Method and Device for Connecting a Pipe to a Confinement of a Subsurface Borehole

Abstract

Method and apparatus are for connecting a pipe to a confinement of a subsurface borehole where an annulus is formed between the pipe and the confinement. The method includes: providing an expandable metallic bladder element, that by use of a fluid is expandable between an unexpanded and an expanded position, in a sector of the annulus; and expanding the metallic bladder element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for connecting a pipe to a confinement of a subsurface borehole where an annulus is formed between the pipe and the confinement, wherein the method comprises:
 providing an expandable metallic bladder element, that by use of a fluid is expandable between an unexpanded and an expanded position, in a sector of the annulus; and   expanding the metallic bladder element.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method comprises providing a toothed or non-toothed anchor that in its engaged position, when the metallic bladder element is expanded, has an ability to transfer axial load between the pipe and the confinement. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the metallic bladder element is expanded by use of a liquid. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for connecting a pipe to a confinement of a subsurface borehole where an annulus is formed between the pipe and the confinement, wherein an expandable metallic bladder element, that by use of a fluid is expandable between an unexpanded and an expanded position, is positioned in a sector of the annulus. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the expandable metallic bladder element at expansion is permanently deformed. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the expandable metallic bladder element is helically wound around the pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein an anchor that in its engaged position has an ability to transfer axial load between the pipe and the confinement is positioned in the annulus, and where the metallic bladder element in its expanded position is engaging the anchor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the metallic bladder element and the anchor are positioned on opposite sides of the pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the metallic bladder element and the anchor are positioned on the same side of the pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the bladder element is positioned in the anchor. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the anchor is made to engage by relative movement between at least a first and a second element of the anchor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the pipe itself constitutes the anchor. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the anchor is made from an elastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the anchor is made from a metallic material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the anchor is made from a combination of elastic and metallic material. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the anchor is made from a material that is swellable in a wellbore fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the metallic bladder element is positioned in an elastic material. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein a pressurized fluid reservoir is connectable to the metallic bladder element. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the metallic bladder element is at least partly filled with particles.