Method and wellbore system

摘要

The invention provides a wellbore system comprising an expandable tubular element arranged in a wellbore formed in an earth formation whereby an annular space is present between the tubular element and a wall surrounding the tubular element. The tubular element is provided with sealing means for sealing the annular space, wherein the sealing means includes a foldable wall section of the tubular element. The foldable wall section has a reduced bending stiffness relative to a remainder wall section of the tubular element and is deformable from an unfolded mode to a folded mode by application of a compressive folding force to the tubular element. The foldable wall section when in the folded mode comprises at least one annular fold extending radially outward into said annular space. The wellbore system further comprises a folding device for applying said folding force to the tubular element.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
arranging an expandable tubular element in a wellbore, wherein the tubular element is provided with sealing means for sealing an annular space between the tubular element and a wall surrounding the tubular element, said sealing means including a foldable wall section of the tubular element, the foldable wall section having a reduced bending stiffness relative to a remainder wall section of the tubular element and being deformable from an unfolded mode to a folded mode by application of a compressive folding force to the tubular element, wherein the foldable wall section when in the folded mode comprises at least one annular fold extending radially outward into said annular space; applying said folding force to the tubular element to deform the foldable wall section to the folded mode, wherein said folding force is applied using a folding device comprising an expander for radially expanding the tubular element by axially moving the expander through the tubular element in a direction from a first end part of the tubular element to a second end part of the tubular element, said direction defining an expansion direction; radially expanding the tubular element including the foldable wall section in the folded mode; and anchoring said second end part to a casing positioned in the wellbore using an anchor, the anchor being adapted to substantially prevent movement of said second end part relative to the wall in the expansion direction and to allow movement of said second end part relative to the wall in the direction opposite to the expansion direction.