A method of removing materials by their disintegration, especially metal tubes and non-metal materials, particularly in an area of a borehole, by thermal disintegration of materials by action of plasma created in a plasma generator, by hydrodynamic and/or gravitational removing of disintegrated materials from the area of the borehole, characterized in that a directed flow of water vapour-based plasma acts on material being disintegrated and disintegrates it by synergetic simultaneous effect of thermal action and exothermic chemical reactions.

An exothermic cutting rod comprising an ignition assembly portion and a main portion. The main portion may comprise a plurality of fuel rods and a rod housing that is configured to allow a flow of oxygen to the ignition assembly portion. The ignition assembly portion may comprise an ignition fuel housing and an ignition fuel, which is entirely contained within said exothermic cutting rod. The ignition fuel housing may have one or more windows that are configured to allow a heat source to ignite the ignition fuel, which then in turn ignites the fuel rods.

Embodiments comprise a method of removing material at a well, involving progressively jetting heat along a helical path to heat a target material for removal. Embodiments of the method comprise material removal from a downhole well element, involving running in a downhole assembly with a downhole heating device comprising a fuel towards a target location. For example, such embodiments provide an alternative method for the removal of wellbore tubulars, using a rapid oxidation process to significantly alter the physical state of the tubular well element and reduce it to an oxide deviate, thereby facilitating an area where a more conventional barrier can be installed in the wellbore.

Embodiments comprise a method of removing material at a well, involving progressively jetting heat along a helical path to heat a target material for removal. Embodiments of the method comprise material removal from a downhole well element, involving running in a downhole assembly with a downhole heating device comprising a fuel towards a target location. For example, such embodiments provide an alternative method for the removal of wellbore tubulars, using a rapid oxidation process to significantly alter the physical state of the tubular well element and reduce it to an oxide deviate, thereby facilitating an area where a more conventional barrier can be installed in the wellbore.

A plasma tunnel boring machine including a plurality of plasma torches on the cutting head, and a plurality of nozzles on the cutting head to provide a stream to cool an area while the plasma torches are active, and a tractor providing propulsion to the cutting head, the tractor to move the cutting head to cut a tunnel.

The invention relates to a thermal lance consumable by an exothermic reaction used to perforate and/or cut any type of material of different thicknesses and dimensions, the lance comprising a main outer tubular body and at least one hollow inner profile and/or at least one hollow inner profile that is made of aluminium and/or magnesium and/or another material and has a different cross section, the profiles being located concentrically with respect to each other and/or with respect to the main outer tubular body, cavities being formed between each hollow inner profile and/or the main outer tubular body, the cavities forming passages for oxidizing gas that flows through the length of the thermal lance, wherein the cavities must have at least one straight part and at least one curved part to allow the flow of oxidizing gas to pass through the lance with a suitable turbulence during the operation thereof.

A method of removing a liner of a well, the liner comprising a liner material. The method comprises providing a seal in the well for defining an upper and/or lower boundary of a removal space, the space being delimited by at least the seal and the liner and providing oxygen or an oxygen releasing compound in the space. The method further comprises providing an ignition module for igniting the liner material near a lower boundary of the space and activating the ignition for igniting the liner material.

An exothermic cutting rod comprising an ignition assembly portion and a main portion. The main portion may comprise a plurality of fuel rods and a rod housing that is configured to allow a flow of oxygen to the ignition assembly portion. The ignition assembly portion may comprise an ignition fuel housing and an ignition fuel, which is entirely contained within said exothermic cutting rod. The ignition fuel housing may have one or more windows that are configured to allow a heat source to ignite the ignition fuel, which then in turn ignites the fuel rods.

An aspect provides a method of removing a liner of a well, the liner comprising a liner material. The method comprises providing a seal in the well for defining an upper and/or lower boundary of a removal space, the space being delimited by at least the seal and the liner and providing oxygen or an oxygen releasing compound in the space. The method further comprises providing an ignition module for igniting the liner material near a lower boundary of the space and activating the ignition for igniting the liner material. This method works faster and requires less energy. An important reason for the latter point is that burning of iron generates a large amount of energy. Furthermore, the burning of steel produces a powder (iron oxide) or small droplets so the waste is easier to handle.

A method of removing materials by their disintegration, especially metal tubes and non-metal materials, particularly in an area of a borehole, by thermal disintegration of materials by action of plasma created in a plasma generator, by hydrodynamic and/or gravitational removing of disintegrated materials from the area of the borehole, characterized in that a directed flow of water vapour-based plasma acts on material being disintegrated and disintegrates it by synergetic simultaneous effect of thermal action and exothermic chemical reactions.