| 摘要 |
<p>A method of expanding a tubular element suitable for installation in a well, comprises installing an expander tool in the tubular element, the expander tool comprising: a flexible sleeve having an outer diameter less than or equal to the inner diameter of the tubular element; a cone expander section (10) on which the sleeve (18) is mounted, a cone (12) having a narrow end that fits inside the sleeve and which increases from the narrow end to a maximum at a base that is greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve but less than the inner diameter of the tubular element; and a elongate mandrel (14) extending from the end of the cone expander section on the opposite side to the narrow end; positioning the expander tool including the sleeve at a predetermined location in the tubular element to be expanded; fixing the position of the sleeve; urging the expander section through the sleeve from one end to the other so as to expand the sleeve against the inside of the tubular member and cause it in turn to expand, the expander being urged through the (preferably lubricated) sleeve until it exits the other end of the sleeve; allowing the sleeve to contract around the mandrel; and moving the expander tool with the sleeve located around the mandrel away from the expanded location.</p> |
