Results

A New Mechanical Tool and Method to Accessing Casing-Casing-Annulus to Remove Compromised Cement and Injecting a New Sealant

Machocki, K. (Aramco Overseas Company) | Alshaarawi, A. (Saudi Aramco) | Alsheikh, M. (Saudi Aramco)

OnePetroMay, 2023

Abstract This work presents experimental studies on a new tool concept to address casing-casing-annulus (CCA) pressure leak challenges in the drilling industry. The new method uses an intervention-type tool that allows for exiting the casing, cleaning cement behind, and injecting any required sealant to block fluid migration on the annular side. Addressing such CCA challenges is essential for increasing the production time and maintaining wellbore pressure integrity. A combination of 3D modeling and experimental studies is used to evaluate the feasibility of the new concept for addressing CCA fluid migration challenges. This study focuses on the development and evaluation of a tool that allows accessing and sufficiently cleaning cement in multiple CCAs. We have successfully tested a scaled tool. This tool can punch a small hole in a casing at a unique angle and clean cement behind it by drilling spirals on the annular side. The new method for accessing the annular side of the casing and cleaning cement behind it has been developed and successfully tested using scaled model rigs. Studies have involved an early proof of the concept in plastic and steel. We have also simulated cement with fluid communication channels behind the casing with a successful attempt of removing it. The experimental test results are being used to further develop a robust, downhole field-deployable tool and method that captures the essential features required to access and operate in CCA areas. The current study suggests that a significant section of cement can be removed by the proposed method: One small-diameter hole is drilled in the casing, and then a cement removing assembly is run in a spiral motion on the annular side of this casing. A suitable sealant can be injected in the created void in cement to stop potential fluid migration. This experimental study suggests that the CCA can be accessed and resealed with a minimum time and equipment if required. This CCA milling-injection system (patent pending) utilizes a novel, easily-deployable tool. This tool enables milling access into the annular side of designated casings, and enables cleaning the cement behind it. The new system only mills one hole in the casing limiting its damage and providing the ability to clean a significant section of the cement at the desired depth. This helps address potential CCA leaks, saves time and cost.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/214620-MS

SPE

SPE-214620-MS

SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition

casing and cementing, casing-casing-annulus, cement, cement slurry, coiled pipe, drilling contractor, Effectiveness, international association, migration, new mechanical tool, operation, pipe, plastic pipe, remove compromised cement, sealant, united states government, Upstream Oil & Gas, Wellbore Design, wellbore integrity

Country: North America > United States (1.00)

Genre:

Research Report > New Finding (1.00)
Research Report > Experimental Study (1.00)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Drilling > Casing and Cementing (1.00)
Well Completion (1.00)
Production and Well Operations (1.00)
Well Drilling > Wellbore Design > Wellbore integrity (0.88)

Technology: Information Technology (0.48)

Add feedback

The Sustained Casing Pressure: Periodical Annuli Pressure Survey Campaign Findings in Mature Offshore Oil Field

Alshammari, Ahmad Ejaimi (Al-Khafji Joint Operations) | Alsdeiri, Saad A. (Al-Khafji Joint Operations) | Alhamdan, Mohammad Ahmad (Al-Khafji Joint Operations)

OnePetroMay, 2023

Abstract Sustained pressure in oil and gas wells remains a serious challenge that directly impacts the well integrity. This phenomenon commonly appears in aged wells. Well completion elements provide the required isolation to protect the well. Cement prohibits fluid movement between the subsurface formations. Additionally, mechanical isolation packers are employed to alleviate the probability of tubing/annulus communication. In the Arabian Gulf, it is attributable to the presence of a shallow-depth aquifer that contains corrosive water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide gases. Surveillance campaigns are performed to ensure the safety and healthiness of well completion components in addition to the reservoir management requirements. The Annuli Pressure Survey (APS) is deemed to be important to identify well integrity problems, especially the sustained casing/casing annulus (CCA) or tubing/casing annulus (TCA) pressure. Wells with sustain pressure are recommended for bleed-off/buildup test to check the communication between the casing sections. The annuli pressure survey campaign is run periodically in a Middle Eastern Mature Offshore Oil Field. Oil producers and water injection wells are surveyed at least twice per year. The most recent campaign for 229 wells revealed that 8.3% of the surveyed wells exhibit sustain casing pressure (SCP), and most of these wells age +20 years. This paper aims to illustrate the findings of the APS on this field. It includes the identification of the attributable factors that might lead to the SCP. It also provides a best practice to monitor the casing strings pressures and ensure well integrity in addition to diagnostic test should be followed to confirm the SCP.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/213777-MS

SPE

SPE-213777-MS

SPE Western Regional Meeting

Country: North America > United States (0.94)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Drilling > Wellbore Design > Wellbore integrity (1.00)
Well Drilling > Casing and Cementing > Casing design (1.00)
Well Completion > Well Integrity (1.00)
(2 more...)

Add feedback

Abstract There is a growing need for robust and efficient abandonment approaches with many oil and gas reservoirs nearing their economic lifetime. The Through-Tubing Abandonment (TTA) approach can deliver safe, robust and efficient isolation and reduced environmental footprint in keeping with ‘As Low as Reasonably Practicable’ (ALARP) principles. This paper provides guidance on how to select TTA candidate wells, including wells with gauge cable present in the permanent isolation interval, and provides operational advice to obtain a quality abandonment. The industry has been abandoning wells via through tubing cementing methods for decades which has resulted in significant progress in the understanding of the applicability of the methodology and commensurate development of suitable technologies to deliver reliable long-term isolation. This paper will present the latest on selection criteria to screen wells for TTA. It will further propose cement placement and verification methods, necessary barrier lengths and risk-based decision making on the acceptability of gauge cables as part of the final permanent well barrier element. The recent insights in TTA technologies and their use are described. These include demonstrated technologies such as expanding cement and vibration tools to enhance cement placement and options to log and verify the isolations. Testing results on cement sealing with gauge cables incorporated in the cemented annulus are also presented. Furthermore, promising emerging technologies such as methods to centralize the tubing to improve cement placement will be described. Recent TTA applications in Europe, onshore and offshore, are presented as examples to illustrate current industry experience and the viability and reliability of such approaches. A generally accepted, safe, robust and reliable approach towards TTA in keeping with ALARP principles common to the industry is pursued within this paper in order to enable acceptance and growth of TTA and associated technologies, and thereby further enable the wider application of rigless abandonment across the industry.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/212530-MS

SPE

SPE-212530-MS

SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference and Exhibition

Country:

Europe (1.00)
North America > United States > Texas (0.28)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Drilling > Casing and Cementing > Cement formulation (chemistry, properties) (1.00)
Production and Well Operations > Well Decommissioning (1.00)
Well Completion > Well Integrity > Zonal isolation (0.94)
(7 more...)

Technology: Information Technology (0.46)

Add feedback

Review of Integrity Loss Detection and Quantification Due to Cracking in Cemented Wells

Alberdi-Pagola, P. (Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (Corresponding author)) | Fischer, G. (Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark)

OnePetroJanuary, 2023

Summary The loss of well integrity in oil and gas and CO2 injection wells provokes leaks that potentially pollute underground water reservoirs and the surrounding environment. The present publication reviews the existing literature investigating the loss of well integrity due to damage development in the cement sheath, focusing on qualitative and mainly quantitative information regarding cracks, effective permeability, and leak flows. Methods applied for leak detection on-site are reviewed, and the difficulties of these methods in providing quantitative results are highlighted. The outputs of laboratory experiments and computer simulations, considered essential to complement on-site measurements, are also reported. The review of the existing literature shows that for most of the damaged cement sheaths the observed crack widths range between 1 and 500 µm, the permeability ranges from 10 to 10 m, and the leak rates range between 10 and 10 000 mL/min for gas leaks and between 1 and 1000 mL/min for oil leaks.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/214303-PA

SPE

SPE-214303-PA

SPE Journal

Country:

North America > United States > Texas (1.00)
Asia > Middle East (1.00)
North America > Canada (0.93)
(3 more...)

Genre:

Research Report > New Finding (0.67)
Overview (0.67)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

Oilfield Places:

North America > United States > West Virginia > Appalachian Basin > Marcellus Shale Formation (0.99)
North America > United States > Virginia > Appalachian Basin > Marcellus Shale Formation (0.99)
North America > United States > Pennsylvania > Appalachian Basin > Marcellus Shale Formation (0.99)
(11 more...)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Drilling > Wellbore Design > Wellbore integrity (1.00)
Well Drilling > Drilling Operations (1.00)
Well Drilling > Casing and Cementing > Cement formulation (chemistry, properties) (1.00)
(12 more...)

Technology: Information Technology (1.00)

Add feedback

Annular Creep Barrier Evaluation and Qualification Using Ultrasonic Measurements

van Oort, Eric (The University of Texas at Austin (Corresponding author)) | Thombare, Akshay (Metarock Laboratories) | Aldin, Munir (Metarock Laboratories) | Lucas, Alex (Total Energies)

OnePetroDecember, 2022

Summary It is well-known that formations that exhibit active creep behavior under downhole conditions, such as reactive shales and mobile salts, can form annular barriers across uncemented or poorly cemented annular sections behind casing strings. Such creep barriers can simplify well abandonments, particularly in high-cost offshore environments. Evaluation and qualification of creep barriers in the field, however, have proven challenging and labor-intensive when casing is perforated, and annular rock material is pressure-tested to verify its sealing ability. This work seeks to eliminate the need for pressure testing by allowing the barrier to be qualified using only casedhole log measurements. Sophisticated rock mechanical laboratory experiments under realistic downhole conditions were conducted to investigate the formation of creep barriers by North Sea Lark shale. The experiments evaluated barrier formation while varying annular fluid chemistry and temperature. Measurement parameters included creep rate, pressure transmission across newly formed barriers, pressure breakthrough through the newly formed barriers as well as ultrasonic responses by the shale. It was found that the Lark/Horda shale has a distinct anisotropic ultrasonic wave velocity profile that uniquely characterizes it. This can be used to identify its presence in an annular space when contacting the casing. A main conclusion is that a Lark shale barrier can be qualified through casedhole sonic and ultrasonic logging alone without the need for pressure testing if (1) the magnitude of the wave propagation velocity of the shale behind casing can be confirmed (2077 m/s for Lark shale); (2) the characteristic velocity anisotropy profile, unique to the shale (~10.1% for Lark shale), can be verified; (3) good contact with/bonding to the casing is observed; and optionally (4) anisotropy in the time behavior of the shale contacting the pipe is observed when the barrier is stimulated artificially. If these conditions are met, then our experiments show that the barrier will have excellent hydraulic sealing ability, with a permeability of a few microdarcies at most and a breakthrough pressure that approaches the minimum horizontal effective stress value. Additional findings are that shale heating will accelerate barrier formation but may damage the shale formation in the process. Extraordinary fast annular closure and barrier formation with evident shale rehealing was observed by using a concentrated KCl solution as pore fluid, showing the merits of barrier stimulation by chemical means. This result can be explained by considering the effect of solutes on shale hydration forces.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/208782-PA

SPE

SPE-208782-PA

SPE Drilling & Completion

Country:

North America > United States > Texas (1.00)
Europe > Norway > North Sea (0.89)

Genre: Research Report (0.93)

Geologic Time:

Phanerozoic > Mesozoic (1.00)
Phanerozoic > Cenozoic (0.94)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

Oilfield Places:

Europe > United Kingdom > North Sea > North Sea Basin (0.99)
Europe > Norway > North Sea > Norwegian Sea > Tuxen Formation (0.99)
Europe > Norway > North Sea > Norwegian Sea > Sola Formation (0.99)
(29 more...)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Drilling > Wellbore Design > Wellbore integrity (1.00)
Well Drilling > Drilling Fluids and Materials > Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties) (1.00)
Well Completion > Completion Installation and Operations (1.00)
(5 more...)

Add feedback

Through-Tubing Casing Deformation and Tubing Eccentricity Image Tool for Well-Integrity Monitoring and Plug Abandonment

Yang, QinShan (GOWell) | Qin, Kuang (GOWell) | Olson, Jeff (GOWell) | Rourke, Marvin (GOWell)

OnePetroApril, 2022

Casing deformation and tubing eccentricity is a concern in the oil and gas industry for safety and operational reasons. Casing deformation or tubing eccentricity originates from various sources such as well completion, corrosion, formation swelling, collapse, and salt dome creep. It is important to implement a well-integrity surveillance program covering all casing and tubing strings for the full well life cycle from initial completion to abandonment. However, there has been no effective through-tubing logging method to evaluate the casing string for deformation and eccentricity. This paper describes a new Deformation-and-Eccentricity (DEC) tool that is based on electromagnetic technology and designed to measure casing deformation and tubing eccentricity while logging inside completion tubing. The DEC tool generates a unique compressed-and-focused magnetic field that provides an increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The tool then employs an array of magnetic sensors to measure the magnetic flux density distributions azimuthally around the tool. The tool’s compressed-and-focused magnetic field is designed to (1) saturate the magnetic flux of the tubing, (2) to inject more magnetic flux into the first casing behind the tubing, and (3) to increase the signal measurement sensitivity and SNR. The sensor matrix measures flux density changes that correspond to variations in distance between tubing and casing. The high-resolution azimuthal magnetic sensor matrix delivers high-accuracy measurements that are used to image the flux density changes. A finite-element-based forward modeling and an optimized Gaussian processes regression method have been developed to process the raw logging data. The DEC tool has a built-in orientation measurement capability that is based on gyroscopes and accelerometers that are used to align the deformation and eccentricity images and index curves as well as the tubing thickness image. The tool specifications state accuracies of 1% of the eccentricity ratio and 5% of the deformation ratio in the range of casing OD up to 13.375 in. DEC technology provides an advanced answer product for through-tubing casing deformation and eccentricity measurements in downhole well-integrity and plug-abandonment applications. When combined with other well-integrity measurements such as a multifinger caliper and multipipe thickness log tool, a complete well-integrity evaluation can be achieved throughout the life cycle of a well. For example, significant casing deformation can often indicate possible damaged cement behind the casing. Other applications for the technology include locating tubing clamps for fiber-optic cables and control lines and determining the orientation of multistring tubing completions. Performances of the tool have been validated through research simulations, lab tests, and field trials. This paper includes a field case study of a deviated gas production well with tubing buckling and casing micro dogleg.

OnePetro

doi: 10.30632/PJV63N2-2022a1

SPWLA

SPWLA-2022-v63n2-a1

Petrophysics

Country:

North America > United States > Texas (0.68)
Europe > United Kingdom > England (0.46)

Geophysics: Geophysics (0.46)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Drilling > Wellbore Design > Wellbore integrity (1.00)
Well Drilling > Casing and Cementing (1.00)
Well Completion > Well Integrity (1.00)
(6 more...)

Technology:

Information Technology > Modeling & Simulation (0.89)
Information Technology > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning > Performance Analysis (0.34)

Add feedback

Annular Creep Barrier Evaluation and Qualification Using Ultrasonic Measurements

van Oort, Eric (The University of Texas at Austin) | Thombare, Akshay (Metarock Laboratories) | Aldin, Munir (Metarock Laboratories) | Lucas, Alex (TotalEnergies)

OnePetroMarch, 2022

Abstract It is well-known that formations that exhibit active creep behavior under downhole conditions, such as reactive shales and mobile salts, can form annular barriers across uncemented or poorly cemented annular sections behind casing strings. Such creep barriers can simplify well abandonments, particularly in high-cost offshore environments. Evaluation and qualification of creep barriers in the field, however, have proven challenging and labor-intensive when casing is perforated and annular rock material is pressure-tested to verify its sealing ability. This work seeks to eliminate the need for pressure testing by allowing the barrier to be qualified using only cased-hole log measurements. Sophisticated rock mechanical lab experiments under realistic downhole conditions were conducted to investigate the formation of creep barriers by North Sea Lark shale. The experiments evaluated barrier formation while varying annular fluid chemistry and temperature. Measurement parameters included creep rate, pressure transmission across newly formed barriers, pressure breakthrough through the newly formed barriers, as well as ultrasonic responses by the shale. It was found that the Lark/Horda shale has a distinct anisotropic ultrasonic wave velocity profile that uniquely characterizes it. This can be used to identify its presence in an annular space when contacting the casing. A main conclusion is that a Lark shale barrier can be qualified through cased-hole sonic and ultrasonic logging alone without the need for pressure testing if: (1) the magnitude of the wave propagation velocity of the shale behind casing can be confirmed (2077 m/sec for Lark shale); (2) the characteristic velocity anisotropy profile, unique to the shale (~10.1% for Lark shale), can be verified; (3) good contact with / bonding to the casing is observed; and optionally (4) anisotropy in the time behavior of the shale contacting the pipe is observed when the barrier is formed / stimulated artificially. If these conditions are met, then our experiments show that the barrier will have excellent hydraulic sealing ability, with a permeability of a few micro-Darcy at most and a breakthrough pressure that approaches the minimum horizontal effective stress value. Additional findings are that shale heating will accelerate barrier formation but may damage the shale formation in the process. Extra-ordinary fast annular closure and barrier formation with evident shale re-healing was observed by using a concentrated KCl solution as pore fluid, showing the merits of barrier stimulation by chemical means. This result can be explained by considering the effect of solutes on shale hydration forces.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/208782-MS

SPE

SPE-208782-MS

IADC/SPE International Drilling Conference and Exhibition

Country:

North America > United States (1.00)
Europe > Norway > North Sea (0.89)

Genre: Research Report (0.68)

Geologic Time: Phanerozoic > Cenozoic (0.47)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

Oilfield Places:

Europe > United Kingdom > North Sea > North Sea Basin (0.99)
Europe > Norway > North Sea > Norwegian Sea > Tuxen Formation (0.99)
Europe > Norway > North Sea > Norwegian Sea > Sola Formation (0.99)
(27 more...)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Drilling > Wellbore Design > Wellbore integrity (1.00)
Well Completion > Completion Installation and Operations (1.00)
Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Reservoir Characterization > Exploration, development, structural geology (1.00)
(4 more...)

Add feedback

Status of Meltable Plug Technology Applications in the Drilling Process

Carragher, Paul (BiSN) | Fulks, Jeff (BiSN) | Mason, David (BiSN)

OnePetroMarch, 2022

Abstract Meltable plug technology has a range of potential applications in the drilling process and is being more widely used. With over 250 jobs done to date, a variety of applications are being identified and being applied. This paper seeks to update the main areas of application to date. Bismuth alloy technology is now becoming standard technology as over 250 installations demonstrate that this is very much field proven. From onshore to deepwater environments, from drilling to completions and interventions applications through to abandonment operations, from 2″ to 28″ diameter and from 4 degC to 150 degC plug setting depth conditions, in wellbores with deviations up to 83 degrees, the technology has a wide operating envelope. Different alloy compositions are used according to the downhole conditions. In drilling a well, problems can be encountered in achieving good cement isolation from production intervals or from gas pressure in annuli. Furthermore, casing leaks can emerge and pose well integrity problems. In completing and producing a well, particularly over time, packers can leak, water cuts can increase and zonal isolations be required. This can be particularly challenging in sand control completions. Abandonment operations can be simplified and reduced in time and cost using this system. Meltable plug technology, while not a panacea for all ills, nonetheless can remediate many of these challenges. Four operators in the US have run 63 thermally deformable annulus packers in wells, then – when gas pressure developed in an annulus, activated the bismuth alloy based thermally deformable annulus packer and immediately isolated the leak. Operators have remediated poor annular cement jobs with bismuth alloy plugs. Recently, one leaking packer has been remediated using this technology, more are planned in coming months. Zonal isolations in openhole gravel pack wells using bismuth alloy plug technology have been done in several deepwater wells with good production results and more are planned. A meltable plug successfully isolated a water producing interval in a slotted liner completion with a void annulus. Abandonments have been done in many wells, with a significant program of work in the Valhall field offshore Norway playing a key part in successfully abandoning 30 wells, reducing HSE risks, time and costs. A similar program in Australia abandoning 30 wells with 55 plugs has been similarly successful and more abandonments using these techniques are planned. In addition, some wells offshore California have been abandoned using these techniques. This paper will effectively provide an updated status on the technology across the lifecycle of a well and potential future usage areas.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/208719-MS

SPE

SPE-208719-MS

IADC/SPE International Drilling Conference and Exhibition

Country:

North America > United States (1.00)
Europe > Norway > North Sea > Central North Sea (0.24)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

Oilfield Places:

North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Yeso Formation (0.99)
North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Yates Formation (0.99)
North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Wolfcamp Formation (0.99)
(26 more...)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Drilling > Drilling Operations (1.00)
Well Drilling > Casing and Cementing > Casing design (1.00)
Well Completion > Completion Installation and Operations (1.00)
(3 more...)

Add feedback

Modelling Production Initiation from a Lazy Well by Direct Gas Injection at the Casing Head Using Dynamic Wellbore Simulator

Omar, Nashat Jumaah (Private Conslt) | Al-Saeedi, Ibrahim Saeb (MDOC)

OnePetroNovember, 2021

Abstract This study deals with a lazy well completed with no packer in place. The main producing formation is showing strong signs of depletion where it lost more 2000 psig of reservoir pressure since the production started. Previous experiences in this well and other offset wells show there is demand for Nitrogen Injection Through Coiled Tubing Unit in the tubing in order to lift the well and bring it online whenever the well is shut-in for any reason. Direct natural gas injection at the casing head is a cost-effective alternative to rigless well lift operations. However, this is a challenging thing to achieve since it requires precise knowledge of injection rates and casing head pressure, additional to that formation fracture pressure and other reservoir characteristics should be taken into consideration. Data were collected and dynamic wellbore is created and linked to near well reservoir model to capture the transient behavior of the reservoir during start-up process. From Dynamic Modeling and simulation of the production system, best injection pressure, production choke, injection time and quantities are estimated and optimized for more efficient lifting process. After Initiating the well, production stability is observed in the transient simulator to ensure the success of the well lifting method. This method of production initiation is cost effective, and if implemented properly should bring the well back in production fast. Successful implementation this method demands a precise wellbore model to be created and shut-in surveys should be used to match the well status when it's not producing to tune the wellbore and fluid parameters.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/208488-MS

SPE

SPE-208488-MS

SPE Symposium: Decommissioning and Abandonment

Country:

North America > United States (0.68)
Asia > Middle East > UAE (0.28)
Europe > Norway > Norwegian Sea (0.24)

Genre: Research Report > New Finding (0.48)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

Oilfield Places:

South America > Peru > Cusco Department > Ucayali Basin > Camisea Field (0.99)
South America > Ecuador > Sucumbíos > Oriente Basin > Shushufindi Field > Napo Formation (0.99)
South America > Ecuador > Napo > Oriente Basin > Shushufindi Field > Napo Formation (0.99)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Completion > Completion Installation and Operations (1.00)
Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Improved and Enhanced Recovery > Waterflooding (1.00)
Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Formation Evaluation & Management > Drillstem/well testing (1.00)
(7 more...)

Technology: Information Technology (1.00)

Add feedback

Enabling Safe and Efficient Well Plug & Abandonments Through Use of Rigless Technologies

Spuskanyuk, Oleksandr (ExxonMobil Upstream Integrated Solutions) | Haeberle, David C (ExxonMobil Upstream Integrated Solutions) | Baumert, Brandon Max (ExxonMobil Upstream Integrated Solutions) | King, Brian Matthew (ExxonMobil Upstream Integrated Solutions) | Hillier, Benjamin T (Esso Australia Pty Ltd)

OnePetroNovember, 2021

Abstract The growing number of upcoming well abandonments has become an important driver to seek efficiencies in optimizing abandonment costs while establishing long term well integrity and complying with local regulatory requirements. With an increasing global inventory of Plug and Abandonment (P&A) candidates, Exxonmobil has been driven to look for the most reliable, safe, and cost-efficient P&A technologies. ExxonMobil's P&A guidelines are consistent with and often more stringent than the local regulatory requirements but are also achievable, at least in part, with rigless technologies, leading to a more cost-efficient approach while ensuring well integrity. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the success of rigless abandonments and their benefits compared to rig-based solutions. When developing a well abandonment plan, it is essential to consider a number of factors. These include local regulations, identification of zones to be isolated and suitable caprocks, and recognition of constraints including well history, conditions and uncertainties. Teams should begin with low cost operations without a rig if possible, estimate costs and effectiveness to achieve the barrier requirements, and evaluate batch operation opportunities for multi-well programs. ExxonMobil case studies are shown to help describe in detail how to make decisions about applicability of rigless abandonment options and how to properly execute such abandonments to achieve compliance with the barrier requirements. It has been demonstrated that significant cost savings can be achieved by staging the abandonment program in a way that lower cost technologies are utilized during the early stages of well abandonment, starting with wireline where possible, followed by coiled tubing and finally by a pulling unit, as appropriate. P&A execution could be achieved without a rig in a majority of cases, including most offshore wells, with the need to use a rig only in special circumstances or phases of execution. It is important to note that the barrier placement and safety of rigless P&A execution will not be compromised, as compared to the rig-based P&As. Additional cost savings could be achieved by further optimizing P&A design at the well design stage, ensuring that there are no built-in limiters that would prevent rigless P&A execution at the end of well life. Several case studies from ExxonMobil's global offshore experience demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of rigless P&A operations, with significant cost savings compared to rig-based P&As. It has been evident that rigless P&A choice is applicable to the variety of ExxonMobil's P&A projects of different complexities, with the same or superior quality of abandonment and safety record.

OnePetro

doi: 10.2118/207456-MS

SPE

SPE-207456-MS

Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference

Country: North America > United States (0.28)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

SPE Disciplines:

Well Completion > Completion Selection and Design > Completion equipment (1.00)
Production and Well Operations > Well Decommissioning (1.00)
Production and Well Operations > Artificial Lift Systems > Gas lift (0.93)
(7 more...)

Add feedback

Filters

Collaborating Authors

A New Mechanical Tool and Method to Accessing Casing-Casing-Annulus to Remove Compromised Cement and Injecting a New Sealant

The Sustained Casing Pressure: Periodical Annuli Pressure Survey Campaign Findings in Mature Offshore Oil Field

Safe, Robust and Efficient Through Tubing Abandonment

Review of Integrity Loss Detection and Quantification Due to Cracking in Cemented Wells

Annular Creep Barrier Evaluation and Qualification Using Ultrasonic Measurements

Through-Tubing Casing Deformation and Tubing Eccentricity Image Tool for Well-Integrity Monitoring and Plug Abandonment

Annular Creep Barrier Evaluation and Qualification Using Ultrasonic Measurements

Status of Meltable Plug Technology Applications in the Drilling Process

Modelling Production Initiation from a Lazy Well by Direct Gas Injection at the Casing Head Using Dynamic Wellbore Simulator

Enabling Safe and Efficient Well Plug & Abandonments Through Use of Rigless Technologies

Site News

Collaborating Authors

Results