Internal support apparatus for downhole tubular structures and method of use

Abstract

An internal support apparatus and method for providing support to a tubular structure that is positioned in a wellbore. The apparatus is insertable into the tubular structure to reside in close proximity with an interior surface of the tubular structure, make light contact with an interior surface of the tubular structure, or expand the tubular structure. Thereafter, the support apparatus can remain in the tubular structure indefinitely to provide support against collapse or further collapse and allow the tubular structure to remain in operation.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An internal support apparatus for fixed installation in a tubular structure that is residing in a wellbore, comprising: 
 an elongate body;    at least one support member along a length of the elongate body and projecting outward therefrom, wherein the at least one support member projects at least into close proximity with an interior surface of the tubular structure when the apparatus is inserted into the tubular structure.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongate body is tubular, and further comprising at least one aperture in the elongate body for passage of fluids between an interior and an exterior of the elongate body.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member is at least one ridge running longitudinally on the elongate body.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member is a plurality of ridges running longitudinally on the elongate body and substantially equally spaced about the circumference of the elongate body.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member is wire wrapped around the elongate body.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the wire is wrapped in a pattern to act as a filter.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member is residing in substantially perpendicular relation to the axis of the elongate body.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the at least one support member is changeable from a first position residing in substantially perpendicular relation to the axis of the elongate body to a second position residing at an acute angle to the axis of the elongate body; and 
 wherein in the first position, a longest distance between the at least one support member and the axis of the elongate body is greater than a longest distance between the at least one support member and the axis of the elongate body in the second position.  
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the at least one support member tilts about a tilt axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body from a first position residing in substantially perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body to a second position residing at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body; and 
 wherein a dimension of the at least one support member measured along the tilt axis is smaller than a dimension of the at least one support member measured perpendicular to the tilt axis.  
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member has a sloping surface on one end adapted to expand the tubular structure about the internal support apparatus as the internal support apparatus is inserted into the tubular structure.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongate body has a sloping surface on one end adapted to expand the tubular structure about the internal support apparatus as the internal support apparatus is inserted into the tubular structure.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one seal for substantially sealing the elongate body to the tubular structure.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the at least one seal is at least two seals spaced apart to seal an interval of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular structure is at least partially collapsed, and wherein the at least one support member projects at least into light contact with an interior surface of a collapsed portion of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular structure is at least partially collapsed, and wherein the at least one support member projects radially past an interior surface of a collapsed portion of the tubular structure such that the collapsed portion must expand to receive the support apparatus.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member projects at least into light contact with an interior surface of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular structure is affixed to the wellbore.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member is movable parallel to a radius of the tubular body, and wherein the at least one support member is biased radially outward.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for insertion into a tubular structure that is residing in a wellbore, comprising: 
 a tubular body having at least one slot running in a helical pattern about the body, wherein the slot is adapted to allow the tubular body to be extended axially, and extending the tubular body axially from a first position to a second position contracts the tubular body radially.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein in a second position, a largest dimension of the body measured perpendicular to the axis of the body is less than a smallest internal dimension of the tubular structure measured perpendicular to the axis of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the body has apertures allowing fluid flow between an exterior of the body and an interior of the body.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the body is configured such that when residing in the tubular structure, the body in a first position makes light contact with an interior surface of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the body is configured such that when residing in the tubular structure, the body in a first position expands the tubular structure.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the body is configured such that when residing in a collapsed portion of the tubular structure, the body in a first position expands the collapsed portion of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the body is configured such that in a second position the body passes freely through the tubular structure.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the body is configured such that when residing in the tubular structure, the body in a first position is inset from an interior surface of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising slips at an end of the body configured to engage an interior surface of the tubular structure when the body is in a first position.  
     
     
         28 . A device for internally supporting a tubular structure positioned in a well bore, comprising: 
 an elongate tubular body having apertures that allow fluid communication between an exterior of the tubular body and an interior of the tubular body; and    a wire wrapped mesh about the exterior of the elongate tubular body;    wherein the device is configured such that when residing in the tubular structure, the device is positioned at least in close proximity with an interior surface of the tubular structure.    
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28  wherein the wire wrapped mesh comprises a wire wrapped circumferentially about the exterior of the elongate tubular body.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28  wherein the wire wrapped mesh is configured to filter against passage of sand into the interior of the elongate tubular body.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 28  wherein the elongate tubular body has at least one seal adapted to substantially seal against the tubular structure.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 28  wherein the elongate tubular body has at least two seals residing in spaced relation and adapted to substantially seal against the tubular structure.  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 28  wherein an end of the elongate tubular body has an inwardly sloping surface configured to act as a mandrel.  
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 28  wherein the device makes light contact with an interior surface of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         35 . A device for internal support of a tubular structure, comprising: 
 an elongate body; and    at least one support member changeable from a first position residing in substantially perpendicular relation to the axis of the elongate body to a second position residing at an acute angle to the axis of the elongate body; and    wherein in the first position, a longest distance measured perpendicular to the axis of the elongate body and between the at least one support member and the axis of the elongate body is greater than in the second position.    
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35  wherein in the second position the longest distance is less than a smallest internal dimension of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 35  wherein a height of the at least one support member is greater than a width of the at least one support member.  
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 35  wherein the at least one support member is configured to make light contact with an interior surface of the tubular structure when in the first position.  
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 35  wherein the at least one support member is configured to pass freely through the interior of the tubular structure when in the second position.  
     
     
         40 . An internal support apparatus insertable into a tubular structure that is residing in a wellbore, the support apparatus comprising: 
 an elongate body; and    at least one support member movable between a radially retracted position and a radially extended position;    wherein the at least one support member is biased to the radially extended position.    
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the at least one support member is a semi-elliptic spring.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the at least one support member is biased to the radially extended position by at least one spring.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 40  configured such that when residing in the tubular structure the at least one support member in a radially extended position makes light contact with an interior surface of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 40  wherein when residing in a tubular structure with at least a portion of the tubular structure collapsed, the at least one support member in a radially extended position makes light contact with a substantially uncollapsed portion of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein the at least one support member in a radially retracted position makes light contact with the collapsed portion of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         46 . A method of providing support to a tubular structure that is residing in a wellbore, the method comprising: 
 inserting a tubular body having a plurality of apertures spaced thereabout into the tubular structure;    fixing the tubular body in the borehole; and    moving a mandrel through the tubular body thereby expanding the tubular body into light contact with a interior surface of the tubular structure.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the tubular structure is at least partially collapsed, and wherein the step of moving a mandrel through the tubular body further comprises expanding at least the collapsed portion of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the apertures are slots.  
     
     
         49 . A method for providing support to a tubular structure that is residing in a well, the method comprising: 
 inserting an elongate body having at least one support member into the tubular structure such that the at least one support member resides at least in close proximity with an interior surface of the tubular structure; and    producing fluids from the well through the tubular structure.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the tubular structure is at least partially collapsed and wherein inserting an elongate body into the tubular structure comprises expanding the collapsed portion of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the support member resides in light contact with an interior surface of the tubular structure.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49  further comprising anchoring the elongate body in the wellbore.