Patent ID: 8408318

Claim:
A method of radially expanding a tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the method comprising: arranging the tubular element in the wellbore whereby a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, whereby an annular space is defined between said expanded and remaining tubular sections; axially extending the expanded tubular section by moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded tubular section so that said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction; and positioning a tube in the annular space so that the tube extends substantially concentrically with the expanded tubular section, wherein the tube is arranged to support at least one of the remaining tubular section and the expanded tubular section wherein the wall of the tubular elements includes a material subject to plastic deformation during said bending of the wall so that the expanded tubular section retains an expanded shape as a result of said plastic deformation.