BiSN’s unique Performance Barrier Plug allows operators to solve unwanted downhole flow issues by utilizing a high-density bismuth alloy that expands upon solidification – sealing across the life of the well by sealing cement cracks, plugging perforations, or addressing flow through screens in oil and gas wells, with confidence to assure uptime, improve production, extend well life and ultimately to abandon safely.

Key Features:

• Bismuth Alloy Sealing Mechanism: The plug uses a bismuth alloy, which expands upon solidifying to create a tight seal within the wellbore due to the following properties
• Low-melting points (273 °C) facilitate controlled electrical deployment and enable seals to be cast in-situ – and removed if required
• Viscosity like water (1 – 3 cps) allow it to flow easily through perforations or micro annuli cracks without the need of any pumping equipment
• 10x denser than water, enabling effective displacement of wellbore fluids
• Ability to expand with an expansion ratio of 3:1 upon solidification creating a gas-tight seal capable of withstanding high differential pressures
• Non-toxic and Corrosion resistance to H2S, CO2, acids and chlorides
• Eutectic metal, converting from liquid to solid state almost instantaneously when it cools below its melting point, bypassing the gel phase
• Non-porous with very less permeability, making it an ideal material for stopping gas migration
• Exhibits better resistance and lesser leakage rates than cement plugs

Thermite-Based Deployment: A thermite-powered heater generates the necessary heat to melt the bismuth alloy. Alternative configurations allow the heater to be separate from the alloy to provide flexibility in deployment. The alloy is melted via a controlled thermite reaction, ensuring the proper flow of molten material into the desired sealing area, similar to the behavior of candle wax when melted.

Versatile Application: Suitable for use in the presence of gas or fluid flow, though the recommendation is to use solid-free fluids to prevent interference with heat transfer during deployment.

Lightweight Options: For weight-sensitive operations, bismuth beads can be used instead of a cast alloy to reduce the overall weight of the running tool without compromising seal effectiveness. The alloy beads are either run separately, or the beads are stacked around the heater to melt and seal the desired area.

BISN offers various plug and abandonment solutions, including an integrated tool with an inflatable packer, as well as short plugs (typically 5-6 feet long) that can be stacked if needed. Their business model is renting the bismuth plugs and service engineer along with the Bismuth material cost as required for each plug.

Bismuth plug technology has proven to be a highly effective alternative to conventional cement plugs, offering enhanced sealing capability, versatility, and long-term well integrity in oil and gas operations as follows:

• Seals wells with patented metal to metal technology.
• Bismuth expands on solidification which creates a V0 gas tight seal in accordance with ISO 14310, particularly effective for sealing cement cracks, plugging perforations, and preventing unwanted downhole flows.
• Can be deployed on any standard wireline, electric line, coiled tubing or drill pipe without special connection.
• Bismuth is non-corrosive, environmentally friendly and is not affected by H2S, CO2 or acid washes.
• With a low viscosity (1-3 cps) and high density (10x of water), the bismuth alloy displaces the wellbore fluids flowing easily like water, enabling it to penetrate narrow cracks or micro-annuli without the need for additional pumping equipment.
• Heater uses a thermite chemical reaction that is non-explosive, with no special licenses or handling permits required since bismuth alloy has a low melting point (273°C).
• Thermite heaters generates the required heat to melt the alloy, ensuring efficient flow into perforations and micro-annuli cracks.
• For weight-sensitive applications, bismuth beads can be used instead of a solid alloy.
• The seal is created within minutes and ready to test within one hour.

• Eliminate Gas Migration in Cemented Annuli with wel-lok™ CRT
• Eliminate Sand & Solids Production with wel-lok™ Sand Control Tool (SCT)
• Repair Damaged Tubing / Casing (CLS) with wel-lok™ Casing Leak Seal (CLS)
• Isolate Zones / Set a Gas-Tight Plug in complex wellbore geometries with wel-lok™ Tubing Seal (TS)
• Repair Leaking Packer with wel-lok™ Packer Repair Tool (PRT)
• Permanently Seal Multiple Annuli with wel-lok™ Seal Through Casing (STC)
• Seal Perforations in Cased Hole Completions with wel-lok™ Perf-lok
• Cut Unwanted Water Production with wel-lok™ Water Shut Off Tool