Expandable tubing and method

Abstract

An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 an expandable bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a collapsed configuration and in an expanded configuration,   wherein each cell comprises a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member each comprising a mid-point and two ends, and   further wherein the first member is more flexible than the second member.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second members are mechanically connected such that the second member hinders deformation of the first member. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first member has two stable positions, the first stable position being where the first member mid-point is adjacent to the second member mid-point, the second stable position being where the first member mid-point is displaced from the second member mid-point to form a gap between the first member mid-point and the second member mid-point. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second member has a greater thickness than the first member. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the thickness ratio of the second member to the first member is greater than approximately 3:1. 
     
     
       6. The An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 an expandable bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a collapsed configuration and in an expanded configuration, 
 wherein each cell comprises a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member each comprising a mid-point and two ends,  
 wherein the thickness ratio of the second member to the first member is greater than approximately 6:1., and 
 further wherein the first member is more flexible than the second member.  
 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for use in a wellborn, comprising:
 an expandable bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a collapsed configuration and in an expanded configuration,   wherein the bistable device further comprises a wrapping attached to the outer surface of the bistable device.   
     
     
       8. A The An apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 an expandable bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a collapsed configuration and in an expanded configuration, 
 wherein the bistable device further comprises a wrapping attached to the other surface of the bistable device, and  
 wherein the wrapping comprises an expandable screen. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the wrapping comprises a deformable material. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the deformable material comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
       11. The An apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 an expandable bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a collapsed configuration and in an expanded configuration, 
 wherein the bistable device further comprises a wrapping attached to the outer surface of the bistable device, and 
 wherein the wrapping comprises a deformable material that comprises an elastomer is selected to be resistant to crude oils, brines, and acids encountered in oil and gas wells. 
 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 an expandable bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a collapsed configuration and in an expanded configuration,   wherein the bistable device in its second generally tubular configuration comprises a plurality of diameters.   
     
     
       13. A method of stabilizing an uncased section of a wellbore in an underground formation, comprising:
 providing an expandable bistable device having a generally tubular shape that comprises a plurality of bistable cells;   placing the bistable device at a position in the wellbore while in a first stable state;   radially expanding the bistable device to a second stable state having a generally tubular configuration without substantially reducing axial length; and   attaching a wrapping to the outer surface of the bistable device.   
     
     
       14. The A method as recited in  claim 13 ,of stabilizing an uncased section of a wellbore in an underground formation, comprising:
 providing an expandable bistable device having a generally tubular shape that comprises a plurality of bistable cells; 
 placing the bistable device at a position in the wellbore while in a first stable state; 
 radially expanding the bistable device to a second stable state having a generally tubular configuration without substantially reducing axial length; and 
 attaching a wrapping to the outer surface of the bistable device, wherein attaching comprises attaching the wrapping comprises an expandable screen. 
 
     
     
       15. The A method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising of stabilizing an uncased section of a wellbore in an underground formation, comprising:
 providing an expandable bistable device having a generally tubular shape that comprises a plurality of bistable cells; 
 placing the bistable device at a position in the wellbore while in a first stable state; 
 radially expanding the bistable device to a second stable state having a generally tubular configuration without substantially reducing axial length; and  
 applying a deformable material that comprises an elastomer selected to be resistant to crude oils, brines, and acids encountered in oil and gas wells to the outer surface of the bistable device. 
 
     
     
       16. The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein applying comprises applying an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       17. The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein radially expanding comprises expanding the bistable device to a plurality of final diameters. 
     
     
       18. A method for installing liners within a tubular located in a wellbore, comprising:
 forming an expandable bistable device with a plurality of bistable cells, the expandable bistable device having a generally tubular shape;   surrounding the expandable bistable device with an expandable liner element attached to an outer surface of the bistable device;   placing the expandable bistable device at a position within a tubular while in a first stable state; and   expanding the expandable bistable device into a second stable state to hold the liner element against an inner diameter of the tubular.   
     
     
       19. The method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising locating multiple bistable devices in the wellbore such that the ends of the adjacent bistable devices overlap and form a continuation of the liner element against the inner diameter of the tubular. 
     
     
       20. The method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising creating each bistable cell with a thin strut connected to a thick strut. 
     
     
       21. A method for facilitating use of a wellbore, comprising:
 inhibiting sand influx into a wellbore, wherein inhibiting comprises: 
 placing a bistable device at a desired position in a wellbore; and 
 expanding the bistable device at least partially through a nonstable range towards a stable state until the bistable device is able to exert hoop stress forces against the wellbore. 
 
     
     
       22. The method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising attaching a wrapping to an outer surface of the bistable member. 
     
     
       23. The method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein attaching comprises attaching an expandable screen. 
     
     
       24. A system for facilitating communication along a wellbore, comprising:
 an expandable tubing formed of a plurality of bi-stable cells, the expandable tubing having a communication line passageway, 
 wherein the communication line passageway is defined by a thinned portion along the expandable tubing. 
 
     
     
       25. A method of routing a communication line in a well, comprising:
 deploying an expandable tubing in a well, wherein deploying comprises running an expandable tubing formed of bistable cells into a well; 
 routing at least a portion of a communication line adjacent at least a portion of the expandable tubing; 
 expanding the expandable tubing; and 
 forming the communication line along a thick strut formed between a plurality of bistable cells.