Expandable liner
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsRichard W. DeLange, John Richard Setterberg, Jr., Scott H. Osburn, Ghazi J. Hashem, Gregory Guy Galloway
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expandable liner is used to re-complete a wellbore for a re-fracturing operation. The expandable liner may be used to cover the old perforations and provide a larger bore after expansion. The larger bore allows the new completion perforations and fracturing operation to be more easily achieved. In one embodiment, the expandable liner may have a rib disposed around an outer diameter of the expandable tubular, wherein the rib is configured to form a seal with the outer tubular.
Claims21
A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
- providing an expandable liner having an anchor at a first end and a free end at a second end, wherein the free end includes at least a substantial portion of the expandable liner;
- setting the anchor;
- expanding the liner while allowing the free end to shrink or grow during expansion, wherein, after expansion, an annular gap is present between the free end of the liner and the wellbore;
- and
- after expanding the liner, supplying a fluid into the liner and through perforations in the liner while allowing the free end to shrink or grow in response to the changes in length of the liner while supplying the fluid.
A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
- providing an expandable liner having a lower end, the lower end equipped with an expander cone, a first anchor and a second anchor;
- setting the second anchor to hold the liner against a casing while the expander cone remains unactivated;
- activating the expander cone to expand the liner and setting the first anchor, wherein, after expansion, an annular gap is present between an upper end of the liner and the wellbore;
- and
- after expanding the liner, supplying a fluid into the liner and through perforations in the liner while allowing at least a substantial portion of the expandable liner to shrink or grow in response to the changes in length of the liner while supplying the fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.