Apparatus and methods for expanding tubular elements

Abstract

A method for expanding a tubular in a wellbore uses an expansion apparatus that includes an expansion body disposed on a tool body. The expansion apparatus is positioned in the tubular. The method further includes compressing the expansion body such that an outer surface radially expands the tubular permanently and axially translating the compressed body within the tubular.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the expansion body comprises one or more rings. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the expansion body comprises a cylinder. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the expansion body is mounted coaxially on a longitudinal axis of the tool body. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the expansion body comprises polyurethane. 
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the expansion body is comprised of more than one section. 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the upper shoulder and the lower shoulder are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tool body. 
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the upper shoulder and the lower shoulder are at different angles to a longitudinal axis of the tool body. 
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the tool body comprises a cylinder in which a piston is slidably located, and wherein one of the upper shoulder and the lower shoulder is moveable with the piston. 
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the cylinder is provided with a supply of pressurised fluid for causing movement of the piston. 
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the cylinder has a mechanical arrangement for causing movement of the piston. 
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the upper shoulder is fixed to the tool body by means of an axial shaft around which the expansion body and piston are mounted. 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A method for expanding a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
 positioning an expansion apparatus in the tubular, wherein the expansion apparatus comprises an expansion body disposed on a tool body;   compressing the expansion body such that an outer surface radially expands the tubular permanently; and   axially translating the compressed expansion body within the tubular.   
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising releasing the expansion body from compression such that it returns to its uncompressed shape and moving the expansion apparatus to another location in the wellbore. 
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising repeating expansion of the tubular element at the other location. 
   
   
       22 - 59 . (canceled) 
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the compressing of the expansion body comprises axially moving at least one of an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder towards the other. 
   
   
       61 . A method for expanding a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
 positioning an expansion apparatus the tubular, wherein the expansion apparatus comprises a polyurethane expansion section disposed on a tool body;   axially compressing the polyurethane expansion section to radially expand the tubular into permanent contact with the wellbore; and   axially translating the expansion apparatus within the tubular while the polyurethane expansion section is axially compressed.   
   
   
       62 . A method for expanding a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
 positioning an expansion apparatus the tubular, wherein the expansion apparatus comprises a polyurethane expansion section disposed on a tool body between an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder;   axially translating at least one of the upper shoulder and the lower shoulder towards the other shoulder to axially compress the polyurethane expansion section, wherein the axial compression of the polyurethane expansion section radially expands the tubular; and   axially translating the expansion apparatus within the tubular while the polyurethane expansion section is axially compressed.