Baker Hughes Corporation

David Alan Garcia

Robert S O'brien

Matthew J Jabs

Robert O'Brien

Mark Kendall Adam

Michael A Carmody

Mathew J Jabs

A downhole swaging system includes, a tubular having an area of strength with a different resistance to swaging as compared to areas of the tubular outside of the area of strength, and a swaging tool. The swaging tool has a first swage, and a second swage with an adjustable swaging dimension, the second swage is in functional communication with the first swage such that the adjustable swaging dimension is adjusted in response to the first swage encountering a change in resistance to swaging.

Downhole swaging system and method

Nested articulated split rings move relatively to each other to enlarge their outer dimension for a grip on a surrounding tubular or the wellbore. The rings can be articulated to enlarge their outside dimension with relative movement that can be initiated by dimensional expansion from within the tubular or manipulation of the tubular that creates the desired relative movement. The relative movement can be locked in after it is made to secure the grip. Different shape profiles that magnify the radial outer dimension in excess of the percentage dimensional change in the underlying tubular are contemplated.

Expansion enhancement device

An adjustable swage features an ability to enhance a radial collapse force when an obstruction in a tubular is encountered to allow radial contraction so that the obstruction can be cleared. The movable segments are configured to elastically bend on high loading so as to create additional radial component force to aid the adjustable swage in reducing its size to clear the obstruction.

Adjustable swage

Grip between a tubular being expanded and the surrounding tubular is enhanced by disposing a wire in a groove. The wire is preferably harder than the surrounding tubular so that it can dig in upon expansion. The wire is mounted in the groove so that it is not stretched due to the expansion and for that reason doesn't increase the effort required for the expansion. The wire can take the shape of the groove that it is in or it can have some other shape. The wire can be solid or hollow and can be in segments such as rings or can be a longer continuously extending wire in a groove that, for example, can be helically disposed on the tubular being expanded or even on a sleeve surrounding it.

Gripping assembly for expandable tubulars

A variety of approaches to reducing or eliminating 'end effect' or the tendency of tubular ends to reduce in diameter after expansion are disclosed. Some involve pre-bending the ends outwardly while others involve removing material internally or/and externally near the ends. Yet other approaches feature weakening the ends in other ways including penetration of the tubular material using openings of various shapes including slots or/and holes where the openings are between the tube ends or where they can extend on one or both ends all the way to the end of the tubular. Inserts that are softer than the tube material can be placed near the ends. If there is an end effect, then the protruding material can be pushed out of the way or broken off.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

David Alan Garcia