Shell Oil Comapny

Mark Michael Shuster

Djurre Hans Zijsling

Petrus Cornelis Kriesels

Egbert Jan Van Riet

Robert Donald Mack

Daniele Di Crescenzo

Rob Bosman

A tubular member () with a relative rough (1.5-10 &#x3bc;m) inner surface () coated solid lubricating film () which is transformed into a substantially viscous rubbery viscoelasto-plastic phase at temperatures in a range between 50&#xb0; C. and 110&#xb0; C. is expanded by moving an expansion member () with a relatively smooth outer surface (roughness&#x3c;1.5 &#x3bc;m) therethrough, such that during expansion a viscous viscoelastoplastic substantially rubbery lubricating film () is generated between the tubular member () and the expansion mandrel (), which film remains bonded to the rough inner surface () of the expanded tubular (), but does not stick to the relatively hot and smooth expansion member ().

Method of expanding a tubular and expandable tubular

A method is provided of creating a pipe connector including a first connector member and a second connector member, said connector members being adapted to be connected and disconnected multiple times, the method comprising: a) providing at least one of the connector members with a contact surface; b) depositing particles of a galling resistant metal on each said contact surface; c) at least partially melting the particles of the galling resistant metal by subjecting the particles to a quantity of heat; and d) allowing the molten galling resistant metal to solidify thereby forming a galling resistant metal coating which is metallurgically bonded to the contact surface. The heat may be provided in the form of radiant energy, using a laser beam.

Pipe connector and method

The invention provides a connector assembly for interconnecting tubular elements. The connector assembly comprises at least one pin member, at least one box member, and for each box member a respective coating layer. Each pin member has a threaded outer surface and each box member has a threaded inner surface allowing the pin member and the box member to be screwed together. Herein the respective coating layer is positioned between the threaded surfaces of the pin member and the box member. Each coating layer is of a softer material than said threaded surfaces. The connector assembly further comprises means for removing excess coating material during make up of the pin member and the box member.

Connector assembly

The invention relates to a method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the tubular element including a first layer and a second layer extending around the first layer, said layers being separable from each other. The method comprises inducing each layer to bend radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein each layer has a respective bending zone in which the bending occurs, and increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the respective bending zones of the layers to move in an axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section. The layers in the respective bending zones are separate from each other so as to define an axial space between the layers.

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Voorburg, Netherlands

Mark Michael Shuster