System and method for driving pipe

[0002] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/121,907, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claimed benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998.

[0004] This invention relates generally to wellbore casings, and in particular to wellbore casings that are formed using expandable tubing.

[0005] Conventionally, when a wellbore is created, a number of casings are installed in the borehole to prevent collapse of the borehole wall and to prevent undesired outflow of drilling fluid into the formation or inflow of fluid from the formation into the borehole. The borehole is drilled in intervals whereby a casing which is to be installed in a lower borehole interval is lowered through a previously installed casing of an upper borehole interval. As a consequence of this procedure the casing of the lower interval is of smaller diameter than the casing of the upper interval. Thus, the casings are in a nested arrangement with casing diameters decreasing in downward direction. Cement annuli are provided between the outer surfaces of the casings and the borehole wall to seal the casings from the borehole wall. As a consequence of this nested arrangement a relatively large borehole diameter is required at the upper part of the wellbore. Such a large borehole diameter involves increased costs due to heavy casing handling equipment, large drill bits and increased volumes of drilling fluid and drill cuttings. Moreover, increased drilling rig time is involved due to required cement pumping, cement hardening, required equipment changes due to large variations in hole diameters drilled in the course of the well, and the large volume of cuttings drilled and removed.

[0006] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations of the existing procedures for forming wellbores.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of driving a pipe into a subterranean formation is provided that includes driving a hole into the subterranean formation using an expansion cone.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a casing in a wellbore is provided that includes driving a hole into the bottom of the wellbore using an expansion cone and radially expanding the casing using the expansion cone.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a support structure in a shaft is provided that includes driving a hole into the bottom of the shaft using an expansion cone and radially expanding the support structure using the expansion cone.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a wellbore casing is provided that includes an expanded tubular member positioned in intimate contact with the walls of a wellbore. The expanded tubular member is positioned by the process of: driving a hole into the bottom of the wellbore using an expansion cone and radially expanding the tubular member using the expansion cone.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a support structure is provided that includes an expanded tubular member positioned in intimate contact with the walls of a shaft. The expanded tubular member is positioned by the process of: driving a hole into the bottom of the shaft using an expansion cone and radially expanding the tubular member using the expansion cone.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for driving an opening into the bottom of a shaft is provided that includes an expansion cone adapted to radially expand a tubular member and a hammer for driving the expansion cone into the bottom of the shaft.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an apparatus for forming a wellbore casing positioned within a well borehole.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the impact driving of the mandrel of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling of a tubular member to the mandrel of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the injection of a fluidic material into the region below the mandrel of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the continued injection of fluidic material into the apparatus of FIG. 4 in order to radially expand the tubular member.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the completed wellbore casing.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional illustration of the use of the expanded tubular member of FIG. 6 as an underground pipeline.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration of the use of the expanded tubular member of FIG. 6 to provide a structural support for a building structure.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration of the use of the expanded tubular member of FIG. 6 as an underwater anchorage for a drilling ship.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration of the use of the expanded tubular member of FIG. 6 as an underwater anchorage for an offshore platform.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration of the use of the expanded tubular member of FIG. 6 to provide a structural support for a bridge.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration of the use of the expanded tubular member of FIG. 6 to provide a structural support for an office building.

[0025] An apparatus and method for forming a wellbore casing within a subterranean formation is provided. The apparatus and method permits a wellbore casing to be formed in a subterranean formation by placing a tubular member and a mandrel in a new section of a wellbore, driving the mandrel into the bottom of the wellbore, and radially expanding the tubular member into contact with the wellbore. The method and apparatus have general application to the creation and/or repair of wellbore casings, pipelines, and structural supports.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an embodiment of an apparatus and method for forming a wellbore casing will now be described. The apparatus and method may be used to form or repair a wellbore casing, pipeline, or structural support member.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a wellbore 105 is formed in a subterranean formation 110 in a conventional manner. An apparatus 120 for forming a wellbore casing is then positioned within the wellbore 105. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 120 is positioned on the bottom 115 of the wellbore 105. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 120 is used to form a wellbore casing within the wellbore 105. In several alternative embodiments, the apparatus 120 is used to form or repair a wellbore casing, a pipeline, or a structural support.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 120 includes a support member 125, an expansion cone 130, an expandable tubular member 135, and an expansion cone launcher 140.

[0029] The support member 125 is preferably removably coupled to the expansion cone 130. The support member 125 is further preferably adapted to be supported and positioned using conventional equipment. The support member 125 preferably further includes a releasable coupling 145 for releasably engaging the expansion cone 130. The support member 125 further preferably includes a fluid passage 150 for conveying fluidic materials.

[0030] The expansion cone 130 is preferably releasably coupled to the support member 125. The expansion cone 130 is further preferably movably coupled to the expansion cone launcher 140. The expansion cone 130 further preferably includes a fluid passage 155 for conveying fluidic materials.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the expansion cone 130 is further provided substantially as described in one or more of the following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (5) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (6) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (7) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (8) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/143,039, filed on Jul. 9, 1999, (9) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/146,203, filed on Jul. 29, 1999, (10) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/154,047, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, (11) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/159,082, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (12) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/159,039, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (13) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/159,033, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (14) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/162,671, filed on Nov. 01, 1999, and (15) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/165,228, filed on Nov. 12, 1999, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the expandable tubular member 135 is further provided substantially as disclosed in one or more of the following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (2) U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/454,139, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (5) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (6) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (7) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (8) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/143,039, filed on Jul. 9, 1999, (9) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/146,203, filed on Jul. 29, 1999, (10) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/154,047, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, (11) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/159,082, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (12) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/159,039, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (13) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/159,033, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (14) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/162,671, filed on Nov. 01, 1999, and (15) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/165,228, filed on Nov. 12, 1999, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] The expansion cone launcher 140 is preferably coupled to the expandable tubular member 135. The expansion cone launcher 140 is further removably coupled to the expansion cone 130. The expansion cone launcher 140 is further preferably adapted to mate with the expansion cone 130. The expansion cone launcher 140 preferably includes a shoe 150 and a tubular section 155. The expansion cone launcher 140 is preferably adapted to house the expansion cone 130 and facilitate the initiation of the radial expansion of the expandable tubular member 135.

[0034] The shoe 150 is coupled to the tubular section 155. The shoe 150 is preferably adapted to mate with a bottom portion of the expansion cone 130. The shoe 150 is preferably fabricated from a material capable of being drilled out using conventional drilling equipment.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the shoe 150 is further preferably provided as disclosed in one or of the following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claimed benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claimed benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/119,611, filed Feb. 11, 1999, (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/511,941, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/121,907, filed Feb. 26, 1999, (6) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (7) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (8) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (9) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/143,039, filed on Jul. 9, 1999, and (10) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/146,203, filed on Jul. 29, 1999, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

[0036] The tubular section 155 is coupled to the shoe 150 and the lower protion of the expandable tubular member 135. The tubular section 155 is preferably adapted to mate with the expansion cone 130. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the tubular section 155 is less than the wall thickness of the expandable tubular member 135. In this manner, the initiation of the radial expansion of the expandable tubular member 135 is optimally facilitated.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the tubular section 155 is provided substantially as described in one or more of the following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claimed benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which claimed benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/119,611, filed Feb. 11, 1999, (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/511,941, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/121,907, filed Feb. 26, 1999, (6) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (7) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (8) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7, 1999, (9) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/143,039, filed on Jul. 9, 1999, and (10) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/146,203, filed on Jul. 29, 1999 the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus 120 is preferably initially positioned within the wellbore 105 using the support member 125. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe 150 is positioned onto the bottom 115 of the wellbore 105. In a preferred embodiment, during the initial positioning of the apparatus 120 within the wellbore 105, only the expansion cone launcher 140 contacts the interior surface of the wellbore 105. In this manner, drag and frictional forces are minimized.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, the support member 125 is then decoupled from the expansion cone 130 and removed from the wellbore 105. In a preferred embodiment, a hydraulic hammer 205 is then positioned within the wellbore 105 proximate the expansion cone 130. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic hammer 205 is then used to impact and drive the expansion cone 130 into the shoe 150. In a preferred embodiment, in this manner, the shoe 150 is driven deeper within the wellbore 105. In several alternative embodiment, the shoe 155 is driven deeper into the wellbore 105 by driving the top portion of the expandable tubular member 135. In several alternative embodiments, other conventional commercially available impact devices are substituted for the hydraulic hammer 205.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic hammer 205 is then removed from the wellbore 105. In a preferred embodiment, the support member 125 is then recoupled to the expansion cone 130 and the expandable tubular member 135 is coupled to a restraining device 305. In a preferred embodiment, the restraining device 305 is adapted to prevent the expandable tubular member 135 from moving out of the wellbore 105. In this manner, the expandable tubular member 135 is maintained in a substantially stationary position during the radial expansion of the expandable tubular member 135 using the expansion cone 130. The restraining device 305 may be any number of conventional commercially available restraining devices such as, for example, slips or dogs.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, a fluidic material 405 is then injected into the fluid passages 150 and 155 into a chamber 410 positioned below the expansion cone 130. In a preferred embodiment, the injected fluidic material 405 causes the operating pressure within the chamber 410 it increase. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the increased operating pressure within the chamber 410 causes the expansion cone 130 to be axially displaced away from the bottom of the wellbore 105. In this manner, the expansion cone 130 radially expands the expandable tubular member 135. In an alternative embodiment, the expansion cone 130 is pulled out of the wellbore 105. In another alternative embodiment, the expansion cone 130 is pulled out of the wellbore 105 in conjunction with pressurizing the chamber 410.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 6, upon completing the radial expansion process, the support member 125, expansion cone 130, and restraining device 305 are removed. The resulting expanded tubular member 135 preferably provides a wellbore casing. In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the expanded tubular member 135 provides a pipeline that traverses a subterranean formation 200 below the surface of the earth 205. In another alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the expanded tubular member 135 provides a structural support for a building structure 210. In other alternative embodiments, the at least a portion of the expandable tubular member 135 is expanded into contact with a preexisting structure such as, for example, a wellbore casing, a pipeline, or a structural support.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, an annular region 605, within the subterranean formation 110, immediately adjacent to the expanded tubular member 135 is over stressed due to over-expansion of the expandable tubular member 135 during the radial expansion process. In this manner, the frictional forces holding the expanded tubular member 135 in place are increased thereby increasing the load carrying capacity of the expanded tubular member 135.

[0044] In several alternative embodiments, the fluidic material 405 includes curable cement and one or more resilient anchoring devices are at least partially embedded in the cement material. In this manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the expandable tubular member 135 may be coupled to a drilling ship 215 or an offshore platform 220 by an anchorage coupling 225 that extends from the expandable tubular member to the drilling ship or offshore platform positioned on or above the surface of the water 230.

[0045] In several other alternative embodiments, the fluidic material 405 includes curable cement and one or more reinforcement bars are at least partially embedded in the cement material. In this manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the expanded tubular member 135 is used to provide structural pilings and supports for bridges 235, high rise office buildings 240, and other structures.

[0046] A method of driving a pipe into a subterranean formation has been described that includes driving a hole into the subterranean formation using an expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the driving further includes impacting the expansion cone.

[0047] A method of forming a casing in a wellbore has also been described that includes driving a hole into the bottom of the wellbore using an expansion cone and radially expanding the casing using the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the driving further includes impacting the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, radially expanding includes pressurizing a region of the wellbore below the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the casing is expanded into contact with the wellbore

[0048] A method of forming a support structure in a shaft has also been described that includes driving a hole into the bottom of the shaft using an expansion cone and radially expanding the support structure using the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the driving further includes impacting the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the radially expanding includes pressurizing a region of the shaft below the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure is expanded into contact with the shaft.

[0049] A wellbore casing has also been described that includes an expanded tubular member positioned in intimate contact with the walls of a wellbore. The expanded tubular member is positioned by the process of driving a hole into the bottom of the wellbore using an expansion cone and radially expanding the tubular member using the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the driving further includes impacting the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the radially expanding includes pressurizing a region of the wellbore below the expansion cone.

[0050] A support structure has also been described that includes an expanded tubular member positioned in intimate contact with the walls of a shaft. The tubular expanded tubular member is positioned by the process of driving a hole into the bottom of the shaft using an expansion cone and radially expanding the tubular member using the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the driving further includes impacting the expansion cone. In a preferred embodiment, the radially expanding includes pressurizing a region of the wellbore below the expansion cone.

[0051] An apparatus for driving an opening into the bottom of a shaft has also been described that includes an expansion cone adapted to radially expand a tubular member and a hammer for driving the expansion cone into the bottom of the shaft.

[0052] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, changes and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.