AUTO REVERSING EXPANDING ROLLER SYSTEM

• Main Authors: TRAN, KHAI, MURRAY, MARK, MACKAY, ALEXANDER CRAIG, MAGUIRE, PATRICK G
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 25.08.2009
• Subjects: EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

Apparatus and methods of expanding a portion of a tubular are provided. The expansion apparatus includes a rotary expander for expanding an expandable tubular. A spline assembly is provided for coupling the rotary expander to a motor disposed on a work string. The spline assembly allows th e rotary expander to be rotated by the motor and move axially relative to the motor. The rotary expander includes two rows of rollers for expansion against the tubular. The position of the rollers on the first row is skewed in one direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The rollers on the second row are skewed in an opposite direction. When actuated, the skew angle of the rollers will cause the expander tool to move axially. Alternating actuation between the two rows of rollers causes the expander to move in opposite axial directions during expansion.