This 2-day Essentials of Plug & Abandonment course aims to provide participants with an enhanced understanding of the principles, methodologies, practicalities and risks associated with well abandonment. The course offers a review of the underlying principles of well abandonment before considering the concepts involved in a temporary abandonment (suspension) and subsequent abandonment requirements needed for an increasing inventory of ageing wells.
Designed For
This course has been designed for technical personnel outside of the plug & abandonment industry, such as those from drilling, production, workover, facilities management, and QHSE departments.
Course Delivery
Conducted over 2 days, the course is delivered through presentation of a series of interactive lectures supported by videos and animations, case studies, group exercises and discussions.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, participants will be able to
- Fully appreciate how ‘human factors’ can impact on well abandonment integrity
- Understand the differences between permanent abandonment and temporary abandonment (suspension)
- Describe the governing principles, techniques and processes of well abandonment
- Describe the relevant associated risks and their issues such as materials placement, fluid degradation, corrosion and mud contamination
- Explain the need for and the principles of well barriers including materials used, number of barriers and physical requirements
- Understand the principles of barrier verification and testing
- Appreciate the local legislative procedures and understand the role and application of statutory notifications in the abandonment process
- Know the risks and mitigation involved in well abandonment
- Understand some of the special cases and considerations that are taken into account when abandoning a well, including the different approaches and risks associated with the abandonment of recent and ageing well stock
Indicative Course Content
The course covers the following modules:
- Human Factors and Communication
Plug and Abandonment operations are managed and executed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of Asset Managers, Well Engineers, Completion Engineers, Logistics Technicians and other functions. Managing communications between these disciplines and recognising the human elements of the decision making process will ensure that this important part of the process is executed effectively. This module gives an overview of the current learnings in Human factors to ensure that participants are prepared for P&A operations. - Legislative Requirements
Successful abandonment operations do not depend solely on technical efficacy, but are also impacted by local legislative requirements and industry standards. This module will focus on UK O&G Guidelines to ensure that the participants are familiar with the requirements. - Well Abandonment
This module explores the reasons behind Plug and Abandonment operations, how they may be planned and executed and at what point in time the P&A work will be executed (both in terms of the well lifecycle and the environmental timeline). - Barriers
The success of a P&A operation relies on the placement, management and verification of a number of permanent barriers. This module uses the basics of O&GUK Guidelines, Norsok D-010 and industry best practices to explain the principles of barriers, the reasons behind robust verification to ensure that abandonment operations are carried out in line with the industry directive of well abandonment into perpetuity. - Abandonment Methodology
Building on the theory of barriers, this module explores the various techniques used to ensure a verified barrier (or barriers) is in place. Focusing mainly on cementing techniques and exploring other techniques such as the use of deformable packers and metal to metal sealing technology. This module will also explore the risks associated with abandonment techniques and suggest possible mitigation. Lastly, the module will explore the concept that a barrier is not a barrier until it is verified and indicate the various verification techniques that may be used to ensure that a barrier is in place for good. - Abandonment Considerations
Plug and Abandonment operations include (by definition) several unknowns that may need consideration during operations. Such factors as casing corrosion and erosion, annulus pressure effects, and environmental issues are explored during this module to enable the participants to gain an understanding that contingency planning and rapid reaction may be a requirement in P&A operations.
Prerequisites
There are no formal pre-requisites for this type of training. For in-house training, candidate suitability and assumed base knowledge will be discussed and agreed with the client in the early stages of course development.