Apparatus comprising expandable bistable tubulars and methods for their use in wellbores

• US 7,048,052 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2003
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Johnson, Craig D., Hackworth, Matthew R., Bixenman, Patrick W.
• Primary Examiner(s): GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS
• Application Number:
  US10/697,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20040089454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 166/277, 166/278, 166/297, 166/381, 166/384, 166/55, 166/227, 166/228, 166/230, 166/207, 166/242.1, 166/242.2, 166/242.6, 411/32, 411/33, 285/330, 285/913, 285/382, 285/333, 285/334, 403/309, 403/365, 403/366, 403/367
• US Class Current: 166/277
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/00 Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/02 Couplings; joints expandable couplings or joints E21B43/106
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/04 between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/103 of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/105 Expanding tools specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/106 Couplings or joints therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/108 Expandable screens or perforated liners
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/098 by means of flexible hooks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/557 Expansible section
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5761 Interrupted periphery, e.g., split or segmental, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5773 Interfitting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7045 Interdigitated ends
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7051 Wedging or camming

Abstract

At least a first expandable tubular and a second expandable tubular are connected to each other by a connector system. The connector system is expandable and utilizes a plurality of extensions that may be used to create an interlocking engagement. The system design enables both the tubulars and the connector system to be expanded to an increased diameter.

Claims

1. A system of expandable tubulars, comprising:

a first bistable expandable tubular;

a second bistable expandable tubular; and

a connector system coupling the first bistable expandable tubular to the second bistable expandable tubular, the connector system having a plurality of interlocking extensions comprising receiving extensions and insertion extensions, each receiving extension having a connector opening with a narrow outer portion and a wider inner portion to interlockingly receive a corresponding insertion extension.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a slide cover positioned to secure the plurality of interlocking extensions.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each insertion extension comprises a broad head for receipt in the wider inner portion.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the receiving extensions extend from an end of the first bistable expandable tubular and the insertion extensions extend from an adjacent end of the second bistable expandable tubular.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector system comprises a sand barrier.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the sand barrier is positioned along the interior of the first bistable expandable tubular and the second bistable expandable tubular.

7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the sand barrier is positioned along the exterior of the first bistable expandable tubular and the second bistable expandable tubular.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein each extension of the plurality of extensions comprises an opening shaped for insertion of an extension from an adjacent expandable tubular.

9. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein each extension of the plurality of extensions comprises an insertion head for insertion into an extension from an adjacent expandable tubular.

10. A device for use in a wellbore, comprising:

an expandable tubular having a plurality of bistable cells and an expandable connector end formed with a plurality of extensions, wherein the expandable tubular comprises a threaded connector end generally opposite the expandable connector end.

11. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the expandable tubular is expandable along a portion, the portion being less than its entire length.

12. A method of expanding tubulars, comprising:

forming a first tubular from a plurality of bistable cells;

coupling the first tubular by a plurality of interlocking extensions; and

radially expanding the plurality of interlocking extensions during expansion of the first tubular and the second tubular.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising forming the interlocking extensions with spaced, circumferentially oriented ridges.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising forming the plurality of interlocking extensions from extensions having receiving openings and extensions having heads sized for receipt in the receiving openings.

15. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising securing the first tubular to the second tubular with a retention sleeve.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising placing an internal sand barrier along the plurality of interlocking extensions.

17. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising placing an external sand barrier along the plurality of interlocking extensions.

18. A method of expanding tubulars, comprising:

forming a first tubular and a second tubular from a plurality of bistable cells;

coupling the first tubular to the second tubular by a plurality of interlocking extensions; and

radially expanding the plurality of interlocking extensions during expansion of the first tubular and the second tubular, wherein the coupling comprises axially moving the plurality of interlocking extensions into engagement and rotating the second tubular with respect to the first tubular.

19. A system for expanding tubulars, comprising:

means for coupling a first bistable tubular to a second bistable tubular with a plurality of interlocking extensions that automatically interlock upon linear movement of the first bistable tubular into engagement with the second bistable tubular; and

means for radially expanding the plurality of interlocking extensions during expansion of the first bistable tubular and the second bistable tubular.

20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the means for radially expanding comprises an expansion device moved through a longitudinal opening of the first tubular and the second tubular.