HIGH RATIO, ELASTIC REGION TUBULAR EXPANSION (Continued)

The updated goal of expandable technologies must be to create significant value by mitigating, or, in some respects, eliminating altogether, many conventional casing and stabilization related costs-which ultimately represent more than 50% of all investment for drilling wells. The most direct approach to reduce the extensive conventional cost items and to gain technological value is to deliver the expandable in a manner more seamless with the actual drilling process, while simultaneously integrating some former casing-job-cost items into the expandable system itself. Conventionally, this type of advanced development has had low feasibility due to limited expansion ratio capability, generally less than 125%; due to the robust requirements needed to initiate expansion; and due to the deleterious effects which abrasive and cyclic drilling stresses cause to steel, further disrupting integrity potential.

INNOVATIVE EXPANDABLE TECHNOLOGY

A new technological approach is now emerging which utilizes opposing, elastic-processes to reliably expand high-strength pipe. The elastic process is also demonstrating abilities to minimize or eliminate conventional problems by completely designing-out the problem sources. The new technology, under development by Houston-based Confluent Systems, through its affiliate, Dynamic Tubulars Corp., is called CFEX© and is slated for field trials in 2007.

The new technology is constructed from compressible cells and other types of energized members which are formed into a tubular with a naturally oversized OD. The device is temporarily compressed during manufacture and held in the reduced diametric condition by removable bonds and integral wrappings. Once placed into the well, the temporary bonds are removed by electric, mechanical and chemical means. The result is a strain-energized assembly having natural dimensions larger than its nominal sizing requirements.

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