Well Abandonment

Well plugging and abandonment (P&A) is a rapidly developing market sector in the petroleum business, with major potential and major risks. Well P&A is a source of major liability for counties, operators, contractors and the public, which must be understood if it is to be managed cost effectively.

Upon completion of this course, participants will understand:

• The primary objectives of abandonment
• The impact of law and regulation and the importance of understanding the range of potential applications of these
• The range of design standards currently in use and how to apply these to meet the objectives of abandonment at minimum cost
• The concept of an ‘Abandonment Barrier’
• The importance of identifying unknowns and uncertainties to minimise potential cost overruns
• The principles of good practise in cost estimation
• The importance of recognizing the potential cost impact of technical risks and uncertainties
• The options for and limitations of rigless abandonment of platform and subsea wells
• The key principles of good cementing practice
• The key aspects of controlling abandonment costs