Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Table of Contents
9.1 General.......................................................................................................... 1
9.2 Well barrier schematics ................................................................................. 2
9.3 Suspension .................................................................................................... 2
9.3.1 General ................................................................................................... 2
9.3.2 Well barrier schematics ........................................................................... 3
9.4 Temporary abandonment .............................................................................. 5
9.4.1 General ................................................................................................... 5
9.4.2 Well barrier schematics ........................................................................... 6
9.5 Permanent abandonment ............................................................................ 15
9.5.1 General ................................................................................................. 15
9.5.2 Well barrier schematics ......................................................................... 17
9.5.3 Examples for different permanent P&A options .................................... 24
9.5.4 Formation as well barrier element ......................................................... 26
9.5.5 Sidetracking .......................................................................................... 26
9.5.6 Section milling to establish permanent barriers..................................... 27
9.5.7 Alternative method to establish permanent barriers .............................. 29
9.5.8 Materials ............................................................................................... 30
9.6 Well control action procedures and drills ..................................................... 31
9.6.1 Well control action procedures .............................................................. 31
9.6.2 Well control action drills ........................................................................ 31
9.6.3 Well control requirements ..................................................................... 31
9.7 Suspension, plugging and abandonment design ......................................... 31
9.7.1 Design basis, premises and assumptions ............................................. 31
9.7.2 Load cases............................................................................................ 32
9.8 Other topics ................................................................................................. 32
9.8.1 Risks ..................................................................................................... 32
9.8.2 Removing equipment above seabed..................................................... 33
9.9 Vertical Xmas tree (VXT) removal .............................................................. 34
9.10
Horizontal Xmas tree removal .................................................................. 35
General
This section covers requirements and guidelines for well integrity during plugging of wells in
connection with
Page 1 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.2
Well barrier schematics (WBS) shall be prepared for each well activity and operation.
A final verified WBS for the well status upon completion of operations shall be in place.
Samples of well barrier schematics for selected situations are presented.
9.3
Suspension
9.3.1
General
Suspension of a production or injection well is defined as a well status, where the well is temporarily
plugged, XT is installed, and the well barriers are monitored.
Suspension of a well under construction or intervention is defined as a well status,
where the well operation is suspended without removing the well control equipment.
Example: Disconnect due to WOW
Well barriers and WBE material(s) shall have sufficient integrity to meet the suspension period,
including contingency. The suspended wellbore should be monitored throughout the suspension
period.
The following number of well barriers shall be in place to safely suspend the wellbore:
Suspension
Formation
Page 2 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.3.2
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
1. Casing cement
22
Last casing
2. Casing
3. Wellhead
4. BOP
2.
3.
APR
4.
SSR
5.
6.
UPR
MPR
LPR
Drilling
BOP
7.
5.
6.
7.
Notes:
Comments/Notes
Page 3 of 35
NORSOK standard
Suspended well, completed well with deep set mechanical plug 9.3.2b
9.3.2b Suspended well, Completed well
with a deep set mechanical plug
See
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
3.
4.
5.
6.
Formation at 9 5/8
casing window
9 5/8 Production
casing cement (up to
prod packer)
9 5/8 Production
casing
(up to prod packer)
Production packer
Deepset plug
n/a
22
7
6
3.
4.
Surface casing
20" csg Xxx
mTVD
DHSV
5.
6.
Intermediate casing
13 3/8" csg Xxx
mTVD
7.
8.
Formation at prod
packer
9 5/8 Production
casing cement (above
prod packer)
10 x 9 5/8
Production casing
10 Production
casing hanger with seal
assembly
Tubing hanger with
seals
Tubing hanger crown
plug
X-mas tree
valves/connector
X-mas tree body
n/a
22
2
5
10
11
31
31
Notes:
Comments/Notes
Production casing
PT
Reservoir
Liner
Page 4 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.4
Temporary abandonment
9.4.1
General
Temporary abandonment is defined as a well status in which the well has been temporarily plugged
where the BOP or XT has been removed, and the well barriers are not continuously monitored.
It shall be possible to re-enter temporary abandoned wells in a safe manner for the planned duration
of the temporary abandonment.
In general the following number of well barriers shall be in place to safely re-enter the wellbore.
Temporary P&A
Formation
For temporarily abandoned wellbores, the selected WBE material(s) shall have sufficient integrity to
meet the abandonment period times two.
Prior to temporary abandonment, the future plans for the well shall be documented.
Temporarily abandoned subsea wells shall be protected from external loads in areas with fishing
activities, or other seabed activities. For deep water wells, temporary seabed protection can be
omitted if there is confirmation of no such activities in the area and at the depth of the abandoned
seabed installations.
For temporary abandoned surface completed wells, it shall be possible to monitor the pressure in the
A annulus and in the tubing.
For temporary abandoned subsea completed wells that are planned to be abandoned for more than
one year, a yearly program for monitoring and observation shall be established and implemented.
The pressure in the tubing and A annulus shall be monitored if a subsea completed well is planned to
be abandoned for more than one year or not tied back to a production facility. The following
requirements are to be met:
If monitoring is not practicable, an acceptable alternative may be to install a deep set well barrier
element plug.
Page 5 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.4.2
Page 6 of 35
NORSOK standard
Page 7 of 35
NORSOK standard
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
24
28
2. Casing cement
22
na
22
24
28
Shallow plug
43
Grade: V1
4. Formation
Well Integrity issues
Comments/Notes
Page 8 of 35
NORSOK standard
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
24
28
2. Casing cement
22
na
22
24
28
Shallow plug
43
Grade: V1
4. Formation
Well Integrity issues
Comments/Notes
Page 9 of 35
NORSOK standard
Page 10 of 35
NORSOK standard
Page 11 of 35
NORSOK standard
Page 12 of 35
NORSOK standard
See
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
22
2. Casing (liner)
43
4. Casing
5. Production packer
6. Completion string
25
22
2. Casing
3. Wellhead
4. Tubing hanger
10
11
Notes:
Comments/Notes
Page 13 of 35
NORSOK standard
See
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
22
2. Casing
3. Production packer
4. Completion string
25
Above perforations.
22
Intermediate casing.
2. Casing
Intermediate casing.
3. Wellhead
4. Tubing hanger
10
11
Comments/Notes
Page 14 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.5
Permanent abandonment
9.5.1
General
This section covers requirements and guidelines for well integrity during permanent abandonment.
Permanently plugged wells shall be abandoned with an eternal perspective taking into account the
effects of any foreseeable chemical and geological processes.
The following number of well barriers to the external environment shall be fulfilled.
Formation
Permanent P&A
Two well barriers
The following individual or combined well barriers/isolations shall be a result of well plugging activities.
Name
Primary well
barrier
Secondary
well barrier
Crossflow well
barrier
Environmental
isolation plug*
Function
First well barrier against a
potential source of inflow. To
isolate a potential source of
inflow from flowing to
surface/seabed
Backup to the primary well
barrier, against a potential
source of inflow.
To prevent flow between
formations (where crossflow is
not acceptable). May also
function as primary well barrier
for the reservoir below.
To isolate the full cross sectional
wellbore. To prevent movement
of wellbore fluids to the
environment.
As above.
Page 15 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.5.1.1
Permanent well barriers shall extend across the full cross section of the well, include all annuli and
seal both vertically and horizontally (see illustration). The well barrier(s) shall
be placed adjacent to an impermeable formation.
Casing cement shall be verified to ensure a vertical and horizontal seal. If
casing cement is verified by logging, minimum 30 m cumulative interval with
acceptable bonding is required to act as a permanent external barrier. For the
internal permanent barrier requirement, refer to WBEAC 24. An internal WBE
shall be positioned over the entire interval where there is a verified external
WBE (across all annuli).
A permanent well barrier should have the following characteristics:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Steel tubulars are not an acceptable permanent WBE unless supported by cement or a plugging
material with similar functional properties as listed above (internal and external).
Elastomer sealing components in WBEs are not acceptable for permanent well barriers.
Cement in the liner lap is accepted as a permanent WBE when pressure tested from above (before
installation of liner top packer).
Removal of downhole equipment is not required as long as the integrity of the well barriers is
achieved.
Control cables and lines shall be removed from areas where permanent well barriers are installed, if
they can create vertical leak paths through the well barrier. Completions should be designed to
facilitate the setting of annular cement plugs as a well barrier.
When completion tubulars are left in the well and permanent well barriers are installed in the tubing
and annulus, the position and integrity of the barriers shall be verified.
Page 16 of 35
NORSOK standard
If it can be documented that placing one continuous cement (with compensating measures ref to EAC
24) plug is as reliable as two independent cement plugs to establish an internal barrier(s), this may be
acceptable.
9.5.2
Casing/
No source
of outflow
Verification/Monitoring
Liner/
reservoir
WBEAC
table
24
Open hole
22
2. Cement plug
24
22
2. Cement plug
24
24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes
Page 17 of 35
NORSOK standard
See
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
22
2. Cement plug
24
22
2. Cement plug
24
24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes
Page 18 of 35
NORSOK standard
See
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
22
2. Cement plug
24
22
2. Cement plug
24
24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes
Page 19 of 35
NORSOK standard
Permanent abandonment, Multi bore with slotted liners or sand screens with plug 9.5.2d
9.5.2d Permanent abandonment,
multibore with slotted liners or sand
screens with plug
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
22
22
2. Casing cement
24
28
24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes
Page 20 of 35
NORSOK standard
Permanent abandonment, Multi bore with slotted liners or sand screens without plug 9.5.2e
9.5.2e Permanent abandonment,
multibore with slotted liners or sand
screens without plug
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
22
22
24
28
24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes
Page 21 of 35
NORSOK standard
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
24
22
2. Cement plug
24
24
22
2. Cement plug
24
24
Cased hole
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes
Page 22 of 35
NORSOK standard
WBEAC
table
Verification/Monitoring
24
22
2. Cement plug
24
24
22
2. Cement plug
24
Environmental Isolation
1. Cement plug
2. Casing cement
Well Integrity issues
24
Cased hole
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes
Page 23 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.5.3
min 50 m
Plug lengths:
minimum 100 m
min 50 m
Secondary
100 m
Primary
100 m
Verification:
Pressure test plug
inside casing
Verification:
Tag OH plug.
Page 24 of 35
NORSOK standard
Example B
The last open hole section of a wellbore or a perforated casing/liner can be abandoned permanently
by setting two back to back cement plugs from the reservoir (or as close as possible to the reservoir),
providing the casing cement is verified in the annulus.
The internal cement plug lengths shall cover the cumulative logged interval in the annulus.
P&A two back to back cement
plugs
Verification:
Volume control
(Set on pressure
tested fundament)
Secondary
50 m
2 x 30 m verified
logged cement
Primary
100 m
Verification:
Tag and
pressure test
primary plug
50 m inside
casing
Reservoir/perm.
fm with
overpressure
Page 25 of 35
NORSOK standard
Example C
A wellbore can be abandoned permanently by setting a mechanical plug to serve as a fundament for a
single cement plug.
The internal cement plug length shall cover the cumulative logged interval in the annulus
Primary
2 x 30 m
verified
logged cement
Secondary
Verification:
Tag cement plug
Verification:
Pressure tested
fundament
Reservoir/
perm. fm with
overpressure
9.5.4
Sidetracking
The original wellbore should be permanently abandoned prior to a side-track/ slot recovery. A well
barrier can be shared to function as well barrier for more than one well bore.
Page 26 of 35
NORSOK standard
The following method can be applied when section milling is required to establish well barriers.
Log casing annulus
to verify bonded
formation/cement
Verified with
sufficient length to
act as barrier?
Yes
Yes
No
Sufficient length
with bond to act as
foundation?
No
Install and test
mech plug in
casing as close as
possible to source
of inflow
Re-establishing
annulus barrier not
necessary
Establish internal
barrier
Mill 100 m
Mill > 50 m
No
Evaluate situation.
Consider further section
milling
Yes
Place cement plug
from fundament
and minimum 50m
across window
Place second
cement plug from
top of first plug
and 50 m into
casing
Establish
secondary barrier
in same manner
as primary
(another 50 m
section mill above
bonded area etc)
Primary and
secondary barriers
established
Page 27 of 35
NORSOK standard
Example
For wells with poor casing cement or no access to the last open hole section,
section milling (removal of casing) is an alternative method for placing cement
in contact with formation to form permanent barriers.
P&A section milling
min 50 m
min 50 m
min 50 m
Verification:
Pressure test
min 50 m
Verification:
Tag
Milling window:
minimum 100 m
Milling window:
minimum 50 m
min 50 m
max 50 m
Milling window:
minimum 50 m
min 50 m
Verification:
Pressure test
cement plug
inside casing
Verification:
Pressure test
cement plug
inside casing
Reservoir/
perm. fm with
overpressure
Reservoir/
perm. fm with
overpressure
Page 28 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.5.6
The use of alternative methods to establish the barriers shall be verified and documented.
Log casing annulus
to verify bonded
formation/cement
Verified with
sufficient length to
act as barrier?
Yes
No
Sufficient length
with bond to act as
foundation?
Yes
Re-establishing
annulus barrier not
necessary
Establish internal
barrier
No
Establish internal
fundament if
required
Establish annulus
communication (perforate
interval)
ALTERNATIVE METHODS
Primary and
secondary barriers
established
Page 29 of 35
NORSOK standard
Example
For wells with poor casing cement or no access to the last open hole section, an
alternative method for placing cement in contact with formation to form permanent
barriers can be used.
External verification may be omitted once a geological specific interval track record is
established and documented.
Min 50 m
Min 50 m
Fundament:
Internal and external
required
Internal Verification:
Pressure test
External Verification:
Logging
Internal Verification:
Tag and pressure test
External Verification:
Logging
Min 50 m
9.5.7
Materials
The materials used in well barriers for plugging of wells shall withstand the load and environmental
conditions the well barriers may be exposed to for the planned abandonment period. The suitability of
the selected plugging materials shall be verified and documented. Degradation of the casing should
be considered.
Page 30 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.6.1
The following table describes incident scenarios in which well control action procedures should be
available (if applicable) to deal with the incidents should they occur. This list is not comprehensive and
additional scenarios may be applied based on the actual planned activity.
Item
Description
Comments
1.
Cutting of casing.
2.
3.
9.6.2
Description
1.
2.
9.6.3
Comments
To verify crew response in applying
correct well control practices.
Cutting/perforating the casing and retrieving seal assemblies shall be performed with active pressure
control equipment in place to prevent uncontrolled flow from annuli between casings and into the
well/riser
9.7
9.7.1
Page 31 of 35
NORSOK standard
d) Formations with suitable well barrier element properties (i.e. strength, impermeability, absence
of fractures and faulting)
e) Specific well conditions such as scale build up, casing wear, collapsed casing, fill, H2S, CO2,
hydrates, benzene or similar issues.
The design of well barriers consisting cement or alternative materials should account for uncertainties
relating to
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
9.7.2
Load cases
Description
Comments
1.
2.
3.
4.
9.8
9.8.1
Other topics
Risks
Design and operational risks shall be assessed. Typical risk could include:
a) pressure and wellbore (formation) integrity uncertainties,
b) time effects:
long term development of reservoir pressure
deterioration of materials used
sagging of weight materials in well fluids
c) scale in production tubing,
d) H2S or CO2,
Page 32 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.8.2
For permanent abandonment wells, the wellhead and casings shall be removed below the seabed.
The cutting depth shall be sufficient to prevent conflict with other marine activities. Local conditions
such as soil and seabed scouring due to sea current should be considered. For deepwater wells, it
may be acceptable to leave or cover the wellhead/structure.
Mechanical or abrasive cutting is the preferred method for removal of the casing/conductor at seabed.
Use of explosives to cut casing/conductor is acceptable only if measures are implemented (Example:
directed/ shaped charges providing upward and downward protection) which reduces the risk to
surrounding environment to the same level as other means of cutting.
The location shall be inspected to ensure no other obstructions related to the drilling and well activities
are left behind on the sea floor.
Page 33 of 35
NORSOK standard
9.9
The table below describes well barrier requirements when removing a VXT.
Fluid
Possible to
Primary well barrier
Secondary well barrier
monitor primary element
element
well barrier?
Light fluid Yes (downhole
Deep set mechanical
Inflow tested
(underpressure gauge
bridge plug
DHSV and drop
balanced) or tubing to
protection device
annulus
accepted if
communication)
DHSV has zero
leakage, or
a BPV/tubing
hanger plug, or
a shallow set
mechanical bridge
plug
No
Heavy
fluid
(overbalanced)
Yes (tubing to
annulus
communication)
Deep set
mechanical bridge
plug
Deep set
mechanical bridge
plug and brine/mud
above plug, or
Kill pill and brine or
kill mud from
perforations/screen
to surface
No
Deep set
mechanical bridge
plug and brine/mud
above plug
No
a BPV/tubing
hanger plug, or
a shallow set
mechanical bridge
plug
Inflow tested
DHSV and drop
protection device
accepted if
DHSV has zero
leakage, or
a BPV/tubing
hanger plug, or
a shallow set
mechanical bridge
plug
Compensating
measures
Status of primary
well barrier to be
monitored at all
times on DHPG
or a-annulus
pressure
Inflow tested
DHSV as
compensating
measure due to
not able to
monitor primary
barrier
Fluid level or
applied pressure
to be monitored
on A-annulus
Inflow tested
DHSV and drop
protection device
accepted if
DHSV has zero
leakage, or
a BPV/tubing
hanger plug, or
a shallow set
mechanical bridge
plug
a BPV/tubing
hanger plug, or
a shallow set
mechanical bridge
plug
Inflow tested
DHSV as
compensating
measure due to
not able to
monitor primary
well barrier
Page 34 of 35
NORSOK standard
Page 35 of 35
NORSOK standard