Abstract: A tool for gaining lateral access to a well includes a head portion configured to advance axially forwardly relative to a lateral access passage. The tool includes a first shaft and a shaft assembly including a second shaft. The second shaft is at least partly received in the first shaft so as to be axially forwardly moveable therewith. In use, axial forward movement of the first and second shafts causes forward advancement of the head portion. The second shaft is axially forwardly moveable relative to the first shaft. The first shaft includes an internal thread and the shaft assembly includes an external thread engaging the internal thread of the first shaft so that relative rotation of the internal and external threads causes the axial forward movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft without rotation of the second shaft relative to the first shaft.

Abstract: A tool for gaining lateral access to a well via a lateral access passage includes a head portion. The tool axially forwardly advances the head portion towards the lateral access passage and transmits rotational drive to the head portion. The tool delivers fluid to or forwardly of the head portion. The head portion may have an adapter at its front end for interchangeable attachments, such as a sealing device, a socket member, or a cleaning brush. The tool may include a flexible conduit extending forwardly of the head portion. A curved guide passage may be provided to guide a fluid transmission conduit of the tool as it advances forwardly. The tool may have a shaft for forwardly advancing the head portion, the shaft being coupled to a rotatable drive member configured to be rotatably driven such that rotation of the rotatable drive member causes axial forward movement of the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for gaining access to a well via a lateral access passage includes a flexible conduit which is to be inserted into the well via the lateral access passage so as to deviate from a direction of lateral insertion to a generally downward direction down the well. The flexible conduit includes a probe at a front end thereof. The probe includes a spring at least 0.5 m in length. A probe container is provided for accommodating the probe before it is inserted into the well. A guide may be provided for insertion along the lateral access passage and for assisting deviation of the flexible conduit from the direction of lateral insertion.

Abstract: A tool for gaining lateral access to a well via a lateral access passage, the tool comprising a head portion and being configured to axially forwardly advance the head portion towards or in the lateral access passage and being configured to transmit rotational drive to the head portion, and the tool comprising a fluid transmission conduit for delivering fluid to or forwardly of the head portion. The head portion may have an adapter at its front end to mount interchangeable attachments, such as a sealing device for forming a seal with the lateral access passage, a socket member for holding a plug, or a cleaning brush. The tool may comprise a flexible conduit portion extending forwardly of the head portion. A curved guide passage may be provided to guide the fluid transmission conduit as it advances forwardly.

Abstract: A plug for plugging a line includes a seal, a first end assembly and a second end assembly. The first end assembly includes a gripping member. An actuator is configured to draw the first and second end assemblies together when there is a relative motion between the actuator and the first end assembly. The actuator is configured to actuate the gripping member. An initial part of a motion of the actuator actuates the gripping member to grip an inner surface of the line, thus inhibiting a motion of the first end assembly, and a subsequent part of the motion of the actuator, relative to the thus motion-inhibited first end assembly, draws the second end assembly toward the first end assembly so as to compress the seal such that the seal may seal against the inner surface of the line thus plugging the line.

Abstract: Apparatus for gaining access to a well via a lateral access passage comprises a flexible conduit which is to be inserted into the well via the lateral access passage so as to deviate from a direction of lateral insertion to a generally downward direction down the well, the flexible conduit comprising a probe at a front end thereof, the probe comprising a spring at least 0.5 m in length. The apparatus comprises a probe container for accommodating the probe before it is inserted into the well and whilst the probe is exposed to well pressure in the probe container, the probe container accommodating the probe with at least part of the probe extending along a curved path.

Abstract: A tool for gaining lateral access to a well includes a head portion configured to advance axially forwardly relative to a lateral access passage. The tool includes a first shaft and a shaft assembly including a second shaft. The second shaft is at least partly received in the first shaft so as to be axially forwardly moveable therewith. In use, axial forward movement of the first and second shafts causes forward advancement of the head portion. The second shaft is axially forwardly moveable relative to the first shaft. The first shaft includes an internal thread and the shaft assembly includes an external thread engaging the internal thread of the first shaft so that relative rotation of the internal and external threads causes the axial forward movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft without rotation of the second shaft relative to the first shaft.

Abstract: A plug (1, 301) for plugging a line (101), the plug comprising: a seal (2); a first end assembly (10, 310) located at a first end (4) of the seal (2) and a second end assembly (40) located at an opposite second end (5) of the seal (2), the first end assembly (10, 310) comprising at least one gripping member (16, 17, 316, 317) that is configured to grip an inner surface of the line (101); and an actuator (50) configured to draw the first (10, 310) and second end (40) assemblies together when there is a relative motion between the actuator (50) and the first end assembly (10, 310), characterised in that: the actuator (50) is configured to actuate the gripping member (16, 17, 316, 317), and the plug (1, 301) is arranged such that: an initial part of a motion of the actuator 50 actuates the gripping member (16, 17, 316, 317) to grip the inner surface of the line (101), thus inhibiting motion of the first end assembly (10, 310), and a subsequent part of the motion of the actuator (50), relative to the thus motion-