Solid Tubular Expansion in Horizontal Wells

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe expansion process subjects a solid tubular to large plastic deformations leading to variations in tubular thickness and length, which may result in premature and unexpected failures under normal operations. Simulation work, laboratory tests, and field trials proved the viability of tubular expansion downhole and field engineers have gained enough knowledge in handling this process. However, tubular expansion in open hole of horizontal sections still presents another challenge to researchers and field engineers due to gravity and drag between the seal and the formation. The present work, therefore, presents simulation results of tubular expansion under various field conditions. In this study a typical tubular size of 57.15 mm outer diameter and 6.35 mm wall thickness is used with two different elastomer seals, 5 mm and 7 mm thick placed at equal spacing of 20 cm. It is found that the drawing force increases as the mandrel angle, expansion ratio, and friction coefficient increase. A typical expansion simulation showed that the drawing force required for expansion using a rotating mandrel is 15% less than that of non-rotating mandrel having same configuration. However, tubular thickness reduction is found to increase by 47% for a rotating mandrel as compared to a non-rotating one, which may affect the post-expansion tubular performance. The tubular wall thickness decreases as the mandrel angle, expansion ratio, and friction coefficient increase.

Analytical solutions for one-phase seepage flows impeded by wellbore seals

“…An array of identical seals of length 2b with a separation between two neighbouring seals of 2L. Typical values in EZIP arrays are b = 0.1-0.2 m and L − b = 0.1-0.2 m , Pervez et al, 2007. In Fig.…”

“…p.131). The force Y should be taken into account along with the traction and friction forces exerted on the seal (Pervez et al, 2007) because Y tends to separate the seal and the borehole wall.…”

“…4 is important not only from a hydrodynamic point of view (the quantity and rapidity of water flow between compartments 1 and 2) but also in the context of mechanical engineering analysis of the seal, which includes determination of the drawing force on the seal and deformation (Pervez et al, 2007). If we assume that the seal in Fig.…”

Dynamic Analysis of Solid Expandable Tubular and Its Applications in Tahe Oilfield

“…Butterfield et al [15] precisely described the change in inner pressure strength in the expanding process of SET in the laboratory experiment, with its help in rejob planning for SET construction. Pervez [16] conducted force analysis for an expandable tubular in a horizontal well using the finite element method for the first time. Shen and Aadnoy [17] conducted force analysis of SET in the condition of DwC (drilling with casing) and the change in expansion force, demonstrating that DwC has no effect on the expansion force.…”

Introductory Chapter: Extrusion - From Gear Manufacturing to Production of Cereals

“…During "indirect extrusion," the die remains stationary, while the billet and the container move together, and the movement of the ram and the billet is in opposite directions. One novel adaptation of indirect extrusion is the process of tube expansion [13]. In solid expandable tubular (SET) technology, a metal tube (or pipe) is expanded by pushing (or pulling) a conical mandrel (die) through it [14].…”