Method of abandoning a well

Abstract

Sealing a well above a barrier or plug, comprising the steps of lowering a first tool on a slickline (21), comprising a plurality of cartridges (26), these cartridges including a plurality of cartridges containing a thermite material at least a first thermite initiator cartridge (70) which includes an activation receiver (73) deploying these cartridges above the barrier or plug transmitting a first wireless signal to first thermite initiator cartridge (70) such that the first thermite initiator cartridge causes a thermite reaction at the said set of the cartridges (26) containing a thermite material.

1 . A method of sealing a well above a barrier or plug, comprising the steps of lowering a first tool on a slickline, comprising a plurality of cartridges, these cartridges including
 a plurality of cartridges containing a thermite material   at least a first thermite initiator cartridge which includes an activation receiver deploying these cartridges above the barrier or plug   
       transmitting a first wireless signal to first thermite initiator cartridge 
       such that the first thermite initiator cartridge causes a thermite reaction at least a first set of the cartridges containing a thermite material. 
     
     
         2 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless signal is acoustic. 
     
     
         3 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless signal is supplied by a wireless transceiver included on the first tool. 
     
     
         4 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless signal is supplied by a wireless transceiver suspended on a second tool lowered on a slickline as a later step. 
     
     
         5 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  wherein that a second thermite initiator cartridge is included further comprising transmitting a second wireless signal to the second thermite initiator cartridge 
       such that the second thermite initiator cartridge causes a thermite reaction at least a second set of the cartridges containing a thermite material. 
     
     
         6 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 5  wherein the second wireless signal to the second thermite initiator cartridge is transmitted or relayed from the first thermite initiator cartridge. 
     
     
         7 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  wherein a thermite initiator cartridge transmits a wireless confirmation signal after receiving a wireless signal. 
     
     
         8 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the cartridges contains a high temperature thermite material, such that a well casing is severed when the thermite cartridge is activated. 
     
     
         9 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 8  wherein a second tool is deployed after the well casing is severed. 
     
     
         10 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of cartridges are deployed in a payload container. 
     
     
         11 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 10  wherein the payload container is released from the slickline, and deforms in a coiled shape in the casing. 
     
     
         12 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 10  wherein the tool includes a plurality of payload containers joined to each other by flexible connecting members. 
     
     
         13 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of cartridges are released sequentially from the tool. 
     
     
         14 . A method of sealing a well according to  claim 1  using a tool adapted for use.