Minimization of Greenhouse Emissions in Russia and Kazakhstan Upstream Sector Through Optimized Well Construction Designs and Lightweight Mechanical E-Line Operations

Abstract

The transition to a climate-neutral society is both an urgent technical challenge and yet long-term CAPEX heavy requiring huge investments from industry and governments. Major oil and gas (O&G) operators around the globe have already established their decarbonization targets and even though upstream accounts for two-thirds of total emissions in the petroleum industry, both new well construction designs, and improved workover operations are proving to be effective measures in minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while being economically viable. A novel completion technology has been installed in 114 wells in Russia since 2018 to eliminate sustained annular casing pressure (SAP) throughout the lives of wells and combat the associated release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane into the atmosphere. Since methane is much more powerful and has a 28-34 times more global warming potential compared to CO2 over the hundreds of years, and 84-86 times more potent over a 20-year timeframe respectively, these types of simple, yet efficient solutions represents enormous benefits to operators in reducing their carbon taxes while tackling climate change. Moreover, the installation of this technology resulted in reliable downhole well integrity of traditionally problematic wells, without the need for subsequent squeeze cementing operations. These types of completion solutions set both in an open and cased hole, allow operators not just to customize their cementing program and meet regulatory approvals, but also greatly reduce their reported carbon emissions. A summary of the results and efficiencies achieved with these installations will be presented and will be compared to conventional technologies. In addition, more than 15,000 lightweight e-line intervention operations have been performed both in Russia and Kazakhstan since 2011 which contributed to fewer emissions of hazardous greenhouse gases into the air versus conventional coiled tubing operations. These types of light interventions use less diesel to operate and with fewer people and equipment, leave a smaller carbon footprint on each well location which in turn makes a difference when it comes to GHG emission reduction. A comparison breakdown of coiled tubing versus e-line mechanical interventions will be statistically analyzed. This paper will illustrate how these newer technologies contributed to GHG emission reduction and how simultaneously economical efficiencies were achieved during well completion and intervention activities through reduced rig time and faster job execution compared to conventional methods. It will also review case histories from fields across the region using these installations and analyze each method. The field data will present the development, installation, and operational sequence and explain how each setup was tailored to meet both specific operational needs and to reduce greenhouse emissions, mainly by minimizing gas flaring. Widespread implementation of such technologies would help operators meet their emission targets and contribute to the reduction of the earth's climate change.