On standard predictions of reformability and collapse re istance for expandable tubulars based on elasto-plasticity model

Abstract

The exploitation of geothermal power is an innovative energy source with great potential. However the exploration for deep geothermal sources is still costly and high risk operations. Recently, an expandable tubulars technology for casing is proposed with the potential to construct monobore completions. These lead to a smaller borehole and significantly reduce the cost of drilling process. Technically the expandable tubulars will be initially reduced by a folded plasticity condition and be expanded again downhole. In our studies, the performances of using them were studied in terms of reformability (foldability and expandability) and collapse resistance based on numerical approach. Elasto--plasticity models were investigated, conventional finite element method (FEM) was used for dicretizations combined with other necessary numerical algorithms. The standard predictions of expandable tubular performance were finally proposed, the numerical results were also presented at the final part of this paper.