Study of Expandable-Tubular Collapse Leads To Risk-Based Strength Development

Solid expandable technology is helping the industry reach more challenging wells. The objective of this study is to investigate comprehensively the effects of the expansion process on the pipe mechanical properties and collapse performance and to develop a reliable risk-based collapse-strength design for the expandables.

Introduction

Expansion technology allows for tubulars to expand in situ, thus maintaining downhole size. It has been used successfully for zonal isolation in depleted or trouble zones as a drilling liner. It was also found to be very useful for extended reach in brownfields without losing the tubular diameter for maximum production.