Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a plug in a passageway, comprises a carrier which in use is lowered into the passageway, the carrier comprising an elongate body of material resistant to creep which supports first and second spaced apart portions and a body of material supported on the carrier, the material having a melting point which is higher than the temperature within the passageway and which expands as it solidifies. The carrier may comprise a skirt that extends axially from a lower end of the carrier, the skirt being dimensioned to define a clearance between the skirt and the passageway; and a heater for melting the body of material such that melted material fills a space defined between the first and second portions, and flows into the clearance defined between the skirt and the passageway. The heater may be a removable heater.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for forming a plug in a passsageway, the apparatus comprising a carrier which in use is lowered into the passageway, the carrier comprising an elongate body of a material resistant to creep which supports first and second spaced apart portions and a body of material supported on the carrier, said material having a melting point which is higher than the temperature within the passageway and which expands as it solidifies. The carrier may comprise a skirt that extends axially from a lower end of the carrier, the skirt being dimensioned to define a clearance between the skirt and the passageway; and means for melting the body of material such that melted material fills a space defined between the first and second portions, and flows into the clearance defined between the skirt and the passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plug in a casing includes a body of plug material and a carrier for insertion into a casing. The carrier supports the body of plug material. The carrier includes a mandrel and at least two circular flanges spaced apart along the mandrel. The carrier also includes a heater for heating the mandrel. The mandrel is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the material and the plug material slumps into the casing between the at least two circular flanges. The at least two circular flanges force the expanded solidifying plug material against the casing which aids the transfer of heat between the mandrel and the plug material, and resists creep of the solidified material along the casing.