System and method for raially expanding a tubular element comprising an emergency blow-out preventer

Abstract

The invention provides a system for lining a wellbore, and a method for using said system. The system comprises: a drill string ( 20 ) for drilling the wellbore; an expandable tubular element ( 4 ) enclosing the drill string, wherein a lower end portion of a wall of the expandable tubular element is bent ( 14 ) radially outward and in axially reverse direction to define an expanded tubular section ( 10 ) extending around an unexpanded tubular section ( 8 ); a pushing device ( 50 ) for pushing the unexpanded section into the expanded tubular section; a blow-out preventer ( 302 ) for closing off the wellbore in case of an emergency. Herein the blow-out preventer encloses the unexpanded tubular section and comprises a cutter ( 320 ) for cutting the unexpanded tubular section and at least one closure device ( 324 ) for closing the wellbore.

1 . A system for lining a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a drill string for drilling the wellbore;   an expandable tubular element enclosing the drill string, wherein a lower end portion of a wall of the expandable tubular element is bent radially outward and in axially reverse direction to define an expanded tubular section extending around an unexpanded tubular section;   a pushing device for pushing the unexpanded section into the expanded tubular section;   a blow-out preventer for closing off the wellbore in case of an emergency, wherein the blow-out preventer encloses the unexpanded tubular section and comprises:   a cutter for cutting the unexpanded tubular section; and   at least one closure device for closing the wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a wellhead device for closing an annular space between the unexpanded section and the expended section, wherein the blow-out preventer is connected to said wellhead device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure device comprises one or more of: a shear ram device, a pipe ram device, an annular preventer device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter is arranged below the closure device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blow-out preventer comprises a housing, which comprises at least one seal for sealing the housing with respect to the unexpanded tubular section, the at least one seal being arranged below the cutter. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter comprises:
 a cutting wheel; and   a guiding ring for guiding the cutting wheel around the unexpanded tubular section.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter comprises a laser cutter for cutting the unexpanded tubular section. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable tubular element comprises a plurality of interconnected tubular sections. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable tubular element is provided with a longitudinal weld. 
     
     
         10 . Blow-out preventer for a system for lining a wellbore using an expandable tubular element, wherein a lower end portion of a wall of the expandable tubular element is bent radially outward and in axially reverse direction to define an expanded tubular section extending around an unexpanded tubular section, the blow-out preventer comprising:
 a housing for enclosing the unexpanded tubular section of the expandable tubular element;   a cutter, which is arranged in the housing, for cutting the unexpanded tubular section; and   at least one closure device for closing an annulus between a drill string and the unexpanded tubular section.   
     
     
         11 . Method for lining a wellbore using the system of  claim 1 .