Contractible tubing for production

Abstract

A contracting tubing includes an outer pipe, an inner pipe, and an intermediate layer positioned between the outer pipe and the inner pipe. The intermediate layer includes an elastomer that is swellable in a fluid. A method for using the contracting tubing includes opening a fluid passage in the contracting tubing to the intermediate layer to contact the intermediate layer with a fluid and swell the elastomer. The swelling of the elastomer applies a force on the inner pipe and contracts the inner pipe, such that the inner pipe has a first inner diameter prior to contacting the intermediate layer with the fluid and a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter after contacting the intermediate layer with the fluid.

1 . A tubing, comprising:
 an outer pipe;   an inner pipe positioned concentrically within the outer pipe, wherein the inner pipe and the outer pipe are each metallic; and   an intermediate layer positioned concentrically between the outer pipe and the inner pipe, wherein the intermediate layer comprises an elastomer that is swellable in a fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The tubing of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid passage extending through the inner pipe, wherein the fluid passage fluidly communicates an interior of the inner pipe with the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         3 . The tubing of  claim 2 , further comprising a closure element covering the fluid passage and blocking fluid flow through the fluid passage. 
     
     
         4 . The tubing according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein when the intermediate layer is in a first position prior to contacting the fluid, the inner pipe has a first inner diameter; and   when the intermediate layer is in a second position contacting the fluid, the inner pipe has a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter.   
     
     
         5 . The tubing according to  claim 4 , further comprising a shear pin positioned along the tubing, wherein when the shear pin is broken, the fluid is in communication with the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         6 . The tubing according to  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises:
 a first thickness in the first position ranging from 0.01 to 10 inches; and   a second thickness in the second position ranging from 0.02 to 20 inches.   
     
     
         7 . The tubing according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer comprises a water-swellable elastomer, super absorbent polymers (SAP), and organic/inorganic salts. 
     
     
         8 . The tubing according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner pipe is made of a deformable alloy and the outer pipe is made of a rigid alloy, wherein the rigid alloy has less malleability than the deformable alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The tubing according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises at least one of water and hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 providing a contractible tubing comprising:
 an outer pipe; 
 an inner pipe positioned concentrically within the outer pipe; and 
 an intermediate layer provided concentrically between the outer pipe and the inner pipe, wherein the intermediate layer comprises an elastomer; 
   opening a fluid passage to the intermediate layer to contact the intermediate layer with a fluid and swell the elastomer;   using swelling of the elastomer to apply a force on the inner pipe and contract the inner pipe;   wherein prior to contacting the intermediate layer with the fluid, the inner pipe has a first inner diameter; and   wherein after contacting the intermediate layer with the fluid, the inner pipe has a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein opening the fluid passage comprises breaking a shear pin positioned along the contractible tubing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein breaking the shear pin comprises:
 sending an electrical signal to activate a hydraulic component; and   using the activated hydraulic component to apply a force to the shear pin.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the contractible tubing is provided in a well for moving the fluid from a downhole location to a surface of the well. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid passage is initially closed using a shear pin, and wherein opening the fluid passage comprises increasing a pressure in the well to greater than or equal to a shear off pressure of the shear pin to break the shear pin. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer pipe maintains a constant outer diameter during swelling the elastomer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the contractible tubing has a first thickness prior to swelling the elastomer and a second thickness after swelling, wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are measured along a radial direction from an inner surface of the inner pipe to an outer surface of the outer pipe. 
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 a contractible production tubing in a well, wherein the contractible production tubing comprises:
 an outer pipe; 
 an inner pipe positioned concentrically within the outer pipe; and 
 an intermediate layer provided concentrically between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, wherein the intermediate layer comprises an elastomer that is swellable in a fluid; 
   a fluid passage fluidly connecting an environment around the contractible production tubing to the intermediate layer; and   a closure element blocking fluid flow through the fluid passage.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the closure element is a shear pin having a shear strength of at least 0.1 MPa. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the outer pipe is made of a rigid metal and the inner pipe is made of a deformable alloy, wherein the rigid alloy has less malleability than the deformable alloy. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the elastomer comprises a water-swellable elastomer, super absorbent polymers (SAP), and organic/inorganic salts.