Apparatus and methods for forming a lateral wellbore

(19)

(11)

EP 1 626 159 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	05.07.2006 Bulletin 2006/27

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	15.02.2006 Bulletin 2006/07

(21)	Application number: 05270058.0

(22)	Date of filing: 04.05.2001

(51)

International Patent Classification (IPC):

E21B 43/10^(2006.01)
E21B 7/06^(2006.01)
E21B 41/00^(2006.01)

E21B 7/20^(2006.01)
E21B 29/06^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB NL
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA HR MK YU

(30)

Priority:

05.05.2000 US 202335 P

(62)	Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
	01928064.3 / 1278932

(71)	Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
	Houston Texas 77027 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Haugen, David, Michael 77573, League City (US) Tilton, Frederick, Thomas 77388, Spring (US)

(74)	Representative: Talbot-Ponsonby, Daniel Frederick et al
	Marks & Clerk 4220 Nash Court Oxford Business Park South Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 2RU Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 2RU (GB)

(54)	Apparatus and methods for forming a lateral wellbore

(57) The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for expanding tubulars in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention, an expansion tool (102) with hydraulically actuated, radially expandable members (116) is disposed on a string of coil tubing. In another aspect of the invention the apparatus is utilized to expand a tubular lining a lateral wellbore into contact with a window of a larger tubular lining a central wellbore.

Search report