A downhole heater (110) comprises a volume of intermetallic including at least two powdered metallic elements and an initiator. The heater is run into a bore (102) and the initiator operated to trigger an exothermic reaction between the metallic elements.
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
E21B 36/04 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des réchauffeurs électriques
C09K 8/42 - Compositions de cimentation, p. ex. pour la cimentation des tubes dans les trous de forageCompositions de bouchage, p. ex. pour tuer des puits
A downhole heating method comprises locating a heater in a fluid-filled downhole bore, activating the heater to heat the bore and the fluid therein, and restricting or disrupting convection-induced flow of the heated fluid in the bore. The convection-induced flow may be restricted by providing a radially extending flow barrier or heat deflector. Alternatively, or in addition, the flow may be disrupted by configuring a surface of the heater to disrupt axial flow.
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
A method of sealing a downhole annulus (116) comprises: providing a fusible member (106) on an inner pipe (104); locating the fusible member (106) and the inner pipe (104) downhole and within an outer pipe (518) or open hole, and reconfiguring the fusible member (116) from a first configuration in which the fusible member (116) describes a smaller first diameter to a second configuration in which the fusible member (116) describes a larger second diameter. When the fusible member (116) is in the second configuration the member (116) is heated and fluidised. The fluidised fusible member then cools and solidifies to provide a seal between the inner pipe (104) and a surrounding wall of the outer pipe (518) or the borehole.
A plug or barrier-forming material comprises a matrix of a first metal (172) and an aggregate of uniform or irregular shaped macroscopic objects (174). The aggregate may comprise steel spheres (174) coated with a second metal (178) to facilitate bonding to the first metal (172).
E21B 33/13 - Procédés ou dispositifs de cimentation, de bouchage des trous, des fissures ou analogues
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
C09K 8/42 - Compositions de cimentation, p. ex. pour la cimentation des tubes dans les trous de forageCompositions de bouchage, p. ex. pour tuer des puits
C09K 8/32 - Compositions de forage non aqueuses, p. ex. à base d'huile
5.
Downhole apparatus and method comprising compacted thermite
A downhole tool comprises a heater including a container enclosing a volume of compacted thermite. A volume of flowable alloy is provided above the heater. A fusible bulkhead may be provided between the heater and the alloy and provides for direct conduction of heat from the heater to the alloy. A housing containing the alloy may be separated from the heater by heating a fusible socket that anchors an end of a tensioned support member. The thermite may define an internal volume adapted to receive alloy. The heater may be activated to melt the alloy and the alloy may then solidify to form a bore-sealing plug.
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
A downhole heating method comprises locating a heater (30) in a fluid-filled downhole bore (34), activating the heater (30) to heat the bore and the fluid therein (36), and restricting or disrupting convection-induced flow of the heated fluid in the bore. The convection-induced flow may be restricted by providing a radially extending flow barrier or heat deflector (62). Alternatively, or in addition, the flow may be disrupted by configuring a surface of the heater to disrupt axial flow.
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
A method of sealing an annulus between first and second bore-lining tubulars comprises providing a first bore-lining tubular having a first volume of alloy thereon and running the first bore-lining tubular into a bore provided with a second bore-lining tubular. The alloy is fluidised and then allowed to solidify in an annulus between the bore-lining tubulars and bond the tubulars together. The alloy may be fluidised in the presence of flux.
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
C09K 8/42 - Compositions de cimentation, p. ex. pour la cimentation des tubes dans les trous de forageCompositions de bouchage, p. ex. pour tuer des puits
A method of retaining material in a bore comprises running a tool comprising a retainer member and a fusible part into a bore with the retainer member in a retracted configuration. The tool is positioned at a desired location in the bore and the fusible part is heated to reconfigure the retainer member to an extended configuration in which the retainer member engages the bore wall.
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
A downhole method comprises expanding a patch member. The patch member may be employed in a method of sealing a wall of a bore. The sealing method may comprise: providing the patch member with a sealing material on an exterior surface; running the patch member into the bore in a smaller diameter first configuration; heating the sealing material to render the sealing material flowable; reconfiguring the patch member to a larger diameter second configuration; and hardening the sealing material to provide a seal between the exterior surface of the patch member and an inner surface of the bore.
E21B 43/10 - Mise en place de tubages, filtres ou crépines dans les puits
E21B 29/10 - Remise en état des tubages de puits, p. ex. redressage
E21B 33/128 - PackersBouchons avec un organe dilaté radialement par pression axiale
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
A downhole tool (100) comprises a heater (106) including a container (128) enclosing a volume of compacted thermite (126). A volume of flowable alloy (124) is provided above the heater (106). A fusible bulkhead (130) may be provided between the heater (106) and the alloy (124) and provides for direct conduction of heat from the heater (106) to the alloy (124). A housing (122) containing the alloy (124) may be separated from the heater (106) by heating a fusible socket that anchors an end of a tensioned support member (136). The thermite may define an internal volume (150) adapted to receive alloy (124). The heater (106) may be activated to melt the alloy (108) and the alloy may then solidify to form a bore-sealing plug.
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
A method of sealing a subsurface bore comprises: locating a volume of thermite in the bore; locating a volume of alloy in the bore with the thermite; initiating reaction of the thermite to heat the alloy; and bringing the alloy to above the melting point of the alloy whereby the alloy flows and occludes the bore. The thermite may retain its initial form during or following reaction or may partially fluidise. The thermite may react to provide a platform that at least partially occludes the bore. The alloy may flow over a surface of the thermite.
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
C09K 8/42 - Compositions de cimentation, p. ex. pour la cimentation des tubes dans les trous de forageCompositions de bouchage, p. ex. pour tuer des puits
A method of retaining material in a bore comprises running a tool comprising a retainer member (124) and a fusible part (140) into a bore with the retainer member (124) in a retracted configuration, The tool is positioned at a desired location in the bore and the fusible part (140) is heated to reconfigure the retainer member (124) to an extended configuration in which the retainer member (124) engages the bore wall.
A method of sealing an annulus between first and second bore-lining tubulars comprises providing a first bore-lining tubular (248) having a first volume of alloy (276) thereon and running the first bore-lining tubular (248) into a bore provided with a second bore-lining tubular (232). The alloy (276) is fluidised and then allowed to solidify in an annulus between the bore-lining tubulars and bond the tubulars together. The alloy may be fluidised in the presence of flux.
E21B 33/13 - Procédés ou dispositifs de cimentation, de bouchage des trous, des fissures ou analogues
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
A downhole method comprises expanding a patch member (154). The patch member (154) may be employed in a method of sealing a wall of a bore (102). The sealing method may comprise: providing the patch member (154) with a sealing material (156) on an exterior surface; running the patch member (154) into the bore (102) in a smaller diameter first configuration; heating the sealing material (156) to render the sealing material flowable; reconfiguring the patch member (154) to a larger diameter second configuration; and hardening the sealing material (156) to provide a seal between the exterior surface of the patch member (154) and an inner surface of the bore (102).
A method of sealing a subsurface bore comprises: locating a volume of thermite in the bore; locating a volume of alloy in the bore with the thermite; initiating reaction of the thermite to heat the alloy; and bringing the alloy to above the melting point of the alloy whereby the alloy flows and occludes the bore. The thermite may retain its initial form during or following reaction or may partially fluidise. The thermite may react to provide a platform that at least partially occludes the bore. The alloy may flow over a surface of the thermite.
C06B 33/00 - Compositions contenant des particules de métal, alliage, bore, silicium, sélénium ou tellure avec au moins un matériau fournissant de l'oxygène, qui est soit un oxyde métallique, soit un sel, organique ou inorganique, susceptible de donner un oxyde métallique
16.
EXPANDING THERMITE REACTIONS FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS
Methods and apparatus for forming platforms and flow control features in underground wells is described, using modified thermite reactions to form a ceramic plug in place. The reactive package is engineered to expand laterally, filling the well, and may be used to form a ceramic bridge plug, porous ceramic screen sections, or mitigate lost circulation of drilling fluids. These objectives are achieved through the design of the reactive package and through use of carefully chosen reaction additives that control the molten product rheology, solidification temperature, and pore generations and sustainment.
Methods and apparatus for forming platforms and flow control features in underground wells is described, using modified thermite reactions to form a ceramic plug in place. The reactive package is engineered to expand laterally, filling the well, and may be used to form a ceramic bridge plug, porous ceramic screen sections, or mitigate lost circulation of drilling fluids. These objectives are achieved through the design of the reactive package and through use of carefully chosen reaction additives that control the molten product rheology, solidification temperature, and pore generations and sustainment.
A platform is formed in a well below a target plug zone by lowering a thermite reaction charge into the well and igniting it, whereby the products of the reaction are allowed to cool and expand to form a platform or support in the well. A main thermite reaction charge is placed above the platform and ignited to form a main sealing plug for the well. In some embodiments an upper plug is formed by igniting an upper thermite reaction charge above the main thermite reaction charge. The upper plug confines the products of ignition of the main thermite reaction charge.
E21B 33/13 - Procédés ou dispositifs de cimentation, de bouchage des trous, des fissures ou analogues
C09K 8/42 - Compositions de cimentation, p. ex. pour la cimentation des tubes dans les trous de forageCompositions de bouchage, p. ex. pour tuer des puits
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
Wells are sealed by means of thermite reaction charges inserted into the wells. The reaction charge can be diluted by addition of metal oxides, silica, or the like control reaction pressure, peak temperature, reaction rate, and expansion characteristics of the resulting thermite plug. The use of dilution of the thermite reactants can take the form of a thermite charge with specific layers, including relatively high and low reaction temperature layers. The ignition source can be oriented to achieve directional control on the product expansion including radial or axial expansion. The charge can be loaded with a large mass to compress the resulting thermite plug into the borehole wall and reduce its porosity during the reaction process. A further variation involves continuous feed of the thermite reactants to the reaction zone. Various combinations and permutations of the above inventive concepts are described.
Wells are sealed by means of thermite reaction charges inserted into the wells. The reaction charge can be diluted by addition of metal oxides, silica, or the like control reaction pressure, peak temperature, reaction rate, and expansion characteristics of the resulting thermite plug. The use of dilution of the thermite reactants can take the form of a thermite charge with specific layers, including relatively high and low reaction temperature layers. The ignition source can be oriented to achieve directional control on the product expansion including radial or axial expansion. The charge can be loaded with a large mass to compress the resulting thermite plug into the borehole wall and reduce its porosity during the reaction process. A further variation involves continuous feed of the thermite reactants to the reaction zone. Various combinations and permutations of the above inventive concepts are described.
E21B 33/13 - Procédés ou dispositifs de cimentation, de bouchage des trous, des fissures ou analogues
E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel
brevets
