METHOD OF EXPANDING A TUBULAR ELEMENT IN A WELLBORE

A method of radially expanding a tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation comprises arranging the tubular element in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, whereby an annulus is defined between said expanded and remaining tubular sections, and axially extending the expanded tubular section by moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded tubular section so that said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A diameter of the expanded tubular section is controlled by controlling a fluid pressure in the annulus.