Patent Publication Number: US-2003234111-A1

Title: Internal support apparatus for downhole tubular structures and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates in general to providing internal support to tubular structures in a wellbore, and more particularly to an apparatus for providing support to such tubular structures to compensate for physical weakness or damage.  
       [0003] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0004] In a well, such as an oil and gas well, utilizing sand-control screens, the annulus between the wellbore and the sand-control screens is generally packed within a layer of gravel commonly referred to in the industry as “gravel packing” or “gravel pack.” The gravel layer (gravel pack) acts as a filter to prevent passage of formation fines (ex. sand) and other particulate into the production string. The sand-control screen provides a secondary filter to filter additional particulate and to prevent entry of the gravel pack into the production tubing. Over time, the gravel and the sand-control screens can become filled or clogged with particulate. The clogs increase resistance to fluid flow thereby creating an increasing pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the screen. This pressure differential causes increased loading on the screen that can cause it to collapse. Expanded screens, those that are inserted into position and then expanded to form the screen, are especially susceptible to collapse because of their inherent structural design. If the screen collapses, its permeability can be decreased, dramatically reducing the flow capacity of the screen. Also, the decrease in flow area caused by clogging or collapsed portions cause localized increased flow velocities. The increased flow velocity in localized regions of the screen promotes erosion and premature failure. In order to restore a well to its full production capability a collapsed screen must be removed and replaced. This requires removal and reinstallation of the entire production string in the wellbore, a time consuming and costly procedure.  
       [0005] In a related problem, portions of the production string, for example the production tubing, sand-control screens, or other components in the string, can be damaged when the formation shifts or sluffs into the wellbore. The damage can restrict flow through the production string and cause localized increased flow speeds that promote erosion. As above, repair of a damaged portion of the production string requires removal and reinstallation of the entire production string.  
       [0006] In a worse case scenario, the production string and/or sand-control screens can become stuck in the formation and cannot be removed. Such a scenario may necessitate premature abandonment of the well.  
       [0007] Therefore, there is a need to provide internal support to the damaged or weak tubular structures in the well bore, such as sand-control screens, production tubing, or other like structures. Such support should both prevent collapse of the tubular structure, and remedy collapsed tubular structures, without requiring removal and reinstallation of the tubular structure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The invention provides an internal support apparatus and a method of supporting tubular structures in a wellbore. Such support may eliminate the need to replace the tubular structure and allow the tubular structure to remain in operation.  
       [0009] In one embodiment, the invention encompasses an internal support apparatus for fixed installation in a tubular structure that is residing in a wellbore. The support apparatus includes an elongate body. At least one support member projects outwardly from the elongate body at least into close proximity with an interior surface of the tubular structure when the apparatus is inserted into the tubular structure. The elongate body can be tubular and can have at least one aperture for passage of fluids between an interior and an exterior of the elongate body. The support member can be at least one ridge running longitudinally on the exterior surface of the elongate tubular body. The support member can be a plurality of ridges running longitudinally on the elongate body and substantially equally spaced about the circumference of the elongate body. The support member can be wire wrapped around the elongate body, and the wire can be wrapped in a pattern to act as a filter. The support member can reside in substantially perpendicular relation to the axis of the elongate body.  
       [0010] In another embodiment the support apparatus has an elongate body and at least one support member changeable from a first position residing in substantially perpendicular relation to the axis of the elongate body to a second position residing at an acute angle to the axis of the elongate body. In the first position, a longest distance between the at least one support member and the axis of the elongate body is greater than a longest distance between the at least one support member and the axis of the elongate body in the second position.  
       [0011] In another embodiment the support apparatus has a tubular body with at least one slot running in a helical pattern about the body. The slot enables the tubular body to be extend.  
       [0012] An advantage of the invention is that physically weak or damaged tubular structures that are residing in the wellbore can be supported rather than requiring costly replacement or other remedial actions.  
       [0013] Another advantage of the invention is that, in some situations, the support device can be installed without requiring removal of the production string.  
       [0014] Another advantage of the invention is that after installation of the support apparatus, the tubular structure can be operated as normal. For example, if in normal operation the tubular structure is a conduit for fluids, fluids may continued to be flowed through the tubular structure after installation of the support apparatus.  
       [0015] Another advantage of the invention is that the devices are simple, and thus inexpensive to manufacture.  
       [0016] These and other advantages will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed disclosure.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0017] Various objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:  
     [0018]FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of an exemplary support apparatus supporting a tubular structure in accordance with the present invention, the support apparatus having support ridges;  
     [0019]FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of another exemplary support apparatus supporting a tubular structure in accordance with the invention, the support apparatus having support ridges;  
     [0020]FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of another exemplary support apparatus supporting a tubular structure in accordance with the invention, the support apparatus having support bows;  
     [0021]FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of another exemplary support apparatus supporting a tubular structure in accordance with the invention, the support apparatus having outwardly biased support blocks;  
     [0022]FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of another exemplary support apparatus supporting a tubular structure in accordance with the invention, the support apparatus having a wire-wrapped support structure;  
     [0023]FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional side views of another exemplary support apparatus in accordance with the present invention, being inserted into a tubular structure (FIG. 6A) and expanded to support the tubular structure (FIG. 6B);  
     [0024]FIGS. 7A, 7B, and  7 C are cross-sectional views in sequence depicting use of another exemplary support apparatus in accordance with the present invention, wherein FIG. 7A depicts the support apparatus being inserted into the tubular structure, FIG. 7B depicts the support apparatus is being expanded by inserting a mandrel through the support apparatus located inside of the tubular structure, and FIG. 7C depicts the support apparatus expanded to support the tubular structure;  
     [0025]FIGS. 8A and 8B and  8 C are cross-sectional views in sequence depicting another exemplary internal support apparatus in accordance with the present invention, wherein FIG. 8A illustrates the support apparatus before activation and FIG. 8B illustrates the support apparatus after actuation; and  8 C illustrates a selective injection tool actuating the support apparatus; and  
     [0026]FIGS. 9A and 9B are elevational views of two exemplary support plates for use with the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0027] Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like or similar parts throughout the Figures.  
     [0028] Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a wellbore  10  of a subterranean well has a tubular structure  12  residing therein for which internal support is desired. The term tubular structure is used herein to encompass virtually any type of device within the wellbore  10  that has a tubular or substantially tubular cross-section for at least a portion of its length. The tubular structure  12  can be, for example, a fluid permeable screen for preventing intrusion of particulate into the production tubing (including an expanded screen of the same type), a portion of flow tubing (such as the production tubing), or a portion of the wellbore casing. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the applicability of the apparatus and methods described herein to many other various tubular structures  12  within the wellbore  10 . An internal support apparatus  14  resides in the tubular structure  12 , and has been fixedly installed such that there is substantially no movement of the support apparatus  14  in relation to the tubular structure  12 . Thereafter, the support apparatus  14  remains in the tubular structure  12  indefinitely to provide support against collapse or further collapse and allow the tubular structure  12  to remain in operation. Thus, for example, if the tubular structure  12  is a sand screen, fluids are produced from the well as normal (i.e. from the formation through the sand screen).  
     [0029] One exemplary internal support apparatus  14  has an elongate tubular body  16  with one or more radially outwardly projecting support ridges  20  on its exterior. The tubular body  16  can be continuous (FIGS. 1A and 1B) or can have one or more apertures  18  to allow fluid flow therethrough (FIGS. 2A and 2B). The support ridges  20  run longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the tubular body  16 . While depicted in the figures as cylindrical tubing, the tubular body  16  can be of any profile and any cross-section. Thus, for example, the cylindrical cross-section tube can be substituted by a rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, or other cross-section tube.  
     [0030] The number of support ridges  20  depends on the particular application and the manner of support required by the tubular structure  12 , and can be a single ridge or a plurality of ridges. For example, two support ridges  20  in opposing relation on the surface of the tubular body  16  will provide support primarily to opposing portions of the tubular structure  12 . Multiple ridges  20  distributed about the tubular body  16  (see FIG. 1B) will provide more even support, because the ridges will bear more evenly on the interior surface of the tubular structure  12 . If more than one ridge  20  is provided, the ridges  20  can be equally spaced about the tubular body, or spaced in an irregular configuration depending the manner of support required by the tubular structure  12 . Ridges  20  need not be continuous along the entire length of the tubular body  16 . Also, ridges  20  need not be of rectangular section as depicted in the figures, but can be of other shapes, for example but in no means by limitation, domed, triangular, trapezoidal or otherwise.  
     [0031] In use, the internal support apparatus  14  is positioned in the interior of the tubular structure  12  to which it is providing support, and remains in place during operation of the tubular structure  12 . In one exemplary embodiment, the support apparatus  14  is configured such that the ridges  20  reside in light contact with or slightly inset from the interior surface of the (undamaged) tubular structure  12 . The term “light contact” is used herein to describe that the support apparatus  14  continuously or intermittently contacts the tubular structure  12  without substantially expanding the tubular structure  12 . The term “slight inset” is used herein to describe that the support apparatus  14  resides in close proximity with the inner surface of the tubular structure  12 , but does not make contact with the tubular structure  12 . When in close proximity, the tubular structure  12  can flex inward into contact with the support apparatus  14 , but does not flex enough that the tubular structure  12  is substantial damaged (ex. bend, tear or break).  
     [0032] The distance between the outermost surface of opposing ridges  20  can be equal to or slightly smaller than an interior dimension of the undamaged tubular structure  20 . Thus, if the support apparatus  14  is inserted into an undamaged tubular structure  12 , the ridges  20  will support against collapse of the tubular structure  12 . If inserted into a collapsed or otherwise damaged tubular structure  12 , the ridges  20  will expand the collapsed portion of the tubular structure  12  to approximately its original interior dimensions. The same effect can be accomplished by configuring the support apparatus  14  such that the ridges  20  reside slightly inset and not touching the inner surface of the tubular structure  12 . However, if the ridges are slightly inset, the support apparatus  14  will be easier to pass into and out of the tubular structure  12 . Alternately, in a collapsed or otherwise damaged tubular structure  12 , the ridges  20  can be configured to lightly contact the inner surface of the damaged portion of the tubular structure  12  to support against further collapse while not substantially expanding the collapsed portion. As above, the same effect can be accomplished by configuring the support apparatus  14  such that the ridges  20  are slightly inset from the inner surface of the damaged portion. For example, the distance between the outermost surface of opposing ridges  20  is equal to or slightly smaller than an interior dimension of the damaged portion of the tubular structure  20 . It may also be desirable to configure the support apparatus  14  such that the ridges  20  would partially expand a damaged portion of the tubular structure  12 , but not fully expand the damaged portion to its original dimension. For example, the distance between the outermost surface of opposing ridges  20  is greater than an interior dimension of the damaged portion, but smaller than the interior dimension of an undamaged portion of the tubular structure. The distance between the outermost surfaces of opposing ridges  20  can be different between different pairs of opposing ridges  20  on the same support apparatus  14  to accommodate various internal dimensions (damaged or undamaged) of the tubular structure  12 .  
     [0033] The longitudinal length of internal support apparatus  14  is preferably sized to span the portion of the tubular structure  12  requiring support. However, multiple support apparatus  14  can be joined together to span the portion of the tubular structure  12  requiring support, as is shown in FIG. 2A.  
     [0034] The leading edge of the ridges  20  can have a mandrel surface  22  sloping inward and forward towards the center line of the support apparatus  14 . The mandrel surface  22  acts as a mandrel or a wedge to force the tubular structure  12  over the ridges  20  as the support apparatus  14  is inserted into the tubular structure  12 . Thus, if the support apparatus  14  is configured to expand the tubular structure  12 , the support apparatus  14  will more easily and smoothly pass into and expand the tubular structure  12 , reducing the risk of the support apparatus  14  hanging on tubular structure  12  or causing further damage.  
     [0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, rather than having fixed ridges  20  as discussed with respect to the support apparatus  14  of FIGS. 1 and 2, an alternate support apparatus  70  can have radially resilient support bows  72 . One end of each support bow  72  is secured to the tubular body  16 , for example with a weld or fastener  74 , such as a screw or bolt. The support bows  72  are semi-elliptic springs that arch radially outward from the tubular body  16 , resisting but allowing radial compression inward towards the tubular body  16 . As above, one or multiple bows can be arranged about the exterior tubular body  16 . The number and orientation will depend on the particular support required by the tubular structure  12 , as discussed above. The support apparatus  14  can be configured such that the resilient support bows  72  make light contact with the inner surface of an undamaged tubular structure  12 . As can be seen in FIG. 3A, when inserted into the tubular structure  12 , the resilient support bows  72  will then flex inward to accommodate and provide support to a collapsed or damaged portion of the tubular structure  12 . Thus, the support apparatus  70  can be fixably installed in a damaged or undamaged tubular structure  12  and provide support during the operation of the tubular structure  12 . As above, apertures  18  can be optionally be provided in the tubular body  16  to allow passage of fluid from the exterior of the tubular body  16  into the interior of the tubular body  16 .  
     [0036] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an alternate embodiment of the support apparatus  76  incorporates radially movable support blocks  78  biased outward from the tubular body  16 . As above, apertures  18  can optionally be provided in the tubular support body  16  to allow for flow therethrough. The support apparatus  76  has an exterior housing  80  concentric about the tubular body  16 . The support blocks  78  reside between the exterior housing  80  and the tubular body  16 , and extend partially out from the exterior housing  80 . Springs  84  are positioned between the support blocks  78  and the tubular body  16  to bias the support blocks  78  radially outwardly. The support blocks  78  are configured to be moveable between a retracted position, with the springs  84  compressed and the support block  78  adjacent the tubular body  16 , and an extended position, with the springs  84  expanded and the support block  78  radially offset from the tubular body  16 . Each of the support blocks  78  has a stop flange  82  about its perimeter that is configured to abut the inner surface of the housing  80  when the support block  78  is fully extended to retain the block  78  in the housing  80 . The support apparatus  12  can be configured such that the support blocks  78  bear lightly against the inner surface of the undamaged tubular structure  12 . However, when the support apparatus  76  is inserted into a tubular structure  12  that has collapsed or partially collapsed, the support blocks  78  in the portion of the collapsed tubular structure  12  will be pushed radially in towards the tubular body  16 , and conform to the interior shape of the collapsed tubular structure  12 . The radially outward bias of the support blocks  78  then provides radial support to the collapsed or partially collapsed portion of the tubular structure  12 . Thus, the support apparatus  76  can be fixably installed in a damaged or undamaged tubular structure  12  and provide support during the operation of the tubular structure  12 .  
     [0037] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in another embodiment, the tubular body  16  can have a screen-type support structure  24  that functions similarly to the ridges  20  described above. The screen-type support structure can be built-up in a wire-wrapping process and with wire circumferentially or spirally wrapped along the longitudinal length of the tubular body  16  to form the support structure  24 . Additionally, wire laid longitudinally beneath the circumferential or spiral wire can be used to build up the screen structure  24 . The screen-type support structure  24  can be constructed to operate as a screen or filter, for example by deliberate spacing of the wire-wrap to reduce entry of particulate (such as sand and gravel) into the interior of the support apparatus  14 . As above, the tubular body  16  can have apertures  18  to allow fluid passage therethrough. Also, as above, the support apparatus  14  can have a sloped mandrel surface  26  on its leading edge. However, as seen in FIG. 5A, the mandrel surface  26  need not be part of the ridges  20  (as in FIG. 1A) and can be provided on the tubular body  16  itself. A mandrel surface  26  integrated into the tubular body  16  can be used with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. The support apparatus  14  can be configured to reside in light contact with the undamaged tubular structure  12 , in light contact with a damaged portion of the tubular structure  12 , slightly inset from the undamaged or damaged portion of the tubular structure  12 , or to expand a damaged portion of the tubular structure  12 .  
     [0038] The internal support apparatus  14  can be configured to seal or substantially seal with the tubular structure  12  at one or more points along its length. As can be seen in FIG. 5A, support apparatus  14  can be provided with a seal  28  positioned to substantially continuously abut the inner diameter of the tubular structure  12  and seal or substantially seal against passage of fluid or particulate from below the seal  28  into the annular space between the support apparatus  14  and the interior surface of tubular support structure  12 . Seal  28  is provided in the rear portion of mandrel  24 , but can be provided at any point along the support apparatus  14  that would place the seal in a position to seal against the interior surface of tubular structure  12 . An additional seal  30  can be provided on the support apparatus  14  to abut and seal or substantially seal against another portion of the interior of the tubular structure  12 . Provided that flow from below seal  28  and above seal  30  is prevented, the support apparatus  14  will isolate an interval of the tubular structure  12  between the seals, so that only flow from between the seals can pass through the internal support apparatus  14 . The support apparatus  14  may, for example, be configured to filter particulate, as described above, and to use seals to isolate a portion of a ruptured tubular structure  12  so that flow entering the rupture will be filtered through the support apparatus  14 . In another example, the internal support apparatus  14  may be configured without apertures, thus isolating a damaged portion of the tubular structure  12  with seals will minimize intrusion of fluid from a damaged portion. Although such seals  28  and  30  are only discussed with respect to support apparatus  14  having a screen-type support structure  24 , similar seals can be provided on any of the exemplary embodiments described herein.  
     [0039] While each of the embodiments described herein can be fixed relative to the tubular structure  12  frictionally, FIG. 5A depicts the support apparatus  14  supported from a tubing hanger  32  that engages the wellbore, directly or indirectly, to fix the support apparatus  14  relative to the tubular structure. The tubing hanger  32  can be configured to seal against the inner diameter of the wellbore  10  or casing in the wellbore  10 . Support apparatus  14  can join to the hanger  32  to secure the position of the support apparatus  14  relative to the tubular structure  12 . Each of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be supported from a tubing hanger  32  in a similar manner.  
     [0040]FIGS. 6A and 6B depict another exemplary internal support apparatus  34  in axially extended and radially contracted mode respectively. The support apparatus  34  is tubular and has a helical slot  36  along at least a portion of its length. The helical slot  36  allows the support apparatus  34  to be extended axially, and as it extends axially, to contract radially in a manner similar to axially stretching a coil spring. Thus, unextended (FIG. 6B) the support apparatus  34  can be configured to provide support to the tubular structure  12 , but when extended axially, the support apparatus  34  can pass easily into and out of the tubular structure  12 . Also, when axially extended, the reduced outer dimension of the radially contacted support apparatus  34  aids in navigating bends and other restricted diameter portions of the wellbore  10 . Also as above, apertures  18  can optionally be provided in the support apparatus  34  to allow fluid to flow through therethrough. An anchoring mechanism  38 , for example slips or a dog-type anchoring mechanism, can be provided at one or both ends of the support apparatus  34  to engage the interior of the tubular structure  12  or other element in the wellbore  10 .  
     [0041] In use, the internal support apparatus  34  is contracted radially by axially extending the apparatus  34  with a setting tool  40  (FIG. 6A). Setting tool  40  is a tool that grips the support apparatus  34  about the portion having helical slots  36  and that is actuable to extend, thus extending the portion of the support apparatus  34  having helical slots  36 . The setting tool  40  can also be actuable to retract. For example, a hydraulic setting tool  40  can incorporate a piston and rod assembly, wherein hydraulic fluid supplied from a reservoir and electric pumps contained in or about the setting tool  40  or from the surface, is used to extend and/or retract the rod. An electric setting tool  40  can use electric motors together with a screw mechanism or gear train to extend and retract the rod. An example of a tool that can be used as the setting tool  40  is the Downhole Power Unit available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.  
     [0042] The setting tool  40  is operated to engage the support apparatus  34  about the portion having helical slots  36 , and extended to axially extend and radially contract the support apparatus  34 . Once axially extended, the support apparatus  34  can then be tripped into the well and positioned in the tubular structure  12  at the area for which support is desired. Thereafter, the setting tool  40  is contracted and removed (FIG. 6B), thereby axially contracting and radially expanding the support apparatus  34  until the support apparatus  34  reaches its unextended position or contacts the interior of the tubular structure  12 . The anchoring mechanism  38  can be set to engage the tubular structure  12  and secure the position of the support apparatus  34  in a manner known in the art, for example through manipulation of the tubing string or hydraulically. In an exemplary embodiment where the anchoring mechanism  38  is slips, the slips are configured to engage the tubular structure  12  when the support apparatus  34  is expanded. The slips at each end of the support apparatus  34  are oppositely oriented such that when the support apparatus  34  is expanded and the slips contact with the tubular structure  12 , the slips at a forward end of the support apparatus  34  will engage the tubular structure  12  and prevent forward movement of the support apparatus  34 , and slips at a rearward end of the support apparatus  34  will engage the tubular structure  12  and prevent rearward movement of the support apparatus  34 .  
     [0043] The support apparatus  34  can be configured to make light contact with the inner surface of the undamaged tubular structure  12  or be slightly inset from the inner surface of the undamaged tubular structure  12  when fully expanded (i.e. axially contracted). Thus, if the tubular structure  12  is collapsed or otherwise damaged, the support apparatus  34  can be fully expanded to expand the damaged portion of the tubular structure  12  back to substantially its original interior dimensions. The support apparatus  34  can also be partially expanded to partially expand the damaged tubular structure  12 . It is important to note here that, if not substantially plastically deformed when axially extended, the support apparatus  34  will tend to spring back from an extended, radially contracted state to its original retracted, radially expanded state without assistance from the setting tool  40 . However, if a portion of the tubular structure  12  is collapsed the support apparatus  34  may not be able to overcome and expand the damaged portion of the tubular structure  12  on its own. In such a case, the support apparatus  34  may, by its own tendency to retract and radially expand, fully expand into contact with undamaged areas of the tubular structure  12  and partially expand into contact with the damaged areas of the tubular structure  12 , thereby conforming to the inner contours of the tubular structure  12 . Alternately, the setting tool  40  can be powered to retract and radially expand the support apparatus  34  to overcome and expand the damaged portion of the tubular structure  12 . If the support apparatus  34  is axially extended enough to plastically deform, it will not completely spring back to its original retracted state, and the setting tool  40  can be powered to retract and radially expand the support apparatus  34 .  
     [0044] Alternately, the support apparatus  34  can be configured to make light contact with or be slightly inset from the inner surface of a collapsed or damaged portion of the tubular structure  12  when fully expanded to support against further collapse while not substantially expanding the collapsed portion. It may also be desirable to configure the support apparatus  34  such that when expanded it would partially expand a damaged portion of the tubular structure  12 , but not fully expand the damaged portion to its original dimensions.  
     [0045] In any configuration, whether inset, lightly contacting, or expanding the tubular structure  12 , the support apparatus  34  can be fixably installed in a damaged or undamaged tubular structure  12  and provide support during the operation of the tubular structure  12 .  
     [0046]FIGS. 7A, 7B and  7 C depict another exemplary internal support apparatus  42 . The support apparatus  42  is a tubular body having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular structure  12  (FIG. 7A). The support apparatus  42  has a plurality of apertures  18 . The apertures  18  can be slot-shaped, longitudinally oriented, and arranged in an overlapping pattern about the support apparatus  42 , though other shapes may be used in this invention. The apertures  18  expand thus enabling the support apparatus  42  to be plastically deformed into an expanded state (FIG. 7C) in a manner similar to expanding an expandable sand-control screen. The number and size of apertures  18  and the wall thickness of the support apparatus  42  can be optimized to provide strength to the support apparatus  42  when expanded. Once positioned in the tubular structure  12 , the support apparatus  42  can be anchored at one or both ends to the borehole  10 , for example by joining with a tubing hanger  32 , or to the tubular structure  12  itself. A mandrel expansion tool  44 , similar to existing tools used to expand expandable sand-control screens, can be forced through the support apparatus  42  to expand the diameter of the support apparatus  42  into light contact with or slightly inset from the interior surface of the undamaged tubular structure  12 . As such, the support apparatus  42  will provide support the tubular structure  12 . Additionally, if the tubular structure  12  is collapsed or otherwise damaged, the mandrel expansion tool  44  will expand the damaged portion of the tubular structure  12 . Thus, the support apparatus  42  can be fixably installed in a damaged or undamaged tubular structure  12  and provide support during the operation of the tubular structure  12 .  
     [0047]FIGS. 8A and 8B depict another exemplary internal support apparatus  46 . The support apparatus  46  has a tubular body portion  48  carrying a plurality of support plates  50 . As seen in FIG. 9A, the support plates  50  can be elliptical and have an elliptical opening  52  that receives the body portion  48 . The minor axis A1 of the elliptical opening  52  is sized to closely receive the body portion  48 , while the major axis A2 of the elliptical opening  52  is sized to allow the support plates  50  to tilt on the body portion  48  about the minor axis A1 as shown in FIG. 8A. The outer dimension of the support plates  50  is greatest along the major axis A2, and smaller along the minor axis A1 such that with the support plates  50  in a tilted position a distance measured along the major axis A2 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body  48  is less than the inner diameter of the undamaged tubular structure  12  and when support plates  50  are disposed substantially perpendicular (“upright”) to the axis of the body portion  48 , the support plates  50  will effectively increase the outside dimension of support apparatus  46  to provide support to the tubular structure  12 . The length of minor axis A1 of the support plates  50  is less than the inner diameter of the undamaged tubular structure  12 . The major axis A2 of the support plates  50  may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular structure  12 , so that when moved from a tilted position to an upright position, the support plates  50  make light contact with the inner surface of the undamaged tubular structure  12 . Alternately, the major axis A2 of the support plates  50  may be equal to or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tubular structure  12  to slightly expand the tubular structure  12  when actuated from a tilted to an upright position. The support plates  50  can be other shapes than the elliptical shape shown in FIG. 9A, for example, a flat sided oval as in FIG. 9B, rectangular, or other shape.  
     [0048] The support plates  50  are spaced on the body portion  48  by a plurality of slide rings  54  sized to coaxially receive and slide on the body portion  48 . Slide rings  54  each accommodate a lock-ring  56  that is biased inward against the body portion  48 , and body portion  48  has corresponding lock-ring grooves  58 . With the support plates  50  in a tilted position (FIG. 8A), the slide rings  54  freely slide on the body portion  48 . However, the lock-ring grooves  58  are spaced such that if the respective lock-ring  56  of two or more slide rings  54  locks into adjacent lock-ring grooves  58 , the slide rings  54  will be spaced to support the support plates  50  substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body portion  48  (FIG. 8B).  
     [0049] The body portion  48  has a hydraulic chamber  60  that receives and seals with the slide ring  54  at one end of the support plate  50  stack. A hydraulic passage  62  in body portion  48  feeds the hydraulic chamber  60 . The hydraulic passage  62  can receive pressure, for example, from the interior of the support apparatus  12  with a selective injection tool  64  (FIG. 8C) that is insertable into the inner diameter of the support apparatus  46 , seals  66  around passage  62 , and communicates pressurized hydraulic fluid into the passage  62 . An example of a device suitable for use as a selective injection tool  64  is the Selective Injection Packer available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.  
     [0050] The support plates  50  and slide rings  54  are bounded at one end by the hydraulic chamber  60  and at the other by a stop member  68  affixed to the body portion  48 . As pressure is supplied to the hydraulic chamber  60 , the end-most slide ring  54  is forced axially towards the support plates  50  and other slide rings  54 . The support plate  50  adjacent the stop member  68 , bears against the stop member  68 , and the support plates  50  and slide rings  54  are forced together forcing the support plates  50  into substantially perpendicular relation with the body portion  48 . The lock-rings  56  of the slide rings  54  snap into their respective lock-ring grooves  58  and lock the slide rings  54  into position on the body portion  48 , thus locking the support plates  50  in substantially perpendicular relation to the body portion  48 .  
     [0051] In use, the support plates  50  are arranged in the tilted position and tripped into the well and positioned in the tubular structure  12 . Once in position, the hydraulic chamber  60  is pressurized (for example, with the selective injection tool  64 ), forcing the slide rings  54  and support plates  50  to tightly stack against the stop member  68  and forcing support plates  50  into substantially perpendicular relation with the body portion  48 . When tightly stacked, the lock-rings  56  snap into corresponding lock-ring grooves  58  and lock the slide rings  54  in place and the support plates  50  in position to support the tubular structure  12 . Thus, the support apparatus  46  can be fixably installed in a damaged or undamaged tubular structure  12  and provide support during the operation of the tubular structure  12 .  
     [0052] Although several exemplary embodiments of the methods and systems of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing description, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.