Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Neil Aa Simpson

Annabel Green

Lev Ring

Simon John Harrall

Mark E Hopmann

J Eric Lauritzen

Simon J Harrall

Gary Johnston

A Craig Mackay

Colin Mchardy

Gary Johnson

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for expanding tubulars in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention, an expansion tool with hydraulically actuated, radially expandable members is disposed on a string of coil tubing. In another aspect of the invention the apparatus is utilized to expand a tubular lining a lateral wellbore into contact with a window of a larger tubular lining a central wellbore. The tubular lining can comprise nonporous or porous material.

Apparatus, methods, and applications for expanding tubulars in a wellbore

An improved expansion assembly for an expander tool is provided. The expander tool is used to expand a surrounding tubular body within a wellbore. The expansion assembly first comprises a piston disposed within a recess of the expander tool. The top surface of the piston defines a bearing cavity configured to closely receive a roller. A shoe is further disposed on the top surface of the piston to receive a lower portion of the roller. In one arrangement, the roller is a tapered cylindrical roller actuated by hydraulic pressure applied from within the bore of the expander tool. Actuation of the tool forces the pistons to radially extend away from the body of the tool within the recesses. This, in turn, causes the roller members to engage the inner surface of the surrounding tubular body to be expanded. Rotation of the expander tool causes the rollers to at least partially rotate within the bearing cavity. This arrangement reduces the geometric size of the expansion assembly, affording a larger inner diameter for the hollow bore of the expander tool itself.

Expansion assembly for a tubular expander tool, and method of tubular expansion

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Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Neil Aa Simpson