Apparatus for expanding a tubular member

An apparatus for radially expanded and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member, comprising:

• an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member;
• a multi-stage actuator coupled to the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member;
• and
• a locking device for locking the position of the expandable tubular member relative to the tubular member.

An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:

• a support member comprising a fluid passage that defines a throat passage;
• a expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member movably coupled to the support member for longitudinal displacement relative to the support member;
• a plurality of pressure chambers defined by and positioned between the support member and expansion device fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage;
• and
• releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
• wherein the releasable supports are positioned below the expansion device;
• wherein the expansion device comprises:
• annular pistons that mate with and receives the support member and are received by and mate with the tubular member;
• a tubular extension coupled to the annular pistons;
• and
• an annular tapered expansion cone coupled to an end of the tubular extension.

An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:

• a support member comprising a fluid passage that defines a throat passage;
• a expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member movably coupled to the support member for longitudinal displacement relative to the support member;
• a plurality of pressure chambers defined by and positioned between the support member and expansion device fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage;
• and
• releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
• wherein the releasable supports are positioned below the expansion device;
• wherein the expansion device comprises:
• annular pistons that mate with and receive the support member and are received by and mate with the tubular member;
• a tubular extension coupled to the annular pistons;
• and
• an annular tapered expansion cone coupled to an end of the tubular extension.
• wherein the releasable supports comprise:
• one or more hydraulic slips coupled to the support member and fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage of the support member for engaging a radially expanded portion of the tubular member;
• one or more mechanical slips coupled to the support member adapted to controllably engage the radially expanded portion of the tubular member;
• and
• one or more drag blocks coupled to the support member adapted to controllably engage the radially expanded portion of the tubular member;
• wherein the expansion device comprises:
• an adjustable expansion device;
• and
• a non-adjustable expansion device;
• wherein the expansion device comprises a tapered outer expansion surface having an angle of attack ranging from about 5 to 30 degrees;
• wherein the tapered outer expansion surface of the expansion device comprises a D2 steel;
• and wherein the tapered outer expansion surface of the expansion device comprises a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C.