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.
Claims7
An expandable threaded tubular connection for well bore production tubulars comprising:
- a first expandable tubular segment with a first tapered end joint connected to the end of the first expandable tubular segment, wherein the first tapered end joint has been pre-expanded to a given shape and size by inserting an expansion tool into the first tapered end joint to a predetermined length, the first tapered end joint including a pin member with thread means;
- a second expandable tubular segment with a second tapered end joint connected to the end of the second expandable tubular segment, wherein the second tapered end joint has been pre-expanded to a given shape and size by inserting an expansion tool into the second tapered end joint to a predetermined length, the second tapered end joint including a box member with thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said pin member of said first tapered end joint;
- wherein said expandable tubular connection maintains its sealing ability following expansion of the connection after it has been inserted downhole.
An expandable threaded tubular connection for well bore production tubulars comprising:
- a first expandable tubular segment with a first tapered end joint connected to the end of the first expandable tubular segment, wherein the first tapered end joint is forged to a given shape and size such that the inner diameter of the first tapered end joint is greater than the inner diameter of the first expandable tubular segment, the first tapered end joint including a pin member with thread means;
- a second expandable tubular segment with a second tapered end joint connected to the end of the second expandable tubular segment, wherein the second tapered end joint is forged to a given shape and size such that the inner diameter of the second tapered end joint is greater than the inner diameter of the second expandable tubular segment, the second tapered end joint including a box member with thread means suitable for threadedly engaging said thread means of said pin member of said first tapered end joint;
- wherein said expandable tubular connection maintains its sealing ability following expansion of the connection after it has been inserted downhole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.