Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Iain C MacAulay

Simon John Harrall

Paul David Metcalfe

Peter Ellington

Methods and apparatus for making a connection that can be rotationally locked by expansion are disclosed. Threaded tubular ends include a slot cut across a thread at a location along the circumference of the thread. Threading two tubular members that have the slot disposed in either or both of a pin or box end of the tubular members establishes the connection. The slots represent no impediment to the make-up or break-out of a box by pin connection prior to expansion. During expansion of the connection, the threads of either the box or pin end are forced via plastic flow into the slot in the corresponding thread. This results in locking the connection and preventing relative rotation between the two tubular members, which could otherwise loosen the connection.

Expansion activated anti-rotation device

The invention concerns the sealing of tubing, and in particular the sealing of a joint between expandable tubing sections. In one embodiment, there is disclosed expandable tubing such as an expandable liner comprising at least two expandable tubing sections which are adapted to be coupled together, and a seal adapted to be located around the expandable tubing sections, to seal a joint between the sections.

Sealing tubing

Expandable tubing and methods seal a connection between expandable tubulars, and in particular, seal a connection between expandable tubulars post-expansion. In one embodiment, a method includes sealing a connection between expandable tubulars in the form of sections of an expandable liner. The method comprises the steps of connecting a first expandable tubular in the form of a first section of the liner and a second expandable tubular in the form of a second section of the liner. A seal is located between radially overlapping portions of the liner sections, and the seal is configured to maintain sealing between the liner sections both pre and post expansion.

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Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Iain C MacAulay