Patent ID: 7946349

Claim:
A method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the method comprising inducing a wall of the tubular element to bend radially outward and in a longitudinal axial direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein said bending occurs in a bending zone of the tubular element; increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the bending zone to move in a direction opposite the longitudinal axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section, wherein said wall includes a metal that is plastically deformed in the bending zone during the bending process so that the expanded tubular section retains an expanded shape as a result of said plastic deformation; the method further comprising the steps of: axially fixing the expanded tubular section; and pushing the remaining tubular section into the expanded tubular section.