Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2007/0051520.html
Timestamp: 2020-01-19 21:14:32
Document Index: 648980928

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

Expansion system - Enventure Global Technology, LLC
United States Patent Application 20070051520
An apparatus for the radial expansion and plastic deformation of a tubular member that includes a coating to reduce the frictional forces of expansion.
Parker, William Patrick (Katy, TX, US)
11/356899
Enventure Global Technology, LLC (Houston, TX, US)
166/207, 166/212, 166/242.1
E21B19/16; E21B23/02
Download PDF 20070051520 PDF help
20100065281 SHOE FOR WELLBORE LINING TUBING March, 2010 Howlett et al.
20090255670 Method of Monitoring Underground Diffusion of Carbon Dioxide October, 2009 Koyama et al.
Conley Rose, P.C (P.O. Box 3267, Houston, TX, 77253-3267, US)
1. An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member comprising: a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating.
2. The expansion device of claim 1, further comprising: a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and wherein the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating.
3. The expansion device of claim 1, further comprising: a rear end coupled to the second outer surface.
4. The expansion device of claim 2, wherein the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; and wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees.
5. The expansion device of claim 2, further comprising one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the one or more intermediate outer surfaces comprise a tungsten disulfide coating.
6. The expansion device of claim 5, wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.
7. The expansion device of claim 5, wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces decreases in steps from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.
8. The expansion device of claim 5, wherein the angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
9. An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member comprising: a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating; wherein the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating; wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and a rear end coupled to the second outer surface.
10. An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member comprising: a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating; a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and further comprising one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the one or more intermediate outer surfaces comprise a tungsten disulfide coating; wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface; and wherein the angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
11. An expandable tubular member for traversing a borehole in a subterranean formation comprising: a tungsten disulfide coating applied to the interior surface of the expandable tubular member.
12. An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member comprising: an expansion device comprising a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein at least one of the following surfaces comprises a tungsten disulfide coating: the first outer surface of the expansion device and the interior surface of the expandable tubular member; and means for displacing the expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member.
13. The expansion system of claim 12, wherein the expansion device further comprises a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and wherein the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating.
14. The expansion device of claim 12, wherein the expansion device further comprises a rear end coupled to the second outer surface.
15. The expansion system of claim 13, wherein the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; and wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees.
16. The expansion system of claim 13, wherein the expansion device further comprises one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the one or more intermediate outer surfaces comprise a tungsten disulfide coating.
17. The expansion system of claim 16, wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.
18. The expansion system of claim 16, wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces decreases in steps from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.
19. The expansion system of claim 16, wherein the angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
20. An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member comprising: an expansion device comprising a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and a rear end coupled to the second outer surface; and means for displacing the expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member; wherein at least one of the following surfaces comprises a tungsten disulfide coating: the first and second outer surfaces of the expansion device and the interior surface of the expandable tubular member.
21. An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member comprising: an expansion device comprising a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and further comprising one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface; wherein the angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation; and means for displacing the expansion device in an expandable tubular member; wherein at least one of the following surfaces comprises a tungsten disulfide coating: the first, second, and intermediate outer surfaces of the expansion device and the interior surface of the expandable tubular member.
22. A method of expanding an expandable tubular member comprising: radially expanding at least a portion of the tubular member by extruding at least a portion of the tubular member off of an expansion device; wherein the expansion device comprises a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein a tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first outer surface of the expansion device.
23. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22, wherein the expansion device further comprises: a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and wherein a tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first and second outer surfaces of the expansion device.
24. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22, wherein the expansion device further comprises: a rear end coupled to the second outer surface.
25. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22, wherein the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; and wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees.
26. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22, wherein the expansion device further comprises one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein a tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first, second, and intermediate outer surfaces of the expansion device.
27. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22, wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.
28. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22, wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces decreases in steps from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.
29. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22, wherein the angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
30. A method of expanding an expandable tubular member comprising: radially expanding at least a portion of the tubular member by extruding at least a portion of the tubular member off of an expansion device; wherein the expansion device comprises a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein a tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first and second outer surfaces of the expansion device; wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and a rear end coupled to the second outer surface.
31. A method of expanding an expandable tubular member comprising: radially expanding at least a portion of the tubular member by extruding at least a portion of the tubular member off of an expansion device; wherein the expansion device comprises a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and further comprising one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein a tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first, second, and intermediate outer surfaces of the expansion device; wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface; and wherein the angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/199,524, attorney docket number 25791.100, filed on Jul. 19, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket number 25791.3.02, filed Dec. 3, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, issued Dec. 24, 2002) which claimed priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/111,293, attorney docket no. 25791.3, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
This application is related to the following co-pending applications: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999 from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, attorney docket no. 25791.7.02, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, (4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/169,434, attorney docket no. 25791.10.04, filed on Jul. 1, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application 60/183,546, filed on Feb. 18, 2000, (6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (7) U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (8) U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,240, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/511,941, attorney docket no. 25791.16.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/121,907, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (9) U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (10) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/981,916, attorney docket no. 25791.18, filed on Oct. 18, 2001 as a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113a, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (11) U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,763, which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr. 26, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (12) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/030,593, attorney docket no. 25791.25.08, filed on Jan. 8, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application 60/146,203, filed on Jul. 29, 1999, (13) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/143,039, attorney docket no. 25791.26, filed on Jul. 9, 1999, (14) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/111,982, attorney docket no. 25791.27.08, filed on Apr. 30, 2002, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/162,671, attorney docket no. 25791.27, filed on Nov. 1, 1999, (15) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/154,047, attorney docket no. 25791.29, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, (16) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/438,828, attorney docket no. 25791.31, filed on Jan. 9, 2003, (17) U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,875, which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/679,907, attorney docket no. 25791.34.02, on Oct. 5, 2000, which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. 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No. 10/553566, attorney docket no. 25791.277.06, filed on Oct. 17, 2005; (164) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/721579, attorney docket no. 25791.327 filed on Nov. 4, 2005; (165) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/734302, attorney docket no. 25791.24 filed on Nov. 7, 2005; (166) PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2005/______, attorney docket no. 25791.326.02; (167) PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/______, attorney docket no. 25791.324.02 filed on Jan. 20, 2006, and (168) PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/______, attorney docket no. 25791.348.02 filed on Feb. 9, 2006 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates generally to wellbore casings, and in particular to wellbore casings that are formed using expandable tubing.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of the completion of the radial expansion and plastic deformation of an expandable tubular member.
FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an expansion device of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of an expansion device of FIG. 2.
FIG. 8 is an illustration of a method of applying tungsten disulfide to an expansion device of FIG. 2.
FIG. 9 is an illustration of a method of applying tungsten disulfide to the interior surface of the expandable tubular member of FIG. 2.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a device 200 for coupling an expandable tubular member 202 to an existing tubular member, such as, for example, the existing casing 106, is shown. The device 200 includes a shoe 206 that defines a centrally positioned valveable passage 206a adapted to receive, for example, a ball, plug or other similar device for closing the passage. An end of the shoe 206b is coupled to a lower tubular end 208a of a tubular launcher assembly 208 that includes the lower tubular end, an upper tubular end 208b, and a tapered tubular transition member 208c. The lower tubular end 208a of the tubular launcher assembly 208 has a greater inside diameter than the inside diameter of the upper tubular end 208b. The tapered tubular transition member 208c connects the lower tubular end 208a and the upper tubular end 208b. The upper tubular end 208b of the tubular launcher assembly 208 is coupled to an end of the expandable tubular member 202. One or more seals 210 are coupled to the outside surface of the other end of the expandable tubular member 202.
An expansion device 212 is centrally positioned within and mates with the tubular launcher assembly 208. The expansion device 212 defines a centrally positioned fluid pathway 212a, and includes a lower section 212b, a middle section 212c, and an upper section 212d. The lower section 212b of the expansion device 212 defines an inclined expansion surface 212ba that supports the tubular launcher assembly 208 by mating with the tapered tubular transition member 208c of the tubular launcher assembly. The upper section 212d of the expansion device 212 is coupled to an end of a tubular member 218 that defines a fluid pathway 218a. The fluid pathway 218a of the tubular member 218 is fluidicly coupled to the fluid pathway 212a defined by the expansion device 212. One or more spaced apart cup seals 220 and 222 are coupled to the outside surface of the tubular member 218 for sealing against the interior surface of the expandable tubular member 202. In an exemplary embodiment, cup seal 222 is positioned near a top end of the expandable tubular member 202. A top fluid valve 224 is coupled to the tubular member 218 above the cup seal 222 and defines a fluid pathway 226 that is fluidicly coupled to the fluid pathway 218a.
During operation of the device 200, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the device 200 is initially lowered into the borehole 102. In an exemplary embodiment, during the lowering of the device 200 into the borehole 102, a fluid 228 within the borehole 102 passes upwardly through the device 200 through the valveable passage 206a into the fluid pathway 212a and 218a and out of the device 200 through the fluid pathway 226 defined by the top fluid valve 224.
Referring now to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, a hardenable fluidic sealing material 300, such as, for example, cement, is then pumped down the fluid pathway 218a and 212a and out through the valveable passage 206a into the borehole 102 with the top fluid valve 224 in a closed position. The hardenable fluidic sealing material 300 thereby fills an annular space 302 between the borehole 102 and the outside diameter of the expandable tubular member 202.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a plug 402 is then injected with a fluidic material 404. The plug thereby fits into and closes the valveable passage 206a to further fluidic flow. Continued injection of the fluidic material 404 then pressurizes a chamber 406 defined by the shoe 206, the bottom of the expansion device 212, and the walls of the launcher assembly 208 and the expandable tubular member 202. Continued pressurization of the chamber 406 then displaces the expansion device 212 in an upward direction 408 relative to the expandable tubular member 202 thereby causing radial expansion and plastic deformation of the launcher assembly 208 and the expandable tubular member.
Referring now to FIG. 6, an expansion cone 600 defines an upper cone 602, a middle cone 604, and a lower tubular end 606. The upper cone 602 has a leading surface 608 and an outer inclined surface 610 that defines an angle α1. The middle cone 604 has an outer inclined surface 612 that defines an angle α2. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle α1 is greater than the angle α2. The outer inclined surfaces 610 and 612 together form the expansion surfaces 614 that upon displacement of the expansion cone 600 relative to the expandable tubular member 202 radially expand and plastically deform the expandable tubular member.
Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of an expansion cone 700 with an outside expansion surface 702 defining a parabolic equation, is shown. The expansion cone 700 has an upper expansion section 704 and a lower tubular end 706. The upper expansion section 704 has a leading surface 708 and the outside expansion surface 702 defined by a parabolic equation.
In an exemplary embodiment, the expansion device 212 consists of one or more of the expansion devices 600 and 700.
Referring now to FIG. 8, in an exemplary embodiment, a method of applying tungsten disulfide 800 to the expansion cone 600 is shown. Tungsten disulfide powder 800 is sprayed onto the expansion surfaces 614 and the circumferential surface of the lower tubular end 606 of the expansion cone 600 of FIG. 6 through the use of a sprayer 802, such as, for example, a sandblast sprayer, and a nozzle 804. In an exemplary embodiment, the tungsten disulfide 800 forms a bond with the surface of the expansion cone 600.
In an exemplary embodiment, tungsten disulfide is applied to the outside expansion surface 702 of the expansion cone 700.
Referring now to FIG. 9, in an exemplary embodiment, a method of applying tungsten disulfide 800 to the interior of the expandable tubular member 202 is shown. Tungsten disulfide powder 800 is sprayed onto the interior surface of expandable tubular member 202 through the use of a sprayer 802, such as, for example, a sandblast sprayer, and a nozzle 900. In an exemplary embodiment, the tungsten disulfide 800 forms a bond with the interior surface of the expandable tubular member 202.
Alternative methods of applying tungsten disulfide include, but are not limited to, mixing the tungsten disulfide powder with a carrier, such as, for example, isopropyl alcohol, and buffing the mixture onto the outside surfaces of the expansion cone.
Reduced expansion and initiation forces are achieved by the coating of tungsten disulfide on the expansion surface of an expansion device. Alternatively, or in addition to the application of tungsten disulfide to the expansion surface of an expansion device, reduced expansion and initiation forces may also be achieved by the coating of tungsten disulfide on the interior surface of an expandable tubular member.
An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member has been described that includes a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating and the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees. A second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating; the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees; and wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack. A rear end is coupled to the second outer surface.
An expandable tubular member for traversing a borehole in a subterranean formation has been described that includes a tungsten disulfide coating applied to the interior surface of the expandable tubular member.
An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member has been described that includes a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating. A second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating. The first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack. One or more intermediate outer surfaces are coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the one or more intermediate outer surfaces comprise a tungsten disulfide coating. The angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface and is defined by a parabolic equation.
An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member has been described that includes an expansion device comprising a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees. The expansion device further comprises a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees and the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack. A rear end is coupled to the second outer surface and there are means for displacing the expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member. A tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first and second outer surfaces of the expansion device.
An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member has been described that includes an expansion device comprising a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack and a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface. The first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack and the expansion device further comprises one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface. The angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation; and there are means for displacing the expansion device in an expandable tubular member. A tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first, second, and intermediate outer surfaces of the expansion device.
A method of expanding an expandable tubular member has been described that includes radially expanding at least a portion of the tubular member by extruding at least a portion of the tubular member off of an expansion device; wherein the expansion device comprises a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack that ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees. A second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack is coupled to the first outer surface, the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees and the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack. A tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first and second outer surfaces of the expansion device. A rear end is coupled to the second outer surface.
A method of expanding an expandable tubular member has been described that includes radially expanding at least a portion of the tubular member by extruding at least a portion of the tubular member off of an expansion device. The expansion device comprises a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack, and a second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack is coupled to the first outer surface. The first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and the expansion device further comprises one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second outer surfaces. A tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first, second, and intermediate outer surfaces of the expansion device. The angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface, and the angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
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