# US 11,028,673 B2 · Thru-tubing operations > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,673 B2 - Document ID: US11028673B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/538,054 - Filed: 2019-08-12 - Published: 2020-02-13 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-13 - Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company; Wireless Instrumentation Systems AS - Applicants: Saudi Arabian Oil Company; Wireless Instrumentation Systems AS - Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan; Jarl André Fellinghaug - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028673B2 ## CPC - E21B 23/00: Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells (setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10) - E21B 43/01: specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations - E21B 17/02: Couplings; joints {(expandable couplings or joints E21B43/106)} - E21B 17/1078: {Stabilisers or centralisers for casing, tubing or drill pipes (E21B17/1007 - E21B17/1064 take precedence)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract An apparatus and methods for using and deploying the same within a subterranean zone are described. The apparatus includes a conduit and an expandable mandrel positioned within the conduit. The conduit is configured to be positioned within a subterranean zone. The conduit has an inner surface and an outer surface. The conduit defines an opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. At least a portion of the expandable mandrel is smaller than the opening. A longitudinal length of the expandable mandrel is longer than a longitudinal length of the opening. The expandable mandrel, when actuated, is configured to move in a radial direction with respect to the conduit, such that the portion of the expandable mandrel smaller than the opening moves through the opening and extends beyond the outer surface of the conduit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a conduit configured to be positioned within a subterranean zone, the conduit having an inner surface and an outer surface, the conduit defining an opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface; and an extensible mandrel positioned within the conduit and coupled to the conduit by a flexible material, wherein: at least a portion of the extensible mandrel is smaller than the opening; the extensible mandrel, when actuated, is configured to move in a radial direction with respect to the conduit, such that the portion of the extensible mandrel smaller than the opening moves through the opening and extends beyond the outer surface of the conduit; and the flexible material is configured to harden to secure a position of the extensible mandrel relative to the conduit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a well tool coupled to and positioned within the extensible mandrel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the well tool comprises a device selected from a group consisting of a sensor, an energy harvesting system, a wireless communication system, a power storage system, a microcontroller system with memory, and a flow control device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the extensible mandrel comprises slotted ends configured to mate with the opening to secure a position of the extensible mandrel relative to the conduit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner surface defines an inner volume of the conduit, and the extensible mandrel, when actuated, is configured to move in the radial direction, such that the extensible mandrel is positioned outside the inner volume. ### Claim 6 A method comprising: deploying an apparatus through a production tubing of a well formed in a subterranean zone, the apparatus comprising: a conduit having an inner surface and an outer surface, the conduit defining an opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface; and an extensible mandrel positioned within the conduit and coupled to the conduit by a flexible material, wherein at least a portion of the extensible mandrel is smaller than the opening; positioning the apparatus at a desired location within the subterranean zone; after positioning the apparatus at the desired location, moving the extensible mandrel in a radial direction with respect to the conduit, such that the portion of the extensible mandrel smaller than the opening moves through the opening and extends beyond the outer surface of the conduit; and after moving the extensible mandrel through the opening, hardening the flexible material to secure a position of the extensible mandrel relative to the conduit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the apparatus comprises a well tool coupled to and positioned within the extensible mandrel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising measuring, with the well tool, a property of the subterranean zone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising generating, with the well tool, power within the subterranean zone. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising transmitting, with the well tool, data from the subterranean zone to a surface location. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising controlling, with the well tool, fluid flow from the subterranean zone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein moving the extensible mandrel through the opening comprises flowing a fluid into the conduit to increase pressure within the conduit and move the extensible mandrel through the opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein securing the position of the extensible mandrel relative to the conduit comprises mating slotted ends of the expandable extensible mandrel to the opening to secure the position of the extensible mandrel relative to the conduit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the inner surface defines an inner volume of the conduit, and moving the extensible mandrel in the radial direction comprises moving the extensible mandrel, such that the extensible mandrel is positioned outside the inner volume. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: decoupling the well tool from the extensible mandrel; and removing the well tool from the subterranean zone.