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NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Below is a listing of the main changes


1. Definitions of suspension, temporary and permanent abandonment
2. Included more examples of well barrier schematics
3. Included illustrations for permanent abandonment scenarios (9.5.3)
4. Included shale formation as an annulus well barrier element (9.5.4)
5. Included flow charts for establishing permanent barriers (9.5.6 and 9.5.7)
6. Included requirements for XT removal

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

9 Plugging, abandonment and suspension


9.1

General

This section covers requirements and guidelines for well integrity during plugging of wells in
connection with

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

a) temporary suspension of well activities and operations,


b) temporary or permanent abandonment of wells,
c) permanent abandonment of a section of a well (side tracking, slot recovery) to construct a new
wellbore with a new geological well target.
The purpose of this section is to describe the establishment of well barriers by use of WBEs and
additional requirements and guidelines to execute this activity in a safe manner with focus on isolation
of permeable formations/reservoirs/sources of outflow, both from each other in the wellbore, and from
surface.
Requirements for isolation of formations, fluids and pressures for temporary and permanent
abandonment are the same. However, choice of WBEs may be different to account for abandonment
time, and ability to reenter the well or resume operations after temporary abandonment.

9.2

Well barrier schematics

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

Two well barriers

Potential source of inflow or reservoir exposed (hydrocarbons present)

One well barrier

Formation with normal pressure (or less)

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

9.3.2

Rev. 4, August 2012

Well barrier schematics

Suspended well, Hang off/disconnect of marine riser 9.3.2a


9.3.2a Suspension, Hang off/Disconnect
of main riser

Well barrier elements

WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1. Fluid column

Time limited barrier

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.

Secondary Well Barrier

5.
6.
7.
Notes:

Well Integrity issues

Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

Well barrier elements

See
WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1.
2.

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

Secondary Well Barrier


1.
2.

3.
4.

Surface casing
20" csg Xxx
mTVD
DHSV

5.
6.

Intermediate casing
13 3/8" csg Xxx
mTVD

7.
8.

10 3/4"-9 5/8" XOV


Xxx mTVD

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:

Well Integrity issues

Comments/Notes

Production casing
PT

9 5/8" csg Xxx mTVD

Reservoir

Liner

7" csg Xxx mTVD

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

9.4

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

Two well barriers

Potential source of inflow or reservoir exposed (hydrocarbons present)

One well barrier

Formation with normal pressure (or less)

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:

Production/injection packer and tubing hanger is pressure tested.


Tubing is pressure tested.
The DHSV is closed and pressure/function tested.
All valves in the X-mas tree have been pressure tested with zero leak rate/function tested and
are closed.
For wells with horizontal X-mas trees, the tree cap and tubing hanger crown plug shall be
pressure tested.

If monitoring is not practicable, an acceptable alternative may be to install a deep set well barrier
element plug.

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

9.4.2

Rev. 4, August 2012

Well barrier schematics

Temporary abandonment, reservoir exposed 9.4.2a

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Temporary abandonment, reservoir exposed - Casing 9.4.2b

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Temporary abandonment, no permeable formation exposed - Liner 9.4.2c


9.4.2c Temporary abandonment, no
permeable formation exposed - Liner

Well barrier elements

WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier Open hole


1. Cement plug

24
28

2. Casing cement

22

3. Formation at the shoe

na

Set as deep as possible with


verified cement in casing annulus

Secondary Well Barrier Open hole


1. Casing cement

22

2. Casing cement or mechanical


plug

24
28

Shallow plug

3. Liner top packer

43

Grade: V1

4. Formation
Well Integrity issues

Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Temporary abandonment, no permeable formation exposed Casing 9.4.2d


9.4.2d Temporary abandonment, no
permeable formation exposed - Casing

Well barrier elements

WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier Open hole


1. Cement plug

24
28

2. Casing cement

22

3. Formation at the shoe

na

Set as deep as possible with


verified cement in casing annulus

Secondary Well Barrier Open hole


1. Casing cement

22

2. Casing cement or mechanical


plug

24
28

Shallow plug

3. Liner top packer

43

Grade: V1

4. Formation
Well Integrity issues

Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Temporary abandonment, non perforated well - Liner 9.4.2e

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NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Temporary abandonment, non perforated well - Casing 9.4.2f

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Temporary abandonment, impermeable formation with over pressure, non perforated


9.4.2g

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Temporary abandonment, perforated well with BOP or XT removed - Liner 9.4.2h


9.4.2h Temporary abandonment,
Perforated well with BOP or production
tree removed Liner

Well barrier elements

See
WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1. Casing (liner) cement

22

2. Casing (liner)

3. Liner top packer

43

Liner above perforations.

4. Casing

Below production packer.

5. Production packer

50 m below TOC in casing


annulus.

6. Completion string

25

7. Deep set tubing plug

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

Above production packer.

2. Casing

Common WBE, between liner top


packer and production packer.

3. Wellhead

4. Tubing hanger

10

5. Tubing hanger plug

11

Notes:

Well Integrity issues

Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Temporary abandonment, perforated well with BOP or XT removed - Casing 9.4.2i


9.4.2i Temporary abandonment,
Perforated well with BOP or production
tree removed - Casing

Well barrier elements

See
WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

2. Casing

3. Production packer

4. Completion string

25

5. Deep set tubing plug

Above perforations.

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

Intermediate casing.

2. Casing

Intermediate casing.

3. Wellhead

4. Tubing hanger

10

5. Tubing hanger plug


Well Integrity issues

11
Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

9.5

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

Potential source of inflow or reservoir exposed (hydrocarbons present)

One well barrier

Formation with normal pressure (or less)

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.

Requirement to depth position


The base of the barrier shall be
positioned at a depth where wellbore
integrity is higher than potential
pressure below, see 4.2.3.5.7 Testing
of formation.
As above.

As above.

The selected position should be


documented**.

*A well barrier may also function as an environmental plug.


**The environmental isolation plug should be of sufficient length to ensure containment.
Overburden formation should be assessed for abandonment requirements. Shallower permeable
zones shall be plugged according to the same principle.
Multiple reservoir zones/perforations located within the same pressure regime can be regarded as one
reservoir for which a primary and secondary well barrier shall be installed (see illustration).

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

9.5.1.1

Rev. 4, August 2012

Permanent well barriers

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)

Provide long term integrity (eternal perspective)


Impermeable
Non shrinking
Able to withstand mechanical loads/impact
Resistant to chemicals/ substances (H2S, CO2 and hydrocarbons)
Wetting to ensure bonding to steel
Not harmful to the steel tubulars integrity

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.

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

Well barrier schematics

Permanent abandonment - Open hole 9.5.2 a


9.5.2a Permanent abandonment, open
hole

Well barrier elements

Casing/
No source
of outflow

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1. Cement plug

Liner/
reservoir

WBEAC
table
24

Open hole

Or (Primary well barrier, last


open hole)
1. Casing cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Transition plug across casing


shoe

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Cased hole cement plug installed


on top of a mechanical plug

24

Cased hole cement plug

Environmental Isolation plug


1. Cement plug
2. Casing cement
Well Integrity issues

22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Permanent abandonment Perforated well, tubing left in hole 9.5.2 b


9.5.2b Permanent abandonment,
perforated well, tubing left in hole

Well barrier elements

See
WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1. Liner cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Across and above perforations

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Inside and outside of the tubing

Environmental Isolation plug


1. Cement plug
2. Casing cement
Well Integrity issues

24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Permanent abandonment Perforated well, tubing removed 9.5.2 c


9.5.2c Permanent abandonment,
perforated well, tubing removed

Well barrier elements

See
WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1. Liner cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Across and above perforations

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Across the liner plug.

Environmental Isolation plug


1. Cement plug
2. Casing cement
Well Integrity issues

24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

Well barrier elements

WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier - Reservoir


1. Cement plug

22

Across and above the


perforations

Secondary Well Barrier - Reservoir


1. Casing cement

22

2. Casing cement

24
28

Across the liner plug

Environmental Isolation plug


1. Cement plug
2. Casing cement
Well Integrity issues

24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

Well barrier elements

WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier Reservoir


1. Cement plug

22

Across and above the


perforations

Secondary Well Barrier Reservoir


1. Casing cement

22

2. Casing cement or mechanical


plug

24
28

Across the liner plug

Environmental Isolation plug


1. Cement plug
2. Casing cement
Well Integrity issues

24
22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Permanent abandonment, Slotted liners in multiple reservoirs 9.5.2f


9.5.2f Permanent abandonment, Slotted
line in multiple reservoirs

Well barrier elements

WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1. Cement plug

24

Through liner and across casing


shoe / open hole

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Across the liner top

24

Squeezed into perforated


casing/annulus above potential
reservoir

Primary Well Barrier


1. Cement plug

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Environmental Isolation plug


1. Cement plug
2. Casing cement
Well Integrity issues

24

Cased hole

22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

Permanent abandonment, Slotted liners in multiple reservoirs Intermediate casing cemented to


previous casing shoe 9.5.2g
9.5.2g Permanent abandonment, Slotted
line in multiple reservoirs Intermediate
casing cemented to previous casing
shoe

Well barrier elements

WBEAC
table

Verification/Monitoring

Primary Well Barrier


1. Cement plug

24

Through liner and across casing


shoe / open hole

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Across the liner top

24

Squeezed into perforated


casing/annulus above potential
reservoir

Primary Well Barrier


1. Cement plug

Secondary Well Barrier


1. Casing cement

22

2. Cement plug

24

Environmental Isolation
1. Cement plug
2. Casing cement
Well Integrity issues

24

Cased hole

22
Surface casing
Comments/Notes

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

9.5.3

Rev. 4, August 2012

Examples for different permanent P&A options

The following illustrations show permanent P&A options.


Example A
The last open hole section of a wellbore can be abandoned permanently by setting an open hole
cement plug across/above the reservoir and an additional cement plug from the open hole into the
casing (the minimum requirements are illustrated in figures below):
The requirement is to have sufficient wellbore (formation) integrity at the base of both well barriers.

min 50 m

Plug lengths:
minimum 100 m

min 50 m

min 30 m of verified logged cement

min 50 m in OH and min 50 m inside csg

P&A open hole and inside


casing plugs

Secondary
100 m

Primary
100 m

Verification:
Pressure test plug
inside casing

Verification:
Tag OH plug.

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

P&A Single cement plug


with mechanical plug
foundation

Primary

2 x 30 m
verified
logged cement

Secondary

Verification:
Tag cement plug

Verification:
Pressure tested
fundament

Reservoir/
perm. fm with
overpressure

Formation as annulus well barrier element


Bonded and impermeable in-situ formation (e.g. shale, salt) is accepted as an annulus well barrier
element if qualified according to WBEAC 52 (Shale Formation).

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.

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010


9.5.5

Rev. 4, August 2012

Section milling to establish permanent barriers

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

Install and test


mech plug in
bonded area

Re-establishing
annulus barrier not
necessary

Perforate and perform


low pressure cement
squeeze to establish an
external fundament
(other means to
establish fundament
can be used)

Section mill and


underream/wash to
expose formation

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 cement plug


from fundament to
50 m into casing

WOC and tag

WOC and leak


test to 70 bar
above leak off

Place second
cement plug from
top of first plug
and 50 m into
casing

WOC and leak


test to 70 bar
above leak off

Establish
secondary barrier
in same manner
as primary
(another 50 m
section mill above
bonded area etc)

Primary and
secondary barriers
established

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

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

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

9.5.6

Rev. 4, August 2012

Alternative method to establish permanent barriers

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

Install and test


mech plug in
casing as close as
possible to source
of inflow

Establish annulus
communication (perforate
interval)

Perforate and perform


low pressure cement
squeeze to establish an
external fundament
(alternative methods to
establish a fundament
can be used)

ALTERNATIVE METHODS

Circulate the casing annulus to


create a clean, water-wet interval
for bonding

Squeeze cement perforations

Place continuous plug from


fundament to 50m above top perf

Drill or clean out and re-log to


confirm 50 m annulus seal

Set internal cement plug across


interval with annulus seal.

Leak test to 70 bar above leak off

Establish secondary barrier in


same manner as primary

Primary and
secondary barriers
established

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NORSOK standard

NORSOK Standard D-010

Rev. 4, August 2012

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.

P&A alternative method

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.

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9.6

Well control action procedures and drills

9.6.1

Well control action procedures

Rev. 4, August 2012

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.

Trapped gas pressure in casing


annulus.

2.

(SSW) Pulling casing hanger seal assembly.

3.

Re-entry of suspended or temporary abandoned


wells.

Trapped gas pressure in casing


annulus.
Account for trapped pressure under
plugs due to possible failure of
suspension plugs.

9.6.2

Well control action drills

The following well control action drills should be performed:


Item

Description

1.

Pressure build-up, or lost circulation in connection with


a cutting casing operation.
Loss of well barrier while performing an inflow test.

2.

9.6.3

Comments
To verify crew response in applying
correct well control practices.

Well control requirements

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

Suspension, plugging and abandonment design

9.7.1

Design basis, premises and assumptions

All potential sources of inflow shall be documented.


All well barrier elements used for plugging of wells shall withstand the load and environmental
conditions they may be exposed to for the abandonment period.
The following information should be gathered as a basis of the well barrier design and abandonment:
a) Well configuration (original and present) including depths and specification of permeable
formations, casing strings, cement behind casing status, well bores, side-tracks, etc.
b) Stratigraphic sequence of each wellbore showing reservoir(s) and information about their
current and future production potential, where reservoir fluids and pressures (initial, current
and in an eternal perspective) are included.
c) Logs, data and information from cementing operations in the well.

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Rev. 4, August 2012

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

downhole placement techniques,


minimum volumes required to mix a homogenous slurry,
surface volume control,
pump efficiency/ -parameters,
contamination of fluids,
shrinkage of cement or plugging material
centralisation.

Load cases

A combination of the functional and environmental loads shall be designed for.


For permanently abandoned wells, the specific gravity of well fluid accounted for in the design shall as
a maximum be equal to a seawater gradient.
The following load cases should be applied for the abandonment design:
Item

Description

Comments

1.

Minimum depth of primary and secondary well


barriers for each reservoir/potential source of inflow,
taking the worst anticipated reservoir pressure for
the abandonment period into account.

2.

Pressure testing of casing plugs.

Not shallower than the wellbore


(formation) integrity at these depths.
Reservoir pressure may for permanent
abandonment revert to initial/virgin
level. It should take into account redevelopment scenarios or gas storage
if applicable.
Criteria as given in WBEAC 24.

3.

Burst pressure limitations on casing string at the


depths where temporary abandonment plugs are
installed.
Collapse loads from seabed subsidence or reservoir
compaction.

4.

9.8
9.8.1

Cannot set plug higher than the burst


rating allows (less wear factors).
The effects of seabed subsidence
above or in connection with the
reservoir shall be included.

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,

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Rev. 4, August 2012

e) release of trapped pressure,


f) unknown status of equipment or materials,
g) environmental issues.

9.8.2

Removing equipment above seabed

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.

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9.9

Rev. 4, August 2012

Vertical Xmas tree (VXT) removal

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

Kill pill and brine or


kill mud from
perforations/screen
to surface

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

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NORSOK Standard D-010


9.10

Rev. 4, August 2012

Horizontal Xmas tree removal

A deep set plug shall be installed.


The production tubing and production annulus shall be displaced to kill fluid. Specific gravity of the kill
fluid shall give an overbalance with a safety margin at plug depth, prior to pulling the production
tubing.
When the tubing is removed, a shallow plug shall be installed in production casing prior to removal of
the XT.

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NORSOK standard

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