Drill pipe

Abstract

The present invention relates to an expansion device to be inserted in a casing or well tubular structure for expanding an annular barrier downhole. The annular barrier comprises a tubular structure for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular structure, and a connection part connecting the expandable sleeve with the tubular structure. The tubular structure has an opening and two projecting elements decreasing an inner diameter of the tubular structure. The expansion device comprises a tubular part extending between a first and a second end part, the tubular part comprising at least one opening arranged between the first and the second end; an inner face surrounding an inner space; and an outer face. Furthermore, the expansion device comprises at least a first and second sealing element sealingly connected to the outer face of the tubular part.

1 . An expansion device ( 1 ) to be inserted in a casing or well tubular structure ( 2 ) for expanding an annular barrier ( 15 ) downhole, the annular barrier comprising a tubular structure ( 2 a) for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an expandable sleeve ( 17 ) surrounding the tubular structure, and a connection part ( 23 ) connecting the expandable sleeve with the tubular structure, the tubular structure having an opening and two projecting elements ( 22 ) decreasing an inner diameter of the tubular structure, the expansion device comprising
 a tubular part ( 3 ) extending between a first ( 4 ) and a second ( 5 ) end part, the tubular part comprising:
 at least one opening ( 6 ) arranged between the first and the second end, 
 an inner face ( 7 ) surrounding an inner space ( 8 ), and 
 an outer face ( 9 ), 
   at least a first ( 10 ) and second ( 11 ) sealing element sealingly connected to the outer face of the tubular part,   
       wherein each sealing element is arranged at a distance corresponding to a distance between the projecting elements to sealingly connect with the projecting parts, thereby creating an outer space ( 14 ) there between. 
     
     
         2 . An expansion device ( 1 ) to be inserted in a casing or well tubular structure ( 2 ) for expanding an annular barrier ( 15 ) downhole, the annular barrier comprising a tubular structure for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an expandable sleeve ( 17 ) surrounding the tubular structure, and a connection part ( 23 ) connecting the expandable sleeve with the tubular structure, the tubular structure having an opening, the expansion device comprising
 a tubular part ( 3 ) extending between a first ( 4 ) and a second ( 5 ) end part, the tubular part comprising:
 at least one opening ( 6 ) arranged between the first and second end parts, 
 an inner face ( 7 ) surrounding an inner space ( 8 ), and 
 an outer face ( 9 ), 
   at least a first ( 10 ) and second ( 11 ) sealing element sealingly connected to the outer face of the tubular part at opposing sides and at a distance from the opening in the tubular structure,   
       wherein each sealing element has an annular part ( 12 ) and an annular flange ( 13 ) projecting partly towards the opening, the annular flange of the first sealing element projecting towards the opening, and the annular flange of the second sealing element projecting towards the opening, the first ( 10 ) and second ( 11 ) sealing elements, the outer face ( 9 ) of the tubular part ( 3 ) and the inner face ( 24 ) of the tubular structure all enclosing an outer space ( 14 ). 
     
     
         3 . An expansion device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a slidable sleeve ( 34 ) having a slidable sleeve opening, being slidably connected with the tubular part on the outer face from a closed position to an open position in which the slidable sleeve opening is aligned with the tubular opening. 
     
     
         4 . An expansion device according to  claim 3 , wherein the slidable sleeve is moved from the closed position to the open position by means of a ball ( 20 ) closing an orifice in the slidable sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . An expansion device according to  claim 2 , wherein the annular flange projects in an angle from the annular part, the angle (α) being less than 60 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . An expansion device according to  claim 2 , wherein the sealing element has a V-, a U-, an L-, an M- or an S-cross-sectional shape, or the like. 
     
     
         7 . An expansion device according to  claim 2 , wherein at least the annular flange is made of a flexible/resilient material. 
     
     
         8 . An expansion device according to  claim 7 , wherein the material is an elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . An expansion device according to  claim 2 , wherein at least the annular flange comprises a reinforcement element ( 18 ). 
     
     
         10 . An expansion device according to  claim 9 , wherein the reinforcement element is a grid or a web imbedded in the flexible material. 
     
     
         11 . An expansion device according to  claim 2 , wherein one end part of the tubular part is sealed off by a ball closing ( 20 ). 
     
     
         12 . An expansion device according to  claim 2 , wherein the inner space is pressurised by building up a pressure in a fluid or a gas. 
     
     
         13 . A downhole system comprising the expansion device according to  claim 1  and a driving unit, such as a downhole tractor. 
     
     
         14 . A drill pipe comprising the expansion device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A coiled tubing comprising the expansion device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method for expanding an annular barrier ( 15 ) positioned outside a casing downhole, comprising the steps of:
 positioning an expansion device according to  claim 1  opposite an opening in the casing opposite which the annular barrier is positioned,   pressurising an inner space ( 8 ) of the expansion device, whereby the pressure via an opening ( 6 ) forces a first and a second sealing element towards an inner face ( 24 ) of a wall of the casing, thereby creating a pressurised outer space, and   expanding the annular barrier by pressurising an inner space of the annular barrier via the opening in the casing.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the inner space of the expansion device is sealed off at one end part before and/or during the pressurising. 
     
     
         18 . A method for inserting an expansion device according to  claim 1  into a casing downhole, comprising the steps of:
 reducing an outer diameter of an annular flange of the sealing element of the expansion device by pressing the annular flange towards an annular part, 
 maintaining the annular flange in the reduced diameter by means of a holding means, 
 inserting the expansion device into the casing, 
 moving the expansion device into a position opposite an opening in the casing opposite which an annular barrier is positioned, and 
 releasing the holding means in order for the annular flange to retain its original diameter, whereby the expansion device is ready for expansion.