IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,648,279
Granted Patent B2
US 10,648,279 · App. 15/918,393 · Granted May 12, 2020

Helical coil annular access plug and abandonment

Inventor: Randall S. Shafer (Houston, TX)
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
E21B33/134E21B29/002E21B29/02E21B33/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,648,279
App. No.
15/918,393
Granted
May 12, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for creating access to annular spacing during P&A operations is described. Specifically, helical coils are cut into one or more casings before the plugging material is set. The plugging material is able to exit the helical coils, forming multiple, small rock-to-rock seals.

Claims (13)

1. A method of plugging a hydrocarbon well, comprising:

a) deploying a cutting tool downhole to cut a plurality of helical coil openings in one or more casings at a section of a well to be plugged, wherein said helical coil openings provide access to an annular space external to an outermost casing, and wherein resulting cuttings fall to a bottom of said well;

b) deploying a base plug material to below and adjacent to said section, wherein said base plug material is a solid bismuth alloy then deploying a heater to said section to melt said solid bismuth alloy to form molten alloy and allowing said molten alloy to flow out said helical coil openings and fill a portion of said section and cool to form a base plug;

c) deploying a plugging material into said section, wherein said plugging material rests above said base plug, and said plugging material is squeezed to flow out said helical coil openings while filling said section; and

d) allowing said plugging material to set and form a plug;

e) said plug and base plug providing a series of rock-to-rock seals through said helical coil openings.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein additional solid bismuth alloy is deployed to said base plug and melted and cooled to extend a length of said base plug.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cutting tool is a laser or abrasive cutter.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said plugging material is cement, resin, or a fusible alloy.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said plugging material is cement.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein an inner tubing string is cut or removed at said section before said outermost casing is cut.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein a mill is used to remove said inner tubing string.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein a laser is used to cut said inner tubing string.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2018
From: SHAFER, RANDALL S
To: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
Reel/Frame 046317/0953 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62470234 · Mar 11, 2017
Related Publication 20180258735A1 · Sep 13, 2018
Cited By (2)
US 12,281,537 US 12,392,217