Expandable metal for junction locking and junction sealant applications
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsChad W. Glaesman, Karthik Krishnan, Michael Linley Fripp
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Abstract
Provided is a junction, a method for forming a junction, and a well system including a junction. The junction, in one aspect, includes a first threaded member, the first member formed of a first material, and a second threaded member threaded with the first threaded member, the second threaded member formed of a second material. In one or more aspects, the first and second threaded members define an overlapping space. In one or more other aspects, an expandable metal joint is located in at least a portion of the overlapping space, the expandable metal joint comprising a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.
Claims23
A junction, comprising:
- a first threaded member, the first member formed of a first material;
- a second threaded member threaded with the first threaded member, the second threaded member formed of a second material, the first and second threaded members defining an overlapping space;
- and
- a non-polymer expandable metal joint located in at least a portion of the overlapping space, the non-polymer expandable metal joint applied as a solid layer to at least one of the first threaded member or the second threaded member, the non-polymer expandable metal joint comprising a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.
A method for forming a junction, comprising:
- threading a first threaded member formed of a first material with a second threaded member formed of a second material, the threading defining an overlapping space, the overlapping space having a non-polymer expandable metal joint located in at least a portion thereof, the non-polymer expandable metal joint applied as a solid layer to at least one of the first threaded member or the second threaded member, the non-polymer expandable metal joint comprising a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis;
- and
- subjecting the non-polymer expandable metal joint to reactive fluid to expand the metal in the overlapping space and thereby form an expanded metal joint.
A well system, comprising:
- a wellbore extending through one or more subterranean formations;
- a tubular positioned within the wellbore, the tubular including;
- a first threaded member formed of a first material;
- a second threaded member formed of a second material, the first and second threaded members threaded together and defining an overlapping space, wherein a non-polymer expandable metal joint has been applied as a solid layer to at least one of the first threaded member or the second threaded member before positioning in the wellbore, the non-polymer expandable metal joint comprising a metal which expands in response to hydrolysis in the wellbore transitioning the non-polymer expandable metal joint to a non-polymer expanded metal joint;
- and
- the non-polymer expanded metal joint positioned at least partially in the overlapping space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.