METHOD OF RADIALLY EXPANDING A TUBULAR ELEMENT

摘要

The invention relates to a method of radially expanding a tubular element (4) extending into a wellbore (1) formed in an earth formation (2), the tubular element including a first layer (12) and a second layer (14) extending around the first layer, said layers being separable from each other. The method comprises inducing each layer to bend radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein each layer has a respective bending zone in which said bending occurs, and increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the respective bending zones of the layers to move in axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section. Said layers in the respective bending zones are separate from each other so as to define an axial space between the layers.