Development of a Novel Method To Evaluate Well Integrity During CO2 Underground Storage

SPE Journal ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (03) ◽  
pp. 628-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingxing Bai ◽  
Kaoping Song ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Jianpeng Sun ◽  
Kurt M. Reinicke
Keyword(s):  
Composite System ◽  
Leakage Rate ◽  
Cement Matrix ◽  
Underground Storage ◽  
Co2 Leakage ◽  
Storage Reservoir ◽  
Well Integrity ◽  
Abandoned Wells ◽  
Defect Dimension ◽  
Cement Sheath

Summary A safe and ecologic underground storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) requires long-term integrity of the wells affected by the injected CO2, including both active wells and abandoned wells. In line with other investigators, technical integrity is assumed if there is no significant leak in the subsurface system from the storage reservoir. The evaluation of integrity of abandoned wells over a long time frame during CO2 underground storage can only be performed indirectly and requires a comprehensive understanding of relevant thermal/hydraulic/mechanical/chemical processes affecting well integrity. This paper presents an integrated approach coupling qualitative features, events, and processes (FEPs) and scenario analysis with quantitative-model development and consequence analysis. The qualitative analysis provides a solid and comprehensive study on all the FEPs that affect well integrity. The mechanical model presents the stress distribution of the casing/cement/rock composite system and provides a quantification of the defect dimension caused by different load conditions. The defect dimension can be used to compute equivalent permeability of the cement sheath by use of empirical correlations, which is an important input parameter for the following CO2-leakage simulation, provided it is considered that CO2 can only migrate through the defects instead of the cement matrix. When integrity is compromised, the storage reservoir will leak CO2. For this leakage, a numerical model is presented to simulate the flow of CO2 along abandoned wellbores during the storage period, such as 1,000 years. It is found from the FEP analysis that the most-critical system components are caprock, casing/cement/rock composite system, and abandonment elements. By building a geomechanical model and a leakage model, it is also found that in the simulated scenarios the CO2-leakage rate is very small except for when using cement sheaths of very poor quality, which can lead to a leakage rate exceeding the maximum-allowable value. The sensitivity analysis shows that the vertical permeability of the cement sheath plays the most critical role. In comparison with previous studies, this method is comprehensive and easy to implement.

Subsea Re-Abandonment Strategies for High-Risk Wells to Minimize Leakage Risk in a Depleted Field for CO2 Storage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parimal A Patil ◽  
Debasis P. Das ◽  
Pankaj K. Tiwari ◽  
Prasanna Chidambaram ◽  
Renato J. Leite ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Co2 Storage ◽  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Leakage Rate ◽  
Storage Site ◽  
Co2 Leakage ◽  
Well Integrity ◽  
Abandoned Wells ◽  
Fracture Gradient ◽  
Maximum Horizontal Stress

Abstract CO2 storage in a depleted field comes with the risk that is associated with wells integrity which is often defined as the ability to contain fluids with minimum to nil leakage throughout the project lifecycle. The targeted CO2 storage reservoir in offshore Malaysia has existing abandoned exploration/appraisal, and development wells. With a view of developing such CO2 storage sites, it is vital to maintain the integrity of the abandoned wells. High-risk characterized wells need to be analyzed and remedial action plan to be defined by understanding the complexity involved in restoring the integrity. This will safeguard CO2 containment for decades. Abandoned exploration/appraisal wells in the identified field are >40 years old and were not designed to withstand CO2 corrosion environment. Downhole temperature and pressure conditions may have further degraded the wellbore material strength elevating corrosion susceptibility. The reservoir simulation predicts that the CO2 plume will reach to these abandoned wells during the initial phase of total injection period. Single well was selected to assess the loss of containment through the composite structure along the wellbore and to determine the complexity in resorting the well integrity. CO2 leakage rates through all possible pathways were estimated based on numerical models and the well is characterized for its risk. For unacceptable leakage risk, the abandoned well needs to be re-entered to restore the performance of barriers. Minimum plug setting depth (MPSD) and caprock restoration considers original reservoir pressure(3450psia) anticipating the pressure buildup upon CO2 injection and is derived based on fracture gradient and maximum horizontal stress. This paper elaborates unique challenges associated with locating abandoned wells that are submerged below seabed. Top and side re-entry strategies are discussed to overcome challenges. Based on past abandonment scheme, leakage rate modeling calculates estimated leakage rate of ~460SCFD at higher differential pressure of around 3036psia at shallowest barrier and ~15SCFD for differential pressure of 1518psia at deepest barrier. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out for critical barrier parameters (cement permeability, cracks, fractures) to the containment ability and improving understanding of quality of barriers, uncertainties, and complexities for CO2 leakage risk. The paper proposes two(2) minimum plug setting depths (3550ft & 3750ft) derived based on fracture gradient and maximum horizontal stress. Perforate-wash-cement (PWC) and section milling were compared for operational efficiencies to achieve caprock restoration. for MPSD out strategic options to restore well integrity by remediating casing/cement barriers at by performing best fit abandonment technique to contain CO2 in the reservoir. Well integrity risk is assessed for existing plugged and abandoned (P&A) wells in a carbon storage site. Optimized remedial actions are proposed. Quantification of all the uncertainties are resolved that may affect long-term security of CO2 storage site.

Achieving Long Term Well Integrity: An Engineered Solution for Production Casing in a Deepwater Environment

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.. Reveth ◽  
R.. Giron Rojas ◽  
N.. Gupta ◽  
E.. Gonzaga
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Cement Matrix ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Well Integrity ◽  
Zonal Isolation ◽  
Cement Sheath ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fluid Pathway

Abstract In a deepwater environment, any remedial operation has a high impact on the overall costs during the life of the wells. The zonal isolation can be compromised due to the exposure of the well's main components (casing and cement) to the changes in the stress conditions. The changes in wellbore conditions can occur during the drilling, production, intervention, and decommissioning stages. Typically, conditions such as fluid pathway and high formation pressure are sufficient to lose zonal isolation. The fluid pathway can be a fissure, an induced crack in the cement sheath, a mud channel, a micro-microannulus, or changes in the cement matrix permeability. As a result of the oil industry technology developments, progresses, the advanced stress-modelling software and the availability of cement and rock properties property data have enabled to an improved understanding of the cement behavior under stress. Prevention of the loss of the hydraulic isolation provided by the primary cementing in the annulus can be assessed by predicting the mechanical failure of the cement sheath. Formation geo-mechanics is one of the main factors that help in designing a robust cement system for changing stresses. Furthermore, the consequence result of the cement sheath failure can be mitigated by the placement of placing a self-healing cement (SHC) system to maintain long-term zonal isolation. An interdisciplinary approach can be used to determine the following: Understand the impact of the well plan, and fluid densities on well integrity, in addition to cementing best practices.Characterize typical deepwater field formations, and establish limits for geo-mechanical values of each layer.Identify critical factors and focus on the pay zones.Understand potential issues and communication between the pay zones and the aquifers that are already previously confirmed.Determine risk of zonal communication assessment, mitigation, and prevention measurement implementations Once the formation data is validated by the operator, the life cycle of the well is simulated and the risk of zonal isolation can be evaluated. The results of this assessment can help the operator choose between to take the approach of mitigation, prevention, or a combination of both. The objective is to place a robust cement sheath with advanced mechanical performance in the pay zones that can resist the failures due to changing stresses during the well testing and production. This paper uses presents examples from a deepwater development field to show how cement systems with advanced mechanical properties counter the critical stresses during the lifecycle of a well and maintain zonal isolation.

scholarly journals Semi-Analytical Solution to Assess CO2 Leakage in the Subsurface through Abandoned Wells

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2452
Author(s):  
Tian Qiao ◽  
Hussein Hoteit ◽  
Marwan Fahs
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Solution ◽  
Storage Site ◽  
Co2 Leakage ◽  
Transient Pressure ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Abandoned Wells ◽  
Diffusivity Equation ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
Good Agreement

Geological carbon storage is an effective method capable of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at significant scales. Subsurface reservoirs with sealing caprocks can provide long-term containment for the injected fluid. Nevertheless, CO2 leakage is a major concern. The presence of abandoned wells penetrating the reservoir caprock may cause leakage flow-paths for CO2 to the overburden. Assessment of time-varying leaky wells is a need. In this paper, we propose a new semi-analytical approach based on pressure-transient analysis to model the behavior of CO2 leakage and corresponding pressure distribution within the storage site and the overburden. Current methods assume instantaneous leakage of CO2 occurring with injection, which is not realistic. In this work, we employ the superposition in time and space to solve the diffusivity equation in 2D radial flow to approximate the transient pressure in the reservoirs. Fluid and rock compressibilities are taken into consideration, which allow calculating the breakthrough time and the leakage rate of CO2 to the overburden accurately. We use numerical simulations to verify the proposed time-dependent semi-analytical solution. The results show good agreement in both pressure and leakage rates. Sensitivity analysis is then conducted to assess different CO2 leakage scenarios to the overburden. The developed semi-analytical solution provides a new simple and practical approach to assess the potential of CO2 leakage outside the storage site. This approach is an alternative to numerical methods when detailed simulations are not feasible. Furthermore, the proposed solution can also be used to verify numerical codes, which often exhibit numerical artifacts.

Estimates of CO2 leakage along abandoned wells constrained by new data

2019 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 164-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom J.W. Postma ◽  
Karl W. Bandilla ◽  
Michael A. Celia
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Leakage ◽  
Abandoned Wells

Technology Focus: Wellbore Tubulars (July 2021)

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (07) ◽  
pp. 50-50
Author(s):  
Robello Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Well Integrity ◽  
The Future ◽  
Geothermal Wells ◽  
Abandoned Wells ◽  
Thermal Simulations ◽  
Technology Focus

How we think about the future of the pipe industry must evolve. How must tubular design and manufacturing change as we transition to clean energy? Geothermal energy is an area that needs attention and, further, needs very specific attention on tubulars. Tubulars are an important component in the construction of geothermal wells, and we must align our requirements for geothermal energy. Some of the main challenges encountered in geothermal wells are corrosion and scaling. Moreover, temperature becomes a major consideration for tubulars, even more so with the temperature excursion during geothermal production. Perhaps the critical aspect in the design of the geothermal wells involves casing selection and design. Beyond manufacturing casing pipes to withstand these problems, considering the manufacturing of other components, such as connections, float collars, and float shoes, also is essential. Thermal expansion and thermal excursion of casings are well-integrity concerns; thus, casing design is important for long-term sustainability of geothermal wells. Apart from thermal simulations, guidelines and software are needed to undergird the designs to withstand not only temperature excursions but also thermomechanical and thermochemical loadings. Engineered nonmetallic casings also provide an alternative solution because they provide the desired strength and corrosion resistance in addition to meeting the goals of sustainability. Undoubtedly, the future of the tubular industry is going to be revitalized. The question now is how we can retrofit existing abandoned wells for this purpose. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 199570 - Special Considerations for Well-Tubular Design at Elevated Temperatures by Gang Tao, C-FER Technologies, et al.

Modeling potential CO2 leakage rate along a fault in Mahogany Field

2013 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 15-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Tao ◽  
David Alexander ◽  
Steven L. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Leakage Rate ◽  
Co2 Leakage
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