Abstract: A rigless method for abandoning a well in which the production tubing (7) and control lines (15) are left in place. The production tubing (7) is perforated at a zone of interest at any position in the well. A settable composition (21) which is dissolvable in acid is injected through the perforations (20a, 20b) into the annulus between the casing (5) and the production tubing (7) over the zone of interest and allowed to set. The composition supports the tubing (7) and secures the control lines (15) so that they can be cut and milled away to expose the casing. An acid wash is performed to remove all the settable composition and clean the casing (5) in preparation for a cement bond log to be performed. If the quality of the cement bond is acceptable a cement plug (28) is deployed. Further cuts in the production tubing (7) can be made to expose further sections of casing (5) in the event that the cement bond log is unacceptable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing a section of well tubing. The well tubing (24) is milled in an upward direction on a hydraulic tensioning device (14) which maintains a constant load on the section mill so that long sections of tubing can be removed in a near continuous procedure on a single trip into the well. The hydraulic device includes an indicator (30) to provide a signal as the device nears each end of a stroke to inform a user that: the section mill is about to bottom out and the work string needs to be raised to extend the device; and the device is fully extended and can begin another stroke. Embodiments are described for use in a rigless well abandonment procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides a downhole tool for cutting a wellbore casing. The downhole tool comprises a gripping mechanism for gripping a section of wellbore casing and a cutting mechanism configured to cut the casing. The grip mechanism is configured to grip a range of casing diameters.

Abstract: A resettable mechanism for preventing the accidental actuation of a load set downhole tool and method of use. The resettable mechanism provides a collet (52) and a detent (56) with a collet ring arranged to ride over the detent under a load in excess of the operating load of the downhole tool and the collet load. Reversing the loading resets the mechanism and the downhole tool. A disengagement assembly (66) is described to disenable the detent (56) and operate the downhole tool at the operating load. Embodiments to a retrievable mechanical tension-set packer and a casing cutting and removal system are described which prevent premature actuation of the packer when run from floating structures.

Abstract: A downhole anchor mechanism (110) which can be set on at least two successive standard diameters of casing (232). The tool body has a recess into which a split cone (70) is located. The increased thickness of the split cone (70) provides for a greater thickness of slip (90), giving increased radial travel of the slips 90 when moved axially over the split cone (70). The cone (70) and slips (90) are profiled to provide two ramps/slopes for increased structural integrity and a greater ramp angle to reduce the axial travel of the slips to achieve the increased radial travel. The downhole anchor mechanism (110) provides anchoring of a work string on two standard diameters of casing in a single trip in a wellbore.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for single-trip cementing and casing cutting for well abandonment and slot recovery. Using a tool string including a casing cutter and a stinger, where the casing cutter has a central through bore including a wall to isolate the cutting assembly from the cement, cement can be passed through the cutter and deposited using the stinger to form a plug. Embodiments of casing cutters are provided for parting an upper length of casing from a lower length of casing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for single-trip cementing and casing cutting for well abandonment and slot recovery. A casing cutter is described which has a central through bore including a wall to isolate the cutting assembly from cement being passed through the casing cutter. The casing cutter is run in a cased well bore, cementing occurs through the casing cutter to form a cement plug and then the casing is cut. Embodiments of casing cutters are provided for parting an upper length of casing from a lower length of casing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining the condition of a cement bond of a casing in a wellbore. The method comprises perforating a tubing in the wellbore at a zone of interest and displacing a settable composition through the perforations into the annulus between the casing and tubing to secure the tubing. The method also comprises cutting the tubing and assessing the status of the cement bond of the casing.

Abstract: A well bore integrity test tool (10) and method of pressure integrity testing a well bore by performing positive and negative pressure tests in a well bore in multiple locations in the well and on the same trip as other operations in the well bore. The tool includes a resettable anchor mechanism (20) and a tension set packer assembly (22). An embodiment of performing a dress-off, integrity testing, casing cutting and pulling in a single trip for well abandonment is described.

Abstract: A circulation test tool and method of performing a circulation test in a wellbore during single-trip casing cutting and removal. An anchor mechanism (20), a mechanical-set retrievable packer (22) and a cutting mechanism (18) allow gripping and cutting of casing (14) with the mechanical set-retrievable packer (22) being set after the cut to carry out the circulation test. The well is kept under control during the cut by application of tension on the drill string to set the packer (22) at any time. The arrangement provides full annulus flow pass at the packer during cutting. Embodiments describe additional features of a drill to dress a cement plug or a settable bridge plug.

Abstract: A protective device for a blow out preventer stack (B.O.P.), and a sidetracking method using same during an oil-field milling or drilling operation requiring a window to be formed in casing to access a formation, the device having a sleeve assembly and a running tool releasably attached to the sleeve assembly, wherein the running tool comprises a running tool housing connected to the sleeve assembly and a separable running tool body connectable within the length of a work string having a BHA with a mill or bit, the running tool housing being shear pinned to the running tool body for running in hole, wherein the running tool housing is configured to shear from the running tool body during deployment into a cased wellbore to sealingly seat the sleeve assembly within a B.O.P. and form a barrier to ingress of swarf into the B.O.P.

Abstract: A tool assembly is described. In embodiments, the tool assembly has an elongated body having uphole and downhole ends adapted for forming a tool joint, where the body has an axial through bore and at least one aperture in a side wall of the elongated body for receiving a keying element, and an inner de-coupling sleeve movable within the through bore of the elongated body.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining the condition of a cement bond of a casing in a wellbore. The method comprises perforating a tubing in the wellbore at a zone of interest and displacing a settable composition through the perforations into the annulus between the casing and tubing to secure the tubing. The method also comprises cutting the tubing and assessing the status of the cement bond of the casing.

Abstract: Apparatus, and methods of use, where the apparatus includes a cylindrical tool main body defining an axial centerline, the main body having a first bladed magnet section having at least one blade extending substantially perpendicular from the axial centerline at a first angle, a second bladed magnet section having at least one blade extending substantially perpendicular from the axial centerline at a second angle, and a hardfaced cylindrical section disposed between the first bladed magnet section and the second bladed magnet section, wherein the outer circumference of the hardfaced cylindrical section defines the outer circumference of the tool main body.

Abstract: A circulation tool includes a tubular outer body having a main bore and at least one flow port in a wall thereof, and a valve seat assembly including a valve body, a valve member, and locking elements are movably mounted within the outer body main bore. The valve seat assembly is biased towards a first position in which flow through the outer body flow port is prevented and the locking element is in the extended position, restricting passage of the valve member along the valve body bore and out of the valve body. The valve seat assembly is movable to a second position in which the locking element is in the retracted position, permitting passage of the valve member along the body bore and out of the body. The valve seat is also movable to a third position in which flow through the outer body flow port is permitted.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a casing tubular (13??) via a narrower casing tubular (9??) or width restriction, has an elongate tool body 1 with axial throughbore 2, box 3 for a corresponding pin 4 to form a tool joint with a workstring 5. In FIG. 1, the body has a nose 6 with fluid discharge channel 7 to pass circulation fluid. An internal shoulder provides a valve seat 8 for a ball 9 passed through the workstring under gravity or during pumping of fluid. Transverse channels 10 receive fluid diverted when the ball is seated within the tool. A side surface 21 has fluid outlet ports 11, and at least one further working surface 22 has tool elements, e.g. bristle-type cleaning elements 23, or scrapers or wipers. Thus the tool body is asymmetrical offering jetting functionality on one side of the tool and mechanical cleaning on the other side.

Abstract: Modular debris chambers of a debris extraction tool and a method for collecting debris using such modular debris chambers are disclosed. The modular debris chamber for a debris extraction tool may include a plurality of debris chambers. The modular debris chamber may include a bucket for collecting debris, an inner flow tube being concentrically arranged within the bucket, and a deflector arranged in a lower end of the bucket for deflecting a flow of debris from the inner flow tube of a subsequent modular debris chamber connectable to a lower end of the modular debris chamber. The method for collecting debris using a modular debris chamber may include a plurality of the modular debris chambers interconnected to form a debris extraction tool, and reflecting fluid off the deflector allowing solid debris in the flow of debris to deflect off the deflector into the bucket of a subsequent modular debris chamber.

Abstract: A clamp holds two members together. The first member includes a recess into which a fastener is located. A bore is provided to the recess to allow a tool to be used to operate the fastener. The second member is arranged to accept the fastener and so join the members. The recess and bore are sized to prevent release of the fastener through the bore. In this way, the fastener cannot easily be removed or lost when the clamp is in use and is tamperproof. The clamp is used to hold portions of a sleeve around a body of the tool, and to hold scraper blades and/or brushes to the body.

Abstract: A downhole packer for providing a seal in a well bore to allow integrity testing of well bore with drill ahead capability immediately thereafter has a disengageable packer assembly wherein the packer element may be rendered disengageable by mounting the packer to the string using a tool body (61) provided with a sleeve (62) bearing a packer element (55), wherein the body is initially restrained from movement within the sleeve by engagement of an internal selectively movable retaining element (64). A method of testing a well bore with follow on drilling after disengaging the packer element is described.

Abstract: A sealing means for debris chambers of a debris extraction tool and a method for dismantling and handling a debris extraction toll using such sealing means are disclosed. The sealing means for a debris chamber for a debris extraction tool may include a cylindrical body sealed at one end and open at the other end. The open end may be connectable to an end of the debris chamber. The method for dismantling a debris extraction tool, wherein the debris extraction tool comprises a plurality of connected debris chambers, may use the sealing means and may include connecting the sealing means to the topmost debris chamber of the debris extraction tool.