Feasibility study reducing carbon emissions through CO2 injection and storage

The Operator set a strategic target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. As part of this initiative, it was key for the operator to review their existing asset portfolio and infrastructure to evaluate the options available for safely converting existing producing assets into carbon sequestration opportunities.

Asset: 1 aging production facility and 15 onshore wells: 50% were active producing wells, 40% were plugged and abandoned, 10% were in the process of decommissioning

Client challenge

To risk assess an onshore production facility and a collection of onshore wells (a mix of wells that had been plugged and abandoned, were still producing or were in the process of decommissioning) to determine their viability and capability to safely and permanently store CO₂.

In essence, we were tasked with determining:

• Were the wells capable of safely withstanding re pressuring of CO₂ injection
• The risk profile and mitigation options
• What actions need to be taken by the operator to assure safe and successful injection and storage of CO₂

Why us?

• Due to the unique nature of this work, and with a lack of capability or expertise to conduct this study in-house, the operator required expert support.
• The complexity of the wells and the risk of incident were extremely high and severe enough to justify outsourcing this work to our experts in this field.
• As subject matter experts in well integrity and with an already established relationship with the operator in place, we were selected as the “go-to” specialist to provide trusted expertise and guidance on how to successfully maximize carbon sequestration opportunities.

What we did?

To deliver this highly complex and vital assessment the team adhered to the following process:

• Well Barrier Acceptance Modelling
• Development of Well Barrier Elements Acceptance Criteria
• Compliance Rating of Well Barrier Elements
• Development of Well Integrity Categorization Model
• Creation of Final Report and Recommendations

Our recommendation

AGR presented the technical assessment results and recommended actions required to convert the wells within a detailed engineering report.

Of the 15 wells that were evaluated as part of this feasibility study, AGR found 11 “suitable” wells that:

• Were capable of withstanding pressures of CO₂ injection and storage
• Were compliant with well integrity standards and could be used safely for CO₂ injection and storage
• Required actions to be taken to successfully convert them to CO₂ storage wells

4 “unsuitable” wells that:

• Were incapable of withstanding pressures of CO₂ injection and did not comply with the well integrity standard for safe use