Study on the Influence of Temperature Distribution in Thermite Plugging Abandoned Well Technology

Hao Liu, Jie Zhang (), Ruitao Sun, Xiang Li, Jiajun Yao and Jiazheng Zhou
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Hao Liu: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Jie Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Ruitao Sun: China Oilfield Services Limited, Tianjin 300459, China
Xiang Li: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Jiajun Yao: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Jiazheng Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-25

Abstract: With the intensive development of oil and gas resources leading to a rapid increase in abandoned wells, sealing failures may cause oil and gas leakage and environmental pollution. Systematically investigating the temperature distribution patterns of thermite melting in open-hole abandoned wells under various factors is critical for effective plugging. This study overcomes the limitations of traditional single heat conduction models by integrating thermite reaction kinetics, phase change latent heat, and thermal–fluid–solid multi-field coupling effects, establishing a thermal–fluid–solid coupling model for thermite melting in open-hole abandoned wells. This model provides theoretical guidance for the effectiveness of plugging operations and temperature control during operations. The model was validated through thermite melting experiments: the simulated expansion of the sandstone borehole diameter was 9.8 mm, with a 5.5% error compared to the experimental value of 9.29 mm; and the simulated axial extension at the well bottom was 18.9 mm, with a 4.7% error compared to the experimental value of 17.19 mm, confirming the model’s accuracy. The influence of different lithologies and initial downhole temperatures on the temperature distribution in the open-hole section of abandoned wells under identical conditions was analyzed. The results show that the ultimate melting thicknesses of dolomite, limestone, and granite are 0.0354 m, 0.0350 m, and 0.0234 m, respectively, indicating superior plugging effects in dolomite and limestone. In the initial reaction stage (stage a), the phase change thickness of limestone exceeded that of dolomite by 59.78%, demonstrating better thermite melting and sealing efficacy in limestone. Additionally, model analysis reveals that the initial downhole temperature has a minimal impact on the temperature distribution of thermite melting in open-hole abandoned wells.

Keywords: abandoned well; thermite melting; thermal–fluid–solid coupling; temperature; lithology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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