Method of radially expanding a tubular element

Abstract

A method is provided of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the method comprising inducing the wall of the tubular element to bend radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein said bending occurs in a bending zone of the tubular element, and increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the bending zone to move in axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section. One of the tubular element and the wellbore wall is provided with at least one seal member arranged to induce sealing of the expanded tubular section relative to the wellbore wall.

1 . A method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the method comprising
 inducing the wall of the tubular element to bend radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein said bending occurs in a bending zone of the tubular element;   inducing the bending zone to move in axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section so as to increase the length of the expanded tubular section;   wherein one of the tubular element and the wellbore wall is provided with at least one seal member arranged to induce sealing of the expanded tubular section relative to the wellbore wall.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each seal member comprises a swellable elastomer susceptible of swelling upon contact with a fluid selected from formation fluid and wellbore fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each seal member is provided at the tubular element, the seal member being positioned at one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the expanded tubular section. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the seal member is fixedly connected to the expanded tubular section. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the seal member is integrally formed with the expanded tubular section. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wall of the tubular element includes a material susceptible of plastic deformation in the bending zone during the bending process so that the expanded tubular section retains an expanded shape as a result of said plastic deformation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the bending zone is induced to move in axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section by inducing the remaining tubular section to move in axial direction relative to the expanded tubular section. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the remaining tubular section is subjected to an axially compressive force acting to induce said movement of the remaining tubular section. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said axially compressive force is at least partly due to the weight of the remaining tubular section. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said axially compressive force is at least partly due to an external force applied to the remaining tubular section. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the remaining tubular section is axially shortened at a lower end thereof due to said movement of the bending zone, and wherein the method further comprises axially extending the remaining tubular section at an upper end thereof in correspondence with said axial shortening at the lower end thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a drill string extends through the remaining tubular section for further drilling of the wellbore. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the remaining tubular section and the drill string are simultaneously lowered through the wellbore during drilling with the drill string. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled)