Abstract: A method of removing material from a target is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a tool, the tool having at least one propellant source; pressurising the tool to a pressure higher than the environmental pressure; igniting at least one of the propellant source(s) to form a combustion zone; and directing combustion products generated at the combustion zone along at least one tool flow path. The tool flow path(s) is selectively openable or closable, such that upon exiting the tool flow path(s) the combustion products interact with a target, the interaction causing material to be removed from the target.

Abstract: A tool (1) for manipulating a target with combustion products from a propellant includes a housing (2) defining a chamber (12), at least two propellant sources located within the chamber and spaced apart one from the other, an ignition mechanism for igniting propellant (26) at the propellant sources, and at least one chamber outlet (30) for combustion products from the propellant sources. Methods of manipulating a target using the tool are also described.

Abstract: A tool (1) for manipulating a target with combustion products from a propellant, includes a housing (2) defining a chamber (12), a propellant source located within the chamber (12), an ignition mechanism (28) for igniting propellant (26) at the propellant source, and at least one chamber outlet (30) for combustion products from the propellant source. The tool (1) is configured to automatically open the chamber outlet (30) from a closed condition, following ignition of the propellant (26) at the propellant source. Methods of manipulating a target using the tool are also described.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a target is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a tool, the tool having at least one propellant source; pressurising the tool to a pressure higher than the environmental pressure; igniting at least one of the propellant source(s) to form a combustion zone; and directing combustion products generated at the combustion zone along at least one tool flow path. The tool flow path(s) is selectively openable or closable, such that upon exiting the tool flow path(s) the combustion products interact with a target, the interaction causing material to be removed from the target.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a target is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a tool, the tool having at least one propellant source; pressurising the tool to a pressure higher than the environmental pressure; igniting at least one of the propellant source(s) to form a combustion zone; and directing combustion products generated at the combustion zone along at least one tool flow path. The tool flow path(s) is selectively openable or closable, such that upon exiting the tool flow path(s) the combustion products interact with a target, the interaction causing material to be removed from the target.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating a tubular, such as casing or production tubing, in a downhole environment, includes a housing defining a chamber, the chamber having at least one outlet, a propellant source located within the chamber and an ignition mechanism for igniting the propellant source. Upon ignition of the propellant source, the propellant deflagrates, creating at least one stream of combustion products, the chamber directing the stream of combustion products through the/each outlet, towards the tubular to be manipulated, the/each stream of combustion products combining with at least one modifying agent to manipulate the tubular.

Abstract: A tool for penetrating a tubular as described. The tool comprises at least one length of linear shaped charge, a carrier adapted to support the/each length of linear shaped charge, and at least one detonation mechanism for detonating the/each length of linear shaped charge. Upon detonation of the/each length of linear shaped charge, a length of material is projected outwardly from the/each length of linear shaped charge towards an internal surface of die tubular, which is thereby penetrated. The at least one length of linear shaped charge is arranged such that, upon detonation, the trajectory of at least one portion of the projected material intersects the trajectory of at least one other portion of projected material at or adjacent the internal surface of the tubular.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating a tubular, such as casing or production tubing, in a downhole environment, includes a housing defining a chamber, the chamber having at least one outlet, a propellant source located within the chamber and an ignition mechanism for igniting the propellant source. Upon ignition of the propellant source, the propellant deflagrates, creating at least one stream of combustion products, the chamber directing the stream of combustion products through the/each outlet, towards the tubular to be manipulated, the/each stream of combustion products combining with at least one modifying agent to manipulate the tubular.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a target is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a tool, the tool having at least one propellant source; pressurising the tool to a pressure higher than the environmental pressure; igniting at least one of the propellant source(s) to form a combustion zone; and directing combustion products generated at the combustion zone along at least one tool flow path. The tool flow path(s) is selectively openable or closable, such that upon exiting the tool flow path(s) the combustion products interact with a target, the interaction causing material to be removed from the target.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating a tubular, such as casing or production tubing, in a downhole environment, includes a housing defining a chamber, the chamber having at least one outlet, a propellant source located within the chamber and an ignition mechanism for igniting the propellant source. Upon ignition of the propellant source, the propellant deflagrates, creating at least one stream of combustion products, the chamber directing the stream of combustion products through the/each outlet, towards the tubular to be manipulated, the/each stream of combustion products combining with at least one modifying agent to manipulate the tubular.

Abstract: An improved plug for sealing a tubular as described. The improved plug comprises a plug body, the plug body comprising a propellant and an initiator adapted to initiate the propellant upon a signal. Upon initiation the propellant deflagrates causing the plug body to at least partially disintegrate.

Abstract: A tool for penetrating a tubular as described. The tool comprises at least one length of linear shaped charge, a carrier adapted to support the/each length of linear shaped charge, and at least one detonation mechanism for detonating the/each length of linear shaped charge. Upon detonation of the/each length of linear shaped charge, a length of material is projected outwardly from the/each length of linear shaped charge towards an internal surface of the tubular, which is thereby penetrated. The at least one length of linear shaped charge is arranged such that, upon detonation, the trajectory of at least one portion of the projected material intersects the trajectory of at least one other portion of projected material at or adjacent the internal surface of the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least partially closing a throughbore is described. The apparatus comprises an apparatus housing, the apparatus housing defining a throughbore and a plurality of closure elements, each closure element being adapted to move between a retracted position, in which the throughbore is fully open, and a deployed position, in which the throughbore is at least partially closed, at least a portion of the movement of each closure element between the retracted position and the deployed position being rotational.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating a tubular, such as casing or production tubing, in a downhole environment, is described. The tool comprises a housing defining a chamber, the chamber having at least one outlet, a propellant source located within the chamber and an ignition mechanism for igniting the propellant source. Upon ignition of the propellant source, the propellant deflagrates, creating at least one stream of combustion products, the chamber directing the stream of combustion products through the/each outlet, towards the tubular to be manipulated, the/each stream of combustion products combining with at least one modifying agent to manipulate the tubular.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for locating and positioning oilwell tool joints. This invention is particularly useful when the apparatus is placed near a Blowout Preventer (BOP) because it can be used to make sure that a tool joint is not present between the BOP rams. In some embodiments, the invention makes use of magnetic flux creation and detection by electromagnetic coils while a portion of the riser is magnetically saturated by powerful permanent magnets. Different configurations of the driving and sensing coils are possible so that it is possible to locate the tool joints longitudinally and radially within the apparatus. The apparatus is easily retrofitted to existing risers without altering ongoing operations because it can be opened before installation and closed once installed.