Abstract: A tool and method providing a eutectic alloy based downhole tool comprising a tubular body alloy located on an outer surface thereof, said tool having an outer diameter with a clearance from the inner diameter of the well. The downhole tool is delivered to a target region within an oil/gas well where the tool is to be deployed. Once the tool is in position within the well a tubular expanding tool is run through the interior of the tubular body to increase the outer diameter of the sealing downhole tool and in so doing reduce the clearance between the alloy and the well. A heater is deployed within the tubular body proximal to the alloy and operated to melt the alloy. The alloy is then allowed to cool and resolidify, whereby the tool is sealed in place within the target region of the well using the alloy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a chemical heater for use in down-hole operations together with methods for operating such in oil/gas wells. The chemical heater comprises a heater body housing a chemical reaction heat source material. The heater body has a leading end that, in use, is deployed down-hole first. The heater is provided with ignition means, located in a heating zone proximal to the leading end of the heater body, for triggering a chemical reaction in the chemical reaction het source material located in the heating zone. The heater is further provided with an actuator housed within the heater body and configured to urge the chemical reaction heat source material towards the heating zone so as to generate a focused heating pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to downhole tool assemblies (50) for use in deploying an alloy plug (61) or seal within a target region of an oil/gas well and clearing/removing well structures from said target regions. The assemblies are provided with a gas-generating chemical heating mixture (58, 59, 60). The heat generated by the chemical heating mixture is employed in heating a downhole target region, while the gas generated is harness to actuate the operation of one or more functional components (54) provided on the assembly to achieve the assembly's particular down-hole operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retrievable downhole heater that can readily be retrieved from a downhole location once it has been used. The heater comprises an elongate tubular body (3) with a heat source (11) housed therein. The tubular body is formed from a material that does not melt during the downhole operation of the heater. The heater also is provided with at least one reduced friction region (13) that has a lower co-efficient of friction than the material from which the tubular body is formed. The reduced friction regions of the heater are configured to retain the lower co-efficient of friction following the downhole operation of the heater.

Abstract: A plug with composite reinforced end(s) and a mostly-bismuth-alloy middle section. At least one end comprises a composite material. One end is a composite, with a bismuth alloy and a particulate material of greater strength than the bismuth material. A plug having both ends of the composite material.

Abstract: A chemical reaction heat source for use in heaters for downhole applications is provided. The heat source has a solid fuel composition that comprises thermite and a binding agent. The binding agent serving to maintain the solid form of the solid fuel composition during burning and ensure a predetermined uniform heating pattern can be provided for longer. The solid fuel composition can be provided in the form of blocks. The solid fuel composition can also be provided in the form of a plurality of fragments that, during burning, behave more like powdered thermite and have the ability to flow.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a gas or oil well is provided. The tool comprising a length of tubing having at least one annular sealing means mounted on the outer surface thereof. The annular sealing means, which are formed from a eutectic/bismuth based alloy, serve to secure the downhole tool in position within an oil or gas well during so that the tool can carry out its function.

Abstract: A chemical reaction heat source for use in heaters for downhole applications is provided. The heat source has a solid fuel composition that comprises thermite and a binding agent. The binding agent serves to maintain the solid form of the solid fuel composition during burning and ensure a predetermined uniform heating pattern can be provided for longer. The solid fuel composition can be provided in the form of blocks. The solid fuel composition can also be provided in the form of a plurality of fragments that, during burning, behave more like powdered thermite and can flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole heater assembly comprising at least one heating tool with a delivery support connection point, by which the heating tool is connectable to delivery means via a delivery support such that said heating tool can be delivered to and retrieved from a downhole target region of a borehole. The assembly is provided with a baffle that is configured to be positionable in the borehole at a location between said heater tool and said delivery means. When in position said baffle acts to restrict the movement of heated fluids produced during the operation of the heating tool so as to at least partially replicate the fluid flow conditions found in the test vessel in which the heating tool's configuration was originally tested. The present invention also provides associated methods that employ a baffle between a heating tool and the above ground delivery means used to deploy the heating tool downhole.

Abstract: A tool and method providing a eutectic alloy based downhole tool comprising a tubular body alloy located on an outer surface thereof, said tool having an outer diameter with a clearance from the inner diameter of the well. The downhole tool is delivered to a target region within an oil/gas well where the tool is to be deployed. Once the tool is in position within the well a tubular expanding tool is run through the interior of the tubular body to increase the outer diameter of the sealing downhole tool and in so doing reduce the clearance between the alloy and the well. A heater is deployed within the tubular body proximal to the alloy and operated to melt the alloy. The alloy is then allowed to cool and resolidify, whereby the tool is sealed in place within the target region of the well using the alloy.

Abstract: The method comprising providing a eutectic alloy based downhole tool comprising a tubular body with eutectic alloy located on an outer surface thereof, said tool having an outer diameter with a clearance from the inner diameter of the well. The downhole tool is delivered to a target region within an oil/gas well where the tool is to be deployed. Once the tool is in position within the well a tubular expanding tool is run through the interior of the tubular body so as to increase the outer diameter of the sealing downhole tool and in so doing reduce the clearance between the alloy and the well. A heater is deployed within the tubular body proximal to the alloy and operated to melt the alloy. The alloy is then allowed to cool and resolidify, whereby the tool is sealed in place within the target region of the well using the alloy.

Abstract: A single trip method of repairing a leaking annular seal located within an annulus that encircles an oil/as wellbore tubular body, examples of such seals including annular packers or cement seals. The method comprises providing deflector within a wellbore tubular body adjacent to one or more openings in the wall of the tubular body. Alloy beads are then deployed downhole via the tubular body so that the alloy beads are deflected via said openings into the annulus where they accumulate on top of the annular seal. The alloy is then heated to form an alloy plug above the annular seal. The present invention also provides an annular seal repair tool assembly for use in the repair method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a chemical heater for use in down-hole operations together with methods for operating such in oil/gas wells. The chemical heater comprises a heater body housing a chemical reaction heat source material. The heater body has a leading end that, in use, is deployed down-hole first. The heater is provided with ignition means, located in a heating zone proximal to the leading end of the heater body, for triggering a chemical reaction in the chemical reaction het source material located in the heating zone. The heater is further provided with an actuator housed within the heater body and configured to urge the chemical reaction heat source material towards the heating zone so as to generate a focused heating pattern.

Abstract: Methods to repair leaking liner hangers and/or drop off liner assemblies utilizing heaters to melt metal alloys which will solidify and form an annular seal at the liner hanger and seal the leak. Such methods may be used in numerous liner hanger environments, including but not limited to, well bores with and without tieback assemblies.

Abstract: A plug with composite reinforced end(s) and a mostly-bismuth-alloy middle section. At least one end comprises a composite material. One end is a composite, with a bismuth alloy and a particulate material of greater strength than the bismuth material. A plug having both ends of the composite material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chemical heater for use in down-hole operations together with methods for operating such in oil/gas wells. The chemical heater comprises a heater body (1) housing a chemical reaction heat source material (2). The heater body (1) has a leading end that, in use, is deployed down-hole first. The heater is provided with ignition means (3), located in a heating zone proximal to the leading end of the heater body, for triggering a chemical reaction in the chemical reaction heat source material located in the heating zone (4, 4a). The heater is further provided with an actuator (5,6) housed within the heater body (1) and configured to urge the chemical reaction heat source material (2) towards the heating zone so as to generate a focused heating pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole heating tool with an increased heating capacity for use in setting alloy plugs/seal in downhole target regions of wellbores, such as oil/gas wells. The increased heating capacity enables greater quantities of alloy to be melted in one operation. It also enables alloys with higher melting points to be melted in the downhole environment. To this end the heating tool comprises a plurality of discrete tubular heating units linked together by connection means that permit the movement of the tubular heating units relative to one another. The relative freedom of movement between the heating units facilitates a transition between a deployment configuration, in which the heating tool is optimised for deployment downhole, and a heating configuration, in which the heating tool adopts an expanded heating footprint within a downhole target region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge (1) for a chemical heater used in down-hole operations. The cartridge (1) comprises a quantity of a chemical reaction heat source (2) wrapped in a temporary coating (3) that is capable of maintaining the shape of the cartridge (1) prior to use but which is consumed during the burn of the heater. The present invention also provides a eutectic/bismuth based alloy well plugging/sealing tool (5). The tool (5) having a tubular heater body (6) with an internal cavity (8) capable of receiving a chemical heat source and a quantity of eutectic/bismuth based alloy (7) provided in thermal communication with the heater body (6) around an outer surface of the heater body (6). The tool has a sleeve (10) provided around an outer surface of the alloy (7), which insulates and/or mechanically protects the alloy (7) down-hole. In this way the sleeve (10) enables the diameter of tool (5) to be reduced whilst maintaining its functionality.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally deformable annular packer with pressure relief means for use in oil and gas wells. The annular packer is formed from a stack of component parts, said parts comprising one or more eutectic alloy based ring sections sandwiched between two end sections. At least one of the annular packer component parts has one or more enclosed voids that are configured to become exposed when the packer is subjected to a predetermined pressure or temperature. The exposure of the enclosed voids serves to increase the effective volume within the sealed region formed by the annular packer in the annulus between two coaxial well casing/tubing. The increase in the effective volume serves to reduce the pressure within the sealed region thus preventing a build-up of pressure that might otherwise have damaged the well casing/tubing.

Abstract: A method of clearing well casing (3) or tubing from a target region of an oil/gas well (1) borehole is provided. The clearance of the oil/gas well bore hole being achieved by employing chemical agents (9) that consume, weaken or melt the well casing/tubing. In some aspects of the method the well casing is cleared to expose the rock formation within which the well borehole is formed so that the rock formation can be accessed from within the well casing/tubing. In other aspects of the method the removal of inner tubing structures is used to facilitate the unimpaired deployment of repair tools down the well borehole.