AT A GLANCE
Scope: Successful delivery of a permanent well abandonment barrier in one of Brazil’s oldest rigs
Where: South America, Brazil
When: Q3-2023
CLIENT CHALLENGE
Our scope was to deliver an advanced solution to plug and abandon a subsea well from an ageing asset (built in 1976), without the need for a section milling operation.
The campaign’s requirements were to deliver a robust, time effective and predictable service to keep costs low while minimising environmental impact, in line with our customer’s commitment to sustainability for an industry in transition.
To comply with both internal and governmental regulations in South America, a rock-to-rock cement barrier is required in the cap rocks above the reservoirs.
One of the biggest challenges working in the Brazilian basins is the water depth, which can extend to thousands of metres (compared with the average depth of 300ft in the North Sea).
Another major challenge was working with archaic equipment and outdated technology adding considerable difficulties to data reporting and analysis.
We also experienced challenges with the fine material of the formation, resulting in a re-evaluation of the operation based on fluid viscosity issues. From the first run, it was evident that a more viscous fluid at a much larger frequency was required to flush the solids out of the well.
“Our innovative team re-engineered the fluid system in order to achieve optimum results for our client”
Calum Smith, HydraWell Operations Manager, UK and ROW
BACKGROUND
The Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP) estimates operators in the country will spend around $7.2 billion in decommissioning activities across five Offshore basins by 2026.
With a growing number of offshore mature fields nearing the end of their life cycle in Brazil, decommissioning of ageing production platforms, especially in the Campos Basin, is attracting increased investment.
Our customer, one of Brazil’s largest oil and gas companies, is a world leader in exploration and production with decades of experience in the Brazilian basins, particularly in deep and ultra-deep waters.
With a significant push to launch decommissioning projects on its first offshore assets, the customer required a solution to permanently abandon one of its oldest wells. The campaign was the first in a series of well abandonments within a five-year agreement to deliver annular remediation.
HYDRAWELL SOLUTION
HydraWell mobilised an offshore specialist from its Norwegian HQ, to oversee the campaign to deploy HydraHemera™, HydraWell’s flagship PWC® system. The revolutionary technique consists of two main components, a HydraHemera™ Jetting Tool and a HydraHemera™ Cementing Tool.
The HydraHemera™ Jetting Tool was used to wash and clean out debris in the annular space behind the casing to create optimum conditions prior to placing the plugging material in the cross section. Debris, old mud, barite and old cuttings are replaced by clean mud and spacer fluid.
The campaign focused on the following key areas:
“Despite the difficulties encountered with the well, we were able to overcome them and obtain a great result as proven by the cement evaluation log.”
Well Engineer, Brazil
On successfully installing a barrier plug in its first campaign in Brazil, HydraWell is proud to be one of first companies globally to have contributed to the launch of the decommissioning market in South America. By tapping into a rapidly growing market, HydraWell is delivering a quality, sustainable solution that maximises safety and reduces carbon emissions, while fostering new partnerships for future decommissioning campaigns between Europe and South America.
This latest campaign has cemented HydraWell as a global market leader in P&A applications as we continue to design superior solutions that are carefully in line with the needs of our clients in expanded geographies as we work to meet and exceed industry targets.
