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14.04.2014

Probabilistic planning improves the decision making process during sourcing for a rig

iQx ™ P1™ provided help in procuring the best suitable MODU taking into account all risks and costs related to weather conditions and cost variances.

AGR’s Well Management was assigned to evaluate the best option between the different Mobile Drilling Unit (MODU) types. The drilling campaign in focus was to take place in a water-depth that was within the capabilities of both a jack-up and a semi-submersible. The choice of which MODU was best suited given the weather conditions and the variance in costs was complex and AGR’s client needed a simple presentation of the best solution.

THE CHALLENGE

  • Long lead-time before the start of the campaign and a very variable rig rate
  • Differing weather conditions depending on the time of year the operation would take place Very different impacts of the weather on the operations’ capabilities of each different type of MODU.

WHAT VALUE DID iQx BRING TO THE CLIENT?

  • Using P1 and probabilistic modelling, the two options including the risk and cost outcomes, were reviewed with a clear basis for the decision on which MODU to use
  • The presentation to our client’s partners and management was refined to two slides showing the time and cost
  • A very complex decision that could have resulted in much debate was distilled into an easily understandable choice.

KEY ENABLERS

  • Logical breakdown of operational steps
  • A systematic review of time and cost for the campaign using the different types of MODU
  • An objective review of the risks and range of possible outcomes

AGR delivers logistics and procurement of exploration well in Morocco

AGR Integrated Logistics Solutions

Challenges

  • Large thief zone encountered that was not present in offset wells
  • Short timeframe to mobilise equipment and personnel for the challenging operation
  • Limited availability of section milling equipment in Australia requiring mobilisation of equipment from around the globe
  • Integration of casing swarf recovery equipment with the rig equipment
  • Abandonment design to be suitable for a well situated in a potential CO2 storage site
  • Victorian bushfires active whilst operational, heavily impacting logistics
  • Bespoke arrangements and expertise required to minimise impact on equipment and personnel

AGR approach

  • Risk identification and management: AGR identified the risk associated with the thief zone and potentially low top of cement ahead of time and actively engaged service partners to confirm equipment and personnel were available to abandon the well as required. This was critical in ensuring there was sufficient lead time to mobilise equipment and personnel for the challenging operation.
  • Technical expertise: AGR’s knowledge of current best practice and industry standards was key in engineering the necessary abandonment solution to comply with regulatory requirements. This included section milling operations, casing swarf recovery and installation of an open hole inflatable bridge plug to isolate the thief zone and enable a balanced cement plug to be set and verified across the full cross section of the wellbore.
  • Logistical expertise: To execute the engineered solution, equipment was required to be mobilised from around the globe due to limited availability locally. AGR worked closely with the service partners to provide them with logistical expertise and ensure equipment was mobilised without delays despite the short timeframe.

Result

The operations were successfully executed in January 2020. Abandonment objectives of the well were achieved without incident, all environmental commitments met and with no downtime waiting on equipment despite the short timeframe. The well was accepted as permanently abandoned by the regulator NOPSEMA.

Achievements

  • Logistical challenges overcome with no impact to the critical path of operations. Equipment was mobilised from four different countries in addition to multiple locations locally for the section milling operation.
  • Effective recovery of casing swarf during section milling operations without incident and all environmental commitments met.
  • Plug and abandonment of the well successfully executed including section milling 7” liner, isolating the thief zone with an inflatable bridge plug and installing CO2 corrosion resistant cement plugs, satisfying all regulatory requirements for permanent abandonment of the well.