Helically wound expandable tubular insert
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorJohn Richard Setterberg, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a connector arrangement for connecting a first tubular to a second tubular. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for connecting tubulars in such a way that the connection is prevented from becoming unmade in response to expansion of the tubulars in a wellbore. More particularly, the present invention provides a tubular connection using a helical or spiral thread insert to seal and maintain mechanical strength in a tubular connection after expansion.
Claims17
A method of sealing a connection between two expandable tubulars comprising:
- installing an insert around external threads of a first expandable tubular prior to joining the first expandable tubular with internal threads of a second expandable tubular;
- threading the expandable tubulars to form a connection therebetween;
- and
- expanding the connection with a radial force, thereby retaining the seal between the tubulars.
A method of sealing a connection between two expandable tubulars comprising:
- installing an insert into internal threads of a first expandable tubular prior to joining the first expandable tubular with external threads of a second expandable tubular;
- threading the expandable tubulars to form a connection therebetween;
- and
- expanding the connection with a radial force, thereby retaining the seal between the tubulars.
A method for connecting expandable wellbore tubulars comprising:
- installing an insert around external threads of a first expandable tubular prior to joining the first expandable tubular with a second expandable tubular, wherein the first expandable tubular has an end with external threads and the second expandable tubular has an end with corresponding internal threads, the external threads of the first expandable tubular and the internal threads of the second expandable tubular forming a connection when mated;
- threading the expandable tubulars together;
- running the expandable tubulars downhole;
- running an expander tool through a bore of the expandable tubulars;
- and
- expanding the connection.
A method for connecting two expandable wellbore tubulars comprising:
- installing an insert around internal threads of a first expandable tubular prior to joining the first expandable tubular with a second expandable tubular, wherein the first expandable tubular has an end with internal threads and the second expandable tubular has an end with corresponding external threads, the internal threads of the first expandable tubular and the external threads of the second expandable tubular forming a connection when mated;
- threading the expandable tubulars together;
- running the expandable tubulars downhole;
- running an expander tool through a bore of the expandable tubulars;
- and
- expanding the connection, thereby plastically deforming the insert and retaining a seal between the tubulars.
A method for expanding a connection in a wellbore, comprising:
- running an assembly on a tubular string into the wellbore, the assembly including:
- a first expandable tubular having a connection means;
- a second expandable tubular having a mating connection means, the connection means and mating connection means constructed and arranged to form the connection between the tubulars;
- and
- a wire insert disposable within the connection;
- applying an outward radial force to an inner surface of the connection;
- and
- expanding the connection radially outward, thereby deforming the connection past its elastic limits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.