Complex Subsurface Well Abandonments Using Relief Well Methodologies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Dorey ◽  
Georgy Rassadkin ◽  
Douglas Ridgway
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Seepage ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
Well Abandonment ◽  
Efficient Option ◽  
Practice Methods

Abstract The field experience in the continental US suggests that approximately 33% of plug and abandonment operations are non-routine, and 5% require re-entry (Greer C.R., 2018). In some scenarios, the most cost-efficient option for the intervention is drilling an intercept well to re-enter the target well or multiple wells externally using advanced survey management and magnetic ranging techniques. This paper presents the methods applied of relief well methodologies from the planning to execution of a complex multiple-well abandonment project. Improvements in Active Magnetic Ranging sensor design and applications have improved the availability of highly precise tools for the purpose of locating and intercepting wellbores where access is not possible. These instruments were commonplace on relief well interventions, however, have found a new application in solving one of the major issues facing the oil and gas industry. Subsurface abandonments are a complex task that requires a robust methodology. In this paper, we describe the techniques that have been built upon the best practices from industry experience (ISCWSA WISC eBook). This paper also illustrates how the combination of advanced survey management, gyro surveying, and magnetic ranging can be used following the best industry practices for fast and cost-efficient non-routine plug and abandonment. Case studies of several abandonment projects are presented showing the various technical challenges which are common on idle and legacy wells. The projects include wells that are currently under the ownership of an operator and orphaned wells that have been insufficiently abandoned and left idle over many decades. The case studies outline how the application of relief well methodologies to the execution of complex sub surface interventions led to the successful outcomes of meeting environmental and government regulations for wellbore abandonment. This includes performing multiple zonal isolations between reservoirs, water zones and preventing oil and gas seepage to the surface. The projects and their outcomes prove economically viable strategies for tackling the growing issue of idle and orphaned wells globally in a fiscally responsible manner. Combining industry best practice methods for relief well drilling, along with the technological advancements in magnetic ranging systems is a solution for one of the largest dilemmas facing the oil and gas industry in relation to idle and orphaned wellbores. These applications allow previously considered impossible abandonments to be completed with a high probability of long-term success in permanent abandonment.

Subsurface engineering of CCUS in Australia (case studies)

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 762
Author(s):  
Mohammad B. Bagheri ◽  
Matthias Raab
Keyword(s):  
Uncertainty Analysis ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Co2 Storage ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Reservoir Engineering ◽  
Co2 Injection ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Co2 Plume

Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) is a rapidly emerging field in the Australian oil and gas industry to address carbon emissions while securing reliable energy. Although there are similarities with many aspects of the oil and gas industry, subsurface CO2 storage has some unique geology and geophysics, and reservoir engineering considerations, for which we have developed specific workflows. This paper explores the challenges and risks that a reservoir engineer might face during a field-scale CO2 injection project, and how to address them. We first explain some of the main concepts of reservoir engineering in CCUS and their synergy with oil and gas projects, followed by the required inputs for subsurface studies. We will subsequently discuss the importance of uncertainty analysis and how to de-risk a CCUS project from the subsurface point of view. Finally, two different case studies will be presented, showing how the CCUS industry should use reservoir engineering analysis, dynamic modelling and uncertainty analysis results, based on our experience in the Otway Basin. The first case study provides a summary of CO2CRC storage research injection results and how we used the dynamic models to history match the results and understand CO2 plume behaviour in the reservoir. The second case study shows how we used uncertainty analysis to improve confidence on the CO2 plume behaviour and to address regulatory requirements. An innovative workflow was developed for this purpose in CO2CRC to understand the influence of each uncertainty parameter on the objective functions and generate probabilistic results.

From wells to decisions—data management for coal seam gas operators in Australia as compared to conventional oil and gas operators

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 716
Author(s):  
Peter Smith ◽  
Iain Paton
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Data Management ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Data Access ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Conventional Oil

The large number of wells associated with typical coal seam gas (CSG) developments in Australia has changed the paradigm for field management and optimisation. Real time data access, automation and optimisation—which have been previously considered luxuries in conventional resources—are key to the development and operation of fields, which can easily reach more than 1,000 wells. The particular issue in Australia of the shortage of skilled labour and operators has increased pressure to automate field operations. This extended abstract outlines established best practices for gathering the numerous data types associated with wells and surface equipment, and converting that data into information that can inform the decision processes of engineers and managers alike. There will be analysis made of the existing standard, tools, software and data management systems from the conventional oil and gas industry, as well as how some of these can be ported to the CSG fields. The need to define industry standards that are similar to those developed over many years in the conventional oil and gas industry will be discussed. Case studies from Australia and wider international CSG operations will highlight the innovative solutions that can be realised through an integrated project from downhole to office, and how commercial off the shelf solutions have advantages over customised one-off systems. Furthermore, case studies will be presented from both CSG and conventional fields on how these enabling technologies translate into increased production, efficiencies and lift optimisation and move towards the goal of allowing engineers to make informed decisions as quickly as possible. Unique aspects of CSG operations, which require similarly unique and innovative solutions, will be highlighted in contrast to conventional oil and gas.

Development of Global Contract for In-Line Inspection

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Gower ◽  
Jude Moore
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
The World ◽  
Exploration And Production ◽  
Process Work ◽  
The Right

In-Line inspection has increasingly been used across the oil and gas industry over the past 30 years as a key part of pipeline integrity programmes. Whilst the industry has started to develop standards through the ILI Association and the Pipeline Operators Forum the way in which the industry selects tools and contractors has not developed to the same extent. A significant amount of time is spent managing the procurement process rather than focusing on the selection of the right tools and ensuring they perform to expectations. The challenge is further exacerbated when operations are dispersed globally and involve many different operating relationships. BP has been a user of ILI technology since its introduction in the late 1970s and it has consistently grown in importance to BP in managing the integrity of an aging pipeline asset base. In 2006/2007 BP’s Exploration and Production Technology Group (EPTG) in conjunction with the Procurement and Supply Chain Management group (PSCM) carried out a review of its procurement arrangements across the globe for pipeline ILI to ascertain best practice and capture key lessons. It also gathered experience from other strategic long term supply chain initiatives around the BP Group to help inform and develop the ILI strategy. Early discussions held with ILI Suppliers confirmed that, whilst regional frameworks have been in place in some countries, extending this to a global operation would be breaking new ground in engaging ILI services and would be of benefit to both ends of the supply chain. The process not only needed to follow rigorous supply chain procedures that would meet EU Procurement Directives and BP Group requirements, it also had to meet the specific requirements of many Countries around the world. It was recognised that flexibility would be required to accommodate the introduction of new tools, developing technology and accommodate new areas of operation. BP also wanted to stimulate continuous improvement in ILI tool performance and application of innovative improved technology. More significantly a key objective of the Global Contract was to drive inspection quality and consistency, whilst maintaining a competitive but equitable pricing strategy. Successful implementation was not just about delivering a contract scope of work; it required the development of relationships and a common understanding so that when problems arise they can be resolved quickly and efficiently. This required a significant amount of work engaging both the ILI Contractors and Operating Units across the world in the process. Work on developing the Global ILI Contract was successfully concluded with contract awards in late 2007. The paper explores some of the challenges, lessons learnt and benefits of developing a Global Contract for ILI.

scholarly journals Study of microfine cement use on squeeze cementing operations in plug and abandonment work

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 03001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Asyri ◽  
Kamarza Mulia
Keyword(s):  
Decision Tree ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Type Selection ◽  
Formation Zone ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Microfine Cement ◽  
Proper Material ◽  
Well Abandonment

The purpose of this study is to develop guideline and decision tree for selecting proper material of squeeze cementing operation as part of permanent well abandonment project in PT XYZ. The existing guideline in oil and gas industry does not cover the detail of cement type selection prior to do squeeze cementing job and this may cause failure in the operation and give the high cost impact due to remedial job. It is expected that the result of decision tree and guideline in this study can be used as a reference for plug and abandonment project in. The method used in this research is by calculating the value of the injectivity factor obtained from field study as a key factor in determining the type of cement for squeeze cementing operation. If the injector factor value is less than 2000 (<2000), it is concluded that G type cement (G class cement) is preferred to be used to isolate the reservoir formation zone. While for the injectivity factor value more than 2000 (> 2000), the reservoir is considered as tight formation and difficult to penetrate, so the use of microfine cement is expected to isolate the reservoir formation zone.

Hele-Shaw Cell of Varying Thickness for Modeling of Leakage Pathways

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Trudel ◽  
Ian Frigaard
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Varying Thickness ◽  
Important Player ◽  
Wellbore Leakage ◽  
Well Abandonment ◽  
Hele Shaw Cell

&lt;p&gt;Canada is an important player in the global oil and gas industry and is ranked fourth largest producer of natural gas and crude oil. Alberta and British Columbia are the two largest producing provinces of natural gas with a combined 98% of the national production. Recent development of the Montney formation, a low permeability unit, has led to a rise in the number of unconventional (horizontal and hydraulically fractured) wells drilled in Western Canada. Recent studies have shown that 28.5% of wells drilled starting in 2010 in British Columbia have reported an instance of wellbore leakage, and 4.0% of the wells drilled in Alberta during the same time period have also reported an instance of wellbore leakage resulting in several thousand wells with known leakage issues in these two provinces. Wellbore leakage is the unwanted flow of hydrocarbons from the reservoir, or a formation intersected by the well, through leakage pathways found along the wellbore and discharging to the atmosphere through either the surface casing assembly, surface casing vent flow (SCVF) or a surrounding permeable formation, gas migration (GM). In addition to the greenhouse gas emissions produced by wellbore, groundwater contamination may occur. Provincial regulations state that the remediation of cases of non-serious wellbore leakage, which represents 85.5% of the cases of wellbore leakage in Alberta and over 94% of the cases in British Columbia, can be delayed until the time of well abandonment. Less than 30% of the gas wells in these provinces have been abandoned and both provinces are seeing an alarming number of suspended wells which can be considered ready for abandonment. At which point, wells experiencing wellbore leakage will need to be remediated. Understanding of wellbore leakage, which occurs through leakage pathways such as radial cracks and microannulus, is limited. The model presented in this study relies on flow through a Hele-Shaw cell of varying thickness representing a microannulus. Microannulus thickness data is obtained through experimental data available in the literature. The aim of the model is to determine the flow rate of natural gas through a microannulus of varying thickness and the resulting permeability of the leakage pathways.&lt;/p&gt;

Out of sight out of mind – subsea pipeline decommissioning

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Jas ◽  
Allison Selman ◽  
Valerie Linton
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Maturity Stage ◽  
Cooperative Research ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Offshore Pipelines ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Offshore Oil

Existing legislation, regulation and documentation dealing with decommissioning of offshore oil and gas infrastructure has traditionally been derived from experience gained in the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The Australian operating environments are very different and, consequently, there is no Australian industry-wide engineering standard dedicated to the decommissioning of offshore pipelines. Decommissioning of Australian offshore pipelines is currently handled on a case-by-case basis. The efficiency and effectiveness of any given decommissioning project is variable, and highly dependent upon the experience of the pipeline operator. Given the maturity stage of the Australian offshore oil and gas industry, it is foreseen that in the coming years many operators will approach the task of decommissioning offshore pipelines for the first time. In 2014 the Energy Pipelines Cooperative Research Centre (EPCRC) formed an offshore users group, comprising pipeline experts from several offshore oil and gas operators and engineering consultancies that are members of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association’s Research and Standards Committee (APGA RSC). This group is developing an engineering guideline for the decommissioning of offshore pipelines. It is being developed in close communication with the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), which has formed a decommissioning committee in relation to offshore facilities. This ensures the guideline is being developed by and with input from a broad spectrum of the Australian offshore oil and gas industry, with the aim of capturing best practice in the Australian context.

PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN PREDICTIVE OCEANOGRAPHY OF BENEFIT TO THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 799
Author(s):  
Kerry Black
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Produced Water ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Biological Responses

With improvements in equipment, satellite observations and basic knowledge, oceanographers are becoming more effective in predicting or hindcasting coastal and ocean circulation. Advantages which lead to better environmental outcomes for the oil and gas industry which arise from some of these improvements are discussed with case studies drawn from the Great Barrier Reef and Bass Strait. New developments in knowledge are particularly relevant to issues such as dispersal of produced water, oil spill modelling and environmental impact assessment, including a better understanding of the links between physical processes and biological responses. The case studies form part of a comprehensive hydrodynamic database developed on behalf of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority for an effective numerical modelling response to oil spills.

Best practice in license allocation in the oil and gas industry: A review of five countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 102296
Author(s):  
Azzurra Cillari ◽  
Sian Stephens ◽  
Andrea Werner
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Industry
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