Baker Hughes Corporation

William M Bailey

Douglas James Murray

Elmer R Peterson

Steven Rowell Hayter

A method of opening an orifice in a downhole article includes forming a downhole article having an orifice, the orifice having a selectively removable plug sealingly disposed therein, the selectively removable plug comprising a selectively removable plug body formed of a plug body material and a selectively removable sealant coating formed of a coating material disposed on an outer surface thereof. The method also includes disposing the article within a wellbore. The method further includes exposing the selectively removable plug to a first wellbore fluid that is configured to selectively remove the sealant coating and provide a fluid access to the plug body. The method also includes exposing the selectively removable plug body to a second wellbore fluid through the fluid access that is configured to selectively remove the plug body.

Method of opening an orifice in a downhole article, method for making the same and article made thereby

Expandable seals have one or more conforming ribs to facilitate creation of a seal to a sealing surface disposed in the well. The conforming ribs comprise a core of material either capped, partially covered by, or entirely covered by a ring. The ring can be formed of a metal that is softer than the metallic core material of each rib. Suitable metals forming the rings include copper formed by metal spun methods. Disposed adjacent to the rings are one or more sealing elements. By moving the rings into the sealing surface during expansion of the expandable seals, the rings close the extrusion gaps between the internal surface of the casing and the expanded tubular member ribs. The rings better conform to the sealing surface of the casing, thereby facilitating the creation of the seal between this sealing surface and each of the sealing elements.

Expandable seal with conforming ribs

A self-lubricating swage expands tubulars and includes a primary swaging tool supported on a mandrel that has a lubricious capacity or a primary swaging tool supported on a mandrel and a nose swage member supported on an end of the mandrel. In the latter the nose swage member is fabricated of, is coated with or otherwise includes and applies a lubricious material that smears onto a surface coming into contact with the nose swage member. The smearing of the lubricious material facilitates the sliding of the swaging member as it contacts the inner walls of the tubular.

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Humble, TX, United States of America

William M Bailey