Pre-expanded connector for expandable downhole tubulars
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorGhazi Hashem
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing an expandable threaded connection between segments of expandable tubulars. Threaded connections are machined into pre-expanded ends of tubulars. Once the threaded connections are machined into the pre-expanded ends, two joints of tubulars are connected using the threads, thus creating a pre-expanded threaded connection. After a tubular string is made up and lowered into a wellbore, the entire length of the string is expanded using known methods for expanding tubulars. During the downhole expansion operation, the pre-expanded threaded connections experience minimal expansion. The minimal downhole expansion of the pre-expanded threaded connections allows the threaded connections to maintain their sealing ability and coupling strength.
Claims36
An expandable threaded tubular connection comprising:
- a first tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, wherein the pre-expanded end of the first tubular segment has been expanded to a given shape and size by inserting an expansion tool into the end of the first tubular segment to a predetermined length, the pre-expanded end including a pin member machined onto the pre-expanded end, such pin member having helical threads extending substantially along the length of the pin member;
- a second tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, wherein the pre-expanded end of the second tubular segment has been expanded to a given shape and size by inserting an expansion tool into the end of the second tubular segment to a predetermined length, the pre-expanded end including a box member machined into the pre-expanded end, such box member having helical mating threads that are shaped and sized to mate with the helical threads respectively on the pin member.
An expandable threaded tubular connection comprising:
- a first tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, the pre-expanded end including a pin member with interengageable thread means;
- a second tubular segment with a pre-expanded end, the pre-expanded end including a box member with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment.
A method of connecting expandable tubulars comprising:
- expanding an end of a first tubular segment;
- expanding an end of a second tubular segment;
- creating a pin member with interengageable thread means on said expanded end of said first tubular segment;
- creating a box member with interengageable thread means in said expanded end of said second tubular segment, whereby said interengageable thread means of said box member are suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment;
- inserting said pin member of said first tubular segment into said box member of said second tubular segment;
- and
- connecting said first tubular segment and said second tubular segment together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.