upper sealing head


3050


, the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and the expansion cone


3070


reciprocate in the axial direction.




The radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the first upper sealing head


3030


and the outer surface of the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the first upper sealing head


3030


and the outer surface of the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance. The radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the first upper sealing head


3030


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the first upper sealing head


3030


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


3070


during the expansion process.




The first upper sealing head


3030


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The first upper sealing head


3030


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the first upper sealing head


3030


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The inner surface of the first upper sealing head


3030


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


3145


for sealing the interface between the first upper sealing head


3030


and the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


. The sealing members


3145


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3145


comprise polypak seals available from Parker seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the first upper sealing head


3030


includes a shoulder


3150


for supporting the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and expansion cone


3070


on the first lower sealing head


3035


. The first upper sealing head


3030


may be coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first upper sealing head


3030


is removably coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the first upper sealing head


3030


and the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


includes one or more sealing members


3155


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the first upper sealing head


3030


and the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


. The sealing members


3155


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3155


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The first lower sealing head


3035


is coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


and the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


. The first lower sealing head


3035


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and expansion cone


3070


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


3035


and the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


3035


and the inner surface of the outer sealing mandrel


3040


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The first lower sealing head


3035


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The first lower sealing head


3035


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the first lower sealing head


3035


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The outer surface of the first lower sealing head


3035


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


3160


for sealing the interface between the first lower sealing head


3035


and the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


. The sealing members


3160


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3160


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The first lower sealing head


3035


may be coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first lower sealing head


3035


is removably coupled to the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the first lower sealing head


3035


and the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


includes one or more sealing members


3165


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the first lower sealing head


3035


and the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


. The sealing members


3165


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3165


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke length.




The first lower sealing head


3035


may be coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first lower sealing head


3035


is removably coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the first lower sealing head


3035


and the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


includes one or more sealing members


3170


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the first lower sealing head


3035


and the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


. The sealing members


3170


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3170


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The first outer sealing mandrel


3040


is coupled to the first upper sealing head


3030


and the second upper sealing head


3050


. The first outer sealing mandrel


3040


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


3075


and the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


3035


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and the expansion cone


3070


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


ranges from about


0


.


025


to


0


.


125


inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


3070


during the expansion process. The radial clearance between the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


3035


may range, for example, from about 0.005 to 0.125 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner surface of the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the outer surface of the first lower sealing head


3035


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The first outer sealing mandrel


3040


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The first outer sealing mandrel


3040


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The first outer sealing mandrel


3040


may be coupled to the first upper sealing head


3030


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


is removably coupled to the first upper sealing head


3030


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the first upper sealing head


3030


includes one or more sealing members


3180


for sealing the interface between the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the first upper sealing head


3030


. The sealing members


3180


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3180


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The first outer sealing mandrel


3040


may be coupled to the second upper sealing head


3050


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


is removably coupled to the second upper sealing head


3050


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the second upper sealing head


3050


includes one or more sealing members


3185


for sealing the interface between the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the second upper sealing head


3050


. The sealing members


3185


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3185


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




The second inner sealing mandrel


3045


is coupled to the first lower sealing head


3035


and the second lower sealing head


3055


. The second inner sealing mandrel


3045


preferably comprises a substantially hollow tubular member or members. The second inner sealing mandrel


3045


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The second inner sealing mandrel


3045


may be coupled to the first lower sealing head


3035


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


is removably coupled to the first lower sealing head


3035


by a standard threaded connection. The second inner sealing mandrel


3045


may be coupled to the second lower sealing head


3065


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


is removably coupled to the second lower sealing head


3055


by a standard threaded connection.




The second inner sealing mandrel


3045


preferably includes a fluid passage


3100


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


3095


into the fluid passage


3105


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


3100


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The second inner sealing mandrel


3045


further preferably includes fluid passages


3120


that are adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


3100


into the second pressure chamber


3190


defined by the second upper sealing head


3050


, the second lower sealing head


3055


, the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


, and the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


. During operation of the apparatus


3000


, pressurization of the second pressure chamber


3190


causes the first upper sealing head


3030


, the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, the second upper sealing head


3050


, the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and the expansion cone


3070


to move in an axial direction.




The second upper sealing head


3050


is coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


and the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


. The second upper sealing head


3050


is also movably coupled to the outer surface of the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


. In this manner, the second upper sealing head


3050


reciprocates in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the second upper sealing head


3050


and the outer surface of the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner cylindrical surface of the second upper sealing head


3050


and the outer surface of the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance. The radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the second upper sealing head


3050


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer cylindrical surface of the second upper sealing head


3050


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


3070


during the expansion process.




The second upper sealing head


3050


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The second upper sealing head


3050


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second upper sealing head


3050


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The inner surface of the second upper sealing head


3050


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


3195


for sealing the interface between the second upper sealing head


3050


and the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


. The sealing members


3195


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3195


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the second upper sealing head


3050


includes a shoulder


3200


for supporting the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and expansion cone


3070


on the second lower sealing head


3055


.




The second upper sealing head


3050


may be coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second upper sealing head


3050


is removably coupled to the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the second upper sealing head


3050


and the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


includes one or more sealing members


3185


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the second upper sealing head


3050


and the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


. The second upper sealing head


3050


may be coupled to the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second upper sealing head


3050


is removably coupled to the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the second upper sealing head


3050


and the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


includes one or more sealing members


3205


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the second upper sealing head


3050


and the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


.




The second lower sealing head


3055


is coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


and the load mandrel


3065


. The second lower sealing head


3055


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing mandrel


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and expansion cone


3070


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


3055


and the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


3055


and the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The second lower sealing head


3055


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The second lower sealing head


3055


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second lower sealing head


3055


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces. The outer surface of the second lower sealing head


3055


preferably includes one or more annular sealing members


3210


for sealing the interface between the second lower sealing head


3055


and the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


. The sealing members


3210


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available annular sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals, or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3210


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The second lower sealing head


3055


may be coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second lower sealing head


3055


is removably coupled to the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the lower sealing head


3055


and the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


includes one or more sealing members


3215


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the second lower sealing head


3055


and the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


. The sealing members


3215


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3215


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for long axial strokes.




The second lower sealing head


3055


may be coupled to the load mandrel


3065


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second lower sealing head


3055


is removably coupled to the load mandrel


3065


by a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling between the second lower sealing head


3055


and the load mandrel


3065


includes one or more sealing members


3220


for fluidicly sealing the interface between the second lower sealing head


3055


and the load mandrel


3065


. The sealing members


3220


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing members such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members


3220


comprise polypak seals available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for a long axial stroke.




In a preferred embodiment, the second lower sealing head


3055


includes a throat passage


3225


fluidicly coupled between the fluid passages


3100


and


3105


. The throat passage


3225


is preferably of reduced size and is adapted to receive and engage with a plug


3230


, or other similar device. In this manner, the fluid passage


3100


is fluidicly isolated from the fluid passage


3105


. In this manner, the pressure chambers


3175


and


3190


are pressurized. Furthermore, the placement of the plug


3230


in the throat passage


3225


also pressurizes the pressure chambers


3130


of the hydraulic slips


3025


.




The second outer sealing mandrel


3060


is coupled to the second upper sealing head


3050


and the expansion cone


3070


, The second outer sealing mandrel


3060


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


3075


and the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


3055


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and the expansion cone


3070


reciprocate in the axial direction. The radial clearance between the outer surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


may range, for example, from about 0.025 to 0.375 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the outer surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


and the inner surface of the casing


3075


ranges from about 0.025 to 0.125 inches in order to optimally provide stabilization for the expansion cone


3070


during the expansion process. The radial clearance between the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


and the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


3055


may range, for example, from about 0.0025 to 0.05 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the radial clearance between the inner surface of the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


and the outer surface of the second lower sealing head


3055


ranges from about 0.005 to 0.01 inches in order to optimally provide minimal radial clearance.




The second outer sealing mandrel


3060


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The second outer sealing mandrel


3060


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The second outer sealing mandrel


3060


may be coupled to the second upper sealing head


3050


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing mandrel


3060


is removably coupled to the second upper sealing head


3050


by a standard threaded connection. The second outer sealing mandrel


3060


may be coupled to the expansion cone


3070


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


is removably coupled to the expansion cone


3070


by a standard threaded connection.




The first upper sealing head


3030


, the first lower sealing head


3035


, the first inner sealing mandrel


3020


, and the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


together define the first pressure chamber


3175


. The second upper sealing head


3050


, the second lower sealing head


3055


, the second inner sealing mandrel


3045


, and the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


together define the second pressure chamber


3190


. The first and second pressure chambers,


3175


and


3190


, are fluidicly coupled to the passages,


3095


and


3100


, via one or more passages,


3115


and


3120


. During operation of the apparatus


3000


, the plug


3230


engages with the throat passage


3225


to fluidicly isolate the fluid passage


3100


from the fluid passage


3105


. The pressure chambers,


3175


and


3190


, are then pressurized which in turn causes the first upper sealing head


3030


, the first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, the second upper sealing head


3050


, the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and expansion cone


3070


to reciprocate in the axial direction. The axial motion of the expansion cone


3070


in turn expands the casing


3075


in the radial direction. The use of a plurality of pressure chambers,


3175


and


3190


, effectively multiplies the available driving force for the expansion cone


3070


.




The load mandrel


3065


is coupled to the second lower sealing head


3055


. The load mandrel


3065


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The load mandrel


3065


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


3065


is fabricated from stainless steel in order to optimally provide high strength, corrosion resistance, and low friction surfaces.




The load mandrel


3065


may be coupled to the lower sealing head


3055


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, epoxy, cement, water, drilling mud, or lubricants. In a preferred embodiment, the load mandrel


3065


is removably coupled to the lower sealing head


3055


by a standard threaded connection.




The load mandrel


3065


preferably includes a fluid passage


3105


that is adapted to convey fluidic materials from the fluid passage


3100


to the region outside of the apparatus


3000


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


3105


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as, for example, cement, epoxy, water, drilling mud or lubricants at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The expansion cone


3070


is coupled to the second outer sealing mandrel


3060


. The expansion cone


3070


is also movably coupled to the inner surface of the casing


3075


. In this manner, the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and the expansion cone


3070


reciprocate in the axial direction. The reciprocation of the expansion cone


3070


causes the casing


3075


to expand in the radial direction.




The expansion cone


3070


preferably comprises an annular member having substantially cylindrical inner and conical outer surfaces. The outside radius of the outside conical surface may range, for example, from about 2 to 34 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the outside radius of the outside conical surface ranges from about 3 to 28 inches in order to optimally provide an expansion cone


3070


for expanding typical casings. The axial length of the expansion cone


3070


may range, for example, from about 2 to 8 times the maximum outer diameter of the expansion cone


3070


. In a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the expansion cone


3070


ranges from about 3 to 5 times the maximum outer diameter of the expansion cone


3070


in order to optimally provide stabilization and centralization of the expansion cone


3070


during the expansion process. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the maximum outside diameter of the expansion cone


3070


is between about 95 to 99% of the inside diameter of the existing wellbore that the casing


3075


will be joined with. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the expansion cone


3070


ranges from about 5 to 30 degrees in order to optimally balance the frictional forces with the radial expansion forces.




The expansion cone


3070


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, machine tool steel, nitride steel, titanium, tungsten carbide, ceramics, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


3070


is fabricated from D2 machine tool steel in order to optimally provide high strength and resistance to wear and galling. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outside surface of the expansion cone


3070


has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high strength and resistance to wear and galling.




The expansion cone


3070


may be coupled to the second outside sealing mandrel


3060


using any number of conventional commercially available mechanical couplings such as, for example, drillpipe connection, oilfield country tubular goods specialty type threaded connection, ratchet-latch type connection or a standard threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone


3070


is coupled to the second outside sealing mandrel


3060


using a standard threaded connection in order to optimally provide high strength and easy disassembly.




The casing


3075


is removably coupled to the slips


3025


and the expansion cone


3070


. The casing


3075


preferably comprises a tubular member. The casing


3075


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, slotted tubulars, oilfield country tubular goods, carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel, or other similar high strength materials. In a preferred embodiment, the casing


3075


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods available from various foreign and domestic steel mills in order to optimally provide high strength.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper end


3235


of the casing


3075


includes a thin wall section


3240


and an outer annular sealing member


3245


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the thin wall section


3240


is about 50 to 100% of the regular wall thickness of the casing


3075


. In this manner, the upper end


3235


of the casing


3075


may be easily radially expanded and deformed into intimate contact with the lower end of an existing section of wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the lower end of the existing section of casing also includes a thin wall section. In this manner, the radial expansion of the thin walled section


3240


of casing


3075


into the thin walled section of the existing wellbore casing results in a wellbore casing having a substantially constant inside diameter.




The annular sealing member


3245


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available sealing materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, metal or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the annular sealing member


3245


is fabricated from StrataLock epoxy in order to optimally provide compressibility and wear resistance. The outside diameter of the annular sealing member


3245


preferably ranges from about 70 to 95% of the inside diameter of the lower section of the wellbore casing that the casing


3075


is joined to. In this manner, after radial expansion, the annular sealing member


3245


optimally provides a fluidic seal and also preferably optimally provides sufficient frictional force with the inside surface of the existing section of wellbore casing during the radial expansion of the casing


3075


to support the casing


3075


.




In a preferred embodiment, the lower end


3250


of the casing


3075


includes a thin wall section


3255


and an outer annular sealing member


3260


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the thin wall section


3255


is about 50 to 100% of the regular wall thickness of the casing


3075


. In this manner, the lower end


3250


of the casing


3075


may be easily expanded and deformed. Furthermore, in this manner, an other section of casing may be easily joined with the lower end


3250


of the casing


3075


using a radial expansion process. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end of the other section of casing also includes a thin wall section. In this manner, the radial expansion of the thin walled section of the upper end of the other casing into the thin walled section


3255


of the lower end


3250


of the casing


3075


results in a wellbore casing having a substantially constant inside diameter.




The upper annular sealing member


3245


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available sealing materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, metal or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the upper annular sealing member


3245


is fabricated from Stratalock epoxy in order to optimally provide compressibility and resistance to wear. The outside diameter of the upper annular sealing member


3245


preferably ranges from about 70 to 95% of the inside diameter of the lower section of the existing wellbore casing that the casing


3075


is joined to. In this manner, after radial expansion, the upper annular sealing member


3245


preferably provides a fluidic seal and also preferably provides sufficient frictional force with the inside wall of the wellbore during the radial expansion of the casing


3075


to support the casing


3075


.




The lower annular sealing member


3260


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available sealing materials such as, for example, epoxy, rubber, metal or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the lower annular sealing member


3260


is fabricated from StrataLock epoxy in order to optimally provide compressibility and resistance to wear. The outside diameter of the lower annular sealing member


3260


preferably ranges from about 70 to 95% of the inside diameter of the lower section of the existing wellbore casing that the casing


3075


is joined to. In this manner, the lower annular sealing member


3260


preferably provides a fluidic seal and also preferably provides sufficient frictional force with the inside wall of the wellbore during the radial expansion of the casing


3075


to support the casing


3075


.




During operation, the apparatus


3000


is preferably positioned in a wellbore with the upper end


3235


of the casing


3075


positioned in an overlapping relationship with the lower end of an existing wellbore casing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thin wall section


3240


of the casing


3075


is positioned in opposing overlapping relation with the thin wall section and outer annular sealing member of the lower end of the existing section of wellbore casing. In this manner, the radial expansion of the casing


3075


will compress the thin wall sections and annular compressible members of the upper end


3235


of the casing


3075


and the lower end of the existing wellbore casing into intimate contact. During the positioning of the apparatus


3000


in the wellbore, the casing


3000


is preferably supported by the expansion cone


3070


.




After positioning the apparatus


3000


, a first fluidic material is then pumped into the fluid passage


3080


. The first fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, drilling mud, water, epoxy, cement, slag mix or lubricants. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material comprises a hardenable fluidic sealing material such as, for example, cement, epoxy, or slag mix in order to optimally provide a hardenable outer annular body around the expanded casing


3075


.




The first fluidic material may be pumped into the fluid passage


3080


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 4,500 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


3080


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operating efficiency.




The first fluidic material pumped into the fluid passage


3080


passes through the fluid passages


3085


,


3090


,


3095


,


3100


, and


3105


and then outside of the apparatus


3000


. The first fluidic material then preferably fills the annular region between the outside of the apparatus


3000


and the interior walls of the wellbore.




The plug


3230


is then introduced into the fluid passage


3080


. The plug


3230


lodges in the throat passage


3225


and fluidicly isolates and blocks off the fluid passage


3100


. In a preferred embodiment, a couple of volumes of a non-hardenable fluidic material are then pumped into the fluid passage


3080


in order to remove any hardenable fluidic material contained within and to ensure that none of the fluid passages are blocked.




A second fluidic material is then pumped into the fluid passage


3080


. The second fluidic material may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, water, drilling gases, drilling mud or lubricant. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material comprises a non-hardenable fluidic material such as, for example, water, drilling mud, drilling gases, or lubricant in order to optimally provide pressurization of the pressure chambers


3175


and


3190


.




The second fluidic material may be pumped into the fluid passage


3080


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 4,500 psi and 0 to 4,500 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic material is pumped into the fluid passage


3080


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,500 psi and 0 to 1,200 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The second fluidic material pumped into the fluid passage


3080


passes through the fluid passages


3085


,


3090


,


3095


,


3100


and into the pressure chambers


3130


of the slips


3025


, and into the pressure chambers


3175


and


3190


. Continued pumping of the second fluidic material pressurizes the pressure chambers


3130


,


3175


, and


3190


.




The pressurization of the pressure chambers


3130


causes the hydraulic slip members


3140


to expand in the radial direction and grip the interior surface of the casing


3075


. The casing


3075


is then preferably maintained in a substantially stationary position.




The pressurization of the pressure chambers


3175


and


3190


cause the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and expansion cone


3070


to move in an axial direction relative to the casing


3075


. In this manner, the expansion cone


3070


will cause the casing


3075


to expand in the radial direction, beginning with the lower end


3250


of the casing


3075


.




During the radial expansion process, the casing


3075


is prevented from moving in an upward direction by the slips


3025


. A length of the casing


3075


is then expanded in the radial direction through the pressurization of the pressure chambers


3175


and


3190


. The length of the casing


3075


that is expanded during the expansion process will be proportional to the stroke length of the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, and expansion cone


3070


.




Upon the completion of a stroke, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced and the first upper sealing head


3030


, first outer sealing mandrel


3040


, second upper sealing head


3050


, second outer sealing mandrel


3060


, and expansion cone


3070


drop to their rest positions with the casing


3075


supported by the expansion cone


3070


. The reduction in the operating pressure of the second fluidic material also causes the spring bias


3135


of the slips


3025


to pull the slip members


3140


away from the inside walls of the casing


3075


.




The position of the drillpipe


3075


is preferably adjusted throughout the radial expansion process in order to maintain the overlapping relationship between the thin walled sections of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing and the upper end of the casing


3235


. In a preferred embodiment, the stroking of the expansion cone


3070


is then repeated, as necessary, until the thin walled section


3240


of the upper end


3235


of the casing


3075


is expanded into the thin walled section of the lower end of the existing wellbore casing. In this manner, a wellbore casing is formed including two adjacent sections of casing having a substantially constant inside diameter. This process may then be repeated for the entirety of the wellbore to provide a wellbore casing thousands of feet in length having a substantially constant inside diameter.




In a preferred embodiment, during the final stroke of the expansion cone


3070


, the slips


3025


are positioned as close as possible to the thin walled section


3240


of the upper end


3235


of the casing


3075


in order minimize slippage between the casing


3075


and the existing wellbore casing at the end of the radial expansion process. Alternatively, or in addition, the outside diameter of the upper annular sealing member


3245


is selected to ensure sufficient interference fit with the inside diameter of the lower end of the existing casing to prevent axial displacement of the casing


3075


during the final stroke. Alternatively, or in addition, the outside diameter of the lower annular sealing member


3260


is selected to provide an interference fit with the inside walls of the wellbore at an earlier point in the radial expansion process so as to prevent further axial displacement of the casing


3075


. In this final alternative, the interference fit is preferably selected to permit expansion of the casing


3075


by pulling the expansion cone


3070


out of the wellbore, without having to pressurize the pressure chambers


3175


and


3190


.




During the radial expansion process, the pressurized areas of the apparatus


3000


are preferably limited to the fluid passages


3080


,


3085


,


3090


,


3095


,


3100


,


3110


,


3115


,


3120


, the pressure chambers


3130


within the slips


3025


, and the pressure chambers


3175


and


3190


. No fluid pressure acts directly on the casing


3075


. This permits the use of operating pressures higher than the casing


3075


could normally withstand.




Once the casing


3075


has been completely expanded off of the expansion cone


3070


, the remaining portions of the apparatus


3000


are removed from the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the deformed thin wall sections and compressible annular members of the lower end of the existing casing and the upper end


3235


of the casing


3075


ranges from about 400 to 10,000 psi in order to optimally support the casing


3075


using the existing wellbore casing.




In this manner, the casing


3075


is radially expanded into contact with an existing section of casing by pressurizing the interior fluid passages


3080


,


3085


,


3090


,


3095


,


3100


,


3110


,


3115


, and


3120


, the pressure chambers


3130


of the slips


3025


and the pressure chambers


3175


and


3190


of the apparatus


3000


.




In a preferred embodiment, as required, the annular body of hardenable fluidic material is then allowed to cure to form a rigid outer annular body about the expanded casing


3075


. In the case where the casing


3075


is slotted, the cured fluidic material preferably permeates and envelops the expanded casing


3075


. The resulting new section of wellbore casing includes the expanded casing


3075


and the rigid outer annular body. The overlapping joint between the pre-existing wellbore casing and the expanded casing


3075


includes the deformed thin wall sections and the compressible outer annular bodies. The inner diameter of the resulting combined wellbore casings is substantially constant. In this manner, a mono-diameter wellbore casing is formed. This process of expanding overlapping tubular members having thin wall end portions with compressible annular bodies into contact can be repeated for the entire length of a wellbore. In this manner, a mono-diameter wellbore casing can be provided for thousands of feet in a subterranean formation.




In a preferred embodiment, as the expansion cone


3070


nears the upper end


3235


of the casing


3075


, the operating flow rate of the second fluidic material is reduced in order to minimize shock to the apparatus


3000


. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


3000


includes a shock absorber for absorbing the shock created by the completion of the radial expansion of the casing


3075


.




In a preferred embodiment, the reduced operating pressure of the second fluidic material ranges from about 100 to 1,000 psi as the expansion cone


3070


nears the end of the casing


3075


in order to optimally provide reduced axial movement and velocity of the expansion cone


3070


. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure of the second fluidic material is reduced during the return stroke of the apparatus


3000


to the range of about 0 to 500 psi in order minimize the resistance to the movement of the expansion cone


3070


during the return stroke. In a preferred embodiment, the stroke length of the apparatus


3000


ranges from about 10 to 45 feet in order to optimally provide equipment that can be easily handled by typical oil well rigging equipment and also minimize the frequency at which the apparatus


3000


must be re-stroked.




In an alternative embodiment, at least a portion of one or both of the upper sealing heads,


3030


and


3050


, includes an expansion cone for radially expanding the casing


3075


during operation of the apparatus


3000


in order to increase the surface area of the casing


3075


acted upon during the radial expansion process. In this manner, the operating pressures can be reduced.




Alternatively, the apparatus


3000


may be used to join a first section of pipeline to an existing section of pipeline. Alternatively, the apparatus


3000


may be used to directly line the interior of a wellbore with a casing, without the use of an outer annular layer of a hardenable material. Alternatively, the apparatus


3000


may be used to expand a tubular support member in a hole.




Referring now to

FIG. 21

, an apparatus


3330


for isolating subterranean zones will be described. A wellbore


3305


including a casing


3310


are positioned in a subterranean formation


3315


. The subterranean formation


3315


includes a number of productive and non-productive zones, including a water zone


3320


and a targeted oil sand zone


3325


. During exploration of the subterranean formation


3315


, the wellbore


3305


may be extended in a well known manner to traverse the various productive and non-productive zones, including the water zone


3320


and the targeted oil sand zone


3325


.




In a preferred embodiment, in order to fluidicly isolate the water zone


3320


from the targeted oil sand zone


3325


, an apparatus


3330


is provided that includes one or more sections of solid casing


3335


, one or more external seals


3340


, one or more sections of slotted casing


3345


, one or more intermediate sections of solid casing


3350


, and a solid shoe


3355


.




The solid casing


3335


may provide a fluid conduit that transmits fluids and other materials from one end of the solid casing


3335


to the other end of the solid casing


3335


. The solid casing


3335


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sections of solid tubular casing such as, for example, oilfield tubulars fabricated from chromium steel or fiberglass. In a preferred embodiment, the solid casing


3335


comprises oilfield tubulars available from various foreign and domestic steel mills.




The solid casing


3335


is preferably coupled to the casing


3310


. The solid casing


3335


may be coupled to the casing


3310


using any number of conventional commercially available processes such as, for example, welding, slotted and expandable connectors, or expandable solid connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the solid casing


3335


is coupled to the casing


3310


by using expandable solid connectors. The solid casing


3335


may comprise a plurality of such solid casings


3335


.




The solid casing


3335


is preferably coupled to one more of the slotted casings


3345


. The solid casing


3335


may be coupled to the slotted casing


3345


using any number of conventional commercially available processes such as, for example, welding, or slotted and expandable connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the solid casing


3335


is coupled to the slotted casing


3345


by expandable solid connectors.




In a preferred embodiment, the casing


3335


includes one more valve members


3360


for controlling the flow of fluids and other materials within the interior region of the casing


3335


. In an alternative embodiment, during the production mode of operation, an internal tubular string with various arrangements of packers, perforated tubing, sliding sleeves, and valves may be employed within the apparatus to provide various options for commingling and isolating subterranean zones from each other while providing a fluid path to the surface.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the casing


3335


is placed into the wellbore


3305


by expanding the casing


3335


in the radial direction into intimate contact with the interior walls of the wellbore


3305


. The casing


3335


may be expanded in the radial direction using any number of conventional commercially available methods. In a preferred embodiment, the casing


3335


is expanded in the radial direction using one or more of the processes and apparatus described within the present disclosure.




The seals


3340


prevent the passage of fluids and other materials within the annular region


3365


between the solid casings


3335


and


3350


and the wellbore


3305


. The seals


3340


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sealing materials suitable for sealing a casing in a wellbore such as, for example, lead, rubber or epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the seals


3340


comprise Stratalok epoxy material available from Halliburton Energy Services.




The slotted casing


3345


permits fluids and other materials to pass into and out of the interior of the slotted casing


3345


from and to the annular region


3365


. In this manner, oil and gas may be produced from a producing subterranean zone within a subterranean formation. The slotted casing


3345


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sections of slotted tubular casing. In a preferred embodiment, the slotted casing


3345


comprises expandable slotted tubular casing available from Petroline in Abeerdeen, Scotland. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the slotted casing


145


comprises expandable slotted sandscreen tubular casing available from Petroline in Abeerdeen, Scotland.




The slotted casing


3345


is preferably coupled to one or more solid casing


3335


. The slotted casing


3345


may be coupled to the solid casing


3335


using any number of conventional commercially available processes such as, for example, welding, or slotted or solid expandable connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the slotted casing


3345


is coupled to the solid casing


3335


by expandable solid connectors.




The slotted casing


3345


is preferably coupled to one or more intermediate solid casings


3350


. The slotted casing


3345


may be coupled to the intermediate solid casing


3350


using any number of conventional commercially available processes such as, for example, welding or expandable solid or slotted connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the slotted casing


3345


is coupled to the intermediate solid casing


3350


by expandable solid connectors.




The last section of slotted casing


3345


is preferably coupled to the shoe


3355


. The last slotted casing


3345


may be coupled to the shoe


3355


using any number of conventional commercially available processes such as, for example, welding or expandable solid or slotted connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the last slotted casing


3345


is coupled to the shoe


3355


by an expandable solid connector.




In an alternative embodiment, the shoe


3355


is coupled directly to the last one of the intermediate solid casings


3350


.




In a preferred embodiment, the slotted casings


3345


are positioned within the wellbore


3305


by expanding the slotted casings


3345


in a radial direction into intimate contact with the interior walls of the wellbore


3305


. The slotted casings


3345


may be expanded in a radial direction using any number of conventional commercially available processes. In a preferred embodiment, the slotted casings


3345


are expanded in the radial direction using one or more of the processes and apparatus disclosed in the present disclosure with reference to

FIGS. 14



a


-


20


.




The intermediate solid casing


3350


permits fluids and other materials to pass between adjacent slotted casings


3345


. The intermediate solid casing


3350


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available sections of solid tubular casing such as, for example, oilfield tubulars fabricated from chromium steel or fiberglass. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate solid casing


3350


comprises oilfield tubulars available from foreign and domestic steel mills.




The intermediate solid casing


3350


is preferably coupled to one or more sections of the slotted casing


3345


. The intermediate solid casing


3350


may be coupled to the slotted casing


3345


using any number of conventional commercially available processes such as, for example, welding, or solid or slotted expandable connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate solid casing


3350


is coupled to the slotted casing


3345


by expandable solid connectors. The intermediate solid casing


3350


may comprise a plurality of such intermediate solid casing


3350


.




In a preferred embodiment, each intermediate solid casing


3350


includes one more valve members


3370


for controlling the flow of fluids and other materials within the interior region of the intermediate casing


3350


. In an alternative embodiment, as will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art and the benefit of the present disclosure, during the production mode of operation, an internal tubular string with various arrangements of packers, perforated tubing, sliding sleeves, and valves may be employed within the apparatus to provide various options for commingling and isolating subterranean zones from each other while providing a fluid path to the surface.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the intermediate casing


3350


is placed into the wellbore


3305


by expanding the intermediate casing


3350


in the radial direction into intimate contact with the interior walls of the wellbore


3305


. The intermediate casing


3350


may be expanded in the radial direction using any number of conventional commercially available methods.




In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the intermediate solid casings


3350


may be omitted. In an alternative preferred embodiment, one or more of the slotted casings


3345


are provided with one or more seals


3340


.




The shoe


3355


provides a support member for the apparatus


3330


. In this manner, various production and exploration tools may be supported by the show


3350


. The shoe


3350


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available shoes suitable for use in a wellbore such as, for example, cement filled shoe, or an aluminum or composite shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


3350


comprises an aluminum shoe available from Halliburton. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


3355


is selected to provide sufficient strength in compression and tension to permit the use of high capacity production and exploration tools.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3330


includes a plurality of solid casings


3335


, a plurality of seals


3340


, a plurality of slotted casings


3345


, a plurality of intermediate solid casings


3350


, and a shoe


3355


. More generally, the apparatus


3330


may comprise one or more solid casings


3335


, each with one or more valve members


3360


, n slotted casings


3345


, n−1 intermediate solid casings


3350


, each with one or more valve members


3370


, and a shoe


3355


.




During operation of the apparatus


3330


, oil and gas may be controllably produced from the targeted oil sand zone


3325


using the slotted casings


3345


. The oil and gas may then be transported to a surface location using the solid casing


3335


. The use of intermediate solid casings


3350


with valve members


3370


permits isolated sections of the zone


3325


to be selectively isolated for production. The seals


3340


permit the zone


3325


to be fluidicly isolated from the zone


3320


. The seals


3340


further permits isolated sections of the zone


3325


to be fluidicly isolated from each other. In this manner, the apparatus


3330


permits unwanted and/or non-productive subterranean zones to be fluidicly isolated.




In an alternative embodiment, as will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art and also having the benefit of the present disclosure, during the production mode of operation, an internal tubular string with various arrangements of packers, perforated tubing, sliding sleeves, and valves may be employed within the apparatus to provide various options for commingling and isolating subterranean zones from each other while providing a fluid path to the surface.




Referring to

FIGS. 22



a


,


22




b


,


22




c


and


22




d


, an embodiment of an apparatus


3500


for forming a wellbore casing while drilling a wellbore will now be described. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3500


includes a support member


3505


, a mandrel


3510


, a mandrel launcher


3515


, a shoe


3520


, a tubular member


3525


, a mud motor


3530


, a drill bit


3535


, a first fluid passage


3540


, a second fluid passage


3545


, a pressure chamber


3550


, a third fluid passage


3555


, a cup seal


3560


, a body of lubricant


3565


, seals


3570


, and a releasable coupling


3600


.




The support member


3505


is coupled to the mandrel


3510


. The support member


3505


preferably comprises an annular member having sufficient strength to carry and support the apparatus


3500


within the wellbore


3575


. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


3505


further includes one or more conventional centralizers (not illustrated) to help stabilize the apparatus


3500


.




The support member


3505


may comprise one or more sections of conventional commercially available tubular materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, stainless steel or carbon steel. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


3505


comprises coiled tubing or drillpipe in order to optimally permit the placement of the apparatus


3500


within a non-vertical wellbore.




In a preferred embodiment, the support member


3505


includes a first fluid passage


3540


for conveying fluidic materials from a surface location to the fluid passage


3545


. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluid passage


3540


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as water, drilling mud, cement, epoxy or slag mix at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 10,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The mandrel


3510


is coupled to and supported by the support member


3505


. The mandrel


3510


is also coupled to and supports the mandrel launcher


3515


and tubular member


3525


. The mandrel


3510


is preferably adapted to controllably expand in a radial direction. The mandrel


3510


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available mandrels modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel


3510


comprises a hydraulic expansion tool as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,095, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel


3510


includes one or more conical sections for expanding the tubular member


3525


in the radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the outer surfaces of the conical sections of the mandrel


3510


have a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally radially expand the tubular member


3525


.




In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel


3510


includes a second fluid passage


3545


fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage


3540


and the pressure chamber


3550


for conveying fluidic materials from the first fluid passage


3540


to the pressure chamber


3550


. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluid passage


3545


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as water, drilling mud, cement, epoxy or slag mix at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 12,000 psi and 0 to 3,500 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operating pressure for efficient operation.




The mandrel launcher


3515


is coupled to the tubular member


3525


, the mandrel


3510


, and the shoe


3520


. The mandrel launcher


3515


preferably comprises a tapered annular member that mates with at a portion of at least one of the conical portions of the outer surface of the mandrel


3510


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher is less than the wall thickness of the tubular member


3525


in order to facilitate the initiation of the radial expansion process and facilitate the placement of the apparatus in openings having tight clearances. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


3515


ranges from about 50 to 100% of the wall thickness of the tubular member


3525


immediately adjacent to the mandrel launcher


3515


in order to optimally faciliate the radial expansion process and facilitate the insertion of the apparatus


3500


into wellbore casings and other areas with tight clearances.




The mandrel launcher


3515


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel or stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel launcher


3515


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods of higher strength by lower wall thickness than the tubular member


3525


in order to optimally provide a smaller container having approximately the same burst strength as the tubular member


3525


.




The shoe


3520


is coupled to the mandrel launcher


3515


and the releasable coupling


3600


. The shoe


3520


preferably comprises a substantially annular member. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


3520


or the releasable coupling


3600


include a third fluid passage


3555


fluidicly coupled to the pressure chamber


3550


and the mud motor


3530


.




The shoe


3520


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available shoes such as, for example, cement filled, aluminum or composite modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


3520


comprises a high strength shoe having a burst strength approximately equal to the burst strength of the tubular member


3525


and mandrel launcher


3515


. The shoe


3520


is preferably coupled to the mud motor


3520


by a releasable coupling


3600


in order to optimally provide for removal of the mud motor


3530


and drill nit


3535


upon the completion of a drilling and casing operation.




In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


3520


includes a releasable latch mechanism


3600


for retrieving and removing the mud motor


3530


and drill bit


3535


upon the completion of the drilling and casing formation operations. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe


3520


further includes an anti-rotation device for maintaining the shoe


3520


in a substantially stationary rotational position during operation of the apparatus


3500


. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable latch mechanism


3600


is releasably coupled to the shoe


3520


.




The tubular member


3525


is supported by and coupled to the mandrel


3510


. The tubular member


3525


is expanded in the radial direction and extruded off of the mandrel


3510


. The tubular member


3525


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, Oilfield Country Tubular Goods (OCTG),


13


chromium steel tubing/casing, automotive grade steel, or plastic tubing/casing. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


3525


is fabricated from OCTG in order to maximize strength after expansion. The inner and outer diameters of the tubular member


3525


may range, for example, from approximately 0.75 to 47 inches and 1.05 to 48 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the inner and outer diameters of the tubular member


3525


range from about 3 to 15.5 inches and 3.5 to 16 inches, respectively in order to optimally provide minimal telescoping effect in the most commonly drilled wellbore sizes. The tubular member


3525


preferably comprises an annular member with solid walls.




In a preferred embodiment, the upper end portion


3580


of the tubular member


3525


is slotted, perforated, or otherwise modified to catch or slow down the mandrel


3510


when the mandrel


3510


completes the extrusion of tubular member


3525


. For typical tubular member


3525


materials, the length of the tubular member


3525


is preferably limited to between about 40 to 20,000 feet in length. The tubular member


3525


may comprise a single tubular member or, alternatively, a plurality of tubular members coupled to one another.




The mud motor


3530


is coupled to the shoe


3520


and the drill bit


3535


. The mud motor


3530


is also fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage


3555


. In a preferred embodiment, the mud motor


3530


is driven by fluidic materials such as, for example, drilling mud, water, cement, epoxy, lubricants or slag mix conveyed from the fluid passage


3555


to the mud motor


3530


. In this manner, the mud motor


3530


drives the drill bit


3535


. The operating pressures and flow rates for operating mud motor


3530


may range, for example, from about 0 to 12,000 psi and 0 to 10,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressures and flow rates for operating mud motor


3530


range from about 0 to 5,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The mud motor


3530


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available mud motors, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the size of the mud motor


3520


and drill bit


3535


are selected to pass through the interior of the shoe


3520


and the expanded tubular member


3525


. In this manner, the mud motor


3520


and drill bit


3535


may be retrieved from the downhole location upon the conclusion of the drilling and casing operations.




The drill bit


3535


is coupled to the mud motor


3530


. The drill bit


3535


is preferably adapted to be powered by the mud motor


3530


. In this manner, the drill bit


3535


drills out new sections of the wellbore


3575


.




The drill bit


3535


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available drill bits, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the size of the mud motor


3520


and drill bit


3535


are selected to pass through the interior of the shoe


3


,


520


and the expanded tubular member


3525


. In this manner, the mud motor


3520


and drill bit


3535


may be retrieved from the downhole location upon the conclusion of the drilling and casing operations. In several alternative preferred embodiments, the drill bit


3535


comprises an eccentric drill bit, a bi-centered drill bit, or a small diameter drill bit with an hydraulically actuated under reamer.




The first fluid passage


3540


permits fluidic materials to be transported to the second fluid passage


3545


, the pressure chamber


3550


, the third fluid passage


3555


, and the mud motor


3530


. The first fluid passage


3540


is coupled to and positioned within the support member


3505


. The first fluid passage


3540


preferably extends from a position adjacent to the surface to the second fluid passage


3545


within the mandrel


3510


. The first fluid passage


3540


is preferably positioned along a centerline of the apparatus


3500


.




The second fluid passage


3545


permits fluidic materials to be conveyed from the first fluid passage


3540


to the pressure chamber


3550


, the third fluid passage


3555


, and the mud motor


3530


. The second fluid passage


3545


is coupled to and positioned within the mandrel


3510


. The second fluid passage


3545


preferably extends from a position adjacent to the first fluid passage


3540


to the bottom of the mandrel


3510


. The second fluid passage


3545


is preferably positioned substantially along the centerline of the apparatus


3500


.




The pressure chamber


3550


permits fluidic materials to be conveyed from the second fluid passage


3545


to the third fluid passage


3555


, and the mud motor


3530


. The pressure chamber is preferably defined by the region below the mandrel


3510


and within the tubular member


3525


, mandrel launcher


3515


, shoe


3520


, and releasable coupling


3600


. During operation of the apparatus


3500


, pressurization of the pressure chamber


3550


preferably causes the tubular member


3525


to be extruded off of the mandrel


3510


.




The third fluid passage


3555


permits fluidic materials to be conveyed from the pressure chamber


3550


to the mud motor


3530


. The third fluid passage


3555


may be coupled to and positioned within the shoe


3520


or releasable coupling


3600


. The third fluid passage


3555


preferably extends from a position adjacent to the pressure chamber


3550


to the bottom of the shoe


3520


or releasable coupling


3600


. The third fluid passage


3555


is preferably positioned substantially along the centerline of the apparatus


3500


.




The fluid passages


3540


,


3545


, and


3555


are preferably selected to convey materials such as cement, drilling mud or epoxies at flow rates and pressures ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute and 0 to 9,000 psi in order to optimally operational efficiency.




The cup seal


3560


is coupled to and supported by the outer surface of the support member


3505


. The cup seal


3560


prevents foreign materials from entering the interior region of the tubular member


3525


. The cup seal


3560


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available cup seals such as, for example, TP cups or SIP cups modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the cup seal


3560


comprises a SIP cup, available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally block the entry of foreign materials and contain a body of lubricant. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3500


includes a plurality of such cup seals in order to optimally prevent the entry of foreign material into the interior region of the tubular member


3525


in the vicinity of the mandrel


3510


.




In a preferred embodiment, a quantity of lubricant


3565


is provided in the annular region above the mandrel


3510


within the interior of the tubular member


3525


. In this manner, the extrusion of the tubular member


3525


off of the mandrel


3510


is facilitated. The lubricant


3565


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available lubricants such as, for example, Lubriplate, chlorine based lubricants, oil based lubricants or Climax 1500 Antisieze (3100). In a preferred embodiment, the lubricant


3565


comprises Climax .1500 Antisieze (3100) available from Climax Lubricants and Equipment Co. in Houston, Tex. in order to optimally provide optimum lubrication to faciliate the expansion process.




The seals


3570


are coupled to and supported by the end portion


3580


of the tubular member


3525


. The seals


3570


are further positioned on an outer surface of the end portion


3580


of the tubular member


3525


. The seals


3570


permit the overlapping joint between the lower end portion


3585


of a preexisting section of casing


3590


and the end portion


3580


of the tubular member


3525


to be fluidicly sealed. The seals


3570


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, rubber, Teflon, or epoxy seals modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the seals


3570


are molded from Stratalock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a load bearing interference fit between the end


3580


of the tubular member


3525


and the end


3585


of the preexisting casing


3590


.




In a preferred embodiment, the seals


3570


are selected to optimally provide a sufficient frictional force to support the expanded tubular member


3525


from the pre-existing casing


3590


. In a preferred embodiment, the frictional force optimally provided by the seals


3570


ranges from about 1,000 to 1,000,000 lbf in order to optimally support the expanded tubular member


3525


.




The releasable coupling


3600


is preferably releasably coupled to the bottom of the shoe


3520


. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable coupling


3600


includes fluidic seals for sealing the interface between the releasable coupling


3600


and the shoe


3520


. In this manner, the pressure chamber


3550


may be pressurized. The releasable coupling


3600


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available releasable couplings suitable for drilling operations modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




As illustrated in

FIG. 22A

, during operation of the apparatus


3500


, the apparatus


3500


is preferably initially positioned within a preexisting section of a wellbore


3575


including a preexisting section of wellbore casing


3590


. In a preferred embodiment, the upper end portion


3580


of the tubular member


3525


is positioned in an overlapping relationship with the lower end


3585


of the preexisting section of casing


3590


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3500


is initially positioned in the wellbore


3575


with the drill bit


353


in contact with the bottom of the wellbore


3575


. During the initial placement of the apparatus


3500


in the wellbore


3575


, the tubular member


3525


is preferably supported by the mandrel


3510


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 22B

, a fluidic material


3595


is then pumped into the first fluid passage


3540


. The fluidic material


3595


is preferably conveyed from the first fluid passage


3540


to the second fluid passage


3545


, the pressure chamber


3550


, the third fluid passage


3555


and the inlet to the mud motor


3530


. The fluidic material


3595


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available fluidic materials such as, for example, drilling mud, water, cement, epoxy or slag mix. The fluidic material


3595


may be pumped into the first fluid passage


3540


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging, for example, from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




The fluidic material


3595


will enter the inlet for the mud motor


3530


and drive the mud motor


3530


. The fluidic material


3595


will then exit the mud motor


3530


and enter the annular region surrounding the apparatus


3500


within the wellbore


3575


. The mud motor


3530


will in turn drive the drill bit


3535


. The operation of the drill bit


3535


will drill out a new section of the wellbore


3575


.




In the case where the fluidic material


3595


comprises a hardenable fluidic. material, the fluidic material


3595


preferably is permitted to cure and form an outer annular body surrounding the periphery of the expanded tubular member


3525


. Alternatively, in the case where the fluidic material


3595


is a non-hardenable fluidic material, the tubular member


3595


preferably is expanded into intimate contact with the interior walls of the wellbore


3575


. In this manner, an outer annular body is not provided in all applications.




As illustrated in

FIG. 22C

, at some point during operation of the mud motor


3530


and drill bit


3535


, the pressure drop across the mud motor


3530


will create sufficient back pressure to cause the operating pressure within the pressure chamber


3550


to elevate to the pressure necessary to extrude the tubular member


3525


off of the mandrel


3510


. The elevation of the operating pressure within the pressure chamber


3550


will then cause the tubular member


3525


to extrude off of the mandrel


3510


as illustrated in FIG.


22


D. For typical tubular members


3525


, the necessary operating pressure may range, for example, from about 1,000 to 9,000 psi. In this manner, a wellbore casing is formed simultaneous with the drilling out of a new section of wellbore.




In a particularly preferred embodiment, during the operation of the apparatus


3500


, the apparatus


3500


is lowered into the wellbore


3575


until the drill bit


3535


is proximate the bottom of the wellbore


3575


. Throughout this process, the tubular member


3525


is preferably supported by the mandrel


3510


. The apparatus


3500


is then lowered until the drill bit


3535


is placed in contact with the bottom of the wellbore


3575


. At this point, at least a portion of the weight of the tubular member


3525


is supported by the drill bit


3535


.




The fluidic material


3595


is then pumped into the first fluid passage


3540


, second fluid passage


3545


, pressure chamber


3550


, third fluid passage


3555


, and the inlet of the mud motor


3530


. The mud motor


3530


then drives the drill bit


3535


to drill out a new section of the wellbore


3575


. Once the differential pressure across the mud motor


3530


exceeds the minimum extrusion pressure for the tubular member


3525


, the tubular member


3525


begins to extrude off of the mandrel


3510


. As the tubular member


3525


is extruded off of the mandrel


3510


, the weight of the extruded portion of the tubular member


3525


is transferred to and supported by the drill bit


3535


. In a preferred embodiment, the pumping pressure of the fluidic material


3595


is maintained substantially constant throughout this process. At some point during the process of extruding the tubular member


3525


off of the mandrel


3510


, a sufficient portion of the weight of the tubular member


3525


is transferred to the drill bit


3535


to stop the extrusion process due to the opposing force. Continued drilling by the drill bit


3535


eventually transfers a sufficient portion of the weight of the extruded portion of the tubular member


3525


back to the mandrel


3510


. At this point, the extrusion of the tubular member


3525


off of the mandrel


3510


continues. In this manner, the support member


3505


never has to be moved and no drillpipe connections have to be made at the surface since the new section of the wellbore casing within the newly drilled section of wellbore is created by the constant downward feeding of the expanded tubular member


3525


off of the mandrel


3510


.




Once the new section of wellbore that is lined with the fully expanded tubular member


3525


is completed, the support member


3505


and mandrel


3510


are removed from the wellbore


3575


. The drilling assembly including the mud motor


3530


and drill bit


3535


are then preferably removed by lowering a drillstring into the new section of wellbore casing and retrieving the drilling assembly by using the latch


3600


. The expanded tubular member


3525


is then cemented using conventional squeeze cementing methods to provide a solid annular sealing member around the periphery of the expanded tubular member


3525


.




Alternatively, the apparatus


3500


may be used to repair or form an underground pipeline or form a support member for a structure. In several preferred alternative embodiments, the teachings of the apparatus


3500


are combined with the teachings of the embodiments illustrated in

FIGS. 1-21

. For example, by operably coupling the mud motor


3530


and drill bit


3535


to the pressure chambers used to cause the radial expansion of the tubular members of the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to

FIGS. 1-21

, the use of plugs may be eliminated and radial expansion of tubular members can be combined with the drilling out of new sections of wellbore.




Referring now to

FIGS. 23A

,


23


B and


23


C, an apparatus


3700


for expanding a tubular member will be described. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3700


includes a support member


3705


, a packer


3710


, a first fluid conduit


3715


, an annular fluid passage


3720


, fluid inlets


3725


, an annular seal


3730


, a second fluid conduit


3735


, a fluid passage


3740


, a mandrel


3745


, a mandrel launcher


3750


, a tubular member


3755


, slips


3760


, and seals


3765


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3700


is used to radially expand the tubular member


3755


. In this manner, the apparatus


3700


may be used to form a wellbore casing, line a wellbore casing, form a pipeline, line a pipeline, form a structural support member, or repair a wellbore casing, pipeline or structural support member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3700


is used to clad at least a portion of the tubular member


3755


onto a preexisting tubular member.




The support member


3705


is preferably coupled to the packer


3710


and the mandrel launcher


3750


. The support member


3705


preferably comprises a tubular member fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, or stainless steel. The support member


3705


is preferably selected to fit through a preexisting section of wellbore casing


3770


. In this manner, the apparatus


3700


may be positioned within the wellbore casing


3770


. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


3705


is releasably coupled to the mandrel launcher


3750


. In this manner, the support member


3705


may be decoupled from the mandrel launcher


3750


upon the completion of an extrusion operation.




The packer


3710


is coupled to the support member


3705


and the first fluid conduit


3715


. The packer


3710


preferably provides a fluid seal between the outside surface of the first fluid conduit


3715


and the inside surface of the support member


3705


. In this manner, the packer


3710


preferably seals off and, in combination with the support member


3705


, first fluid conduit


3715


, second fluid conduit


3735


, and mandrel


3745


, defines an annular chamber


3775


. The packer


3710


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available packers modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




The first fluid conduit


3715


is coupled to the packer


3710


and the annular seal


3730


. The first fluid conduit


3715


preferably comprises an annular member fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, or stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluid conduit


3715


includes one or more fluid inlets


3725


for conveying fluidic materials from the annular fluid passage


3720


into the chamber


3775


.




The annular fluid passage


3720


is defined by and positioned between the interior surface of the first fluid conduit


3715


and the interior surface of the second fluid conduit


3735


. The annular fluid passage


3720


is preferably adapted to convey fluidic materials such as cement, water, epoxy, lubricants, and slag mix at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The fluid inlets


3725


are positioned in an end portion of the first fluid conduit


3715


. The fluid inlets


3725


preferably are adapted to convey fluidic materials such as cement, water, epoxy, lubricants, and slag mix at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The annular seal


3730


is coupled to the first fluid conduit


3715


and the second fluid conduit


3735


. The annular seal


3730


preferably provides a fluid seal between the interior surface of the first fluid conduit


3715


and the exterior surface of the second fluid conduit


3735


. The annular seal


3730


preferably provides a fluid seal between the interior surface of the first fluid conduit


3715


and the exterior surface of the second fluid conduit


3735


during relative axial motion of the first fluid conduit


3715


and the second fluid conduit


3735


. The annular seal


3730


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, o-rings, polypak seals or metal spring energized seals. In a preferred embodiment, the annular seal


3730


comprises a polypak seal available from Parker Seals in order to optimally provide sealing for axial motion.




The second fluid conduit


3735


is coupled to the annular seal


3730


and the mandrel


3745


. The second fluid conduit preferably comprises a tubular member fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, coiled tubing, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, stainless steel, or low carbon steel. In a preferred embodiment, the second fluid conduit


3735


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as cement, water, epoxy, lubricants, and slag mix at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The fluid passage


3740


is coupled to the second fluid conduit


3735


and the mandrel


3745


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


3740


is adapted to convey fluidic materials such as cement, water, epoxy, lubricants, and slag mix at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency.




The mandrel


3745


is coupled to the second fluid conduit


3735


and the mandrel launcher


3750


. The mandrel


3745


preferably comprise an annular member having a conic section fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, carbon steel, tool steel, ceramics, or composite materials. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack the conic section of the mandrel


3745


ranges from about 10 to 30 degrees in order to optimally expand the mandrel launcher


3750


and tubular member


3755


in the radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the surface hardness of the conic section of the mandrel


3745


ranges from about 50 Rockwell C to 70 Rockwell C. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the surface hardness of the outer surface of the conic section of the mandrel


3745


ranges from about 58 Rockwell C to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high yield strength. In an alternative embodiment, the mandrel


3745


is expandable in order to further optimally augment the radial expansion process.




The mandrel launcher


3750


is coupled to the support member


3705


, the mandrel


3745


, and the tubular member


3755


. The mandrel launcher


3750


preferably comprise a tubular member having a variable cross-section and a reduced wall thickness in order to facilitate the radial expansion process. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the mandrel launcher


3750


at one end is adapted to mate with the mandrel


3745


, and at the other end, the cross-sectional area of the mandrel launcher


3750


is adapted to match the cross-sectional area of the tubular member


3755


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


3750


ranges from about 50 to 100% of the wall thickness of the tubular member


3755


in order to facilitate the initiation of the radial expansion process.




The mandrel launcher


3750


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low allow steel, stainless steel, or carbon steel. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel launcher


3750


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods having higher strength but lower wall thickness than the tubular member


3755


in order to optimally match the burst strength of the tubular member


3755


. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel launcher


3750


is removably coupled to the tubular member


3755


. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


3750


may be removed from the wellbore


3780


upon the completion of an extrusion operation.




The tubular member


3755


is coupled to the mandrel launcher, the slips


3760


and the seals


3765


. The tubular member


3755


preferably comprises a tubular member fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, or oilfield country tubular goods. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


3755


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods.




The slips


3760


are coupled to the outside surface of the tubular member


3755


. The slips


3760


preferably are adapted to couple to the interior walls of a casing, pipeline or other structure upon the radial expansion of the tubular member


3755


. In this manner, the slips


3760


provide structural support for the expanded tubular member


3755


. The slips


3760


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available slips, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




The seals


3765


are coupled to the outside surface of the tubular member


3755


. The seals


3765


preferably provide a fluidic seal between the outside surface of the expanded tubular member


3755


and the interior walls of a casing, pipeline or other structure upon the radial expansion of the tubular member


3755


. In this manner, the seals


3765


provide a fluidic seal for the expanded tubular member


3755


. The seals


3765


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, rubber, Teflon or epoxy seals modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the seals


3765


comprise seals molded from Stratalock epoxy available from Halliburton Energy Services in Dallas, Tex. in order to optimally provide a hydraulic seal in the overlapping joint and optimally provide load carrying capacity to withstand the range of typical tensile and compressive loads.




During operation of the apparatus


3700


, the apparatus


3700


is preferably lowered into a wellbore


3780


having a preexisting section of wellbore casing


3770


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3700


is positioned with at least a portion of the tubular member


3755


overlapping with a portion of the wellbore casing


3770


. In this manner, the radial expansion of the tubular member


3755


will preferably cause the outside surface of the expanded tubular member


3755


to couple with the inside surface of the wellbore casing


3770


. In a preferred embodiment, the radial expansion of the tubular member


3755


will also cause the slips


3760


and seals


3765


to engage with the interior surface of the wellbore casing


3770


. In this manner, the expanded tubular member


3755


is provided with enhanced structural support by the slips


3760


and an enhanced fluid seal by the seals


3765


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 23B

, after placement of the apparatus


3700


in an overlapping relationship with the wellbore casing


3770


, a fluidic material


3785


is preferably pumped into the chamber


3775


using the fluid passage


3720


and the inlet passages


3725


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material is pumped into the chamber


3775


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency. The pumped fluidic material


3785


increase the operating pressure within the chamber


3775


. The increased operating pressure in the chamber


3775


then causes the mandrel


3745


to extrude the mandrel launcher


3750


and tubular member


3755


off of the face of the mandrel


3745


. The extrusion of the mandrel launcher


3750


and tubular member


3755


off of the face of the mandrel


3745


causes the mandrel launcher


3750


and tubular member


3755


to expand in the radial direction. Continued pumping of the fluidic material


3785


preferably causes the entire length of the tubular member


3755


to expand in the radial direction.




In a preferred embodiment, the pumping rate and pressure of the fluidic material


3785


is reduced during the latter stages of the extrusion process in order to minimize shock to the apparatus


3700


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3700


includes shock absorbers for absorbing the shock caused by the completion of the extrusion process.




In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion process causes the mandrel


3745


to move in an axial direction


3785


. During the axial movement of the mandrel, in a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage


3740


conveys fluidic material


3790


displaced by the moving mandrel


3745


out of the wellbore


3780


. In this manner, the operational efficiency and speed of the extrusion process is enhanced.




In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion process includes the injection of a hardenable fluidic material into the annular region between the tubular member


3755


and the bore hole


3780


. In this manner, a hardened sealing layer is provided between the expanded tubular member


3755


and the interior walls of the wellbore


3780


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 23C

, in a preferred embodiment, upon the completion of the extrusion process, the support member


3705


, packer


3710


, first fluid conduit


3715


, annular seal


3730


, second fluid conduit


3735


, mandrel


3745


, and mandrel launcher


3750


are moved from the wellbore


3780


.




In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


3700


is used to repair a preexisting wellbore casing, pipeline, or structural support. In this alternative embodiment, both ends of the tubular member


3755


preferably include slips


3760


and seals


3765


.




In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


3700


is used to form a tubular structural support for a building or offshore structure.




Referring now to

FIGS. 24A

,


24


B,


24


C,


24


D, and


24


E, an apparatus


3900


for expanding a tubular member will be described. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3900


includes a support member


3905


, a mandrel launcher


3910


, a mandrel


3915


, a first fluid passage


3920


, a tubular member


3925


, slips


3930


, seals


3935


, a shoe


3940


, and a second fluid passage


3945


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3900


is used to radially expand the mandrel launcher


3910


and tubular member


3925


. In this manner, the apparatus


3900


may be used to form a wellbore casing, line a wellbore casing, form a pipeline, line a pipeline, form a structural support member, or repair a wellbore casing, pipeline or structural support member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3900


is used to clad at least a portion of the tubular member


3925


onto a preexisting structural member.




The support member


3905


is preferably coupled to the mandrel launcher


3910


. The support member


3905


preferably comprises a tubular member fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low alloy steel, carbon steel, or stainless steel. The support member


3905


, the mandrel launcher


3910


, the tubular member


3925


, and the shoe


3940


are preferably selected to fit through a preexisting section of wellbore casing


3950


. In this manner, the apparatus


3900


may be positioned within the wellbore casing


3970


. In a preferred embodiment, the support member


3905


is releasably coupled to the mandrel launcher


3910


. In this manner, the support member


3905


may be decoupled from the mandrel launcher


3910


upon the completion of an extrusion operation.




The mandrel launcher


3910


is coupled to the support member


3905


and the tubular member


3925


. The mandrel launcher


3910


preferably comprise a tubular member having a variable cross-section and a reduced wall thickness in order to facilitate the radial expansion process. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the mandrel launcher


3910


at one end is adapted to mate with the mandrel


3915


, and at the other end, the cross-sectional area of the mandrel launcher


3910


is adapted to match the cross-sectional area of the tubular member


3925


. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the mandrel launcher


3910


ranges from about 50 to 100% of the wall thickness of the tubular member


3925


in order to facilitate the initiation of the radial expansion process.




The mandrel launcher


3910


may be fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, oilfield country tubular goods, low allow steel, stainless steel, or carbon steel. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel launcher


3910


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods having higher strength but lower wall thickness than the tubular member


3925


in order to optimally match the burst strength of the tubular member


3925


. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel launcher


3910


is removably coupled to the tubular member


3925


. In this manner, the mandrel launcher


3910


may be removed from the wellbore


3960


upon the completion of an extrusion operation.




The mandrel


3915


is coupled to the mandrel launcher


3910


. The mandrel


3915


preferably comprise an annular member having a conic section fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, tool steel, carbon steel, ceramics, or composite materials. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the conic section of the mandrel


3915


ranges from about 10 to 30 degrees in order to optimally expand the mandrel launcher


3910


and the tubular member


3925


in the radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the surface hardness of the conic section of the mandrel


3915


ranges from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C in order to optimally provide high strength and resist wear and galling. In an alternative embodiment, the mandrel


3915


is expandable in order to further optimally augment the radial expansion process.




The fluid passage


3920


is positioned within the mandrel


3915


. The fluid passage


3920


is preferably adapted to convey fluidic materials such as cement, water, epoxy, lubricants, and slag mix at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency. The fluid passage


3920


preferably includes an inlet


3965


adapted to receive a plug, or other similar device. In this manner, the interior chamber


3970


above the mandrel


3915


may be fluidicly isolated from the interior chamber


3975


below the mandrel


3915


.




The tubular member


3925


is coupled to the mandrel launcher


3910


, the slips


3930


and the seals


3935


. The tubular member


3925


preferably comprises a tubular member fabricated from any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, low alloy steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, or oilfield country tubular goods. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member


3925


is fabricated from oilfield country tubular goods.




The slips


3930


are coupled to the outside surface of the tubular member


3925


. The slips


3930


preferably are adapted to couple to the interior walls of a casing, pipeline or other structure upon the radial expansion of the tubular member


3925


. In this manner, the slips


3930


provide structural support for the expanded tubular member


3925


. The slips


3930


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available slips, modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




The seals


3935


are coupled to the outside surface of the tubular member


3925


. The seals


3935


preferably provide a fluidic seal between the outside surface of the expanded tubular member


3925


and the interior walls of a casing, pipeline or other structure upon the radial expansion of the tubular member


3925


. In this manner, the seals


3935


provide a fluidic seal for the expanded tubular member


3925


. The seals


3935


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available seals such as, for example, lead, rubber or epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the seals


3935


comprise Stratalok epoxy material available from Halliburton Energy Services in order to optimally provide structural support for the typical tensile and compressive loads.




The shoe


3940


is coupled to the tubular member


3925


. The shoe


3940


preferably comprises a substantially tubular member having a fluid passage


3945


for conveying fluidic materials from the chamber


3975


to the annular region


3970


outside of the apparatus


3900


. The shoe


3940


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available shoes modified in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.




During operation of the apparatus


3900


, the apparatus


3900


is preferably lowered into a wellbore


3960


having a preexisting section of wellbore casing


3975


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3900


is positioned with at least a portion of the tubular member


3925


overlapping with a portion of the wellbore casing


3975


. In this manner, the radial expansion of the tubular member


3925


will preferably cause the outside surface of the expanded tubular member


3925


to couple with the inside surface of the wellbore casing


3975


. In a preferred embodiment, the radial expansion of the tubular member


3925


will also cause the slips


3930


and seals


3935


to engage with the interior surface of the wellbore casing


3975


. In this manner, the expanded tubular member


3925


is provided with enhanced structural support by the slips


3930


and an enhanced fluid seal by the seals


3935


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 24B

, after placement of the apparatus


3900


in an overlapping relationship with the wellbore casing


3975


, a fluidic material


3980


is preferably pumped into the chamber


3970


. The fluidic material


3980


then passes through the fluid passage


3920


into the chamber


3975


. The fluidic material


3980


then passes out of the chamber


3975


, through the fluid passage


3945


, and into the annular region


3970


. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material


3980


is pumped into the chamber


3970


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to optimally provide operational efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material


3980


comprises a hardenable fluidic sealing material in order to form a hardened outer annular member around the expanded tubular member


3925


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 24C

, at some later point in the process, a ball


3985


, plug or other similar device, is introduced into the pumped fluidic material


3980


. In a preferred embodiment, the ball


3985


mates with and seals off the inlet


3965


of the fluid passage


3920


. In this manner, the chamber


3970


is fluidicly isolated from the chamber


3975


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 24D

, after placement of the ball


3985


in the inlet


3965


of the fluid passage


3920


, a fluidic material


3990


is pumped into the chamber


3970


. The fluidic material is preferably pumped into the chamber


3970


at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi and 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute in order to provide optimal operating efficiency. The fluidic material


3990


may comprise any number of conventional commercially available materials such as, for example, water, drilling mud, cement, epoxy, or slag mix. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material


3990


comprises a non-hardenable fluidic material in order to maximize operational efficiency.




Continued pumping of the fluidic material


3990


increases fluidic material


3980


increases the operating pressure within the chamber


3970


. The increased operating pressure in the chamber


3970


then causes the mandrel


3915


to extrude the mandrel launcher


3910


and tubular member


3925


off of the conical face of the mandrel


3915


. The extrusion of the mandrel launcher


3910


and tubular member


3925


off of the conical face of the mandrel


3915


causes the mandrel launcher


3910


and tubular member


3925


to expand in the radial direction. Continued pumping of the fluidic material


3990


preferably causes the entire length of the tubular member


3925


to expand in the radial direction.




In a preferred embodiment, the pumping rate and pressure of the fluidic material


3990


is reduced during the latter stages of the extrusion process in order to minimize shock to the apparatus


3900


. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus


3900


includes shock absorbers for absorbing the shock caused by the completion of the extrusion process. In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion process causes the mandrel


3915


to move in an axial direction


3995


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 24E

, in a preferred embodiment, upon the completion of the extrusion process, the support member


3905


, packer


3910


, first fluid conduit


3915


, annular seal


3930


, second fluid conduit


3935


, mandrel


3945


, and mandrel launcher


3950


are removed from the wellbore


3980


. In a preferred embodiment, the resulting new section of wellbore casing includes the preexisting wellbore casing


3975


, the expanded tubular member


3925


, the slips


3930


, the seals


3935


, the shoe


3940


, and an outer annular layer


4000


of hardened fluidic material.




In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


3900


is used to repair a preexisting wellbore casing or pipeline. In this alternative embodiment, both ends of the tubular member


3955


preferably include slips


3960


and seals


3965


.




In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus


3900


is used to form a tubular structural support for a building or offshore structure.




Referring to

FIGS. 25 and 26

, the optimal relationship between the angle of attack of an expansion mandrel and the minimally required propagation pressure during the expansion of a tubular member will now be described. As illustrated in

FIG. 25

, during the radial expansion of a tubular member


4100


by an expansion mandrel


4105


, the expansion mandrel


4105


is displaced in the axial direction. The angle of attack a of the conical surface


4110


of the expansion mandrel


4105


directly affects the required propagation pressure P


PR


necessary to radially expand the tubular member


4100


. Referring to

FIG. 26

, for typical grades of materials and typical geometries, the propagation pressure P


PR


is minimized for an angle of attack of approximately 25 degrees. Furthermore, the optimal range of the angle of attack α ranges from about 10 to 30 degrees in order to minimize the range of required minimum propagation pressure P


PR


.




Referring to

FIG. 27

, an embodiment of an expandable threaded connection


4300


will now be described. The expandable threaded connection


4300


preferably includes a first tubular member


4305


, a second tubular member


4310


, a threaded connection


4315


, an O-ring groove


4320


, and an O-ring


4325


.




The first tubular member


4305


includes an inside wall


4330


and an outside wall


4335


. The first tubular member


4305


preferably comprises an annular member having a substantially constant wall thickness. The second tubular member


4310


includes an inside wall


4340


and an outside wall


4345


. The second tubular member


4310


preferably comprises an annular member having a substantially constant wall thickness.




The first and second tubular members,


4305


and


4310


, may comprise any number of conventional commercially available members. In a preferred embodiment, the inside and outside diameters of the first and second tubular members,


4305


and


4310


, are substantially equal. In this manner, the burst strength of the tubular members,


4305


and


4310


, are substantially equal. This minimizes the possibility of a catastrophic failure during the radial expansion process.




The threaded connection


4315


may comprise any number of conventional threaded connections suitable for use with tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded connection


4315


comprises a pin-and-box threaded connection. In this manner, the assembly of the first tubular member


4305


to the second tubular member


4310


is optimized.




The O-ring groove


4320


is preferably provided in the threaded portion of the interior wall


4340


of the second tubular member


4310


. The O-ring groove


4320


is preferably adapted to receive and support one or more O-rings. The volumetric size of the O-ring groove


4320


is preferably selected to permit the O-ring


4325


to expand at least approximately 20% in the axial direction during the radial expansion process. In this manner, deformation of the outer surface


4345


of the second tubular member


4310


during and upon the completion of the radial expansion process is minimized.




The O-ring


4325


is supported by the O-ring groove


4320


. The O-ring


4325


optimally ensures that a fluid-tight seal is maintained between the first tubular member


4305


and the second tubular member


4310


throughout and upon the completion of the radial expansion process.




Referring to

FIG. 28

, an alternative embodiment of an expandable threaded connection


4500


will now be described. The expandable threaded connection


4500


includes a first tubular member


4505


, a second tubular member


4510


, a threaded connection


4515


, an O-ring groove


4520


, and an O-ring


4525


.




The first tubular member


4505


includes an inside wall


4530


and an outside wall


4535


. The first tubular member


4305


preferably comprises an annular member having a substantially constant wall thickness. The second tubular member


4510


includes an inside wall


4540


and an outside wall


4545


. The second tubular member


4510


preferably comprises an annular member having a substantially constant wall thickness.




The first and second tubular members,


4505


and


4510


, may comprise any number of conventional commercially available members. In a preferred embodiment, the inside and outside diameters of the first and second tubular members,


4505


and


4510


, are substantially equal. In this manner, the burst strength of the tubular members,


4505


and


4510


, are substantially equal. This minimizes the possibility of a catastrophic failure during the radial expansion process.




The threaded connection


4515


may comprise any number of conventional threaded connections suitable for use with tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded connection


4515


comprises a pin-and-box threaded connection. In this manner, the assembly of the first tubular member


4505


to the second tubular member


4510


is optimized.




The O-ring groove


4520


is preferably provided in the threaded portion of the interior wall


4540


of the second tubular member


4510


immediately adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection


4515


. In this manner, the sealing effect provided by the O-ring


4525


is optimized. The O-ring groove


4520


is preferably adapted to receive and support one or more O-rings. The volumetric size of the O-ring groove


4520


is preferably selected to permit the O-ring


4525


to expand at least approximately 20% in the axial direction during the radial expansion process. In this manner, deformation of the outer surface


4545


of the second tubular member


4510


during and upon the completion of the radial expansion process is minimized.




The O-ring


4525


is supported by the O-ring groove


4520


. The O-ring


4525


optimally ensures that a fluid-tight seal is maintained between the first tubular member


4505


and the second tubular member


4510


throughout and upon the completion of the radial expansion process.




Referring to

FIG. 29

, an alternative embodiment of an expandable threaded connection


4700


will now be described. The expandable threaded connection


4700


includes a first tubular member


4705


, a second tubular member


4710


, a threaded connection


4715


, an O-ring groove


4720


, a first O-ring


4725


, and a second O-ring


4730


.




The first tubular member


4705


includes an inside wall


4735


and an outside wall


4740


. The first tubular member


4705


preferably comprises an annular member having a substantially constant wall thickness. The second tubular member


4710


includes an inside wall


4745


and an outside wall


4750


. The second tubular member


4710


preferably comprises an annular member having a substantially constant wall thickness.




The first and second tubular members,


4705


and


4710


, may comprise any number of conventional commercially available members. In a preferred embodiment, the inside and outside diameters of the first and second tubular members,


4705


and


4710


, are substantially equal. In this manner, the burst strength of the tubular members,


4705


and


4710


, are substantially equal. This minimizes the possibility of a catastrophic failure during the radial expansion process.




The threaded connection


4715


may comprise any number of conventional threaded connections suitable for use with tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded connection


4715


comprises a pin-and-box threaded connection. In this manner, the assembly of the first tubular member


4705


to the second tubular member


4710


is optimized.




The O-ring groove


4720


is preferably provided in the threaded portion of the interior wall


4745


of the second tubular member


4710


immediately adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection


4715


. In this manner, the sealing effect provided by the O-rings,


4725


and


4730


, is optimized. The O-ring groove


4720


is preferably adapted to receive and support a plurality of O-rings. The volumetric size of the O-ring groove


4720


is preferably selected to permit the O-rings,


4725


and


4730


, to expand at least approximately 20% in the axial direction during the radial expansion process. In this manner, deformation of the outer surface


4750


of the second tubular member


4710


during and upon the completion of the radial expansion process is minimized.




The O-rings,


4725


and


4730


, are supported by the O-ring groove


4720


. The pair of O-rings,


4725


and


4730


, optimally ensure that a fluid-tight seal is maintained between the first tubular member


4705


and the second tubular member


4710


throughout and upon the completion of the radial expansion process. In particular, the use of a pair of adjacent O-rings provides redundancy in the seal between the first tubular member


4705


and the second tubular member


4710


.




Referring to

FIG. 30

, an alternative embodiment of an expandable threaded connection


4900


will now be described. The expandable threaded connection


4900


includes a first tubular member


4905


, a second tubular member


4910


, a threaded connection


4915


, a first O-ring groove


4920


, a second O-ring grove


4925


, a first O-ring


4930


, and a second O-ring


4935


.




The first tubular member


4905


includes an inside wall


4940


and an outside wall


4945


. The first tubular member


4905


preferably comprises an annular member having a substantially constant wall thickness. The second tubular member


4910


includes an inside wall


4950


and an outside wall


4955


. The second tubular member


4910


preferably comprises an annular member having a substantially constant wall thickness.




The first and second tubular members,


4905


and


4910


, may comprise any number of conventional commercially available tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the inside and outside diameters of the first and second tubular members,


4905


and


4910


, are substantially equal. In this manner, the burst strength of the tubular members,


4905


and


4910


, are substantially equal. This minimizes the possibility of a catastrophic failure during the radial expansion process.




The threaded connection


4915


may comprise any number of conventional threaded connections suitable for use with tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded connection


4915


comprises a pin-and-box threaded connection. In this manner, the assembly of the first tubular member


4905


to the second tubular member


4910


is optimized.




The first O-ring groove


4920


is preferably provided in the threaded portion of the interior wall


4950


of the second tubular member


4910


that is separated from an end portion of the threaded connection


4915


. In this manner, the sealing effect provided by the O-rings,


4930


and


4935


, is optimized. The first O-ring groove


4920


is preferably adapted to receive and support one more O-rings. The volumetric size of the first O-ring groove


4920


is preferably selected to permit the O-ring


4930


to expand at least approximately 20% in the axial direction during the radial expansion process. In this manner, deformation of the outer surface


4955


of the second tubular member


4910


during and upon the completion of the radial expansion process is minimized.




The second O-ring groove


4925


is preferably provided in the threaded portion of the interior wall


4950


of the second tubular member


4910


that is immediately adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection


4915


. In this manner, the sealing effect provided by the O-rings,


4930


and


4935


, is optimized. The second O-ring groove


4925


is preferably adapted to receive and support one more O-rings. The volumetric size of the second O-ring groove


4925


is preferably selected to permit the O-ring


4935


to expand at least approximately 20% in the axial direction during the radial expansion process. In this manner, deformation of the outer surface


4955


of the second tubular member


4910


during and upon the completion of the radial expansion process is minimized.




The O-rings,


4930


and


4935


, are supported by the O-ring grooves,


4920


and


4925


. The use of a pair of O-rings,


4930


and


4935


, that are axially separated optimally ensures that a fluid-tight seal is maintained between the first tubular member


4905


and the second tubular member


4910


throughout and upon the completion of the radial expansion process. In particular, the use of a pair of O-rings provides redundancy in the seal between the first tubular member


4905


and the second tubular member


4910


.




In a preferred embodiment, the expandable threaded connections


4300


,


4500


,


4700


, and/or


4900


are used in combination with one or more of the embodiments illustrated in

FIGS. 1-24E

in order to optimally expand a plurality of tubular members coupled end to end using the expandable threaded connections


4300


,


4500


,


4700


and/or


4900


.




A method of creating a casing in a borehole located in a subterranean formation has been described that includes installing a tubular liner and a mandrel in the borehole. A body of fluidic material is then injected into the borehole. The tubular liner is then radially expanded by extruding the liner off of the mandrel. The injecting preferably includes injecting a hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annular region located between the borehole and the exterior of the tubular liner; and a non hardenable fluidic material into an interior region of the tubular liner below the mandrel. The method preferably includes fluidicly isolating the annular region from the interior region before injecting the second quantity of the non hardenable sealing material into the interior region. The injecting the hardenable fluidic sealing material is preferably provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 5000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min. The injecting of the non hardenable fluidic material is preferably provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 9000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min. The injecting of the non hardenable fluidic material is preferably provided at reduced operating pressures and flow rates during an end portion of the extruding. The non hardenable fluidic material is preferably injected below the mandrel. The method preferably includes pressurizing a region of the tubular liner below the mandrel. The region of the tubular liner below the mandrel is preferably pressurized to pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. The method preferably includes fluidicly isolating an interior region of the tubular liner from an exterior region of the tubular liner. The method further preferably includes curing the hardenable sealing material, and removing at least a portion of the cured sealing material located within the tubular liner. The method further preferably includes overlapping the tubular liner with an existing wellbore casing. The method further preferably includes sealing the overlap between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. The method further preferably includes supporting the extruded tubular liner using the overlap with the existing wellbore casing. The method further preferably includes testing the integrity of the seal in the overlap between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. The method further preferably includes removing at least a portion of the hardenable fluidic sealing material within the tubular liner before curing. The method further preferably includes lubricating the surface of the mandrel. The method further preferably includes absorbing shock. The method further preferably includes catching the mandrel upon the completion of the extruding.




An apparatus for creating a casing in a borehole located in a subterranean formation has been described that includes a support member, a mandrel, a tubular member, and a shoe. The support member includes a first fluid passage. The mandrel is coupled to the support member and includes a second fluid passage. The tubular member is coupled to the mandrel. The shoe is coupled to the tubular liner and includes a third fluid passage. The first, second and third fluid passages are operably coupled. The support member preferably further includes a pressure relief passage, and a flow control valve coupled to the first fluid passage and the pressure relief passage. The support member further preferably includes a shock absorber. The support member preferably includes one or more sealing members adapted to prevent foreign material from entering an interior region of the tubular member. The mandrel is preferably expandable. The tubular member is preferably fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of Oilfield Country Tubular Goods, 13 chromium steel tubing/casing, and plastic casing. The tubular member preferably has inner and outer diameters ranging from about 3 to 15.5 inches and 3.5 to 16 inches, respectively. The tubular member preferably has a plastic yield point ranging from about 40,000 to 135,000 psi. The tubular member preferably includes one or more sealing members at an end portion. The tubular member preferably includes one or more pressure relief holes at an end portion. The tubular member preferably includes a catching member at an end portion for slowing down the mandrel. The shoe preferably includes an inlet port coupled to the third fluid passage, the inlet port adapted to receive a plug for blocking the inlet port. The shoe preferably is drillable.




A method of joining a second tubular member to a first tubular member, the first tubular member having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second tubular member, has been described that includes positioning a mandrel within an interior region of the second tubular member, positioning the first and second tubular members in an overlapping relationship, pressurizing a portion of the interior region of the second tubular member; and extruding the second tubular member off of the mandrel into engagement with the first tubular member. The pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the second tubular member is preferably provided at operating pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. The pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the second tubular member is preferably provided at reduced operating pressures during a latter portion of the extruding. The method further preferably includes sealing the overlap between the first and second tubular members. The method further preferably includes supporting the extruded first tubular member using the overlap with the second tubular member. The method further preferably includes lubricating the surface of the mandrel. The method further preferably includes absorbing shock.




A liner for use in creating a new section of wellbore casing in a subterranean formation adjacent to an already existing section of wellbore casing has been described that includes an annular member. The annular member includes one or more sealing members at an end portion of the annular member, and one or more pressure relief passages at an end portion of the annular member.




A wellbore casing has been described that includes a tubular liner and an annular body of a cured fluidic sealing material. The tubular liner is formed by the process of extruding the tubular liner off of a mandrel. The tubular liner is preferably formed by the process of placing the tubular liner and mandrel within the wellbore, and pressurizing an interior portion of the tubular liner. The annular body of the cured fluidic sealing material is preferably formed by the process of injecting a body of hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annular region external of the tubular liner. During the pressurizing, the interior portion of the tubular liner is preferably fluidicly isolated from an exterior portion of the tubular liner. The interior portion of the tubular liner is preferably pressurized to pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. The tubular liner preferably overlaps with an existing wellbore casing. The wellbore casing preferably further includes a seal positioned in the overlap between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. Tubular liner is preferably supported the overlap with the existing wellbore casing.




A method of repairing an existing section of a wellbore casing within a borehole has been described that includes installing a tubular liner and a mandrel within the wellbore casing, injecting a body of a fluidic material into the borehole, pressurizing a portion of an interior region of the tubular liner, and radially expanding the liner in the borehole by extruding the liner off of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material is selected from the group consisting of slag mix, cement, drilling mud, and epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes fluidicly isolating an interior region of the tubular liner from an exterior region of the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the body of fluidic material is provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the body of fluidic material is provided at reduced operating pressures and flow rates during an end portion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material is injected below the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, a region of the tubular liner below the mandrel is pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, the region of the tubular liner below the mandrel is pressurized to pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes overlapping the tubular liner with the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing the interface between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the extruded tubular liner using the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes testing the integrity of the seal in the interface between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, method further includes lubricating the surface of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes absorbing shock. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes catching the mandrel upon the completion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes expanding the mandrel in a radial direction.




A tie-back liner for lining an existing wellbore casing has been described that includes a tubular liner and an annular body of a cured fluidic sealing material. The tubular liner is formed by the process of extruding the tubular liner off of a mandrel. The annular body of a cured fluidic sealing material is coupled to the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner is formed by the process of placing the tubular liner and mandrel within the wellbore, and pressurizing an interior portion of the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, during the pressurizing, the interior portion of the tubular liner is fluidicly isolated from an exterior portion of the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the interior portion of the tubular liner is pressurized at pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the annular body of a cured fluidic sealing material is formed by the process of injecting a body of hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annular region between the existing wellbore casing and the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner overlaps with another existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the tie-back liner further includes a seal positioned in the overlap between the tubular liner and the other existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, tubular liner is supported by the overlap with the other existing wellbore casing.




An apparatus for expanding a tubular member has been described that includes a support member, a mandrel, a tubular member, and a shoe. The support member includes a first fluid passage. The mandrel is coupled to the support member. The mandrel includes a second fluid passage operably coupled to the first fluid passage, an interior portion, and an exterior portion. The interior portion of the mandrel is drillable. The tubular member is coupled to the mandrel. The shoe is coupled to the tubular member. The shoe includes a third fluid passage operably coupled to the second fluid passage, an interior portion, and an exterior portion. The interior portion of the shoe is drillable. Preferably, the interior portion of the mandrel includes a tubular member and a load bearing member. Preferably, the load bearing member comprises a drillable body. Preferably, the interior portion of the shoe includes a tubular member, and a load bearing member. Preferably, the load bearing member comprises a drillable body. Preferably, the exterior portion of the mandrel comprises an expansion cone. Preferably, the expansion cone is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of tool steel, titanium, and ceramic. Preferably, the expansion cone has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C. Preferably at least a portion of the apparatus is drillable.




A wellhead has also been described that includes an outer casing and a plurality of substantially concentric and overlapping inner casings coupled to the outer casing. Each inner casing is supported by contact pressure between an outer surface of the inner casing and an inner surface of the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing has a yield strength ranging from about 40,000 to 135,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing has a burst strength ranging from about 5,000 to 20,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the inner casings and the outer casing ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the inner casings include one or more sealing members that contact with an inner surface of the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members are selected from the group consisting of lead, rubber, Teflon, epoxy, and plastic. In a preferred embodiment, a Christmas tree is coupled to the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, a drilling spool is coupled to the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the inner casings is a production casing.




A wellhead has also been described that includes an outer casing at least partially positioned within a wellbore and a plurality of substantially concentric inner casings coupled to the interior surface of the outer casing by the process of expanding one or more of the inner casings into contact with at least a portion of the interior surface of the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the inner casings are expanded by extruding the inner casings off of a mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the inner casings are expanded by the process of placing the inner casing and a mandrel within the wellbore; and pressurizing an interior portion of the inner casing. In a preferred embodiment, during the pressurizing, the interior portion of the inner casing is fluidicly isolated from an exterior portion of the inner casing. In a preferred embodiment, the interior portion of the inner casing is pressurized at pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, one or more seals are positioned in the interface between the inner casings and the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the inner casings are supported by their contact with the outer casing.




A method of forming a wellhead has also been described that includes drilling a wellbore. An outer casing is positioned at least partially within an upper portion of the wellbore. A first tubular member is positioned within the outer casing. At least a portion of the first tubular member is expanded into contact with an interior surface of the outer casing. A second tubular member is positioned within the outer casing and the first tubular member. At least a portion of the second tubular member is expanded into contact with an interior portion of the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the interior of the first tubular member is pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the interior of the second tubular member is pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the interiors of the first and second tubular members are pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the first tubular member is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the second tubular member is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the first and second tubular members is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the first tubular member is provided at reduced operating pressures during a latter portion of the expansion. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the second tubular member is provided at reduced operating pressures during a latter portion of the expansion. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the first and second tubular members is provided at reduced operating pressures during a latter portion of the expansions. In a preferred embodiment, the contact between the first tubular member and the outer casing is sealed. In a preferred embodiment, the contact between the second tubular member and the outer casing is sealed. In a preferred embodiment, the contact between the first and second tubular members and the outer casing is sealed. In a preferred embodiment, the expanded first tubular member is supported using the contact with the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the expanded second tubular member is supported using the contact with the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the expanded first and second tubular members are supported using their contacts with the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second tubular members are extruded off of a mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the mandrel is lubricated. In a preferred embodiment, shock is absorbed. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is expanded in a radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second tubular members are positioned in an overlapping relationship. In a preferred embodiment, an interior region of the first tubular member is fluidicly isolated from an exterior region of the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, an interior region of the second tubular member is fluidicly isolated from an exterior region of the second tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the interior region of the first tubular member is fluidicly isolated from the region exterior to the first tubular member by injecting one or more plugs into the interior of the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the interior region of the second tubular member is fluidicly isolated from the region exterior to the second tubular member by injecting one or more plugs into the interior of the second tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the first tubular member is provided by injecting a fluidic material at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the second tubular member is provided by injecting a fluidic material at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, fluidic material is injected beyond the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, a region of the tubular members beyond the mandrel is pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, the region of the tubular members beyond the mandrel is pressurized to pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the first tubular member comprises a production casing. In a preferred embodiment, the contact between the first tubular member and the outer casing is sealed. In a preferred embodiment, the contact between the second tubular member and the outer casing is sealed. In a preferred embodiment, the expanded first tubular member is supported using the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the expanded second tubular member is supported using the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment, the integrity of the seal in the contact between the first tubular member and the outer casing is tested. In a preferred embodiment, the integrity of the seal in the contact between the second tubular member and the outer casing is tested. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is caught upon the completion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is drilled out. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is supported with coiled tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is coupled to a drillable shoe.




An apparatus has also been described that includes an outer tubular member, and a plurality of substantially concentric and overlapping inner tubular members coupled to the outer tubular member. Each inner tubular member is supported by contact pressure between an outer surface of the inner casing and an inner surface of the outer inner tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the outer tubular member has a yield strength ranging from about 40,000 to 135,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the outer tubular member has a burst strength ranging from about 5,000 to 20,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure between the inner tubular members and the outer tubular member ranges from about 500 to 10,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the inner tubular members include one or more sealing members that contact with an inner surface of the outer tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members are selected from the group consisting of rubber, lead, plastic, and epoxy.




An apparatus has also been described that includes an outer tubular member, and a plurality of substantially concentric inner tubular members coupled to the interior surface of the outer tubular member by the process of expanding one or more of the inner tubular members into contact with at least a portion of the interior surface of the outer tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the inner tubular members are expanded by extruding the inner tubular members off of a mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the inner tubular members are expanded by the process of: placing the inner tubular members and a mandrel within the outer tubular member; and pressurizing an interior portion of the inner casing. In a preferred embodiment, during the pressurizing, the interior portion of the inner tubular member is fluidicly isolated from an exterior portion of the inner tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the interior portion of the inner tubular member is pressurized at pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes one or more seals positioned in the interface between the inner tubular members and the outer tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the inner tubular members are supported by their contact with the outer tubular member.




A wellbore casing has also been described that includes a first tubular member, and a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member in an overlapping relationship. The inner diameter of the first tubular member is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the second tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the first tubular member includes a first thin wall section, wherein the second tubular member includes a second thin wall section, and wherein the first thin wall section is coupled to the second thin wall section. In a preferred embodiment, first and second thin wall sections are deformed. In a preferred embodiment, the first tubular member includes a first compressible member coupled to the first thin wall section, and wherein the second tubular member includes a second compressible member coupled to the second thin wall section. In a preferred embodiment, the first thin wall section and the first compressible member are coupled to the second thin wall section and the second compressible member. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second thin wall sections and the first and second compressible members are deformed.




A wellbore casing has also been described that includes a tubular member including at least one thin wall section and a thick wall section, and a compressible annular member coupled to each thin wall section. In a preferred embodiment, the compressible annular member is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of rubber, plastic, metal and epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the thin wall section ranges from about 50 to 100% of the wall thickness of the thick wall section. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the thin wall section ranges from about 120 to 2400 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the compressible annular member is positioned along the thin wall section. In a preferred embodiment, the compressible annular member is positioned along the thin and thick wall sections. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of oilfield country tubular goods, stainless steel, low alloy steel, carbon steel, automotive grade steel, plastics, fiberglass, high strength and/or deformable materials. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing includes a first thin wall at a first end of the casing, and a second thin wall at a second end of the casing.




A method of creating a casing in a borehole located in a subterranean formation has also been described that includes supporting a tubular liner and a mandrel in the borehole using a support member, injecting fluidic material into the borehole, pressurizing an interior region of the mandrel, displacing a portion of the mandrel relative to the support member, and radially expanding the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting includes injecting hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annular region located between the borehole and the exterior of the tubular liner, and injecting non hardenable fluidic material into an interior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes fluidicly isolating the annular region from the interior region before injecting the non hardenable fluidic material into the interior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the hardenable fluidic sealing material is provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 5,000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the non hardenable fluidic material is provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the non hardenable fluidic material is provided at reduced operating pressures and flow rates during an end portion of the radial expansion. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material is injected into one or more pressure chambers. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more pressure chambers are pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure chambers are pressurized to pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes fluidicly isolating an interior region of the mandrel from an exterior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the interior region of the mandrel is isolated from the region exterior to the mandrel by inserting one or more plugs into the injected fluidic material. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes curing at least a portion of the fluidic material, and removing at least a portion of the cured fluidic material located within the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes overlapping the tubular liner with an existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing the overlap between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the extruded tubular liner using the overlap with the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes testing the integrity of the seal in the overlap between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes removing at least a portion of the hardenable fluidic sealing material within the tubular liner before curing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes lubricating the surface of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes absorbing shock. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes catching the mandrel upon the completion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes drilling out the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the mandrel with coiled tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel reciprocates. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is displaced in a first direction during the pressurization of the interior region of the mandrel, and the mandrel is displaced in a second direction during a de-pressurization of the interior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner is maintained in a substantially stationary position during the pressurization of the interior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner is supported by the mandrel during a de-pressurization of the interior region of the mandrel.




A wellbore casing has also been described that includes a first tubular member having a first inside diameter, and a second tubular member having a second inside diameter substantially equal to the first inside diameter coupled to the first tubular member in an overlapping relationship. The first and second tubular members are coupled by the process of deforming a portion of the second tubular member into contact with a portion of the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the second tubular member is deformed by the process of placing the first and second tubular members in an overlapping relation ship, radially expanding at least a portion of the first tubular member, and radially expanding the second tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the second tubular member is radially expanded by the process of supporting the second tubular member and a mandrel within the wellbore using a support member, injecting a fluidic material into the wellbore, pressurizing an interior region of the mandrel, and displacing a portion of the mandrel relative to the support member. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting includes injecting hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annular region located between the borehole and the exterior of the second liner, and injecting non hardenable fluidic material into an interior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes fluidicly isolating the annular region from the interior region of the mandrel before injecting the non hardenable fluidic material into the interior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the hardenable fluidic sealing material is provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 5,000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the non hardenable fluidic material is provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the non hardenable fluidic material is provided at reduced operating pressures and flow rates during an end portion of the radial expansion. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material is injected into one or more pressure chambers. In a preferred embodiment, one or more pressure chambers are pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure chambers are pressurized to pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes fluidicly isolating an interior region of the mandrel from an exterior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the interior region of the mandrel is isolated from the region exterior to the mandrel by inserting one or more plugs into the injected fluidic material. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes curing at least a portion of the fluidic material, and removing at least a portion of the cured fluidic material located within the second tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes sealing the overlap between the first and second tubular liners. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes supporting the second tubular liner using the overlap with the first tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes testing the integrity of the seal in the overlap between the first and second tubular liners. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes removing at least a portion of the hardenable fluidic sealing material within the second tubular liner before curing. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes lubricating the surface of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes absorbing shock. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes catching the mandrel upon the completion of the radial expansion. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes drilling out the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further include supporting the mandrel with coiled tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel reciprocates. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is displaced in a first direction during the pressurization of the interior region of the mandrel; and wherein the mandrel is displaced in a second direction during a de-pressurization of the interior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the second tubular liner is maintained in a substantially stationary position during the pressurization of the interior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the second tubular liner is supported by the mandrel during a de-pressurization of the interior region of the mandrel.




An apparatus for expanding a tubular member has also been described that includes a support member including a fluid passage, a mandrel movably coupled to the support member including an expansion cone, at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and mandrel fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage, and one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid passage includes a throat passage having a reduced inner diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel includes one or more annular pistons. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of pressure chambers. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure chambers are at least partially defined by annular pistons. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable supports are positioned below the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable supports are positioned above the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable supports comprise hydraulic slips. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable supports comprise mechanical slips. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable supports comprise drag blocks. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel includes one or more annular pistons, and an expansion cone coupled to the annular pistons. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the annular pistons include an expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure chambers comprise annular pressure chambers.




An apparatus has also been described that includes one or more solid tubular members, each solid tubular member including one or more external seals, one or more slotted tubular members coupled to the solid tubular members, and a shoe coupled to one of the slotted tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes one or more intermediate solid tubular members coupled to and interleaved among the slotted tubular members, each intermediate solid tubular member including one or more external seals. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes one or more valve members. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the intermediate solid tubular members include one or more valve members.




A method of joining a second tubular member to a first tubular member, the first tubular member having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second tubular member, has also been described that includes positioning a mandrel within an interior region of the second tubular member, pressurizing a portion of the interior region of the mandrel, displacing the mandrel relative to the second tubular member, and extruding at least a portion of the second tubular member off of the mandrel into engagement with the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the mandrel is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the mandrel is provided at reduced operating pressures during a latter portion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the extruded second tubular member using the interface with the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes lubricating the surface of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes absorbing shock. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes positioning the first and second tubular members in an overlapping relationship. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes fluidicly isolating an interior region of the mandrel an exterior region of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the interior region of the mandrel is fluidicly isolated from the region exterior to the mandrel by injecting one or more plugs into the interior of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing of the portion of the interior region of the mandrel is provided by injecting a fluidic material at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes injecting fluidic material beyond the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, one or more pressure chambers defined by the mandrel are pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure chambers are pressurized to pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the first tubular member comprises an existing section of a wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the extruded second tubular member using the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes testing the integrity of the seal in the interface between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes catching the mandrel upon the completion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes drilling out the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further include supporting the mandrel with coiled tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes coupling the mandrel to a drillable shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is displaced in the longitudinal direction. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is displaced in a first direction during the pressurization and in a second direction during a de-pressurization.




An apparatus has also been described that includes one or more primary solid tubulars, each primary solid tubular including one or more external annular seals, n slotted tubulars coupled to the primary solid tubulars, n−1 intermediate solid tubulars coupled to and interleaved among the slotted tubulars, each intermediate solid tubular including one or more external annular seals, and a shoe coupled to one of the slotted tubulars.




A method of isolating a first subterranean zone from a second subterranean zone in a wellbore has also been described that includes positioning one or more primary solid tubulars within the wellbore, the primary solid tubulars traversing the first subterranean zone, positioning one or more slotted tubulars within the wellbore, the slotted tubulars traversing the second subterranean zone, fluidicly coupling the slotted tubulars and the solid tubulars, and preventing the passage of fluids from the first subterranean zone to the second subterranean zone within the wellbore external to the solid and slotted tubulars.




A method of extracting materials from a producing subterranean zone in a wellbore, at least a portion of the wellbore including a casing, has also been described that includes positioning one or more primary solid tubulars within the wellbore, fluidicly coupling the primary solid tubulars with the casing, positioning one or more slotted tubulars within the wellbore, the slotted tubulars traversing the producing subterranean zone, fluidicly coupling the slotted tubulars with the solid tubulars, fluidicly isolating the producing subterranean zone from at least one other subterranean zone within the wellbore, and fluidicly coupling at least one of the slotted tubulars from the producing subterranean zone. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes controllably fluidicly decoupling at least one of the slotted tubulars from at least one other of the slotted tubulars.




A method of creating a casing in a borehole while also drilling the borehole also has been described that includes installing a tubular liner, a mandrel, and a drilling assembly in the borehole. A fluidic material is injected within the tubular liner, mandrel and drilling assembly. At least a portion of the tubular liner is radially expanded while the borehole is drilled using the drilling assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting includes injecting the fluidic material within an expandable chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting includes injecting hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annular region located between the borehole and the exterior of the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the hardenable fluidic sealing material is provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 0 to 5,000 psi and 0 to 1,500 gallons/min. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the fluidic material is provided at operating pressures and flow rates ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi and 40 to 3,000 gallons/min. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the fluidic material is provided at reduced operating pressures and flow rates during an end portion of the radial expansion. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes curing at least a portion of the fluidic material; and removing at least a portion of the cured fluidic material located within the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes overlapping the tubular liner with an existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing the overlap between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the extruded tubular liner using the overlap with the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes testing the integrity of the seal in the overlap between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes lubricating the surface of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes absorbing shock. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes catching the mandrel upon the completion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes expanding the mandrel in a radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes drilling out the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the mandrel with coiled tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the tubular member is variable. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is coupled to a drillable shoe.




An apparatus has also been described that includes a support member, the support member including a first fluid passage; a mandrel coupled to the support member, the mandrel including: a second fluid passage; a tubular member coupled to the mandrel; and a shoe coupled to the tubular liner, the shoe including a third fluid passage; and a drilling assembly coupled to the shoe; wherein the first, second and third fluid passages and the drilling assembly are operably coupled. In a preferred embodiment, the support member further includes: a pressure relief passage; and a flow control valve coupled to the first fluid passage and the pressure relief passage. In a preferred embodiment, the support member further includes a shock absorber. In a preferred embodiment, the support member includes one or more sealing members adapted to prevent foreign material from entering an interior region of the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the support member includes one or more stabilizers. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel is expandable. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of Oilfield Country Tubular Goods, automotive grade steel, plastic and chromium steel. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member has inner and outer diameters ranging from about 0.75 to 47 inches and 1.05 to 48 inches, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member has a plastic yield point ranging from about 40,000 to 135,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member includes one or more sealing members at an end portion. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member includes one or more pressure relief holes at an end portion. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member includes a catching member at an end portion for slowing down movement of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the support member comprises coiled tubing. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the mandrel and shoe are drillable. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the tubular member in an area adjacent to the mandrel is less than the wall thickness of the tubular member in an area that is not adjacent to the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes an expandable chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable chamber is approximately cylindrical. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable chamber is approximately annular.




A method of forming an underground pipeline within an underground tunnel including at least a first tubular member and a second tubular member, the first tubular member having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second tubular member, has also been described that includes positioning the first tubular member within the tunnel; positioning the second tubular member within the tunnel in an overlapping relationship with the first tubular member; positioning a mandrel and a drilling assembly within an interior region of the second tubular member; injecting a fluidic material within the mandrel, drilling assembly and the second tubular member; extruding at least a portion of the second tubular member off of the mandrel into engagement with the first tubular member; and drilling the tunnel. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the fluidic material is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the injecting of the fluidic material is provided at reduced operating pressures during a latter portion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the extruded second tubular member using the interface with the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes lubricating the surface of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes absorbing shock. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes expanding the mandrel in a radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includesealing the interface between the first and second tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the extruded second tubular member using the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes testing the integrity of the seal in the interface between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes catching the mandrel upon the completion of the extruding. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes drilling out the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes supporting the mandrel with coiled tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes coupling the mandrel to a drillable shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic material is injected into an expandable chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable chamber is substantially cylindrical. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable chamber is substantially annular. An apparatus has also been described that includes a wellbore, the wellbore formed by the process of drilling the wellbore; and a tubular liner positioned within the wellbore, the tubular liner formed by the process of extruding the tubular liner off of a mandrel while drilling the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner is formed by the process of: placing the tubular liner and mandrel within the wellbore; and pressurizing an interior portion of the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the interior portion of the tubular liner is pressurized at pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner is formed by the process of: placing the tubular liner and mandrel within the wellbore; and pressurizing an interior portion of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the interior portion of the mandrel is pressurized at pressures ranging from about 500 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes an annular body of a cured fluidic material coupled to the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the annular body of a cured fluidic sealing material is formed by the process of: injecting a body of hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annular region external of the tubular liner. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner overlaps with an existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a seal positioned in the overlap between the tubular liner and the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular liner is supported by the overlap with the existing wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the process of extruding the tubular liner includes the pressurizing of an expandable chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable chamber is substantially cylindrical. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable chamber is substantially annular.




A method of forming a wellbore casing in a wellbore has also been described that includes drilling out the wellbore while forming the wellbore casing. In a preferred embodiment, the forming includes: expanding a tubular member in the radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the expanding includes: displacing a mandrel relative to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the displacing includes: expanding an expandable chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable chamber comprises a cylindrical chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the expandable chamber comprises an annular chamber.




A method of expanding a tubular member has also been described that includes placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes removing fluids within the tubular member that are displaced by the displacement of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the removed fluids pass inside the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the annular region increases. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing off the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, sealing off the annular region includes sealing a stationary member and sealing a non-stationary member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes conveying fluids in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes conveying a pressurized fluid and a non-pressurized fluid in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




A method of coupling a tubular member to preexisting structure has also been described that includes positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes removing fluids within the tubular member that are displaced by the displacement of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the removed fluids pass inside the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the annular region increases. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing off the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, sealing off the annular region includes sealing a stationary member and sealing a non-stationary member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes conveying fluids in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes conveying a pressurized fluid and a non-pressurized fluid in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




A method of repairing a defect in a preexisting structure using a tubular member has also been described that includes positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the defect in the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes removing fluids within the tubular member that are displaced by the displacement of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the removed fluids pass inside the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the annular region increases. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing off the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, sealing off the annular region includes sealing a stationary member and sealing a non-stationary member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes conveying fluids in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes conveying a pressurized fluid and a non-pressurized fluid in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing the interface between the preexisting structure and the tubular member at ends of the tubular member.




An apparatus for radially expanding a tubular member has also been described that includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member positioned within the first tubular member, a third tubular member movably coupled to and positioned within the second tubular member, a first annular sealing member for sealing an interface between the first and second tubular members, a second annular sealing member for sealing an interface between the second and third tubular members, and a mandrel positioned within the first tubular member and coupled to an end of the third tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes an annular chamber defined by the first tubular member, the second tubular member, the third tubular member, the first annular sealing member, the second annular sealing member, and the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes an annular passage defined by the second tubular member and the third tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a fluid passage contained within the third tubular member and the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes one or more sealing members coupled to an exterior surface of the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes an annular chamber defined by the first tubular member, the second tubular member, the third tubular member, the first annular sealing member, the second annular sealing member, and the mandrel, and annular passage defined by the second tubular member and the third tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the annular chamber and the annular passage are fluidicly coupled. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes one or more slips coupled to the exterior surface of the first tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel includes a conical surface. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the conical surface ranges from about 10 to 30 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the conical surface has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C.




An apparatus has also been described that includes a tubular member, a piston adapted to expand the diameter of the tubular member positioned within the tubular member, the piston including a passage for conveying fluids out of the tubular member, and an annular chamber defined by the piston and tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the piston includes a conical surface. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the conical surface ranges from about 10 to 30 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the conical surface has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member includes one or more sealing members coupled to the exterior surface of the tubular member.




A wellbore casing has also been described that includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member. The second tubular member is coupled to the first tubular member by the process of positioning the second tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the first tubular member, placing a mandrel within the second tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the second tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the second tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes removing fluids within the second tubular member that are displaced by the displacement of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the removed fluids pass inside the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the annular region increases. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes sealing off the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, sealing off the annular region includes sealing a stationary member and sealing a non-stationary member. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further including conveying fluids in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the wellbore casing further includes conveying a pressurized fluid and a non-pressurized fluid in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




An apparatus has also been described that includes a preexisting structure and a tubular member coupled to the preexisting structure. The tubular member is coupled to the preexisting structure by the process of: positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes removing fluids within the tubular member that are displaced by the displacement of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the removed fluids pass inside the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the annular region increases. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes sealing off the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, sealing off the annular region includes sealing a stationary member and sealing a non-stationary member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes conveying fluids in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes conveying a pressurized fluid and a non-pressurized fluid in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




An apparatus has also been described that includes a preexisting structure having a defective portion and a tubular member coupled to the defective portion of the preexisting structure. The tubular member is coupled to the defective portion of the preexisting structure by the process of: positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the defect in the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an annular region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes removing fluids within the tubular member that are displaced by the displacement of the mandrel. In a preferred embodiment, the removed fluids pass inside the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the annular region increases. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes sealing off the annular region. In a preferred embodiment, sealing off the annular region includes sealing a stationary member and sealing a non-stationary member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes conveying fluids in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes conveying a pressurized fluid and a non-pressurized fluid in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes sealing the interface between the preexisting structure and the tubular member at ends of the tubular member.




A method of expanding a tubular member has also been described that includes placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing a region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member is expanded beginning at an upper portion of the tubular member.




A method of coupling a tubular member to preexisting structure has also been described that includes positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member is expanded beginning at an upper portion of the tubular member.




A method of repairing a defect in a preexisting structure using a tubular member has also been described that includes positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the defect in the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member is expanded beginning at an upper portion of the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes sealing the interface between the preexisting structure and the tubular member at both ends of the tubular member. An apparatus for radially expanding a tubular member has also been described that includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member, a third tubular member coupled to the second tubular member, and a mandrel positioned within the second tubular member and coupled to an end portion of the third tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel includes a fluid passage having an inlet adapted to receive fluid stop member. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes one or more slips coupled to the exterior surface of the third tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel includes a conical surface. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the conical surface ranges from about 10 to 30 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the conical surface has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C. In a preferred embodiment, the average inside diameter of the second tubular member is greater than the average inside diameter of the third tubular member.




An apparatus has also been described that includes a tubular member, a piston adapted to expand the diameter of the tubular member positioned within the tubular member, the piston including a passage for conveying fluids out of the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the piston includes a conical surface. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of attack of the conical surface ranges from about 10 to 30 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the conical surface has a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member includes one or more sealing members coupled to the exterior surface of the tubular member.




A wellbore casing has also been described that includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member. The second tubular member is coupled to the first tubular member by the process of: positioning the second tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the first tubular member, placing a mandrel within the second tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the second tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the second tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




An apparatus has also been described that includes a preexisting structure and a tubular member coupled to the preexisting structure. The tubular member is coupled to the preexisting structure by the process of: positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute.




An apparatus has also been described that includes a preexisting structure having a defective portion and a tubular member coupled to the defective portion of the preexisting structure. The tubular member is coupled to the defective portion of the preexisting structure by the process of: positioning the tubular member in an overlapping relationship to the defect in the preexisting structure, placing a mandrel within the tubular member, pressurizing an interior region within the tubular member, and displacing the mandrel with respect to the tubular member. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at operating pressures ranging from about 0 to 9,000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurizing is provided at flow rates ranging from about 0 to 3,000 gallons/minute. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes sealing the interface between the preexisting structure and the tubular member at both ends of the tubular member.




An apparatus also has been described that includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member, and a threaded connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member. The threaded connection includes one or more sealing members for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded connection comprises a pin and box threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, one of the sealing members is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection; and wherein another one of the sealing members is not positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection.




An apparatus also has been described that includes a tubular assembly having a first tubular member, a second tubular member, and a threaded connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member. The threaded connection includes one or more sealing members for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members. The tubular assembly is formed by the process of radially expanding the tubular assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded connection comprises a pin and box threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, one of the sealing members is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection; and wherein another one of the sealing members is not positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection.




An apparatus also has been described that includes a tubular member and a mandrel positioned within the tubular member including a conical surface have an angle of attack ranging from about 10 to 30 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular member includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member, and a threaded connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member. The threaded connection includes one or more sealing members for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded connection comprises a pin and box threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, one of the sealing members is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection; and wherein another one of the sealing members is not positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection.




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
  • 1. An apparatus, comprising:a first tubular member; a second tubular member; a threaded connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member; at least one annular chamber defined between the first and second tubular members; and one or more sealing members disposed within the annular chamber for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members before, during, and after a radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second tubular members; wherein the size of the annular chamber permits the sealing members to expand in the axial direction during the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second tubular members.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threaded connection comprises a pin and box threaded connection.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the sealing members is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within one of the annular chambers; and wherein another one of the sealing members is positioned within the threaded connection within another one of the annular chambers.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the size of the annular chamber permits the sealing members to expand at least approximately 20% in the axial direction during the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second tubular members.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealing members are positioned within the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threaded connection further comprises one or more male threads for engaging one or more female threads; and wherein the annular chamber is disposed between the male threads.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threaded connection further comprises one or more male threads for engaging one or more female threads; and wherein the annular chamber is disposed between the female threads.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the size of the annular chamber permits the sealing members to expand at least approximately 20% in the axial direction during the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second tubular members.
  • 11. An apparatus, comprising:a tubular assembly including: a first tubular member; a second tubular member; a threaded connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member; at least one annular chamber defined between the first and second tubular members; and one or more sealing members disposed within the annular chamber for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members before, during, and after a radial expansion and plastic deformation,of the first and second tubular members; wherein the size of the annular chamber permits the sealing members to expand in the axial direction during the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second tubular members; and wherein the tubular assembly is formed by the process of radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular assembly.
  • 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the threaded connection comprises a pin and box threaded connection.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein one of the sealing members is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within one of the annular chambers; and wherein another one of the sealing members is positioned within the threaded connection within another one of the annular chambers.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a plurality of the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sealing members are positioned within the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the threaded connection further comprises one or more male threads for engaging one or more female threads; and wherein the annular chamber is disposed between the male threads.
  • 18. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the threaded connection further comprises one or more male threads for engaging one or more female threads; and wherein the annular chamber is disposed between the female threads.
  • 19. An apparatus, comprising:a tubular member comprising: a first solid tubular member; a second solid tubular member; a threaded connection for coupling the first solid tubular member to the second solid tubular member; at least one annular chamber defined between the first and second solid tubular members; and one or more sealing members disposed within the annular chamber for sealing the interface between the first and second solid tubular members before, during, and after a radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second tubular members; wherein the size of the annular chamber permits the sealing members to expand in the axial direction during the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second solid tubular members; and a mandrel positioned within the tubular member including an expansion surface having an angle of attack ranging from about 10 to 30 degrees for radially expanding and plastically deforming the first and second tubular members.
  • 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the threaded connection comprises a pin and box threaded connection.
  • 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein one of the sealing members is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within one of the annular chambers; and wherein another one of the sealing members is positioned within the threaded connection within another one of the annular chambers.
  • 23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a plurality of the sealing members are positioned adjacent to an end portion of the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the size of the annular chamber permits the sealing members to expand at least approximately 20% in the axial direction during the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second solid tubular members.
  • 25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the sealing members are positioned within the threaded connection within the annular chamber.
  • 26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the threaded connection further comprises one or more male threads for engaging one or more female threads; and wherein the annular chamber is disposed between the male threads.
  • 27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the threaded connection further comprises one or more male threads for engaging one or more female threads; and wherein the annular chamber is disposed between the female threads.
  • 28. An apparatus, comprising:a first tubular member; a second tubular member; and a pin and box connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member, the pin and box connection comprising: one or more sealing members positioned adjacent to an end portion of the pin and box connection for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members; and one or more sealing members positioned within the pin and box connection for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members before, during, and after the radial expansion and plastic deformation of the first and second tubular members.
  • 29. An apparatus, comprising:a tubular assembly including: a first tubular member; a second tubular member; and a pin and box connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member, the pin and box connection comprising: one or more sealing members positioned adjacent to an end portion of the pin and box connection for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members before, during, and after radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular assembly; and one or more sealing members positioned within the pin and box connection for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members before, during, and after radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular assembly; wherein the apparatus is formed by the process of radially expanding the tubular assembly.
  • 30. An apparatus, comprising:a tubular member comprising: a first solid tubular member; a second solid tubular member; and a pin and box connection for coupling the first solid tubular member to the second solid tubular member, the pin and box connection comprising: one or more sealing members positioned adjacent to an end portion of the pin and box connection for sealing the interface between the first and second solid tubular members before, during, and after radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member; and a mandrel positioned within the tubular member including an expansion surface having an angle of attack ranging from about 10 to 30 degrees for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member.
  • 31. An apparatus, comprising:a tubular member comprising: a first tubular member; a second tubular member; and a pin and box connection for coupling the first tubular member to the second tubular member, the pin and box connection comprising: one or more sealing members positioned adjacent to an end portion of the pin and box connection for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members before, during, and after radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member; and one or more sealing members positioned within the pin and box connection for sealing the interface between the first and second tubular members before, during, and after radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member; and a mandrel positioned within the tubular member including an expansion surface having an angle of attack ranging from about 10 to 30 degrees.
  • 32. A seal mechanism for a radially expandable connection assembly comprising: a pin member; a box member adapted to telescopically receive the pin member to form an overlapping annular area between the pin and box members; an annular groove carried by one of the pin members or the box member within the overlapping area, the groove defining an annular volume within the overlapping area; and an annular, deformable seal component carried in the groove, the seal occupying less than all of the annular volume of the groove before expansion of the connection and occupying a greater percentage of the annular volume following radial expansion of the connection assembly to form a seal in the overlapping area.
  • 33. The seal mechanism as defined in claim 32 wherein the seal component expands at least about 20 percent in the axial direction within the annular area during the radial expansion.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,460, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, now abandoned, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, filed Feb. 23, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, now abandoned, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289 which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998. This application is related to the following co-pending applications: U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/108,558, filed Nov. 16, 1998, U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/111,293, filed Dec. 7, 1998, U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/119,611, filed Feb. 11, 1999, U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/121,702, filed Feb. 25, 1999, U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/121,907, filed Feb. 26, 1999, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/124,042, filed Mar. 11, 1999, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

US Referenced Citations (139)
Number Name Date Kind
46818 Patterson Mar 1865 A
341237 Healey May 1886 A
958517 Mettler May 1910 A
984449 Stewart Feb 1911 A
1233888 Leonard Jul 1917 A
1589781 Anderson Jun 1926 A
1590357 Feisthamel Jun 1926 A
1880218 Simmons Oct 1932 A
2046870 Clasen et al. Jul 1936 A
2204586 Grau Jun 1940 A
2214226 English Sep 1940 A
2226804 Carroll Dec 1940 A
2447629 Beissinger et al. Aug 1948 A
2500276 Church Mar 1950 A
2583316 Bannister Jan 1952 A
2734580 Layne Feb 1956 A
2796134 Binkley Jun 1957 A
2812025 Teague et al. Nov 1957 A
3067819 Gore Dec 1962 A
3104703 Rike et al. Sep 1963 A
3111991 O'Neal Nov 1963 A
3167122 Lang Jan 1965 A
3175618 Lang et al. Mar 1965 A
3179168 Vincent Apr 1965 A
3191677 Kinley Jun 1965 A
3191680 Vincent Jun 1965 A
3203451 Vincent Aug 1965 A
3203483 Vincent Aug 1965 A
3245471 Howard Apr 1966 A
3270817 Papaila Sep 1966 A
3297092 Jennings Jan 1967 A
3326293 Skipper Jun 1967 A
3353599 Swift Nov 1967 A
3354955 Berry Nov 1967 A
3358760 Blagg Dec 1967 A
3358769 Berry Dec 1967 A
3364993 Skipper Jan 1968 A
3419080 Lebourg Dec 1968 A
3477506 Malone Nov 1969 A
3489220 Kinley Jan 1970 A
3669190 Sizer et al. Jun 1972 A
3687196 Mullins Aug 1972 A
3691624 Kinley Sep 1972 A
3693717 Wuenschel Sep 1972 A
3712376 Owen et al. Jan 1973 A
3746091 Owen et al. Jul 1973 A
3746092 Land Jul 1973 A
3776307 Young Dec 1973 A
3785193 Kinley et al. Jan 1974 A
3812912 Wuenschel May 1974 A
3945444 Knudson Mar 1976 A
3948321 Owen et al. Apr 1976 A
3977473 Page, Jr. Aug 1976 A
4026583 Gottlieb May 1977 A
4069573 Rogers, Jr. et al. Jan 1978 A
4253687 Maples Mar 1981 A
RE30802 Rogers, Jr. Nov 1981 E
4363358 Ellis Dec 1982 A
4368571 Cooper, Jr. Jan 1983 A
4391325 Baker et al. Jul 1983 A
4421169 Dearth et al. Dec 1983 A
4440233 Baugh et al. Apr 1984 A
4483399 Colgate Nov 1984 A
4485847 Wentzell Dec 1984 A
4501327 Retz Feb 1985 A
4501443 Häring Feb 1985 A
4505017 Schukei Mar 1985 A
4553776 Dodd Nov 1985 A
4577895 Castille Mar 1986 A
4590995 Evans May 1986 A
4648627 Reimert Mar 1987 A
4662446 Brisco et al. May 1987 A
4682797 Hildner Jul 1987 A
4703959 Reeves et al. Nov 1987 A
4707001 Johnson Nov 1987 A
4735444 Skipper Apr 1988 A
4817716 Taylor et al. Apr 1989 A
4830109 Wedel May 1989 A
4865127 Koster Sep 1989 A
4907828 Chang Mar 1990 A
4913758 Koster Apr 1990 A
4976322 Abdrakhmanov et al. Dec 1990 A
5014779 Meling et al. May 1991 A
5040283 Pelgrom Aug 1991 A
5059043 Kuhne Oct 1991 A
5083608 Abdrakhmanov et al. Jan 1992 A
5156043 Ose Oct 1992 A
5174376 Singeetham Dec 1992 A
5197553 Leturno Mar 1993 A
5226492 Solaeche P. et al. Jul 1993 A
5314209 Kuhne May 1994 A
5318131 Baker Jun 1994 A
5325923 Surjaatmadja et al. Jul 1994 A
5348095 Worrall et al. Sep 1994 A
5366010 Zwart Nov 1994 A
5366012 Lohbeck Nov 1994 A
5390742 Dines et al. Feb 1995 A
5405171 Allen et al. Apr 1995 A
5439320 Abrams Aug 1995 A
5467822 Zwart Nov 1995 A
5494106 Gueguen et al. Feb 1996 A
5507343 Carlton et al. Apr 1996 A
5535824 Hudson Jul 1996 A
5606792 Schafer Mar 1997 A
5613557 Blount et al. Mar 1997 A
5617918 Cooksey et al. Apr 1997 A
5667011 Gill et al. Sep 1997 A
5667252 Schafer et al. Sep 1997 A
5685369 Ellis et al. Nov 1997 A
5695008 Bertet et al. Dec 1997 A
5718288 Bertet et al. Feb 1998 A
5785120 Smalley et al. Jul 1998 A
5791419 Valisalo Aug 1998 A
5794702 Nobileau Aug 1998 A
5829520 Johnson Nov 1998 A
5829524 Flanders et al. Nov 1998 A
5875851 Vick, Jr. et al. Mar 1999 A
5901789 Donnelly et al. May 1999 A
5924745 Campbell Jul 1999 A
5931511 DeLange et al. Aug 1999 A
5944107 Ohmer Aug 1999 A
5957195 Bailey et al. Sep 1999 A
5979560 Nobileau Nov 1999 A
5984568 Lohbeck Nov 1999 A
6012522 Donnelly et al. Jan 2000 A
6012523 Campbell et al. Jan 2000 A
6021850 Wood et al. Feb 2000 A
6029748 Forsyth et al. Feb 2000 A
6044906 Saltel Apr 2000 A
6050341 Metcalf Apr 2000 A
6056059 Ohmer May 2000 A
6065500 Metcalfe May 2000 A
6070671 Cumming et al. Jun 2000 A
6078031 Bliault et al. Jun 2000 A
6079495 Ohmer Jun 2000 A
6085838 Vercaemer et al. Jul 2000 A
6089320 LaGrange Jul 2000 A
6098717 Bailey et al. Aug 2000 A
6112818 Campbell Sep 2000 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (175)
Number Date Country
736288 Jun 1966 CA
771462 Nov 1967 CA
1171310 Jul 1984 CA
203767 Nov 1983 DE
233607 Mar 1986 DE
278517 May 1990 DE
0633391 Jan 1995 EP
0823534 Feb 1998 EP
0881354 Dec 1998 EP
0881359 Dec 1998 EP
0899420 Mar 1999 EP
0937861 Aug 1999 EP
0952305 Oct 1999 EP
0952306 Oct 1999 EP
2717855 Sep 1995 FR
2741907 Jun 1997 FR
2771133 May 1999 FR
2780751 Jan 2000 FR
557823 Dec 1943 GB
961750 Jun 1964 GB
1062610 Mar 1967 GB
1111536 May 1968 GB
1137310 Dec 1968 GB
1448304 Sep 1976 GB
1563740 Mar 1980 GB
2058877 Apr 1981 GB
2115860 Sep 1983 GB
2216926 Oct 1989 GB
2243191 Oct 1991 GB
2256910 Dec 1992 GB
2305682 Apr 1997 GB
2322655 Sep 1998 GB
2326896 Jan 1999 GB
2329916 Apr 1999 GB
2329918 Apr 1999 GB
2336383 Oct 1999 GB
2343691 May 2000 GB
2344606 Jun 2000 GB
2346165 Aug 2000 GB
2346632 Aug 2000 GB
2347445 Sep 2000 GB
2347446 Sep 2000 GB
2347950 Sep 2000 GB
2347952 Sep 2000 GB
2348223 Sep 2000 GB
2348657 Oct 2000 GB
2350137 Aug 2001 GB
2359837 Apr 2002 GB
208458 Oct 1985 JP
6475715 Nov 1986 JP
102875 Apr 1995 JP
94068 Apr 2000 JP
107870 Apr 2000 JP
10261817 Apr 2000 JP
10286403 Apr 2000 JP
162192 Jun 2000 JP
9001081 Dec 1991 NL
113267 May 1998 RO
2016345 Jul 1994 RU
2039214 Jul 1995 RU
2056201 Mar 1996 RU
2064357 Jul 1996 RU
2068940 Nov 1996 RU
2068943 Nov 1996 RU
2079633 May 1997 RU
2083798 Jul 1997 RU
2091655 Sep 1997 RU
2095179 Nov 1997 RU
2105128 Feb 1998 RU
2108445 Apr 1998 RU
2144128 Jan 2000 RU
350833 Sep 1972 SU
607950 May 1978 SU
612004 May 1978 SU
620582 Jul 1978 SU
641070 Jan 1979 SU
909114 May 1979 SU
832049 May 1981 SU
853089 Aug 1981 SU
874952 Oct 1981 SU
894169 Jan 1982 SU
899850 Jan 1982 SU
907220 Feb 1982 SU
953172 Aug 1982 SU
959878 Sep 1982 SU
976019 Nov 1982 SU
976020 Nov 1982 SU
989038 Jan 1983 SU
1002514 Mar 1983 SU
1041671 Sep 1983 SU
1051222 Oct 1983 SU
1086118 Apr 1984 SU
1158400 May 1985 SU
1212575 Feb 1986 SU
1250637 Aug 1986 SU
1411434 Jul 1988 SU
1430498 Oct 1988 SU
1432190 Oct 1988 SU
1601330 Oct 1990 SU
1627663 Feb 1991 SU
1659621 Jun 1991 SU
1663179 Jul 1991 SU
1663180 Jul 1991 SU
1677225 Sep 1991 SU
1677248 Sep 1991 SU
1686123 Oct 1991 SU
1686124 Oct 1991 SU
1686125 Oct 1991 SU
1698413 Dec 1991 SU
1710694 Feb 1992 SU
1730429 Apr 1992 SU
1745873 Jul 1992 SU
1747673 Jul 1992 SU
1749267 Jul 1992 SU
1749267 Jul 1992 SU
1786241 Jan 1993 SU
1804543 Mar 1993 SU
1810482 Apr 1993 SU
1818459 May 1993 SU
1295799 Feb 1995 SU
8100132 Oct 1981 WO
9005598 Mar 1990 WO
9201859 Feb 1992 WO
9208875 May 1992 WO
9325799 Dec 1993 WO
9325800 Dec 1993 WO
9421887 Sep 1994 WO
9425655 Nov 1994 WO
9503476 Feb 1995 WO
9601937 Jan 1996 WO
9621083 Jul 1996 WO
9626350 Aug 1996 WO
9637681 Nov 1996 WO
9706346 Feb 1997 WO
9711306 Mar 1997 WO
9717524 May 1997 WO
9717526 May 1997 WO
9717527 May 1997 WO
9720130 Jun 1997 WO
9721901 Jun 1997 WO
9800626 Jan 1998 WO
9807957 Feb 1998 WO
9809053 Mar 1998 WO
9822690 May 1998 WO
9826152 Jun 1998 WO
9842947 Oct 1998 WO
9849423 Nov 1998 WO
9902818 Jan 1999 WO
9904135 Jan 1999 WO
9906670 Feb 1999 WO
9908827 Feb 1999 WO
9908828 Feb 1999 WO
9918328 Apr 1999 WO
9923354 May 1999 WO
9925524 May 1999 WO
9925951 May 1999 WO
9935368 Jul 1999 WO
9943923 Sep 1999 WO
0001926 Jan 2000 WO
0004271 Jan 2000 WO
0008301 Feb 2000 WO
0026500 May 2000 WO
0026501 May 2000 WO
0026502 May 2000 WO
003772 Jun 2000 WO
0031375 Jun 2000 WO
0037767 Jun 2000 WO
0037768 Jun 2000 WO
0037771 Jun 2000 WO
0039432 Jul 2000 WO
0046484 Aug 2000 WO
0050727 Aug 2000 WO
0050732 Aug 2000 WO
0050733 Aug 2000 WO
0077431 Dec 2000 WO
Provisional Applications (5)
Number Date Country
60/131106 Apr 1999 US
60/124042 Mar 1999 US
60/121702 Feb 1999 US
60/119611 Feb 1999 US
60/111293 Dec 1998 US
Continuation in Parts (4)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/523460 Mar 2000 US
Child 09/559122 US
Parent 09/510913 Feb 2000 US
Child 09/523460 US
Parent 09/502350 Feb 2000 US
Child 09/510913 US
Parent 09/454139 Dec 1999 US
Child 09/502350 US