Expandable liner
An expandable liner is used to re-complete a wellbore for a re-fracturing operation. The expandable liner may be used to cover the old perforations and provide a larger bore after expansion. The larger bore allows the new completion perforations and fracturing operation to be more easily achieved. In one embodiment, the expandable liner may have a rib disposed around an outer diameter of the expandable tubular, wherein the rib is configured to form a seal with the outer tubular.
1. A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
providing an expandable liner having an anchor at a first end and a free end at a second end, wherein the free end includes at least a substantial portion of the expandable liner;
setting the anchor;
expanding the liner while allowing the free end to shrink or grow during expansion, wherein, after expansion, an annular gap is present between the free end of the liner and the wellbore; and
after expanding the liner, supplying a fluid into the liner and through perforations in the liner while allowing the free end to shrink or grow in response to the changes in length of the liner while supplying the fluid.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a high pressure fracturing fluid.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising perforating the liner to form openings in the liner after expanding the liner.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein perforating the liner comprises forming a slot in the liner.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liner comprises a coiled tubing.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising conveying the coiled tubing using a second, smaller diameter coiled tubing.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein expanding the coiled tubing comprises pulling an expander tool using a coiled tubing unit at the surface.
8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising using a packer type system for preventing axial movement of coiled tubing during setting of the anchor.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the coiled tubing includes an elastomeric outer coating.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming openings in the liner while allowing the free end to shrink or grow.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is supplied to perform a fracturing operation.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein a radial distance between an outer diameter of the expanded liner and the wellbore is between about 10% and about 5% of the outer diameter of the expanded liner.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein a radial distance between the expanded liner and the wellbore is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.15 inches.
14. A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:
providing an expandable liner having a lower end, the lower end equipped with an expander cone, a first anchor and a second anchor;
setting the second anchor to hold the liner against a casing while the expander cone remains unactivated;
activating the expander cone to expand the liner and setting the first anchor, wherein, after expansion, an annular gap is present between an upper end of the liner and the wellbore; and
after expanding the liner, supplying a fluid into the liner and through perforations in the liner while allowing at least a substantial portion of the expandable liner to shrink or grow in response to the changes in length of the liner while supplying the fluid.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second anchor comprises a slotted tubular.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second anchor comprises a thinner wall section than the liner.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the liner has a corrugated shape.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second anchor is attached to the liner using a sleeve.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the expander cone is initially housed in the sleeve.
20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising forming the perforations in the liner after setting the first anchor.
21. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second anchor is set using an inflatable packer.