Pre-expanded connector for expandable downhole tubulars
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorGhazi Hashem
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims40
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 pin member with interengageable thread means;
- a coupling with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment and said pin member of said second tubular segment.
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;
- a coupling with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment and said box member of said second 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 pin member with interengageable thread means on said expanded end of said second tubular segment;
- providing a coupling with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment and said pin member of said second tubular segment;
- connecting said first tubular segment and said second tubular segment with said coupling.
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;
- providing a coupling with interengageable thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tubular segment and said box member of said second tubular segment;
- connecting said first tubular segment and said second tubular segment with said coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.