A tool is provided for expanding the casing at one or more locations for arresting surface casing vent flow in an abandoned well. A setting tool is run into the bore having an expansion element supported thereon. The setting tool imparts a large axial force to radially expand the expansion element for plastically deforming the casing. A single use, pleated ring crushable expansion element can be actuated and left downhole. The pleated ring tool can be pre-charged with a highly viscous fluid, semi solid for transport, but plastic under load. A multi-use expansion element can be actuated, released, moved and actuated again at successive locations.

A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.

A method of removing material from a target is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a tool, the tool having at least one propellant source; pressurising the tool to a pressure higher than the environmental pressure; igniting at least one of the propellant source(s) to form a combustion zone; and directing combustion products generated at the combustion zone along at least one tool flow path. The tool flow path(s) is selectively openable or closable, such that upon exiting the tool flow path(s) the combustion products interact with a target, the interaction causing material to be removed from the target.

An isolation device for use with a casing gas separator. The device incorporates multiple cups, some upward-facing and others downward-facing. The downward-facing cup or cups seal against an internal surface of the casing gas separator to divert flow into the annulus of the separator and enable the separation process. The upward-facing cup or cups hold a pressurized fluid when the device is being located within the casing. Upon reaching the upper ports of the casing gas separator, the fluid releases into the annulus, allowing an operator to determine the location of the device and accurately place it within the casing gas separator.

A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.

A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.

A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.

A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes first and second explosive units that are each symmetrical about an axis of revolution. Each explosive unit includes an explosive material that is liner-less. The first and second explosive units comprise a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular into a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.

A downhole packer assembly includes a body part, an expandable tubular packer element surrounding the body part, and a first end and a second end of the expandable tubular packer element are fixedly connected with the body part, providing an expandable space fillable with liquid during expansion, and a metal sleeve surrounding the expandable tubular packer element. A restriction unit has an axially movable part movable between a first axial position in which the axially movable part at least partly overlaps the expandable tubular packer element and a second axial position in which the axially movable part has been axially displaced in relation to the body part away from the expandable tubular packer element.

There is provided a running tool for running an apparatus for patching a wall of a conduit to and activating the apparatus in a location in the conduit wherein the apparatus comprises a rolled up or curled up piece of material for patching the wall, wherein the piece of material has a surface comprising an adhesive compound for fastening the piece of mate-rial securely to the wall of the conduit, and wherein the miming tool comprises a heater for providing heat for the apparatus for heating the compound and a forcing device for apply-ing a force to the piece of material for forcing or holding the piece of material against the wall of the conduit, and a running tool for a downhole apparatus for patching a wall of a conduit, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of pieces of material for patching the wall of the conduit. There is also provided herein methods of patching a conduit.