Means for stabilizing wellbores

Disclosed herein is an expandable casing comprised of inside and outside axial sections of casings which fasten to form a sealed casing joint capable of withstanding pressure and formation loads as the casing is expanded and locked into position. The expandable casing stabilizes wellbores, preventing deformation, fracturing or fluid communication between fluids conducted within the wellbore and formations isolated through use of the casing. The casing sections are attached to an inflatable bladder element which affords placement through smaller diameter wellbores and orderly expansion of the sections in the wellbore adjacent to the formation to be stabilized or protected.