As the world appears to be increasingly focused on energy efficiency and sustainability, the oil and gas industry is facing new challenges in maintaining safe and reliable operations.
Sustained casing pressure (SCP) observed in the annuli of wells in the oil and gas industry is a major concern, due to the significant threats they pose to the environment and the communities where the wells are located. As a key speaker and presenter, Frank shared his expert opinions at the Offshore Well Intervention Conference that was held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana on July 12-13, 2022. With attendance from across the globe, this conference was an opportunity for stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain to network and exchange ideas on well integrity and engineering.
According to Frank, an expert in reservoir simulation, asset development and well management, “As well engineers, our responsibilities span ensuring we deliver and conduct operations that deliver safe and reliable wells for our operations. These million-dollar assets hold the key to asset value realization and ensuring they are safe during initial drilling and completion up to abandonment.”
Frank highlighted the need for well engineers to continue to seek out new strategies and technologies to address SCP, to protect the people, environment, and communities we operate, while optimizing enterprise value.
This can be challenging, but taking advantage of new technology and data insights can ensure successful resolutions.
Frank shared a case study to showcase his deployment of world-class processes and technology to manage sustained casing pressure in a well in the Okan field, offshore the Niger Delta in the Gulf of Guinea.
The case study involves the two hydrocarbon bearing sands with high gas-oil ratio (GOR). Both sands were perforated, tested, and squeezed during the initial completion of the well in June 1981.
However, due to high GOR in both strings suspected to be a result of gas channeling behind casing, a major rig workover (MRWO) was done in 1982 to squeeze off the perforations and re-complete the well in the same zones. This addressed the gas channeling issues in the well. However, high sustained casing pressure of 1,850 psi was first observed in the well in 2000.
A communication check revealed the SS as the cause of the tubing-casing pressure communication. In January 2017, a communication check narrowed the source of tubing/casing communication to a leak in the tubing around 10-20 ft. The communication checks were conducted without a rig, by running cutting edge tools in the wells to identify differences in flow, temperature and pressure along the depth of the well. In addition, Frank performed data and trend analysis using historical production and pressure data from the wells. A detailed, multi-functional team, background review, and assessment ensured alignment and quicker identification of possible sources of sustained casing pressure.
Frank stated that by using a frontend loading approach with the data analysis and subject matter expert engagement, he gained significant insights with historical data before the mobilization of a barge on location. This ensured that the well logging phase with the barge on location was near hitch-free and at a reduced number of days and cost.
Given that sustained casing pressure in a well can have a myriad of sources, Frank highlighted the need to complete an in-depth analysis of data from the tubing and all annuli of the well, identify in clear terms the uncertain areas, have a clear understanding of the data required to address these uncertainties before making a choice of technology for logging the well. The choice of logging technology should be based on its ability to help resolve the uncertainty and not just on cost. A costlier technology that provides the required data can reduce the number of days spent with the crew, on the well, in the field which can payoff in both cost and safety terms for the team. Clear communication across stakeholders and a flexible execution approach also help ensure alignment and the achievement of the defined objectives in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
By sharing his expertise on this international platform and multiple others, Frank continues to impact the industry and advocate for more effective adoption of cutting-edge technology to meet the growing energy needs of the global populace, support economic development and ensure a low-carbon future around the world.
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