High Performance Expandable Tubular System

Abstract

A method and apparatus for tubular expansion are disclosed. In an embodiment, an apparatus for radially expanding a tubular comprises at least two expansion swages. At least one expansion swage is axially movable relative to other expansion swages. In addition, the apparatus includes sealing means capable of providing fluid tight pressure chambers between the expansion swages and an expanded portion of the tubular.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view of a tubular expansion apparatus;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a cross-sectional view of a tubular expansion apparatus shown in various stages of operation thereof, and

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view of a tubular expansion apparatus employing an actuator.

Claims

1. An apparatus for radially expanding a tubular comprising: at least two expansion swages, wherein at least one expansion swage is axially movable relative to other expansion swages; andsealing means capable of providing fluid tight pressure chambers between the expansion swages and an expanded portion of the tubular.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a shaft having at least two longitudinal bores for flow of operating liquid to and from the pressure chambers.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one expansion swage is axially movable along the shaft and another expansion swage is connected to the shaft.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealing means comprise a pressure plug in the expanded portion of the tubular.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising at least one hydraulic valve adapted to selectively control the flow of operating fluid to at least one of the pressure chambers between the expansion swages and fluid outflow from the chambers depending on the relative positions of the expansion swages.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hydraulic valve comprises: a valve cylinder slidably positioned on the shaft;a position control device capable of selectively and releasably securing end positions of the valve cylinder on the shaft; andat least one spring capable of shifting the valve cylinder between the end positions.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two expansion swages comprise a first expansion swage and a second expansion swage.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a diameter of the first expansion swage is D1 and a diameter of the second expansion swage is D2, and wherein D1 and D2 are defined by

9. An apparatus for radially expanding a tubular comprising: at least two expansion swages, wherein at least one expansion swage is axially movable relative to the other expansion swages; andat least one actuator capable of providing a force for providing longitudinal movement of at least one of the expansion swages inside the tubular to plastically radially expand the tubular.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuator comprises; one or more annular pistons attached to a shaft;a cylinder slidingly arranged over the pistons; andat least one pressure chamber per piston.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one anchoring device for selective and releasable anchoring of selected parts of the apparatus to an inner surface of the tubular.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least two expansion swages comprise two expansion swages.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one expansion swage is axially movable along the shaft and the other expansion swage is connected to the shaft.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the actuator is attached to the expansion swage axially movable along the shaft.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the diameter of one expansion swage is D1 and a diameter of the other expansion swage is D2, and wherein D1 and D2 are defined by

16. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising two actuators, wherein each actuator is capable of providing a force for providing longitudinal movement of at least one of the expansion swages inside the tubular to plastically radially expand the tubular,

17. An apparatus for radially expanding a tubular comprising: at least two expansion swages, wherein at least one expansion swage is axially movable relative to the other expansion swages; anda driving means capable of providing a force for providing sequential longitudinal movement of the expansion swages inside the tubular to plastically radially expand the tubular.