The Use of Low-Cost Graphite Nanomaterials to Enhance Zonal Isolation in Oil and Gas Wells

The main purpose of cementing oil and gas wells is zonal isolation of the formations exposed by the wellbore. During the entire life of the well, there should be no uncontrolled hydraulic communication between the developed formations and the surface, regardless of the composition and type of fluid (water, oil or gas). During the operation of the well, in addition to constant static ones, the casing and cement stone also experience various dynamic loads. The article presents an up-to-date review of experimental studies on the modification of grouting compositions and cement composites capable of autonomous selfhealing due to the introduction of various additives and nanomaterials. Such modification technologies significantly increase the tightness and resistance of cement to the effects of dynamic loads, the integrity of the cement stone. As a replacement for traditional cement materials, the authors propose the creation of grouting compositions with controlled physical and mechanical properties and the possibility of their re-liquefaction under the influence of temperature on the basis of bitumen or bitumen composites. Keywords: well plugging and abandoning; self-healing materials; autonomous self-healing; casing durability; impermeability of the cement stone; self-healing cement; bitumen and bitumen composites.

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A UAV-based magnetic survey method to detect and identify orphaned oil and gas wells

The Leading Edge ◽

10.1190/tle38060447.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 447-452 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alex Nikulin ◽

Timothy S. de Smet

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Low Cost ◽

New York State ◽

Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽

Magnetic Data ◽

Survey Method ◽

Magnetic Survey ◽

Gas Wells ◽

Oil And Gas Wells

Recent advances in autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, along with successful efforts to miniaturize total field magnetometers, offer a unique opportunity to test low-cost UAV-mounted systems for wide-area high-resolution magnetic surveys. Modern UAV platforms capable of flying at low altitudes and collecting dense aerial surveys, coupled with sensitive and compact instruments, allow identification of anthropogenic targets previously identifiable only in ground magnetometer surveys. We present results of a proof-of-concept study focused on developing and field testing a UAV-based magnetometer system to detect and identify abandoned and unmarked oil and gas wells in an area of historical hydrocarbon exploration and development in New York state. Our results indicate that magnetic anomalies associated with metal casing of vertical wells are pronounced considerably above background levels both at the surface and up to 50 m above-ground elevation. We determine that a detection altitude of 40 m is optimal to avoid any canopy interference while recording magnetic data at the highest signal-to-noise ratio. This methodology makes rapid detection and identification of unmarked wells possible and, in turn, allows for future sustainable development of these areas.

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