WorldOil

What's new in expandable technology?

Now in its fifth consecutive year, this World Oil focus on expandable technologies reviews how the industry is applying expandables to solve wellbore problems. The reader is encouraged to review our July issues from 2003 forward for the products applied and approaches the industry has taken, as it has explored the uses of expandable systems. This year, five companies provided recent applications of their systems to demonstrate how troublesome wellbore problems can be solved. The first vignette demonstrates the use of an expandable liner to extend a casing string. This is followed by a drilling application, using expandables to drill-with-liner before expanding them in place. A new tubing opener system has been developed with a multistage hydraulic power section. New expandables are also growing in diameter with sizes up to 18 in. x 22 in. Swelling shale zones are a common drilling problem that can be overcome by sealing-off the trouble zone with an openhole expansion system.