Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

David John Hillis

Simon John Harrall

Paul David Metcalfe

Wayne Rudd

Andrew Michael Duggan

Gary Johnston

Gary Pendleton

Ian McDonald Cameron

Kevin Scott

A method of increasing the collapse resistance of a tubular comprises locating a tool having at least one, and typically three, bearing members within a tubular. The bearing members are positioned in engagement with a wall of the tubular to apply a radial force to a discrete zone of the wall. This radial force is then applied to further discrete zones of the wall, the level of radial force being selected such that the collapse resistance of the tubular is increased.

Collapse resistance of tubing

A method of expanding tubing such as a section of casing includes locating the casing in a bore and expanding a portion of the casing to engage the bore wall using an expansion tool having at least one radially movable expansion member. The expansion member may be in the form of a roller of a rotary expander. The method additionally includes subsequently expanding a further portion of the casing by advancing a cone expander through the casing.

Methods and apparatus for expanding tubing with an expansion tool and a cone

There are disclosed methods and apparatus for expanding tubing downhole. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of expanding downhole tubing such as a liner (), the method comprising the steps of locating the liner () in a borehole (), expanding a part () of the liner () in the borehole (), locating an expansion device such as an expandable cone () in said expanded part () of the liner (), and translating the cone () relative to the liner () to expand a further part () of the liner ().

Tubing expansion

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for expanding a tubular. In one embodiment, an expander tool includes a body having at least one recess therein. An expansion assembly disposable in the at least one recess includes a piston that outwardly extends from the body in response to a radially outward force. The expansion assembly includes one or more rollers disposed on a shaft such that the rollers rotate at different speeds. In order to improve a rolling ratio, the shaft is arranged on the piston at an outward angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool. The expansion assembly is disposed along the tool at a skew to provide tractoring and reduce slippage due to axial movement. A bearing adjacent the roller and rotationally secured to the roller reduces roller heating and wear. In another aspect, methods for expanding a tubular within a wellbore are provided.

Expander tool for use in a wellbore

There are disclosed methods and apparatus for expanding downhole tubing. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of expanding tubing comprising providing an assemblycomprising a section of expandable tubing () and an expansion device in the form of an expansion mandrel () located at least partially externally of the tubing (), running the assembly () into a bore, translating the expansion mandrel () relative to the tubing () to expand an end section of the tubing (), and further translating the expansion mandrel () relative to the tubing () to expand a further section of the tubing ().

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for expanding a first, smaller diameter tubular into frictional contact with a second, larger diameter tubular or wellbore. In an embodiment, annular formations formed on an inner surface of a split ring engage an outer surface of the smaller tubular. In one aspect, the smaller diameter tubular is provided with an annular recess there around, the annular recess including recessed grooves formed there around. Therefore, the split ring is disposable within the annular recess and the annular formations formed on the split ring are constructed and arranged to fit within the recessed grooves of the annular recess of the tubular. An outer surface of the split ring is provided with teeth or some other grip-enhancing material or formation. The split ring also includes a split portion permitting the ring to expand in diameter as that portion of the tubular is expanded in diameter.

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Balmedie, United Kingdom

David John Hillis