U.S. patent application number 11/944087 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for protective sleeve for expandable tubulars.
Invention is credited to Scott Costa, Jose Menchaca, Lev Ring.
Application Number | 20080066930 11/944087 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32030828 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080066930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Costa; Scott ; et
al. |
March 20, 2008 |
Protective Sleeve For Expandable Tubulars
Abstract
A protective sleeve for expandable tubulars.
Inventors: |
Costa; Scott; (Kingwood,
TX) ; Ring; Lev; (Houston, TX) ; Menchaca;
Jose; (Houston, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SPALDING, LLP
1100 LOUISIANA ST., STE. 4000
ATTN.: IP Docketing
HOUSTON
TX
77002-5213
US
|
Family ID: |
32030828 |
Appl. No.: |
11/944087 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10528223 |
Aug 4, 2005 |
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PCT/US03/25707 |
Aug 18, 2003 |
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11944087 |
Nov 21, 2007 |
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10525402 |
Feb 23, 2005 |
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PCT/US2003/025676 |
Aug 18, 2003 |
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10528223 |
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60412196 |
Sep 20, 2002 |
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60405394 |
Aug 23, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/380 ;
166/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/105 20130101;
E21B 17/042 20130101; E21B 43/103 20130101; E21B 43/106 20130101;
E21B 17/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/380 ;
166/207 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/10 20060101
E21B043/10; E21B 19/16 20060101 E21B019/16; E21B 23/02 20060101
E21B023/02 |
Claims
1. An assembly, comprising: a first tubular member comprising a pin
member including external threads; an external sleeve comprising: a
first box member at one end including internal threads coupled to
the external threads of the pin member of the first tubular member;
and a second box member at another end including internal threads;
a second tubular member comprising a pin member including external
threads coupled to the internal threads of the second box member of
the external sleeve; and an internal sleeve that receives the ends
of the pin members of the first and second tubular members
comprising an external flange that engages the ends of the pin
members of the first and second tubular members and the external
sleeve.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the external flange of the
internal sleeve defines an upper annular recess for receiving and
mating with the first tubular member; and wherein the external
flange of the internal sleeve further defines a lower annular
recess for receiving and mating with the second tubular member.
3. A method for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: positioning
the assembly of claim 1 within a borehole that traverses a
subterranean formation; and radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the borehole.
4. A method for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: positioning
the assembly of claim 2 within a borehole that traverses a
subterranean formation; and radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the borehole.
5. An apparatus, comprising: a wellbore that traverses a
subterranean formation; and a wellbore casing positioned within and
coupled to the wellbore; wherein the wellbore casing is coupled to
the wellbore by a process comprising: positioning the assembly of
claim 1 within the wellbore; and radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the wellbore.
6. An apparatus, comprising: a wellbore that traverses a
subterranean formation; and a wellbore casing positioned within and
coupled to the wellbore; wherein the wellbore casing is coupled to
the wellbore by a process comprising: positioning the assembly of
claim 2 within the wellbore; and radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the wellbore.
7. A system for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: means for
positioning the assembly of claim 1 within a borehole that
traverses a subterranean formation; and means for radially
expanding and plastically deforming the assembly within the
borehole.
8. A system for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: means for
positioning the assembly of claim 2 within a borehole that
traverses a subterranean formation; and means for radially
expanding and plastically deforming the assembly within the
borehole.
9. An assembly, comprising: a first tubular member comprising a pin
member including external threads; a second tubular member
comprising a box member including internal threads coupled to the
external threads of the pin member of the first tubular sleeve; and
an external sleeve coupled to and overlapping with the ends of the
first and second tubular members; wherein the external threads of
the pin member of the first tubular member comprise a plurality of
spaced apart groups of external threads; and wherein the internal
threads of the box member of the second tubular member comprise a
plurality of spaced apart groups of internal threads.
10. An assembly, comprising: a first tubular member comprising a
pin member including external threads; a second tubular member
comprising a box member including internal threads coupled to the
external threads of the pin member of the first tubular sleeve; and
an external sleeve coupled to and overlapping with the ends of the
first and second tubular members; wherein the external surface end
of the pin member of the first tubular member comprises a stress
concentrator.
11. An assembly, comprising: a first tubular member comprising a
pin member including external threads; a second tubular member
comprising a box member including internal threads coupled to the
external threads of the pin member of the first tubular sleeve; and
an external sleeve coupled to and overlapping with the ends of the
first and second tubular members; wherein the external threads of
the pin member of the first tubular member comprise a plurality of
spaced apart groups of external threads; wherein the internal
threads of the box member of the second tubular member comprise a
plurality of spaced apart groups of internal threads; and wherein
the external surface end of the pin member of the first tubular
member comprises a stress concentrator.
12. A method for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: positioning
the assembly of claim 9 within a borehole that traverses a
subterranean formation; and radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the borehole.
13. A method for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: positioning
the assembly of claim 10 within a borehole that traverses a
subterranean formation; and radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the borehole.
14. A method for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: positioning
the assembly of claim 11 within a borehole that traverses a
subterranean formation; and radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the borehole.
15. An apparatus, comprising: a wellbore that traverses a
subterranean formation; and a wellbore casing positioned within and
coupled to the wellbore; wherein the wellbore casing is coupled to
the wellbore by a process comprising: positioning the assembly of
claim 9 within the wellbore; and radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the wellbore.
16. An apparatus, comprising: a wellbore that traverses a
subterranean formation; and a wellbore casing positioned within and
coupled to the wellbore; wherein the wellbore casing is coupled to
the wellbore by a process comprising: positioning the assembly of
claim 10 within the wellbore; and radially expanding and
plastically deforming the assembly within the wellbore.
17. An apparatus, comprising: a wellbore that traverses a
subterranean formation; and a wellbore casing positioned within and
coupled to the wellbore; wherein the wellbore casing is coupled to
the wellbore by a process comprising: positioning the assembly of
claim 11 within the wellbore; and radially expanding and
plastically deforming the assembly within the wellbore.
18. A system for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: means for
positioning the assembly of claim 9 within a borehole that
traverses a subterranean formation; and means for radially
expanding and plastically deforming the assembly within the
borehole.
19. A system for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: means for
positioning the assembly of claim 10 within a borehole that
traverses a subterranean formation; and means for radially
expanding and plastically deforming the assembly within the
borehole.
20. A system for forming a wellbore casing, comprising: means for
positioning the assembly of claim 11 within a borehole that
traverses a subterranean formation; and means for radially
expanding and plastically deforming the assembly within the
borehole.
21. A method for providing a fluid tight seal between a first
tubular member that is threadably coupled to a second tubular
member, comprising: providing a stress concentrator on at least one
of the first and second tubular members; and radially expanding and
plastically deforming the first and second tubular members.
22. A method for providing a fluid tight seal between a first
tubular member comprising external threads and a second tubular
member comprising internal threads, wherein the external threads of
the first tubular member engage the internal threads of the second
tubular member, comprising: spacing apart the external and internal
threads of the first and second tubular members into a plurality of
groups; and radially expanding and plastically deforming the first
and second tubular members.
23. The assembly of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one of: the
interface between the first tubular member and the external sleeve,
the interface between the second tubular member and the external
sleeve, the interface between the first tubular member and the
internal sleeve, and the interface between the second tubular
member and the internal sleeve provide a fluid tight seal.
24. The method of claims 3 or 4, wherein, following the radial
expansion and plastic deformation, at least one of: the interface
between the first tubular member and the external sleeve, the
interface between the second tubular member and the external
sleeve, the interface between the first tubular member and the
internal sleeve, and the interface between the second tubular
member and the internal sleeve provide a fluid tight seal.
25. The apparatus of claims 5 or 6, wherein, following the radial
expansion and plastic deformation, at least one of: the interface
between the first tubular member and the external sleeve, the
interface between the second tubular member and the external
sleeve, the interface between the first tubular member and the
internal sleeve, and the interface between the second tubular
member and the internal sleeve provide a fluid tight seal.
26. The assembly of claims 9, 10, or 11, wherein, at least one of:
the interface between the first tubular member and the second
tubular member, the interface between the first tubular member and
the external sleeve, and the interface between the second tubular
member and the external provide a fluid tight seal.
27. The method of claims 12, 13, or 14, wherein, following the
radial expansion and plastic deformation, at least one of: the
interface between the first tubular member and the second tubular
member, the interface between the first tubular member and the
external sleeve, and the interface between the second tubular
member and the external provide a fluid tight seal.
28. The apparatus of claims 15, 16, or 17, wherein, following the
radial expansion and plastic deformation, at least one of: the
interface between the first tubular member and the second tubular
member, the interface between the first tubular member and the
external sleeve, and the interface between the second tubular
member and the external provide a fluid tight seal.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is the National Stage patent
application for PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2003/025707, attorney docket No. 25791.127.02, filed on Aug.
18, 2003, which claimed the benefit of the filing dates of (1) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,196, attorney docket
no 25791.127, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
utility patent application Ser. No. ______, attorney docket No.
25791.120.______, filed on ______, which is a National Stage patent
application of PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2003/025676, attorney docket No. 25791.120.02, filed on Aug.
18, 2003, which claimed the benefit of the filing dates of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/405,394, attorney docket
no 25791.120, filed on Aug. 23, 2002, which was a
continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No.
______, attorney docket No. 25791.119.______, filed on ______,
which is a National Stage patent application of PCT patent
application serial number PCT/US2003/025677, attorney docket No.
25791.119.02, filed on Aug. 18, 2003, which claimed the benefit of
the filing dates of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/405,610 attorney docket no 25791.119, filed on Aug. 23, 2002,
which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent application
Ser. No. 10/______, attorney docket No. 25791.106.05, filed on Jan.
19, 2005, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent
application Ser. No. 10/511,410, attorney docket No. 25791.101.05,
filed on Oct. 14, 2004 which claimed the benefit of the filing date
of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/372,632,
attorney docket No. 25791.101, filed on Apr. 15, 2002, which was a
continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No.
10/510,966, attorney docket No. 25791.93.05, filed on Oct. 12,
2004, which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/372,048, attorney docket
No. 25791.93, filed on Apr. 12, 2002, which was a
continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No.
10/500,745, attorney docket No. 25791.92.05, filed on Jul. 6, 2004,
which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 10/500,745, attorney docket number
25791.92, filed on Dec. 10, 2002.
[0003] The present application is related to the following: (1)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket No.
25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, (2) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/510,913, attorney docket No. 25791.7.02, filed on Feb.
23, 2000, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney
docket No. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, (4) U.S. Pat. No.
6,328,113, (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,460,
attorney docket No. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (6) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket No.
25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, (7) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/511,941, attorney docket No. 25791.16.02, filed on Feb.
24, 2000, (8) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney
docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, (9) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02,
filed on Apr. 26, 2000, (10) PCT patent application serial no.
PCT/US00/18635, attorney docket No. 25791.25.02, filed on Jul. 9,
2000, (11) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/162,671,
attorney docket No. 25791.27, filed on Nov. 1, 1999, (12) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/154,047, attorney docket
No. 25791.29, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, (13) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/159,082, attorney docket No. 25791.34,
filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (14) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/159,039, attorney docket no. 25791.36, filed on Oct.
12, 1999, (15) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/159,033, attorney docket No. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999,
(16) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/212,359,
attorney docket No. 25791.38, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, (17) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/165,228, attorney docket
No. 25791.39, filed on Nov. 12, 1999, (18) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/221,443, attorney docket No. 25791.45,
filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (19) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/221,645, attorney docket no. 25791.46, filed on Jul.
28, 2000, (20) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/233,638, attorney docket No. 25791.47, filed on Sep. 18, 2000,
(21) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/237,334,
attorney docket No. 25791.48, filed on Oct. 2, 2000, (22) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/270,007, attorney docket
No. 25791.50, filed on Feb. 20, 2001, (23) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/262,434, attorney docket No. 25791.51,
filed on Jan. 17, 2001, (24) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/259,486, attorney docket no. 25791.52, filed on Jan. 3,
2001, (25) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,740,
attorney docket No. 25791.61, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (26) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/313,453, attorney docket
No. 25791.59, filed on Aug. 20, 2001, (27) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/317,985, attorney docket No. 25791.67,
filed on Sep. 6, 2001, (28) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/3318,386, attorney docket No. 25791.67.02, filed on
Sep. 10, 2001, (29) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No.
09/969,922, attorney docket No. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001,
(30) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/016,467, attorney
docket no. 25791.70, filed on Dec. 10, 2001, (31) U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/343,674, attorney docket No.
25791.68, filed on Dec. 27, 2001, (32) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/346,309, attorney docket no 25791.92, filed
on Jan. 7, 2002, (33) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/372,048, attorney docket No. 25791.93, filed on Apr. 12, 2002,
(34) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/380,147,
attorney docket No. 25791.104, filed on May 6, 2002, (35) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/387,486, attorney docket
No. 25791.107, filed on Jun. 10, 2002, (36) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/387,961, attorney docket no. 25791.108,
filed on Jun. 12, 2002, (37) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/394,703, attorney docket No. 25791.90, filed on Jun.
26, 2002, (38) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/397,284, attorney docket No. 25791.106, filed on Jul. 19, 2002,
(39) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/398,061,
attorney docket No. 25791.110, filed on Jul. 24, 2002, (40) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/405,610, attorney docket
No. 25791.119, filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (41) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/405,394, attorney docket no. 25791.120,
filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (43) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60412,653, attorney docket No. 25791.118, filed on Sep.
20, 2002, (44) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/412,544, attorney docket No. 25791.121, filed on Sep. 20, 2002,
(45) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,187,
attorney docket No. 25791.128, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (46) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,371, attorney docket
No. 25791.129, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (47) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/412,542, attorney docket no. 25791.102,
filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (48) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/412,487, attorney docket No. 25791.112, filed on Sep.
20, 2002, and (49) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/412,488, attorney docket No. 25791.114, filed on Sep. 20, 2002,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates generally to oil and gas exploration,
and in particular to forming and repairing wellbore casings to
facilitate oil and gas exploration.
[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] During oil exploration, a wellbore typically traverses a
number of zones within a subterranean formation. Wellbore casings
are then formed in the wellbore by radially expanding and
plastically deforming tubular members that are coupled to one
another by threaded connections existing methods for radially
expanding and plastically deforming tubular members coupled to one
another by threaded connections are not always reliable and do not
always produce satisfactory results. In particular, the threaded
connections can be damaged during the radial expansion process.
Furthermore, the threaded connections between adjacent tubular
members, whether radially expanded or not, are typically not
sufficiently coupled to permit the transmission of energy through
the tubular members from the surface to the downhole location.
Further, the damaged threads may permit undesirable leakage between
the inside of the casing and the exterior of the casing.
[0007] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more
of the limitations of the existing procedures for forming and/or
repairing wellbore casings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an
assembly is provided that includes a first tubular member
comprising a pin member including external threads, an external
sleeve including: a first box member at one end including internal
threads coupled to the external threads of the pin member of the
first tubular member, and a second box member at another end
including internal threads, a second tubular member comprising a
pin member including external threads coupled to the internal
threads of the second box member of the external sleeve, and an
internal sleeve that receives the ends of the pin members of the
first and second tubular members comprising an external flange that
engages the ends of the pin members of the first and second tubular
members and the external sleeve.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for forming a wellbore casing is provided that includes
positioning any one, portion, or combination, of the exemplary
embodiments described and illustrated within the present
application within a borehole that traverses a subterranean
formation, and radially expanding and plastically deforming the
assembly within the borehole.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus is provided that includes a wellbore that traverses a
subterranean formation, and a wellbore casing positioned within and
coupled to the wellbore. The wellbore casing is coupled to the
wellbore by a process including: positioning any one, portion, or
combination, of the exemplary embodiments described and illustrated
within the present application within the wellbore, and radially
expanding and plastically deforming the assembly within the
wellbore.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
system for forming a wellbore casing is provided that includes
means for positioning any one, portion, or combination, of the
exemplary embodiments described and illustrated within the present
application within a borehole that traverses a subterranean
formation, and means for radially expanding and plastically
deforming the assembly within the borehole.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
assembly is provided that includes a first tubular member
comprising a pin member including external threads, a second
tubular member comprising a box member including internal threads
coupled to the external threads of the pin member of the first
tubular sleeve, and an external sleeve coupled to and overlapping
with the ends of the first and second tubular members.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for providing a fluid tight seal between a first tubular
member that is threadably coupled to a second tubular member is
provided that includes providing a stress concentrator one at least
one of the first and second tubular members, and radially expanding
and plastically deforming the first and second tubular members.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for providing a fluid tight seal between a first tubular
member comprising external threads and a second tubular member
comprising internal threads, wherein the external threads of the
first tubular member engage the internal threads of the second
tubular member, is provided that includes spacing apart the
external and internal threads of the first and second tubular
members into a plurality of groups, and radially expanding and
plastically deforming the first and second tubular members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of an
embodiment of a first tubular coupled to a second tubular by
internal and external sleeves.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of
another embodiment of a first tubular coupled to a second tubular
by internal and external sleeves.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional illustration of an
embodiment of a first tubular member coupled to a second tubular
member including an internal sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a first tubular member 10 that defines
a passage 10a includes a pin member 12 that includes external
threads 14 that engage internal threads 16 of a first box member 18
of an external sleeve 20. Internal threads 22 of a second box
member 24 of the external sleeve 20 engage external threads 26 of a
pin member 28 of a second tubular member 30 that defines a passage
30a. An internal sleeve 32 having an external flange 34 including
upper and lower torque shoulders, 36 and 38, is coupled to the ends
of the pin members, 12 and 28, of the first and second tubular
members, 10 and 30, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the
torque shoulders, 36 and 38, of the external flange 34 of the
internal sleeve 32 engage and mate with corresponding torque
shoulders, 40 and 42, provided on the ends of the pin members, 12
and 28, respectively, and the external surface of the external
flange engages the internal surface of the external sleeve 20. The
first tubular member 10, the external sleeve 20, the second tubular
member 30, and the internal sleeve 32 may be radially expanded and
plastically deformed using any number of conventional methods and
apparatus and/or as disclosed in one or more of the following: (1)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket No.
25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, (2) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/510,913, attorney docket No. 25791.7.02, filed on Feb.
23, 2000, (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney
docket No. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb. 10, 2000, (4) U.S. Pat. No.
6,328,113, (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,460,
attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, (6) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no.
25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, (7) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/511,941, attorney docket No. 25791.16.02, filed on Feb.
24, 2000, (8) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney
docket No. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, (9) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket No. 25791.23.02,
filed on Apr. 26, 2000, (10) PCT patent application serial no.
PCT/US00/18635, attorney docket No. 25791.25.02, filed on Jul. 9,
2000, (11) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/162,671,
attorney docket No. 25791.27, filed on Nov. 1, 1999, (12) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/154,047, attorney docket
No. 25791.29, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, (13) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/159,082, attorney docket no. 25791.34,
filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (14) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/159,039, attorney docket No. 25791.36, filed on Oct.
12, 1999, (15) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/159,033, attorney docket No. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999,
(16) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/212,359,
attorney docket No. 25791.38, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, (17) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/165,228, attorney docket
No. 25791.39, filed on Nov. 12, 1999, (18) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/221,443, attorney docket no. 25791.45,
filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (19) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/221,645, attorney docket No. 25791.46, filed on Jul.
28, 2000, (20) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/233,638, attorney docket No. 25791.47, filed on Sep. 18, 2000,
(21) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/237,334,
attorney docket No. 25791.48, filed on Oct. 2, 2000, (22) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/270,007, attorney docket
No. 25791.50, filed on Feb. 20, 2001, (23) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/262,434, attorney docket no. 25791.51,
filed on Jan. 17, 2001, (24) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/259,486, attorney docket No. 25791.52, filed on Jan. 3,
2001, (25) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,740,
attorney docket No. 25791.61, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (26) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/313,453, attorney docket
No. 25791.59, filed on Aug. 20, 2001, (27) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/317,985, attorney docket No. 25791.67,
filed on Sep. 6, 2001, (28) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/3318,386, attorney docket No. 25791.67.02, filed on
Sep. 10, 2001, (29) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No.
09/969,922, attorney docket No. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001,
(30) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/016,467, attorney
docket no. 25791.70, filed on Dec. 10, 2001, (31) U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/343,674, attorney docket No.
25791.68, filed on Dec. 27, 2001, (32) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/346,309, attorney docket no 25791.92, filed
on Jan. 7, 2002, (33) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/372,048, attorney docket No. 25791.93, filed on Apr. 12, 2002,
(34) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/380,147,
attorney docket No. 25791.104, filed on May 6, 2002, (35) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/387,486, attorney docket
No. 25791.107, filed on Jun. 10, 2002, (36) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/387,961, attorney docket no. 25791.108,
filed on Jun. 12, 2002, (37) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/394,703, attorney docket No. 25791.90, filed on Jun.
26, 2002, (38) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/397,284, attorney docket No. 25791.106, filed on Jul. 19, 2002,
(39) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/398,061,
attorney docket No. 25791.110, filed on Jul. 24, 2002, (40) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/405,610, attorney docket
No. 25791.119, filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (41) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/405,394, attorney docket no. 25791.120,
filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (43) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60412,653, attorney docket No. 25791.118, filed on Sep.
20, 2002, (44) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/412,544, attorney docket No. 25791.121, filed on Sep. 20, 2002,
(45) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,187,
attorney docket No. 25791.128, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (46) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,371, attorney docket
No. 25791.129, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (47) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/412,542, attorney docket no. 25791.102,
filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (48) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/412,487, attorney docket No. 25791.112, filed on Sep.
20, 2002, and (49) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/412,488, attorney docket No. 25791.114, filed on Sep. 20, 2002,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the radial expansion and plastic
deformation of the first tubular member 10, the external sleeve 20,
the second tubular member 30, and the internal sleeve 32 causes the
interfaces between one or more of the first tubular member,
external sleeve, second tubular member, and/or the internal sleeve
to be fluid tight.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, a first tubular member 110 that defines
a passage 110a includes a pin member 112 that includes external
threads 114 that engage internal threads 116 of a first box member
118 of an external sleeve 120. Internal threads 122 of a second box
member 124 of the external sleeve 120 engage external threads 126
of a pin member 128 of a second tubular member 130 that defines a
passage 130a. The ends of the pin members, 112 and 126, of the
first and second tubular members, 110 and 130, mate with and are
received within upper and lower annular recesses, 132 and 134,
defined within an external flange 136 of an internal sleeve 138,
and the external surface of the external flange of the internal
sleeve engages the internal surface of the external sleeve 120. The
first tubular member 110, the external sleeve 120, the second
tubular member 122, and the internal sleeve 138 may be radially
expanded and plastically deformed using any number of conventional
methods and apparatus and/or as disclosed in one or more of the
following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139,
attorney docket No. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, (2) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, attorney docket No.
25791.7.02, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, (3) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket No. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb.
10, 2000, (4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, (5) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/523,460, attorney docket No. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar.
10, 2000, (6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney
docket No. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, (7) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/511,941, attorney docket No. 25791.16.02,
filed on Feb. 24, 2000, (8) U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/588,946, attorney docket No. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000,
(9) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket
No. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr. 26, 2000, (10) PCT patent
application serial no. PCT/US00/18635, attorney docket No.
25791.25.02, filed on Jul. 9, 2000, (11) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/162,671, attorney docket No. 25791.27,
filed on Nov. 1, 1999, (12) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/154,047, attorney docket no. 25791.29, filed on Sep.
16, 1999, (13) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/159,082, attorney docket No. 25791.34, filed on Oct. 12, 1999,
(14) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,039,
attorney docket No. 25791.36, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (15) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,033, attorney docket
No. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (16) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/212,359, attorney docket No. 25791.38,
filed on Jun. 19, 2000, (17) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/165,228, attorney docket no. 25791.39, filed on Nov.
12, 1999, (18) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/221,443, attorney docket No. 25791.45, filed on Jul. 28, 2000,
(19) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/221,645,
attorney docket No. 25791.46, filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (20) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/233,638, attorney docket
No. 25791.47, filed on Sep. 18, 2000, (21) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/237,334, attorney docket No. 25791.48,
filed on Oct. 2, 2000, (22) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/270,007, attorney docket no. 25791.50, filed on Feb.
20, 2001, (23) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/262,434, attorney docket No. 25791.51, filed on Jan. 17, 2001,
(24) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/259,486,
attorney docket No. 25791.52, filed on Jan. 3, 2001, (25) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,740, attorney docket
No. 25791.61, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (26) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/313,453, attorney docket No. 25791.59,
filed on Aug. 20, 2001, (27) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/317,985, attorney docket No. 25791.67, filed on Sep. 6,
2001, (28) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/3318,386, attorney docket No. 25791.67.02, filed on Sep. 10,
2001, (29) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922,
attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, (30) U.S.
utility patent application Ser. No. 10/016,467, attorney docket No.
25791.70, filed on Dec. 10, 2001, (31) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/343,674, attorney docket No. 25791.68,
filed on Dec. 27, 2001, (32) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/346,309, attorney docket no 25791.92, filed on Jan. 7,
2002, (33) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/372,048,
attorney docket No. 25791.93, filed on Apr. 12, 2002, (34) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/380,147, attorney docket
no. 25791.104, filed on May 6, 2002, (35) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/387,486, attorney docket No. 25791.107,
filed on Jun. 10, 2002, (36) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/387,961, attorney docket No. 25791.108, filed on Jun.
12, 2002, (37) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/394,703, attorney docket No. 25791.90, filed on Jun. 26, 2002,
(38) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/397,284,
attorney docket No. 25791.106, filed on Jul. 19, 2002, (39) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/398,061, attorney docket
no. 25791.110, filed on Jul. 24, 2002, (40) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/405,610, attorney docket No. 25791.119,
filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (41) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/405,394, attorney docket No. 25791.120, filed on Aug.
23, 2002, (43) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60412,653, attorney docket No. 25791.118, filed on Sep. 20, 2002,
(44) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,544,
attorney docket No. 25791.121, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (45) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,187, attorney docket
no. 25791.128, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (46) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/412,371, attorney docket No. 25791.129,
filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (47) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/412,542, attorney docket No. 25791.102, filed on Sep.
20, 2002, (48) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/412,487, attorney docket No. 25791.112, filed on Sep. 20, 2002,
and (49) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,488,
attorney docket No. 25791.114, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the radial expansion and plastic
deformation of the first tubular member 110, the external sleeve
120, the second tubular member 130, and the internal sleeve 138
causes the interfaces between one or more of the first tubular
member, external sleeve, second tubular member, and/or the internal
sleeve to be fluid tight.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, a first tubular member 210 that defines
a passage 210a includes a pin member 212 that includes spaced apart
external threads, 214a, 214b, and 214c, that engage corresponding
spaced apart internal threads, 216a, 216b, and 216c, of a box
member 218 of a second tubular member 220 that defines a passage
220a. An external sleeve 222 is coupled and overlaps with the
external surfaces of the first and second tubular members 210 and
220. An annular recess 224 is provided in the external surface of
the end of the pin member 212 of the first tubular member 210 for
reasons to be described. The first tubular member 210, the second
tubular member 220, and the external sleeve 222 may be radially
expanded and plastically deformed using any number of conventional
methods and apparatus and/or as disclosed in one or more of the
following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139,
attorney docket No. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, (2) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/510,913, attorney docket No.
25791.7.02, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, (3) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket No. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb.
10, 2000, (4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, (5) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/523,460, attorney docket No. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar.
10, 2000, (6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney
docket No. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, (7) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/511,941, attorney docket No. 25791.16.02,
filed on Feb. 24, 2000, (8) U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/588,946, attorney docket No. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000,
(9) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket
No. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr. 26, 2000, (10) PCT patent
application serial no. PCT/US00/18635, attorney docket No.
25791.25.02, filed on Jul. 9, 2000, (11) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/162,671, attorney docket No. 25791.27,
filed on Nov. 1, 1999, (12) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/154,047, attorney docket no. 25791.29, filed on Sep.
16, 1999, (13) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/159,082, attorney docket No. 25791.34, filed on Oct. 12, 1999,
(14) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,039,
attorney docket No. 25791.36, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (15) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/159,033, attorney docket
No. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (16) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/212,359, attorney docket No. 25791.38,
filed on Jun. 19, 2000, (17) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/165,228, attorney docket no. 25791.39, filed on Nov.
12, 1999, (18) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/221,443, attorney docket No. 25791.45, filed on Jul. 28, 2000,
(19) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/221,645,
attorney docket No. 25791.46, filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (20) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/233,638, attorney docket
No. 25791.47, filed on Sep. 18, 2000, (21) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/237,334, attorney docket No. 25791.48,
filed on Oct. 2, 2000, (22) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/270,007, attorney docket no. 25791.50, filed on Feb.
20, 2001, (23) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/262,434, attorney docket No. 25791.51, filed on Jan. 17, 2001,
(24) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/259,486,
attorney docket No. 25791.52, filed on Jan. 3, 2001, (25) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,740, attorney docket
No. 25791.61, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (26) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/313,453, attorney docket No. 25791.59,
filed on Aug. 20, 2001, (27) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/317,985, attorney docket No. 25791.67, filed on Sep. 6,
2001, (28) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/3318,386, attorney docket No. 25791.67.02, filed on Sep. 10,
2001, (29) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922,
attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, (30) U.S.
utility patent application Ser. No. 10/016,467, attorney docket No.
25791.70, filed on Dec. 10, 2001, (31) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/343,674, attorney docket No. 25791.68,
filed on Dec. 27, 2001, (32) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/346,309, attorney docket no 25791.92, filed on Jan. 7,
2002, (33) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/372,048,
attorney docket No. 25791.93, filed on Apr. 12, 2002, (34) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/380,147, attorney docket
no. 25791.104, filed on May 6, 2002, (35) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/387,486, attorney docket No. 25791.107,
filed on Jun. 10, 2002, (36) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/387,961, attorney docket No. 25791.108, filed on Jun.
12, 2002, (37) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/394,703, attorney docket No. 25791.90, filed on Jun. 26, 2002,
(38) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/397,284,
attorney docket No. 25791.106, filed on Jul. 19, 2002, (39) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/398,061, attorney docket
no. 25791.110, filed on Jul. 24, 2002, (40) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/405,610, attorney docket No. 25791.119,
filed on Aug. 23, 2002, (41) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/405,394, attorney docket No. 25791.120, filed on Aug.
23, 2002, (43) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60412,653, attorney docket No. 25791.118, filed on Sep. 20, 2002,
(44) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,544,
attorney docket No. 25791.121, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (45) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,187, attorney docket
no. 25791.128, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (46) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/412,371, attorney docket No. 25791.129,
filed on Sep. 20, 2002, (47) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/412,542, attorney docket No. 25791.102, filed on Sep.
20, 2002, (48) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/412,487, attorney docket No. 25791.112, filed on Sep. 20, 2002,
and (49) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,488,
attorney docket No. 25791.114, filed on Sep. 20, 2002, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the radial expansion and plastic
deformation of the first tubular member 210, the second tubular
member 220, and the external sleeve 222 causes the interfaces
between one or more of the first tubular member, the second tubular
member, and/or the external sleeve to be fluid tight. In an
exemplary embodiment, during the radial expansion and plastic
deformation of the first tubular member 210, second tubular member
220, and the external sleeve 222, the annular recess 224 of the pin
member 212 of the first tubular member 210 provides a stress
concentration that enhances the sealing of the interface between
the end of the pin member of the first tubular member and the box
member 218 of the second tubular member 220. In an exemplary
embodiment, during the radial expansion and plastic deformation of
the first tubular member 210, second tubular member 220, and the
external sleeve 222, the spaced apart external and internal
threads, 214a-214c, and 216a-216c, of the first and second tubular
members, 210 and 220, facilitate the formation of a fluid tight
seal of the interface between the end of the pin member of the
first tubular member and the box member 218 of the second tubular
member 220.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment of the illustrative embodiment
of FIG. 3, the orientation of one or more of the various elements
may be reversed. For example, the external sleeve 222 may be an
internal sleeve, the pin member 212 of the first tubular member 210
may be a box member, and the box member 218 of the second tubular
member 220 may be a pin member.
[0025] An assembly has been described that includes a first tubular
member comprising a pin member including external threads, an
external sleeve including: a first box member at one end including
internal threads coupled to the external threads of the pin member
of the first tubular member, and a second box member at another end
including internal threads, a second tubular member comprising a
pin member including external threads coupled to the internal
threads of the second box member of the external sleeve, and an
internal sleeve that receives the ends of the pin members of the
first and second tubular members comprising an external flange that
engages the ends of the pin members of the first and second tubular
members and the external sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the
external flange of the internal sleeve defines an upper annular
recess for receiving and mating with the first tubular member, and
the external flange of the internal sleeve further defines a lower
annular recess for receiving and mating with the second tubular
member.
[0026] A method for forming a wellbore casing has been described
that includes positioning any one, portion, or combination, of the
exemplary embodiments described and illustrated within the present
application within a borehole that traverses a subterranean
formation, and radially expanding and plastically deforming the
assembly within the borehole.
[0027] An apparatus has been described that includes a wellbore
that traverses a subterranean formation, and a wellbore casing
positioned within and coupled to the wellbore. The wellbore casing
is coupled to the wellbore by a process including: positioning any
one, portion, or combination, of the exemplary embodiments
described and illustrated within the present application within the
wellbore, and radially expanding and plastically deforming the
assembly within the wellbore.
[0028] A system for forming a wellbore casing has been described
that includes means for positioning any one, portion, or
combination, of the exemplary embodiments described and illustrated
within the present application within a borehole that traverses a
subterranean formation, and means for radially expanding and
plastically deforming the assembly within the borehole.
[0029] An assembly has been described that includes a first tubular
member comprising a pin member including external threads, a second
tubular member comprising a box member including internal threads
coupled to the external threads of the pin member of the first
tubular sleeve, and an external sleeve coupled to and overlapping
with the ends of the first and second tubular members. In an
exemplary embodiment, the external threads of the pin member of the
first tubular member comprise a plurality of spaced apart groups of
external threads, and the internal threads of the box member of the
second tubular member comprise a plurality of spaced apart groups
of internal threads. In an exemplary embodiment, the external
surface end of the pin member of the first tubular member includes
a stress concentrator. In an exemplary embodiment, the external
threads of the pin member of the first tubular member include a
plurality of spaced apart groups of external threads, the internal
threads of the box member of the second tubular member include a
plurality of spaced apart groups of internal threads, and the
external surface end of the pin member of the first tubular member
comprises a stress concentrator.
[0030] A method for providing a fluid tight seal between a first
tubular member that is threadably coupled to a second tubular
member has been described that includes providing a stress
concentrator one at least one of the first and second tubular
members, and radially expanding and plastically deforming the first
and second tubular members.
[0031] A method for providing a fluid tight seal between a first
tubular member comprising external threads and a second tubular
member comprising internal threads, wherein the external threads of
the first tubular member engage the internal threads of the second
tubular member, has been described that includes spacing apart the
external and internal threads of the first and second tubular
members into a plurality of groups, and radially expanding and
plastically deforming the first and second tubular members.
[0032] It is understood that variations may be made in the
foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, the teachings of the present illustrative embodiments may
be used to provide an insulated wellbore casing, a pipeline, or a
structural support. Furthermore, the elements and teachings of the
various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in
part in some or all of the illustrative embodiments.
[0033] 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.
* * * * *