IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,156,180
Granted Patent B2
US 7,156,180 · App. 11/246,649 · Granted Jan 2, 2007

Expandable tubing and method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,156,180
App. No.
11/246,649
Granted
Jan 2, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.

Claims (42)

1. A system for facilitating communication along a wellbore, comprising:

an expandable tubing having a communication line passageway in a wall of the expandable tubing.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication line passageway comprises a thinned portion of the wall.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication line passageway comprises a slot formed in the expandable tubing.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication line passageway comprises a flattened region.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication line passageway is generally linear and extends longitudinally along the expandable tubing.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication line passageway follows a circuitous path along the expandable tubing.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication line passageway follows a generally helical path along the expandable tubing.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication line passageway extends the entire length of the expandable tubing.

9. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a communication line disposed in the communication line passageway.

10. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the expandable tubing comprises a plurality of communication line passageways.

11. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a sensor device disposed in the communication line passageway.

12. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication line passageway is wider at a radially inner region relative to a radially outlying opening of the communication line passageway.

13. A method of routing a communication line in a well located in a formation, comprising:

deploying an expandable tubing into a well;

connecting a communication line along at least a portion of the expandable tubing; and

expanding the expandable tubing in the well and directly against the formation.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein routing comprises routing a cable along an exterior of the expandable tubing.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising attaching the communication line to the expandable tubing as the expandable tubing is deployed in the well.

16. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising forming a communication line passageway in the expandable tubing to receive the communication line.

17. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising providing a device attached to the expandable tubing.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein providing comprises attaching a sensor.

19. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein providing comprises attaching an instrument.

20. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein forming comprises forming a generally linear communication line passageway.

21. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein forming comprises forming a generally circuitous communication line passageway.

22. A method of routing a communication line in a well located in a formation, comprising:

forming a communication line passageway in a wall of an expandable tubing;

deploying the expandable tubing in a well; and

radially expanding the expandable tubing in the well.

23. The method as recited in claim 22 , wherein forming comprises forming a generally linear slot in the expandable tubing.

24. The method as recited in claim 22 , wherein forming comprises forming a generally circuitous slot in the expandable tubing.

25. The method as recited in claim 24 , wherein radially expanding comprises expanding the expandable tubing directly against the formation.

26. A system for facilitating communication along a wellbore disposed in a formation, comprising:

an expandable tubing deployed in a wellbore; and

a communication line extending along the expandable tubing, wherein the communication line is moved into proximity with a formation in an open hole section of the wellbore upon radial expansion of the expandable tubing.

27. The system as recited in claim 26 , wherein the expandable tubing comprises a passageway formed in a wall of the expandable tubing to receive the communication line.

28. The system as recited in claim 27 , wherein the passageway extends along the entire length of the expandable tubing.

29. A system of routing a communication line in a well located in a formation, comprising:

means for forming a communication line passageway in a wall of an expandable tubing; and

means for radially expanding the expandable tubing in the well.

30. The system as recited in claim 29 , wherein the means for forming comprises a passageway having a cross-section with a dovetail shape.

31. The system as recited in claim 29 , wherein the means for radially expanding comprises an expandable tool.