Radial cutting apparatus for cutting a downhole conduit

An apparatus for cutting or severing a conduit, comprising:

• a main body section comprising a central axis, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion, the main body section adapted to be inserted into the conduit;
• a combustible charge located in the intermediate portion;
• an ignition mechanism coupled to the upper portion for igniting the combustible charge;
• and
• a nozzle head located in the lower portion and adjacent the combustible charge, wherein the nozzle head comprises an internal cavity and a nozzle portion including a plurality of apertures at spaced apart positions located around the central axis for providing passages from the internal cavity to outside of the nozzle head, wherein
• the ignition mechanism is configured to ignite the combustible charge to create a flame and combustion products and pressure in the internal cavity for moving the plurality of apertures and the nozzle head relative to the lower portion so that the plurality of apertures and the nozzle portion protrude out of the lower portion for passage of the flame and combustion products out of the plurality of apertures to sever the conduit.