A chemical reaction heat source for use in heaters used in down-hole applications is provided. The heat source has a fuel composition that comprises thermite and a damping agent. The use of the thermite mix enables the heaters of the present invention to generate hotter temperatures down wells. This in turn allows the use of Bismuth/Germanium alloys, which have higher melting points, to enable the production of plugs for the abandonment of deeper wells where subterranean temperatures are higher.

What is presented is a high power igniter that releasably secures to a cutting apparatus that is used for radially projecting a flow of heated gas to cut from an internal surface through an external surface of a conduit used for oil, gas, mining, and underwater pressure sealed tool applications. The high power igniter comprises an igniter housing adapted to be positioned in the conduit. The igniter housing comprises a containment sub and a nozzle sub that releasably secure to each other. The nozzle sub for directing the flow of the heated gas toward the cutting apparatus and releasably securing to the cutting apparatus. A high wattage heater in the igniter housing comprises a metal magnalium thermite pellet insertable into the igniter housing for creating the flow of heated gas when the high power igniter is in use and a pellet igniting device.

What is presented is a high power igniter that releasably secures to a cutting apparatus that is used for radially projecting a flow of heated gas to cut from an internal surface through an external surface of a conduit used for oil, gas, mining, and underwater pressure sealed tool applications. The high power igniter comprises an igniter housing adapted to be positioned in the conduit. The igniter housing comprises a containment sub and a nozzle sub that releasably secure to each other. The nozzle sub for directing the flow of the heated gas toward the cutting apparatus and releasably securing to the cutting apparatus. A high wattage heater in the igniter housing comprises a metal magnalium thermite pellet insertable into the igniter housing for creating the flow of heated gas when the high power igniter is in use and a pellet igniting device.

A high strength engineered reactive matrix composite that includes a core material and a reactive binder matrix combined in high volumes and with controlled spacing and distribution to produce both high strength and controlled reactivity. The engineered reactive matrix composite includes a repeating metal, ceramic, or composite particle core material and a reactive binder/matrix, and wherein the reactive/matrix binder is distributed relatively homogeneously around the core particles, and wherein the reactivity of the reactive binder/matrix is engineered by controlling the relative chemistry and interfacial surface area of the reactive components. These reactive materials are useful for oil and gas completions and well stimulation processes, enhanced oil and gas recovery operations, as well as in defensive and mining applications requiring high energy density and good mechanical properties.

A high strength engineered reactive matrix composite that includes a core material and a reactive binder matrix combined in high volumes and with controlled spacing and distribution to produce both high strength and controlled reactivity. The engineered reactive matrix composite includes a repeating metal, ceramic, or composite particle core material and a reactive binder/matrix, and wherein the reactive/matrix binder is distributed relatively homogeneously around the core particles, and wherein the reactivity of the reactive binder/matrix is engineered by controlling the relative chemistry and interfacial surface area of the reactive components. These reactive materials are useful for oil and gas completions and well stimulation processes, enhanced oil and gas recovery operations, as well as in defensive and mining applications requiring high energy density and good mechanical properties.

The present invention is a pyrotechnic time delay system that is improved over prior-art designs. Specifically, the system described herein comprises at least one delay element. The delay element or delay dements each have an input charge, a delay composition, and an output charge. Both the input charge and the output charge are igniter compositions and are comprised of the same components despite having different functional goals. The input charge and output charge compositions preferably contain titanium, manganese dioxide, and polytetrafluoroethylene. The delay composition may be modified from current formulations to include manganese and manganese dioxide, or tungsten and manganese dioxide. The system disclosed herein may be comprised of one delay element, or it may be modular wherein multiple delay elements are connected in series.

The present invention is a pyrotechnic time delay system that is improved over prior-art designs. Specifically, the system described herein comprises at least one delay element. The delay element or delay dements each have an input charge, a delay composition, and an output charge. Both the input charge and the output charge are igniter compositions and are comprised of the same components despite having different functional goals. The input charge and output charge compositions preferably contain titanium, manganese dioxide, and polytetrafluoroethylene. The delay composition may be modified from current formulations to include manganese and manganese dioxide, or tungsten and manganese dioxide. The system disclosed herein may be comprised of one delay element, or it may be modular wherein multiple delay elements are connected in series.

A shot shell is disclosed. The shot shell includes a casing, a projectile, a cushion wad having a sabot, a propellant, and a primer for igniting the propellant. The projectile, the cushion and the propellant are contained within the casing. The projectile includes a reactive material pellet that is partially covered by a taper-shaped inert capsule.

A shot shell is disclosed. The shot shell includes a casing, a projectile, a cushion wad having a sabot, a propellant, and a primer for igniting the propellant. The projectile, the cushion and the propellant are contained within the casing. The projectile includes a reactive material pellet that is partially covered by a taper-shaped inert capsule.

A plug (1) for plugging wells, and in particular oil and gas wells, is provided. The plug (1) has a plug body formed from an outer metal tube (2) of a reduced thickness. The plug also has reinforcement means (4), attached to an inner surface of the outer tube (2), that give the plug a cross-sectional structural strength that is at least equivalent to that of a thicker metal tube. The plug has a central heater receiving void located along the axis of the plug to enable a plug deployment heater to be received therein. Also provided is a plug assembly (10) with a variable cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the assembly is deployed during the plugging of underground conduits.