EA
Leading the MENA Energy Industry in Deploying a Combination Bismuth Alloy & Cement Barrier in Offshore P&A Applications for Permanent P&A Integrity
TOTAL VIEWS: 449
Abstract
This paper will explain the P&A strategy that was safely and successfully executed using a combination of a bismuth alloy barrier along with conventional cement plugs in two of the wells, which had sustained annulus pressures. This strategy was adopted with the aim of maximizing P&A integrity, using a V0-rated bismuth plug to reduce the length of dual casing section milling. The P&A designs for the project were compiled to align with the technical standards of UK Oil + Gas Well Decommissioning Guidelines (Issue 6 January 2018), and bismuth alloy technology has been an approved abandonment barrier under Oil and Gas. The P&A project was the first deployment in the Arabian Gulf & Middle East North Africa Region using bismuth alloy technology as an integral part of the 2-barrier system with the STC (Seal Through Casing) in single and dual section milled windows, hence building upon the track record of over 200 STC P&A barriers worldwide (status Jan 2024). In this context, the operator has demonstrated a clear technology leadership position and created a very valuable learning curve for the MENA future gas well P&A domain.
References
[1] Carragher P, Kuyken C, Talapatra D. Disruptive plug and abandonment technique using bismuth alloy for offshore operations enhancing sustainability. Paper presented at: SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition; 2023 May 25; Abu Dhabi, UAE.
[2] Levchenko A, Clark B, Carragher P. Eliminate section milling in plug and abandonment applications with liquid thermite. Paper presented at: Offshore Technology Conference; 2023 May 3-6; Houston, Texas, USA.
[3] Carragher P, Fulks J. A new solution for well abandonment: bismuth and thermite. Paper presented at: Offshore Technology Conference Asia; 2020 Oct 27-29; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
[4] Thorstensen E, Vadset K, Straume MK, et al. Bismuth plugs used to cap all wells during the final phase of the Valhall DP abandonment campaign, offshore Norway. Paper presented at: Offshore Technology Conference; 2022 Apr 25-28; Houston, Texas, USA.
[5] Carragher P, Fulks J. Alternative abandonment material: bismuth. Paper presented at: SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition; 2020 Nov 12-13; Virtual.
[6] Carragher P, Fulks J, Prapoo H. Bismuth abandonment plugs: the possibilities are endless. Paper presented at: SPE Symposium: Decommissioning and Abandonment; 2019 Dec 2-3; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
[7] Carragher P, Fulks J. Well abandonment solutions utilizing bismuth and thermite. Paper presented at: Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference; 2018 Nov 12-15; Abu Dhabi, UAE.
[8] Carragher P, Fulks J. A new look at sealing with bismuth and thermite. Paper presented at: SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition; 2018 Sep 24-26; Dallas, Texas, USA.
How to cite this paper
Leading the MENA Energy Industry in Deploying a Combination Bismuth Alloy & Cement Barrier in Offshore P&A Applications for Permanent P&A Integrity
How to cite this paper: Zhenguo Zheng, Yuejun Liu, Hongsheng Li, Sagar Ghandi, Chris Kuijken, Patrick Boyce, Alan Reid. (2025). Leading the MENA Energy Industry in Deploying a Combination Bismuth Alloy & Cement Barrier in Offshore P&A Applications for Permanent P&A Integrity. Engineering Advances, 5(2), 51-59.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ea.2025.04.002
More Articles
- Analysis of Computer-synthesized Cross-linked Polymers Using the ReaxFF Force Field
- A Review: Improve the Stretchability of Wearable Sensors Based on the Materials and Methods
- Sub-micron Cell Design and Process Fault Tolerance of Source Buried Trench Silicon Carbide VDMOSFET
- Structure Analyses and Simulation of Tunable Grating Based on GNP and PDMS
- Aerodynamic Optimization and Lightweight Structural Design for High-performance RC Gliders: A Computational and Experimental Study
- Research on Key Technologies for Failure Prediction and Health Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles