A method of sealing the wall of a wellbore (1) as it is being drilled
through a subterranean formation using a drill string (3) having a drill
bit (4) on the lower end thereof comprises fitting to the lower end of a
drill string (3) a device comprising (i) a cylindrically gathered pack of
flexible tubing (6), (ii) a receptacle (5) for the gathered pack and
(iii) a radially expandable locking means (8) having a first end of the
tubing of the gathered pack connected either directly or indirectly
thereto, and drilling a first section of wellbore, expanding the locking
means (8) against the wellbore wall such that the first end of the tubing
that is withdrawn from the gathered pack is locked in place in the
wellbore, drilling a second section of wellbore with the movement of the
drill string (3) through the wellbore causing the tubing to be withdrawn
from the gathered pack (6) and to be turned inside out thereby forming a
liner for the second section of wellbore.