Radial expansion of a wellbore casing against a formation

Abstract

Radial expansion of a wellbore casing against a formation.

1 . A method of coupling a wellbore casing to the interior surface of a wellbore, comprising:
 positioning a wellbore casing within the wellbore; and   radially expanding and plastically deforming the wellbore casing into direct contact with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a wellbore;   a wellbore casing positioned within and engaged with the wellbore to form a fluid tight seal between the casing and the wellbore.   
   
   
       3 . A method of determining one or more properties of at least one of a wellbore and a formation traversed by the wellbore, comprising:
 radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within the wellbore using an expansion device;   monitoring one or more operating parameters of the expansion device; and   correlating one or more of the operating parameters of the expansion device to one or more of the properties of at least one of the wellbore and the formation.   
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
 a support member;   a locking device coupled to the support member for controllably locking a position of the tubular member relative to the locking device;   an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member; and   an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member.   
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
 a support member;   a locking device coupled to the support member for controllably locking a position of the tubular member relative to the locking device;   an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member;   an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member;   a release device for releasably coupling the expansion device to the actuator;   another tubular member;   a tubular release member for releasably coupling an end of the tubular member to an end of the other tubular member;   a drilling device coupled to the support member for drilling a wellbore; and   a motor operably coupled to the drilling device for operating the drilling device;   wherein an outside diameter of the expansion device is less than or equal to an outside diameter of a bottom end of the tubular member proximate the expansion device;   wherein the expansion device defines a longitudinal passage;   wherein an internal diameter of the longitudinal passage of the expansion device is greater than an outside diameter of the motor and the drilling device and   wherein the tubular release member comprises a frangible element coupled between the tubular member and the other tubular member.   
   
   
       6 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       7 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and   then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   wherein then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of:
 unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and 
 then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or 
 unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; 
 displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; 
 relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and 
 then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. 
   
   
   
       8 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;   then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and   removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.   
   
   
       9 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member assembly, comprising first and second tubular members coupled to one another, within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member assembly and an expansion: device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   locking the position of the tubular member assembly relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly into engagement with the preexisting structure;   then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly;   decoupling the first and second tubular members; and   removing one of the first and second tubular members from the preexisting structure.   
   
   
       10 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;   drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and   removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       11 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure;   locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and   then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   wherein then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of:
 unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and 
 then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or 
 unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; 
 displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; 
 relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and 
 then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; and 
   wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and   wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.   
   
   
       12 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       13 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and   means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   wherein means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of:
 means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and 
 means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or 
 means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; 
 means for displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; 
 means for relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and 
 means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member. 
   
   
   
       14 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;   means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   means for decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and   means for removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.   
   
   
       15 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member assembly, comprising first and second tubular members coupled to one another, within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member assembly and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for locking the position of the tubular member assembly relative to the support member;   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly into engagement with the preexisting structure;   means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member assembly to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member assembly;   means for decoupling the first and second tubular members; and   means for removing one of the first and second tubular members from the preexisting structure.   
   
   
       16 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;   means for drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and   means for removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       17 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure;   means for locking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member;   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and   means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   wherein means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member comprises one or more of:
 means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and 
 means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; or 
 means for unlocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; 
 means for displacing the support member relative to the tubular member; 
 means for relocking the position of the tubular member relative to the support member; and 
 means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member; and 
   wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and   wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.   
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
 a support member;   an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member;   an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member; and   a locking device coupled to the tubular member for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the actuator.   
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
 a support member;   an expansion device coupled to the support member for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member;   an actuator coupled to the support member and the expansion device for displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member;   a locking device coupled to the tubular member for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the actuator;   a release device for releasably coupling the expansion device to the actuator;   a drilling device coupled to the support member for drilling a wellbore; and   a motor operably coupled to the drilling device for operating the drilling device;   wherein an outside diameter of the expansion device is less than or equal to an outside diameter of a bottom end of the tubular member proximate the expansion device;   wherein the expansion device defines a longitudinal passage; and   wherein an internal diameter of the longitudinal passage of the expansion device is greater than an outside diameter of the motor and the drilling device.   
   
   
       20 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member; and   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       21 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and   then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       22 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;   then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and   removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.   
   
   
       23 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;   drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and   removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       24 . A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure;   limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;   then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and   then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and   wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.   
   
   
       25 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member; and   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       26 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and   means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       27 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;   means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   means for decoupling the expansion device from the tubular support member; and   means for removing the tubular support member from the tubular member.   
   
   
       28 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure;   means for drilling out the preexisting structure prior to or after displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member using a drilling device; and   means for removing the drilling device from the preexisting structure prior to displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member.   
   
   
       29 . A system for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member within a preexisting structure, comprising:
 means for positioning the tubular member and an expansion device within the preexisting structure using a support member;   means for locking a position of the support member to the preexisting structure;   means for limiting displacement of the tubular member relative to the support member;   means for then displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with the preexisting structure; and   means for then further displacing the expansion device relative to the tubular member to further radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member;   wherein the preexisting structure comprises a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation; and   wherein the preexisting structure further comprises a wellbore casing positioned within the wellbore that is coupled to the subterranean formation.