Methods and apparatus for positioning a non-expandable liner hanger in a wellbore. A liner is coupled to the liner hanger, wherein the liner hanger comprises: a conduit body; and a reactive metal sealing element disposed on the conduit body, wherein the reactive metal sealing element comprises a reactive metal having a first volume. An example method includes contacting the reactive metal with a fluid that reacts with the reactive metal to produce a reaction product having a second volume greater than the first volume; and contacting a surface adjacent to the reactive metal sealing element with the reaction product to form a seal against the surface and to anchor the liner hanger from the surface, wherein anchoring the liner hanger to the surface suspends the liner in the wellbore.

Methods for positioning an expandable metal sealing element in the wellbore. An example method includes an expandable metal sealing element having a reactive metal and disposed in a location. The method further includes actuating a washout prevention element, contacting the expandable metal sealing element with a fluid that reacts with the reactive metal to produce a reaction product having a volume greater than the reactive metal, and allowing the washout prevention element to prevent at least a portion of the reaction product from flowing away from the location.

There is provided a method for preparing a wellbore for insertion of a barrier, the method comprising: providing a section of tubing or formation within the wellbore having a modified internal surface that is shaped such that a region adjacent the modified internal surface can be filled with barrier material and the barrier material can solidify to interlock with and be anchored by the modified internal surface.

The present invention relates to a downhole expandable metal tubular to be expanded in a well from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter to abut against an inner face of a casing or borehole, the downhole expandable metal tubular having an axial extension, a circumference and an outer face, wherein the downhole expandable metal tubular is of metal with at least one first integral circumferential sealing element of metal as part of the outer face, providing the downhole expandable metal tubular with a first circumferential projection having a fourth height, and the at least one first integral circumferential sealing element at least partly defines a cavity having an opening. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a downhole expandable metal tubular assembly further comprising at least one end tubular, a patch for being expanded within a well tubular metal structure for sealing off leaks, perforations or apertures in the well tubular metal structure, and an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inner face of a borehole or a casing downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone and a second zone of the borehole.

A technique facilitates actuation of a packer to a sealing and gripping position along a borehole. The packer includes a packer element structure mounted about a center structure. The packer element structure includes a sealing element mounted along an expandable base such that the sealing element may be radially expanded. Additionally, the packer includes an actuator member connected to a portion of the packer element structure via a release mechanism, e.g. a shear member. A plurality of slips may be located on the actuator member such that linear movement of the actuator member causes successive movement of the packer sealing element and then the slips in the radially outward direction. The packer may be constructed such that this sequential setting motion creates a jarring effect to ensure the slips securely bite into the surrounding wellbore surface, e.g. casing surface.

Collapsible shell packers and methods of use. An example method introduces a collapsible shell packer into a wellbore; wherein the collapsible shell packer comprises a collapsible hollow, metal shell. The method further includes collapsing the collapsible hollow, metal shell by compressing the collapsible hollow, metal shell axially to expand the collapsible hollow, metal shell radially, wherein the collapsible hollow, metal shell is collapsed until a portion of the collapsible hollow, metal shell contacts an adjacent surface thereby isolating a zone.

Provided is a seal assembly, a method for sealing, and a well system. The seal assembly, in one aspect, includes a pipe having an outer tubular positioned thereabout, the outer tubular and pipe forming an enclosed seal gland. The seal assembly, according to this aspect, further includes expanded metal positioned within the enclosed seal gland, the expanded metal comprising a metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis to assist in sealing the enclosed seal gland.

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 a collection of individual separate chunks of expandable metal positioned about the tubular, the collection of individual separate chunks of expandable metal comprising a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.