AT A GLANCE
Client: A leading integrated energy operator based in Australia
Scope: The land-based project involved placing four discreet 60m length plugs across various aquifer units in two wells, that had surface casing vent flow (SCVF) identified ahead of decommissioning, as part of a larger 20-week P&A campaign.
Where: Surat Basin, Brisbane, Australia
When: September 2024
CLIENT CHALLENGE
The Client was seeking an advanced well abandonment technology to replace traditional methods and improve the cement placement behind existing casing strings to remediate SCVF. The key challenge was managing multiple aquifer units, up to eight zones per well, while addressing sustained casing pressure. The solution needed to provide long-term well integrity while overcoming these complex conditions.
After evaluating options, HydraCT™ PWC system was identified as the ideal solution due to its innovative approach to cleaning the annulus between the formation interface and the casing, as well as providing improved cement placement techniques for placing cement barriers during well P&A operations.
“Our first successful campaign for the HydraCT™ in Australia demonstrates there is no doubt our advanced PWC method deployed on coiled tubing is an ideal solution for onshore P&A operations.
“Our research has shown there is industry demand for more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives in plug and abandonment operations and we will continue to respond to this demand by creating superior solutions which are carefully aligned with the needs of clients and the market.”
Erlend Engelsgjerd, Chief Commercial Officer, HydraWell
BACKGROUND
With a rich history the Client has evolved into a leading provider of energy services.
As part of its commitment to innovation and sustainability the Client continuously seeks advanced solutions to enhance operational efficiency and environmental responsibility and compliance.
In line with its well abandonment strategy, the Client required a modern, effective method to securely and efficiently decommission wells, remediating the SCVF while minimising environmental impact and achieving regulatory compliance for P&A. This led to the exploration of innovative technologies like HydraWell’s advanced PWC® system, HydraCT™, offering a step forward in rigless well P&A.
HYDRAWELL SOLUTION
HydraCT is an advanced PWC® system specifically designed for coil tubing applications, signalling a major industry shift for the future of Plug and Abandonment activities. The advanced PWC® system has the potential to cut CO2 emissions by 80% and reduce costs by up to 60% by allowing thorough casing annulus cleaning. Further, it offers an alternative to section milling casing over large intervals.
HydraCT™ is an industry-first rigless PWC® system for well abandonment. Featuring a jet-propelled washing and cementing tool for efficient annulus displacement, the tool’s hydraulic brake system converts flow rate into RPM for thorough casing cleaning, multi-directional high-energy jet nozzles for optimal cement placement, and a streamlined ball-drop mechanism for precise cementing.
Deployed in September 2024 for the Client, HydraCT™ successfully placed two PWC plugs in each well. Despite the complexity of the operation, HydraWell completed its portion of the campaign in three weeks, significantly reducing project timelines. Three of the plugs were done in 10 hrs with an average operation time of 14 hours. All 4 of the plugs were tagged and pressure tested, ensuring a reliable and long-term well abandonment solution.
HydraCT™ removes the need to run drill pipe to remediate the annuli and install a permanent isolation barrier without compromising barrier quality or barrier verification using established field proven PWC® techniques.
The system delivers superior operational predictability and can save as much as a day of spread time, reducing operational time compared with conventional PWC® operations using a Hydraulic Work Over Unit.
The SCVF identified in both wells before the P&A operations was successfully remediated subsurface with the deployment of the four HydraCT™ plugs and subsequent cement circulation back to surface above the plugs. The wells have completed their 6month monitoring period confirming the success of the methods to remediate the SCVF and successfully meet the P&A objectives. Further trial on wells to be conducted using the system to fully prove the application for SCVF remediation.
The results include:
