Method for altering the stress state of a formation and/or a tubular

A method for altering the stress state of a subterranean formation, comprises a) drilling a borehole into the formation, b) installing a tubular element (200) having a top end and a bottom end in the borehole, c) anchoring the tubular element to the formation at at least two points (201,202) along the length of the tubular element, and d) expanding (205) the tubular element, thereby inducing compression (300) between the two points. At least one anchoring point (504) may be selected such that a pair of adjacent anchoring points spans an unstable portion of the formation, anchoring means may be used, and the position of at least one anchor point (504) may be selected such that the distance (Sl) between that anchor point and an adjacent anchor point is less than the maximum length (E) of pipe that could be expanded between two anchor points without failing.