Method of creating a wellbore system

A method of creating a wellbore system, the method comprising:

• a) arranging an expandable tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation whereby a lower end portion of a wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the expandable tubular element;
• b) axially extending the expanded tubular section by moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded tubular section so that the lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction, whereby an annulus is defined between the expanded and remaining tubular sections, the annulus containing a fluid;
• c) operating a drill string to further drill the wellbore while moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded tubular section, the drill string extending through the remaining tubular section;
• and
• d) replacing a volume of the fluid by pumping a stream of a replacement fluid into the annulus and discharging the volume of the fluid from the annulus whereby at least one of the volume of the fluid and the stream of the replacement fluid flows through a conduit extending into the annulus.

A method of creating a wellbore system, the method comprising:

• a) arranging an expandable tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation whereby a lower end portion of a wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the expandable tubular element, wherein the wall of the tubular element is comprised of a ductile metal capable of being plastically deformed by eversion of the tubular element;
• b) axially extending the expanded tubular section by moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded tubular section so that the lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction, whereby an annulus is defined between the expanded and remaining tubular sections, the annulus containing a fluid;
• and
• c) replacing a volume of the fluid by pumping a stream of a replacement fluid into the annulus and discharging the volume of the fluid from the annulus whereby at least one of the volume of the fluid and the stream of the replacement fluid flows through a conduit extending into the annulus.