Compliance, Competency and Cost-efficiency
Why working with KCI can reinstate well integrity
Oil and Gas companies around the world are under increasing pressure to conform to evolving and changing regulations, operating standards, testing procedures and performance criteria for their well stock. This becomes more complex when you consider the ageing industry and mature assets often involved as well as differing regulations across international borders.
The relevant standards that govern the UK and Norway (DCR and NORSOK) are generally accepted as industry standard worldwide and can be used by operators to ensure they are meeting the relevant regulations in terms of maintaining well integrity.
Key regulations such as:
It is the operator's responsibility to ensure the well is constructed, modified, operated and equipped to prevent unplanned escape of fluids and the risk to the safety of personnel involved is low.
This responsibility carries through all stages of the life of the well, with a focus on the physical condition of the well rather than the actual operation being carried out.
So, what methods can be used to ensure this legislation is being met, whilst still maintaining operational levels and keeping downtime to a minimum?
Not just a quick fix
We provide a range of sealant options which create isolations on ageing and damaged wellhead equipment, resulting in a robust but quick solution to maintain or restore the integrity of the well. The well will only come offline for a brief period and in some cases not at all.
Traditional solutions involve either pumping hard plastic packing type material into the voids which can be unreliable, or in most cases, the operator will need a costly hoist or rig workover operation. Our product prevents the need for replacement of equipment which can be expensive, as well as the financial impact of suspending the well.
Although the repairs that we carry out are deemed to be temporary, the true definition of this will vary from operator to operator. In many cases the repairs last to the end of the well’s life, providing the isolation is routinely tested and is verified as still fit for purpose.
Our sealant can withstand a very high-pressure test directly from above or below, and our team has a strong record of accomplishment when it comes to providing a diligent fully engineered approach to installation and testing to ensure the sealant remains resilient and undamaged, ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency for our customers.
The unique products that we have designed and engineered specifically to resolve this challenge facing our customers reduce the potential exposure of well hydrocarbon fluids, and the risk of corrosive chemicals harming or injuring personnel working on or around the well and its environment.
If practical, all our isolations are tested in the direction of pressure flow, which gives a more accurate and clearer picture of whether the seal will hold.
Demonstrating the value
There are many instances where our clients have garnered cost-savings that can be directly attributed to using our time-activated sealant products.
One of the biggest exploration and production companies in the Middle East deployed our sealant technology, resulting in approximately $100 million in cost savings on production deferments and associated rig costs for workovers.
KCI’s time-activated sealant was deployed in its liquid state into the voids of wellhead sealing areas, converting to resilient, self-bonding and pressure-energised solid material once in place. This acts as a static pressure retaining barrier to re-establish full integrity of the wellhead.
Get in touch to discuss how our unique products can save you money and keep your operations going.