DPT Well S & A

IPM DPT
WELL SUSPENSION & ABANDONMENT
DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment
IPM
SCOPE
What has to be done (and why) in a well prior to its

permanent abandonment or its suspension ?
IPM
DEFINITIONS, TERMINOLOGY
Well abandonment (permanent)
Well suspension (or temporary abandonment)
P & A = Plug And Abandonment
IPM
PERMANENT WELL ABANDONMENT

A well is permanently abandoned when there is no future
use envisaged, i.e.:
It is a dry hole (generally exploratory well)
Discovery of hydrocarbons in non commercial
quantities
Discovery of hydrocarbons, but well not retained as
part of a future development scheme
It is a depleted production well
IPM
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF A WELL
Exploratory (or development) well suspended because the

objective has not been reached yet (iceberg season coming
up, raging civil war requiring interruption of operations,)
Well has reached its objective (planned TD or geological

marker) and is kept for future use (exploratory well or predrilled development well)
IPM
OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF AN ABANDONMENT
The abandonment must create permanent barriers within the

well bore to prevent fluid movement in order to ensure long
term zonal isolation and protection of the environment. It is
an attempt to re-establish the original barriers that existed
before the well was drilled and that were preserving the
natural balance. This applies to entire wells and to hole
sections that are permanently abandoned.
IPM
OBJECTIVE (Cont)
How is it achieved ? Basically by applying the two-barrier
concept (IPM Standard IPM-ST-WCI-012 : Barriers) & by
implementing IPM Standard IPM-ST-WCI-026 : Temporary
and Permanent Abandonment).
In practice: by setting (mechanical and/or cement) plugs, by
squeezing perforations, and testing the barriers installed.
IPM
Suspension vs Permanent Abandonment :

the main difference
Permanent Abandonment : there is no plan to re-enter
the well
Suspension : the well will be re-entered later, which
implies that the temporary abandonment ops do not
compromise the ability to re-enter the well (eg. :
wellhead is not cut off).
IPM
LOCAL REGULATIONS
Be familiar with the local regulations (their level
varies from country to country) and assess how
stringent they are compared to ours.
Governmental regulations for well abandonment are
generally minimal guidelines (they also vary from
country to country), and following these guidelines will
not absolve you from future liability.
Be aware of the reporting and/or approval
requirements from the local Authorities
IPM
Abandonment/suspension program
A specific program has to be prepared (to include the
downhole mechanical condition of the well, the formation
plugging / isolation techniques to be used)
Why is abandonment/suspension so important ?
because Operators are kept accountable by Government
agencies and are responsible for all future liability should
the abandonment fail.
Also because of high cost of intervention.
IPM
And primarily to avoid this !!
IPM
Another view !!
IPM
COURSE CONTENTS
Permanent well abandonment
Wellhead removal
Sidetrack
Particular case of a radioactive source
Temporary well suspension
Re-entry of a suspended well
Particular case of a floating rig
IPM
COURSE CONTENTS
Wellhead removal
Sidetrack
IPM

METHODOLOGY
The starting point is the identification of all the

potential leak paths in the well bore, by making an
inventory of: perforated intervals, other hydrocarbonbearing zones, over-pressured intervals, liner top(s),
freshwater zones, non-cemented annuli.
IPM
OBJECTIVES OF AN ABANDONMENT
A good abandonment/suspension aims at reducing the risk of leakage
(whether internal or to surface) to an ALARP level. Among other
things :
9 protecting the reserves remaining in the reservoir
9 protecting freshwater sources penetrated by the well bore
9 Blocking leakage af any wellbore fluids to surface,preventing surface
pollution
9 Isolating all permeable hydrocarbon and water zones from each other
(thus eliminating flow path between higher-pressured zones to lowerpressured intervals, i.e. crossflow)
9 Preventing pressure build-up
IPM

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
All hydrocarbon bearing zones shall be isolated from
non-hydrocarbon permeable zones
All zones of different pressure regimes shall be isolated
from one another
Two (pressure) barriers are required for isolation from
surface
IPM
Permanent Well Abandonment

with open hole or perforated casing
Openhole hydrocarbon bearing zones or perforated
zones : set a cement plug across the zone (min 100 ft
below & 100 ft above).
Where there is open hole below the deepest casing
string : set a cement plug across the shoe (100 ft below
shoe and 200 ft above)
IPM
Typical cement plug to isolate a

permeable zone
100 ft
Permeable
Zone
Cement Plug
100 ft
IPM
Typical abandonment cement plug

across a casing shoe
Cement Plug
200 ft
100ft
IPM
Permanent Well Abandonment

Top of liner & casing cuts
Liner laps and casing stubs must be isolated by setting
a cement plug across : min 100 ft into liner / inner
casing string
However a liner lap can be considered a barrier if there
is evidence of good cement (as shown by CBL/CET) and
if it has been pressure/inflow tested : in this case no
cement plug (i.e. isolation) is required.
IPM
Cement Plugs (multiple zones)
100 ft
Permeable
Zone
Cement Plug
100 ft
Permeable
Zone
Cement Plug
IPM

Surface plug
A surface plug (such as a 300 ft cement plug from

surface/seabed down) shall be set, in the absence of
more stringent country or client specific requirement
IPM
Testing of cement plugs

The cement plugs (uppermost one in case of multiple
plug sequence) shall be weight tested to 20,000 lbs (if a
plug is found to be less than 100 ft, the plug shall be
repeated). This plug should also be pressure tested
above the leakoff test at the last casing shoe.
IPM
COURSE CONTENTS
Wellhead removal
Sidetrack
IPM
Permanent well abandonment :

removal of surface equipment
& site restoration
Casings / conductors to be cut 12 ft below the seabed
(offshore), 5 ft below surface (land well)
Wellhead to be removed: site and its vicinity to be left clear
of debris (and/or protruding above the seabed)
Land wells: site to be reinstated to its former status
AGAIN: CHECK THE LOCAL REGULATIONS
IPM

land well site restoration
Location to be leveled into the surrounding area with
similar soil to enable vegetation to return
Site to be cleared of all debris, equipment or material
that does not belong to the natural environment
IPM

removal of surface equipment
Mechanical or hydraulic pipe cutters
Internal casing cutters are available in various sizes, but also
multi-string cutters suitable for one-run cuts (offshore).
The casings are recovered using a spear.
Lastly, single-trip abandonment and recovery systems have
been proposed, that further save time.
IPM
Permanent well abandonment:

use of mechanical or hydraulic cutters
The main manufacturers of such equipments are:
Logan Oil Tools: http://www.loganoiltools.com
Sii Smith Services: http://www.siismithservices.com
Weatherford: http://www.weatherford.com
Baker Oil Tools: http://www.bakerhughes.com
IPM
Typical hydraulic casing cutter
IPM
Well abandonment : casing cutting

LOGAN OIL TOOLS : pipe cutters & spear
IPM
Single-trip casing cutter system
IPM
Use of explosives for well abandonment

JRC Jet Research Center: http://www.jetresearch.com
SII Smith Services: http://www.siismithservices.com
Weatherford: http://www.weatherford.com
NOTE : the use of explosives is not always allowed
IPM
Record keeping & reporting
The relevant authorities must be informed that the rig is

moving off location
Records of all plugs and test results shall be kept
Offshore, it is recommended to record a videotape of the
seafloor before and after the removal of the wellhead. Tape
to serve as an evidence and to be included in the well file
IPM
Well abandonment. Reporting (Ctd)
End-of-well report : a schematic of the well is to be

included with all the necessary information (depths of
cement plugs, perforations, bridge plugs, casing shoes,
cement in the annuli, casing cuts, type of fluid left in
casing, etc..). Reference depth must be indicated.
IPM
COURSE CONTENTS
Wellhead removal
Sidetrack
IPM
Abandonment of part of the hole

(sidetrack)
A sidetrack implies the permanent abandonment of part of
the hole
Can be accidental (fish) or intentional (geological)
Can take place in open hole or cased hole
In all cases, it implies plug-back operations
What is specific to these plug-back operations ?
IPM
SIDETRACK
The fundamental rules of well abandonment continue to
apply in this case (permeable zone isolation,)
The uppermost cement plug (hard cement) is designed to be
the mechanical support for the change of well course
IPM
COURSE CONTENTS
Wellhead removal
Sidetrack
IPM
Particular case of the abandonment of a

radioactive source
Radioactive material is hazardous
Major risk is over-exposure to personnel with ionizing
radiation (possibly sickness or death)

A lot of precautions taken for handling
But what if a radioactive source is lost in a well ??
IPM
Loss of a radioactive source in a well

OFS Radiation Standard OFS-QHSE-S018 and IPM Standard
IPM-ST-WCI-024 are the SLB governing documents

In a given country, many departments may be dealing with
radioactive substances: identify them all, be aware of local

regulations. Talk to the relevant Contractor. Be PREPARED.
Before abandonment, obtain clearance from Regulatory
Agency as required
IPM
Loss of a radioactive source in a well

(Ctd)
If a radioactive source has to be abandoned:
A cement plug shall be set, tagged and polished to provide
a minimum of 200 feet of hard cement above the fish
containing the source
Sidetrack to be planned and conducted so that the new
wellbore is a minimum of 20 feet from the fish containing the
source at any time
IPM
COURSE CONTENTS
Wellhead removal
Sidetrack
IPM

An exploratory or development well may be suspended
because the objective has not been reached yet
(iceberg season coming up, raging civil war requiring
interruption of operations,)
Well has reached its objective but kept for future use
(cannot be produced now)
IPM

Generally, same principles and standards as permanent
abandonment apply, while preserving the ability to re-enter the
well
Depending on the duration of the suspension (> or < 6 months),
perforations may be left open, however with a mechanical plug
on top, capped with cement
Hole contents to be displaced to inhibited fluid to prevent
corrosion
Pressure containing corrosion/debris cap to be installed on the
wellhead
IPM

The most typical suspension
Barriers in place are :
Casing cemented at TD (with shoe & float intact, duly
pressure tested)
Treated drilling mud overbalance
Wellhead corrosion cap or lower Xmas tree block
IPM
COURSE CONTENTS
Wellhead removal
Sidetrack
IPM
RE-ENTRY OF A SUSPENDED WELL
Prior to removing wellhead cap, check pressure

and monitor pressure
Install BOPs (pressure test)
Drill cement plugs. Use adequate mud weight.
Always be aware that gas may be trapped
underneath a plug !!
IPM
Case of a Mud-line suspension
IPM
COURSE CONTENTS
Wellhead removal
Sidetrack
IPM
PARTICULAR CASE OF A FLOATING RIG
Mobile rigs have their BOPs at the

seabed and may have to leave
temporarily the location (bad weather,
icebergs, BOP problems).
They have to secure the well before
leaving. HOW ?
IPM
PARTICULAR CASE OF A FLOATING RIG
IPM
Floater moving off location (bad weather)

The drill string is normally pulled back into the shoe,
non return valve is installed, then string is hung off in
the wellhead/BOP, blind rams are closed and riser is
disconnected. In case of emergency, string is hung off
on tooljoint resting on pipe rams, and pipe is sheared.
For reconnection, pressures are checked prior to
opening the BOPs
IPM
TESTING FROM A FLOATER

Problem: accidental drive off (DP), bad weather while
testing
Solution: quick disconnection with no spill >>>> use of
a subsea test tree (SSTT)
IPM
TESTING FROM A FLOATER (Ctd)

The SSTT system enables well
testing operations to be conducted
from an offshore floating rig.
It is the primary subsea safety
device and provides fast acting and
reliable means to:
zIsolate the landing string
from the test string
zPrevent discharge of its
contents into the riser
zDisconnect the landing
string from the test string.
IPM
SenTree 3 (SSTT): Sequence of operations

Close Ball Valve
3 - Retainer Valve
Close Flapper Valve

Small Delay for wire to move up
4 - Bleed Off Valve
Close Retainer Valve

5 - Latch
2 - Flapper Valve
Open Bleed Off Valve
1 - Ball Valve
Disconnect Subsea Tree
IPM
Repairs on subsea BOPs on a floater

BOP malfunction is a relatively common occurrence.
If the subsea BOP has to be pulled, plenty of time is
available to suspend the well in a secure manner.
Typically as explained earlier in Well suspension .
Never try to save rig time by not properly suspending
the well
IPM

DPT Well S &amp; A

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IPM DPT

WELL SUSPENSION & ABANDONMENT

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

What has to be done (and why) in a well prior to its

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Well abandonment (permanent)

Well suspension (or temporary abandonment)

P & A = Plug And Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

PERMANENT WELL ABANDONMENT

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF A WELL

Exploratory (or development) well suspended because the

Well has reached its objective (planned TD or geological

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF AN ABANDONMENT

The abandonment must create permanent barriers within the

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Suspension vs Permanent Abandonment :

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

And primarily to avoid this !!

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

PERMANENT WELL ABANDONMENT

The starting point is the identification of all the

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

PERMANENT WELL ABANDONMENT

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Permanent Well Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Typical cement plug to isolate a

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Typical abandonment cement plug

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Permanent Well Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Cement Plugs (multiple zones)

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

PERMANENT WELL ABANDONMENT

A surface plug (such as a 300 ft cement plug from

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Testing of cement plugs

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Permanent well abandonment :

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Permanent well abandonment :

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Permanent well abandonment :

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Permanent well abandonment:

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Typical hydraulic casing cutter

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Well abandonment : casing cutting

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Single-trip casing cutter system

DPT Well Suspension & Abandonment

Use of explosives for well abandonment

DPT Well S & A

DPT Well S & A