Wellbore Strings Containing Expansion Tools

Abstract

An apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a string for deployment into the wellbore, the string including at least one packer and an expansion tool downhole of the packer, wherein the expansion tool further includes: a release device and a lock device inside a movable housing; wherein the lock device prevents shifting of the release device until the lock device is moved to an unlock position by application of a first force to the lock device; and wherein the release device is movable to a release position by application of a second force after the lock device has been moved to the unlock position; and wherein the movable housing is capable of moving over the release device after the release device has been moved to the release position to absorb at least one of contraction and expansion of the expansion tool.

1 . An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 a string for deployment into the wellbore, the string including a packer and an expansion tool downhole of the packer;   wherein the expansion tool includes:   a housing;   a release device and a lock device inside the housing;
 wherein the lock device prevents shifting of the release device until the lock device is in an unlocked position; and 
 wherein the release device is movable to a released position by application of a second force after the lock device has been changed to the unlocked position; and 
 wherein the housing is capable of moving after the release device has been moved to the released position to absorb at least one of contraction and expansion of the string. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device changes to the unlocked position by degrading a degradable portion of the lock device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the degradable portion is formed from a controlled electrolytic metallic material. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device is changed to the unlocked position via a mechanical force. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the lock device receives a shifting tool to change the lock device to the unlocked position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device is changed to the unlocked position via a hydraulic force. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the release device is changed to the released position via a mechanical force. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the release device is changed to the released position via a hydraulic force. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the release device is movable to the released position by application of a fluid pressure in the expansion tool, and the release device includes two pressure areas that create a differential pressure when the fluid pressure is above a selected level sufficient to cause the release device to move to the released position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device is a degradable lock device and the release device is a mechanical release device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device is a degradable lock device and the release device is a hydraulic release device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device is a mechanical lock device and the release device is a mechanical release device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical lock device is actuated by a first shifting tool and the mechanical release device is actuated by a second shifting tool. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lock device is a mechanical lock device and the release device is a hydraulic release device. 
     
     
         15 . A method of performing a treatment operation in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 placing a string in the wellbore, the string including a packer and an expansion device downhole of the packer, wherein the expansion device includes a release device held in position by a lock device during run-in of the string into the wellbore;   locating the packer at desired location;   unlocking the lock device when the expansion tool is in the wellbore;   setting the packer in the wellbore; releasing the release device so as to enable the expansion tool to absorb shrinkage of the string during the treatment operation; and   performing the treatment operation that will cause the string to contract.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the lock device is unlocked to an unlocked position by degrading a degradable portion of the lock device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the degradable portion is formed from a controlled electrolytic metallic material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the lock device is unlocked to an unlocked position via a mechanical force. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the lock device is unlocked to an unlocked position via a hydraulic force. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the release device is released to a released position via a hydraulic force.