Patent EA-003386-B1 (EA)
Title: Expandable downhole tubing
Inventor: INNES GARETH
IPC: E21B43/16
Filed: 2000-09-06
Abstract: 1. A tubular member for a wellbore, the tubular member including a friction and/or sealing material applied to an outer surface of the tubular member, the friction and/or sealing material being disposed on a protected portion so that the friction and/or sealing material is substantially protected whilst the tubular member is being run into the wellbore. 2. A tubular member according to claim 1, wherein the protected portion comprises a valley located between two shoulders. 3. A tubular member according to claim 2, wherein the valley is of the same inner diameter as the tubular member. 4. A tubular member according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the shoulders have an inner diameter that is increased by a multiple of a wall thickness of the tubular member. 5. A tubular member according to claim 1, wherein the protected portion comprises a cylindrical portion located substantially adjacent a shoulder portion, wherein an outer diameter of the shoulder portion is of a greater diameter than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. 6. A tubular member according to claim 5, wherein the shoulder is located so that the cylindrical portion is substantially protected whilst the tubular member is being run into the wellbore. 7. A tubular member according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the cylindrical portion is of the same inner diameter as the tubular member. 8. A tubular member according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the shoulder has an inner diameter that is increased by a multiple of a wall thickness of the tubular member. 9. A tubular member according to claim 1, wherein the protected portion comprises a recess in an outer diameter of the tubular member. 10. A tubular member according to claim 9, wherein the friction and/or sealing material is located within the recess. 11. A tubular member according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular member includes coupling means to facilitate coupling of the tubular member into a string. 12. A tubular member according to claim 11, wherein the coupling means is disposed at each end of the tubular member. 13. A tubular member according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the coupling means comprises a threaded coupling. 14. A tubular member according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the coupling means comprises a pin on one end of the tubular member, and a box on the other end of the tubular member. 15. A tubular member for a wellbore, the tubular member including coupling means to facilitate coupling of the tubular member into a string, the coupling means being disposed on an annular shoulder provided at least one end of the tubular member, the tubular member further including at least one recess wherein a friction and/or sealing material is located within the recess. 16. A tubular member according to claim 15, wherein the at least one recess is an annular recess. 17. A tubular member according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the at least one recess is weakened to facilitate plastic and/or elastic deformation of the at least one recess. 18. A tubular member according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein an internal diameter of the at least one recess is reduced with respect to an internal diameter of the tubular member adjacent the recess. 19. A tubular member according to claim 18, wherein the internal diameter of the at least one recess is reduced by a multiple of a wall thickness of the tubular member. 20. A tubular member according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the coupling means is disposed on an annular shoulder provided at each end of the tubular member. 21. A tubular member according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling means comprises a first screw thread provided on an annular shoulder at a first end of the tubular member, and a second screw thread provided on an annular shoulder at a second end of the tubular member. 22. A tubular member according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein an inner diameter of the annular shoulder is enlarged with respect to an inner diameter of the tubular member adjacent the annular shoulder. 23. A tubular member according to claim 22, wherein the inner diameter of the annular shoulder is increased by a multiple of a wall thickness of the tubular member. 24. A tubular member according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular member is manufactured from a ductile material. 25. An expander device comprising a body provided with a first annular shoulder, and a second annular shoulder spaced apart from the first annular shoulder. 26. An expander device according to claim 25, wherein a radial expansion of the second annular shoulder is greater than a radial expansion of the first annular shoulder. 27. An expander device according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the expander device is used to expand a tubular member, the tubular member including coupling means to facilitate coupling of the tubular member into a string, the coupling means being disposed on an annular shoulder provided at least one end of the tubular member, the tubular member further including at least one recess wherein a friction and/or sealing material is located within the recess. 28. An expander device according to claim 27, wherein the second annular shoulder is spaced apart from the first annular shoulder by a distance substantially equal to the distance between an annular shoulder of a preceding tubular member and the at least one recess of the tubular member. 29. An expander device according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the first annular shoulder of the expander device contacts the at least one recess of the tubular member substantially simultaneously with the second annular shoulder of the expander device entering an annular shoulder of the tubular member. 30. A method of lining a borehole in an underground formation, the method comprising the steps of lowering a tubular member into the borehole, the tubular member including coupling means to facilitate coupling of the tubular member into a string, the coupling means being disposed on an annular shoulder provided at least one end of the tubular member, the tubular member further including at least one recess wherein a friction/sealant material is located within the recess, and applying a radial force to the tubular member using an expander device to induce a radial deformation of the tubular member and/or the underground formation. 31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the expander device comprises a body provided with a first annular shoulder, and a second annular shoulder spaced apart from the first annular shoulder. 32. A method according to claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the method includes the further step of removing the radial force from the tubular member.