One trip expansion apparatus for use in a wellbore
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsDoran B. Mauldin, Larry D. Sibley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for setting a liner in a wellbore and then expanding a screen in the wellbore in a single trip. In one aspect of the invention, a liner and expandable screen is provided with a slip assembly to fix the liner in the wellbore. An expansion tool and work sting is run into the wellbore in the liner. After the liner is set, the expansion tool is used to expand the screen. In another embodiment, an annular area between the expansion tool and work string is utilized in order to set the slips. Thereafter, cup packers used in forming the annulus are lifted from the liner prior to expanding the screen.
Claims10
A method of expanding a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
- running an apparatus into the wellbore, the apparatus including:
- the tubular for expansion;
- a slip for fixing the tubular in a wellbore;
- an expander tool on a work string;
- an attachment means between the work string and the tubular;
- means for setting the slip including sealing members disposed around the work string and temporary fixed thereto, to seal an annular area formed between the string and tubular;
- setting the slip in the wellbore;
- disengaging the attachment means;
- lifting the work string and expansion tool with respect to the tubular,
- whereby
- the sealing members are removed from the tubular;
- actuating the expander tool;
- and
- expanding at least a portion of the tubular through axial motion of the expansion tool and work string.
An apparatus for installing an expandable screen in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
- an outer portion, the outer portion including:
- a tubular liner and a tubular screen, the screen expandable with an outward radial force applied to its inner surface;
- and
- a slip, the slip energizable in the wellbore to axially and radially fix the outer portion of the wellbore;
- an inner portion coaxially disposed in the outer portion, the inner portion including:
- a work string extending between a surface of the well and the apparatus;
- an expandable tool disposed at the end of the work string;
- an attachment member for temporality connecting the inner portion to the outer portion;
- and
- sealing members disposed around the inner portion to seal an annulus formed between the inner and outer portion.
A method for setting a liner and expanding a screen in a wellbore, comprising:
- opening a fluid path from the interior of a first tubular to an annular area between the first tubular and an outer tubular;
- setting a slip assembly with fluid via the fluid path;
- closing the fluid path;
- and
- expanding the screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.