Patent EA-002235-B1 (EA)
Title: Deformable liner tube
Inventor: LOHBECK WILHELMUS CHRISTIANUS
IPC: F16L55/16
Filed: 1999-04-23
Abstract: 1. A method of using a tube (1) having a wall which is at least partly formed by a number of tubules (3) by deforming the tube (1) by changing the circumferential shape of the tubule or tubules (3), characterized in that the tube (1) is used as a liner tube (1) for creating a formable lining within a tubular cavity (2) by positioning the liner tube (1) at a selected location within the cavity (2) and then deforming the liner tube (1) by changing the circumferential shape of the tubule or tubules (3). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the liner tube (1) is radiaily expanded by exerting a radial hydraulic or mechanical pressure to the inner wall of the liner tube (1) thereby flattening or otherwise changing the circumferential shape of the tubule or tubules (3) and pressing the outer wall of the liner tube (1) against the cavity wall (2). 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cavity (2) is formed by an underground wellbore or by a wellbore or other tubular and wherein the liner tube (1) is used as an expandable liner for temporarily or permanently lining of a selected length of the wellbore or tubular. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein before deformation of the liner tube (1) the tubules (3) have a substantially cylindrical shape and deform into a substantially elliptical or flattened shape in response to deformation of the tube. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein before deformation of the liner tube (9) the tubules (10) have a substantially prismatic shape and deform into a substantially flattened shape in response to deformation of the tube (9). 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tubules contain at the outer periphery of the tube openings or weak spots which open up as a result of the deformation process such that one or more fluids are squeezed from the interior of the tubules into the space surrounding the liner tube. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fluids that are squeezed from the interior of the tubules contain one or more chemicals, such as components of a liquid cement slurry, components of a curing agent or a chemical treatment fluid. 8. A deformable tube (1) having a wall which is at least partly formed by a number of tubules (3) , wherein the circumferential shape of at least one tubule (3) is at least partly changed in response to deformation of the tube (1) , characterized in that the tube (1) is a liner tube for creating a formable lining in a cavity (2). 9. The deformable liner tube of claim 8, wherein the tubules (3,9,13,15,18) are made of metal and the sides of a pair of adjacent tubules substantially touch each other and are sintered, welded, spot welded, brazed, bonded, or otherwise secured to each other. 10. The deformable liner tube of claim 8, wherein the tubules (3,9,13,15,18) comprise an outer wall made of a permeable plastic or elastomeric material or a permeable fabric and the sides of adjacent tubules substantially touch each other and are bonded to each other. 11. The deformabie liner tube of claim 8 or 9, wherein one or more tubules (41,52) are foldable tubules which have a wall in which at least three longitudinal hinge lines (43,44,47,54,62) are formed such that during storage and transport an inwardly folded wall segment of the tubule is created, which wall segment is unfolded during the deformation process by enhancing pressure inside the tubule (41,52,61).