IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,188,678
Granted Patent B2
US 7,188,678 · App. 11/335,884 · Granted Mar 13, 2007

Expandable composite tubulars

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,188,678
App. No.
11/335,884
Granted
Mar 13, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Composite tubulars that have not been polymerized and are thus flexible enough to be coiled are delivered into a wellbore and expanded. The expansion occurs from an external catalyst such as heat or releases the internal catalyst and allows the expanded tubular to become rigid. Optionally, healing agents can be imbedded in the tubular wall to be released to seal subsequently forming cracks.

Claims (22)

1. A method of installing a tubular string in a wellbore, comprising:

forming a tubular string in an original shape from a shape memory material;

altering the shape of said tubular string to allow running it into the wellbore;

causing said tubular string to assume said original shape when in place in the wellbore;

expanding said string beyond said assumed original shape.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

sizing said original shape such that the tubular string is firmly supported in the wellbore as a result of returning to its original shape.

3. The method of claim 2 , comprising:

achieving firm support for said tubular string in the wellbore without expansion beyond said original shape.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

heating said tubular string under an applied load to achieve said altering;

cooling said tubular string to allow it to retain said altered shape for run in into the wellbore.

5. The method of claim 4 , comprising:

providing heat in the wellbore to allow the tubular string to assume said original shape.

6. The method of claim 5 , comprising:

using heat from well fluids to promote shape change by said tubular string to said original shape.

7. A method of installing a tubular string in a wellbore, comprising:

forming a tubular string in an original shape from a shape memory material;

altering the shape of said tubular string to allow running it into the wellbore;

causing said tubular string to assume said original shape when in place in the wellbore;

sizing said original shape such that the tubular string is firmly supported in the wellbore as a result of returning to its original shape;

achieving firm support for said tubular string in the wellbore with expansion beyond said original shape.