Patent ID: 6907652
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: B21D,E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of connecting a first pipe to a second pipe having an end part fitting into an end part of the first pipe, comprising: a) arranging the end part of the second pipe within the end part of the first pipe; b) arranging a sleeve of a deformable material between said end parts; and c) radially expanding the end part of the second pipe towards the end parts of the first pipe so as to bias the sleeve between said end parts wherein the first pipe is an upper wellbore casing secured in a formation and the second pipe is a lower wellbore casing; and wherein the sleeve is made of a shape-memory alloy so that the sleeve is expandable upon heating of the sleeve to the transition temperature of the shape-memory alloy, and wherein the method further comprises: after step (c), heating the sleeve to the transition temperature of the shape-memory alloy thereby expanding the sleeve to form a metal-to-metal seal between said end parts.