IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WELL ABANDONMENT

Apparatus (10) and method for removing a section of well tubing. A work string including a hydraulic tensioning device (14) and a section mill (12) a run in a rigless arrangement to provide continuous upward milling of the tubing (24) by raising the work string at a desired rate of progress. The hydraulic tensioning device (14) has a lower end (34) moveable longitudinally relative to the work string by application of fluid pressure in the work string to apply a weight on the section mill. The hydraulic tensioning device includes a self-correcting mechanism (30) to maintain the lower end at a position between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position to provide continuous milling of the tubing by the section mill at a milling rate matching the rate at which the work string is lifted. Embodiments are described for use in a rigless well abandonment procedure.