Releasable alloy system and method for well management
US11434716B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B36/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Apparatus, in the form of a eutectic alloy plug (1) and a deployment heater (10) are provided. The plug (1) and the deployment heated (10) are provided with means (5, 13) for releasably retaining the deployment heater (10) within a cavity (4) in the plug (1). The nature of the retaining means is such that once the plug (1) is secured in a well the heater (10) can be recovered without the plug (1). An extraction heater (20), which is also receivable within the cavity (4) of the plug (1), is provided to re-melt the eutectic alloy and thus enable the extraction of the plug from a well. Various method of plugging abandoned wells are made possible by the control that the provided apparatus gives.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.