Securing the Subsurface: Plug and Abandonment (P&A) Strategies Training Course

Introduction

As oil and gas wells reach the end of their economic life, or when they are no longer required for operational purposes, their safe and permanent decommissioning through Plug and Abandonment (P&A) becomes a critical responsibility for operators. Improper abandonment can lead to uncontrolled hydrocarbon leaks, environmental contamination, and long-term liabilities. Effective P&A strategies ensure the permanent isolation of reservoir fluids, protect groundwater, and restore the well site to a safe and environmentally sound condition, mitigating future risks and fulfilling regulatory obligations.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip participants with a comprehensive and practical understanding of Plug and Abandonment (P&A) strategies. From exploring the fundamental principles of well abandonment and regulatory requirements to mastering various plugging materials, placement techniques, and verification methods, you will gain the expertise to design and execute robust P&A operations. This empowers you to ensure long-term well integrity, minimize environmental impact, optimize abandonment costs, and strategically contribute to responsible asset retirement in the oil and gas industry.

Target Audience

  • Well Abandonment Engineers and Specialists.
  • Drilling Engineers and Completion Engineers.
  • Production Engineers and Operations Managers.
  • Well Integrity Engineers.
  • Decommissioning Project Managers.
  • Regulatory Body Personnel.
  • Environmental and HSE Professionals in Oil & Gas.
  • Technical Staff from Well Services Companies (Cementing, Wireline, Coiled Tubing).

Duration: 10 days

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental principles and objectives of well Plug and Abandonment (P&A).
  • Grasp the regulatory requirements and industry best practices for well abandonment.
  • Analyze various plugging materials and their suitability for different well conditions.
  • Comprehend different techniques for plug placement and verification.
  • Evaluate the challenges and solutions for P&A in complex well designs (e.g., horizontal, multilateral).
  • Develop practical skills in designing and planning P&A programs.
  • Navigate the environmental considerations and site restoration aspects of abandonment.
  • Formulate robust strategies for safe, effective, and cost-efficient well abandonment operations.

Course Content

  1. Introduction to Well Plug and Abandonment (P&A)
  • Definition and purpose of well abandonment.
  • Reasons for abandonment: economic limit, non-commercial wells, regulatory requirements.
  • Consequences of improper abandonment: environmental leaks, safety hazards, long-term liabilities.
  • Overview of the P&A process and its stages.
  • Importance of permanent zonal isolation.
  1. Regulatory Framework and Industry Best Practices
  • International guidelines and recommendations for well abandonment (e.g., OSPAR, API, NORSOK).
  • National and regional regulatory requirements for P&A.
  • Industry standards and best practices for barrier design and verification.
  • Compliance and documentation for abandonment operations.
  • Lessons learned from past abandonment failures.
  1. Well Barrier Principles for P&A
  • Concept of permanent well barriers.
  • Minimum number and type of barriers required.
  • Barrier materials: cement, mechanical plugs, formation.
  • Barrier verification methods.
  • Ensuring long-term integrity and isolation.
  1. Plugging Materials and Properties
  • Cement for P&A: Portland cement, specialized blends (e.g., expandable, thixotropic).
  • Mechanical plugs: bridge plugs, cement retainers.
  • Other plugging materials: resins, elastomers, formation.
  • Properties of plugging materials: strength, durability, sealing capability, compatibility.
  • Selection criteria for appropriate plugging materials.
  1. Plug Placement Techniques
  • Cement plug placement methods: balanced plug, dump bailer, coiled tubing, drill pipe.
  • Mechanical plug setting procedures.
  • Placement in different wellbore configurations: cased hole, open hole, annuli.
  • Considerations for highly deviated and horizontal wells.
  • Ensuring effective placement and bond.
  1. Plug Verification and Integrity Testing
  • Importance of verifying plug integrity.
  • Pressure testing of plugs.
  • Cement evaluation logs: CBL/VDL, ultrasonic imagers for bond quality.
  • Leak-off tests (LOT) and formation integrity tests (FIT) across plugs.
  • Monitoring for sustained casing pressure (SCP) after abandonment.
  1. P&A for Complex Wells
  • Abandonment of horizontal wells: long sections, multiple laterals.
  • Abandonment of multilateral wells: isolating multiple branches.
  • P&A in high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) wells.
  • Abandonment of subsea wells and deepwater considerations.
  • Challenges and specialized techniques for complex well abandonment.
  1. P&A Planning and Design
  • Well review and data gathering for P&A design.
  • Risk assessment for abandonment operations.
  • P&A program development: sequence of operations, equipment, materials.
  • Cost estimation and budgeting for abandonment.
  • Contingency planning for unforeseen events.
  1. Environmental and Site Restoration Aspects
  • Environmental impact assessment for P&A operations.
  • Waste management: drilling fluids, cuttings, produced water.
  • Well site remediation and restoration.
  • Decommissioning of surface facilities and pipelines.
  • Long-term environmental monitoring.
  1. Advanced P&A Concepts and Future Trends
  • Rigless P&A technologies: coiled tubing, wireline, pump-and-dump.
  • Section milling and casing cutting techniques.
  • Perforate, Wash, and Cement (PWC) techniques.
  • Emerging P&A technologies: new materials, robotics, automation.
  • P&A for carbon capture and storage (CCS) wells.
  • The role of P&A in the energy transition and responsible asset retirement.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

For More Details call: +254-114-087-180

 

Securing The Subsurface: Plug And Abandonment (p&a) Strategies Training Course in Luxembourg
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