Apparatus and method for running a radially expandable tubular member

Abstract

A tubular apparatus and method, according to which a first tubular member is adapted to be lowered into a well bore and a second tubular member is connected to the first tubular member. A third tubular member is normally connected to the first tubular member and disconnected from the second tubular member, and is adapted for movement relative to the first and second tubular members to disconnect from the first tubular member and connect to the second tubular member.

1 . A tubular apparatus comprising: 
 a first tubular member adapted to be lowered into a well bore;    a second tubular member connected to the first tubular member; and    a third tubular member normally connected to the first tubular member and disconnected from the second tubular member, and adapted for movement relative to the first and second tubular members to disconnect from the first tubular member and conmect to the second tubular member.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the third tubular member moves relative to the first and second tubular members in response to at least one of the first and second tubular members encountering a resistance in the well bore.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the third tubular member moves axially relative to the first and second tubular members.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or  2  further comprising means for applying a torque to the third tubular member when it has been disconnected from the first tubular member and connected to the second tubular member.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  where the torque is transferred from the third tubular member to the second tubular member to enable the resistance to be overcome.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the third tubular member moves in one direction relative to the first and second tubular members in response to one of the members encountering a predetermined resistance in the well bore.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the third tubular member is adapted to move relative to the first and second tubular members in a direction opposite the one direction to disconnect from the second tubular member and reconnect with the first tubular member.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising means for applying a torque to the third tubular member after the first tubular member has been disconnected from the second tubular member and reconnected to the first tubular member.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a fourth tubular member threadedly connected to the first tubular member, and wherein the torque is transferred from the third tubular member to the first tubular member to disconnect the threaded connection between the fourth tubular member and the first tubular member.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising means for introducing a sealing material through the tubular members for passage into the well bore, and means for applying a torque to the third tubular member when it has been disconnected from the first tubular member and connected to the second tubular member to transfer the torque from the third tubular member to the second tubular member to distribute the material in the well bore.  
   
   
       11 . A method comprising: 
 lowering a first tubular member into a well bore;    connecting a second tubular member to the first tubular member;    connecting a third tubular member to the first tubular member; and    moving the third tubular member relative to the first and second tubular members to disconnect the third tubular member from the first tubular member and connect the third tubular member to the second tubular member.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the third tubular member moves relative to the first and second tubular members in response to at least one of the first and second tubular members encountering a resistance in the well bore.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the third tubular member moves axially relative to the first and second tubular members.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  or  12  further comprising applying a torque to the third tubular member after the step of moving.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  where the torque is transferred from the third tubular member to the second third tubular member to enable the resistance to be overcome.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the third tubular member moves in one direction relative to the first and second tubular members in response to one of the members encountering a predetermined resistance in the well bore.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising moving the third tubular member relative to the first and second tubular members in a direction opposite the one direction to disconnect from the second tubular member and reconnect with the first tubular member.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising applying a torque to the third tubular member after the first tubular member has been disconnected from the second tubular member and reconnected to the first tubular member.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising threadedly connecting a fourth tubular member to the first tubular member, and wherein the torque is transferred from the third tubular member to the first tubular member to disconnect the threaded connection between the fourth tubular member and the first tubular member.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising introducing a sealing material through the tubular members for passage into the well bore, and applying a torque to the third tubular member when it has been disconnected from the first tubular member and connected to the second tubular member to transfer the torque from the third tubular member to the second tubular member to distribute the material in the well bore.  
   
   
       21 . A method comprising: 
 connecting an apparatus to an upper portion of an expandable tubular member to place the expandable tubular member in tension; and lowering the apparatus and the expandable tubular member into a well bore, the apparatus supporting at least a portion of the expandable tubular member during the lowering.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising applying torque to the expandable tubular member.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising placing the apparatus and the expandable tubular member in condition for an expansion procedure.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising placing the apparatus and the expandable tubular member in condition for an expansion procedure.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising applying torque to the apparatus and transmitting the torque to the expandable tubular member.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising overcoming a resistance in the well bore.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising introducing a sealing material into the well bore and further comprising distributing the material in the well bore during the transmitting of the torque to the expandable tubular member.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising placing the apparatus and the expandable tubular member in condition for an expansion procedure.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising placing the apparatus and the expandable tubular member in condition for an expansion procedure.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising placing the apparatus and the expandable tubular member in condition for an expansion procedure.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 21  wherein a tubular member of the apparatus is connected to the upper portion of the expandable tubular member.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising applying torque to the apparatus and transmitting the torque to the expandable tubular member and to the tubular member of the apparatus.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising disconnecting the tubular member of the apparatus from the apparatus and placing the apparatus and the expandable tubular member in condition for an expansion procedure.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising disconnecting the tubular member of the apparatus from the apparatus and placing the apparatus and the expandable tubular member in condition for an expansion procedure.