Wear-resistant, variable diameter expansion tool and expansion methods
US6722427B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/105
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The inventions provide apparatus and methods for radially expanding a tubular deployed in a subterranean well by moving an expansion tool axially through the well. An expansion tool apparatus may have wear faces attached to at least a portion of the outer periphery of a mandrel for contacting the interior surface of the pipe, tube, or screen during expansion. According to another aspect of the invention, an expansion tool has a controlled egress seal between the outer surface of the tool and the inside surface of the expandable tubular. According to another aspect of the invention, an automatically variable diameter expansion tool is provided having a variable diameter cone, which expands, and contracts based on input from one or more sensors. According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus and method for expanding a length of screen assembly in a subterranean wellbore is provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.