Expandable tubing and method

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising: 
 an expandable bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a collapsed configuration and in an expanded configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members connected to each other.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the collapsed configuration is a first generally tubular configuration and the expanded configuration is a second generally tubular configuration having a larger diameter than the first generally tubular configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a conveyance device able to transport the expandable bistable device to a desired location in the wellbore.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a deployment device able to initiate expansion of the expandable bistable device from its first generally tubular configuration to its second generally tubular configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each cell comprises a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member each comprising a mid-point and two ends, and further wherein the first member is more flexible than the second member.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first and second members are mechanically connected such that the second member hinders deformation of the first member.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the first member has two stable positions, the first stable position being where the first member mid-point is adjacent to the second member mid-point, the second stable position being where the first member mid-point is displaced from the second member mid-point to form a gap between the first member mid-point and the second member mid-point.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the second member has a greater thickness than the first member.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the thickness ratio of the second member to the first member is greater than approximately 3:1.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the thickness ratio of the second member to the first member is greater than approximately 6:1.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the bistable device further comprises a wrapping attached to the outer surface of the bistable device.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the wrapping comprises an expandable screen.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the bistable device further comprises a deformable material attached to the outer surface of the bistable device.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the deformable material comprises an elastomer.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the elastomer is selected to be resistant to crude oils, brines, and acids encountered in oil and gas wells.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the bistable device in its second generally tubular configuration comprises a plurality of diameters.  
     
     
         18 . A method of stabilizing an uncased section of a wellbore in an underground formation, comprising: 
 providing an expandable bistable device having a generally tubular shape that comprises a plurality of bistable cells;    placing the bistable device at a position in the wellbore while in a first stable state; and    radially expanding the bistable device to a second stable state having a generally tubular configuration without substantially reducing axial length.    
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising attaching a wrapping to the outer surface of the bistable device.  
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein attaching comprises attaching an expandable screen.  
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising applying a deformable material to the outer surface of the bistable device.  
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein applying comprises applying an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein radially expanding comprises expanding the bistable device to a plurality of final diameters.  
     
     
         24 . A method for installing liners within a tubular located in a wellbore, comprising: 
 forming an expandable bistable device with a plurality of bistable cells, the expandable bistable device having a generally tubular shape;    surrounding the expandable bistable device with an expandable liner element attached to an outer surface of the bistable device;    placing the expandable bistable device at a position within a tubular while in a first stable state; and    expanding the expandable bistable device into a second stable state to hold the liner element against an inner diameter of the tubular.    
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising locating multiple bistable devices in the wellbore such that the ends of the adjacent bistable devices overlap and form a continuation of the liner element against the inner diameter of the tubular.  
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising creating each bistable cell with a thin strut connected to a thick strut.  
     
     
         27 . A method for facilitating use of a wellbore, comprising: 
 inhibiting sand influx into a wellbore, wherein inhibiting comprises: 
 placing a bistable device at a desired position in a wellbore; and  
 expanding the bistable device at least partially through a nonstable range towards a stable state until the bistable device is able to exert hoop stress forces against the wellbore.  
   
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , further comprising attaching a wrapping to an outer surface of the bistable member.  
     
     
         29 . The method as recited  claim 30 , wherein attaching comprises attaching an expandable screen.  
     
     
         30 . A method of facilitating use of a wellbore, comprising: 
 isolating a portion of a wellbore with an expandable bistable device having a generally tubular shape formed by a plurality of bistable cells that permit the expandable bistable device to be selectively actuated between a contracted state and an expanded state.    
     
     
         31 . A method of sealing a portion of a wellbore tubular, comprising: 
 locating a bistable device within a wellbore tubular adjacent to a zone to be sealed; and 
 expanding the bistable device against the wellbore tubular by moving the bistable device through a nonstable region towards an expanded stable state.  
   
     
     
         32 . An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising: 
 a wellbore conduit having at least one bistable device.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the bistable device comprises a plurality of bistable cells, each bistable cell comprising at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends, the device being stable in a first generally tubular configuration and a second generally tubular configuration, wherein the second generally tubular configuration has a larger diameter than the first generally tubular configuration.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a conveyance device able to transport the apparatus to a location in a borehole.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a deployment device that initiates the expansion or collapse of the bistable device.  
     
     
         36 . A system for facilitating communication along a wellbore, comprising: 
 an expandable tubing having a communication line passageway.    
     
     
         37 . A system for facilitating communication along a wellbore, comprising: 
 an expandable tubing formed of a plurality of bi-stable cells, the expandable tubing having a communication line passageway.    
     
     
         38 . The system as recited in  claim 39 , wherein the communication line passageway is defined by a thinned portion along the expandable tubing.  
     
     
         39 . A wellbore tubular, comprising: 
 and expandable bistable tubing; and    a device mounted to the tubing.    
     
     
         40 . The tubing of  claim 41 , wherein the device is selected from an electrical device, a measuring device, a meter, a gauge, and a sensor.  
     
     
         41 . A method of routing a communication line in a well, comprising: 
 deploying an expandable tubing in a well;    routing at least a portion of a communication line adjacent at least a portion of the expandable tubing; and    expanding the expandable tubing.    
     
     
         42 . The method as recited in  claim 43 , wherein deploying comprises running an expandable tubing formed of bistable cells into a well.  
     
     
         43 . The method as recited in  claim 43 , wherein routing comprises routing a cable along an exterior of the expandable tubing.  
     
     
         44 . The method as recited in  claim 44 , further comprising attaching the communication line to the expandable tubing as the expandable tubing is deployed in the well.  
     
     
         45 . The method as recited in  claim 44 , further comprising forming a communication line passageway in the expandable tubing to receive the communication line.  
     
     
         46 . The method as recited in  claim 47 , wherein forming comprises forming the communication line along a thick strut formed between a plurality of bistable cells.  
     
     
         47 . The method as recited in  claim 44 , further comprising providing a device attached to the expandable tubing.  
     
     
         48 . The method as recited in  claim 49 , wherein providing comprises attaching a sensor.  
     
     
         49 . The method as recited in  claim 49 , wherein providing comprises attaching an instrument.