The SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Europe Energy Conference and Exhibition took place from June 26-28, 2024, at the Lingotto Congress Centre in Turin, Italy. This event, formerly known as EuropEC, was a significant gathering for professionals in the energy and exploration and production (E&P) industries. The conference addressed a range of topics crucial to the energy transition, including subsurface geology, engineering, energy storage, decarbonization, innovative technologies, and sustainability. Kwantis actively contributed to the discussions and networking opportunities. Our Risk Management expert, Tomas Morcella, presented recent research on blowout probability estimation for CCS wells through his paper, “Blowout Probability Estimation for CCS New and Converted Wells and Risk Assessment on Well Barriers Integrity”.
2050 Net Zero Strategy Poses Major Challenges for Oil & Gas Operators
The 2050 long-term Net Zero strategy imposes significant challenges for major Oil & Gas Operators, where operational excellence in asset management is a key pillar. Among the critical contributions, Carbon Sequestration and Storage (CCS) operations are essential for achieving carbon neutrality. Well barriers are fundamental in ensuring long-term integrity when dealing with depleted reservoirs and legacy wells.
Research Highlights the Importance of Well Barrier Integrity in CCS Projects
A recent study focuses on quantifying the long-term integrity of well barriers under various time and environmental conditions when converting oil/gas production wells to CCS. The research employs a comprehensive risk assessment approach, incorporating a semi-quantitative model for cement and tubular materials, along with flow path studies, to conduct a sensitivity analysis. This analysis compares the reliability and integrity of new wells versus converted wells in CCS projects.
Fault Tree Analysis for Blowout Probability Estimation
To estimate blowout probabilities, Fault Tree Analysis is utilized to systematically identify and assess potential failure modes and their associated probabilities. The results, combined with the Eni proprietary e-wise™ system, calculate the probability of well integrity loss. This approach helps in assessing the performance of well barriers under varying conditions.
Sensitivity Analysis and Risk Profiles
The sensitivity analysis aims to quantify the impact of design choices, material selection, and operational variables on the overall risk profile of both new and converted wells in CCS applications. The analysis considers factors such as wellbore conditions, cement properties, and tubing specifications, assessing the vulnerability of well barriers to failure.
Optimizing Well Design and Conversion Strategies
The proposed model provides a systematic approach to assess blowout probabilities for a variety of well conditions in long-term applications. The insights from the sensitivity analysis aid decision-makers in optimizing well design and conversion strategies for CCS projects. This information is crucial for stakeholders in the Oil & Gas industry, enabling informed decisions to minimize the risk of barrier failure and enhance the safety and success of CCS initiatives.