# US 2010/0147535 A1 · Expandable Liner Hanger > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0147535 A1 - Document ID: US20100147535A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/226,490 - Filed: 2007-04-13 - Published: 2010-06-17 - Earliest claimed: 2006-04-18 - Assignees: Read Well Services Limited - Inventors: Andrew Gorrara; Peter Wood; Paul Hazel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100147535A1 ## CPC - E21B 43/103: {of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A downhole expandable liner hanger apparatus for extending the length of an existing tubular such as a casing or liner string is described. The apparatus comprises a tubular portion and a securing and/or sealing means for securing the tubular portion to the existing tubular such as a casing string to thereby extend the length of the existing tubular and preferably simultaneously provide a sealed coupling between the tubular portion and the existing tubular. A first part or a length of the tubular portion preferably comprises a first sidewall thickness and a second part or length of the tubular portion is located adjacent the first part, where the second part comprises a second sidewall thickness, said first sidewall thickness being less than the second sidewall thickness. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for extending the length of an existing tubular, the apparatus comprising a tubular portion and a securing and sealing means for securing the tubular portion to the existing tubular to thereby extend the length of the existing tubular and simultaneously provide a sealed coupling between the tubular portion and the existing tubular. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular portion is radially expandable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus provides a means to hang a new tubular portion, from a previously installed, existing tubular, such that the apparatus provides a liner hanger. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first part or a length of the tubular portion comprises a first sidewall thickness, and the apparatus further comprising a second part or length of the tubular portion located adjacent the first part, the second part comprising a second sidewall thickness, wherein said first sidewall thickness is less than the second sidewall thickness. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tubular portion further comprises a tapered part of tubular located between the parts of the tubular having the first sidewall thickness and the second sidewall thickness wherein the tapered part of the tubular portion has a sidewall thickness gradually increasing from the first sidewall thickness to the second sidewall thickness. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the tubular portion is expandable by means of an expansion tool. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the tubular portion is expandable by means of a hydraulically operated expansion tool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the expansion tool is arranged to sealingly engage with an inner diameter of the tubular portion at two axially spaced locations. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the expansion tool is arranged to engage with the inner diameter of the tubular portion in the region of the second part of tubular having the second sidewall thickness. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the expansion tool is arranged to engage with the inner diameter of the tubular portion in the region of the second part of the tubular on either side of the first part of the tubular. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the expansion tool is capable of applying a fluid pressure within the tubular portion in the area between the points of engagement of the expansion tool and the inner diameter of the tubular portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the fluid pressure causes the tubular portion to radially expand. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the tubular portion is adapted to initially expand in the region of the first wall thickness, and subsequently in the region of the tapered part. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular portion and the existing tubular are expandable to form at least one shoulder portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein two or more shoulder portions are provided and the part of tubular therebetween comprises a greater outer diameter than the tubular portion and existing tubular outwith the region between the shoulder portions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular portion comprises a substantially uniform outer diameter prior to expansion thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the securing and sealing means are provided on an outer surface of the tubular portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the securing and sealing means comprises a roughened part of the outer surface of the tubular portion to enhance the grip of the tubular portion on the pre-existing tubular. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the securing and sealing means comprises an elastomeric coating. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the securing and sealing means comprises at least one annular seal. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the or each seal is provided in an annular groove within or on the outer surface of the tubular portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the or each seal is provided on the outer surface of the tubular portion in the region of the said tapered part. ### Claim 23 A method of extending the length of an existing tubular, comprising the steps of: providing a tubular portion having a securing and sealing means; and simultaneously securing and sealing the tubular portion to the existing tubular and thereby extending the length of the existing tubular. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A method according to claim 23, further comprising radially expanding at least a part of the tubular portion to secure and seal the tubular portion to the existing tubular. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) A method according to claim 23, further comprising running an expansion tool into the tubular portion and engaging the inner diameter of the tubular portion and expanding at least a part of the tubular portion using the expansion tool. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) A method according to claim 23, further comprising applying a fluid pressure within the tubular portion and thereby radially expanding at least part of the tubular portion. ### Claim 27 A method according to, wherein the method further comprises radially expanding the tubular portion and the adjacent existing tubular such that there is residual interfacial contact between the tubular portion and the existing tubular once the pressure is removed. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) A method according to claim 23, wherein the method further comprises providing at least two axially spaced annular seals on an outer surface of the tubular portion and expanding part of the tubular portion between the seals and subsequently expanding the tubular portion in the region of the seals. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) A method according to claim 23, wherein the method further comprises roughening at least a part of the outer surface of the tubular portion and thereby improving the grip of the tubular portion against the existing tubular. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) A method according to claim 23, wherein the method further comprises machining a profile on an outer surface of the tubular portion to enhance the grip of the tubular portion on the existing tubular in use. ### Claim 31 An apparatus for sealing a tubular portion to another tubular, the apparatus comprising: a tubular portion having a first sidewall thickness and a second sidewall thickness, and having a tapered part therebetween wherein the second sidewall thickness is greater than the first sidewall thickness and the tapered part has a wall thickness gradually increasing from the first sidewall thickness to the second sidewall thickness. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) An apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a securing means provided on an outer surface of the tubular portion. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the securing means is provided on the outer surface of the tubular portion in the region of the tapered part. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the securing means comprises a securing and sealing means to provide a seal between the tubular portion and the existing tubular such that fluid is prevented from passing therebetween. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the tubular portion is radially expandable and comprises a substantially uniform outer diameter. ### Claim 36 (depends on 31) An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein a part of the tubular with the second sidewall thickness is located at each side of the part of tubular with the first sidewall thickness and respective tapered parts are located therebetween. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the securing means are provided on the outer surface of the tubular portion in the region of each tapered part. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein, the tubular portion comprises an annular recess on the outer surface in the region of the or each tapered part, and the sealing means are provided in the annular recess.