Influence of expansion rate on circumferential residual stress distribution of expandable casing

Abstract

To study the distribution law of circumferential residual stress after casing expansion, using the finite element explicit dynamic analysis method analyzed the expansion process of expandable casings under different expansion rates. The analysis obtained key technical parameters of circumferential residual stress, average circumferential residual stress and elastic recovery along the wall thickness direction after casing expansion. It is recognized that the maximum residual tensile stress after casing expansion locates in the middle part of the casing thickness direction. The maximum residual compressive stress locates in the outer wall of the casing. When the expansion rate exceeds 18%, the increase in expansion rate will not lead to an increase in circumferential residual stress after casing expansion. The elastic recovery after casing expansion will reduce the circumferential stress during the expansion process. Considering collapse strength and the influence of elastic recovery on casing patch sealing performance after casing expansion, 23% is the most suitable expansion rate, which can effectively reduce the circumferential residual stress and improve the casing collapse strength. The analysis in this paper can provide bases for the calculation of casing collapse strength after expansion.