Apparatus and method for securing and sealing a tubular portion to another tubular to provide a liner hanger in oil and gas wells. At the top of the liner string, a sleeve is arranged on the liner to create a chamber therebetween. A port provides fluid access through the liner to the chamber. When fluid is introduced into the chamber the sleeve is morphed to secure it to the cemented casing. A lower fluid pressure is required to morph the sleeve than if the liner itself was to be morphed. Embodiments are provided for securing and sealing arrangements to increase the metal to metal seal and the load capability between the liner string and casing.

A plug assembly includes an expandable assembly, a locking ring and a cup. The expandable assembly is adapted to be deformed radially over the locking ring and the cup. The locking ring has a stopping inner surface. The plug assembly is used with one or more untethered objects, the untethered objects having an outer surface adapted to couple with the cup, and the cup having an outer surface adapted to couple with the stopping inner surface of the locking ring. The combination of cup and untethered objects is also adapted to contact an inner surface of the plug assembly and, using well fluid pressure, to apply forces to the plug assembly. The forces cause the longitudinal movement of the cup and untethered objects while contacting the inner surface of the plug assembly until the cup contacts the stopping inner surface of the locking ring.

A plug assembly includes an expandable assembly, a locking ring and a cup. The expandable assembly is adapted to be deformed radially over the locking ring and the cup. The locking ring has a stopping inner surface. The plug assembly is used with one or more untethered objects, the untethered objects having an outer surface adapted to couple with the cup, and the cup having an outer surface adapted to couple with the stopping inner surface of the locking ring. The combination of cup and untethered objects is also adapted to contact an inner surface of the plug assembly and, using well fluid pressure, to apply forces to the plug assembly. The forces cause the longitudinal movement of the cup and untethered objects while contacting the inner surface of the plug assembly until the cup contacts the stopping inner surface of the locking ring.

Provided is a downhole tool, a method for sealing within a well system, and a well system. The downhole tool, in at least one aspect, includes a tubular, and one or more expandable metal seal elements placed about the tubular. In at least one aspect, the one or more expandable metal seal elements comprise a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis and have a surface-area-to-volume ratio (SA:V) of at least 2 cm.sup.−1.

Provided is a downhole tool, a method for sealing within a well system, and a well system. The downhole tool, in at least one aspect, includes a tubular, and one or more expandable metal seal elements placed about the tubular. In at least one aspect, the one or more expandable metal seal elements comprise a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis and have a surface-area-to-volume ratio (SA:V) of at least 2 cm.sup.−1.

A system includes an upper section, having a first lateral end. The upper section has upper production tubing configured to be a conduit for production fluids, an upper electrical cable configured to transmit electricity, and a sub-surface safety valve fixed to the upper production tubing. The system further includes a lower section having a second lateral end, lower production tubing configured to be a conduit for the production fluids, a lower electrical cable configured to transmit electricity, an electric submersible pump assembly, and an anchor configured to hold the lower section within the casing string. A stinger assembly is fixed to the first lateral end of the upper section, and a stinger receptacle is fixed to the second lateral end of the lower section. The stinger receptacle is configured to receive the stinger assembly and create an electrical connection between the upper section and the lower section.

Valve systems for inserting into casings used in downhole environments are provided. The valve system includes a mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a setting system. The setting system includes a sealing element, a pair of wedges, and a pair of slips, each located on an outer surface of the mandrel. The wedges are separated from each other by the sealing element. Each wedge includes an inner surface configured to slide along the outer surface of the mandrel and an angled surface having a first set of ratchet teeth. The slips are separated from each other by the pair of wedges. Each slip includes an inner surface having a second set of ratchet teeth configured to engage the first set of ratchet teeth. Also, each slip includes an outer surface having gripping elements configured to grip an inner surface of the casing.

Provided is a slip ring for use with a sealing assembly, a sealing tool, and a method for sealing an annulus within a wellbore. The slip ring, in at least one aspect, includes an expandable metal ring member having a width (w), a wall thickness (t), an inside diameter (d.sub.i) and an outside diameter (d.sub.o), the expandable metal ring member comprising a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis. The slip ring, in at least one aspect, further includes one or more cuts located in the wall thickness (t) and spaced around a circumference of the expandable metal ring member, the one or more cuts configured to allow the expandable metal ring member to move between a radially reduced state and a radially enlarged state.

A packer for anchoring and sealing to a tubular in a well, the packer including a packer element, an anchoring arrangement, a setting mechanism and a release mechanism. The release mechanism holds a thin-walled section of tubing in the packer in tension using a biasing mechanism. On severing the tubing, the bias releases an engagement mechanism which allows the anchor arrangement and the packing element to move relative to the body and thereby unset the packer. An embodiment of a dual bore packer is described. A method of well isolation is described, with an assembly including the dual bore packer. The primary bore forms the short string and a secondary bore forms the long string. By severing the short string the integrity of the long string is maintained to pull lower devices on the long string and the short string does not require tension below the packer to release.

A packer for anchoring and sealing to a tubular in a well, the packer including a packer element, an anchoring arrangement, a setting mechanism and a release mechanism. The release mechanism holds a thin-walled section of tubing in the packer in tension using a biasing mechanism. On severing the tubing, the bias releases an engagement mechanism which allows the anchor arrangement and the packing element to move relative to the body and thereby unset the packer. An embodiment of a dual bore packer is described. A method of well isolation is described, with an assembly including the dual bore packer. The primary bore forms the short string and a secondary bore forms the long string. By severing the short string the integrity of the long string is maintained to pull lower devices on the long string and the short string does not require tension below the packer to release.