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Effective well diagnosis for permanent abandonment through integrated multi-sensor analysis and use of damped charges for cement injection

By: Language: Inglés Publication details: 2025Description: 12 pOnline resources: Summary: The permanent abandonment of wells is a critical process in the oil industry to ensure operational safety and environmental protection, preventing soil and groundwater contamination, as well as risks of structural integrity loss. Inadequate sealing can create pathways for the uncontrolled migration of fluids, endangering both water resources and public safety. In this context, the abandonment of Oripaya 4 well, located in the Oripaya field, presents a systematic approach integrating advanced technologies to ensure well integrity and regulatory compliance. Oripaya 4 well, located in the Catatumbo Basin, Uribante block, in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia, was completed in January 2023 with a 4 " production string for natural flow. During the initial tests in the Aguardiente Formation, non-commercially gas was observed due to high water production. Due to the lack of profitability, a new intervention was planned between December 2023 and March 2024, with the goal of completing and testing La Luna Formation. The results were negative, ruling out the possibility of finding commercially viable gas, and leading to the decision for permanent abandonment. During the temporary abandonment, bottom and intermediate cement plugs were placed, complemented with mechanical plugs to isolate La Luna Formation. However, an anomaly in the well’s integrity was detected with a pressure of 2,000 psi in the 9 5/8" casing, requiring the correction of this anomaly to ensure the well’s integrity withing a tight timeframe. This study case outlines the technical process implemented for the permanent abandonment of the Oripaya 4 well, addressing a detected annular pressure anomaly. The complexity of this operation is considered critical due to high-temperature (327°F BHT), its depth (12,865 feet) and the well design, which includes unconventional casing sizes and grades: 20",133 lbs/ft, K-55; 13 3/8", 72 lbs/ft, P110; 9 5/8", 53.5 lbs/ft, Q-125; and a 10,000 psi wellhead. Additionally, there were limited resources in the country, and the operator was under pressure to complete the abandonment quickly and safely. As part of the abandonment strategy, advanced electromagnetic induction and multifinger caliper tools were used to conduct a precise evaluation of casing integrity, detect structural failures, and identify potential leaks. Furthermore, the diagnosis obtained through production logging enabled the accurate location of the gas source, facilitating operational decision-making. Finally, three cement plugs at different levels were installed as barriers, sealing effectively the flow-capable formations and ensuring primary and secondary barriers to prevent fluid migration to the surface. For an effective seal, it was necessary to place cement in both the annular and internal space. For the surface plug cement injection, perforations with puncher (damped) charges were used which are specifically designed and tested in the laboratory for perforating two casings without compromising the integrity of the outer most casing. The well-integrity analysis, carried out with high-resolution tools, provided the information to make correct operational decisions, resulting in a safe and compliant abandonment and demonstrating an effective methodology for mature field well decommissioning. Furthermore, the performance of the damped charges was validated, confirming their efficacy in achieving the desired results during the abandonment process.
Item type: Libro
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The permanent abandonment of wells is a critical process in the oil industry to ensure operational safety and environmental protection, preventing soil and groundwater contamination, as well as risks of structural integrity loss. Inadequate sealing can create pathways for the uncontrolled migration of fluids, endangering both water resources and public safety. In this context, the abandonment of Oripaya 4 well, located in the Oripaya field, presents a systematic approach integrating advanced technologies to ensure well integrity and regulatory compliance. Oripaya 4 well, located in the Catatumbo Basin, Uribante block, in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia, was completed in January 2023 with a 4 " production string for natural flow. During the initial tests in the Aguardiente Formation, non-commercially gas was observed due to high water production. Due to the lack of profitability, a new intervention was planned between December 2023 and March 2024, with the goal of completing and testing La Luna Formation. The results were negative, ruling out the possibility of finding commercially viable gas, and leading to the decision for permanent abandonment. During the temporary abandonment, bottom and intermediate cement plugs were placed, complemented with mechanical plugs to isolate La Luna Formation. However, an anomaly in the well’s integrity was detected with a pressure of 2,000 psi in the 9 5/8" casing, requiring the correction of this anomaly to ensure the well’s integrity withing a tight timeframe. This study case outlines the technical process implemented for the permanent abandonment of the Oripaya 4 well, addressing a detected annular pressure anomaly. The complexity of this operation is considered critical due to high-temperature (327°F BHT), its depth (12,865 feet) and the well design, which includes unconventional casing sizes and grades: 20",133 lbs/ft, K-55; 13 3/8", 72 lbs/ft, P110; 9 5/8", 53.5 lbs/ft, Q-125; and a 10,000 psi wellhead. Additionally, there were limited resources in the country, and the operator was under pressure to complete the abandonment quickly and safely. As part of the abandonment strategy, advanced electromagnetic induction and multifinger caliper tools were used to conduct a precise evaluation of casing integrity, detect structural failures, and identify potential leaks. Furthermore, the diagnosis obtained through production logging enabled the accurate location of the gas source, facilitating operational decision-making. Finally, three cement plugs at different levels were installed as barriers, sealing effectively the flow-capable formations and ensuring primary and secondary barriers to prevent fluid migration to the surface. For an effective seal, it was necessary to place cement in both the annular and internal space. For the surface plug cement injection, perforations with puncher (damped) charges were used which are specifically designed and tested in the laboratory for perforating two casings without compromising the integrity of the outer most casing. The well-integrity analysis, carried out with high-resolution tools, provided the information to make correct operational decisions, resulting in a safe and compliant abandonment and demonstrating an effective methodology for mature field well decommissioning. Furthermore, the performance of the damped charges was validated, confirming their efficacy in achieving the desired results during the abandonment process.



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