Wellsite systems utilizing deployable structure

Abstract

An apparatus for deploying an instrument usable with a well comprises at least one reversibly expandable structure, at least one actuator operable to change a perimeter dimension of the at least one reversibly expandable structure, at least one instrument disposed interior of the at least one reversibly expandable structure, and having an axial dimension, and tractoring fluid disposed between the at least one reversibly expandable structure and the at least one instrument. The apparatus is operable to perform at least one of exerting thrust to convey the at least one instrument with respect to at least one adjacent surface, creating compensating pressure between the at least one instrument and the at least one adjacent surface, and sealing between the at least one instrument and the at least one adjacent surface.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus for wellsite surface equipment disposed adjacent a wellbore, comprising:
 at least one reversibly expandable structure disposed adjacent at least one wellsite surface;   at least one actuator operable to move the at least one reversibly expandable structure between an expanded state defining a first diameter and a collapsed state defining a second diameter, the first diameter greater than the second diameter,   the apparatus operable to at least seal the at least one wellsite surface against wellbore pressure.   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the apparatus seals the at least one wellsite surface by closing off the wellbore in its collapsed state. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the at least one actuator comprises a one of a linear actuator, a rotary actuator, a rotatable disk actuator, a lever actuator, and a Peaucellier-Lipkin type actuatable linkage. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the at least one reversibly expandable structure is lockable at predetermined positions between the expanded state and the collapsed state. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the apparatus is operable to convey the apparatus with respect to the at least one wellsite surface by inch-worm motion. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 37  further comprising at least one tubular adapted to be disposed in the wellbore via the surface equipment. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the apparatus is operable to seal the tubular and the wellsite equipment against wellbore pressure. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the apparatus comprises a one of an injector, a blow out preventer, a slip ram, a shear ram and a stripper. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the wherein the at least one actuator comprises a one of a linear actuator, a rotary actuator, a rotatable disk actuator, a lever actuator, and a Peaucellier-Lipkin type actuatable linkage. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the at least one reversibly expandable structure is lockable at predetermined positions between the expanded state and the collapsed state. 
     
     
         47 . A method for sealing wellsite surface equipment with respect to a wellbore, comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparatus comprising at least one reversibly expandable structure disposed adjacent at least one wellsite surface, at least one actuator operable to move the at least one reversibly expandable structure between an expanded state defining a first diameter and a collapsed state defining a second diameter, the first diameter greater than the second diameter; and   operating the actuator to move the at least one reversibly expandable structure from the expanded state to the collapsed state to at least seal the at least one wellsite surface against wellbore pressure.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein operating comprises the apparatus sealing the at least one wellsite surface by closing off the wellbore in its collapsed state. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the at least one actuator comprises a one of a linear actuator, a rotary actuator, a rotatable disk actuator, a lever actuator, and a Peaucellier-Lipkin type actuatable linkage. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the at least one reversibly expandable structure is lockable at predetermined positions between the expanded state and the collapsed state. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47  wherein operating further comprises conveying the apparatus with respect to the at least one wellsite surface. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 47  further comprising providing at least one tubular adapted to be disposed in the wellbore via the surface equipment. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein operating comprises sealing the tubular and the wellsite equipment against wellbore pressure. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the apparatus comprises a one of an injector, a blow out preventer, a slip ram, a shear ram and a stripper. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the wherein the at least one actuator comprises a one of a linear actuator, a rotary actuator, a rotatable disk actuator, a lever actuator, and a Peaucellier-Lipkin type actuatable linkage. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the at least one reversibly expandable structure is lockable at predetermined positions between the expanded state and the collapsed state.