Claims
- 1. An expandable threaded tubular connection comprising:
a first tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment has been expanded to a given shape and size by inserting an expansion tool into the end of the first tubular segment to a predetermined length, the pre-expanded end including a pin member machined onto the pre-expanded end, such pin member having helical threads extending substantially along the length of the pin member; a second tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, wherein the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment has been expanded to a given shape and size by inserting an expansion tool into the end of the second tubular segment to a predetermined length, the pre-expanded end including a box member machined into the pre-expanded end, such box member having helical mating threads that are shaped and sized to mate with the helical threads respectively on the pin member.
- 2. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 1 wherein the expandable threaded tubular connection and the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded downhole.
- 3. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 2 wherein the outside diameters of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded more than the outside diameter of the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 4. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 2 wherein the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are radially expanded past their yield point.
- 5. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 1 further comprising a sealing material surrounding the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 6. An expandable threaded tubular connection comprising:
a first tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, the pre-expanded end including a pin member with interengageable thread means; a second tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, the pre-expanded end including a box member with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment.
- 7. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the box member has been machined into the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment, such box member having helical mating threads that are shaped and sized to mate with helical threads on the pin member.
- 8. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the pin member has been machined into the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment, such pin member having helical threads extending substantially along the length of the pin member.
- 9. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment are expanded by inserting an expansion tool into the ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment respectively to a predetermined length.
- 10. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 9 wherein the expansion tool is an expansion mandrel.
- 11. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 10 wherein the expansion mandrel includes a pilot section used to center the expansion mandrel within the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 12. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment are expanded by a rotary expansion tool.
- 13. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the outside diameters of the pre-expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are substantially equal to the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 14. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the outside diameters of the pre-expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are substantially equal to the drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 15. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the outside diameters of the pre-expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are less than the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 16. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the outside diameters of the pre-expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are less than the drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 17. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the outside diameters of the pre-expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are greater than the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 18. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the outside diameters of the pre-expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are greater than the drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 19. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the expandable threaded tubular connection and the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded downhole.
- 20. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 19 wherein the outside diameters of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded more than the outside diameter of the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 21. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 19 wherein the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are radially expanded past their yield point.
- 22. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 further comprising a sealing material surrounding the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 23. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment are stress relieved.
- 24. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment are heat treated.
- 25. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the entire length of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment is heat treated.
- 26. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the first tubular segment constitutes the leading tubular in a string of tubulars inserted in a bore hole and has a reamer connected to it.
- 27. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the first tubular segment constitutes the leading tubular in a string of tubulars inserted in a bore hole and has a drill bit connected to it.
- 28. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 6 wherein the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are supplied by a tubular manufacturer with the pre-expanded ends already shaped and sized.
- 29. An expandable threaded tubular connection comprising:
a first tubular segment with a first tapered end joint connected to the end of the first tubular segment, wherein the first tapered end joint has been pre-expanded to a given shape and size by inserting an expansion tool into the first tapered end joint to a predetermined length, the first tapered end joint including a pin member with interengageable thread means; a second tubular segment with a second tapered end joint connected to the end of the second tubular segment, wherein the second tapered end joint has been pre-expanded to a given shape and size by inserting an expansion tool into the second tapered end joint to a predetermined length, the second tapered end joint including a box member with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tapered end joint.
- 30. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 29 wherein the expandable threaded tubular connection and the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded downhole.
- 31. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 29 wherein the expansion tool is an expansion mandrel.
- 32. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 31 wherein the expansion mandrel includes a pilot section used to center the expansion mandrel within the first tapered end joint and the second tapered end joint.
- 33. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 29 wherein the expansion tool is a rotary expansion tool.
- 34. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 29 wherein the first tapered end joint and the second tapered end joint are made of a different material than the material of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 35. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 29 further comprising a sealing material surrounding the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 36. An expandable threaded tubular connection comprising:
a first tubular segment with a first tapered end joint connected to the end of the first tubular segment, wherein the first tapered end joint is forged to a given shape and size such that the inner diameter of the first tapered end joint is greater than the inner diameter of the first tubular segment, the first tapered end joint including a pin member with interengageable thread means; a second tubular segment with a second tapered end joint connected to the end of the second tubular segment, wherein the second tapered end joint is forged to a given shape and size such that the inner diameter of the second tapered end joint is greater than the inner diameter of the second tubular segment, the second tapered end joint including a box member with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tapered end joint.
- 37. An expandable threaded tubular connection comprising:
a first tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, the pre-expanded end including a pin member with interengageable thread means; a second tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, the pre-expanded end including a pin member with interengageable thread means; a coupling with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment and said pin member of said second tubular segment.
- 38. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the pin member of the first tubular segment and the pin member of the second tubular segment have been machined into the pre-expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment respectively, such pin members having helical mating threads that are shaped and sized to mate with helical threads on the coupling.
- 39. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment are expanded by inserting an expansion tool into the ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment to a predetermined length.
- 40. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the expansion tool is an expansion mandrel.
- 41. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 40 wherein the expansion mandrel includes a pilot section used to center the expansion mandrel within the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 42. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment are expanded by a rotary expansion tool.
- 43. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is substantially equal to the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 44. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is substantially equal to the drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 45. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is less than the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 46. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is less than the drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 47. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is greater than the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 48. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is greater than the, drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 49. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 wherein the expandable threaded tubular connection and the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded downhole.
- 50. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 49 wherein the outside diameters of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded more than the outside diameter of the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 51. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 49 wherein the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are radially expanded past their yield point.
- 52. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 37 further comprising a sealing material surrounding the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 53. An expandable threaded tubular connection comprising:
a first tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, the pre-expanded end including a pin member with interengageable thread means; a second tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, the pre-expanded end including a box member with interengageable thread means; a coupling with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment and said box member of said second tubular segment.
- 54. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the pin member of the first tubular segment has been machined on the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the box member of the second tubular segment has been machined into the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment, such pin member and box member having helical mating threads that are shaped and sized to mate with helical threads on the coupling.
- 55. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment are expanded by inserting an expansion tool into the ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment to a predetermined length.
- 56. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment and the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment are expanded by a rotary expansion tool.
- 57. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is substantially equal to the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 58. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is substantially equal to the drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 59. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is less than the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 60. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is less than the drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 61. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is greater than the API drift diameter of a host pipe into which the connection is lowered.
- 62. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the outside diameter of the coupling is greater than the drift diameter of a well bore into which the connection is lowered.
- 63. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 wherein the expandable threaded tubular connection and the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded downhole.
- 64. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 63 wherein the outside diameters of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are expanded more than the outside diameter of the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 65. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 63 wherein the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment are radially expanded past their yield point.
- 66. The expandable threaded tubular connection of claim 53 further comprising a sealing material surrounding the expandable threaded tubular connection.
- 67. A method of connecting expandable tubulars comprising:
expanding an end of a first tubular segment; expanding an end of a second tubular segment; creating a pin member with interengageable thread means on said expanded end of said first tubular segment; creating a box member with interengageable thread means in said expanded end of said second tubular segment, whereby said interengageable thread means of said box member are suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment; inserting said pin member of said first tubular segment into said box member of said second tubular segment; and connecting said first tubular segment and said second tubular segment together.
- 68. The method of claim 67, further comprising:
expanding the end of the first tubular segment by inserting an expansion tool into the end of the first tubular segment to a predetermined length; expanding the end of the second tubular segment by inserting an expansion tool into the end of the second tubular segment to a predetermined length.
- 69. The method of claim 67, further comprising:
expanding the end of the first tubular segment by axially forcing an expansion mandrel with a pilot section into the end of the first tubular segment to a predetermined length; expanding the end of the second tubular segment by axially forcing an expansion mandrel with a pilot section into the end of the second tubular segment to a predetermined length.
- 70. The method of claim 67, further comprising:
expanding the end of the first tubular segment through the use of a rotary expansion tool; expanding the end of the second tubular segment through the use of a rotary expansion tool.
- 71. The method of claim 67 further comprising stress relieving the expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 72. The method of claim 67 further comprising heat treating the ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 73. The method of claim 67 further comprising heat treating the entire length of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 74. The method of claim 67 further comprising surrounding the point of connection of the expandable tubulars with a sealing material.
- 75. A method of connecting expandable tubulars comprising:
providing a first tubular segment; providing a second tubular segment; creating a first tapered end joint having an expanded internal diameter that is greater than the internal diameter of the first tubular segment; creating a second tapered end joint having an expanded internal diameter that is greater than the internal diameter of the second tubular segment; creating a pin member with interengageable thread means on said first tapered end joint; creating a box member with interengageable thread means in said second tapered end joint, whereby said interengageable thread means of said box member are suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tapered end joint; connecting said first tapered end joint to a first tubular segment; connecting said second tapered end joint to a second tubular segment; inserting said pin member of said first tapered end joint into said box member of said second tapered end joint; connecting said first tapered end joint and said second tapered end joint together.
- 76. The method of claim 75 whereby the first tapered end joint and the second tapered end joint are created using a material that is different than the material of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 77. The method of claim 75 whereby the first tapered end joint and the second tapered end joint are connected to the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment respectively by welding.
- 78. The method of claim 75 whereby the first tapered end joint and the second tapered end joint are formed by inserting an expansion tool into an end of the first tapered end joint and the second tapered end joint to a predetermined length.
- 79. The method of claim 75, further comprising:
forging a first tapered end joint having an outside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the first tubular segment; forging a second tapered end joint having an outside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the second tubular segment.
- 80. The method of claim 75 further comprising surrounding the point of connection of the expandable tubulars with a sealing material.
- 81. A method of connecting expandable tubulars comprising:
expanding an end of a first tubular segment; expanding an end of a second tubular segment; creating a pin member with interengageable thread means on said expanded end of said first tubular segment; creating a pin member with interengageable thread means on said expanded end of said second tubular segment; providing a coupling with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment and said pin member of said second tubular segment; connecting said first tubular segment and said second tubular segment with said coupling.
- 82. The method of claim 81, further comprising:
expanding the end of the first tubular segment by inserting an expansion tool into the end of the first tubular segment to a predetermined length; expanding the end of the second tubular segment by inserting an expansion tool into the end of the second tubular segment to a predetermined length.
- 83. The method of claim 81, further comprising:
expanding the end of the first tubular segment by axially forcing an expansion mandrel with a pilot section into the end of the first tubular segment to a predetermined length; expanding the end of the second tubular segment by axially forcing an expansion mandrel with a pilot section into the end of the second tubular segment to a predetermined length.
- 84. The method of claim 81, further comprising:
expanding the end of the first tubular segment through the use of a rotary expansion tool; expanding the end of the second tubular segment through the use of a rotary expansion tool.
- 85. The method of claim 81 further comprising stress relieving the expanded ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 86. The method of claim 81 further comprising heat treating the ends of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 87. The method of claim 81 further comprising heat treating the entire length of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.
- 88. The method of claim 81, further comprising:
forging the first tubular segment with the ends of the first tubular segment having outside diameters larger than the outside diameter of the remainder of the first tubular segment; forging the second tubular segment with the ends of the second tubular segment having outside diameters larger than the outside diameter of the remainder of the second tubular segment.
- 89. The method of claim 81 further comprising surrounding the point of connection of the expandable tubulars with a sealing material.
- 90. A method of connecting expandable tubulars comprising:
expanding an end of a first tubular segment; expanding an end of a second tubular segment; creating a pin member. with interengageable thread means on said expanded end of said first tubular segment; creating a box member with interengageable thread means in said expanded end of said second tubular segment; providing a coupling with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment and said box member of said second tubular segment; connecting said first tubular segment and said second tubular segment with said coupling.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 10/095,124, filed Jun. 10, 2002.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60387489 |
Jun 2002 |
US |