WO2015062888A2 - Expandable metal sleeve and device using same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention in particular relates to a radially expandable metal sleeve (2), which has a so-called "initial diameter" that corresponds to an unexpanded state, and a so-called "optimum diameter" that corresponds to an expanded state, that optimum diameter being smaller than or equal to its maximum diameter beyond which it would break, characterised in that: - in its unexpanded state, it comprises at least one coaxial helical winding (5) against its outer face and at least on a part thereof; - that winding (5) is made of a fibre or set of fibres; - each turn (50) of the winding is made up of a main part (500) in contact with the outer face of the sleeve (2) and a secondary part (501), in one piece with the main part (500); - the developed length of that secondary part (501) being such that it deploys and presses against said sleeve (2) during the expansion of the latter, to keep it in a state where it occupies said "optimum diameter".

Description

 EXPANDABLE METAL SHIRT AND DEVICE USING THE SAME

The present invention essentially relates to an expandable metal jacket by hydroforming and equipped with means preventing the bursting of the latter.

 It also relates to an expansible device which is provided.

 Thus, the appended FIG. 1 represents, partially and in longitudinal section, a known device for isolating a pipe, but the invention is applicable to other similar devices.

 In this figure, the tubular pipe 1 is in place in a well, for example horizontal. This pipe 1 is metal.

 It is provided with at least one expandable sleeve 2 (only one is visible in FIG. 1) which is preferably made of metal. This jacket is sealed to the pipe 1 by means of rings 20, for example crimped.

 One or more passages (or perforations) 10 formed in the pipe 1 allow the interior of the latter to communicate with the inside of the jacket 2 to allow it to expand. The expandable sleeve is covered, over all or part of its length, with a sealing layer 3 of elastically deformable material (for example elastomer).

 As shown in Figure 2, this assembly is placed in a well 4. The inner wall 40 of this well may consist of a metal tube (cased well), or of rough drilling surfaces (open well).

 The interior of the well 4 is at an absolute pressure P0.

 As can be seen in FIG. 3, the jacket 2 is expanded radially, by pressure injection in the pipe 1, via the passage 10. The pressure necessary for the contact between the sealing layer 3 and the inner wall 40 of the well 4 is noted P1.

By application of an overpressure P1 + ΔΡ, the sealing layer 3 then compresses and thus makes it possible to seal the annular spaces EA1 and EA2 disposed on either side of the jacket 2. It is possible that the wall 40 of the well 40 is unstable or that a ^" cellar ^" is present, that is to say that the wall 40 of the well 4 has an absence of material 41 more or less opposite the shirt expandable 2. Thus, the sleeve continues to expand, without solid support for ^the stop, when passing the pressure P1 to the pressure (P1 + ΔΡ). This corresponds to the situation of Figure 4.

 It is thus possible that the expansible jacket reaches its maximum elongation (of the order of 40 to 50%) and breaks (situation of FIG. 5).

 When such a rupture occurs, the annular spaces

EA1 and / or EA2 are then in communication with the inside of the pipe. The integrity of the well is then totally lost.

Document WO 2013/037816 discloses a device for preventing the rupture of an expandable jacket-based system, when the rupture is due to a defect in the material which constitutes them. The thickness of the expandable sleeve is thus divided into two separate expandable folders. If faults occur in ^one expandable folders, it is very unlikely that this defect appears exactly opposite a defect of the second expandable shirt.

This system does not prevent the break in front of a ^"cave" if the increase exceeds the limits of ^expansion and plasticity of materials.

Furthermore, a valve system is described in patent application EP 260761. If the expandable liner described therein ruptures, a valve placed in the port ^expansion detects an abrupt pressure drop within the conduit, a major flow through the orifice.

 If these events are detected, the valve closes and completely insulates the inside of the pipe from the rest of the well.

 However, in the event of valve failure, well integrity is also lost.

^Other facilities of ^the prior art are described in particular in US-2012/055 667, GB-2,258,674 and WO-2009/001069.

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages. In other words, it aims to provide an expandable shirt that does not break, even when it is facing a "cellar" or a defect in the wall of the well.

 Thus, the present invention mainly relates to a radially expandable hydroformed metal jacket, which has a diameter called "initial diameter" which corresponds to an unexpanded state and a diameter called "optimum diameter" which corresponds to an expanded state, this diameter optimum being less than or equal to its maximum diameter beyond which it would break,

 characterized by the fact that:

 it comprises in its unexpanded state, against its external face and at least on a part thereof, at least one coaxial helical winding;

 this winding consists of a fiber or a set of fibers,

 each turn of the winding consists of a main part in contact with the external face of the jacket and of a secondary part, of a piece with the main part;

 the developed length of this secondary part being such that it deploys and is pressed against said sleeve during the expansion of the latter, to constrain it to a state where it occupies said "optimum diameter".

 According to other nonlimiting and advantageous features of the invention:

 said helical and coaxial winding consists of contiguous turns;

 the fiber or set of fibers of said coaxial winding is coated with a flexible material such as silicone or an elastomer;

 the fiber or set of fibers of said coaxial winding is coated with a flexible material, with the exception of their secondary part;

 it comprises at least two windings separated from one another by an interval;

- In said gap is present a band of elastically deformable material, its thickness being greater than that of said windings; it comprises at least one "stage" winding, which means that a first part of the winding is in direct contact with said jacket, while at least a portion of the remaining portion is wound on the first portion, and and so on ;

 the secondary part of each turn is folded over the associated main part;

 the secondary part of each turn is folded transversely to said winding;

 said winding comprises means for attaching the secondary portion of the turns to the main parts of the turns of the winding, these connecting means yielding or deforming under the effect of increasing the diameter of said jacket to release said secondary portion;

 said attachment means consist of an elastic sheath which envelops said winding;

 said connecting means consist of a ring of flexible material in which said winding is embedded;

 said flexible material is silicone or an elastomer;

said connecting means consist of a frangible link which connects the secondary part of each turn to the main part;

 The present invention also relates to an expansible device, in particular a hydraulic billing device, which comprises:

 a tubular pipe;

 and, against its external face, a coaxial expandable cylindrical jacket, the opposite ends of which are sealingly connected to this external face;

 - The wall of said tubular conduit having at least one passage to communicate with the inside of the jacket.

 This device is remarkable in that it comprises:

 in its unexpanded state, against its external face and at least on a part thereof, at least one coaxial helical winding;

this winding consists of a fiber or a set of fibers, each turn of the winding consists of a main part in contact with the external face of the jacket and of a secondary part, of a piece with the main part;

 the developed length of this secondary part being such that it deploys and is pressed against said sleeve during the expansion of the latter, to constrain it to a state where it occupies said "optimum diameter".

 Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows. It will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

 - Figures 1 to 5, already mentioned, represent the state of the art closest to the invention;

 - Figure 6 is a partial view in longitudinal section of a device according to the invention;

 - Figure 7 is a partial view, in longitudinal section, of the wall of the expansible sleeve of the device and two embodiments of helical windings that team;

 FIG. 7 is a simplified perspective view of a jacket 2 and part of the winding which equips it;

 - Figure 8 is similar to the left part of Figure 7, the winding being embedded in a ring of wrapping material;

 FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the difference in diameter between the expansible sleeve in its unexpanded state, as well as a turn of the aforementioned winding, presented in its fully extended position;

 - Figure 10 is a view similar to the previous figure, the turn being shown in a position in which it is in contact with the sleeve, with the exception of a secondary portion folded over the rest of the turn;

 - Figure 1 1 is a partial front view of a jacket with windings whose secondary portion is arranged differently from what is shown in Figure 10;

 FIG. 12 is a graph which shows, as a function of the pressure inside the jacket, the evolution of its diameter;

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 are similar cross-sectional views of a jacket and a coil that constrains its diameter, according to three embodiments in which means for connecting the secondary part of the coils to the head portion are shown, these connecting means transferor or deforming under ^{the effect} of an increase in diameter of the liner;

 FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are views intended to show how the jacket and the turns of its associated winding behave;

- Figures 19 and 20 are perspective views ^of a particular embodiment ^of a coil, before and after deformation of the sleeve;

- Finally, Figure 21 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view ^of a well including an inner liner is subjected to a deformation by displacement ^of a ^"packer".

The following description is mainly given with reference to an expandable device of the same type as that described in Figures 1 to 5. However, as already mentioned, ^the invention ^also applies to an expandable metal jacket radially by hydroforming, and this embodiment will be described at the end of the description, with reference to FIG.

The device shown in Figure 6 is the same type as the one shown in reference to Figures 1 to 5. However, instead of the ^sealing layer 3 placed on the outer wall of the jacket 2 there is here case a set of elastomeric sleeves 30 remote from one another, between which is placed a coaxial helical winding ^of a fiber or ^a fiber assembly 5 with contiguous turns.

In the case shown here, we are dealing with six bands 30 secured to the outside of the sleeve 2, which are arranged between the windings 5. Of course, these numbers could be different, and ^we can even consider the shirt is devoid of tapes 30.

Each winding 5 is, as said above, consists ^of a fiber or ^a fiber assembly of contiguous or non-contiguous turns.

By the term ^"fiber or fiber ^assembly" is meant a single-wire fiber, or consists ^of a set of son, e.g. twisted or arranged parallel to each other. In any state of because, when ^we are dealing with a fiber assembly, this assembly is monolithic, meaning that ^{it is} akin to a fiber oversized diameter. ^Other arrangements may also be considered.

 The constituent material of the fiber is chosen according to the following criteria: tensile strength, flexibility, temperature resistance.

Preferred materials for this winding consist in particular of ^aramid or carbon.

In one possible embodiment, said winding is ^" monolayer ^" so that its different turns 50, considered in a transverse section plane, lie in the same plane.

However, as shown in Figure 7, one can have several windings E1 and E2 to floors, which means ^that a first portion of ^the winding E1 is in direct contact with the sleeve 2 while ^that at least a portion of the remaining portion E2 of ^the winding is wound on the first portion E1, and so on.

 On the right side of this same figure, we are dealing with three windings 5 of four fibers distributed in three stages E1, E2, E3 superimposed.

 These windings are preferably not directly made on the shirt itself.

One prefers to use a mandrel whose diameter corresponds to that of the expandable sleeve 2, after which ^it will be expanded. For example, this diameter corresponds to the maximum deformation of the liner 2 before it breaks.

^The elongation of the fiber in the constraint must also be taken into account, ^that is to say that if the maximum diameter of the expansible sleeve 2 after expansion is d _max, the fibers must be wound on a mandrel having a diameter outside equal to d _max x (1 - lengthening of the fiber in percentage). ^The elongation is for example of ^the order of 4% for some aramid fibers.

This winding 5 is then detached from the mandrel, the mandrel is then removed, and ^the assembly is placed at ^the end of the jacket, then in its final position. We then find ourselves in the situation of Figure 9 in which the diameter d ₅₀ of each turn is much greater than the diameter d ₂ of the sleeve 2 before expansion. It then proceeds to folding of ^the winding so ^that a main part 500 of the winding 5 is in direct contact with the outer face of the sleeve 2 (see Figure 10).

^The excess material constitutes the abutment 501 of ^the winding and its implementation can be done either by folding the main portion 500 of the coil 50 associated, as ^it is the case of FIG 10.

Its implementation can also be done in a slightly transverse direction relative to the general direction the main part 500 of ^the winding 5. This corresponds to the situation of Figure 7.

To facilitate the transfer of ^the winding mandrel on the sleeve 2, it will, for example coating the fiber with a flexible material such as silicone or an elastomer so as to form a matrix which holds the individual turns together and allowing the to unmold more easily. This matrix is referenced 6 in FIG.

It will be noted that FIG. 7 ^' represents a winding of a few turns represented in perspective around the jacket 2.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the liner comprises additional means which make it possible to maintain the secondary portion 501 of the turns 50 integral with the main portion 500 of the corresponding turn. However, these means are provided to buckle under ^the increased diameter of the liner to release the secondary part 501.

Thus, in the embodiment of Figure 1 3, we are dealing with an elastic sheath 7 which envelops ^the winding 5.

In the embodiment of Figure 14, a ring is used in flexible material 6 in which ^the coil 5 is embedded.

Preferably, these means consist of a silicone ring.

 Finally, in the embodiment of Figure 15, it is simply a frangible link 8 which connects each secondary portion 501 to the corresponding main part 500.

We will now explain, with reference to Figures 16, 17 and 18, how to behave turns 50 windings 5, depending on the rate of ^expansion of the liner 2. Thus, FIG. 16 corresponds to the situation in which the liner 2 is in its unexpanded state. We can thus draw the parallel between this figure 16 and Figure 2 commented above.

As to measurement of ^the increase in the pressure P ^inside of the sleeve 2, it has a diameter increase so that the main portion of each coil shown has a length decrease at the expense of the secondary part. In ^other words, the overall diameter of the coil increases.

However, insofar as the total circumference of each coil has a predetermined length, even if the pressure P ^inside of the liner increases further, the diameter remains unchanged when each winding ^s' is fully extended.

^The coil then acts as a stop, a lasso or reinforcement and constrains ^the expansion of the sleeve 2.

Because the coils are contiguous and ^that there are high stresses of friction between ^the coil and the jacket, the fibers does not take place simply by capstan effect but according to the procedure which has ^just been described.

Referring to Figures 19 and 20, s ^is merely to represent a winding 5 without the jacket at which it is normally associated (in a simple purpose of simplification).

As in the embodiment of Figure 8, this winding is coated ^with a flexible material such as silicone or an elastomer, so as to form a matrix 6.

However, unlike this embodiment, the secondary portion 501 of the coils 50 ^is not coated and is folded in the matrix it could be folded over.

^When expansion of the liner, the side portions 501 of the coils unfold to occupy their final position in a circular arc, as shown in Figure 20.

This ^{"absence" of} coating abutments allows especially ^to get a fast and safe expansion of secondary parts.

As mentioned above, a structure and ^{use of} a device according to ^the invention have been described with reference to the aforementioned figures. However, ^the invention also relates to a simple metal jacket provided ^with such a winding.

This shirt is an application, particularly when ^one proposes to deform a shirt 2 repair ^of a well 4 as can be seen in Figure 21.

It is therefore here a situation in which ^one wishes lined well 4 with a jacket 2 which is lowered into the well ^{using an} inflatable bladder 9.

To do this, the liner is lowered into the well 4 ^by means of the inflatable bladder 9 is inflated so ^that it comes simply bears against the inner wall of the liner. Once lowered into the well and blocked, the sleeve 2 is deformed ^up to ^that it occupies the diameter 1 shown at the bottom of FIG. The inflatable bladder 9 is then raised along the liner.

^In case ^where one is dealing with a cellar 41 or to a defect of material in the shaft wall 4, while ^the coil present on the outer wall of the liner comes into action to limit its expansion according to the process already Explain.

Claims

1. A radially expandable metallic sleeve (2) which has a so-called "initial diameter" diameter which corresponds to an unexpanded state and a diameter referred to as "optimum diameter" which corresponds to an expanded state, this optimum diameter being less than or equal to its maximum diameter beyond which it would break,  characterized by the fact that:  - It comprises in its unexpanded state, against its outer face and at least a portion thereof, at least one coaxial helical winding (5);  this winding (5) consists of a fiber or a set of fibers,  each turn (50) of the winding consists of a main part (500) in contact with the external face of the jacket (2) and a secondary part (501), of a piece with the main part (500);  the developed length of this secondary portion (501) being such that it deploys and is pressed against said sleeve (2) during the expansion thereof, to constrain it to a state where it occupies said "optimum diameter".  2. Shirt according to claim 1, characterized in that said helical and coaxial winding consists of contiguous turns (50).  3. Shirt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber or set of fibers of said coaxial winding is coated with a flexible material such as silicone or an elastomer.  4. Shirt according to claim 3, characterized in that the fiber or set of fibers of said coaxial winding is coated with a flexible material, with the exception of their secondary portion (501). 5. Shirt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two windings (5) separated from one another by a gap. 6. Shirt according to claim 5, characterized in that in said gap is present a strip (30) of elastically deformable material, its thickness being greater than that of said windings (5).  7. Shirt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one winding (5) "stages" (E1, E2, E3), which means that a first portion (E1) of the winding (5) is in direct contact with said jacket (2), while at least a portion of the remaining portion (E2) is wound on the first portion, and so on.  8. Shirt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary portion (501) of each turn (50) is folded over the associated main portion (500).  9. Shirt according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the secondary portion (501) of each turn (50) is folded transversely to said winding (5).  10. Shirt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said winding (5) comprises connecting means (6, 7, 8) of the secondary portion (501) of the turns (50) to the main parts (501). ) turns (50) of the winding (5), these connecting means yielding or deforming under the effect of increasing the diameter of said jacket (2) to release said secondary portion (501).  1 1. Shirt according to claim 10, characterized in that said connecting means consist of an elastic sheath (7) which envelops said winding (5).  1 2. Shirt according to claim 10, characterized in that said connecting means consist of a ring (6) of flexible material in which said winding (5) is embedded.  1 3. The shirt of claim 10, characterized in that said flexible material is silicone or an elastomer.  14. Shirt according to claim 10, characterized in that said connecting means consist of a frangible link (8) which connects the secondary portion (501) of each turn (50) to the main portion (500). 1 5. Expansible device, including hydraulic billing, which comprises: a tubular pipe (1);  and, against its external face, a coaxial expandable cylindrical jacket (2), the opposite ends of which are sealingly connected to this external face;  the wall of said tubular pipe (1) having at least one passage (10) for communicating with the inside of the jacket,  characterized by the fact that  - It comprises in its unexpanded state, against its outer face and at least a portion thereof, at least one coaxial helical winding (5);  this winding (5) consists of a fiber or a set of fibers,  each turn (50) of the winding consists of a main part (500) in contact with the external face of the jacket (2) and a secondary part (501), of a piece with the main part (500);  the developed length of this secondary portion (501) being such that it deploys and is pressed against said sleeve (2) during the expansion thereof, to constrain it to a state where it occupies said "optimum diameter".