Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EXPANDANBLE TUBING AND METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to equipment that can be'used
in the drilling and completion of wellbores in an
underground formation and in the production of fluids from
such wells.
HACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fluids such as oil, natural gas and water are obtained
from a subterranean geologic formation (a "reservoir") by
drilling a well that penetrates the fluid-bearing
formation. Once the well has been drilled to a certain
1s depth the borehole wall must be supported to prevent
collapse. Conventional well drilling methods involve the
installation of a casing string and cementing between the
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casing and the borehole to provide support for the borehole
structure. After cementing a casing string in place, the
drilling to greater depths can commence. After each
subsequent casing string is installed, the next drill bit
s must pass through the inner diameter of the casing. In
this manner each change in casing requires a reduction in
the borehole diameter. This repeated reduction in the
4 .
borehole diameter creates a need for very large initial
borehole diameters to permit a reasonable pipe diameter at
the depth where the welibore penetrates the producing
formation. 'The need for larger boreholes and multiple
casing strings results in more time, material and expense
being used than if a uniform size borehole could be drilled
from the surface to the producing formation.
is
Various methods have been developed to stabilize or
complete uncased boreholes. U.S. Patent No. 5,348,095 to
Worrall et al. discloses a method involving the radial
expansion of a casing string to a configuration with a
larger diameter. Very large forces are needed to impart
the radial deformation desired in this method. In an
effort to decrease the forces needed to expand the casing
string, methods that involve expanding a liner that has
2
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longitudinal slots.cut into it have been proposed (U:S.
Patents Nos. 51,366,012 and 5,667,011). These methods
involve the radial deformation of the slotted liner into a
configuration with an increased diameter by running an.
expansion mandrel through the slotted liner. Thesd methods
still require significant amounts of force to be applied
throughout the entire length of*the slotted liner.
A problem sometimes encountered while drilling a-well
is the loss of drilling fluids into subterranean zones.
The loss of drilling fluids usually leads to increased
expenses but can result in a borehole collapse and a cost-ly
"fishing' job to recover the drill string or other tools
that were in the well. Various additives a=e coxmnonly=used=
is within the drilling fluids to help seal off loss
circulation zones, such as cottonseed hulls or synthetic
fibers.
Once a well is put in production an influx of sand
2o from the producing formation can lead to undesired fill
within the welibore ancl can damage-valves and other
production related equipment. Many methods have been
attempted for sand control.
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The present invention is directed to overcoming, or
at least reducing the effects of one or more of the problems
set forth above, and can be useful in other applications as
well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a technique is
provided for use of an expandable bistable device in a
borehole. The bistable device is stable in a first
contracted configuration and a second expanded configuration.
An exemplary device is generally tubular, having a larger
diameter in the expanded configuration than in the contracted
configuration. The technique also may utilize a conveyance
mechanism able to transport the bistable device to a location
in a subterranean borehole. Furthermore, the bistable device
can be constructed in various configurations for a variety of
applications.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system for facilitating communication along a
wellbore, comprising: an expandable tubing having a
communication line passageway.
In another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a system for facilitating communication along a
wellbore, comprising: an expandable tubing formed of a
plurality of bistable cells, the expandable tubing having a
communication line passageway.
In another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of routing a communication line in a
well, comprising: deploying an expandable tubing in a well;
routing at least a portion of a communication line adjacent
at least a portion of the expandable tubing; and expanding
the expandable tubing.
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In another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of routing a communication line in a
well, comprising: deploying an expandable tubing in a well;
routing at least a portion of a communication line adjacent
at least a portion of the expandable tubing; and expanding
the expandable tubing, wherein deploying comprises running
an expandable tubing formed of bistable cells into a well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will hereafter be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements, and:
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Figures 1A and 1B are illustrations of the forces
imposed to make a bistable structure;
Figure 2A and 2B show force-deflection curves of two
bistable structures;
Figures 3A - 3F illustrate expanded and collapsed
states of three bistable cells with various thickness
ratios;
Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a bistable expandable
tubular in its expanded and collapsed states;
Figures 4C and 4D illustrate a bistable expandable
tubular in collapsed and expanded states within a wellbore;
Figures 5A and 5B illustrate an expandable packer type
of deployment device;
Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a mechanical packer type
of deployment device;
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Figures 7A - 7D illustrate an expandable swage type of
deployment device;
Figures 8A - 8D illustrate a piston type of deployment
device;
Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a plug type of deployment
device;
Figures 10A and 10B illustrate a ball type of
deployment device;
Figure 11 is a schematic of a wellbore utilizing an
expandable bistable tubular;
Figure 12 illustrates a motor driven radial roller
deployment device; and
Figure 13 illustrates a hydraulically driven radial
roller deployment device.
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Figure 14 illustrates a bistable expandable tubular
having a wrapping;
Figure 14A is a view similar to Figure 14 in which the
wrapping comprises a screen;
Figure 14B is a view similar to Figure 14 showing
another alternate embodiment;
Figure 14C is a view similar to Figure 14 showing
another alternate embodiment;
Figure 14D is a view similar to Figure 14 showing
another alternate embodiment;
Figure 14E is a view similar to Figure 14 showing
another alternate embodiment;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
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Figure 15A is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 16 is a partial perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 17A-B are a partial perspective view and a
partial cross-sectional end view respectively of an
io alternative embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 18 is a partial cross-sectional end view of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
While the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments
thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings
and are herein described in detail. It should be
understood, however, that the description herein of
specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention
to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the
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intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Bistable devices used in the present invention can
take advantage of a principle illustrated in Figures 1A and
1B. Figure lA shows a rod 10 fixed at each end to rigid
supports 12. If the rod 10 is subjected to an axial force
it begins to deform as shown in Figure 1B. As the axial
force is increased rod 10 ultimately reaches its Euler
buckling limit and deflects to one of the two stable
positions shown as 14 and 15. If the buckled rod is now
clamped in the buckled position, a force at right angles to
the long axis can cause the rod to move to either of the
stable positions but to no other position. When the rod is
subjected to a lateral force it must move through an angle
9 before deflecting to its new stable position.
Bistable systems are characterized by a force
deflection curve such as those shown in Figures 2A and 2B.
The externally applied force 16 causes the rod 10 of Fig.
1B to move in the direction X and reaches a maximum 18 at
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the onset of shifting from one stable configuration to the
other. Further deflection requires less force because the
system now has a negative spring rate and when the force
becomes zero the deflection to the second stable position
is spontaneous.
The force deflection curve for this example is
symmetrical and is illustrated in Figure 2A. By
introducing either a precurvature to the rod or an
asymmetric cross section the force deflection curve can be
made asymmetric as shown in Figure 2B. In this system the
force 19 required to cause the rod to assume one stable
position is greater than the force 20 required to cause the
reverse deflection. The force 20 must be greater than zero
for the system to have bistable characteristics.
Bistable structures, sometimes referred to as toggle
devices, have been used in industry for such devices as
flexible discs, over center clamps, hold-down devices and
quick release systems for tension cables (such as in
sailboat rigging backstays).
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Instead of using the rigid supports as shown in
Figures 1A and 1B, a cell can be constructed where the
restraint is provided by curved struts connected at each
end as shown in Figures 3A - 3F. If both struts 21 and 22
have the same thickness as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the
force deflection curve is linear and the cell lengthens
when compressed from its open position Figure 3B to its
closed position Figure 3A. If the cell struts have
different thicknesses, as shown in Figures 3C - 3F, the
cell has the force deflection characteristics shown in
Figure 2B, and does not change in length when it moves
between its two stable positions. An expandable bistable
tubular can thus be designed so that as the radial
dimension expands, the axial length remains constant. In
one example, if the thickness ratio is over approximately
2:1, the heavier strut resists longitudinal changes. By
changing the ratio of thick-to-thin strut dimensions, the
opening and closing forces can be changed. For example,
Figures 3C and 3D illustrated a thickness ratio of
approximately 3:1, and Figures 3E and 3F illustrate a
thickness ratio of approximately 6:1.
An expandable bore bistable tubular, such as casing, a
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tube, a patch, or pipe, can be constructed with a series of
circumferential bistable connected cells 23 as shown in
Figures 4A and 4B, where each thin strut 21 is connected to
a thick strut 22. The longitudinal flexibility of such a
tubular can be modified by changing the length of the cells
and by connecting each row of cells with a compliant link.
Further, the force deflection characteristics and the
longitudinal flexibility can also be altered by the design
of the cell shape. Figure 4A illustrates an expandable
bistable tubular 24 in its expanded configuration while
Figure 4B illustrates the expandable bistable tubular 24 in
its contracted or collapsed configuration. Within this
application the term "collapsed" is used to identify the
configuration of the bistable element or device in the
stable state with the smallest diameter, it is not meant to
imply that the element or device is damaged in any way. In
the collapsed state, bistable tubular 24 is readily
introduced into a wellbore 29, as illustrated in Figure 4C.
Upon placement of the bistable tubular 24 at a desired
wellbore location, it is expanded, as illustrated in Figure
4D.
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The geometry of the bistable cells is such that the
tubular cross-section can be expanded in the radial
direction to increase the overall diameter of the tubular.
As the tubular expands radially, the bistable cells deform
elastically until a specific geometry is reached. At this
point the bistable cells move, e.g. snap, to a final
expanded geometry. With some materials and/or bistable
cell designs, enough energy can be released in the elastic
deformation of the cell (as each bistable cell snaps past
the specific geometry) that the expanding cells are able to
initiate the expansion of adjoining bistable cells past the
critical bistable cell geometry. Depending on the
deflection curves, a portion or even an entire length of
bistable expandable tubular can be expanded from a single
ts point.
In like manner if radial compressive forces are
exerted on an expanded bistable tubular, it contracts
radially and the bistable cells deform elastically until a
critical geometry is reached. At this point the bistable
cells snap to a final collapsed structure. In this way the
expansion of the bistable tubular is reversible and
repeatable. Therefore the bistable tubular can be a
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reusable tool that is selectively changed between the
expanded state as shown in Figure 4A and the collapsed
state as shown in Figure 4B.
In the collapsed state, as in Figure 4B, the bistable
expandable tubular is easily inserted into the wellbore and
placed into position. A deployment device is then used to
change the configuration from the collapsed state to the
expanded state.
In the expanded state, as in Figure 4A, design control
of the elastic material properties of each bistable cell
can be such that a constant radial force can be applied by
the tubular wall to the constraining wellbore surface. The
material properties and the geometric shape of the bistable
cells can be designed to give certain desired results.
One example of designing for certain desired results
is an expandable bistable tubular string with more than one
diameter throughout the length of the string. This can be
useful in boreholes with varying diameters, whether
designed that way or as a result of unplanned occurrences
such as formation washouts or keyseats within the borehole.
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This also can be beneficial when it is desired to have a
portion of the bistable expandable device located inside a
cased section of the well while another portion is located
in an uncased section of the well. Figure 11 illustrates
one example of this condition. A wellbore 40 is drilled
from the surface 42 and comprises a cased section 44 and an
openhole section 46. An expandable bistable device 48
having segments 50, 52 with various diameters is placed in
the well. The segment with a larger diameter 50 is used to
io stabilize the openhole section 46 of the well, while the
segment having a reduced diameter 52 is located inside the
cased section 44 of the well.
Bistable collars or connectors 24A (see Figure 4C) can
be designed to allow sections of the bistable expandable
tubular to be joined together into a string of useful
lengths using the same principle as illustrated in Figure
4A and 4B. This bistable connector 24A also incorporates a
bistable cell design that allows it to expand radially
using the same mechanism as for the bistable expandable
tubular component. Exemplary bistable connectors have a
diameter slightly larger than the expandable tubular
sections that are being joined. The bistable connector is
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then placed over the ends of the two sections and
mechanically attached to the expandable tubular sections.
Mechanical fasteners such as screws, rivets or bands can be
used to connect the connector to the tubular sections. The
bistable connector typically is designed to have an
expansion rate that is compatible with the expandable
tubular sections, so that it continues to connect the two
sections after the expansion of the two segments and the
connector.
Alternatively, the bistable connector can have a
diameter smaller than the two expandable tubular sections
joined. Then, the connector is inserted inside of the ends
of the tubulars and mechanically fastened as discussed
above. Another embodiment would involve the machining of
the ends of the tubular sections on either their inner or
outer surfaces to form an annular recess in which the
connector is located. A connector designed to fit into the
recess is placed in the recess. The connector would then
be mechanically attached to the ends as described above.
In this way the connector forms a relatively flush-type
connection with the tubular sections.
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A conveyance device 31 transports the bistable
expandable tubular lengths and bistable connectors into the
wellbore and to the correct position. (See Figures 4C and
4D). The conveyance device may utilize one or more
mechanisms such as wireline cable, coiled tubing, coiled
tubing with wireline conductor, drill pipe, tubing or
casing.
A deployment device 33 can be incorporated into the
bottom hole assembly to expand the bistable expandable
tubular and connectors. (See Figures 4C and 4D).
Deployment devices can be of numerous types such as an
inflatable packer element, a mechanical packer element, an
expandable swage, a piston apparatus, a mechanical
actuator, an electrical solenoid, a plug type apparatus,
e.g. a conically shaped device pulled or pushed through the
tubing, a ball type apparatus or a rotary type expander as
further discussed below.
An inflatable packer element is shown in Figures 5A
and 5B and is a device with an inflatable bladder, element,
or bellows incorporated into the bistable expandable
tubular system bottom hole assembly. In the illustration of
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Figure 5A, the inflatable packer element 25 is located
inside the entire length, or a portion, of the initial
collapsed state bistable tubular 24 and any bistable
expandable connectors (not shown). Once the bistable
expandable tubular system is at the correct deployment
depth, the inflatable packer element 25 is expanded
radially by pumping fluid into the device as shown in
Figure 5B. The inflation fluid can be pumped from the
surface through tubing or drill pipe, a mechanical pump, or
via a downhole electrical pump which is powered via
wireline cable. As the inflatable packer element 25
expands, it forces the bistable expandable tubular 24 to
also expand radially. At a certain expansion diameter, the
inflatable packer element causes the bistable cells in the
tubular to reach a critical geometry where the bistable
"snap" effect is initiated, and the bistable expandable
tubular system expands to its final diameter. Finally the
inflatable packer element 25 is deflated and removed from
the deployed bistable expandable tubular 24.
A mechanical packer element is shown in Figures 6A and
6B and is a device with a deformable plastic element 26
that expands radially when compressed in the axial
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direction. The force to compress the element can be
provided through a compression mechanism.27, such as a
screw mechanism, cam, or a hydraulic piston. The
mechanical packer element deploys the bistable expandable
tubulars and connectors in the same way as the inflatable
packer element. The deformable plastic element 26 applies
an outward radial force to the inner circumference of the
bistable expandable tubulars and connectors, allowing them
in turn to expand from a contracted position (see Figure
6A) to a final deployment diameter (see Figure 6B).
An expandable swage is shown in Figures 7A - 7D and
comprises a series of fingers 28 that are arranged radially
around a conical mandrel 30. Figures 7A and 7C show side
and top views respectively. When the mandrel 30 is pushed
or pulled through the fingers 28 they expand radially
outwards, as illustrated in Figures 7B and 7D. An
expandable swage is used in the same manner as a mechanical
packer element to deploy a bistable expandable tubular and
connector.
A piston type apparatus is shown in Figures 8A - 8D
and comprises a series of pistons 32 facing radially
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outwardly and used as a mechanism to expand the bistable
expandable tubulars and connectors. When energized, the
pistons 32 apply a radially directed force to deploy the
bistable expandable tubular assembly as per the inflatable
packer element. Figures 8A and 8C illustrate the pistons
retracted while Figures 8B and 8D show the pistons
extended. The piston type apparatus can be actuated
hydraulically, mechanically or electrically.
A plug type actuator is illustrated in Figures 9A and
9B and comprises a plug 34 that is pushed or pulled through
the bistable expandable tubulars 24 or connectors as shown
in Figure 9A. The plug is sized to expand the bistable
cells past their critical point where they will snap to a
final expanded diameter as shown in Figure 9B.
A ball type actuator is shown in Figures 10A and 10B
and operates when an oversized ball 36 is pumped through
the middle of the bistable expandable tubulars 24 and
connectors. To prevent fluid losses through the cell slots,
an expandable elastomer based liner 38 is run inside the
bistable expandable tubular system. The liner 38 acts as a
seal and allows the ball 36 to be hydraulically pumped
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through the bistable tubular 24 and connectors. The effect
of pumping the ball 36 through the bistable expandable
tubulars 24 and connectors is to expand the cell geometry
beyond the critical bistable point, allowing full expansion
to take place as shown in Figure 10B. Once the bistable
expandable tubulars and connectors are expanded, the
elastomer sleeve 38 and ball 36 are withdrawn.
Radial roller type actuators also can be used to
expand the bistable tubular sections. Figure 12
illustrates a motor driven expandable radial roller tool.
The tool comprises one or more sets of arms 58 that are
expanded to a set diameter by means of a mechanism and
pivot. On the end of each set of arms is a roller 60.
Centralizers 62 can be attached to the tool to locate it
correctly inside the wellbore and the bistable tubular 24.
A motor 64 provides the force to rotate the whole assembly,
thus turning the roller(s) circumferentially inside the
wellbore. The axis of the roller(s) is such as to allow
the roller(s) to rotate freely when brought into contact
with the inner surface of the tubular. Each roller can be
conically-shaped in section to increase the contact area of
roller surface to the inner wall of the tubular. The
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rollers are initially retracted and the tool is run inside
the collapsed bistable tubular. The tool is then rotated
by the motor 64, and rollers 60 are moved outwardly to
contact the inner surface of the bistable tubular. Once in
contact with the tubular, the rollers are pivoted outwardly
a greater distance to apply an outwardly radial force to
the bistable tubular. The outward movement of the rollers
can be accomplished via centrifugal force or an appropriate
actuator mechanism coupled between the motor 64 and the
io rollers 60.
The final pivot position is adjusted to a point where
the bistable tubular can be expanded to the final diameter.
The tool is then longitudinally moved through the collapsed
bistable tubular, while the motor continues to rotate the
pivot arms and rollers. The rollers follow a shallow
helical path 66 inside the bistable tubular, expanding the
bistable cells in their path. Once the bistable tubular is
deployed, the tool rotation is stopped and the roller
retracted. The tool is then withdrawn from the bistable
tubular by a conveyance device 68 that also can be used to
insert the tool.
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Figure 13 illustrates a hydraulically driven radial
roller deployment device. The tool comprises one or more
rollers 60 that are brought into contact with the inner
surface of the bistable tubular by means of a hydraulic
piston 70. The outward radial force applied by the rollers
can be increased to a point where the bistable tubular
expands to its final diameter. Centralizers 62 can be
attached to the tool to locate it correctly inside the
wellbore and bistable tubular 24. The rollers 60 are
io initially retracted and the tool is run into the collapsed
bistable tubular 24. The rollers 60 are then deployed and
push against the inside wall of the bistable tubular 24 to
expand a portion of the tubular to its final diameter. The
entire tool is then pushed or pulled longitudinally through
is the bistable tubular 24 expanding the entire length of
bistable cells 23. Once the bistable tubular 24 is
deployed in its expanded state, the rollers 60 are
retracted and the tool is withdrawn from the wellbore by
the conveyance device 68 used to insert it. By altering
20 the axis of the rollers 60, the tool can be rotated via a
motor as it travels longitudinally through the bistable
tubular 24.
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Power to operate the deployment device can be drawn
from one or a combination of sources such as: electrical
power supplied either from the surface or stored in a
battery arrangement along with the deployment device,
hydraulic power provided by surface or downhole pumps,
turbines or a fluid accumulator, and mechanical power
supplied through an appropriate linkage actuated by
movement applied at the surface or stored downhole such as
in a spring mechanism.
The bistable expandable tubular system is designed so
the internal diameter of the deployed tubular is expanded
to maintain a maximum cross-sectional area along the
expandable tubular. This feature enables mono-bore wells
is to be constructed and facilitates elimination of problems
associated with traditional wellbore casing systems where
the casing outside diameter must be stepped down many
times, restricting access, in long wellbores.
The bistable expandable tubular system can be applied
in numerous applications such as an expandable open hole
liner (see Figure 14) where the bistable expandable tubular
24 is used to support an open hole formation by exerting an
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external radial force on the wellbore surface. As bistable
tubular 24 is radially expanded in the direction of arrows
71, the tubular moves into contact with the surface forming
wellbore 29. These radial forces help stabilize the
formations and allow the drilling of wells with fewer
conventional casing strings. The open hole liner also can
comprise a material, e.g. a wrapping 72, that reduces the
rate of fluid loss from the wellbore into the formations.
The wrapping 72 can be made from a variety of materials
io including expandable metallic and/or elastomeric materials.
By reducing fluid loss into the formations, the expense of
drilling fluids can be reduced and the risk of losing
circulation and/or borehole collapse can be minimized.
Liners also can be used within wellbore tubulars for
purposes such as corrosion protection. One example of a
corrosive environment is the environment that results when
carbon dioxide is used to enhance oil recovery from a
producing formation. Carbon dioxide (C02) readily reacts
with any water (H20) that is present to form carbonic acid
(H2C03). Other acids can also be generated, especially if
sulfur compounds are present. Tubulars used to inject the
carbon dioxide as well as those used in producing wells are
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subject to greatly elevated corrosion rates. The present
invention can be used for placing protective liners, a
bistable tubular 24, within an existing tubular (e.g.
tubular 73 illustrated with dashed lines in Figure 14) to
minimize the corrosive effects and to extend the useful
life of the wellbore tubulars.
Another application involves use of the bistable
tubular 24 illustrated in Figure 14 as an expandable
io perforated liner. The open bistable cells in the bistable
expandable tubular allow unrestricted flow from the
formation while providing a structure to stabilize the
borehole.
Still another application of the bistable tubular 24
is as an expandable sand screen where the bistable cells
are sized to act as a sand control screen or an expandable
screen element 74 can be affixed to the bistable expandable
tubular as illustrated in Figure 14A in its collapsed
state. The expandable screen element 74 can be formed as a
wrapping around bistable tubular 24. It has been found
that the imposition of hoop stress forces onto the wall of
a borehole will in itself help stabilize the formation and
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reduce or eliminate the influx of sand from the producing
zones, even if no additional screen element is used.
Another application of the bistable tubular 24 is as a
s reinforced expandable liner where the bistable expandable
tubular cell structure is reinforced with a cement or resin
75, as illustrated in Figure 14B. The cement or resin 75
provides increased structural support or hydraulic
isolation from the formation.
The bistable expandable tubular 24 also can be used as
an expandable connection system to join traditional lengths
of casing 76a or 76b of different diameters as illustrated
in Figure 14C. The tubular 24 also can be used as a
structural repair joint to provide increased strength for
existing sections of casing.
Another application includes using the bistable
expandable tubular 24 as an anchor within the wellbore from
which other tools or casings can be attached, or as a
"fishing" tool in which the bistable characteristics are
utilized to retrieve items lost or stuck in a weilbore.
The bistable expandable tubular 24 in its collapsed
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configuration is inserted into a lost item 77 and then
expanded as indicated by arrows 78 in Figure 14D. In the
expanded configuration the bistable tubular exerts radial
forces that assist in retrieving the lost item. The
s bistable tubular also can be run into the well in its
expanded configuration, placed over and collapsed in the
direction of arrows 79 around lost item 77 in an attempt to
attach and retrieve it as illustrated in Figure 14E. Once
lost item 77 is gripped by bistable tubular 24, it can be
io retrieved through wellbore 29.
The above described bistable expandable tubulars can
be made in a variety of manners such as: cutting
appropriately shaped paths through the wall of a tubular
15 pipe thereby creating an expandable bistable device in its
collapsed state; cutting patterns into a tubular pipe
thereby creating an expandable bistable device in its
expanded state and then compressing the device into its
collapsed state; cutting appropriate paths through a sheet
20 of material, rolling the material into a tubular shape and
joining the ends to form an expandable bistable device in
its collapsed state; or cutting patterns into a sheet of
material, rolling the material into a tubular shape,
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joining the adjoining ends to form an expandable bistable
device in its expanded state and then compressing the
device into its collapsed state.
The materials of-construction for the bistable
expandable-tubulars can include those typically used within
the oil and gas industry such as carbon steel. They can
also be made of specialty alloys (such as a monel* inconel';
hastelloy or tungsten-based alloys) if the application
requires.
The configurations shown for the bistable.tubular 24
are illustrative of the operation of a basic bistable cell.
Other configurations may.be suitable, but the concept
is presented is also valid for these other geometries.
Figure 15 illustrates an expandable tubing 80 formed
of bi-stable cells 82. The tubing 80 defines a thinned
portion 84 (best seen in Figure 15) which may be in the
form of a slot, as shown, a flattening, or other thinning
of a portion of the tubing 80. The thinned portion 84
extends generally longitudinally and may be linear,
helical, or follow some other circuitous path. In one
*Traae-mark
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embodiment, the thinned portion extends from one end of the
tubing to the other to provide a communication line path 84
for the tubing 80. In such an embodiment, a communication
line 86 may pass through the communication line path 84
along the tubing 80. In this way, the communication line
86 stays within the general outside diameter of the tubing
80 or extends only slightly outside this diameter.
Although the tubing is shown with one thinned portion 84,
it may include a plurality that are spaced about the
lo circumference of the tubing 80. The thinned portion 84 may
be used to house a conduit (not shown) through which
communication lines 86 pass or which is used for the
transport of fluids or other materials, such as mixtures of
fluids and solids.
As used herein, the term "communication line" refers
to any type of communication line such as electric,
hydraulic, fiber optic, combinations of these, and the
like.
Figure 15A illustrates an exemplary thinned portion 84
designed to receive a device 88. As with the cable
placement, device 88 is at least partially housed in the
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thinned portion of the tubing 80 so that the extent to
which it extends beyond the outer diameter of the tubing 80
is lessened. Examples of certain alternative embodiments
of devices 88 are electrical devices, measuring devices,
meters, gauges, sensors. More specific examples comprise
valves, sampling devices, a device used in intelligent or
smart well completion, temperature sensors, pressure
sensors, flow-control devices, flow rate measurement
devices, oil/water/gas ratio measurement devices, scale
detectors, equipment sensors (e.g., vibration sensors),
sand detection sensors, water detection sensors, data
recorders, viscosity sensors, density sensors, bubble point
sensors, composition sensors, resistivity array devices and
sensors, acoustic devices and sensors, other telemetry
devices, near infrared sensors, gamma ray detectors, H2S
detectors, C02 detectors, downhole memory units, downhole
controllers. Examples of measurements that the devices
might make are flow rate, pressure, temperature,
differential pressure, density, relative amounts of liquid,
gas, and solids, water cut, oil-water ratio, and other
measurements.
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As shown in the figure, the device 88 may be exposed
to fluid inside and outside of tubing 80 via openings
formed by the cells 82. Thus, the thinned portion 84 may
bridge openings as well as linkages 21, 22 of the cells 82.
Also note that the communication line 86 and associated
communication line path 84 may extend a portion of the
length of the tubing 80 in certain alternative designs.
For example, if a device 88 is placed intermediate the ends
of the tubing 80, the communication line passageway 84 may
io only need to extend from an end of the tubing to the
position of the device 80.
Figure 16 illustrates an expandable tubing 80 formed
of bi-stable cells 82 having thin struts 21 and thick
struts 22. At least one of the thick struts (labeled as
90) is relatively wider than other struts of the tubing 80.
The wider strut 90 may be used for various purposes such as
routing of communication lines, including cables, or
devices, such as sensor arrays.
Figures 17A and 17B illustrate tubing 80 having a
strut 90 that is relatively wider than the other thick
struts 22. A passageway 92 formed in the strut 90
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68.0210
facilitates placement of a communication line in the well
and through the tubing 80 and may be used for other
purposes. Figure 17B is a cross sectional view showing the
passageway 92. Passageway 92 is an alternative embodiment
of a communication line path 84. A passageway 94 may be
configured to generally follow the curvature of a strut,
e.g. one of the thick struts 22, as further illustrated in
Figures 17A and 17B.
Figure 18 illustrates a thinned portion 84 having a
dovetail design with a relatively narrower opening. The
communication line 86 is formed so that it fits through the
relatively narrow opening into the wider, lower portion,
e.g. by inserting one side edge and then the other.
Communication line 86 is held in place due to the dovetail
design as is apparent from the figures. The width of the
communication line 86 is greater than the width of the
opening. Note that the communication line 86 may comprise
a bundle of lines which may be of the same or different
forms (e.g., a hydraulic, an electric, and a fiber optic
line bundled together). Also, connectors for connecting
adjacent tubings may incorporate a connection for the
communication lines.
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Note that the communication line passageway 84 may be
used in conjunction with other types of expandable tubings,
such as those of the expandable slotted liner type
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,366,012, issued November 22,
1994 to Lohbeck, the folded tubing types of U.S. Patent No.
3,489,220, issued January 13, 1970 to Kinley, U.S. Patent
No. 5,337,823, issued August 16, 1994 to Nobileau, U.S.
Patent No. 3,203,451, issued August 31, 1965 to Vincent.
The particular embodiments disclosed herein are
illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and
practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to
those skilled in the art having the benefit of the
teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended
to the details of construction or design herein shown,
other than as described in the claims below. It is
therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed
above may be altered or modified and all such variations
are considered within the scope and spirit of the
invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as
set forth in the claims below.
