Well conduit lining method and system

Abstract

A method of performing an operation in a well having a conduit includes deploying a tube liner having a lay-flat state into a tubular structure positioned in the well. Fluid is injected into the tube liner to radially expand the tube liner to conform to a tubular wall surface of the tubular structure and thereby provide a protected portion of the conduit within the tubular structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of performing an operation in a well having a conduit, the method comprising:
 deploying a tube liner having a lay-flat state into a tubular structure that is positioned in the well; and   injecting fluid into the tube liner to radially expand the tube liner to conform to a tubular wall surface of the tubular structure and thereby provide a protected portion of the conduit within the tubular structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying the tube liner having the lay-flat state comprises selecting the tube liner having an unstretched full diameter in a round state that is larger than an inner diameter of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein injecting fluid into the tube liner to radially expand the tube liner to conform to a tubular wall surface of the tubular structure comprises transforming the tube liner from the lay-flat state to a round state. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying the tube liner having a lay-flat state into the tubular structure in the well comprises:
 providing a continuous lay-flat tubing on a spool;   spooling out the continuous lay-flat tubing into the tubular structure;   terminating the spooling out when a select length of the continuous lay-flat tubing has been deployed in the tubular structure; and   securing the select length of the continuous lay-flat tubing deployed into the tubular structure at a surface above the well.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein spooling out the continuous lay-flat tubing into the tubular structure comprises attaching a dissolvable weight to an end of the continuous lay-flat tubing that is fed into the tubular structure. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein spooling out the continuous lay-flat tubing into the tubular comprises coupling a tractor to an end of the continuous lay-flat tubing that is fed into the tubular structure and operating the tractor to move along the tubular structure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying the tube liner having the lay-flat state into the tubular structure comprises deploying a lay-flat tubing made of a film material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the film of material comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the film of material has a thickness in a range from 0.25 mil to 10 mil. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the film of material has a thickness in a range from 0.25 mil to 5 mil. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying the tube liner having the lay-flat state into the tubular structure comprises deploying a lay-flat tubing made of a flexible fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the well penetrates an injection zone, and further comprising conveying fluid into the injection zone by pumping fluid through the tubular structure conduit. 
     
     
         13 . A system for performing an operation in a well, the system comprising:
 a tubular structure disposed in the well to provide at least a portion of a conduit in the well, the tubular structure having a tubular wall surface;   a spool carrying a continuous lay-flat tubing disposed at a surface above the well, the spool operable to deploy at least a portion of the continuous lay-flat tubing into the tubular structure in the well; and   a pump positioned to inject fluid into the at least a portion of the continuous lay-flat tubing disposed inside the tubular structure.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the continuous lay-flat tubing is made of a film material comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and wherein the film material has a thickness in a range from 0.25 mil to 10 mil. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the continuous lay-flat tubing is made of a flexible fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         16 . An injection well system comprising:
 a well penetrating one or more subsurface formations;   a tubular structure disposed in the well to provide at least a portion of a conduit in the well, the tubular structure having a tubular wall surface;   a tube liner having a lay-flat state disposed inside the tubular structure; and   a pump in fluid communication with the tube liner, the pump operable to inject fluid into the tube liner, wherein pressure of the fluid radially expands the tube liner to conform to the tubular wall surface and thereby provide a protected portion of the conduit within the tubular structure.   
     
     
         17 . The injection well system of  claim 16 , wherein the tube liner has an unstretched full diameter in a round state that is larger than an inner diameter of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         18 . The injection well system of  claim 16 , wherein the tube liner is a lay-flat tubing made of a film material comprising a thermoplastic polymer and having a thickness in a range from 0.25 mil to 10 mil. 
     
     
         19 . The injection well system of  claim 16 , wherein the tube liner is a lay-flat tubing made of a flexible fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         20 . The injection well system of  claim 16 , wherein the tubular structure comprises a casing.