Back to results
US 7,028,780 B2Granted
Expandable hanger with compliant slip system
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorPatrick G. Maguire
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for forming an expanded connection in a wellbore, whereby the apparatus includes a first tubular radially expandable outward into contact with an inner wall of a second tubular upon the application of an outwardly directed force supplied to an inner surface of the first tubular. The apparatus further includes a plurality of outwardly extending formations formed on an outer surface of the first tubular, the formations constructed and arranged to provide a frictional relationship between the first tubular and the second tubular while leaving a fluid path when the first tubular is expanded to engage the inner wall of the second tubular.
Claims46
An apparatus for forming an expanded connection in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
- a first tubular radially expandable outward into contact with an inner wall of a second tubular;
- and
- a plurality of outwardly extending formations formed on an outer surface of the first tubular arranged to provide a frictional relationship between the first tubular and the second tubular upon the application of an outwardly directed force supplied to an inner surface of the first tubular between the formations, whereby a fluid path is created when the first tubular is expanded to engage the inner wall of the second tubular.
An apparatus for forming an expandable connection in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
- a first tubular radially expandable outward into contact with an inner wall of a second tubular upon the application of an outwardly directed force supplied to an inner surface of the first tubular;
- and
- a compliant slip system formed on an outer surface of the first tubular, the compliant slip system constructed and arranged to selectively deform to permit the first tubular to conform to the inner wall of the second tubular while providing a frictional relationship between the first tubular and the second tubular, wherein the compliant slip system comprises a plurality of holes formed in the first tubular that are constructed and arranged to collapse at a predetermined load.
A method of compliantly expanding a tubular into contact with a casing wall, comprising:
- placing the tubular at a predefined location within the casing, the tubular having at least two outwardly extending, substantially longitudinal formations formed on an outer surface thereof;
- and
- passing an expander tool through an inside diameter of the tubular to expand its outer diameter, the expander tool having at least two substantially longitudinal ribs formed on an outer surface thereof, the expander tool centered within the tubular in a manner whereby the at least two ribs are misaligned with the at least two formations providing a compliant force between the at least two formations and the casing wall.
An apparatus for expanding a tubular, comprising:
- a body;
- and
- a plurality of fixed outwardly extending substantially longitudinal formations formed on the body, wherein the plurality of formations are capable of expanding the tubular and define a first smaller outer diameter of the body and a second larger outer diameter of the body, wherein the plurality of formations are constructed and arranged to be orientated in an alternating relationship between a plurality of ribs formed on a tubular to expand the tubular into contact with a larger tubular while leaving a fluid path therebetween.
An expandable apparatus for expanding a tubular, comprising:
- an upper member having a tapered portion on an outer surface thereof;
- a lower member having an oppositely tapered portion on an outer surface thereof, whereby the tapered portions are movable towards each other;
- and
- a plurality of pads disposed between the tapered portions, the pads extendable outwards to increase an outer diameter of the apparatus when the tapered portions are moved toward each other.
1 more element
A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
- positioning a first tubular coaxially within a portion of a second tubular, the first tubular including at least one tubular seal disposed therearound and a plurality of outwardly extending formations on an outer surface thereof to provide a frictional relationship between the first tubular and the second tubular while leaving a fluid path through the expanded connection;
- positioning an expandable apparatus within the first tubular at a depth proximate the plurality of formations on the first tubular, the expandable apparatus includes a plurality of selectively extendable members and the expandable apparatus includes a forgiving member disposed behind each selectively extendable member, whereby the forgiving member is constructed and arranged to deform at a predetermined load;
- activating the expandable apparatus by extending the plurality of selectively extendable members radially outward;
- urging the expandable apparatus axially through at least a portion of the first tubular to expand the first tubular into frictional contact with the second tubular;
- and
- forming a fluid path through an overlapped portion between the first and second tubulars.
3 more elements
An apparatus for forming an expandable connection in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
- a first tubular radially expandable outward into contact with an inner wall of a second tubular upon the application of an outwardly directed force supplied to an inner surface of the first tubular;
- a compliant slip system formed on an outer surface of the first tubular, the compliant slip system comprising a plurality of ribs with a plurality of flutes therebetween;
- and
- an expander device having a plurality of radially outwardly extending members, wherein the expander device is positionable within the first tubular in a manner whereby the outwardly extending members are misaligned with the plurality of ribs to apply a force to the Inner surface of the first tubular opposite the flutes.
1 more element
A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
- positioning a first tubular coaxially within a portion of a second tubular, the first tubular including a plurality of outwardly extending formations on an outer surface thereof to provide a frictional relationship between the first tubular and the second tubular while leaving a fluid path through the expanded connection;
- positioning an expander tool within the first tubular at a depth proximate the plurality of formations on the first tubular, wherein the expander tool includes a plurality of ribs formed circumferentially around an outer surface thereof;
- orientating the expander tool such that the plurality of ribs are misaligned with the plurality of formations;
- urging the expander tool axially through the first tubular to expand the first tubular into frictional contact with the second tubular;
- and
- forming a fluid path through an overlapped portion between the first and second tubulars.
3 more elements
The method of claim 46, further including expanding the at least one tubular seal to close off the fluid path and create a fluid seal between the first and second tubulars.
A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
- positioning a first tubular coaxially within a portion of a second tubular, the first tubular including at least one tubular seal disposed therearound and a plurality of outwardly extending formations on an outer surface thereof to provide a frictional relationship between the first tubular and the second tubular while leaving a fluid path through the expanded connection;
- positioning an expandable apparatus within the first tubular at a depth proximate the plurality of formations on the first tubular, the expandable apparatus includes a plurality of selectively extendable members;
- activating the expandable apparatus by extending the plurality of selectively extendable members radially outward;
- urging the expandable apparatus axially through at least a portion of the first tubular to expand the first tubular into frictional contact with the second tubular;
- forming a fluid path through an overlapped portion between the first and second tubulars;
- and
- activating an extendable component to fill a plurality of spaces between the plurality of selectively extendable members.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.