Enhancing Plug and Abandonment efficiency with a closed-loop FourPhase cyclonic desander
Industry sources estimate that tens of thousands discontinued offshore oil and gas wells globally are slated for plugging the coming decades, with 3.000 of those on the Norwegian Continental Shelf alone. FourPhase is strategically positioned to play a vital role in readying wells for plugging.
Plug and abandonment (P&A) procedures comprise the final set of operations to permanently close an inactive well. P&A is normally regulated by law and sets standards for compliance that operators must follow. P&A operations and procedures are dependent on the location and individual characteristics of the well.
One of the primary challenges in the P&A process is cleaning out wells to set the required plugs in compliance with regulations. Estimating cleanout efforts are challenging, as there could be many tons of solids remaining in the wellbore after the well running dry. This adds another element of uncertainty to P&A operations where there can be many unknowns. The preparatory phase before plugging is where FourPhase excels. We know from experience that our innovative desanding equipment and solids expertise can contribute to the success of P&A campaigns, offering unique solutions to the emerging market's demands.
Plug and abandonment (P&A) procedures comprise the final set of operations to permanently close an inactive well. P&A is normally regulated by law and sets standards for compliance that operators must follow. P&A operations and procedures are dependent on the location and individual characteristics of the well.
One of the primary challenges in the P&A process is cleaning out wells to set the required plugs in compliance with regulations. Estimating cleanout efforts are challenging, as there could be many tons of solids remaining in the wellbore after the well running dry. This adds another element of uncertainty to P&A operations where there can be many unknowns. The preparatory phase before plugging is where FourPhase excels. We know from experience that our innovative desanding equipment and solids expertise can contribute to the success of P&A campaigns, offering unique solutions to the emerging market's demands.
FourPhase's Role in Pre-P&A
Our focus at FourPhase is on the pre-P&A phase, where our expertise in solids management and cleanout operations becomes invaluable. We understand the complexities involved in handling flowback from coiled tubing cleanouts, with or without hydrocarbons. Additionally, our modular closed loop units are designed to cater to specific operational scenarios, such as ship-based interventions or brownfield applications where limited deck space poses a challenge.
FourPhase's equipment is not only versatile but also compact, offering a small footprint solution for P&A operations. This is particularly advantageous for operations requiring efficient handling of unknown factors or challenges in the well. Our equipment excels in situations where adaptability is crucial, ensuring that preparation and plugging procedures can be adjusted quickly to handle unforeseen circumstances.
A cleanout campaign on a phased-out field in the North Sea in 2023 proved to be a perfect match for FourPhase (link to case study). The field was a collection of wells temporarily plugged with sub-optimal results. All wells needed to be milled out and prepared for permanent P&A. FourPhase cyclonic 5K DualFlow desanders and auxiliary equipment made up a closed-loop system that handled the unpredictable return flows, thus ensuring that solids, remaining hydrocarbons, and hydrogen sulphide gas were contained, protecting both personnel and the environment.
FourPhase's equipment is not only versatile but also compact, offering a small footprint solution for P&A operations. This is particularly advantageous for operations requiring efficient handling of unknown factors or challenges in the well. Our equipment excels in situations where adaptability is crucial, ensuring that preparation and plugging procedures can be adjusted quickly to handle unforeseen circumstances.
A cleanout campaign on a phased-out field in the North Sea in 2023 proved to be a perfect match for FourPhase (link to case study). The field was a collection of wells temporarily plugged with sub-optimal results. All wells needed to be milled out and prepared for permanent P&A. FourPhase cyclonic 5K DualFlow desanders and auxiliary equipment made up a closed-loop system that handled the unpredictable return flows, thus ensuring that solids, remaining hydrocarbons, and hydrogen sulphide gas were contained, protecting both personnel and the environment.
Three potential use cases highlighting FourPhase's expertise
1: Handling flowback from Coiled Tubing Cleanouts
Coiled tubing cleanouts are a common well intervention practice to empty wellbores of solids, and FourPhase excels in efficiently handling the flowback from such operations. Our desanders ensures precise digital monitoring of solids content, providing operators with the data needed to make informed decisions in operation on the state of the well before plugging.
2. Small footprint for ship-based interventions
Ship-based operations, as typically used for P&A, often face space constraints. FourPhase's small footprint equipment is designed with this in mind. Our solutions are tailored for operations where deck space is limited, ensuring that the P&A process can be carried out seamlessly and safely.
3. Separating swarf fines
During P&A campaigns swarf - fine chips or filings of stone, metal, or other material in the well - is managed using a variety of technologies for separating particles from carrier fluid such as drilling mud. These systems are designed for managing large volumes and particles in everything from magnetic particles to rock. Small particles and fines in the lower range can pose challenges to manage with conventional systems. For these particle sizes a cyclonic desander can be a better solution as they can efficiently manage 20-10 000 µm solids.
Coiled tubing cleanouts are a common well intervention practice to empty wellbores of solids, and FourPhase excels in efficiently handling the flowback from such operations. Our desanders ensures precise digital monitoring of solids content, providing operators with the data needed to make informed decisions in operation on the state of the well before plugging.
2. Small footprint for ship-based interventions
Ship-based operations, as typically used for P&A, often face space constraints. FourPhase's small footprint equipment is designed with this in mind. Our solutions are tailored for operations where deck space is limited, ensuring that the P&A process can be carried out seamlessly and safely.
3. Separating swarf fines
During P&A campaigns swarf - fine chips or filings of stone, metal, or other material in the well - is managed using a variety of technologies for separating particles from carrier fluid such as drilling mud. These systems are designed for managing large volumes and particles in everything from magnetic particles to rock. Small particles and fines in the lower range can pose challenges to manage with conventional systems. For these particle sizes a cyclonic desander can be a better solution as they can efficiently manage 20-10 000 µm solids.
The FourPhase advantage during P&A campaigns
What sets FourPhase apart is not just our equipment but the comprehensive solutions we offer. Our closed-loop system is a testament to our commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. By containing all hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulphide gas (H2S) while separating solids, we ensure that P&A operations are not only efficient but also environmentally responsible.
Our desander's small footprint and versatility make it an integral part of every P&A operation. Operators can rely on FourPhase to provide the adaptability needed in dynamic well conditions, ensuring a smooth transition from preparation to plugging.
As the oil and gas industry shifts towards decommissioning and P&A activities, FourPhase stands at the forefront, ready to meet the challenges head-on. Our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility positions us as a trusted partner for operators planning and preparing P&A campaigns.
By leveraging our unique experience in solids management, digital monitoring, and cleanout operations, we provide operators with the tools needed to navigate the uncertainties of well decommissioning successfully. FourPhase's versatile equipment ensures that P&A operations are not only compliant with regulations but also contribute to a sustainable future for the industry.
Our desander's small footprint and versatility make it an integral part of every P&A operation. Operators can rely on FourPhase to provide the adaptability needed in dynamic well conditions, ensuring a smooth transition from preparation to plugging.
As the oil and gas industry shifts towards decommissioning and P&A activities, FourPhase stands at the forefront, ready to meet the challenges head-on. Our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility positions us as a trusted partner for operators planning and preparing P&A campaigns.
By leveraging our unique experience in solids management, digital monitoring, and cleanout operations, we provide operators with the tools needed to navigate the uncertainties of well decommissioning successfully. FourPhase's versatile equipment ensures that P&A operations are not only compliant with regulations but also contribute to a sustainable future for the industry.