Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Stephen Hermes Hester

Adrian Vuyk, Sr

Greg Marshall

Aristeo Rios, Iii

Dan Hugh Blankenship

Ken W Winterrowd

An anchor for a wellbore is adaptable to be operated in at least two separate and distinct ways. In one embodiment, a whipstock anchor is provided that can be operated either mechanically or hydraulically. In another embodiment, the anchor is designed to run through a restriction in a retracted position and thereafter expanded to position a wellbore tool in the wellbore. Preferably, the anchor is expandable to set in wellbores of various sizes and either cased or uncased.

Apparatus and methods of use for a whipstock anchor

Methods and apparatus enable expanding tubulars in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a first tubular string having an expansion member disposed at a lower end and connected with a threaded connection which will permit movement of the expansion member relative to the tubular string. The tubular string is held at the surface of the well while a second, smaller string is run into the first tubular string and engaged with the expansion member. Thereafter, the assembly including the first tubular string, expansion member and second tubular string are run to depth in a wellbore. Finally, the expansion member is urged upwards into the tubular string to expand the tubular string and bring it into frictional contact with surrounding wellbore walls. The initial expansion can be performed with a hydraulic jack and additional expansion can be performed by urging the cone upwards with the second tubular string.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Stephen Hermes Hester