An Electrifying Integrated Solution Towards a Safe and Environmentally Sound Well Abandonment in Urban Setting

Abstract

In the Netherlands, a large number of onshore wells are near urban areas or close to forests where environmental emission and noise reduction are important to consider. With more than 23 different well site locations to be abandoned, a significant amount of collaboration is required to ensure there is minimal interruption and impact to the local community and the environment. To achieve this, the operator together with Baker Hughes as the project management lead, formulated a unique, low-impact solution with fully electrified equipment that mostly uses grid power. Alongside other service partners, the majority of the onsite equipment are electrically driven, such as the rigless well abandonment unit, cement pumps, ancillary equipment, and the slickline unit. A noise dampener and decibel readers were put in place to minimize and track sound emissions. Such collaboration and integration with all providers were carefully identified and mitigated through a series of non-technical risks (NTRs) to ensure compliance with local regulations. Extra steps were taken to ensure that smell and noise remain unnoticed by the surrounding environment. Frequent communications are sent to the public by the operator to keep everyone informed prior to any mobilization. After a one-year campaign, there have been zero LTI, zero accidents, zero non-compliance incidents and above all, safe and secured end-of-life oil wells in an urban setting with many more to follow suit. This paper will provide insight into the integrated operations of a well abandonment project in a unique urban setting and the challenges to successfully abandon wells of varying complexity. This project is to be accomplished in compliance with the local mining and environmental regulations with no remaining liabilities, all while limiting total project costs. The supply chain stepped up by providing a cost-effective solution through multi-party collaboration, multi-skilling, technology innovation, and logistical solutions. The project planning, start-up phase, and an overview of the first year of operations will be presented.