초록 ▼

A secondary plugging tool is disclosed for use in a subterranean plug, such as in a plugged and/or abandoned well. The repaired plug may be of a cementicious material, or a mechanically, hydraulically or electrically set plug or packer. The plugging tool includes an outer housing containing an eutec

A secondary plugging tool is disclosed for use in a subterranean plug, such as in a plugged and/or abandoned well. The repaired plug may be of a cementicious material, or a mechanically, hydraulically or electrically set plug or packer. The plugging tool includes an outer housing containing an eutectic metal alloy. A thermitic reaction charge is contained within chambers within an inner tubular member and a lower housing. The lower end of the outer housing being ported circumferentially there around, the thermitic reaction charge activates the eutectic metal charge such that the eutectic charge melts and pours out of the outer housing and across and upon the initial plug to repair any failure areas therein.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A secondary plugging tool for use in a subterranean well for the repair of a first plug previously introduced into and set within the well, said secondary plugging tool comprising: (a) an outer tubular housing including a first cham

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A secondary plugging tool for use in a subterranean well for the repair of a first plug previously introduced into and set within the well, said secondary plugging tool comprising: (a) an outer tubular housing including a first chamber section, a lower end and a series of circumferentially extending ports immediate the lower end thereof; (b) a lower housing selectively secured to said outer housing and including a second chamber therein; (c) an inner tubular housing concentrically positioned within the outer tubular housing and including a third chamber, said second and third chambers being in communication with one another; (d) a low temperature melting eutectic metal alloy charge deposited within said first chamber; (e) a thermitic reaction charge deposited within the inner tubular housing immediate and covering said ported lower end; (f) means secured to at least one of said housings for introducing, positioning and retrieving said plugging tool; and (g) means for igniting the thermitic reaction charge, whereby, upon activation of the igniting means, the thermitic reaction charge is ignited sufficient to heat and thermitically melt the said low temperature melting metal alloy charge, whereby the molten eutectic metal alloy charge flows through the ported lower end of the outer housing and into said well and upon and across said first plug. 2. The well tool of claim 1 further comprising means for releasing the inner and outer housings from the lower housing for retrieval of the inner and outer housings to the top of the well. 3. The well tool of claim 2 wherein the releasing means comprises at least one member shearable upon application of tensile force upon the means for introducing and retrieving the well tool. 4. The well tool of claim 2 wherein the releasing means comprises a meltable metallic connection between the outer and lower housings. 5. The well tool of claim 1 wherein the means for igniting the thermitic reaction charge includes an electric signal. 6. The well tool of claim 1 wherein the means for igniting the thermitic reaction charge includes a percussion element. 7. The well tool of claim 1 wherein the means for igniting the thermitic reaction charge includes a bar element introduced within the inner housing. 8. A method of repairing a first plug set within a subterranean well, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing into the well on a conduit a well tool, conspiring; (1) an outer tubular housing including a first chamber section, a lower end and a series of circumferentially extending ports immediate the lower end thereof; (2) a lower housing selectively secured to said outer housing and including a second chamber therein; (3) an inner tubular housing concentrically positioned within the outer tubular housing and including a third chamber, said second and third chambers being in communication with one another; (4) a low temperature melting eutectic metal alloy charge deposited within said first chamber; (5) a thermitic reaction charge deposited within the inner tubular housing immediate and covering said ported lower end; (6) means secured to at least one of said housings for introducing, positioning and retrieving said plugging tool; (7) means for igniting the thermitic reaction charge, whereby, upon activation of the igniting means, the thermitic reaction charge is ignited sufficient to heat and thermitically melt the said low temperature melting metal alloy charge, whereby the molten eutectic metal alloy charge flows through the ported lower end of the outer housing, and into said well and upon and across said first plug; and (b) activating the igniting means to cause the ignition of the thermitic reaction charge in the second and third chambers, whereby during the ignition of the thermitic reaction charge, the eutectic metal alloy charge is transposed into a molten stream which discharges out of the ported lower end of the outer housing, into the well, and across and upon the first plug. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said tool further comprises releasing means for releasing the inner and outer housings from the lower housing, and further comprising the steps of: (c) activating the releasing means to separate the lower housing from the inner and outer housings; and (d) withdrawing the inner and outer housings from the well prior or subsequent to solidification of the eutectic metal alloy charge across and upon the well plug. 10. A secondary plugging tool for use in a subterranean well for the repair of a first plug previously introduced and set within the well, said secondary plugging tool comprising: (a) an outer housing; (b) first and second chamber sections disposed within said housing; (c) a low temperature melting eutectic metal alloy charge deposited within one of said chamber sections; (d) a thermitic reaction charge deposited within the other of the first and second chamber section; (e) means for permitting flow out of the outer housing of the low temperature melting eutectic metal alloy charge upon melting; (f) means secured to the outer housing for introducing, positioning and retrieving said plugging tool; and (g) means for igniting the thermitic reaction charge, whereby, upon burning of the thermitic reaction charge, the thermite reaction charge melts the low temperature melting eutectic metal alloy charge, whereby, upon said melting of said eutectic metal alloy charge, the molten eutectic metal alloy flows out of outer housing and into said well upon and across said plug. 11. A secondary plugging tool for use in a subterranean well for the repair of a first plug previously introduced into and set within the well, said secondary plugging tool comprising: (a) a tubular housing having a lower portion; (b) a low temperature metal alloy charge secured around the exterior of the lower portion of the tubular housing; and (c) a thermitic reaction charge disposed within the tubular housing immediate the lower portion of the housing; and (d) means for permitting the flow of a resulting ignition of the low temperature metal alloy from within the lower portion of the housing and onto the first plug. 12. A secondary plugging tool for use in a subterranean well for the repair of a first plug previously introduced and set within the well, said secondary plugging tool comprising: (a) an outer tubular housing; (b) inner, and outer concentrically disposed chamber sections within said housing; (c) a thermitic reaction charge disposed within said inner chamber section; (d) a low temperature eutectic metal alloy charge disposed in said outer chamber section and convertible into a molten flow upon ignition of the thermitic reaction charge; and (e) means for permitting flow of the molten eutectic metal alloy charge from within the outer chamber, into the well, and upon and across said plug.