Methods to repair well liner hangers

Abstract

Methods to repair leaking liner hangers and/or drop off liner assemblies utilizing heaters to melt metal alloys which will solidify and form an annular seal at the liner hanger and seal the leak. Such methods may be used in numerous liner hanger environments, including but not limited to, well bores with and without tieback assemblies.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for repairing a leaking well liner hanger consisting of:
 running an isolation member in a well generally proximate to the liner hanger;   running service tools, including a heater and an alloy, in said well above said liner hanger;   starting said heater;   melting said alloy;   sealing the leaking hanger; and   pulling said service tools from said well.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said heater is a chemical heater. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein additional alloy is added to a sealing area from the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 3  wherein said additional alloy are alloy beads. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1  further including milling an inside diameter of said well. 
     
     
         6 . A method for repairing a leaking well liner hanger having a tieback consisting of:
 running an isolation member in a well generally proximate to the liner hanger;   perforating the tieback;   running service tools, including a heater and an alloy, in said well above said liner hanger;   starting said heater;   melting said alloy;   sealing the leaking hanger; and   pulling said service tools from said well.   
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 6  wherein said heater is a chemical heater. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 6  wherein additional alloy is added to a sealing area from the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 8  wherein said additional alloy are alloy beads. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 6  further including milling an inside diameter of said well. 
     
     
         11 . A method for repairing a leaking well liner hanger having a tieback and one or more TDAPs consisting of:
 running an isolation member in a well generally proximate to the liner hanger;   perforating the tieback and one of said TDAPs;   running service tools, including a heater and an alloy, in said well above said liner hanger;   starting said heater;   melting said alloy;   sealing the leaking hanger; and   pulling said service tools from said well.   
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said heater is a chemical heater. 
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein additional alloy is added to a sealing area from the surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 13  wherein said additional alloy are alloy beads. 
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 11  further including milling an inside diameter of said well. 
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 11  further including perforating multiple TDAPs. 
     
     
         17 . A method for repairing annular seals in a well bore having a TDAP consisting of running an isolation member to a target area within the well, perforating the TDAP, running service tools including a heater and an alloy, starting the heater, melting the alloy, sealing the annular seal, and pulling the service tools.