Patent ID: 8056642

Claim:
A method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the tubular element including a first layer and a second layer extending around the first layer, said layers being separable from each other, the method comprising a) inducing each layer to bend 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, wherein each layer has a respective bending zone in which said bending occurs; and b) increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the respective bending zones of the layers to move in an axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section; wherein said layers in the respective bending zones are separate from each other so as to define an axial space between the layers; and wherein in the remaining tubular section, said layers are compressed against each other by virtue of a tensile hoop stress in the second layer and a compressive hoop stress in the first layer.