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

• US 7,168,486 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Johnson, Craig D., Hackworth, Matthew R., Bixenman, Patrick W.
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, KENNETH L
• Application Number:
  US10/697,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 403/364, 403/311, 285/40, 285/330, 285/913, 411/437, 411417-419, 411/33, 166/384, 166/242.1, 166/242.6, 166/207, 464/20
• US Class Current: 166/242.6
• 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

A technique for connecting expandable tubulars. The technique comprises an expandable connector system that facilitates the connection of tubular components, such as tubulars used in wellbore environments.

Claims

1. A system of expandable tubulars, comprising:

a first radially expandable tubular;

a second radially expandable tubular; and

a connector system coupling the first tubular to the second tubular, the connector system having a plurality of interlocking extensions comprising receiving extensions extending from the first tubular and insertion extensions extending from the second tubular, each insertion extension having an expanded region and each receiving extension having a connector opening with a narrow outer portion and a wider inner portion to receive a corresponding expanded region, the corresponding insertion extension being configured to be axially inserted into the receiving extension and spreading the narrow outer portion until the expanded region is captured in the wider inner portion to automatically interlock the insertion extension and the receiving 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 the receiving extensions extend from an end of the first tubular and the insertion extensions extend from an adjacent end of the second tubular.

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

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the sand barrier is positioned along the interior of the first tubular and the second tubular.

6. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the sand barrier is positioned along the exterior of the first tubular and the second tubular.

7. A connector system for connecting a pair of adjacent radially expandable tubulars, comprising,

a plurality of connector portions extending from a first radially expandable tubular, the plurality of connector portions being separated by connector portion gaps formed through a wall of the first tubular;

a plurality of corresponding connector portions disposed at an end of a second radially expandable tubular, the plurality of corresponding connector portions being separated by corresponding connector portion gaps formed through a wall of the second radially expandable tubular, the plurality of connector portions being configured to interlockingly receive the corresponding connector portions when the first radially expandable tubular and the second radially expandable tubular are rotated with respect to each other; and

a sand barrier positioned along the plurality of connector portions and the plurality of corresponding connector portions when engaged.

8. A connector system for connecting a pair of adjacent tubulars, comprising,

a plurality of connector portions extending from a first tubular, the plurality of connector portions being separated by connector portion gaps formed through a wall of the first tubular;

a plurality of corresponding connector portions disposed at an end of a second tubular, the plurality of corresponding connector portions being separated by corresponding connector portion gaps formed through a wall of the second tubular, the plurality of connector portions being configured to interlockingly receive the corresponding connector portions when the first tubular and the second tubular are rotated with respect to each other; and

a sand barrier positioned along the plurality of connector portions and the plurality of corresponding connector portions when engaged;

wherein each connector portion comprises a plurality of spaced circumferentially oriented ridges extending radially inward, and each corresponding connector portion comprises a plurality of corresponding ridges extending radially outward for receipt between the spaced circumferentially oriented ridges upon relative rotation of the first tubular and the second tubular.

9. The connector system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a sleeve disposed around at least one of the connector portions.

10. The connector system as recited in claim 9, wherein the sleeve comprises a slide cover sized to slide over an interlocked connector portion and corresponding connector portion.

11. A system of tubulars, comprising:

a first radially expandable tubular;

a second radially expandable tubular coupled to the first tubular via a connector system; and

a sand barrier disposed along the connector system, the sand barrier being positioned to block influx of particulates into an interior of the first and second tubulars when positioned in a wellbore.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the sand barrier is external to the connector system.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the sand barrier is internal to the connector system.

14. A system of expandable tubulars, comprising:

a first radially expandable tubular;

a second radially expandable tubular; and

a slide cover slidably mounted on the first tubular, wherein the slide cover may be slid relative to the first tubular and into engagement with the second tubular to secure the second tubular to the first tubular.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, further comprising a plurality of interlocking extensions disposed at adjacent ends of the first and second tubulars.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the slide cover is disposed around the plurality of interlocking extensions to secure them in interlocked engagement.