# US 12,215,559 B2 · Thermite method of abandoning a well > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,559 B2 - Document ID: US12215559B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/009,465 - Filed: 2021-06-09 - Published: 2023-07-13 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-09 - Assignees: PSP-IP Limited - Applicants: PSP-IP Limited - Inventors: Philip Head - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215559B2 ## CPC - E21B 29/02: by explosives or by thermal or chemical means {(freeing stuck objects by explosives E21B31/002)} - E21B 23/0417: {Down-hole non-explosive gas generating means, e.g. by chemical reaction} - E21B 41/0078: {Nozzles used in boreholes (drilling by liquid or gas jets E21B7/18; drill bits with nozzles E21B10/60; perforators using direct fluid action E21B43/114; obtaining a slurry of minerals using nozzles E21B43/29)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A well cutting tool, comprising a housing including a chamber, the housing having at least one nozzle, the chamber being loaded with thermite, and a gas-generating additive an ignitor such that when the ignitor is actuated to ignite the thermite, the gas-generating additive is caused to create an increase in pressure which discharges energised molten thermite from the chamber and out of the housing through the at least one nozzle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A well cutting tool, comprising; a housing including a chamber; the housing having at least one nozzle; the chamber being loaded with thermite, and a gas-generating additive; and an ignitor; such that when the ignitor is actuated to ignite the thermite, the gas-generating additive is caused to create an increase in pressure which discharges energised molten thermite from the chamber and out of the housing through the at least one nozzle, wherein there is provided a volume of liquid in a hermetically sealed container inside the thermite chamber, such that when the thermite is heated, it converts the liquid to a highly energised state which results in a highly energised plasma jet which discharges with the energised molten thermite. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the liquid includes a gycol, glycerine, or water. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle includes a face or faces which direct the energised molten thermite, and the nozzle face or faces can be adjusted to open to different widths depending upon the thickness of any tubing to be severed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle comprises more than one nozzle to produce multiple perforations. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A tool according to claim 4, wherein the nozzles separate to form a shape so as to focus a discharge jet in a thin controlled 360 degree dispersion and inclined at an angle 45 degrees to an axis of the tubing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is formed from two nozzle rings with a spacer between the nozzle rings to separate the nozzle rings. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A tool according to claim 6, wherein the spacer is shaped to focus the discharge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is a single piece component made from tungsten carbide. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle comprises two solid tungsten carbide rings, which when separated generate a uniform 360 degree plasma jet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the gas generating additive includes covalent carbides, including one of silicon carbide and boron carbide, and/or interstitial carbides, including one of titanium carbide and vanadium carbide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein an electrical ignitor initiates a thermal ignitor when it receives a coded acoustic signal from a transmitting tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein an ignitor is electrically actuated and initiates a thermal ignitor when it receives an instruction on a conveyed wireline. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is covered by heat shrink material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is sealed with bismuth, which melts and allows a plasma to flow out of the nozzle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is sealed with water proof tape, which tears open when the thermite is ignited. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A tool according to claim 1, wherein a secondary back up including a hydrostatic pressure switch is provided to actuate the tool. ### Claim 17 A well cutting tool, comprising; a housing including a chamber; the housing having at least two nozzles; the chamber being loaded with thermite, and a gas-generating additive; and an ignitor; such that when the ignitor is actuated to ignite the thermite, the gas-generating additive is caused to create an increase in pressure which discharges energised molten thermite from the chamber and out of the housing through the nozzles; wherein the nozzles separate to form a shape to focus a discharge jet in a thin controlled 360 degree dispersion and inclined at an angle 45 degrees to an axis of associated tubing in which the housing is adapted to be located.