NORSOK Standard D-010 Rev.

4, August 2012

Below is a listing of the main changes

1. Definitions of suspension, temporary and permanent abandonment
2. Included more examples of well barrier schematics
3. Included illustrations for permanent abandonment scenarios (9.5.3)
4. Included shale formation as an annulus well barrier element (9.5.4)
5. Included flow charts for establishing permanent barriers (9.5.6 and 9.5.7)
6. Included requirements for XT removal

Table of Contents
9.1 General.......................................................................................................... 1
9.2 Well barrier schematics ................................................................................. 2
9.3 Suspension .................................................................................................... 2
9.3.1 General ................................................................................................... 2
9.3.2 Well barrier schematics ........................................................................... 3
9.4 Temporary abandonment .............................................................................. 5
9.4.1 General ................................................................................................... 5
9.4.2 Well barrier schematics ........................................................................... 6
9.5 Permanent abandonment ............................................................................ 15
9.5.1 General ................................................................................................. 15
9.5.2 Well barrier schematics ......................................................................... 17
9.5.3 Examples for different permanent P&A options .................................... 24
9.5.4 Formation as well barrier element ......................................................... 26
9.5.5 Sidetracking .......................................................................................... 26
9.5.6 Section milling to establish permanent barriers..................................... 27
9.5.7 Alternative method to establish permanent barriers .............................. 29
9.5.8 Materials ............................................................................................... 30
9.6 Well control action procedures and drills ..................................................... 31
9.6.1 Well control action procedures .............................................................. 31
9.6.2 Well control action drills ........................................................................ 31
9.6.3 Well control requirements ..................................................................... 31
9.7 Suspension, plugging and abandonment design ......................................... 31
9.7.1 Design basis, premises and assumptions ............................................. 31
9.7.2 Load cases............................................................................................ 32
9.8 Other topics ................................................................................................. 32
9.8.1 Risks ..................................................................................................... 32
9.8.2 Removing equipment above seabed..................................................... 33
9.9 Vertical Xmas tree (VXT) removal .............................................................. 34
9.10 Horizontal Xmas tree removal .................................................................. 35

9 Plugging, abandonment and suspension

9.1 General

This section covers requirements and guidelines for well integrity during plugging of wells in
connection with

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a) temporary suspension of well activities and operations,

b) temporary or permanent abandonment of wells,
c) permanent abandonment of a section of a well (side tracking, slot recovery) to construct a new
wellbore with a new geological well target.

The purpose of this section is to describe the establishment of well barriers by use of WBEs and
additional requirements and guidelines to execute this activity in a safe manner with focus on isolation
of permeable formations/reservoirs/sources of outflow, both from each other in the wellbore, and from
surface.

Requirements for isolation of formations, fluids and pressures for temporary and permanent
abandonment are the same. However, choice of WBEs may be different to account for abandonment
time, and ability to reenter the well or resume operations after temporary abandonment.

9.2 Well barrier schematics

Well barrier schematics (WBS) shall be prepared for each well activity and operation.

A final verified WBS for the well status upon completion of operations shall be in place.

Samples of well barrier schematics for selected situations are presented.

9.3 Suspension

9.3.1 General

Suspension of a production or injection well is defined as a well status, where the well is temporarily
plugged, XT is installed, and the well barriers are monitored.

Suspension of a well under construction or intervention is defined as a well status,

where the well operation is suspended without removing the well control equipment.
Example: Disconnect due to WOW

Well barriers and WBE material(s) shall have sufficient integrity to meet the suspension period,
including contingency. The suspended wellbore should be monitored throughout the suspension
period.

The following number of well barriers shall be in place to safely suspend the wellbore:

Suspension Formation
Two well barriers Potential source of inflow or reservoir exposed (hydrocarbons present)

One well barrier Formation with normal pressure (or less)

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9.3.2 Well barrier schematics

Suspended well, Hang off/disconnect of marine riser 9.3.2a

9.3.2a Suspension, Hang off/Disconnect Well barrier elements WBEAC Verification/Monitoring

table
of main riser
Primary Well Barrier
1. Fluid column 1 Time limited barrier
2.

APR
3.
4.
SSR 5.

UPR 6.
MPR Drilling 7.
LPR BOP Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22 Last casing
2. Casing 2
3. Wellhead 5
4. BOP 4
5.
6.
7.

Notes:

Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Suspended well, completed well with deep set mechanical plug 9.3.2b

9.3.2b Suspended well, Completed well Well barrier elements See Verification/Monitoring
WBEAC
with a deep set mechanical plug table
Primary Well Barrier
1. Formation at 9 5/8” n/a
casing window
2. 9 5/8” Production 22
casing cement (up to
prod packer)
3. 9 5/8” Production 2
casing
4. (up to prod packer)
5. Production packer 7
6. Deepset plug 6

Secondary Well Barrier

1. Formation at prod n/a
packer
2. 9 5/8” Production 22
casing cement (above
prod packer)
3. 10 ¾” x 9 5/8” 2
Production casing
Surface casing
4. 10 ¾ ” Production 5
20" csg Xxx casing hanger with seal
mTVD assembly
DHSV 5. Tubing hanger with 10
seals
Intermediate casing 6. Tubing hanger crown 11
plug
13 3/8" csg Xxx
mTVD 7. X-mas tree 31
valves/connector
8. X-mas tree body 31
10 3/4"-9 5/8" XOV
Xxx mTVD Notes:

Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

Production casing
PT

9 5/8" csg Xxx mTVD

Reservoir

7" csg Xxx mTVD

Liner

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9.4 Temporary abandonment

9.4.1 General
Temporary abandonment is defined as a well status in which the well has been temporarily plugged
where the BOP or XT has been removed, and the well barriers are not continuously monitored.

It shall be possible to re-enter temporary abandoned wells in a safe manner for the planned duration
of the temporary abandonment.

In general the following number of well barriers shall be in place to safely re-enter the wellbore.

Temporary P&A Formation

Two well barriers Potential source of inflow or reservoir exposed (hydrocarbons present)

One well barrier Formation with normal pressure (or less)

For temporarily abandoned wellbores, the selected WBE material(s) shall have sufficient integrity to
meet the abandonment period times two.

Prior to temporary abandonment, the future plans for the well shall be documented.

Temporarily abandoned subsea wells shall be protected from external loads in areas with fishing
activities, or other seabed activities. For deep water wells, temporary seabed protection can be
omitted if there is confirmation of no such activities in the area and at the depth of the abandoned
seabed installations.

For temporary abandoned surface completed wells, it shall be possible to monitor the pressure in the
A annulus and in the tubing.

For temporary abandoned subsea completed wells that are planned to be abandoned for more than
one year, a yearly program for monitoring and observation shall be established and implemented.

The pressure in the tubing and A annulus shall be monitored if a subsea completed well is planned to
be abandoned for more than one year or not tied back to a production facility. The following
requirements are to be met:

• Production/injection packer and tubing hanger is pressure tested.

• Tubing is pressure tested.
• The DHSV is closed and pressure/function tested.
• All valves in the X-mas tree have been pressure tested with zero leak rate/function tested and
are closed.
• For wells with horizontal X-mas trees, the tree cap and tubing hanger crown plug shall be
pressure tested.

If monitoring is not practicable, an acceptable alternative may be to install a deep set well barrier
element plug.

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9.4.2 Well barrier schematics

Temporary abandonment, reservoir exposed 9.4.2a

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Temporary abandonment, reservoir exposed - Casing 9.4.2b

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Temporary abandonment, no permeable formation exposed - Liner 9.4.2c

9.4.2c Temporary abandonment, no Well barrier elements WBEAC Verification/Monitoring

table
permeable formation exposed - Liner
Primary Well Barrier – Open hole
1. Cement plug 24 Set as deep as possible with
28 verified cement in casing annulus
2. Casing cement 22
3. Formation at the shoe na
Secondary Well Barrier – Open hole
1. Casing cement 22
2. Casing cement or mechanical 24 Shallow plug
plug 28
3. Liner top packer 43 Grade: V1
4. Formation
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Temporary abandonment, no permeable formation exposed – Casing 9.4.2d

9.4.2d Temporary abandonment, no Well barrier elements WBEAC Verification/Monitoring

table
permeable formation exposed - Casing
Primary Well Barrier – Open hole
1. Cement plug 24 Set as deep as possible with
28 verified cement in casing annulus
2. Casing cement 22
3. Formation at the shoe na
Secondary Well Barrier – Open hole
1. Casing cement 22
2. Casing cement or mechanical 24 Shallow plug
plug 28
3. Liner top packer 43 Grade: V1
4. Formation
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Temporary abandonment, non perforated well - Liner 9.4.2e

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Temporary abandonment, non perforated well - Casing 9.4.2f

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Temporary abandonment, impermeable formation with over pressure, non perforated

9.4.2g

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Temporary abandonment, perforated well with BOP or XT removed - Liner 9.4.2h

9.4.2h Temporary abandonment, Well barrier elements See Verification/Monitoring

WBEAC
Perforated well with BOP or production table
tree removed – Liner Primary Well Barrier
1. Casing (liner) cement 22
2. Casing (liner) 2 Liner above perforations.
3. Liner top packer 43
4. Casing 2 Below production packer.
5. Production packer 7 50 m below TOC in casing
annulus.
6. Completion string 25
7. Deep set tubing plug 6
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22 Above production packer.
2. Casing 2 Common WBE, between liner top
packer and production packer.
3. Wellhead 5
4. Tubing hanger 10
5. Tubing hanger plug 11

Notes:

Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Temporary abandonment, perforated well with BOP or XT removed - Casing 9.4.2i

9.4.2i Temporary abandonment, Well barrier elements See Verification/Monitoring

WBEAC
Perforated well with BOP or production table
tree removed - Casing Primary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22
2. Casing 2 Above perforations.
3. Production packer 7
4. Completion string 25
5. Deep set tubing plug 6
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22 Intermediate casing.
2. Casing 2 Intermediate casing.
3. Wellhead 5
4. Tubing hanger 10
5. Tubing hanger plug 11
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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9.5 Permanent abandonment

9.5.1 General

This section covers requirements and guidelines for well integrity during permanent abandonment.

Permanently plugged wells shall be abandoned with an eternal perspective taking into account the
effects of any foreseeable chemical and geological processes.

The following number of well barriers to the external environment shall be fulfilled.

Permanent P&A Formation

Two well barriers Potential source of inflow or reservoir exposed (hydrocarbons present)

One well barrier Formation with normal pressure (or less)

The following individual or combined well barriers/isolations shall be a result of well plugging activities.

Name Function Requirement to depth position

Primary well First well barrier against a The base of the barrier shall be
barrier potential source of inflow. To positioned at a depth where wellbore
isolate a potential source of integrity is higher than potential
inflow from flowing to pressure below, see 4.2.3.5.7 Testing
surface/seabed of formation.
Secondary Backup to the primary well As above.
well barrier barrier, against a potential
source of inflow.
Crossflow well To prevent flow between As above.
barrier formations (where crossflow is
not acceptable). May also
function as primary well barrier
for the reservoir below.
Environmental To isolate the full cross sectional The selected position should be
isolation plug* wellbore. To prevent movement documented**.
of wellbore fluids to the
environment.

*A well barrier may also function as an environmental plug.

**The environmental isolation plug should be of sufficient length to ensure containment.

Overburden formation should be assessed for abandonment requirements. Shallower permeable

zones shall be plugged according to the same principle.

Multiple reservoir zones/perforations located within the same pressure regime can be regarded as one
reservoir for which a primary and secondary well barrier shall be installed (see illustration).

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9.5.1.1 Permanent well barriers

Permanent well barriers shall extend across the full cross section of the well, include all annuli and
seal both vertically and horizontally (see illustration). The well barrier(s) shall
be placed adjacent to an impermeable formation.

Casing cement shall be verified to ensure a vertical and horizontal seal. If

casing cement is verified by logging, minimum 30 m cumulative interval with
acceptable bonding is required to act as a permanent external barrier. For the
internal permanent barrier requirement, refer to WBEAC 24. An internal WBE
shall be positioned over the entire interval where there is a verified external
WBE (across all annuli).

A permanent well barrier should have the following characteristics:

a) Provide long term integrity (eternal perspective)

b) Impermeable
c) Non shrinking
d) Able to withstand mechanical loads/impact
e) Resistant to chemicals/ substances (H2S, CO2 and hydrocarbons)
f) Wetting to ensure bonding to steel
g) Not harmful to the steel tubulars integrity

Steel tubulars are not an acceptable permanent WBE unless supported by cement or a plugging
material with similar functional properties as listed above (internal and external).

Elastomer sealing components in WBE’s are not acceptable for permanent well barriers.

Cement in the liner lap is accepted as a permanent WBE when pressure tested from above (before
installation of liner top packer).

Removal of downhole equipment is not required as long as the integrity of the well barriers is
achieved.

Control cables and lines shall be removed from areas where permanent well barriers are installed, if
they can create vertical leak paths through the well barrier. Completions should be designed to
facilitate the setting of annular cement plugs as a well barrier.

When completion tubulars are left in the well and permanent well barriers are installed in the tubing
and annulus, the position and integrity of the barriers shall be verified.

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If it can be documented that placing one continuous cement (with compensating measures ref to EAC
24) plug is as reliable as two independent cement plugs to establish an internal barrier(s), this may be
acceptable.

9.5.2 Well barrier schematics

Permanent abandonment - Open hole 9.5.2 a

9.5.2a Permanent abandonment, open Well barrier elements WBEAC Verification/Monitoring

table
hole
Primary Well Barrier
1. Cement plug 24 Open hole
Or (Primary well barrier, last
open hole)
Casing/
Liner/ No source 1. Casing cement 22
reservoir of outflow 2. Cement plug 24 Transition plug across casing
shoe
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22
2. Cement plug 24 Cased hole cement plug installed
on top of a mechanical plug
Environmental Isolation plug
1. Cement plug 24 Cased hole cement plug
2. Casing cement 22 Surface casing
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Permanent abandonment – Perforated well, tubing left in hole 9.5.2 b

9.5.2b Permanent abandonment, Well barrier elements See Verification/Monitoring

WBEAC
perforated well, tubing left in hole table
Primary Well Barrier
1. Liner cement 22
2. Cement plug 24 Across and above perforations
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22
2. Cement plug 24 Inside and outside of the tubing
Environmental Isolation plug
1. Cement plug 24
2. Casing cement 22 Surface casing
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Permanent abandonment – Perforated well, tubing removed 9.5.2 c

9.5.2c Permanent abandonment, Well barrier elements See Verification/Monitoring

WBEAC
perforated well, tubing removed table
Primary Well Barrier
1. Liner cement 22
2. Cement plug 24 Across and above perforations
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22
2. Cement plug 24 Across the liner plug.
Environmental Isolation plug
1. Cement plug 24
2. Casing cement 22 Surface casing
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Permanent abandonment, Multi bore with slotted liners or sand screens – with plug 9.5.2d

9.5.2d Permanent abandonment, Well barrier elements WBEAC Verification/Monitoring

table
multibore with slotted liners or sand
Primary Well Barrier - Reservoir
screens – with plug 1. Cement plug 22 Across and above the
perforations
Secondary Well Barrier - Reservoir
1. Casing cement 22
2. Casing cement 24 Across the liner plug
28
Environmental Isolation plug
1. Cement plug 24
2. Casing cement 22 Surface casing
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Permanent abandonment, Multi bore with slotted liners or sand screens – without plug 9.5.2e

9.5.2e Permanent abandonment, Well barrier elements WBEAC Verification/Monitoring

table
multibore with slotted liners or sand
Primary Well Barrier – Reservoir
screens – without plug 1. Cement plug 22 Across and above the
perforations
Secondary Well Barrier – Reservoir
1. Casing cement 22
2. Casing cement or mechanical 24 Across the liner plug
plug 28
Environmental Isolation plug
1. Cement plug 24
2. Casing cement 22 Surface casing
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Permanent abandonment, Slotted liners in multiple reservoirs 9.5.2f

9.5.2f Permanent abandonment, Slotted Well barrier elements WBEAC Verification/Monitoring

table
line in multiple reservoirs
Primary Well Barrier
1. Cement plug 24 Through liner and across casing
shoe / open hole
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22
2. Cement plug 24 Across the liner top
Primary Well Barrier
1. Cement plug 24 Squeezed into perforated
casing/annulus above potential
reservoir
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22
2. Cement plug 24
Environmental Isolation plug
1. Cement plug 24 Cased hole
2. Casing cement 22 Surface casing
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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Permanent abandonment, Slotted liners in multiple reservoirs – Intermediate casing cemented to

previous casing shoe 9.5.2g

9.5.2g Permanent abandonment, Slotted Well barrier elements WBEAC Verification/Monitoring

table
line in multiple reservoirs – Intermediate
Primary Well Barrier
casing cemented to previous casing 1. Cement plug 24 Through liner and across casing
shoe shoe / open hole
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22
2. Cement plug 24 Across the liner top
Primary Well Barrier
1. Cement plug 24 Squeezed into perforated
casing/annulus above potential
reservoir
Secondary Well Barrier
1. Casing cement 22
2. Cement plug 24
Environmental Isolation
1. Cement plug 24 Cased hole
2. Casing cement 22 Surface casing
Well Integrity issues Comments/Notes

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9.5.3 Examples for different permanent P&A options

The following illustrations show permanent P&A options.

Example A

The last open hole section of a wellbore can be abandoned permanently by setting an open hole
cement plug across/above the reservoir and an additional cement plug from the open hole into the
casing (the minimum requirements are illustrated in figures below):
The requirement is to have sufficient wellbore (formation) integrity at the base of both well barriers.

P&A – open hole and inside

casing plugs
min 50 m in OH and min 50 m inside csg
min 30 m of verified logged cement

Verification:
Pressure test plug
Secondary
100 m
inside casing
min 50 m

Plug lengths:
minimum 100 m
min 50 m

Verification:
Tag OH plug.
Primary
100 m

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Example B

The last open hole section of a wellbore or a perforated casing/liner can be abandoned permanently
by setting two back to back cement plugs from the reservoir (or as close as possible to the reservoir),
providing the casing cement is verified in the annulus.

The internal cement plug lengths shall cover the cumulative logged interval in the annulus.
P&A – two back to back cement
plugs

Verification:
Volume control
(Set on pressure
tested fundament)
Secondary
50 m
2 x 30 m verified
logged cement
Verification:
Tag and
pressure test
primary plug
Primary 50 m inside
100 m casing

Reservoir/perm.
fm with
overpressure

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Example C

A wellbore can be abandoned permanently by setting a mechanical plug to serve as a fundament for a
single cement plug.

The internal cement plug length shall cover the cumulative logged interval in the annulus

P&A – Single cement plug

with mechanical plug
foundation

Verification:
Primary
Tag cement plug
2 x 30 m
verified
logged cement
Secondary Verification:
Pressure tested
fundament

Reservoir/
perm. fm with
overpressure

Formation as annulus well barrier element

Bonded and impermeable in-situ formation (e.g. shale, salt) is accepted as an annulus well barrier
element if qualified according to WBEAC 52 (Shale Formation).

9.5.4 Sidetracking
The original wellbore should be permanently abandoned prior to a side-track/ slot recovery. A well
barrier can be shared to function as well barrier for more than one well bore.

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9.5.5 Section milling to establish permanent barriers

The following method can be applied when section milling is required to establish well barriers.

Log casing annulus

to verify bonded
formation/cement

Verified with
Yes sufficient length to No
act as barrier?

Sufficient length
Yes with bond to act as No
foundation? Install and test
mech plug in
Re-establishing Install and test
casing as close as
annulus barrier not mech plug in
possible to source
necessary bonded area
of inflow

Perforate and perform

low pressure cement
Section mill and squeeze to establish an
Establish internal
underream/wash to external fundament
barrier
expose formation (other means to
establish fundament
can be used)

Evaluate situation.
Mill 100 m Mill > 50 m No Consider further section
milling

Yes

Place cement plug

Place cement plug
from fundament
from fundament to
and minimum 50m
50 m into casing
across window

WOC and leak

WOC and tag test to 70 bar
above leak off

Place second
cement plug from Establish
top of first plug secondary barrier
and 50 m into in same manner
casing as primary
(another 50 m
section mill above
WOC and leak bonded area etc)
test to 70 bar
above leak off

Primary and
secondary barriers
established

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Example

For wells with poor casing cement or no access to the last open hole section,
section milling (removal of casing) is an alternative method for placing cement
in contact with formation to form permanent barriers.

P&A – section milling

min 50 m Verification:
Pressure test
min 50 m Milling window: min 50 m cement plug
Verification: minimum 50 m inside casing
min 50 m Pressure test
Milling window:
minimum 100 m Verification:
min 50 m Tag
max 50 m Verification:
Milling window: Pressure test
minimum 50 m min 50 m cement plug
inside casing

Reservoir/
perm. fm with
overpressure
Reservoir/
perm. fm with
overpressure

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9.5.6 Alternative method to establish permanent barriers

The use of alternative methods to establish the barriers shall be verified and documented.

Log casing annulus

to verify bonded
formation/cement

Verified with
Yes sufficient length to No
act as barrier?

Sufficient length
Yes with bond to act as No
foundation?
Install and test
Re-establishing
Establish internal mech plug in
annulus barrier not
fundament if casing as close as
necessary
required possible to source
of inflow

Perforate and perform

low pressure cement
Establish annulus squeeze to establish an
Establish internal
communication (perforate external fundament
barrier
interval) (alternative methods to
establish a fundament
can be used)

ALTERNATIVE METHODS

Circulate the casing annulus to

Squeeze cement perforations create a clean, water-wet interval
for bonding

Place continuous plug from

fundament to 50m above top perf

Drill or clean out and re-log to

confirm 50 m annulus seal

Set internal cement plug across

interval with annulus seal.

Leak test to 70 bar above leak off

Establish secondary barrier in

same manner as primary

Primary and
secondary barriers
established

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Example

For wells with poor casing cement or no access to the last open hole section, an
alternative method for placing cement in contact with formation to form permanent
barriers can be used.

External verification may be omitted once a geological specific interval track record is
established and documented.

P&A – alternative method

Min 50 m

Internal Verification: External Verification:

Min 50 m Pressure test Logging

Fundament: Internal Verification: External Verification:

Internal and external Tag and pressure test Logging
required
Min 50 m

9.5.7 Materials

The materials used in well barriers for plugging of wells shall withstand the load and environmental
conditions the well barriers may be exposed to for the planned abandonment period. The suitability of
the selected plugging materials shall be verified and documented. Degradation of the casing should
be considered.

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9.6 Well control action procedures and drills

9.6.1 Well control action procedures

The following table describes incident scenarios in which well control action procedures should be
available (if applicable) to deal with the incidents should they occur. This list is not comprehensive and
additional scenarios may be applied based on the actual planned activity.

Item Description Comments

1. Cutting of casing. Trapped gas pressure in casing

annulus.
2. (SSW) Pulling casing hanger seal assembly. Trapped gas pressure in casing
annulus.
3. Re-entry of suspended or temporary abandoned Account for trapped pressure under
wells. plugs due to possible failure of
suspension plugs.

9.6.2 Well control action drills

The following well control action drills should be performed:

Item Description Comments

1. Pressure build-up, or lost circulation in connection with To verify crew response in applying
a cutting casing operation. correct well control practices.
2. Loss of well barrier while performing an inflow test.

9.6.3 Well control requirements

Cutting/perforating the casing and retrieving seal assemblies shall be performed with active pressure
control equipment in place to prevent uncontrolled flow from annuli between casings and into the
well/riser

9.7 Suspension, plugging and abandonment design

9.7.1 Design basis, premises and assumptions

All potential sources of inflow shall be documented.

All well barrier elements used for plugging of wells shall withstand the load and environmental
conditions they may be exposed to for the abandonment period.

The following information should be gathered as a basis of the well barrier design and abandonment:

a) Well configuration (original and present) including depths and specification of permeable
formations, casing strings, cement behind casing status, well bores, side-tracks, etc.
b) Stratigraphic sequence of each wellbore showing reservoir(s) and information about their
current and future production potential, where reservoir fluids and pressures (initial, current
and in an eternal perspective) are included.
c) Logs, data and information from cementing operations in the well.

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d) Formations with suitable well barrier element properties (i.e. strength, impermeability, absence
of fractures and faulting)
e) Specific well conditions such as scale build up, casing wear, collapsed casing, fill, H2S, CO2,
hydrates, benzene or similar issues.

The design of well barriers consisting cement or alternative materials should account for uncertainties
relating to

f) downhole placement techniques,

g) minimum volumes required to mix a homogenous slurry,
h) surface volume control,
i) pump efficiency/ -parameters,
j) contamination of fluids,
k) shrinkage of cement or plugging material
l) centralisation.

9.7.2 Load cases

A combination of the functional and environmental loads shall be designed for.

For permanently abandoned wells, the specific gravity of well fluid accounted for in the design shall as
a maximum be equal to a seawater gradient.

The following load cases should be applied for the abandonment design:

Item Description Comments

1. Minimum depth of primary and secondary well
barriers for each reservoir/potential source of inflow,
taking the worst anticipated reservoir pressure for
the abandonment period into account.
2. Pressure testing of casing plugs.
Not shallower than the wellbore
(formation) integrity at these depths.
Reservoir pressure may for permanent
abandonment revert to initial/virgin
level. It should take into account re-
development scenarios or gas storage
if applicable.
Criteria as given in WBEAC 24.

3. Burst pressure limitations on casing string at the Cannot set plug higher than the burst
depths where temporary abandonment plugs are rating allows (less wear factors).
installed.
4. Collapse loads from seabed subsidence or reservoir The effects of seabed subsidence
compaction. above or in connection with the
reservoir shall be included.

9.8 Other topics

9.8.1 Risks
Design and operational risks shall be assessed. Typical risk could include:
a) pressure and wellbore (formation) integrity uncertainties,
b) time effects:
• long term development of reservoir pressure
• deterioration of materials used
• sagging of weight materials in well fluids
c) scale in production tubing,
d) H2S or CO2,
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e) release of trapped pressure,

f) unknown status of equipment or materials,
g) environmental issues.

9.8.2 Removing equipment above seabed

For permanent abandonment wells, the wellhead and casings shall be removed below the seabed.

The cutting depth shall be sufficient to prevent conflict with other marine activities. Local conditions
such as soil and seabed scouring due to sea current should be considered. For deepwater wells, it
may be acceptable to leave or cover the wellhead/structure.

Mechanical or abrasive cutting is the preferred method for removal of the casing/conductor at seabed.

Use of explosives to cut casing/conductor is acceptable only if measures are implemented (Example:
directed/ shaped charges providing upward and downward protection) which reduces the risk to
surrounding environment to the same level as other means of cutting.

The location shall be inspected to ensure no other obstructions related to the drilling and well activities
are left behind on the sea floor.

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9.9 Vertical Xmas tree (VXT) removal

The table below describes well barrier requirements when removing a VXT.
Fluid Possible to Primary well barrier Secondary well barrier Compensating
monitor primary element element measures
well barrier?
Light fluid Yes (downhole • Deep set mechanical • Inflow tested Status of primary
(under- pressure gauge bridge plug DHSV and drop well barrier to be
balanced) or tubing to protection device monitored at all
annulus – accepted if times on DHPG
communication) DHSV has zero or a-annulus
leakage, or pressure
• a BPV/tubing
hanger plug, or
• a shallow set
mechanical bridge
plug

No • Deep set • a BPV/tubing Inflow tested

mechanical bridge hanger plug, or DHSV as
plug • a shallow set compensating
mechanical bridge measure due to
plug not able to
monitor primary
barrier
Heavy Yes (tubing to • Deep set • Inflow tested Fluid level or
fluid annulus mechanical bridge DHSV and drop applied pressure
(over- communication) plug and brine/mud protection device to be monitored
balanced) above plug, or – accepted if on A-annulus
• Kill pill and brine or DHSV has zero
kill mud from leakage, or
perforations/screen • a BPV/tubing
to surface hanger plug, or
• a shallow set
mechanical bridge
plug

No • Deep set • Inflow tested

mechanical bridge DHSV and drop
plug and brine/mud protection device
above plug – accepted if
DHSV has zero
leakage, or
• a BPV/tubing
hanger plug, or
• a shallow set
mechanical bridge
plug

No • Kill pill and brine or • a BPV/tubing Inflow tested

kill mud from hanger plug, or DHSV as
perforations/screen • a shallow set compensating
to surface mechanical bridge measure due to
plug not able to
monitor primary
well barrier

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9.10 Horizontal Xmas tree removal

A deep set plug shall be installed.

The production tubing and production annulus shall be displaced to kill fluid. Specific gravity of the kill
fluid shall give an overbalance with a safety margin at plug depth, prior to pulling the production
tubing.

When the tubing is removed, a shallow plug shall be installed in production casing prior to removal of
the XT.

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