Apparatus and methods for expanding tubulars in a wellbore
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsNeil A. A. Simpson, David Haugen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for expanding tubulars in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention, an expansion tool with hydraulically actuated, radially expandable members is disposed on a string of coil tubing. In another aspect of the invention the apparatus is utilized to expand a tubular lining a lateral wellbore into contact with a window of a larger tubular lining a central wellbore.
Claims10
A method of supporting a junction between a first and second wellbores, comprising:
- inserting an apparatus in the first wellbore, the wellbore extending from the surface of the well and the apparatus including an expander tool with extendable members;
- inserting the apparatus into the second wellbore, the wellbore having a tubular member disposed therein and an annular area between the tubular member and an aperture formed in the first wellbore from which the second wellbore extends;
- positioning the apparatus adjacent the annular area;
- actuating the expander tool by application of pressurized fluid whereby the extendable members contact the inside wall of the tubular;
- and
- expanding, through the use of the extendable members, the wall of the tubular into substantial contact with the aperture formed in the first wellbore, thereby structurally supporting the junction therebetween.
A method of expanding a second tubular into a window in a wall of a first tubular comprising:
- locating a portion of the second tubular in the window;
- locating an expansion tool in the second tubular proximate the window;
- energizing the expansion tool and causing extendable members therein to extend radially by application of pressurized fluid to contact an inner wall of the second tubular;
- and
- expanding the second tubular into substantial contact with the window.
An apparatus for sealing a junction between a central and a lateral wellbores, the apparatus comprising:
- a tubular run-in string to transport the apparatus into the wellbore and to provide fluid thereto;
- and
- an expander tool locatable within a tubular in the lateral wellbore adjacent a point at which the tubular exits a window formed in a tubular lining the central wellbore, the expander tool rotatable and having a plurality of radially extendable elements extendable therefrom, the elements extendable with the application of pressurized fluid,
- wherein the extendable elements expand the tubular into contact with the window.
A method for forming helical grooves in a tubular member in a well, comprising:
- running a tool having a cone shaped body into an interior of the tubular member;
- energizing a plurality of rollers in the body whereby the rollers provide a radial force against an inner surface of the tubular member, the rollers having a helical geometry;
- and
- rotating and advancing the tool within the tubular member to form the helical grooves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.