Oeia Thomas Monge

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MASTER'S THESIS
Study programme/specialisation: Spring semester, 2017
Open access
Petroleum Technology/Well Engineering
Author: Thomas Monge Øia

…………………………………………
(signature of author)
Faculty Supervisor: Kjell Kåre Fjelde, University of Stavanger
External Supervisor: Per Buset, Island Offshore Subsea AS
Title of master's thesis: Futuristic Approach to Riserless Plug and Abandonment Operations
Credits: 30
Keywords: Number of pages: 142
Riserless P&A Operation, Riserless Coiled Tub- + supplemental material/other: 8

ing Operation, P&A operation performed from
Stavanger, 13 June 2017
a RLWI vessel, Rig-less retrieval of production
tubing and casing, Operational sequences
(Page intentionally left in blank)
Futuristic Approach to Riserless Plug and Abandonment Operations
Acknowledgements
I would like to share my gratitude to the companies and people who got involved during this
thesis.
My deep gratitude goes first to supervisor and professor at the University of Stavanger Kjell
Kåre Fjelde, who has been very helpful with his thoroughly feedbacks and by sharing his valu-
able knowledge. He has expertly guided me through this thesis and encouraged me in carrying
out this thesis work.
Secondly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Island Offshore Subsea and their
employees for supporting me with valuable information and technical support. I would like to
give special thanks to my external supervisor at Island Offshore, Per Buset, for supporting me
with his valuable knowledge, patience and contacts. Without his technical insight and experi-
ence, this dissertation would not have been submitted successfully.
I
II
Abstract
On the NCS today, there are 1033 subsea wells that are classified with the status online/oper-
ational, Drilling, Predrilled, Suspended and Closed[1] and these subsea wells will have to be
permanently plugged and abandoned (PP&A) at some point. When the revenue of these sub-
sea wells decreases and the cost is the driving factor, we are left with two options; perma-
nently plug the reservoir section and reuse the slot by drilling a sidetrack or PP&A the subsea
well.
P&A operations is associated with high cost for the operating companies, licensees and the
Norwegian taxpayers. To maintain the production on the NCS, one have to drill new wells to
ensure new discoveries. However, as new wells are drilled others have to be PP&A. By using
a riserless light well intervention (RLWI) vessel to conduct P&A operations, one can exclude
the use of expensive mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) and consequently maintain the
drilling activity on the NCS.
The current practice is to use a semi-submersible rig with marine riser to perform the reservoir
– and intermediate abandonment. By utilizing the current practice and convert it to the new
concept of conducting PP&A from a RLWI vessel, we could find the technology gap and the
best suited subsea well candidates. The intention is to perform full riserless P&A operations
using wireline, coiled tubing and main winch (i.e. a rig-less approach) combined with addi-
tional equipment. A large proportion of the current and future subsea wells on the NCS and
in the rest of the world will be potential candidates for riserless PP&A with a RLWI vessel.
Riserless P&A operations of subsea wells with low well abandonment complexity will most
likely reduce the overall P&A expenditures because RLWI vessels has a lower day rate and an
effective method of performing the P&A operation.
The objective of this thesis is to identify the RLWI vessel’s potential to perform full riserless
P&A operations and present its operational boundaries with respect to well abandonment
complexity. A description of available and required technology is also given. Three individual
base cases with increasing complexity containing operational sequences and well barrier sche-
matics will be presented to show application of existing and required technology and to iden-
tify the main challenges.
III
IV
Table of Content
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... I
Abstract ........................................................................................................................... III
List of Figures................................................................................................................... IX
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... X
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... X
1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1
1.1 History of subsea wells ................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Objective ..................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Structure of Thesis ....................................................................................................... 2
2 Rules and Regulations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf........................................ 5

2.1 Regulations and Standards for P&A on NCS ................................................................... 5
2.1.1 Well Integrity ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.1.1.1 Well Barrier Elements ............................................................................................................ 7
2.1.1.2 Well Barriers .......................................................................................................................... 7
2.1.1.3 Well Barrier Schematics (WBS) .............................................................................................. 8
2.2 General requirements for P&A operations .................................................................... 9
2.2.1 Temporary Abandonment (TA)........................................................................................ 10
2.2.2 Permanent well barrier.................................................................................................... 10
2.2.2.1 Permanent WBE acceptance criteria ................................................................................... 13
2.2.2.2 Positioning of well barrier .................................................................................................... 14
2.3 UK oil and gas guidelines ............................................................................................ 16
2.3.1 Operation separated into well abandonment phases ..................................................... 16
2.3.1.1 Phase 0 – preparatory work................................................................................................. 16
2.3.1.2 Phase 1 – Reservoir abandonment ...................................................................................... 16
2.3.1.3 Phase 2 – Intermediate abandonment ................................................................................ 17
2.3.1.4 Phase 3 – Wellhead and conductor removal ....................................................................... 17
2.3.2 Well abandonment complexity ....................................................................................... 17
3 Subsea P&A vs Platform P&A ................................................................................... 19

3.1.1 Subsea X-mas Trees ......................................................................................................... 20
3.1.1.1 Vertical Christmas tree (VXT) vs. Horizontal Christmas Tree (HXT) ..................................... 20
4 RLWI vessel and Subsea Equipment ......................................................................... 23
V
4.1 Introduction to RLWI Vessels ...................................................................................... 23

4.2 Use of RLWI vessel for P&A......................................................................................... 26
4.2.1 Current practice ............................................................................................................... 26
4.3 RLWI Vessels for this case study.................................................................................. 27
4.3.1 Technical Specification of LWI vessel Island Constructor ................................................ 27
4.3.1.1 Regulatory requirement of RLWI vessel .............................................................................. 30
4.4 Main Subsea Equipment for Well Control .................................................................... 32
4.4.1 RLWI stack........................................................................................................................ 32
4.4.1.1 XT adaptor ........................................................................................................................... 33
4.4.1.2 Well Control Package (WCP) ................................................................................................ 34
4.4.1.3 Lubricator Section (LS) ......................................................................................................... 35
4.4.1.4 Pressure Control Head (PCH) ............................................................................................... 36
4.4.2 Additional Subsea Equipment ......................................................................................... 36
4.4.2.1 Subsea Shut-off device (SSD) ............................................................................................... 36
4.4.2.2 Riserless Mud Recovery System .......................................................................................... 38
4.4.2.3 Subsea Jacking Unit ............................................................................................................. 39
4.4.2.4 Comment ............................................................................................................................. 39
5 Riserless Coiled Tubing using RLWI Concept ............................................................. 41

5.1 Standard CT Equipment and Operation ....................................................................... 41
5.2 Riserless Coiled Tubing (RLCT) ..................................................................................... 43
5.3 Topside Equipment .................................................................................................... 46
5.4 RLCT Stack (Subsea Equipment) .................................................................................. 47
5.4.1 XT Adaptor ....................................................................................................................... 47
5.4.2 Safety Head ...................................................................................................................... 47
5.4.3 WCP ................................................................................................................................. 47
5.4.4 LLP .................................................................................................................................... 47
5.4.5 ULP ................................................................................................................................... 48
5.4.6 Coiled Tubing Head (CTH) ................................................................................................ 48
5.4.7 Additional RLCT Equipment ............................................................................................. 48
5.4.7.1 Subsea and Topside Injector ................................................................................................ 48
5.4.7.2 Strippers............................................................................................................................... 50
5.4.8 Rig Up Sequence and Deployment of RLCT Stack............................................................ 51
5.5 Summary of the Intervention Stacks used in this Thesis. .............................................. 52
5.6 Comments ................................................................................................................. 52
6 Typical P&A procedure of subsea wells on the NCS .................................................. 53
VI
6.1 Well X ........................................................................................................................ 53

6.1.1 Phase 0............................................................................................................................. 53
6.1.2 Phase 1............................................................................................................................. 54
6.1.3 Phase 2............................................................................................................................. 55
6.1.4 Phase 3............................................................................................................................. 55
6.1.5 WBS of the Operational Sequence .................................................................................. 56
7 Material Selection ................................................................................................... 59

7.1 Plugging Materials ...................................................................................................... 59
7.1.1 Cement ............................................................................................................................ 60
7.1.2 Thermal Activated Resins ................................................................................................ 61
7.1.3 Unconsolidated Materials ............................................................................................... 61
7.1.4 Metal................................................................................................................................ 61
7.1.5 Formation ........................................................................................................................ 62
8 P&A Methods .......................................................................................................... 63

8.1 Cut and Pull Casing ..................................................................................................... 63
8.2 Section Milling (SM) ................................................................................................... 64
8.3 Perforate, Wash and cement ...................................................................................... 66
8.4 Open Hole Cement Plug .............................................................................................. 67
9 Riserless P&A Scenarios ........................................................................................... 69

9.1 P&A Challenges of Subsea Wells using a RLWI vessel ................................................... 69
9.1.1 Production Tubing ........................................................................................................... 69
9.1.1.1 Production Tubing Retrieval ................................................................................................ 70
9.1.2 Verify Good Quality Cement Behind Casing-strings ........................................................ 73
9.1.2.1 Annulus Barrier Establishment ............................................................................................ 73
9.1.3 Cut and Pull Casing Strings .............................................................................................. 74
9.1.4 Establish Open Hole to Surface Plug................................................................................ 75
9.1.4.1 Well Abandonment Straddle Packer - WASP ....................................................................... 76
9.1.4.2 Suspended Well Abandonment Tool - SWAT....................................................................... 77
9.1.4.3 Cementing Adaptor Tool – CAT ........................................................................................... 77
10 Overview of the Proposed Systems .......................................................................... 81
11 Riserless P&A Operations – Base Cases .................................................................... 83

11.1 Well A – Tubing left in place ....................................................................................... 83
11.1.1 Well A Specification..................................................................................................... 84
VII
11.1.2 Operational Sequence ................................................................................................. 86

11.1.3 Well Barrier Schematics .............................................................................................. 89
11.2 Well B – Pull production tubing................................................................................... 92
11.2.1 Well B Specification ..................................................................................................... 92
11.2.2 Operational Sequence ................................................................................................. 93
11.2.3 Well Barrier Schematics .............................................................................................. 96
11.3 Well C – Cut & pull casing strings .............................................................................. 101
11.3.1 Well C Specification ................................................................................................... 101
11.3.2 Operational Sequence ............................................................................................... 102
11.3.3 Well Barrier Schematics ............................................................................................ 105
11.3.4 Comments ................................................................................................................. 108
12 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 109

12.1 Discussion – Well A .................................................................................................. 109
12.2 Discussion – Well B ................................................................................................... 111
12.3 Discussion – Well C ................................................................................................... 113
12.4 Discussion Summary ................................................................................................. 115
12.5 Subsea Well Candidates for Riserless P&A Operations ............................................... 120
13 Conclusion............................................................................................................. 123
14 References ............................................................................................................ 125
15 Appendices ........................................................................................................... 131

15.1 Appendix A – NORSOK D-010 Table 24 – Cement plug ............................................... 131
15.2 Appendix B - Determining Well Abandonment Complexity ........................................ 133
15.3 Appendix C – HydraArtemis ...................................................................................... 137
15.4 Appendix D – Work Packages .................................................................................... 138
VIII
List of Figures
Figure 1: Subsea Production Well with VXT showing primary and secondary barrier ............................................ 9
Figure 2: Self-made Well barrier across the full cross section of the well ............................................................. 11
Figure 3: Four types of well barriers ...................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 4: Permanent abandonment, open hole and inside casing plugs ............................................................... 14
Figure 5: Minimum setting depth - Pressure curves .............................................................................................. 15
Figure 6: Differences between subsea HXT and VXT configuration [11] ................................................................. 21
Figure 7: Island Constructor [16] ............................................................................................................................. 27
Figure 8: Six degree of freedom on Island Constructor [16] .................................................................................... 30
Figure 9: RLWI Stack [23]......................................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 10: XT adaptor for a VXT [10] ....................................................................................................................... 33
Figure 11: XT adaptor attached to a HXT [25] ........................................................................................................ 34
Figure 12: WCP - Well Control Package [26] ............................................................................................................ 34
Figure 13: An example of a SSD - The ROAM Abandonment Module[29] ............................................................... 37
Figure 14: Example of a Riserless Mud Recovery System [16] ................................................................................. 38
Figure 15: Geoprober Gripper Assembly [32] .......................................................................................................... 39
Figure 16: General RLCT equipment on Island Constructor[35] .............................................................................. 44
Figure 17: Existing and new RLCT Equipment[36] ................................................................................................... 44
Figure 18: New and Existing Equipment[31] ........................................................................................................... 45
Figure 19: Overview of the Topside Equipment[32] ................................................................................................ 46
Figure 20: Topside and Subsea Injectors [35] .......................................................................................................... 49
Figure 21: Cross sectional view of a stripper rig up [35].......................................................................................... 50
Figure 22: P&A Storyboard 1 ................................................................................................................................. 56
Figure 23: P&A Storyboard 2 ................................................................................................................................. 57
Figure 24: Barrier failure modes [40] ...................................................................................................................... 60
Figure 25: Necessary sweep during section milling of multiple casings[51] ............................................................ 65
Figure 26: HydraHemera[53] ................................................................................................................................... 66
Figure 27: TCP guns w/HydraKratos[53] ................................................................................................................. 67
Figure 28: Control line from the workshop to Island Offshore Subsea .................................................................. 69
Figure 29: Hydraulically THRT & THERT w/proposed assembly ............................................................................ 72
Figure 30: WASP tool from Baker Hughes [60] ........................................................................................................ 76
Figure 31: SWAT tool from Claxton Engineering [61] .............................................................................................. 77
Figure 32: Illustration of an open hole to surface plug establishment [10].............................................................. 78
Figure 33: CAT accommodated with wiper plugs. Lock mandrel is also illustrated [10]. ........................................ 79
Figure 34: WBS of Production well ........................................................................................................................ 85
IX
List of Tables
Table 1: Additional EAC requirements [4] ................................................................................................................. 7
Table 2: Abandonment Complexity Type and Abandonment Phase [9] ................................................................. 18
Table 3: Technical Specifications - Island Constructor [19] ..................................................................................... 28
Table 4: Existing vs. Proposed Applications of a RLWI Vessel ............................................................................... 82
Table 5: Acceptance criteria given by NORSOK D-010 [4]..................................................................................... 132
Table 6: Criteria for classifying phase1, 2 and 3 well abandonment complexity [7] ............................................ 135
Abbreviations
AHC Active Heave Compensator RLCT Riserless Coiled Tubing

AoC Acknowledgement of Compliance RLWI Riserless Light Well Intervention
BOP Blow Out Preventer ROV Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle
CAT Cement Adaptor Tool RT Running Tool
CBL Cement Bond Log SC Safety Case
CT Coiled Tubing SM Section Milling
CTD Coiled Tubing Drilling SS Subsea Well
CTH Coiled Tubing Head SSD Subsea Shut-Off Device
DHSV Downhole Safety Valve SSI Subsea Injector
EAC Element Acceptance Criteria SSR Seal/Shear Ram
EQD Emergency Quick Disconnect SWAT Supended Well Abandonment Tool
FIT Formation Integrity Test SWL Safe Working Load
HC Hydrocarbon TA Temporary abandonment
HXT Horizontal X-mas Tree TCP Tubing-Conveyed Perforating
ICP Internal Cement Plug TGB Temporary Guide Base
ID Inner Diameter TH Tubing Hanger
LA Land Well THERT Tubing Hanger Emergency Retrieval Tool
LFL Lower Flammability Limit THROT Tubing Hanger Running and Orientation Tool
LLP Lower Lubricator Package THRT Tubing Hanger Running Tool
LOT Leak-Off Test TOC Top of Cement
LS Lubricator Section TVD True Vertical Depth
LUB Lubricator ULP Upper Lubricator Package
LWI Light Well Intervention USSR Upper Seal/Shear Ram
MD Measured Depth VXT Vetrical X-mas Tree
MODU Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit WASP Well Abandonment Straddle Packer
MPD Manage Pressure Drilling WB Well Barrier
NCS Norwegian Continental Shelf WBE Well Barrier Element
OD Outer Diameter WBS Well Barrier Schematic
P&A Plug and Abandonment WCP Well Control Package
PCH Pressure Control Head WCS Well Control System
PGB Permanent Guide Base WH Wellhead
PL Platform Well WL Wireline
PP Permanently plugged WOR Work Over Riser
PP&A Permanently plugged and abandoned XLOT Extended Leak-Off Test
PSA Petroleum Safety Authority XT X-mas Tree
X
1 Introduction
1.1 History of subsea wells
The Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) accommodates some of the greatest and most tech-
nological subsea fields in the world. The first subsea well on the NCS was brought into produc-
tion at the Frigg field in 1982. This was the first step of subsea field development where the
focus was to move the production down to the seabed. It was not before the early 90’s that
subsea wells were considered a realistic option by the operating companies [2]. Rather than
building new platforms, subsea wells were built to increase the production using existing plat-
forms to tie in new wells.
Plug and abandonment is an activity that has been ongoing since the early beginning of explo-
ration and development of oil and gas on the NCS. The majority of exploration wells are per-
manently plugged and abandoned (PP&A) immediately after all essential information is gath-
ered.
Currently there is a great number of development wells that are permanently plugged (PP),
but not abandoned at fixed facilities on the NCS. Subsea well are relatively new and it is pre-
dicted that the “plug wave” of subsea wells will start in 2020. Currently, the oldest subsea
wells to be PP&A on the NCS are the water injection wells at Snorre and Draugen, both drilled
and completed in 1993[1].Even though the subsea wells are relatively young compared to plat-
form wells, the majority of the subsea wells were not designed with respect to its life cycle,
i.e. P&A. The result of this is greater challenges when P&A operations commences. Good qual-
ity cement, external cement at internal plug setting depth, length of external cement satisfies
the minimum requirements and casing selections were not always thoroughly considered dur-
ing well design and operation.
The cost of PP&A of subsea wells are higher than platform wells and one of the reason is that
mobile offshore drilling unit is allocated to conduct the P&A operation. Riserless light well
intervention vessels are currently used during some P&A operations and because of that, the
total P&A cost has been reduced as a consequence of its lower daily rig rate.
1
1.2 Objective
This thesis will study the current and upcoming applications and limitations of a riserless light
well intervention (RLWI) vessel to conduct all phases of a riserless plug and abandonment
operation of subsea wells. The purpose of this thesis are:
1. Perform a study of plug and abandonment requirement, technology and operations

2. Evaluate conventional and upcoming technologies and methods to perform PP&A
3. Construct well scenarios with varying complexity to demonstrate changes in opera-
tion plans combined with the existing and new technology for RLWI vessel.
4. Perform an analysis to reveal the boundary of well abandonment complexity of sub-
sea wells to be PP&A by a RLWI vessel.
5. Discuss the RLWI vessel’s operational boundaries and potential to conduct riserless
P&A operations.
1.3 Structure of Thesis
This thesis is divided into 15 main chapters and consists of sub chapters. The main chapters
are:
 Chapter 1 is an introduction to the subsea well history and plug and abandonment on
the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
 Chapter 2 gives a description of the regulations and standards for P&A, the well bar-
rier philosophy, and the well abandonment complexity defined by Oil & Gas UK.
 Chapter 3 describes the main differences between subsea and platform P&A, and it
describes and illustrates the differences between vertical – and horizontal x-mas
trees.
 Chapter 4 gives an introduction to monohull vessels, technical specifications to the
monohull/RLWI vessel applied in this thesis, current subsea well intervention equip-
ment and additional subsea equipment to assist during a P&A operation.
2
 Chapter 5 describes the standard coiled tubing equipment and applications prior to
introduce the riserless coiled tubing system. This chapter shall provide information re-
garding topside – and subsea equipment and the operational sequence of installing
this riserless system.
 Chapter 6 describes and illustrates with well barrier schematics a typical P&A opera-
tion on the NCS.
 Chapter 7 introduces different plugging materials that can be applied during a P&A
operation
 Chapter 8 describes different approaches to establish permanent well barriers during
a P&A operation
 Chapter 9 describes some of the main challenges of riserless P&A using a RLWI vessel.
It also includes existing and proposed equipment used during some of the well aban-
donment phases.
 Chapter 10 is a short overview of the proposed well control rig ups.
 Chapter 11 describes three base cases with increasing complexity with a proposed ap-
proximation to the P&A operation. Each base case includes a table of the operational
sequences and well barrier schematics to illustrate the operation.
 Chapter 12 consists of the discussion part.
 Chapter 13 is the conclusion.
 Chapter 14 consists of the appendices.
 Chapter 15 is the references.
3
4
2 Rules and Regulations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf
This chapter gives an overview of the requirements and guidelines that applies for any given
plug and abandonment (P&A) operation. The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) is the regula-
tory authority for technical and operational safety and supervises all petroleum activities on
the NCS. All requirements and guidelines complies with the Norwegian regulations, i.e. Petro-
leum Act, and are formed by industry experts and previous experience within the petroleum
industry to ensure adequate health, safety, environment and quality (HSE&Q) during opera-
tions. There are different regulations within the oil and gas industry. However, which one to
apply depends on the geographical location of operation. The NORSOK standard applies for
all actors conducting operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
The regulatory hierarchy on the NCS[3];
 Regulations
 Guidelines (to the regulations)
 National and international standards that are referenced in the guidelines, such as
NORSOK standards, ISO standards, API standards and IEC standards.
All well operations commenced on the NCS are obliged to fulfill the rules and regulations.
These inexplicit rules and regulations have been compiled into guidelines and standards. The
NORSOK standard is created by an industry initiative to give the user an understanding of how
to add value, reduce cost and lead time and eliminate unnecessary activities in offshore field
developments and operations[4].
There are several NORSOK standards for petroleum activities and it provides a set of minimum
requirements for the equipment and/or solutions to be used in a well. Its purpose is to replace
any oil company specifications and other industry guidelines and documents for use in existing
and future petroleum activity[4].
2.1 Regulations and Standards for P&A on NCS
The facilities regulations chapter 8, section 48, cover the well barrier requirements. Here it is
stated; “When a well is temporarily or permanently abandoned, the barriers shall be designed
5
such that they take into account well integrity for the longest period of time the well is ex-
pected to be abandoned”[5]. When inspecting the guidelines, one see that in order to fulfill the
requirements, the NORSOK D-010 standard has to be followed.
NORSOK D-010 is a functional standard with prescriptive requirements and covers “Well In-
tegrity in drilling and well operations”[4]. Chapter 4 and 9 in NORSOK D-010 standard provides
the minimum requirements for P&A operations. Its Intention is to let operating companies
freely choose a solution that meets the given requirements. Even though the operating com-
panies have full responsibility for being compliant with the standard, it has an indirect encour-
agement to develop new methods and technology[3].
It is of great importance to understand the term “shall” and “should”. The term “shall” de-
notes the minimum requirements that are strictly to be followed and no deviations are per-
mitted. The only exception is when accepted by all the involved parties[4]. The term “should”
denotes a recommendation and does not exclude other possibilities.
2.1.1 Well Integrity
“Permanently abandoned wells shall be plugged with an eternal perspective taking into ac-
count the effects of any foreseeable chemical and geological processes” [4]
To understand all aspects of P&A operations, it is fundamental to clarify the importance of

well integrity. Well integrity is defined as the “application of technical, operational and organ-
izational solutions to reduce the risk of uncontrolled release of formation fluids throughout
the life cycle of a well”[4]. Well integrity must be understood and respected from the initial
well design and to the end, where the well is permanently plugged and abandoned (PP&A).
All well activities shall be carried out in a safe and prudent manner during the wells life cycle.
Well integrity comprises the technical, operational and organizational solutions to reduce any
risks that can occur throughout the life cycle of the well[4].
To ensure a safe P&A operation, one has to choose the best operational and technical solution
for that specific well. To find the best solution one has to consider several factors, e.g. fatigue,
corrosion, material specification of the equipment, well design, existing casings, cement, pres-
sures, ++. The NORSOK D-010 standard focuses on establishing technical well barriers by use
6
of well barrier elements (WBEs), their acceptance criteria, their use and monitoring of integ-
rity during their life cycle [4].
2.1.1.1 Well Barrier Elements
NORSOK D-010 defines a well barrier element (WBE) as “a physical element which itself does
not prevent flow but in combination with other WBE’s forms a well barrier” [4]. Each WBE’s is
genuinely important and especially when installing cement plugs during P&A operations as
there is currently no field proven technology that allows monitoring WBE’s after final perma-
nent abandonment. However, fiber optics may allow the operator to monitor the well integ-
rity of a permanently WB in the future[6].
Cement, casing and formation are typical WBE’s that are interlinked to form a well barrier
when conducting a PP&A operation. Keep in mind that during the P&A operation there are
several other WBE’s involved.
2.1.1.1.1 Well Barrier Element Acceptance Criteria (EAC)
During a P&A operation there are some requirement regarding the WBE’s. Table 1 describes
the additional EAC requirements than what is described in NORSOK D-010, section 15.
Table 1: Additional EAC requirements [4]
2.1.1.2 Well Barriers
According to NORSOK D-010 a well barrier is an “envelope of one or several well barrier ele-
ments preventing fluids from flowing unintentionally from the formation into the wellbore,
7
into another formation or to the external environment”[4]. Before P&A operations commences,
one shall identify each set of WBE’s and document its technical requirement. It is important
to identify and understand the function of the well barrier elements used in well. There might
be several well barrier elements in place, but they will only serve as a containing well barrier
when they are interlinked into what we refer to as a barrier envelope[7].
As mentioned in section 2.1.1, all wells shall be permanently abandoned for eternity.
2.1.1.3 Well Barrier Schematics (WBS)
Thoroughly planned operations has a detailed description of the operational sequences. It is

a requirement that each well activity and operation contains a WBS[4]. The WBS is developed
as an illustration to display the presence of the different well barrier envelope. The WBS in
Figure 1 is an example of a production well that is shut-in. When designing a WBS it is im-
portant to use the “hat-over-hat” principle, i.e. establish two separate well barrier envelopes.
The first “hat” is the primary well barrier and is typically marked with blue. Its main function
is to prevent unwanted flow of fluid to reach the surface. The second “hat” is the secondary
well barrier and is marked with red. This WB work as a backup to the primary WB in case of
failure and shall be designed to withstand any anticipated future well pressures or flow of
fluids.
The WBS contains important information about the well. In the WBS example in Figure 1, there
is a column of several WBEs listed under primary or secondary WB. Each WBE has a description
of the element, qualification method and a monitoring status. The monitoring status is a risk
status code marked by color and is then assessed in a risk analysis.
All WBS’s provided in this thesis is prepared with the Wellbarrier illustration tool after permit-
ted access by Wellbarrier AS (1).
1
Wellbarrier AS - https://www.wellbarrier.com
8
Figure 1: Subsea Production Well with VXT showing primary and secondary barrier
2.2 General requirements for P&A operations
An operator and its licensees typically agrees to PP&A a well or a wellbore because of insuffi-
cient hydrocarbon (HC) potential to complete the well or due to reservoir depletion and/or
lack of production and revenue. Sometime one decides to temporary abandon the well with
an expectation of getting new technology or solutions to increase the oil recovery and reve-
nue. The requirements are almost the same regardless of doing permanent or temporary
abandonment. The major difference is the choice of WBEs where one account for abandon-
ment time, ability to re-enter the well or if one are supposed to resume operations after tem-
porary abandonment (TA)[4].
9
2.2.1 Temporary Abandonment (TA)
When a P&A operation on a subsea well commences, one typically deal with a well that has
been TA for a duration of time. There are different requirements for TA and it depends
whether it is monitored or not and if it is a subsea or platform well. When the primary and
secondary barrier is continuously monitored and routinely tested, it is defined as a “TA well
with monitoring” and there is no maximum abandonment period. If these criteria cannot be
fulfilled, the well shall be categorized as a “TA well without monitoring” and the maximum
abandonment period shall be three years.
It is important to keep in mind that a TA subsea well without monitoring shall have an inspec-
tion program and have a program for visual observation at least once a year. These wells are
associated with a higher risk due to the unknown pressure when removing the well control
equipment.
The upcoming sections will describe the requirements and acceptance criteria for well barriers
when establishing permanent well barriers with an eternal perspective. The overall goal of
PP&A is to re-establish a well barrier, e.g. cap rock, above any permeable formations/reser-
voirs/sources of inflow to avoid leakages to surface or other permeable formations.
2.2.2 Permanent well barrier
A permanent well barrier, from now referred to as permanent WB, shall be installed such that
it extend across the full cross section of the wellbore, include all annuli and seal both vertically
and horizontally. All well barriers shall be placed adjacent to an impermeable formation with
sufficient formation integrity for the maximum anticipated pressure[4].
According to NORSOK D-010 standard, a permanent WB should have the following character-
istics;
a) Provide long term integrity (eternal perspective)

b) Impermeable
c) Non-shrinking
d) Able to withstand mechanical loads/impact
e) Resistant to chemicals/substances
10
f) Ensure bonding to steel

g) Not harmful to the steel tubulars integrity
Figure 2: Self-made Well barrier across the full cross section of the well
The industry is provided with several plugging materials, but Portland cement is still thought
to be the most applicable due to its low cost and known properties.
Removal of downhole equipment is not required as long as the integrity of the well barriers
are achieved. Control cables and lines shall not be a part of the permanent well barrier due to
the risks associated with potential leak paths[4].
A P&A operation consists of installing permanent WBs at positions in the well to restore its
original integrity. The four types of permanent well barriers used for P&A operations are;
 Primary well barrier – First barrier that isolate a source of inflow and pressures from
reacing the surface/seabed
 Secondary well barrier – Back-up to the primary well barrier
 Crossflow well barrier – To prevent flow between formations
 Open hole to surface well barrier – To permanently isolate flow conduits from ex-
posed formation(s) to surface/seabed
11
Figure 3: Four types of well barriers
For instance, an external WBE, casing and an internal WBE is placed above the production
packer in the 9⅝” production casing and constitutes a complete permanent well barrier. These
three WBEs must be combined and seal both vertically and radially in order to fulfill the re-
quirements. In the following section, one can see the requirements for each element given in
NORSOK D-010.
12
2.2.2.1 Permanent WBE acceptance criteria
For a permanent WBE to be accepted it must satisfy certain criteria[4];
- The minimum cement plug length shall be:

- Open hole cement plugs – 100m MD with minimum 50 m MD above any source of in-
flow/leakage point
- Cased hole cement plugs – 50 m MD if set on a mechanical/cement plug as founda-
tion, otherwise 100 m MD.
- Open hole to surface plug – 50 m MD if set on a mechanical plug, otherwise 100 m
MD.
- It shall extend across the full cross section of the well
- It shall be positioned at a depth where anticipated pressure does not exceed mini-
mum formation stress
- The different plug types shall be verified by either logging, tagging, pressure test or a
combination of these verification methods.
This is a compilation of the overall criterions given in NORSOK D-010 and gives a general over-
view of a permanent WBE acceptance criteria. See Appendix 1 for more specifications.
The illustration below are given to exemplify some P&A scenarios to get a better understand-
ing of the requirements in terms of plug lengths and verification methods.
There are many different ways to perform a P&A operation and it all depends upon several
factors, e.g. completion, permeable zones, corrosion, status of cement behind casing, etc.
13
Figure 4: Permanent abandonment, open hole and inside casing plugs
2.2.2.2 Positioning of well barrier
The positioning of a well barrier (WB) is crucial in order to ensure formation integrity at the
base of the WB. The anticipated pressure at the base of a WB shall not exceed the formation
fracture pressure in order to ensure sufficient formation integrity. The setting depth of all
permanent plugs is a function of the fracture gradient in that specific well and it shall be set
in an impermeable formation. It is important to clarify that one have to account for the sec-
ondary WB, i.e. the secondary well barrier shall as a minimum be positioned at a depth where
the estimated formation fracture pressure exceeds the contained pressure below the well
barrier[4].
14
One important parameter in the planning stage of a P&A operation is to analyze the formation
strength. The formation fracture pressure is typically obtained from the drilling activity, where
a leak off test (LOT), formation integrity test (FIT) or an extended leak off test (XLOT) was
conducted when the casing shoe was drilled out. By using the information provided, one can
set a WB at a depth where the pressure below the permanent WB does not fracture the for-
mation and thus inducing communication to surface.
By adding one or more of the formation stress tests above into a pore pressure plot, one can
determine the plug setting depth. In a P&A phase, the pressure plot is typically presented as
depth (m TVD) versus pressure (bar) instead of depth versus specific gravity. By adding an
influx pressure curve, which is the influx pressure exerted by the source of inflow, typically
assume gas as the influx source, one can find the minimum setting depth at the intersection
between the influx pressure curve and the prevailing fracture pressure curve.
Figure 5 shows a typical pore pressure plot where one can find the minimum setting depth for
the permanent WBs. In this case, the intersection between the influx pressure curve (yellow)
and the fracture pressure curve (green) is found at approximately 2200 m TVD. Hence, the
minimum setting depth for the permanent WB (secondary WB) must be set below this depth.
Pressure (Bar)
1 201 401 601 801 1001
0
Pore Pressure
500
1000 Overburden
Depth (m TVD)
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Figure 5: Minimum setting depth - Pressure curves
Note that there are different approaches to which fracture pressure to use and NORSOK D-
010 does not define which one to use. Some companies uses the minimum horizontal stress
found in a XLOT and this results in a shallower set plug.
15
2.3 UK oil and gas guidelines
Oil & Gas UK has a guideline, “Guidelines on Well Abandonment Cost Estimation”, for P&A
operations regarding how to divide P&A work in wells into phases[8]. This guideline is devel-
oped as a template of how to separate each wells scope of work based on well abandonment
location, phases and complexity/work type. Because of this, each well can be classified with a
unique P&A code.
There are three possible physical locations of a well and it is defined as a platform well (PL),
subsea well (SS) and land well (LA) [8]. This thesis will only focus on subsea wells (SS), and the
two other locations will be not be regarded due to the use of a RLWI vessel.
2.3.1 Operation separated into well abandonment phases
NORSOK D-010 does not differentiate the P&A operation into phases. A phase is a set of op-
erational sequences/work packages and all the phases constitutes a P&A operation. Oil & Gas
UK divide the P&A operation into three phases and defines them in their standard “Guidelines
on Well Abandonment Cost Estimation”. For a more accurate analysis of the P&A operation,
it will be dived into four phases in this thesis. In SPE-169203, it is suggested to add a fourth
phase, preparation of phase 1. The reason for this is that RLWI vessels can be applied when
performing the preparatory work of phase 1 regardless of the abandonment complexity of the
upcoming phases[9]. This preparation phase is from now on referred to as phase 0.
2.3.1.1 Phase 0 – preparatory work
This is the initial phase of preparatory work where the well is killed, tubing is punched and/or
cut, heavy fluid is circulated down tubing and up annulus and deep– and shallow set plug are
installed[9]. One could also retrieve the x-mas tree in this phase, but this is currently only prac-
ticed for subsea wells with vertical x-mas trees.
2.3.1.2 Phase 1 – Reservoir abandonment
This phase consists of fully isolating the reservoir from the wellbore and is done by installing a
primary and secondary permanent barrier to isolate all reservoir producing or injecting zones.
The tubing may be left in place, partly or fully retrieved[8].
16
2.3.1.3 Phase 2 – Intermediate abandonment
This phase consists of isolating liners, milling and retrieving casing, and setting barriers to in-
termediate hydrocarbon or water-bearing permeable zones and potentially installing near-
surface cement. The tubing may be partly retrieved, if not done in Phase 1. Complete when no
further plugging is required[8].
2.3.1.4 Phase 3 – Wellhead and conductor removal
This is the last part of a P&A operation and consists of retrieving the wellhead, conductor, and
shallow cuts of casing string. Complete when no further operations required on the well[8].
2.3.2 Well abandonment complexity
Each of the previously defined phases has different complexity in terms of abandonment work
and it is categorized into digits from 0 to 4 to reflect the complexity. The type of work is de-
fined in “Guidelines on Well Abandonment Cost Estimation” as[8];
Type 0: No work required – A phase or phases of abandonment work may already have
been completed
Type 1: Simple Rig-less Abandonment – Using wireline, pumping crane, jacks and RLWI
vessel.
Type 2: Complex Rig-less Abandonment – Using CT, HWU, wireline, pumping, crane,
jacks. Subsea completed wells will use Heavy Duty Well Intervention vessel with
riser.
Type 3: Simple Rig-based Abandonment – Requiring retrieval of tubing and casing
Type 4: Complex Rig-based Abandonment – May have poor access and poor cement
requiring retrieval of tubing and casing, milling and cement repairs.
To enable all P&A operations to be conducted by a RLWI vessel, one have to have to find
appropriate methods and solutions to avoid type 3 and 4 P&A operations that normally would
17
require a semi-sub for a subsea well. This categorization method is applied in the upcoming
base cases in chapter 11.
Information regarding the well complexity and abandonment phases can be applied in a ma-
trix. It can provide the user with a table to record the abandonment complexity for the four
phases for a subsea well or wells. Table 2 is an extended version of the given table in the Oil
& Gas UK guideline and is more applicable for the upcoming analyses.
The table also provides an example of a subsea well that is shut-in and where preparatory
work (phase 0) is completed. Hence, it is ready to be PP&A. The well is to be abandoned above
the reservoir (phase 1) after the production tubing has been pulled (due to control cables),
then intermediate P&A (phase 2) commences, the last sequence is to remove the wellhead
and conductor (phase 3). Phase 2 (open hole to surface barrier) and phase 3 (WH and conduc-
tor removal) is in this case type 1 complexity, meaning that a RLWI vessel is used.
Abandonment Complexity
Type 0 Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
Subsea well
No work Simple Complex Simple Complex
required Rig-less Rig-less Rig-based Rig-based
0 Preparatory Work x
Phase
1 Reservoir Abandonment x
2 Intermediate Abandonment x
3 Wellhead and Conductor Removal x
Table 2: Abandonment Complexity Type and Abandonment Phase [9]
Based on this subsea well’s complexity, it will have the following P&A code: SS 0/3/1/1 
Subsea (SS) Phase 0 = Type 0/Phase 1 = Type 3/Phase 2 = Type 1/Phase 3 = Type 1.
By coding all wells on the NCS, one can compile each phases into larger batches and conduct
a thoroughly analysis of time duration and/or cost for larger P&A campaigns. The analysis can
also give us a brief overview of the future demand of vessels due to the classification of aban-
donment complexity. There is also a table for phase 1, 2 and 3 providing the criteria for how
to classify the well abandonment complexity based on the well characteristics. See Appendix
B.
18
3 Subsea P&A vs Platform P&A
The greatest difference between a subsea and platform well, is the position of the wellhead
(WH) and well control equipment. There are some general differences listed below, which will
affect the way we conduct PP&A.
Platform well:
- Conductor runs from x depth below seabed to surface

- WH on surface
- Dry XT
- Access and pressure control of all annuli
Subsea well:
- Top of conductor at seabed

- Subsea WH
- Wet XT
- Access and pressure control of only A-annulus
When performing PP&A on subsea wells there is obviously a necessity to use a mobile facility
to conduct the operation. On platform wells, the P&A operation requires either a functional
derrick, jack-up rig w/skidding system, installation of a modular drilling rig or if possible a rig-
less abandonment approach (i.e. combined operation with CT and/or WL and possible jacking
units).
There are greater challenges related to P&A operations of subsea wells and one major reason
is intuitively the environmental impact. Because of subsea completed wells, the P&A chal-
lenges become greater and the risk assessment more complex due to the combination of
heavy well control equipment, heave compensated equipment, WH fatigue, time-consuming
deployments and other factors.
19
On the NCS there are 1200 subsea wellbores divided on 59 fields and each wellbore has its
own design and complexity[1]. This thesis will therefore discuss which wellbores that are po-
tential candidates to be PP&A by using a RLWI vessel. Chapter 6 will describe a typical P&A
operation of a subsea well.
3.1.1 Subsea X-mas Trees
It is important to know the difference between the two subsea Christmas trees (XT) used on
subsea wells due to the difference in the operational sequence during a P&A operation. Ver-
tical XT (VXT) was the only option before the horizontal XT (HXT) became popular in the early
90’s. The HXT’s were build to reduce the operational cost when the production tubing had to
be changed. Nevertheless, statistically the XT’s are more often changed due to wear and fa-
tigue than the production tubing. This led to greater operational costs than originally and
VXT’s are more frequently used today[10].
3.1.1.1 Vertical Christmas tree (VXT) vs. Horizontal Christmas Tree (HXT)
The main difference between these two subsea XT’s is the tree valves on the HXT, which are
not inline with the riser. All tree valves are positioned on the sides. Hence, there are no valves
in the main bore in a HXT. Another difference is the possibility to monitor the pressure below
the production tubing hanger (TH) on a HXT, which is not possible on a VXT. There are also
differences regarding the installation and retrieving operation.
VXT: Installed after the tubing hanger and tubing is mounted in the wellhead (WH). For a
P&A scenario using a RLWI vessel the tree cap is removed. Subsequently a RLWI stack
with a XT adaptor and a tree running tool are installed on top of VXT on the 18 ¾ “ re-
entry hub. Then preparatory work (phase 0) is conducted or one can just install a deep-
and shallow set plug. The deep set plug is typically set as close to the reservoir as pos-
sible, either in the tailpipe or just above the production packer. The shallow plugs con-
sists of a tubing hanger plug in the annulus bore and in the main bore. This operational
sequence is necessary to be able to retrieve the VXT[11].
20
HXT: The HXT is installed on top of WH mandrel and subsequently the tubing hanger and
tubing is installed in the tree body. The tree was designed to allow simple well inter-
vention and tubing recovery. In a P&A operation, the tubing hanger and tubing must
be recovered before recovering the HXT[11]. Methods and operational sequences re-
garding P&A operations with a HXT, will be discussed in the upcoming chapters.
Figure 6: Differences between subsea HXT and VXT configuration [11]
21
22
4 RLWI vessel and Subsea Equipment
4.1 Introduction to RLWI Vessels
The world’s first monohull vessel to perform subsea light well intervention was the MSV Sea-
well in the North Sea (UK sector), operated by Helix Well Ops. The MSV Seawell tested the
downhole safety valve (DHSV) and performed a production logging in 1987 at the Magnus field
for BP at a water depth of 184m[12]. From this year and forward, the number of subsea well
interventions performed riserless increased.
The majority of well interventions on subsea wells on the NCS are conducted by Island Off-
shore’s RLWI vessels. On the UK sector it is the RLWI vessels owned by the Helix ESG and
operated by Helix Well Ops that conduct the operation[13].Today’s monohull vessels can only
perform wireline (WL) (i.e. braided wire, slickline or e-line) interventions on subsea wells, but
other intervention jobs will be applicable with the upcoming riserless coiled tubing (RLCT)
stack and equipment.
These monohull vessels, referred to as RLWI vessels, are commonly used for well interventions
on subsea wells when WL is adequate for the intended intervention job. The conventional well
intervention jobs on live subsea wells performed by a RLWI vessel are[14]:
- Removal of scale (mechanically)

- Bailing sand and debris
- Removal of Paraffin/wax
- Set and retrieve DHSV
- Setting/pulling gas lift valves
- Opening/closing of sliding sleeves
- Fishing operations
- Set and retrieve plugs
- Perforations
- Zone isolation (plug/straddle)
- Data gathering (PLT)
- Well Clean Up
- Fishing on e-line
23
- Temporary P&A operations of subsea wells

- Well barrier re-establishment prior to rig work over
- Caliper logging
- Inspection/repair
- Sleeve operations
- Chemical spotting
These vessels are also capable of performing other types of work than entering live subsea
wells. They are also used to conduct various subsea operations, e.g. install or retrieve XT’s.
Island Offshore introduced the concept of riserless coiled tubing drilling (CTD) in 2014, when
they drilled out core-samples in the “E39 Rogfast” project[15]. The next year, in 2015, they
drilled a pilot hole with RLCT on the Butch field[16]. However, both project were performed
without any well control equipment. Coiled tubing (CT) itself is an old technology, but new
applications will be provided by applying CT with well control equipment in open water on
both live and killed subsea wells from a RLWI vessel. CT has some advantages compared to
WL operations and by combining these two intervention methods the scope of work in terms
of P&A can increase. CT operations are currently applied during interventions and it has the
following applications[17]:
 Pumping Application :
o Removing sand or fill from a wellbore
o Unloading a well with nitrogen
o Fracturing/acidizing a formation
o Gravel packing
o Cutting tubulars with fluid
o Pumping slurry plugs
o Zone isolation
o Removal of wax, hydrocarbon, or hydrate plugs
 Mechanical Applications:
o Setting a plug or packer
o Fishing
o Perforating
o Logging
24
o Scale removal
o Cutting tubulars
o Sliding sleeve operation
o Running a completion
o Straddle for zonal isolation
o Drilling
In this thesis, the intention is to perform riserless PP&A of subsea wells from a RLWI vessel,
without the need of a workover riser or a riser-tensioning system. Specific stages of the P&A
operation are regarded as challenges and have not been conducted on the NCS. Phase 1 and
part of phase 2 are yet to be conducted by a RLWI vessel on the NCS. Today, these two phases
are considered as a heavy operation and a job for semi-submersible rigs (semi-sub).
Some companies categorizes intervention unit in Category A, B and C, where Cat A is RLWI
vessels, Cat B is heavy intervention rigs (semi-sub) and Cat C is drilling and completion rigs
(semi-sub)[18]. This categorization will not be applied in this thesis due to the mismatching
definition of each category. The reason for that is;
 A RLWI vessel can take well returns to the vessel and therefore it implies that a RLWI
vessel should belong to Cat B.
 There have not been built any Cat B units
This thesis will only differentiate between RLWI vessels and Semi-Subs, with emphasis on
RLWI vessels. Before giving specific details of the main subsea equipment for well control dur-
ing a P&A operation, one should have an overview of the intervention unit used in this thesis.
Other units as category D, I and J are also applicable, but will not be covered nor used in this
thesis.
25
4.2 Use of RLWI vessel for P&A
4.2.1 Current practice
As mentioned, the MSV Seawell was introduced in 1987 to perform well interventions on sub-
sea wells. After the first well intervention job, this RLWI vessel started to assist P&A operations
on the UK sector by conducting WH removal[13]. The current applications of a RLWI vessel to
assist in P&A operations has not evolved too much since its introduction to the petroleum
industry, but some progress have been done the last decade. The applications below is listed
in an ascending order with respect to its time of introduction.
- Close/Open DHSV (1987)

- WH Removal (1987)
- Pull/Run Plugs (1991)
- Caliper Run (1992)
- Recovery of XT (1993)
- Set bridge plug and dump cement (1993)
- Set plug in tubing and annulus for temporary abandonment (TA) (1994)
- Chemical cutting (1995)
- Balanced cement plug and WH removal (part of phase 2 and 3) (1995)
- Bullhead reservoir, cementing, XT –and WH removal (1995)
- Set bridge plug with tractor and flow well to host platform (2008)
- Tubing cutting (2009)
- Explosive WH removal (2013)
An operational sequence of a P&A operation is described in section 6.1 and indicates the pre-
sent scope of work applicable for a RLWI vessel.
26
4.3 RLWI Vessels for this case study
There are several suppliers of LWI vessels to conduct interventions on offshore subsea wells.
This thesis focuses on operations performed on the NCS and will therefore use Island Off-
shore’s LWI vessel, Island Constructor, as a basis for the upcoming analysis of a vessels appli-
cation of conducting full P&A operations.
Figure 7: Island Constructor [16]
4.3.1 Technical Specification of LWI vessel Island Constructor
This highly advanced and multifunctional RLWI vessel is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning
(DP) system, ensuring the vessel to obtain its geographical position as long as it is within its
technical boundaries/limitations (e.g. wave height, sea current, wind, etc.). The vessel is out-
fitted to perform well intervention services (w/subsea lubricator system), subsea construc-
tion- and equipment installation, ROV services, and inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR).
For P&A purposes, one need to highlight the vessels main technical specification and charac-
teristics related to the operational sequences and necessary equipment [10]. The vessel does
not have integrated equipment for all types of operations, i.e. subsea equipment, CT equip-
ment, pumps, tanks, etc. and this must be facilitated on the cargo deck. Other equipment that
might limit the vessels scope of work during a P&A operation is the hoisting capacity, fluid
volume return containing HC and accommodation(deck space) of retrieved casing strings and
production tubing.
27
Island Constructor
Main Characteristics
Cargo deck area main 1380 m2
Cargo deck area mezz 320 m2
Accommodation 90 persons
Tonnage, Capacities
Technical fresh water 3155 m3
Liquid mud/Brine, (4 tanks) 500 m3
Brine, Marpol category B: Chemicals (LFL*), (2+2 tanks) 199 m3
Hull and Structure
Moonpool (monohull) 8.0x 8.0 m
ROV launch and recovery system (LARS) 2 off
Topsite
Module Handling Tower (MHT)
Lifting height (from hook in upper position to main deck) 29 m
Main hoisting wire and hook; Well intervention mode (single line) 100 t (SWL)
Main hoisting wire and hook; Drilling mode (two falls) 200 t (SWL)
Main Winch
AHC Winch system (w/Active and passive heave compensation) 100 t (SWL)
Loading/Discharging pumps
2 off Fresh water cargo pump (@9 bar) 250 m3/h
Brine pump (@24 bar) 75 m3/h
Mud pump (@24 bar) 75 m3/h
Chemical pump (@ 9 bar) 75 m3/h
Chemical/MEG pump (@ 9 bar) 75 m3/h
Hydro Carbon Vent System
Mud gas separator 2360 Sm3/h
Liquid storage capacity (2 extra tanks can be installed at cost+, 40m^3 extra) 20 m3
Part of the LFL tank system may also be reconfigured (199 m3)
Table 3: Technical Specifications - Island Constructor [19]
Compared to a semi-sub, the RLWI vessel is more prone to the external environment, i.e.
weather. The positioning system is designed to keep Island Constructor within the allowable
operating limit, which is a unit offset of 3-5% of water depth, taking into account a maximum
single failure in the positioning system. The worst case single failure for Island Constructor
during dynamic positioning (DP) is losing bow tunnel thruster no. 1[19].
 Significant wave height: Hs=7.0 m

 Wave period: Ts=13.8 s
28
 Wind speed (10m/10min): Vw=21.51 m/s

 Current speed (surface): Vc=1.03 m/s [2.0 knots]
Island Constructor will have no limitations maintaining position in above environmental con-
ditions with all thruster in operations. A summary of environmental conditions with all thrust-
ers in operation is shown below:
 Significant wave height: Hs=11.1 m

 Wave period: Ts=15.6 s
 Wind speed (10m/10min): Vw=27.5 m/s
 Current speed (surface): Vc=1.03 m/s [2.0 knots]
However, operations criteria’s from RLWI operations is limited by capacity in the handling sys-
tem (for lifting), green sea on deck and ROV’s and is therefore lower than the DP system ca-
pabilities. A set of Well Specific Operational Guidelines (WSOG) is developed to cover for the
different type of operations[19].
A vessels motion is described using the six degree of freedom shown in Figure 8 below[20].
The linear motions are described by:
 Heave: vertical up- and down motion

 Sway: lateral side to side (port to starboard) motion
 Surge: longitudinal front back (bow to stern) motion
The rotational motion are described by:
 Pitch: rotation about Y-axis

 Roll: rotation about X-axis
 Yaw: rotation about Z-axis
29
Figure 8: Six degree of freedom on Island Constructor [16]
The combination of these motions can be simulated to calculate the vessels limitations, but
that will not be covered in this thesis.
4.3.1.1 Regulatory requirement of RLWI vessel
To be allowed to operate a mobile facility with intention to participate in petroleum opera-

tions, one have to possess correct declaration in the country that one intend to operate.
The PSA has the authority to issue a declaration, Acknowledgement of Compliance (AoC), to
express their confidence that petroleum operations can be pursued by a mobile facility in
compliance with the regulation[21]. This declaration is only valid on the NCS. If planning for an
operation on the UK sector, one have to get a new declaration, a Safety Case (SC), issued by
the UK Health and Safety Executive (The offshore safety directive regulator)[22].
The AoC is issued by the PSA and this declaration is given after the company’s application has
been evaluated and found to be within the authority criteria. The company defines the mobile
facility’s intended petroleum activity, its technical condition and the applicant’s organization
and safety management systems. After all safety-critical nonconformities have been rectified,
the PSA will award the vessel with an AoC[21].
30
4.3.1.1.1 AoC – Island Constructor
Island Offshores vessel, Island Constructor, is awarded with an AoC to operate on the NCS and
a SC to operate on the UK sector. However, the declaration has a technical limitation that
currently limits the vessels ability to conduct P&A operations. When the AoC was issued, the
vessel was permitted to take onboard a fixed volume of fluid returns containing hydrocarbons.
That fixed volume is limited to 5m3 and constitutes two to three flushes of a closed well during
a well intervention with WL, i.e. one flush of the RLWI stack and down to the DHSV equals 1.5-
2m3.
The total volume of fluid returns during a P&A operation will vary (i.e. well construction, com-
plexity of the P&A operation, etc), but the volumes are most likely to be greater than 5m 3.
Island Constructor can accommodate 219m3 with its integrated LFL tank system (199 m3) and
20m3 tank (integrated in the HC vent system), but temporary tanks can be placed on deck to
increase the storage capacity of fluid returns.
To be able to store greater volumes than 5m3of fluid returns, a new amendment towards the
AoC will have to be submitted and subsequently approved by the PSA.
31
4.4 Main Subsea Equipment for Well Control
4.4.1 RLWI stack
Figure 9 is an illustration of a RLWI stack during a

live well wireline (WL) operation[23]. The assembly
could be different due to the manufacturer and/or
operation. However, the main components de-
scribed above is typically standard parts of a WL as-
sembly. This RLWI stack can be used in the prepar-
atory work (phase 0) and with some modification it
could be implemented in phase 1 and 2 in a P&A
operation using CT. The RLWI stack is divided into
three assemblies; the well control package (WCP),
lubricator section LS and pressure control head
(PCH). The LS consist of the lower lubricator pack-
age (LLP), the lubricator (LUB) and the upper lubri-
cator package (ULP).
The WCP (w/XT adaptor) is installed in the first run,

then the LS, without the workstring and PCH, is de-
ployed subsea and hydraulically attached to the XT
re-entry hub. In the third and last run, the
workstring and PCH is ran as one assembly and will
have to be retrieved and run for every bottom hole
assembly (BHA) change out. The workstring is ac-
Figure 9: RLWI Stack [23]
commodated in LUB and the PCH is attached to the
ULP. The LUB is then pressurized to working pressure and the operation can commence [24].
Total runs when installing the RLWI stack depends on the vessels capacity (i.e. height of tower,
lifting capacity, etc.).
32
4.4.1.1 XT adaptor
In operations where the intention is to do intervention, i.e. preparatory work in a P&A opera-
tion, the lowermost subsea equipment on the RLWI stack is a XT adaptor consisting of a tree
running tool (TRT) connector and an adaptor spool. The adaptor spool is an x-over block at-
tached to top of TRT connector interface. The upper part of the adapter spool has a mandrel
for attaching the required well control equipment (WCP) with a flanged connection, Speed
lock. The RLWI stack is deployed and the XT adaptor is then attached to the subsea XT, ena-
bling WL access in production and annulus bore. The x-over block used on HXT’s and VXT’s
consists of a production –and annulus bore. HXT’s does not accommodate WL operations
through its annulus bore. Both x-over blocks are fitted with seal subs that will be stung into
the XT seal pockets or TH to act as an extension of the production tubing[10].
A XT adaptor is necessary to enable:
- The RLWI stack to be attached to different subsea XT’s

- Access to production -or annulus bore when a VXT is used
- Installation or retrieval of TH –and annulus plugs
- Bullheading and circulation possibility
- Control of the VXT (The adaptor distributes hydraulics to required functions on the
VXT)
Figure 10 is an illustration of
the XT adaptor for a VXT and
shows how it accommodates
for accessing both the produc-
tion- and annulus bore by
changing the x-over block 180
degrees. The XT adaptor for a
HXT is quite similar, but its pro-
duction bore on the x-over
block is centralized in the TRT
connector. Figure 10: XT adaptor for a VXT [10]
33
Figure 11 is an illustration of the XT adaptor

connected to the HXT re-entry hub and the
adaptor spool is connected to the WCP with
FMC’s Speed Lock connector.
Figure 11: XT adaptor attached to a HXT [25]
4.4.1.2 Well Control Package (WCP)
The WCP has an ID of 7 1 16 " and is installed to ensure pressure control during LWI operations,
i.e. providing cutting and sealing capability. The WCP is a pressure containing barrier between
the XT and lower lubricator package (LLP) and in general it shall provide the necessary func-
tionality to allow safe and efficient intervention through the XT. It enables flushing of hydro-
carbons (HC) back into the well and it provides hydraulic pressure and supply, as well as com-
munication to XT functions[26]. The advantage of using the WCP is its capability of providing
pressure control, without recovering the RLWI stack, during intervention with small drill pipe,
coiled tubing (CT), wireline (WL) and slickline (SL).
Figure 12: WCP - Well Control Package [26]
34
Main components[26]:
 Valve Block (w/ Shear/Seal Ram, Lower and Upper Production Isolation Valve, ++)
 Umbilical Termination head (UTH) base
 Well kill hub
 Subsea Control Module (SCM)
 Electric Subsea Control Module (eSCM)
 Subsea Hydraulic Power Unit (sHPU)
 Accumulator banks
 WCP hydraulic Reservoir
 XT Module
 XT hydraulic reservoir
4.4.1.3 Lubricator Section (LS)
There are several components that complements the LS and the standard components during
WL intervention are the LLP, Lubrication tubular (LUB) and ULP. The LS can vary in length, but
it typically has a length limitation due to external forces acting on the total stack. Amongst the
available LS on the marked, it is not common to have a LS that can lubricate more than 22m
of toolstring length and standard ID is 7 1 16 " [24].
The LLP is the lowest component on the LS and it is provided with a safety joint to prevent
overload of WH and XT. It is mounted on top of the WCP and it carries the controls equipment,
i.e. control modules, power supply, hydraulic pumps and accumulators for all functions on
WCP, XT and pressure control head (PCH)[24]. The Lubricator is just a slick tube and a carrier
for the grease system for PCH. Common components are grease –reservoir, -pumps and iso-
lation valves. The LUB is designed for WL-, SL -and CT intervention, preventing unnecessary
nonproductive time[24]. The ULP is the uppermost component of the LS and is the connection
point towards PCH. It is accommodated with a cutting ball valve (CBV) that is capable to cut
wire and it acts as a secondary barrier element. A gate valve for circulation is provided to inject
fluids, e.g. MEG. The ULP is also designed for WL-, SL -and CT intervention[24].
35
4.4.1.4 Pressure Control Head (PCH)
The PCH is the active part of the RLWI stack and it has to be retrieved and run for every bottom
hole assembly (BHA) change out. It has a liquid grease seal around the moving WL and, in
combination with the ULP, LUB and LLP, it constitutes the primary well barrier towards the
well. It is complemented with two static mechanical rubber element seals (Upper Stuffing Box
(USB) and Dual Stuffing Box (DSB)) around the static wire, two MEG injection points (inside
DSB) towards wire for hydrate prevention and a toolcatcher to prevent tool drop down[26].
The PCH cannot be used in CT operations and a solution for this problem is described in section
5.4.6.
4.4.2 Additional Subsea Equipment
4.4.2.1 Subsea Shut-off device (SSD)
The SSD is a 10k and 18 ¾“ ID well control system and is designed to meet the requirements
to be able to shear, seal and control the well in the event of an incident without requiring the
use of a heavy drilling BOP[27]. Its purpose is to provide a secondary well barrier during a
riserless P&A operation. It is similar to the WCP, but the SSD has a larger ID to be able to run
and retrieve tubing/casing/liner or CT/drill pipe with large OD BHA. The SSD is attached to the
XT/WH and on top one can install necessary subsea equipment, e.g. the RLWI stack for CT or
a subsea jacking unit.
The SSD can be installed before the RLWI stack is installed, or it can be installed in a separate
run after the RLWI stack is recovered. The main reason for implementing a SSD is to enable
retrieval of steel tubulars in open water, e.g. production tubing. The ID of the RLWI stack is
too small and its LUB is too short when retrieving steel tubulars, subsequently the RLWI stack
has to be recovered.
This device can be handled from a mono-hull vessel and it is a safety device suitable to use
when well barriers have been installed in the well, i.e. the well is killed/well is in overbalance
(phase 0). The SSD will not be used as the only well control equipment when entering live
wells that are in underbalance. Hence, the RLWI stack is installed on top of the SSD. After
phase 0, one can install the SSD or remove the RLWI stack (depending on the rig up). When
36
working in the well (i.e. after phase 0), the fluid column will act as the primary WB and the
SSD is the secondary WB.
Direct hydraulic umbilical can control the SSD or electrical umbilical’s can be connected to a
HPU (e.g. ROV), which provide the SSD with hydraulic power. In Chapter 5, an alternative setup
where the umbilical is connected to a CT stack will be described. The SSD used in this thesis
consists of the following components[10]:
 18 ¾“ H4 hub interface (to LS, if necessary)

 One annular ram
 4 x 2” ID inlets (for circulation, kill and choke line)
 Double seal/shear ram block (Could add a third ram - Slip ram)
 18 ¾“ H4 connector (to WH)
 Wear sleeve can be installed to reduce ID (avoid CT/DP buckling)
The SSD in Figure 13 is the riserless open wa-

ter abandonment module (ROAM), which is
under development by the Subsea Service Al-
liance[28].
Figure 13: An example of a SSD - The ROAM Abandonment Module[29]
37
4.4.2.2 Riserless Mud Recovery System
During a P&A operation, one might need fluid supply or return (e.g. mud and cuttings, metal
cuttings/swarf, displacement of fluids, ++). To enable this operation riserless, one need to
have a subsea unit that can register if the well is gaining or loosing fluids and facilitate for
circulation, i.e. volume control device. Hence, a level sensor is installed inside the WH inter-
face manifold and camera is equipped on top of the funnel for continuous surveillance of the
mud/fluid level to avoid mud spill to sea. An electric and hydraulic umbilical is connected to
the WH interface manifold to the subsea volume control skid. A second electric and hydraulic
umbilical goes from skid to the surface fluid tank (w/level sensor and feed pump)[16].
Figure 14 is an example of the mud recovery system without riser (MRR) provided by IKM
Cleandrill that could be used in a P&A operation[30]. The riserless mud recovery (RMR®) system
from Enhanced Drilling is used for top-hole drilling. Yet, the basics of fluid and cutting
transport is the same as for the MRR system[31]. (NB! There are typically more compo-
nents/systems than described and illustrated in this section)
Figure 14: Example of a Riserless Mud Recovery System [16]
38
4.4.2.3 Subsea Jacking Unit
A subsea jacking system can be fitted above the SSD (e.g. above the max fluid level of the
volume control system) to assist with sufficient lifting force when unseating tubing hanger
(TH) and/or casing hanger (w/casing hanger seal assembly). In old wells there could be de-
formed casings, sagged mud particles (barite) and other elements that increase the friction
forces when unseating the casing- or tubing hanger. From a RLWI vessels perspective it can be
hard to unseat the TH using main winch only. As this system can grip strings with different
OD’s, one could use this system to hang off strings (e.g. tubing) in a set of pipe slips and the
string could be cut in equal sections in a subsea operation. There are some different, but com-
parable subsea jacking units on the marked. Figure 15 is the Geoprober Gripper Assembly and
is just added to illustrate the concept of such a system described [32].
Figure 15: Geoprober Gripper Assembly [32]
4.4.2.4 Comment
After the preparatory work (phase 0), the idea is to install an assembly to pull steel tubulars.
The SSD could be installed on top of subsea XT or WH (if XT is removed) together with a mud
recovery system. A subsea jacking mechanism can be attached above the SSD and supply the
workstring with extra pulling force.
39
40
5 Riserless Coiled Tubing using RLWI Concept
The CT concept was developed in the early 1960’s and provided the user to do pumping and
mechanical operations[17]. CT is commonly used on platforms for intervention purposes of
wells, but is also used on jack up rigs and semi-subs for intervention on subsea wells[33]. Typical
applications are well cleanouts, selective stimulation and cementing/shutting off water
zones[34]. They can be used for live well interventions with HC present in the well provided
that sufficient barriers are in place.
CT has already been operated riserless from a RLWI vessel (e.g. Core drilling on the Rogfast
project and Pilot Hole on the Butch field), but this operation did not require any well control
equipment or returns of HC[16]. The next and more demanding step is to conventionalize the
concept of performing well interventions on live subsea wells riserless, and more specifically
permanent P&A. The fundamental CT topside equipment is more or less the same for all CT
operations regardless of dry or wet XT.
5.1 Standard CT Equipment and Operation
This is an introduction of the standard CT equipment and operations performed from an in-
tervention unit (semi-sub/jack-up) and a platform. Even though the CT topside equipment is
quite similar, there are some differences in the rig up when comparing subsea and platform
wells.
A CT is a continuous and flexible steel tubular manufactured in predefined lengths and

spooled onto a take-up reel. A traditional CT set up consists of a shear seal ram, BOP, strippers,
injector head, gooseneck, CT reel (c/w string), control cabin, power pack, and pumps [17].
Its main advantage compared to conventional drill pipe is the reduced trip time, safe and ef-
ficient well intervention, reduced crew/personnel requirements, and cost may be significantly
reduced[17]. When tripping in or out a live well, one of the CTs benefits are that it can pump
continuously while tripping and no stops are required to make up connections.
41
Due to the CT pumping and mechanical application, it can be applied in several types of inter-
ventions. There are some subgroups to these two applications that can be applied in a P&A
operation.
Pumping applications for P&A purposes[33]:
- Cutting tubulars with fluid (abrasive cutting)

- Pumping slurry plugs
- Pumping cement plugs
- Run downhole motors
- Zone isolation
- Wash annulus
- Scale removal
- Removal of wax, HC, or hydrate plugs
Mechanical applications for P&A purposes:
- Cutting tubulars (mechanical - hydraulic powered)

- Perforating
- Setting a plug or packer
- Fishing
- Scale removal
When using CT during an intervention, the lowermost part of the topside CT rig up is either
connected to the surface XT or to a surface test tree. The surface test tree is an extension of
the subsea XT, i.e. a workover riser (WOR) w/disconnector is linking the subsea XT to the sur-
face test tree. This type of rig up applies for semi-subs, drillships and it could also be applied
for jack-ups[33]. The CT rig up shall be static during operation. To ensure static conditions on a
moving rig, one have to compensate for the movements. A coiled tubing tension lift frame
accommodates the CT BOP, injector and gooseneck, and this frame is hooked to and compen-
sated by the active heave compensation (AHC) system to keep a constant tension relief at the
base of the WOR. This frame is also accommodated with a heave compensation system as a
backup to the primary AHC system[33].
42
5.2 Riserless Coiled Tubing (RLCT)
The idea of RLCT system is to perform live well interventions and drilling operations. The CT
substitutes the riser; it is now a well barrier element contributing as an element in the well
barrier envelope. As the CT operation is performed riserless, it is subjected to environmental
loads like e.g. sea currents, same as a work over riser (WOR). However, the riserless CT system
has the ability to work in a harsher environment and have a larger operational window than a
conventional WOR from a Monohull vessel. While WOR operations often is limited by the
emergency quick disconnect (EQD) timing and loads on the WH this is not any issue for
riserless CT operations[35].
The benefit of the RLCT system is that it works similar to manage pressure drilling (MPD) op-
erations, the well control package and stripper seals the well and return pressure can be con-
trolled by the choke manifold on the vessel. Depending on fracture pressure of the formation
or existing well casing/tubing there is normally not any requirements for a subsea booster
pump or similar subsea. However, it would be necessary if the pressure loss in annulus and
return hose exceeds the fracture pressure[35]. Using the riserless mud recovery system, de-
scribed in section 4.4.2.2, one can route the returns back to the vessel for separation and
storage. Another option is to route the returns through the production flowline and up to a
platform (production facility).
By removing the WOR the operational criteria’s increases and it will be possible to work in
shallower water depths, and the time to run the WOR and test it is saved. It will also be less
WH fatigue when working on water depths less than 300m, less time devoted to change the
tool string and safer working environment on deck when using the RLCT system [35]. The RLCT
system’s challenges compared to a WOR are:
 Shorter BHA (decided by the length of the lubricator on stack)

 CT string is prone to pinhole or being parted; Critical if not using green chemicals
 Need a hose to facilitate returns from sea bottom to vessel
43
Figure 16: General RLCT equipment on Island Constructor[35]
Figure 17: Existing and new RLCT Equipment[36]
44
Figure 17 is an illustration of the RLCT system and its current status. Most of the equipment
marked as yellow exists at the marked today. Nevertheless, the equipment has never been
used in combination with a CT rig up in open water. As seen in Figure 18, the subsea stripper
is the only equipment that is new. The subsea stripper is developed, but remains to be tested.
The RLWI stack described in 4.4.1 is the existing stack used in WL operations. The new stack
for CT has some small modifications related to safety devices and pressure control and will be
presented in the next section. The purpose of this modification is to allow for both CT and WL
operations without changing the whole stack. This universal stack shall reduce the non-pro-
ductive time when changing from WL to CT.
Figure 18: New and Existing Equipment[31]
45
5.3 Topside Equipment
The main components are listed in section 5.1 and will be applied for an RLCT operation. How-
ever, some of equipment used on a RLWI vessel is not mentioned nor described, and will
therefore have to be explained. Figure 19 illustrates the rig up of the topside equipment used
in an RLCT operation.
The Parking & Service frame is used to park the topside –and subsea injector on main deck
and provide service access to the injector heads by permanent gangways and stairs. The struc-
ture of the frame shall create a safe working environment below the subsea injector when
stabbing coil, installing CT end connector or installing bottom hole assembly (BHA). This frame
is used for skidding the injector heads from its parking positions on aft deck and into the center
of the mono pool. Prior to deployments of the SSI, both injectors, BHA and subsea stripper are
lifted off the parking and service frame. The “lower part” of the parking and service frame will
then be skidded empty out of the tower[35].
During operation the topside injector remains in the tower and is docked into and laterally
guided by the module handling tower’s lower cursor frame.
For safe handling of large toolstrings (BHA), a separate tool handling skid is used.
Figure 19: Overview of the Topside Equipment[32]
46
5.4 RLCT Stack (Subsea Equipment)
The main difference between the existing RLWI system currently used and a new RLCT system
is that the RLCT stack have a lubricator and connectors with higher capacity to handle the
extra load from the coiled tubing head (CTH), control system and safety system for CT opera-
tions, separate return line from the WCP and upgraded main bore valves with cutting capabil-
ities for CT and a pipe slip combination ram. The new RLCT system can be used both for regular
WL operations with PCH installed on top of the lubricator and a CTH for CT operations, which
means that one only have to change the CTH to a PCH. All umbilical’s connected from the stack
to the vessel are fitted with emergency quick disconnect (EQD) to enable a quick disconnect
in case of an event that requires disconnection[35].
5.4.1 XT Adaptor
Will be the same as described in section 4.4.1.1.
5.4.2 Safety Head
This is a cutting valve often named as safety head. It can be either a ram type or gate type
valve. The safety head is only to be actuated in emergency situations and is part of the well
control system, emergency shut down (ESD) and EQD sequence[35].
5.4.3 WCP
The WCP will almost be the same as described in section 4.4.1.2. This safety device acts as the
secondary well barrier during live well intervention. Remember that this safety device is not
the same as the Subsea shut-off device (SSD). The WCP is always used when entering a live
subsea well (underbalanced) and it has a smaller ID.
5.4.4 LLP
Will be the same as described in section 4.4.1.3, but in addition it is accommodated with con-
trol equipment supplying the upper seal/shear ram (USSR), subsea strippers and CT head
(CTH). This LLP is new and modified prior to suit both WL and CT operations.
47
5.4.5 ULP
The ULP on the new RLCT stack contains a lubricator, an upper shear/seal ram (USSR) and
serve as temporary subsea storage of the tool string prior to deployment in the well and after
retrieval from the well. The ULP may also include a safety joint. The terminology used on the
different sections on the new RLCT stack’s are a bit different from what is described in section
4.4.1.3.
5.4.6 Coiled Tubing Head (CTH)
The CTH is the sealing section and subsea injector (SSI), it includes the Stripper, buckling guide,
SSI and subsea emergency quick disconnect (EQD) cutter. The CTH assembly act as a barrier
element in the well control system and provides sealing function (stripper) around the moving
CT string[36]. The subsea EQD cutter is attached on top of SSI and fitted with pre-charged ac-
cumulators to give pressure support to the cutter.
In wireline mode, the CTH is replaced with a PCH that includes flow tubes, stuffing box and
tool catcher.
5.4.7 Additional RLCT Equipment
5.4.7.1 Subsea and Topside Injector
This is a description of both injectors and why they are applied during RLCT operations. When
the CT string is deployed subsea from a RLWI vessel, it has residual stresses distributed in the
material and is not allowed to be deployed fully vertical into the water. The residual stresses
are a result of the material exceeding its yield strength when being operated in the plastic
region from the reel to the topside injector (TSI), i.e. plastic strain (deformation). The CT string
is in tension on one side of its neutral axis and in compression on the other, causing a residual
moment in the tubular. When the CT string leaves the topside injector, it is straightened until
there is no more residual moment. Because the bending cycle’s plastically deforms the CT
string, it will have a curve after leaving the injector. The CT string tends to straighten from the
radius it had been forces to, to its residual radius. Even though the total momentum is zero,
there are still residual stresses resulting in a curved CT string. This curve has a radius, referred
48
to as the radius of curvature. The residual curvature is the reciprocal of the residual radius of
curvature[37].
To avoid the curvature in CT string and risk of buckling, one introduce a second injector. This
injector will be a subsea injector (SSI) and is introduced to enable tension in the CT string
between the topside and subsea injector. Figure 20 illustrates the rig up before it is deployed
subsea. The SSI is assisting with its weight during deployment, assuring that the CT string is
kept straight until it lands on top of ULP. It will be 2-4 tons weight on top of the ULP to avoid
buckling above the SSI. Additional force and weight from the SSI and BHA assures tension in
the CT string.
Figure 20: Topside and Subsea Injectors [35]
A feeder could be mounted on the CT reel to apply tension (reel back tension) between the
reel and topside injector. It is important to keep an adequate back tension to ensure that the
work string is spooled correctly on and off the reel[38].
The SSI is operated identical to a standard injector head after the CTH has been connected to
the ULP. The TSI’s main task is to keep the CT string in constant tension between the injector
heads. The SSI is designed with attention to be as light as possible and to provide enough
pulling force. The SSI and strippers are lowered down as a stack together with the work string,
where the SSI constitutes the uppermost subsea component on a CT stack in an RLCT system.
There are two guide wires that could be installed from the vessel to the guide posts on the
49
permanent guide base (PGB) and two guidewires could be installed on the SSI to keep it in
tension. All four wires are used to easily run and retrieve subsea equipment and to avoid that
the work string and associated equipment get a drift off, but it could also be deployed guide-
line less. It is then latched onto to the ULP and the operation can commence. If changing the
BHA, one have to pull the CTH together with the work string and BHA. When pulling the SSI
and strippers between the runs, one have the ability to visually inspect the equipment [35].
The topside and subsea injectors have the same functionalities, but the SSI is designed to
withstand external loads and it shall provide the CT string with snubbing force. The topside
injector’s main task is to keep the CT string with a constant tension. Hence, it have to cooper-
ate with the SSI and the AHC system.
5.4.7.2 Strippers
The strippers (stuffing box) are designed to create a

dynamic seal around the work string and are the pri-
mary well control device during a CT operation. Its
purpose is to seal around the work string while run-
ning in or pulling out of the well. For an RLCT system
SSI is attached on top of the strippers and ran as an
assembly together with the work string. The assembly
is then installed on top of the CT stack. Each stripper
consist of an independent hydraulically actuated
packers mounted on top of each other. This rig up
consist of three individual strippers and are typically
pressure rated up to 10,000 psi. By having more than
one individual stripper, one increase its reliability; i.e.
two packers are active during operation, while the
other is held in reserve (deactivated). When the sub-
sea stripper is activated during operation; the first Figure 21: Cross sectional view of a stripper rig up [35]
and uppermost packer element shall work as an envi-

ronmental seal to avoid seawater intrusion, second packer element shall seal and work as the
primary barrier when, and the third packer element shall act as a backup in case of failure.
50
Each packer element can be changed topside to be compatible with different pipe sizes or if
they are damaged/worn out. Subsea strippers have never been used and there is an uncer-
tainty of the packer elements expected lifetime during operation[10].
The subsea stripper will act as the primary barrier during live well intervention and as a sec-
ondary barrier if used during P&A, i.e. abnormal pressure and/or hydrocarbons in the annuli
(e.g. A-, B – or C-annulus) during cut and pull of casing strings.
5.4.8 Rig Up Sequence and Deployment of RLCT Stack
This is a basic description of an RLCT rig up and should give an overview of how it is deployed.
It is designed to be deployed as one unit and guideline less. The RLCT stack is deployed in two
runs, i.e. the well control system (WCS) in the first run and the CTH or PCH in the second run.
Deployment of WCS
- Skid WCS into moonpool and connect running tool (RT) to main winch and engage
lower cursor frame for lateral guiding of WCS
- Lift WCS free of skidding pallet, skid pallet out of moonpool
- Open moonpool hatches and deploy GW if req.
- Deploy XT adapter and Well Control System as one assembly.
- Land Assembly on XT, disconnect RT and lock connector.
- Connect umbilical
- Flush out seawater and Barrier test WCS
Deployment of PCH or CTH (CTH used as reference)
- Skid CTH into moonpool
- Build BHA and connect to CT quick connector
- Lift PCH or CTH off parking and service frame
- Skid parking and service frame away from moonpool
- Open moonpool hatches and deploy GW if req.
51
- Deploy CTH and land out on top of ULP
- Connect ROV to CTH and function test
- Flush out seawater from CTH with MEG
- Barrier test CTH connector and stripper.
After all the tests are successfully completed, the system is ready for opening valves and start
deploying BHA into the well.
5.5 Summary of the Intervention Stacks used in this Thesis.

Since there are different types of intervention stacks described in this thesis, a short sum-
mary will be presented.
- The present RLWI stack used on Island Constructor is delivered by FMC Technologies
(FMC Mark II system) and provides WL operations.
- The new RLCT stack is a universal stack, meaning it shall allow CT – and WL opera-
tions by changing out the PCH/CTH. This stack is under development and designed to
be used on Island Offshores new vessel, Island Navigator. However, without any mod-
ifications it could also be applied on Island Constructor.
- The intention is to modify the existing RLWI stack used on Island Constructor to allow
both WL – and CT operations.
5.6 Comments
The existing RLWI stack and the new RLCT stack are both designed with an ID of 71/16” and it
can limit the operational scope of work during an P&A operation. One possibility is to modify
the new RLCT stack by removing the WCP and replace it with the SSD to be able to retrieve
tubing/casing, run larger OD tools or other equipment through the stack and well control
equipment. The SSD has an 18¾” ID and with a ULP and LLP with the same ID one have full
wellbore access. Section 11.3 is a base case where this re-design of the RLCT stack has been
implemented. Note that the existing equipment supports general WL operations with the abil-
ity to circulate wellbore.
52
6 Typical P&A procedure of subsea wells on the NCS
P&A operations of subsea wells are currently PP&A by semi-subs or jack-ups, but some of the
phases are or can be performed by a RLWI vessel. In this chapter, an example of a P&A oper-
ation with the provided technology and operational experience is given to illustrate present
practice of PP&A. The example is based on the current practice and experience of a RLWI
vessels application to conduct phase 0 and 3.
6.1 Well X
Well X is an old subsea single satellite well that is shut-in due to low revenue and therefore no
or little turnover. The well is fitted with a pipeline from XT to production facility on the host
platform. Since this is not removed, one can use this pipeline to transport fluid returns. This
subsea well is an oil producer and the formations in the overburden has no flowing potential.
All WBE’s are within the requirements and the two required WB envelopes are intact. A pres-
sure and temperature gauge is located a few meters above the production packer.
It is important to clarify that this well is just an example and the basic steps are shown chron-
ologically. Figure 23 is a self-drawn storyboard of the operational sequences for this operation,
created with the well barrier schematic illustration tool owned by WellBarrier AS(2).
6.1.1 Phase 0
The preparatory work is performed with a RLWI vessel and the following operational steps is
an example of how to execute this phase.
- Retrieve tree cap and clean WH

- Install RLWI Stack (FMC Mark II system)
- (If it is a HXT, one would have to remove the crown plugs now to be able to enter the
well)
- Drift run
- Kill well by bullheading MEG/Seawater into well prior to setting deep set plug
2
Wellbarrier AS - https://www.wellbarrier.com
53
- Set Mechanical Plug in tailpipe using WL and leak test plug and tubing
- Cut Tubing above production packer
- Circulate annulus and main bore; fluid return through A-annulus and the annulus
wing valve (AWV) and sent to production facility topside via production pipeline.
- Leak test the primary barrier(production packer and deep set plug) from above
- Set plug in tubing hanger (annulus plug is also necessary if it is a VXT) and pressure
test registering
- Retrieve Stack
- If it is a VXT, this could be removed at this point (together with the Stack)
- Install corrosion cap and net cover
6.1.2 Phase 1
This is the reservoir abandonment and is conducted with a semi-sub.
- Rig up BOP and riser

- Retrieve shallow set plugs
- Pull tubing w/DP and THERT
- Logging of 9⅝” csg may be required. In this case, the old cement bond log (CBL)
shows good quality cement.
- RIH with cement stinger on DP and install the primary well barrier inside the 9⅝” csg
on top of the mechanical plug.
- Wait on Cement (WOC)
- Tag top of cement (pressure test not necessary – foundation (plug) is pressure tested)
- Install the secondary well barrier inside the 9⅝” csg with the cement stinger
- WOC
- Tag top of cement
- POOH
54
6.1.3 Phase 2
Many wells have formations with flowing potential in the overburden and requires independ-
ent WBs to fulfill the given requirements in NORSOK D-010. This is not included in this exam-
ple, but the installation of the open hole to surface barrier is a part of this phase and will be
covered. This phase is conducted by a semi-sub.
1. RIH with a mechanical/hydraulic cutter on DP and cut & pull 9⅝” csg 150m below WH
2. Circulate out new exposed fluid (e.g. residual HC)
3. RIH with a mechanical/hydraulic cutter on DP and cut & pull 13⅜” csg 145m below
WH
4. Circulate out new exposed fluid (e.g. residual HC) and clean up well
5. Logging of 20” csg may be required. In this case, the old CBL shows good quality ce-
ment.
6. Install mechanical plug above 13⅜” csg cut.
7. Install a balanced cement plug (Open hole to Surface Barrier)
8. WOC
9. Tag and Pressure test
10. Pull marine riser and BOP
11. Install corrosion cap and net cover
6.1.4 Phase 3
This phase could be conducted by a RLWI vessel. In order to reduce the costs, this phase is
conducted with a light construction vessel (LCV) because of its lower day rate. It is a straight
forward wireline and lifting operation without the requirement of well control equipment.
Hence, a LCV is sufficient during phase 3.
- Removal of corrosion cap and net cover

- RIH with a mechanical/hydraulic/electrical cutter and cut casing strings below WH
(approx. 3-5m below seabed)
- Retrieve the WH and casing strings (surface csg and conductor)
- Inspection with ROV
55
6.1.5 WBS of the Operational Sequence
The WBS illustrates the status of the well, either during operation or how it is left before or
after the operation. It is important to know which WBE that constitutes the WB envelope to
ensure a safe and efficient operation. The Primary WB is the first envelope that enclosure the
reservoir pressure and the secondary WB is the last possible option to close in the well avoid-
ing reservoir pressure to reach the surface (e.g. Blind/Shear ram on a BOP). The third WBS is
a good example where the primary – and secondary WB are illustrated. Hence, all the upcom-
ing WBSs in the base cases will be illustrated with its primary WB and its last optional second-
ary WB.
Figure 22: P&A Storyboard 1
56
Figure 23: P&A Storyboard 2
57
58
7 Material Selection
To ensure a good quality permanent WB job, one have to consider several placement issues:
- Place the plug at the correct location

- Prevent cement contamination
- Ensure sufficient thickening time at downhole temperature to complete the place-
ment and well cleanup
- Ensure that pressure and mechanical strength limits are not exceeded during all
stages
These bullet points are considered as objectives during the cement job evaluation[39]. One of-
ten refer to cement jobs, but keep in mind that there are other materials than cement to be
used as a permanent WB.
There are several tools and techniques for placing a permanent WB:
- Balanced plug (cement spool, through tubing cementing)

- Dump bailer (typical WL)
- Pump and squeeze
- Two-plug method (for maximum accuracy and minimum cement contamination)
- Mechanically supported method (with jet-hole cleaning)
- Flexible bags
- Inflatable through-tubing packers
- Umbrella-shaped membranes
- Coiled tubing placement (economical method to accurately place small volumes of ce-
ment slurry)
7.1 Plugging Materials
There are several suppliers of plugging materials in the world and the mutual characteristics
of these materials are, with reference to section 2.2.2, that they shall provide long term integ-
rity (eternal perspective), be impermeable, non-shrinking, able to withstand mechanical
59
loads/impact, resistant to chemicals/substances, ensure bonding to steel and not be harmful

to the steel tubulars integrity[4].
It is important to understand the properties of the material used as a permanent WB to ensure

no leakages in the future. Figure 24 shows the potential leak paths in and around a bulk ma-
terial[40]. These root causes for leakages shall be considered in the initial design of a new plug-
ging material. There are several material types for permanent WB that can be applied during
a P&A operation and these are[41]:
 Cement/Ceramics
 Grouts (non-setting)
 Thermosetting polymers and composites
 Thermoplastic polymers and composites
 Formation
 Gels
 Glass
 Metals
Figure 24: Barrier failure modes [40]
7.1.1 Cement
Cement is the most common material to use during well operations and its properties are well
known compared to other materials. The conventional cement used on the NCS (and in the
world) is Portland cement class G. The reason for that is its responsiveness for various addi-
tives to change the properties of cement slurry (i.e. setting time, density, accelerators, retard-
ers, etc.) and it is a low cost material[42].
Portland cement, Class G, is mostly used in offshore wells because it sets and develop com-
pressive strength through hydration, not by drying out. The density of the cement can be ad-
justed and a typical cement slurry has a density of 1890 kg/m3 [42]. If the fracture pressure is
low, one can use a cement slurry with low density. Either a low density cement slurry as e.g.
a lead cement is used or one could add nitrogen to create foam cement[43].
60
7.1.2 Thermal Activated Resins
This multicomponent polymer resin based liquid plugging material has a curing process acti-
vated by temperature. It has an advantage over traditional cement that it has a wider density
range (0.75 to 2.5 SG) and its curing process and curing time can be adjusted to suit the pre-
determined temperatures (20 – 150 ˚C) of formation or the location of the plug[44].
Due to its ability to be designed in a range of densities and viscosities, and since it holds me-
chanical properties that are favorable in terms of the criteria of a permanent plug, it has ap-
plications that could be advantageous during placement of both external - and internal barri-
ers[44].
7.1.3 Unconsolidated Materials
To get a fracture-less and formable well barrier element that is gas-tight, one can use uncon-
solidated material. An unconsolidated material such as SandaBand is thermodynamically sta-
ble because its sealing property is decided by the solids particle-size distribution (PSD) and
bound water only. No influx through the wellbore will occur due to the closely packed particles
and absence of free water that keeps the entire column homogeneous and assures that no
internal redistribution of particles may occur. As a Bingham Fluid, it can be pumped as a liquid
and turn non rigid solid when reaching its depth of placement[45].
For P&A purposes, this sand-slurry could be applied as the primary well barrier during phase
1 or as an external barrier where there is no cement. It does not require to be tagged and the
period of waiting for cement curing is eliminated. The contamination issues and other factors
does not affect the critical transition period before sufficient compressive strength is
achieved. The sand-slurry can be placed by pumping it through a pipe or hose without too
large restrictions (e.g. choke or nozzles) into the reservoir zone. To hold the slurry in place,
one can install a few meters of cement on top (i.e. increased reliability of the long term integ-
rity)[45].
7.1.4 Metal
Casing strings are defined as a WBE in a permanent WB. However, there is a new field proven
metal plug that could be used in a P&A operation. This metal plug, the so-called Wel-Lok M2M
61
plug, is a bismuth based alloy and is developed by BiSN Oil Tools. This metal plug has viscosity
similar to water, it expands like ice, density of lead (10 SG) and it is corrosion resistant [46].
It is ran on standard WL or CT and can by-pass restrictions in casing, cope with damaged and
corroded casing, not affected by H2S, acid or CO2, it is a gas tight metal to metal seal and it
can be set without the need of any foundation[46].
When the assembly is located at its position in the well, one initiate a chemical reaction that
increases the temperature substantially and melts the bismuth. The bismuth melts at 271˚C
and turn to solid once the temperature reduces by 1˚C[46].
These applications could be beneficial when there is a restriction in the wellbore, preventing
a bridge plug to be installed for P&A – or TA purposes.
7.1.5 Formation
There are some cases where shale formation has been used as an approved external well bar-
rier element[47]. This excludes the use of cement and can reduce the cost of operation in terms
of materials and time. The shale experiences high overburden pressure, which exceeds its for-
mation strength and results in collapse. This collapse can create a good vertical seal towards
the casing, but it can be difficult to confirm it with bonding logs.
Due to high uncertainty if the shale formation act as a barrier or not when planning for P&A,
this type of barrier will not be covered in this thesis work.
62
8 P&A Methods
There are different ways to establish permanent WB during a P&A operation. A key factor is
to utilize the knowledge of applicable technologies to reduce the total expenditures of the
operation. Each subsea well can be challenging to P&A, requiring a specific method and/or
technology to be P&A in a prudent manner. There are several suppliers of equipment and
tools that can be applied in a P&A operation to reduce the duration. The appropriate method
or combination of methods is chosen as a result of the evaluation of logs and the condition of
the well. This chapter will only describe the field proven technology that are currently used
on subsea wells.
8.1 Cut and Pull Casing
During a P&A operation and after the production tubing is recovered, there are some cases
where one or several casings would have to be removed. A casing string is removed to expose
the next casing or formation, prior to conduct logging, set a permanent WB or prepare for cut
and pull the next casing. The WB can be set into virgin formation by removing casing(s) or as
an internal WBE towards the new exposed casing with verified external cement. The risk of
pressure differentials and/or possible leak paths will therefore be reduced due to casing re-
moval. Collapsed formation, settled mud particles, or traces of cement because of poor ce-
ment job are some factors that can be challenging during cut and pull of casing strings.
Sometimes a casing string need to be removed to be able to access, log and verify good ce-
ment. The industry tries to develop new technologies to make it possible to log through sev-
eral casing strings. Such technology has not been invented or proven, but there are companies
that are doing research within that field. The industry can reduce the P&A expenses dramati-
cally by inventing a multiple casing string logging tool.
The casing string is cut with a designated tool for the respective job and pulled out of the hole.
The transition between annulus cement and fluid in annulus needs to be located, referred to
as the free point. One might find it impossible to pull a casing string out of the hole if the
executed cut is in the annulus cement zone. The free point can be found by performing a
stretch test when pulling the casing string or by logging the cement[48]. Old information about
63
TOC in annulus can be misleading due to miscalculations regarding cement volume and the
TOC can therefore be at a lower depth than given. Normally the first cut is performed with a
safety margin (over the given TOC in annulus) and the casing string is removed if possible. If
the casing string is stuck it has to be cut and pulled in several steps. This will lead to increased
tripping time and costs due to a higher time consumption.
Before the casing can be cut and pulled, some safety measurements have to be done in order
to reduce the risks associated with casing removal. A normal procedure is to punch the casing
at the depth of the cut to ensure that there is no trapped HC. A fixed volume can be circulated
out. If a constant inflow of HC occurs, one have to stop the inflow before the cut and pull can
commence. The cut can be performed if the well conditions are stable. Subsequently the cas-
ing hanger seal assembly is retrieved in a separate run and then a spear can latch into the
casing and pull it out of the well.
8.2 Section Milling (SM)
The casing string might not be possible to pull in cases where the casing string is e.g. fully or
partly cemented or stuck due to obstructions in annulus. SM is the method to create a cross-
sectional barrier towards direct exposed formation where the annular material disqualifies as
an annular barrier[49].
To remove a section of casing strings (e.g. casing, liner, tubing, packer), SM is applied. The
required section of casing string is milled out with designated tools at the desired depth. The
tool is lowered into the wellbore and hydraulic pressure is increased to extend the cutting
blades. The tool is rotated and the process of milling is initiated[48].
The milled section needs to be cleaned out by washing the open hole when the desired section
is milled. It is important to wash the section to remove swarf and debris. The formation will
be exposed and the open-hole section is circulated clean to ensure good bonding between
the formation and cement plug.
There are many challenges that can occur during a milling operation. It is a time consuming
and complex operation where swarf handling, fluid properties, formation exposure and dam-
aged well control equipment are some of the main considerations[50]:
64
 Swarf handling
 Sufficient hole cleaning
 Open hole exposure
 Low milling speed
 Vibrations
 Wear on mill
 Milling of multiple casing strings
Swarf handling is considered the main challenge with SM. Milling creates metal cuttings, called
swarf, and can be stuck as it is transported up to the surface. When cuttings get stuck, referred
to as “bird nest”, they can restrict the flow and SM tools can get stuck during retrieval. Swarf
will often accumulate in areas with reduced annular velocity, which can be at the liner hanger,
BOP and marine riser. Mud will push the swarf towards the surface, which can plug the BOP if
present during the milling operation. This prevents the use of critical equipment and can be a
safety hazard in case of a kick. It is important to clean the wellbore to remove all swarf and
debris, especially in the BOP after milling out a section[48].
It is also possible to mill out several casing strings in one run. If the casing strings are not
centralized due to large off sets, the milling operation has to be done carefully. Figure 25 il-
lustrates off set casings in a well.
Figure 25: Necessary sweep during section milling of multiple casings[51]
65
8.3 Perforate, Wash and cement
The perforate, wash and cement system (PWC®) is an alternative to the conventional method
of SM. This system perforates and washes the selected casing or liner section before inserting
cement into the annuli. By performing such an operation, one will establish a permanent rock-
to-rock barrier. The PWC tool, HydraHemera, can wash behind two casings and set one plug
in two runs[52].
The tubing-conveyed perforating (TCP) guns (w/HydraKratos) are pulled out of hole after per-
foration and replaced with the HydraHemera system, which is illustrated in Figure 26. The
HydraHemera system consist of a bullnose for circulation in the bottom, the Hemera jetting
tool with angled nozzles for washing behind both casings, the Hemera cementing tool and the
Archimedes cementing tool for centralization and to squeeze cement into the annuli [53].
It is always wise to conduct a logging

run to determine where the best-
suited intervals are situated. The
best suited interval is where the
smallest amount of cement is lo-
cated or at TOC[53]. After perforating
the casing(s) the TCP guns are
dropped in a rat hole below the per-
forations or retrieved if unable to be Figure 26: HydraHemera[53]
dropped. The perforated area is

washed with the washing tool to remove debris, old mud, old cuttings, barite and cement
traces. Once the annular space is washed, the present fluid is displaced by spacer fluid to en-
sure good bonding and no contamination when inserting cement[53]. Verification of cement
has to be done when the cement job is finished. On a field where this technology has not been
used before, the operator normally requires that the internal cement plug is drilled out to be
verified by logging.
66
The HydraKratos can be attached to the bottom of

the TCP guns to ensure a solid base for the upcom-
ing annulus cement barrier (external WBE). The Hy-
draKratos ensures casing expansion and casing to
formation wall fit [53]. Figure 27 illustrates the result
of the job performed by HydraKratos.
Figure 27: TCP guns w/HydraKratos[53]
8.4 Open Hole Cement Plug
Setting an open hole cement plug is an easy and standard operation. There are two scenarios
where an open hole cement plug is installed and comprises:
 Open-hole formation plug

o Cross-sectional cement plug bonding to the formation
 After SM
 After Cut and pull (if exposed formation behind casing)
 Applies for wells designed as open hole below the production casing
 Internal cement plug (ICP)
o Cross-sectional cement plug bonding to the inside of the casing (Requires veri-
fied barrier outside of the casing).
Good cement job planning is required to set a good quality cement plug. The most common
method to perform an open-hole cement plug is the balanced method. This method requires
a foundation in the well onto which a cement plug can be placed. The foundation is most likely
a mechanical plug or a specially designed liquid fluid.
67
A work string with a cement stinger in the bottom-end is run down the hole to be able to place
the cement in the wellbore at the desired depth. A balanced plug can be set by pumping ce-
ment slurry through the work string with a spacer fluid in front and behind. The spacer fluid
must be compatible with the cement and any other well fluids that might be downhole. The
reason for using a spacer fluid is to ensure no contamination when the cement contacts with
other fluids that can affect the design properties of the cement. Another reason for using
spacer fluid is to clean the pipe in front of the cement and displace all previous liquid in the
well[54].
68
9 Riserless P&A Scenarios
9.1 P&A Challenges of Subsea Wells using a RLWI vessel
Before describing the base cases, one need to address the key challenges of P&A operations
using a RLWI vessel. Some of the challenges presented are also regarded as general challenges
of P&A operations.
9.1.1 Production Tubing
It is not a requirement that one shall remove the production tubing, but it is usually removed
due to the subsequent requirements related to the potential leak paths and upcoming
work[55]. The production tubing is normally pressure tested against deep set plug to verify
tubing integrity for the upcoming job. If the tubing is leaking, the current practice is to retrieve
it.
The position of the permanent WBs are one of the most important factors. If the external
cement cannot be verified with good quality cement logs from previous operations, one have
to pull the tubing to be able to log the cement behind the production casing. Some operating
companies have company specific requirements/guidelines that requires updated cement
bond logs, which results in the necessity of pulling the production tubing.
Another reason for pulling the production tubing is the control cables
that are attached/clamped along the tubing itself. The position of the
permanent WB might be in an area where the control cables are lo-
cated. These flatpacked control cables consists of hydraulic and elec-
tric lines enclosed with a polymeric protection, allowing measure-
ment, control and regulation of downhole equipment. Figure 28
shows a typical control line with two braided wires (increased
Figure 28: Control line from
strength), one hydraulic line and one electric line. The hydraulic line the workshop to Island Off-
shore Subsea
causes problems because the fluid conduit is a potential vertical leak
path. There are several solutions of cutting the control line, but there are no field proven so-
lutions for control line removal. DrillWell did a full-scale experiment in 2016 to see the poten-
tial of setting a cement plug with tubing and control lines in place. This experiment showed
69
that it was possible to get a good cement job in annulus when the tubing was left in hole. It
also showed that the presence of control lines did not represent any additional leakage paths
after it was cemented[56]. However, by applying this method offshore one are more prone to
cement contamination and a poor cement job due to a longer cement transport. This method
is not field-tested and for that reason, one have to pull the production tubing to remove the
control lines.
9.1.1.1 Production Tubing Retrieval
To be able to retrieve the production tubing, one need a tool that can be locked into the TH
and unlock the TH from the WH or XT. Several tools are suited to retrieve the TH and the
tubing itself. However, it all depends on the supplier of the well completion and production
system. There are two methods to unlock the TH, i.e. hydraulically and mechanical. The me-
chanical method requires torque to activate its locking mechanism and is not applicable if
recovering the TH with CT or WL, unless it is equipped with hydraulically or electrical driven
tools that can rotate and supply enough torque.
During TH installation, one need to orientate the TH regardless of VXT or HXT:
HXT – An alignment key assures that the side production bore on the TH aligns towards the
production bore inside the HXT.
VXT – An alignment key enters a key slot in the drilling BOP and the TH is correctly oriented
prior to lock it into the WH.
All fields are using field specific tools and equipment that are designed for their wells. There
are three tools that could be applied when retrieving the TH without the use of drill pipe, and
both are hydraulically activated;
Tubing hanger emergency release tool (THERT) – This tool is only used to retrieve the TH and
is not accommodated with any seal stabs 3. It is RIH and hydraulically locked to the tubing
hanger running tool (THRT) locking profile inside the TH by increasing the internal pressure.
Simultaneously the collet fingers on the THERT locks onto the upper lock mandrel (lock ring
3
Seal Stabs: Seals between a tubing hanger running tool or XT and tubing hanger to activate hydraulic functions
70
actuating sleeve). As the pull is initiated, the upper lock mandrel is retracted until the lock ring
on the TH towards the WH/HXT is unseated. We are now free and can pull the TH and produc-
tion tubing while replacing the displaced fluid[57].
THERT, mechanically operated – This tool is today used on drill pipe to unlock and retrieve the
TH. The tool is RIH and accommodated in the TH with some weight, then it is rotated 3.5 turns
to lock onto TH and simultaneously lock the collet fingers to the upper lock mandrel. As the
pull is initiated, the outer body of the THERT moves away from the main body to unseat the
lock ring towards the WH/HXT. The outer body stops in some profiles in the main body, subse-
quently the TH and production tubing can be pulled[57]. It will require an additional compo-
nent that can rotate If using this tool without drill pipe.
Tubing hanger running tool (THRT) – This tool is normally used for TH installation, but can also
be used to retrieve the TH. Because it has seal stabs, it will require orientation if the well is
completed with a VXT. If the well has conducted phase 0, one is not dependent on seal stabs
ensuring separate hydraulic communication to main bore and annulus. One solution is to re-
move the seal stabs and regardless of orientation, one lock onto the TH and unlock the TH from
the WH. Its retrieval method is almost the same as for the THERT. However, there are several
hydraulic lines, connected to the hydraulic connectors on top of the THRT, which engage and
disengage the lock and unlock functions. When the TH is unlocked from the WH/HXT the TH
and production tubing can be pulled while replacing the displaced fluid. To make it clear, if
using this tool the seal stabs would have to be removed in order to avoid orientation. The THRT
is more of an installation tool and is not design to withstand the same loads, i.e. approximately
50 % reduction in pulling capacity[58].
Tubing hanger running and orientation tool (THROT) – This tool is used to install the TH and
tubing. The reason is that it has an orientation system that allows for annulus and tubing bore
access with its 2” annulus bore and 5” tubing bore. This tool is not included in this thesis to
retrieve TH and tubing, but to allow for annulus and tubing bore access to run wireline in order
to retrieve annulus and tubing hanger plugs. It has a key slot that matches the orientation pin
in the SSD to ensure correct orientation when installing it on top of TH[57].
The THRT/THERT can be run on the main winch in the module handling tower (MHT), which
on the Island Constructor is limited to 200 ton safe working load (SWL) pulling capacity. A
71
subsea jacking unit can be used as a contingency in case the tubing and the overpull exceeds
the safe working load (SWL). This should be decided in the initial phase of the operation. Be-
tween the THRT/THERT and main winch, one must have an assembly, landing string, consisting
of a lifting sub, hydraulic connections, pup joint and x-over to tool. As the tubing is going to
be retrieved, the Subsea shutoff device (SSD) must be used during this operation. The reason
for that is to accommodate the tools and subsequently the tubing. The SSD has an ID of 18 ¾”
and shall provide a safe retrieval operation. One consideration must be taken when rigging up
the assembly; Since the SSD will be used during this operation, one must assure the correct
space out prior to seal around the landing string with the annular preventer. The landing string
itself must also be long enough to be able to mount a jacking unit above the SSD. Since we are
using hydraulically activated THRT or THERT, one does not require any fixed orientation to the
TH (seal stabs removed on THRT). Nevertheless, the mechanical THERT needs rotation to be
activated and a subsea thong above the SSD or subsea jacking unit is most likely needed.
The THRT and THERT are conventional tools, but one problem is that the landing string will
have to be developed. Every part on the landing string, except the thick walled pup joint with
predrilled holes and treads to transport hydraulic fluids, exists on the marked. It would not be
a comprehensive nor expensive development and should be possible. The hydraulically THRT
and THERT in Figure 29 is a self-made landing string and will be used in my upcoming base
cases.
Figure 29: Hydraulically THRT & THERT w/proposed assembly
72
9.1.2 Verify Good Quality Cement Behind Casing-strings
Prior to set an internal WB in the casing string, one have to evaluate and ensure that the ex-
ternal WBE (i.e. annulus cement) consist of good quality cement and provides the required
length. A great number of subsea wells were not logged during its construction due to the
priority of saving money by reducing the time of operation. Today there are two options; use
the existing cement bond logs (CBL) for that specific well or run a new CBL.
Bond logs are run to determine the[39];
 cement to casing bonding

 cement to formation bonding
 Evaluation of cement conditions
o Channeling
o Compromised cement (i.e. gas cut, dehydrated, etc.)
o TOC
o Microannulus
This is not a technical introduction to the different CBL tools and how it work. But rather an
emphasis of the importance of qualifying external WBs and the consequences of not having
logged the exterior.
If the primary –or secondary WB is to be set in the production casing, one have to examine
previous CBL to see where there is sufficient length (min. 30m MD) with good cement to act
as an external WBE before installing an internal WBE. In cases where the external WBE is un-
verified, one must perform a logging run. If the production tubing is in place, this will have to
be retrieved at this stage in order log behind the production casing. Since there are no logging
tools that can log through more than one casing string, we might end up cutting and pulling
several casing strings prior to log and confirm external WBE during a P&A operation.
9.1.2.1 Annulus Barrier Establishment
Old wells were not designed with respect to P&A and although the casings in the well where
cemented at the position for the upcoming P&A job, the cement job could be of poor quality.
73
The establishment of annular barriers will commence after phase 0 and will be a part of phase
1 and 2.
A-annulus is never cemented during well completion, but could be cemented when establish-
ing permanent WBs in a P&A operation, e.g. Production tubing left in place. The prerequisite
is that the external cement on the production casing/liner has good quality cement verified
by former cement bond logs. The conventional method is to retrieve the production tubing in
phase 1.
If installing a permanent WB at a depth where the B –and C-annulus are not logged or have
no cement, the tubing has to be retrieved. In addition, one might have to do a remedial ce-
ment job, section milling or cut and pull casing strings. Since the P&A operation will be per-
formed from a RLWI vessel, one would try to avoid doing section milling or/and cut and pull
of casing strings. The remedial cement job embraces the establishment of good quality ce-
ment in B –and C-annulus, which together with an internal permanent WB creates a WB en-
velope in the entire cross section. There are different technologies and methods to establish
annulus barriers and a common issue is that they are all time consuming.
9.1.3 Cut and Pull Casing Strings
A description of why one have to cut and pull casing strings is given in chapter 8, but technical
challenges related to this operation is not thoroughly disclosed. Regardless of unit performing
PP&A, cut and pull of casing strings are to be avoided if possible. Companies could reduce
their expenditures if the subsea well could be PP&A without retrieving any steel tubulars.
However, many wells will have to retrieve/remove casing strings prior to establishing an an-
nular barrier or to perform a CBL ensuring good quality cement.
Both intermediate casings and the production casing have a casing hanger that are hung off
inside the subsea WH. The casing hanger’s OD is almost equal to the ID of the WH. Regardless
of this tight fit, a casing hanger seal assembly must be installed to lock the casing hanger and
to seal off vertically.
If parts of the production casing have to be cut and pulled, one have unlock and retrieve the
casing hanger seal assembly prior to retrieving the casing hanger and casing. A casing hanger
74
seal assembly retrieval tool is used to latch into the seal assembly. By applying a straight ver-
tical pull, the seal assembly unlocks from the casing hanger and subsea WH. A pull spear can
be used to lock into the casing/casing hanger and retrieve it to surface. Some types of casing
hanger seal assemblies requires rotation to be retrieved and will require additional equipment
to enable rotation.
As mentioned in chapter 8, the pulling force can be of great numbers due to external materials
that exert high frictional forces. By assuming that the casing is free to be pulled, one have to
consider other elements that cause friction and thus a higher pulling force:
 Corrosion on casing hanger or inside the WH, resulting in a restriction when pulling
the casing hanger out of the WH or/and requires high over pull to release it.
 Asymmetric pull (i.e. not vertical) increases the pulling force (Vessel drift off)
 Might be some small frictional forces due to the closed annular preventer
 High dogleg severity and deviated wellbore trajectory could increase the frictional
force.
9.1.4 Establish Open Hole to Surface Plug
The open hole to surface plug is the last barrier towards the environment and is set to avoid
shallow inflows. This is more of an environmental WB and it has no depth requirements with
respect to formation integrity. This surface plug generates a lot of extra work because it typi-
cally requires the tubing to be retrieved. The reason for that one typically have to cut and pull
the 9⅝” and the 13⅜” casing to get access to the 20” casing.
It is common that the 9⅝” production casing and 13⅜” intermediate casing have no cement
at the setting depth of the surface plug. One typically have to establish external barriers in B
– and C annulus. The scope of work depends on whether the casing or casings have been
removed prior to set primary and secondary WB. Hence, depending on the case, one, two or
no annuli have to be cemented to make sure that the surface barrier seals horizontally.
There are several scenarios and all of them requires a good cement job planning and execution
in order to provide sufficient integrity. Well abandonment straddle packer (WASP), Suspended
75
well abandonment tool (SWAT) and cementing adaptor tool (CAT) are all designed to establish
an open hole to surface barrier from a RLWI vessel.
9.1.4.1 Well Abandonment Straddle Packer - WASP
This tool from Baker Hughes is used without a riser

and run on wireline, thus providing less deployment
time. It is deployed from a vessel and lands and seats
in the high pressure wellhead. In a single trip, it pro-
vides isolation and allows for perforating, circulating
out old mud from behind the casing strings, and
placement of external (across casing annuli) and in-
ternal cement plug. It is designed to cement two an-
nuli in one trip[59].
The system is accommodated with two separate in-

flatable packers for isolation and to allow circulation
and fluid returns. It also has two pairs of selective
perforation guns to establish the first and second an- Figure 30: WASP tool from Baker Hughes [60]
nulus cement in two sequences. There are three tub-

ing-retrievable subsea safety valves to aid securing the well if emergency shut-in is required.
Hence, it can disconnect and leave the tool in case of emergency.
Operational sequence: Deploy tool and inflate packers towards casing. Pressure test to con-
firm pressure integrity. Perforate casing with lower and upper perforation gun and circulate
annulus between production and intermediate casing with clean up pill prior to set cement.
When the cement has set, perforate through production casing, cement and intermediate
casing with the second upper and lower perforation guns prior to circulate and cement in the
outer annulus. The cement is placed both external and internal in the last stage[60]. Wait on
cement and pressure test to 500 psi[4].
76
9.1.4.2 Suspended Well Abandonment Tool - SWAT
The SWAT tool from Claxton engineering is also used to estab-

lish an open hole to surface plug on subsea wells by using a RLWI
vessel and wireline. SWAT was the first abandonment tool to
establish a surface plug and it was introduced on the UK sector
in 1996[61].
SWAT and WASP are two tools that provide the same result and
are run in the same way. The operational sequence of the SWAT
tool is equal to the WASP. Both tools are served with an umbili-
cal on top the tool to allow fluid injection and return.
This tool are mainly used on exploration wells and has little ex-
perience on production wells[62].
Figure 31: SWAT tool from Claxton

Engineering [61]
9.1.4.3 Cementing Adaptor Tool – CAT
The CAT tool can be used to establish the open hole to surface barrier, but it can also be ap-
plied to install the primary – and secondary WB. As the previous described tools, this tool can
also be used to set a WB in one or two annuli. This tool can be run together with the RLWI
stack, providing full well control in case of hydrocarbon influx or pressure build-up. The CAT is
still under development and its design could change before being approved and introduced to
the marked.
The CAT tool consist of a cement adaptor spool and a cement stinger. The cement adaptor
spool is installed on top of WH or HXT. The cement stinger is run inside the well control equip-
ment prior to be landed and locked into the cement adaptor spool. The cement stinger have
two setups. Either it can be accommodated with a packer to seal towards the casing prior to
circulate cleanup pills and cement (open hole to surface plug), or it can be accommodated
77
with wiper plugs that transport the calculated volume of cement to be set in annulus and
inside casing (primary and/or secondary WB).
The casing or casings are perforated in a separate WL run, allowing selective perforation to
establish lower and upper annulus communication ports. The perforations also provides a cir-
culation route for annulus cleaning, and displacement and spotting of competent cement [16].
Operational sequence (Open Hole to Surface Plug): The adaptor and RLWI stack are installed
on top of WH in one run. Wireline with perforation gun is lubricated into the well and perfo-
rates the upper and lower perforations. The cement stinger is run in hole and locked into the
cement adaptor spool as illustrated in Figure 32. Its packer is hydraulically set towards the
casing wall prior to circulate clean the main bore and annulus before cement is installed. If
there are more than one annulus, an extra wireline run is necessary in order to perforate and
then circulate and cement the new exposed annulus. The internal plug is placed on top of a
foundation. The cement is pressure tested after it has set, then the packer is released and the
adaptor and RLWI stack is retrieved[10].
Figure 32 is an example of how to establish an open hole to surface barrier with only one
annulus to be cemented.
Figure 32: Illustration of an open hole to surface plug establishment[10]
78
Note that this cement stinger can be fitted with wiper plugs, illustrated in Figure 33, to allow
the installation of primary and/or secondary WB. These wiper plugs, activated by dropping
two separate balls, are applied to avoid contamination of cement during its transport.
Figure 33: CAT accommodated with wiper plugs. Lock mandrel is also illustrated [10].
79
80
10 Overview of the Proposed Systems
Well integrity management is a key factor to successfully establish all permanent WB in a safe
and prudent manner during the P&A operation. It is crucial to have knowledge of the WBE,
WB and WB envelopes in order to avoid any accidents during an operation. The current appli-
cations regarding P&A operations from RLWI vessels are described in previous chapters. How-
ever, today’s application is mainly limited to wireline operations and fluid circulation.
During a P&A operation CT could be applied to enable the installation of e.g. an internal WB
consisting of good quality cement. The RLCT stack is a new stack that shall provide well control
and the ability to use both CT and WL. The main components when using the RLCT stack con-
sist of the WCP (connected to WH or HXT), LLP, ULP and CTH (subsea strippers and SSI). If the
next step is to run in with wireline, the CTH is retrieved together with the CT bottom hole
assembly prior to run PCH together with the wireline.
Here are the proposed well control rig ups:
 RLWI stack – XT/WH

 RLWI stack – CAT – XT/WH
 RLWI stack - SSD – (CAT) – XT/WH
 RLCT Stack – XT/WH
 RLCT stack – CAT – XT/WH
 RLCT stack – SSD – (CAT) – XT/WH
 RLCT stack (without WCP) – SSD – (CAT) – XT/WH
 SSD – (CAT) – WH/XT
Table 4 illustrates the RLWI vessels current applications as it is conducted on the NCS today.
Some subsea wells are complex, but the purpose is to conduct all P&A phases from a RLWI
vessel by combining WL, CT and main winch. By introducing CT, the scope of work from RLWI
vessels increases. The placement and quality of cement increases as we transport the cement
through a clean string with no unknown restrictions and uncontaminated fluid. In addition,
the PWC® tool, HydraHemera, from Hydrawell can be run on CT. Hence, cut & pull of casing
strings could be eliminated or reduced in phase 1 and 2.
81
The green squares illustrates the experience and that this operation is classified as a standard
operation. The yellow squares illustrates the upcoming technology and equipment that shall
allow a RLWI vessel to conduct that specific phase. The red squares illustrates the current
situation, illustrating no experience nor provided technology to conduct that phase.
RLWI Vessel
Activity
Present Future
Phase 0 - Preparatory Work

RLWI Stack RLCT Stack
for P&A
P&A Phase 1 - Reservoir

RLCT Stack and SSD
Abandonment
P&A Phase 2 - Intermediate

RLCT Stack and SSD
Abandonment
Wireline cutting tool. Wireline cutting tool.

P&A Phase 3 - Wellhead and
WH & Conductor retrieved on WH & Conductor retrieved on
Conductor Removal
winch winch
Table 4: Existing vs. Proposed Applications of a RLWI Vessel
82
11 Riserless P&A Operations – Base Cases
As there are several methods of how to perform PP&A and each well has its own characteris-
tics, it is hard to make a general description of a P&A operation. In this chapter, some different
approaches of a riserless P&A operation conducted from a RLWI vessel will be discussed. There
are thousands of wells on the NCS and worldwide, all with different well designs, field specific
problems e.g. subduction, unconsolidated formations, material degradation and old wells
with poor documentation.
Making a P&A base case covering all methods and technologies is impossible. For that reason,
several base cases will be discussed and illustrated to give the reader an overview of possible
approaches to conduct riserless P&A operations from a RLWI vessel. The technology gaps and
challenges should be revealed once analyzing the upcoming base cases. The following opera-
tional sequences is a proposal and are based on the presented technologies and methods
within P&A, and then combined with the RLWI vessels current and upcoming applications to
perform well activities.
All the upcoming base cases have a column in the operational sequence table where each step
of the P&A operation is categorized and defines the well abandonment complexity. The pur-
pose of introducing this categorization is to highlight the complexity of the operation. If the
RLWI vessel can perform type 4 work, the abandonment complexity would have to be re-de-
fined, as it states that this type of work is complex rig-based.
11.1 Well A – Tubing left in place
This fictional well is created as a perfect candidate, i.e. a simple production well to be PP&A.
Since it is a simple well, the limitations will be prevailed during the presentation of the oper-
ational sequence. The production tubing is left in place, but it has to be cut at shallow depth
and pulled in order to establish the open hole to surface plug. The RLWI stack used during the
P&A operation is the existing stack used on Island Constructor today (NB! Valves on stack il-
lustrated in the WBS may be different, but that does not affect the operation).
83
11.1.1 Well A Specification
Well A is a closed single satellite oil production well with natural water drive and a current
reservoir pressure of 200 bar. Shut-in WH pressure (SIWHP) were measured to 40 bar and
future anticipated reservoir pressure is assumed to be 300 bar. HXT is tied up to host platform
with production flowline. All WBE’s are good or have negligible issues. This base case is does
not require full production tubing retrieval because the pressure/temperature (PT) gauge are
located 300m MD above the production packer. Hence, there is sufficient length to place the
primary – and secondary WB. Figure 34 is an illustration of the wellbore and supplements with
more specifications.
A formation integrity test (FIT) performed at 2091m TVD when drilling the well was measured
to 1.6 sg. By calculating the minimum setting depth by using the specific gravity of the oil (0.76
sg) the setting depth becomes approximately 1750m TVD. A more conservative method is to
use the specific gravity of gas, which gives a minimum setting depth of 1870m TVD. To ensure
that the permanent WB installed in the well can withstand future anticipated pressure regard-
less of formation fluid, the base of the secondary WB will be set at 2450m MD (approximately
2000m TVD). The deviation at packer setting depth is approximately 50˚ and does not require
a well tractor.
84
Figure 34: WBS of Production well
85
11.1.2 Operational Sequence
Well A
1 Cement log performed during initial completion
2 Cement is assumed to be good on all casing sizes
Pre-Assumptions No sources of inflow, formation with normal pressure or over-
3
pressured/impermeable formation in the overburden formation
Standard Operation 4
Technology Provided, Little or no Experience 5
Technology Not Provided 6
Abandonment
Seq. No. WBS Description Comment/Reference
Complexity (Type)
1 x Arrive 500m zone, DP trial 1
Preparatoy Phase
2 1 Recover tree cap and clean re-entry hub WL 1
3 1 Install RLWI stack on top of HXT A cement Spool is installed below the WCP (at the bottom of 1
the RLWI stack) and completed with circulation hoses.
4 1 Retrieve upper crown plug on WL 1
5 1 Retrieve lower crown/tubing hanger plug on WL 1
6 1 Kill well, bullhead 30/70% MEG and Seawater or Brine could be used 1
7 1 Drift run w/caliper log or mechanical Ensuring no obstacles/large enough OD for the upcoming tools 1
8 1 Install deep set plug @2800m MD (inside If BR plug (non-return valve) is used, it can only be tested up to 1
tailpipe) and pressure test plug a preset pressure. If tubing is leaking, the alternative method
is to use CT to install the primary and secondary WB or retrieve
the production tubing prior to set an internal cement plug in 9
5/8"
9 1 Run TH Sleeve TH sleeve must be set to block of TH side outlet for coming 1
cement job
10 1 Punch/perforate tubing Above production packer. Pressure/temperature log can be 1
integrated in this run. Not always necessary, due to provided
information. These parameters are used in the cement job
planning.
11 1 Circulate annulus (down prod. Tubing and up 30/70% MEG and Seawater or Brine, returns sent to online host 1
annulus) facilities through production flowline.
Reservoir Abandonment
12 2 Set cement spool isolation plug Set to isolate the RLWI stack from fouling by cement 1
13 2 Pump and sqeeze (through punched/perf. A-annulus is closed until front wiper foam balls lands and seals 1
Holes) min 100m good cement plug down prod. off BR plug, i.e. fluid volume in tubing is bullheaded into the
Tubing and into A-annulus (primary and reservoir section until wiper foam balls lands in BR plug and
secondary cement plugs, adjacent to/overlap annulus valve is opened. Continue pumping as per volume
annulus cement behind 9⅝ "), calculation until tail wiper is at same height as TOC in A-
annulus. Turbulent flow may occur if the passage to A-annulus
is to small, resulting in a contaminated/poor cement job.
14 3 Pull cement spool isolation plug 1
15 3 WOC Whilst a minimum setting time is an operational requirement, 1
excessive setting times are to be avoided
16 3 Pressure test cement plug To verify integrity of plug 1
17 3 Tag TOC To verify TOC is as per cement programme 1
18 3 Pull RLWI stack Together with the cement adaptor spool and WCP 1
19 3 RIH with mechanical cutter on E-line, and cut below DHSV 1
5.5" tubing 100m below WH
20 x Retrieve mech cutter 1
Alternative 1
21 4 Retrieve HXT and 100m of production tubing on Before removing well control equipment, one must monitor A- 3
main winch annulus pressure to ensure no pressure build-up.
22 x Close Moonpool door and skidd a parking frame HXT rests on parking frame prior to set slips in false rotary table 1
below HXT. and to cut prod. Tubing in order to remove the HXT from drill
floor.
23 x Set slips in false rotary table and hydraullically To prevent prod. Tubing from falling down to seabed 1
lower the parking frame to ensure tubing is
landed out in slips
86
24 x Cut prod. Tubing below HXT 1

25 x Skidd parking frame w/HXT to storage location Parking slot on barbor side between derrick and hangar 1
on deck
26 x Lift tubing on main winch with an internal or Mechanical or hydraulically activated tool. 1
external gripping tool
27 x Set tubing in slips 1
28 x Cut tubing Shear tubing above coupling prior to use the manual elevator to 1
grip below the coupling
29 x Lay down tubing 1
30 x Repeat sequence as above until all tubing is 1
recovered
Alternative 2
20 5 Pick up the hydraulical THERT assembly c/w Although the THERT is an existing tool , the landing string must 1
umbilical. (run on main winch) be developed in order to perform this job on main winch
21 5 Run THERT into HXT SSD would be installed if lack of two permanent WB 1
22 5 Slack off on main winch 1
23 5 Function THERT - latch to TH 3
24 5 Function THERT - unlock TH from XT 3

25 5 Retrieve prod. Tubing and THERT (w/assembly) 3
on main winch
27 x Unlock THERT and lay down 3
28 x Make up TH Handling Tool, pick up hanger and Any LSA/NORM issues will be adressed by the vessels standard 3
reset slips operating procedures.
29 x Using tubing shear - shear tubing above Rather than spend time backing out the tubing joints it is 3
coupling proposed to utilize an "off the shelf" hydraulic tubing shear
("hands free" and remotely operated) to cut the tubing. Also it
is proposed to cut the tubing with the control cables and gauge
cable in situ - no manual intervention to remove clamps and
spool the line and cable.
30 x Lay down tubing hanger 3
31 x Pick up on main winch and recover tubing 3
33 x Using tubing shear - shear tubing above 3
recovered
36 x Pull HXT 1
Intermediate Abandonment
37 6 Install mechanical plug in 10¾" (above A mechanical foundation should be installed as close to the 1
transition to 9⅝") with WL tubing cut as possible. Production casing is 10¾" down to DHSV
and 9⅝" below
38 6 Install RLWI stack onto WH Installed with cement adaptor spool 1
39 6 RIH perforation guns 1
40 6 Perforate 10¾" (lower perf) on WL Monitor pressure (bleed or feed as required) 1
41 6 Perforate 10¾" (upper perf) on WL 1
42 6 POOH perforation guns 1
43 7 Set CAT stinger and inflate packer 1
44 7 Circulate annulus (10¾"x13⅜") clean and inject 1
a high viscosity fluid
45 7 Pump cement into annulus High viscosity/desity fluid behind cement to to avoid cement 1
returns from annulus to main bore. Monitor pressure (bleed or
feed)
46 7 WOC 1
87
47 7 Pressure test If required by company 1

48 x Deflate packer and recover CAT stinger 1
49 x RIH perforation guns 1
50 x Perforate 13⅜" (lower perf) on WL Not illustrated in WBS, but same as WBS 6. 1
51 x Perforate 13⅜" (upper perf) on WL 1
52 x POOH perforation guns 1
53 8 Set CAT stinger and inflate packer 1
54 8 Circulate annulus (13⅜"x20") clean and inject a 1
high viscosity fluid
55 8 Pump cement into annulus and main bore Pump slowly to avoid contamination. 1
(balanced plug)
56 8 WOC 1
57 8 Pressure test 1
58 x Deflate packer and recover CAT stinger 1
59 x Pull RLWI stack 1
60 x Tag TOC If required by company 1
Wellhead and Conductor Removal
61 9 Cut and retrieve WH and conductor WL (cut) and main winch (retrieve) 1
62 x ROV survey after operation 1
88
11.1.3 Well Barrier Schematics
89
90
91
11.2 Well B – Pull production tubing
This well is more complex than the previous one and therefore it will require another meth-
odology to ensure a safe and adequate PP&A operation. A pump-in cap is introduced in this
base case to allow greater flow rate during the circulation of A-annulus and main bore. The
pump-in cap is connected to top of WCP and it is accommodated with a pump-in valve. The
Pump-in cap is added in this base case to illustrate another pumping application. However, it
might be sufficient to use the RLCT stack without applying the pump-in cap in most circulation
jobs.
11.2.1 Well B Specification
Well B is a closed oil producer with natural pressure support from the gas cap above. There
are no other sources of inflow in the overburden. Current reservoir pressure is 250 bar and
future reservoir pressure is estimated to initial reservoir pressure, which were 350 bar. SIWHP
were measured to 50 bar. It is a single satellite well completed with a VXT and the production
flowline to the production facilities is offline. A PT gauge is installed 15m MD/TVD above the
production packer. Hence, the production tubing will have to be retrieved. There is an uncer-
tainty of top of cement (TOC) and cement bonding quality in B – annulus. This uncertainty is
another reason for pulling the production tubing prior to log behind the production casing.
Since the production tubing is completed with a polished bore receptacle (PBR) it allows the
upper completion (prod. Tubing) to be pulled without cutting the tubing.
Let us assume that the formation strength in the overburden is insufficient to withstand the
future anticipated pressure. NORSOK D-010 states that the primary – and secondary perma-
nent WB must therefore be set as close to the reservoir as possible (i.e in the cap rock) [4].
Hence, 1850m of production tubing will have to be recovered.
92
Well B
1 No cement logs available/poor cement
2 One Reservoir section
No sources of inflow, formation with normal pressure or over-
Pre-Assumptions 3
pressured/impermeable formation in the overburden formation
4
5
Technology Provided, Little or no Experience
Technology Not Provided
Abandonment
Complexity (Type)
1 x Arrive 500m zone, DP trial
Preparatoy Phase
2 1 Recover tree cap WL 1
3 1 Install RLCT stack onto VXT Installed prior to run WL and CT. Kill hoses installed 1
4 x Kill well, bullhead 30/70% MEG and Seawater or Brine could be used. 1
5 x Drift run w/caliper log or mechanical If required. Ensuring no obstacles/large enough OD for the 1
6 2 Install deep set plug @2010m MD (tailpipe) and WL operation (PCH on RLCT stack) 1
pressure test plug
7 2 Punch tubing Above production packer. Pressure/temperatur log can be 1
integrated in this run. Not always necessary, due to provided
information. These parameters are used in the cement job
planning.
8 2 Pull Upper Lubricator Package (ULP) Pulled after PCH has been Recovered. 1
9 2 Install Pump-in Cap on top of WCP Installed to allow greater circulation into main bore. 1
10 2 Circulate annulus out through A-annulus valve 30/70% MEG and Seawater or Brine, returns sent to vessel. 1
11 3 Pull Pump-in Cap 1
12 3 Install ULP 1
13 3 Install downhole safety valve protection sleeve WL (PCH). Keeps the valve open 1
14 3 Install tubing hanger plug in main and annulus WL (PCH). May require an extra run to change the x-over 1
bore adaptor spool
15 3 Pull RLCT Stack 1
16 3 Pull VXT to surface 1
17 4 Install SSD with open water mud recovery system The open water/riserless mud recovery system with its volume 1
control device ensures that the hydrostatic column remains
constant. This system is also used to assist fluid returns up to
vessel and to avoid oil spill to sea.
18 4 RIH THROT on main winch Prior to retrieve plugs 1
19 4 Retrieve tubing hanger plug in main and annulus Plugs are retrieved on WL. A ROV assist WL tool to enter 1
bore annulus or tubing bore
20 4 POOH THROT on main winch 1
21 5 Pick up THERT assembly c/w umbilical. (run on Although the THERT is an existing tool , the landing string must 3
main winch) be developed in order to perform this job on main winch
22 5 Run THERT 3
23 5 Slack off on main winch 3
24 5 Function THERT - latch to TH Might require sufficient weight to connect. Can be adjusted 3
with heavy drill collars. If not sufficient, we must use a subsea
jacking unit to supply with push/pull force.
25 5 Close annular onto slick joint on THERT landing 3
string (stripping pressure only)
26 5 Function THERT - unlock TH from XT and Monitor pressure and circulate out residual well fluid retained 3
subsequently pull TH and tubing to unseat TH under tubing hanger prior to open annular.
Contingency: Lifting (unseat) the tubing hanger and 2000m
tubing typically requires overpull. Main winch is limited to 200
ton and can be a show stopper. A subsea jacking unit should
then be applied to overcome the static forces
27 x Open annular and pick up on main winch to 3
recover THERT and 1850m tubing
93

30 x Make up TH Handling Tool, pick up hanger and 3
reset slips
31 x Using tubing shear - shear tubing above coupling Rather than spend time backing out the tubing joints it is 3
proposed to utilize an "off the shelf" hydraulic tubing shear
("hands free" and remotely operated) to cut the tubing. Also it
is proposed to cut the tubing with the control cables and gauge
cable in situ - no manual intervention to remove clamps and
spool the line and cable.

33 x Pick up on main winch and recover remaining An option is to wet store the production tubing if lack of storage 3
tubing capacity.
35 x Using tubing shear - shear tubing above coupling 1
recovered
Installing Primary WB
38 6 Install RLCT stack onto SSD 1
39 6 Run CBL prior to log annulus cement behind 9⅝" WL operation (PCH on RLCT stack). CBL showed partly cement in 1
annulus and poor cement bonding towards casing.
40 x Prepare to run HydraHemera on CT prior to set the The BHA is run together with CTH and lubricated into the RLCT 2
primary cement WB stack.
41 7 RIH perforation guns and perforate minimum a In this case we perforate at top of PBR to avoid perfoarting 1
50m MD section above the production packer. through PBR. The lower most guns are located @2010m MD.
Retrieve guns after perforation Might require two or more runs on WL (PCH) due to the
restriction set by the lubricator length
42 8 RIH HydraHemera on CT to the setting depth NORSOK D-010 requires minimum 50m logged cement in 2
annulus and pressure test and tagging of the internal cement
43 8 Wash the perforated section to ensure good On top of HydraHemera there is a Indexing tool rotating 30 2
bonding (4 bpm) degrees to change the washing jet direction. To wash
sufficiently the HydraHemera need several runs (in the
perforated section), each run with a new washing jet direction.
44 8 Cement the washed section Inject cement while pulling out. Cement "pushed" into annulus 2
with the assistance of the
45 8 WOC 1
46 9 POOH HydraHemera If no experience using the HydraHemera on present field, one 2
have to drill a hole in the internal WB prior to log the external
WB (annulus cement). Drill the hole using CT and run a CBL on
WL. With experience and approval the permanent WBs can be
set without drilling and logging.
47 9 RIH with CT w/drilling assembly to drill a hole in (CTH). May depend on the operator. Could be sufficient to 2
the internal cement WB. perform a negative inflow test. Depending on pressure losses,
it might require a subsea pump.
48 9 POOH CT with drilling assembly 2
49 x Log external cement WB WL (PCH). To verify sufficient cement bonding (casing-cement- 2
50 x RIH with CT w/cement stinger and perform (CTH). If the CBL show poor quality cement this could be a show 2
remedial cementing of the internal cement WB. stopper. Next step would be to use the PWC above the failed
section (dependent on formation integrity) from the RLWI
vessel. Otherwise, section mill/underream the failed section
with a semi-sub.
51 x WOC 1
52 x Pressure test and tag cement Tag it with CT 1
53 x POOH CT w/cement stinger 2
Installing Secondary WB
54 x Prepare to run HydraHemera on CT prior to set the 2
primary cement WB
55 x RIH perforation guns and perforate minimum a WL (PCH) 2
50m MD section above the production packer.
56 10 RIH HydraHemera on CT to the setting depth CT (CTH) 2
57 10 Wash the perforated section to ensure good 2
bonding (4 bpm)
58 10 Cement the washed section 2
59 x WOC The good results of setting the Primary WB allowed us to skip 1
drilling and logging the Secondary WB
60 x Pressure test and tag cement Tag cement with CT 1
61 x Pull RLCT Stack 1
62 x Pull SSD 1
94
63 11 Install mechanical plug @225m MD (from RKB) and WL. Foundation for the upcoming open hole to surface barrier 1
pressure test
64 11 RIH SWAT assembly and land off in the 10¾" casing The 10¾" casing hanger is often referred to as 9⅝" casing 1
hanger hanger. Note that the section from WH to DHSV is 10¾".
65 11 Inflate packers Perform pressure test 1
66 11 Fire lower guns @220m MD (from RKB) into 10¾" 1
prod csg.
67 11 Fire upper guns @170m MD (from RKB) into 10¾" Between the two packers . 1
prod csg. Circulation path is now established
68 11 Pump clean up pill, spacer and then cement Cement established in the annulus (10¾" x 13⅜") 1
69 11 WOC 1
70 12 Fire the second pair of lower perforations guns Perforation goes through 10¾" casing and cement and exposes 1
into 13⅜" int. csg. the new annulus (13⅜" x 20")
71 1 Fire the second pair of upper perforations guns 1
into 13⅜" int. csg.
72 2 Pump clean up pill, spacer and then cement Cement established in the annulus between 13⅜" x 20" + 1
Internal cement WB in 10¾"
73 12 WOC 1
74 12 Pressure test the open hole to surface barrier 1
75 x Deflate packers and recover SWAT assembly 1
Wellhead and Conductor Removal
77 x ROV survey after operation 1
95
96
97
98
99
100
11.3 Well C – Cut & pull casing strings
11.3.1 Well C Specification
Well C is an old gas producer that is currently shut-in due to its low production and revenue.
Its 140m thick gas reservoir has a thin oil layer of 2-4m, where future anticipated reservoir
pressure is 150 bar and current reservoir pressure is 138 bar. SIWHP and A-annulus pressure
are monitored and measured to 100 bar. We can therefore assume that the 7” production
tubing is leaking. There is an additional shallow source of inflow in the overburden with mod-
erate flow potential (e.g. Lista formation) and it will require a primary and secondary WB.
There are no logs available to evaluate the cement job during well construction. This P&A
operation will therefore require casing removal and/or remedial cementing job. The casing
hanger seal assemblies in this well are unlocked by a vertical pull. At least one WBE has failed,
most likely the production tubing. However, the well did not have any issues when shut-in. If
the pressure in A-annulus re-builds when bled off, it would be defined as sustained casing
pressure (SCP)[63]. If both A-annulus pressure and pressure in production tubing decreases
during the bullheading operation, we can assume that the production tubing is leaking.
If the casing hanger and casing have an estimated force to be unseated within the main
winch’s limit, we could avoid using the subsea jacking unit. For this case, the SSD will be ap-
plied and it is accommodated with three set of rams, i.e. two seal/shear rams and one slip
ram.
101
Well C
1 No cement log available
2 The cement quality and TOC is unknown behind all casing strings
Pre-Assumptions 3 One sources of inflow in the overburden formation. No hydrocarbons
4
Technology Provided, Little or no Experience 6
Technology Not Provided
Abandonment
Complexity (Type)
1 x Arrive 500m zone, DP trial
Preparatoy Phase
2 x Recover tree cap and clean re-entry hub WL 1
3 x Install RLCT stack on top of HXT Prepare for WL (PCH) 1
4 x Retrieve upper crown plug on WL 1

5 x Retrieve lower crown/tubing hanger plug on WL 1
6 x Kill well, bullhead Monitor A-annulus pressure. If pressure decreases, the tubing is 1
leaking (neglecting temperature effect). Keep a high flow rate
(min 1200 l/min) to bullhead the gas into the reservoir. 30/70%
MEG and Seawater or Brine could be used.
7 1 Drift run w/caliper log or mechanical Ensuring no obstacles/large enough OD for the upcoming tools 1
8 1 Production Tubing collapse @1700m MD Unable to set mechanical plug in tailpipe. Min ID = 4.5" in the 1
collapsed region. Able to pass restriction with CT
9 1 Run CBL from top of reservor @1860m MD to Log shows good quality cement and bonding in the 60m logged 1
production casing shoe @1800m MD interval. Not necessary to log to top of 7" liner hanger because
it is not possible to confirm good cement behind 9⅝" casing
(two casing strings)
Installing primary WB #1
10 2 RIH 2⅞" CT w/cement stinger to inject SandaBand RIH with CTH. This gas tight slurry acts as the primary WB against 2
into reservor and up to liner hanger packer the reservoir and will stop potential inflow of gas. Sandaband
installed from 2000m MD to 1760m MD. But Primary WB cross-
section is within the requirements from 1800 - 2000m MD
11 2 Tag top of slurry and POOH CT To tag TOC, one can increase pump rate to identify sand in the 2
return.
Recover production tubing
12 3 Punch and cut production tubing with WL WL (PCH). Between production packer and collapsed zone. If 1
unable to pass the restricted zone, one should make the cut as
close to the restriction prior to log the cement behind
production casing.
13 3 Circulate annulus (down prod. Tubing and up A- Monitor pressure (bleed and feed) and circulate with 30/70% 1
annulus) MEG and Seawater or Brine. Returns sent to vessel and gas is
separated out in the HC vent system. After ciculation, the A-
annulus and main bore pressure should be normal.
14 3 Install shallow remote open/close plug in tubing WL (PCH) 1
hanger prior to pull RLCT Stack
15 3 Pull RLCT stack Lock open DHSV before retrieving stack 1
16 4 Install SSD and subsea jacking unit The Mud recovery system will also be a part of this system and a 1
Slip Ram is added
17 4 Pick up the hydraulical THERT assembly c/w Although the THERT is an existing tool , the landing string must 3
umbilical. (run on main winch) be developed in order to perform this job on main winch
18 4 Run THERT into subsea jacking unit, SSD and HXT 3
19 4 Slack off on main winch to land in TH and activate Subsea jacking unit ensures that the THERT is centralized 3
subsea jacking unit slips onto landing string
20 4 Function THERT - latch to TH Hydraulically activated 3
21 4 Function THERT - unlock TH from XT This operation is a combined operation; By pulling the THERT 3
assembly with the subsea jacking unit we are unlocking the TH
from the XT.
22 4 Retrieve prod. Tubing and THERT (w/assembly) on If tubing hanger and tubing is stuck due to lack of pulling force, 3
main winch it would be a show stopper.
23 x Set tubing in slips In false rotary table. Alternative: Activate Slip ram in SSD to lock tubing 3
102
25 x Make up TH Handling Tool, pick up hanger and Any LSA/NORM issues will be adressed by the vessels standard 3
reset slips operating procedures.
26 x Using tubing shear - shear tubing above coupling Rather than spend time backing out the tubing joints an 3
alternative is to utilize an "off the shelf" hydraulic tubing shear
("hands free" and remotely operated) to cut the tubing. Could
also cut the tubing with the control cables and gauge cable in
situ - no manual intervention to remove clamps and spool the
line and cable.
28 x Pick up on main winch and recover tubing 3
30 x Using tubing shear - shear tubing above coupling 3
recovered
33 x Pull Subsea jacking unit 1
Install Secondary WB #1
34 x Install RLCT stack (without WCP) on top of SSD Well is in overbalance 1
35 x Perform logging of 9⅝" cement WL (PCH). 1
36 x Evaluation of cement bonding log behind 9⅝" Good quality annulus cement from production packer @1730m 1
MD to 1650m MD. TOC was located at 1570m MD.
37 x Install mechanical plug in tailpipe and pressure Since we do not have 100m good quality annulus cement, we 1
test install a mechanical foundation to fulfill the requirements (i.e.
min. 50m MD cement plug)
38 5 RIH CT w/cement stinger and install secondary WB (CTH). Pump and pull to install min. 50m MD cement plug 2
39 5 WOC 1
40 5 Tag TOC 1
41 x POOH CT w/cement stinger 2
42 6 Punch 9⅝" @1300m MD Monitor pressure (bleed or feed as required). 1
43 6 Punch 9⅝" (10¾")@10m below casing hanger Monitor pressure (bleed and feed as required). Ensure zero 1
pressure differential between annulus and main bore
44 6 RIH cutti ng tool and cut 9⅝" @1300m MD Could use the WL assisted jet cutter from Halliburton 1
45 7 RIH CT c/w multiple set inflatable packer Packer is used to enable circulation of annulus (9⅝" x 13⅜"). 2
Pump through packer
46 7 Activate packers below punched (upper) area inside 9⅝" casing 2
47 7 Circulate annulus (down 9⅝" casing and up Circulate out old mud and clean up annulus 2
annulus)
48 x Install shallow remote open/close plug in 9⅝ WL (PCH) 1
casing above the upper punched area
49 x POOH CT CTH 2
50 x Pull RLCT Stack (without WCP) 1
51 x Pull SSD and HXT May require two runs 1
52 8 Install SSD and subsea jacking unit With Mud recovery system 1
53 8 RIH Casing Hanger Seal Assembly Retrieval Tool Subsea jacking unit can assist with downwards force to ensure 4
(CHSART) lock into casing hanger seal assembly CHSART locks into the seal assembly. CHSART assembly consists
of the retrieval tool and a landing string (THERT landing string)
and RIH on main winch
54 8 Pull and unlock casing hanger seal assembly Close annular preventer and monitor pressure (bleed or feed as 4
required). Open the remote close/open plug
55 x POOH CHSART Open annular preventer and POOH 4
56 x RIH a Pull Spear prior to pull 9⅝" casing RIH Pull Spear assembled with landing string (THERT landing 4
string) and apply a straight vertical pull. Great overpull might be
required to release the casing hanger and casing. Activate
Subsea Jacking Unit to pull casing if unable to pull with main
winch. If casing is stuck, one must perform several trips with cut
and pull. If the casing is still stuck it would be a show stopper.
57 x Activate slips on Subsea jacking unit and When casing hanger and casing is free, one can retrieve it on 4
hydraulically lift (some inches) with straight the main winch.
upward force to unseat casing hanger and casing
58 x Set casing in slips Alternative: Use the Slip Ram in SSD 4
103
59 x Unlock Pull Spear 4

60 x Cut casing and lay down 4
61 x Pick up casing on main winch and recover casing 4
62 x Set casing in slips 4
64 x Repeat sequence as above until casing is 4
recovered
65 x Pull Subsea jacking unit 1
Install Primary & Secondary WB #2
66 x Install RLCT Stack (without WCP) onto SSD 1
67 x Logging 13⅜" casing WL (PCH). Log shows good quality cement and bonding @1120 - 1
1250m MD.
68 x Install Mechanical plug above shallow shource of WL (PCH). Act as a foundation for the upcoming cement job. 1
inflow in 13⅜" casing @1250m MD Unable to run mech plug through RLCT stack
69 9 RIH CT w/cement stinger and install a single CTH. Pump and pull minimum 100m MD of cement inside 13⅜" 1
cement plug in combination with mechanical plug casing
70 9 WOC 1
71 9 Tag TOC 1
Install Open Hole to Surface Barrier
72 x Punch/perforate 13⅜" casing @350m MD WL (PCH). Monitor pressure (bleed and feed as required) 1
73 x Punch/perforate 13⅜" casing @201m MD (as close Approx. 10m below casing hanger. WL (PCH). Monitor pressure 1
to the csg hanger as possible) (bleed and feed as required)
74 x RIH cutti ng tool and cut 13⅜" casing @349m MD Abrasive cutting tool 1
75 10 RIH CT c/w multiple set inflatable packer Packer is inflated between 13⅜" casing hanger and punched 2
area
76 10 Activate packer below the upper Packer is used to enable circulation of annuslus 13⅜" x 20") 2
punched/perforated area
77 10 Circulate annulus (down 13⅜" casing and up Circulate out old mud and clean up annulus. The Wellbore is 2
annulus) now clean and there should not be any risks related to inflow or
pressure build-up the final stage of this P&A operation
78 x Pull RLCT Stack (without WCP) 1
79 11 RIH Casing Hanger Seal Assembly Retrieval Tool CHSART assembly consists of the retrieval tool and a landing 4
(CHSART) lock into casing hanger seal assembly string (THERT landing string) and RIH on main winch. Apply
enough weight on landing string to be able to latch into Seal
Assembly. If unable to latch into the seal assembly we need to
install the Subsea jacking unit for assistance.
80 11 Pull and unlock casing hanger seal assembly with Close annular preventer and monitor pressure (bleed or feed as 4
main winch required).
81 11 Pull seal assembly with CHSART on main winch Open annular preventer 4
82 x RIH a Pull Spear prior to pull 13⅜" casing Great overpull might be required to release/unseat the casing 4
hanger and casing. Install Subsea Jacking Unit to pull casing if
unable to pull with main winch. If casing is stuck, one must
perform several trips with cut and pull. If the casing is still stuck
it would be a show stopper.
83 x Set casing in slips Alternative: Use the Slip Ram in BOP 4
84 x Unlock Pull Spear 4
86 x Pick up casing on main winch and recover casing 4
87 x Set casing in slips 4
89 x Repeat sequence as above until casing is 4
recovered
90 x Logging 20" casing cement Log shows good quality cement and bonding @250 - 349m MD 1
91 x Install mechanical plug in 20" casing @349m MD If required by company; Perform pressure test 1
92 12 RIH 2" Hose and install open hole to surface barrier Hose is assisted by ROV into well. The hose could be a multi- 1
spiral, wire reinforced thermoplastic hose (e.g. Black Eagle
Hose)
12 Pull SSD and Subsea Jacking Unit 1
94 13 ROV survey after operation 1
104
105
106
107
11.3.4 Comments
Cement in liner lap shall be logged. All permanent WB installed in this well are positioned at a
depth where the minimum formation stress can withstand the future anticipated pressure at
the base of each WB.
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12 Discussion
An increasing number of subsea completed wells will have to be PP&A on the NCS in the years
to come. The attention of constructing wells with low P&A expenditures is all-time high, sub-
sequently the current subsea wells completed in the 90’s are coming to an end of production
and these wells were not designed with respect to low cost P&A.
The presented base cases are an effort to reveal the technology gaps of how to conduct
riserless P&A operation from a RLWI vessel. With focus on how to maintain well control and
utilizing the current practice on a RLWI vessel, the three presented base cases each represents
a possible approach of how to conduct a comprehensive PP&A of a subsea well.
The RLWI vessel’s current scope of work comprises preparatory work (phase 0) and WH and
conductor removal (phase 3). These phases includes WL operation, main winch (e.g. retrieve
XT, WH, etc.) and pumping operation.
The base cases have utilized the current practice and included new methods and equipment
to allow RLWI vessels to perform reservoir – and intermediate abandonment. Each base case
will be discussed in order to cover the main challenges during the P&A operation. As the major
problem related areas are related to reservoir –and intermediate abandonment, the prepar-
atory work and the WH & conductor removal is not seen as a direct challenge during the P&A
operation.
12.1 Discussion – Well A
This base case assumed that all casing cement were logged and that it was provided with good
documentation. As long as TOC and cement bond quality is known, the complexity of the P&A
operation is reduced and we do not have to pull any casing strings in this base case.
Provided equipment:
- RLWI stack (used on Island Constructor)

- Hydraulic THERT (to unlock tubing hanger and recover production tubing)
109
Additional equipment required:
- CAT (under development)

- THERT Landing String (existing equipment must be combined into an assembly)
- Parking frame to park the HXT with production tubing on drill floor and deck (requires
development/manufacturing)
Challenges during P&A operation:
- Cut tubing and control line

o No problem to cut the tubing, but the cut should be in close range to the con-
trol line clamp to ensure a parted control line. One extra run may be required
to identify the position of the control line clamp.
- Removal of tubing and HXT (alternative 1)
o This method could be applied as long as there are two WB above the reservoir
or any other formation with flowing potential. In this case the primary and
secondary WB are established, no leaking casing hanger seal assemblies re-
sulting in a pressure build-up in A-annulus and the well has been circulated
with an environmental friendly fluid.
o As it is not allowed to work under suspended load, the HXT and tubing would
have to be secured at surface. A HXT parking frame would have to be devel-
oped to fulfill this requirement.
- Removal of Tubing hanger and tubing (alternative 2)
o Dependent on hydraulic THERT as the mechanical THERT requires rotation. It
would be possible to use a mechanical THERT, but it involves a greater proba-
bility of failure as more subsea equipment is added in the operation.
o Supply with enough weight when landing on TH to be able to latch on.
o Unable to unlock TH from HXT. Main winch is limited to 200 ton (SWL) pulling
capacity.
o The landing string assembly must be developed. Should be possible to assem-
ble existing parts and equipment to build it.
- Installation of primary – and secondary WB
110
o To apply through tubing cementing, one must assure tubing integrity to en-
sure that the cement is transported to the planned plug depth in the wellbore.
- Open Hole to Surface Barrier
o Since the cement in the annuli does not have any foundation at its base, one
must perform a good cement job evaluation to ensure a proper cement job.
o There is a risk of getting a poor clean up during circulation if the first perfora-
tions penetrates both casing. The open holes to surface cement job could
therefore be unsuccessful because of poor clean up.
Well Abandonment Complexity:
The well abandonment complexity “code” is provided to illustrate the complexity of the P&A
operation. Even though one additional phase has been added, the complexity of abandon-
ment work remains unchanged (i.e. Type 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4).
SS 1/1/3/1
12.2 Discussion – Well B
This case introduced another familiar problem; once the control line is located a few meters
above the production packer the production tubing will have to be recovered, and it immedi-
ately increases the well abandonment complexity.
Provided equipment:
- Pump-in Cap (allow greater flow rate)
- SWAT (set open hole to surface barrier)
- Mud Recovery System (for mud return)
- THROT (to guide string/equipment into/out A-annulus or main bore)
- HydraHemera (set cement barriers)
- RLCT Stack (under development)

111
- Subsea Shut-off Device (SSD) 18¾” ID (existing equipment must be combined into an
assembly)
Several challenges in base case 1 will also apply in this case. However, there are some new
additional challenges.
- Fluid return to vessel

o The total volume of fluid returns are limited and if all fluid returns would have
to be stored, this could be a show stopper.
o Island Constructor has a capacity of 219m3 of fluid returns containing HC. Gas
return is excluded because it can be cold flared and will therefore not be
stored in tanks.
- CT operation
o Installing Primary – and secondary WB is not necessarily a challenge, but the
there is only one HydraHemera job performed on CT and therefore not too
much experience.
o Two RLCT operations have been performed on the NCS and both did not in-
clude well control equipment. Hence, no experience conducting RLCT opera-
tions reduces the reliability of the overall RLCT system.
o Fatigue on the CT
- Tubing hanger and tubing recovery
o Since 1850m of production tubing is to be recovered, the pulling force to un-
seat the tubing hanger will most likely be greater than in base case 1 and it
might be a show stopper.
Well abandonment complexity:
SS 1/3/2/1
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12.3 Discussion – Well C
This is the most complex base case and all the previous challenges in base case 1 and 2 will
also apply here. However, there are some additional challenges related to the RLCT stack and
casing retrieval.
Provided equipment:
- Hydraulic CHSART (to unlock and recover the casing hanger seal assembly)
- 2” Hose (set open hole to surface barrier)
- Mud Recovery System (for mud return)
- Subsea Jacking Unit (assist with vertical forces)
- Pull Spear (recover casing strings)
- Jet cutter (cut 9⅝”)
- Abrasive cutter (cut 13⅜”)
- RLCT Stack (Redesigned the ID of the WCS from 71/16” to 18¾”)

- Subsea Shut-off Device (SSD) 18¾” ID (existing equipment must be combined into an
assembly)
- RLCT Stack
o The original ULP (i.e. LS and LLP) on the RLCT stack has an ID of 71/16” and
causes problems when running larger OD tools, equipment or other objects.
This problem will occur when casings has to be retrieved. During the planning
of this PP&A it was found that if the ULP was not changed to an ID of 18¾”,
using the existing ULP would have resulted in 12 extra runs because the stack
would have to be pulled (approx. 6hr) and installed (approx. 15hr) in order to
113
accommodate larger OD equipment. By changing the ULP the total opera-

tional time can be reduced by approximately 126hr (5+ days).
- Casing hanger seal assembly
o If the subsea jacking unit has a failure, it can be a challenge to supply enough
downwards force to latch onto the seal assembly. If the seal assembly needs
“right hand” torque (rotation) to be unlocked, additional equipment is re-
quired.
o Cement particles in the fluid return during cementing could cause problems
because it might leave cement particles in the seal assembly. The result is typi-
cally greater overpull, or if stuck it would require milling out the seal assem-
bly. If neither of these allow us to continue the operation, it would be a show
stopper.
- Casing
o The casing may be stuck due to settled barite, cement at the casing cut.
o Other factors that can might cause additional overpull is highly deviated well-
bores.
o The casing hanger may require great overpull to overcome the frictional forces
between the casing hanger and inner wall of XT.
- Storage capacity
o This base case includes a lot of equipment that occupies the deck space for
storage.
o Accommodate temporary tanks store the fluid returns may be hard due to the
already limited storage capacity
o 1525m of production tubing, HXT, 1100m of production casing and 149m of
intermediate casing must be stored. These casing strings may have to be wet
stored at seabed.
Well abandonment complexity:
SS 1/3/4/1
114
12.4 Discussion Summary
The intention with the base cases was to reveal at which point additional equipment and/or
technology would have to be provided during the operation and to identify the RLWI vessel’s
limitations. By evaluating the current technology gaps and limitations, one can identify the
potential subsea well candidates to be P&A’ed from a RLWI vessel.
Storage capacity of fluid returns
The first issue we are facing is how to handle the fluid returns during the preparatory phase,
i.e. the well is bullheaded and A-annulus is cleaned up and displaced with a suitable fluid (e.g.
brine). The wellbore fluids in the production tubing is bullheaded into the reservoir and should
not be an issue as long as the reservoir has injectivity. The A-annulus fluid could also be bull-
headed into the reservoir (after punching the tubing) before setting a mechanical plug in tail-
pipe (except remote open/close plugs).
In these base cases, the A-annulus fluid has been sent back to the vessel for storage. The
problems occurs when there is no injectivity and both the main bore and annulus fluid must
be pumped to surface for storage. Displacing and cleaning up the well produces large volumes
of fluid return. The storage tanks on Island Constructor could reach its storage limitation if
taking into account its AoC, allowing it to handle 5m3 of fluid returns. Hence, it would limit
the upcoming clean-up jobs of B – and C annulus and other operations that includes circula-
tion. The solution would be to send the fluid returns to a wastewater treatment system after
free and large amount of dispersed gas has been separated out through the integrated HC
vent system on Island Constructor. This will allow larger amount of fluid returns because the
gas is cold flared, environmental harmful chemicals is stored and the treated water is disposed
to sea.
Production tubing and casing strings retrieval
The production tubing is either pulled after it has been cut or if completed with a PBR it could
be pulled straight out. Even though the entire production tubing is not recovered, the TH and
parts of the tubing will have to recovered prior to installing the open hole to surface barrier.
Recover the production tubing without the use of drill pipe presents additional challenges as
115
the drill pipe can be rotated and is a conduit for conveying fluid. To be able to recover the
tubing from a RLWI vessel it would require hydraulic THERT to avoid additional equipment to
engage rotation and to simplify the operation. The THROT is landed on TH inside the VXT and
the SSD is used as well control equipment. Hence, it is not used for pulling the tubing, but to
accommodate wireline entrance when pulling tubing hanger – and annulus plug (VXT).
As the production tubing and casing strings will require great pulling force, it may not be suf-
ficient to perform the pull with the main winch. The main winch is limited to 200ton safe
working load (SWL), it is prone to elongation as it is a braided wire, and vessel drift off in-
creases the overpull due to uniaxial pull. To ensure a safe retrieval of production tubing, seal
assembly or casing it would better to use a subsea jacking unit unaccompanied or in combina-
tion with the main winch. Performing P&A operation from a RLWI vessel with tubing removal
is possible. However, cut & pull of casing strings is a heavy operation regardless of using semi-
sub or RLWI vessel. There are numerous of variables that weigh against using a RLWI vessel
on subsea wells that requires cut &pull.
The Seal assembly on the production casing and intermediate casing must be removed in or-
der to pull the casing strings. There are different suppliers of well completion and that poses
a challenge as the seal assemblies may be different in design and they are either unlocked
with rotation or a straight vertical pull. The casing hanger seal assembly retrieval tool is a sim-
ple tool with dogs latching into a locking profile, but the retrieval tool may differ because of
the different suppliers of seal assemblies. The last base case are dependent on seal assemblies
that are unlocked by a straight vertical pull because it simplifies the operation substantially.
Alternative 1 in base case A comprises the combined retrieval of HXT and production tubing.
The reason for suggesting this method is that it would be an easy operation for a RLWI vessel
as the retrieval is conducted with the main winch and it typically requires less overpull than
retrieving the TH. As the installed permanent WB seals any formation fluid from entering the
well, the residual casing strings (w/ seal assembly) and the hydrostatic column will act as WB
during the retrieval. This method could most likely be applied on several wells as long as a risk
assessment is thoroughly done. This method has not been performed on a semi-sub to my
knowledge, most likely because it would not be faster to use this method on a semi-sub and
secondly the rig cannot lift the HXT and production tubing directly up to the drill floor, only to
116
the cellar deck. However, this is possible on a RLWI vessel (Island Constructor) because the
HXT and production tubing can be lifted up through the moonpool and the moonpool doors
can be closed. After the HXT has been parked on a custom frame and the production tubing
has been cut, there is enough space through the derrick opening to skid HXT away from the
drill floor to its parking slot.
Annulus barrier
In cases where remedial cementing in annulus or establishing a cross sectional barrier (e.g.
HydraHemera) it should be assured that the cement does not displace less dense fluid below.
The theory is that since the cement most likely has a higher density than the fluid in annulus,
the cement could slowly flow below the planned setting depth. Different methods could be
applied to avoid this; obviously ensure there is a fundament at the base of the cement, expand
the casing (e.g. explosives) to create a foundation, inject ThermaSet with equal density as the
annulus fluid or remove the casing prior to set a mechanical plug to act as a foundation. Nev-
ertheless, Creeping formation (e.g. Shale and salt) could reduce the time spend on remedial
cementing.
Standard P&A challenges
There are several challenges during P&A and many of these could be removed by introducing
new technology and methods. By removing one or more of these challenges, it would be a
substantially increase in the potential number of well candidates for riserless P&A from RLWI
vessel.
 Logging through multiple casing strings

o This technology could save the industry for billions of dollars during P&A.
 Tubing left in hole w/control line at permanent WB setting depth
o Large scale tests of cementing the control line under various conditions and
with different cement properties has been performed with successful results.
However, it is yet to be field proven.
o Hydrawell is developing a rig-less tool, HydraArtemis, that can be run on CT.
The intention is to use explosives to shoot of the control line, next up is to use
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explosives to expand the production tubing and casing towards the for-
mation/cement prior to crush the control line and create an annular founda-
tion[53]. See Appendix C.
o There are solutions for downhole removal of production tubing, but they are
not field proven or they are time consuming. E.g.
 Melting the tubing
 Remove sections of tubing by pushing it down and crush it.
 Spiral cutting to ensure that the control line is cut at several locations
 Use chemicals to remove tubing; it is a time consuming operation.
 Challenge the prescriptive rules in NORSOK D-010 to reduce the P&A expenditures
o Number of permanent WB, plug length, barrier verification method, etc.
 Casing removal
o This is a time consuming operation and it is done by either cut & pull or sec-
tion milling. Section milling during a riserless P&A operation with CT would
most likely require very high flow rates to hydraulically rotate the mill and
clean the well.
o Interwell’s P&A concept is under development and consist of using thermite to
melt all steel tubulars and establish a cross-sectional WB.
RLCT system
By introducing the RLCT system on a RLWI vessel, the scope of work in terms of P&A will in-
crease. Some of the advantages by implementing CT are:
 The accuracy and quality of the permanent WB installation increases

 Pumping application is introduced
 Run heavier equipment on CT than WL
 Extended reach in deviated wellbores compared to WL (without WL tractor)
But there are also some limitations
 How to rotate when that is needed

 Milling will not be possible
 The CT tensile strength is too low to allow heavy operations (recover casing/tubing)
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Appendix D is an overview of how the P&A operation can be divided into work packages. By
introducing the RLCT system, new work packages becomes applicable and subsequently in-
creases the scope of work in terms of PP&A with a RLWI vessel.
Well abandonment classification
The well abandonment complexity in the Oil & gas UK “Guidelines on Well Abandonment Cost
Estimation” is defined with a digit (0 to 4) and shall reflect the complexity of abandonment
work. Some of the problems are introduced when implementing CT, retrieval of production
tubing and casing removal. CT operations are defined as type 2 work, “Complex Rig-less Aban-
donment”, with riser and it does not denote the real complexity because it is now suggested
to do the same operation without a riser. The same problem occurs during retrieval of pro-
duction tubing and casing strings. These operations are defined as type 3 and 4 complexity,
denoted as simple – and rig-based abandonment. All the presented base cases are riserless
and without the use complex of a rig (i.e. semi-sub) and should be classified as “Complex Rig-
less Abandonment”. The classification of the well abandonment complexity is based on the
well characteristics in each phase, see appendix B. To be able to classify the well abandonment
complexity and to make an accurate overview of the potential well candidates and cost anal-
ysis, the classification chart should be revised.
RLWI Vessel – Island Constructor
The storage capacity of fluid returns have been discussed. Another challenge is the storage
capacity during the P&A operation where a lot of equipment have to be stored and secured
on deck. If the P&A operation is complex and requires recovery of production tubing and cas-
ing, it may not be possible to store it due to limited storage capacity. A solution would be to
wet store all tubulars and recover it with a cheap vessel.
The RLWI vessel’s operability with respect to weather is reduced when using the RLCT and
RLWI system (Hs =5m). However, since it is a riserless P&A operation, it allows for greater
vessel drift-off compared to a semi-sub with a marine riser. One can also plan larger P&A batch
campaigns during periods with a good weather window. The RLWI stack should not be oper-
ated on subsea wells where the water depth is less than 70m, the RLCT stack is set to 100m.
119
It is possible to operate at shallower waters, but going below these water depths will limit the
RLWI vessel’s operability because the allowable weather window is reduced significantly.
The mobilization cost of a RLWI vessel compared to a semi-sub in water depths below 200m
is much lower. The reason is that the semi-sub must be anchored when the water depth is less
than 200m. This anchoring operation typically adds up to three extra days of mobilization and
demobilization.
The vessel’s lifting capacity is limited to 200 ton SWL and will require additional equipment
(e.g. subsea jacking unit) if it is a heavy operation. Heavy lifting operations from a RLWI vessel
should be evaluated carefully. Cut and pull of casing string, as in base case 3, require that the
well control equipment is pulled and installed several times, seal assemblies must be unlocked
and recovered, and long sections of casing string must be recovered and stored. Hence, there
are so many elements involved that the probability of the operation to fail is relatively large.
12.5 Subsea Well Candidates for Riserless P&A Operations
Base case A and B are two subsea well candidates with low complexity and should therefore
be good candidates to PP&A with a RLWI vessel. There are different methods and technologies
that could be applied to P&A a subsea well within the given requirements. However, which
method to apply depends on the complexity of the well. By applying the current - and upcom-
ing equipment and technology presented in this thesis, the RLWI vessel should aim for subsea
wells with the following conditions:
 Fluid returns during circulation

o Send to host facility or to a waste well, i.e. waste water disposal (best solu-
tion)
o Separate and store on vessel (alternative solution)
 Production tubing
o Control line is located at a depth where it does not interfere with the installa-
tion of primary – and secondary WB (best solution)
120
o If well is completed with HXT, required section of production tubing (prior to

install open hole to surface barrier) and HXT should be recovered in a com-
bined operation.
o Control line interfering with the installation of primary – and secondary WB
and production tubing must be recovered.
 Good documentation of previous cement jobs
 Additional sources of inflow that requires two permanent WB should be located be-
low the intermediate casing shoe, to avoid pulling any casing strings prior to log the
casing cement
 If cut & pull of casing strings are required
o Seal assemblies that are unlocked with straight vertical pull
o Should avoid to recover more than 500m due to weight
 The fields specific subsea equipment should consist of hydraulically THERT
 If annular cementing is needed, it shall be possible to use perforate, wash and cement
technology. Section milling not possible today.
121
122
13 Conclusion
The upcoming “plug wave” of subsea wellbores will require great experience and new tech-
nology in order to reduce the vast P&A cost. Subsea wells that does not require the entire
production tubing to be recovered and is classified as type 1 according to well abandonment
complexity, could potentially be P&A with a RLWI vessel today (i.e. Well A in the first base
case).
The RLCT system is under development and its entrance will allow us to increase the scope of
work in term of riserless P&A operations. Well B in the second base case is an illustration of
the upcoming potential by introducing this system. As approximately 2/3 of all subsea wells
are completed with HXT, we could apply the method of combined recovery of tubing and HXT.
This method could possibly reduce the cost compared to a semi-sub.
If new technology and methods are introduced (e.g. multiple string logging tool, tubing left in
hole w/control line), the concept of using RLWI vessel in complex P&A operation increases.
Another important element is the requirement that all new wells shall be design with respect
to its life cycle, including P&A. That will increase the number of subsea well candidates to be
PP&A with a RLWI vessel, as the complexity of the well is presumably reduced. After combin-
ing the presented technologies and methods to adequately conduct riserless P&A operations,
an upgraded table of applicable work packages is presented in appendix D.
A large proportion of the current and future subsea wells on the NCS and in the rest of the
world will be potential candidates for riserless PP&A with a RLWI vessel. Riserless P&A opera-
tions of subsea wells with low well abandonment complexity will most likely reduce the overall
P&A expenditures because RLWI vessels has a lower day rate and an effective method of per-
forming the P&A operation.
123
124
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130
15 Appendices
15.1 Appendix A – NORSOK D-010 Table 24 – Cement plug
131
Table 5: Acceptance criteria given by NORSOK D-010 [4]
132
15.2 Appendix B - Determining Well Abandonment Complexity
133
134
Table 6: Criteria for classifying phase1, 2 and 3 well abandonment complexity [7]
135
136
15.3 Appendix C – HydraArtemis
137
Unit
Activity
Semisubmersible rig
Kill well - Punch/Cut Install deep/shallow Circulate tubing and

Phase 0 - Preparatory Work for P&A Logging Retrieve VXT
VXT/HXT production tubing. set plugs A-annuls
mersible and a RLWI vessel.

Cut & Perforate,
Nipple up & Section Retrieve Wash & set cement
P&A Phase 1 - Reservoir Abandonment Pull tubing retrieve wash & Logging
down BOP milling HXT plug
casing cement
Cut &
P&A Phase 2 - Intermediate Wash & set cement SWAT/WASP - one
retrieve Logging SWAT/WASP - Two annulus
Abandonment plug annulus
casing
15.4 Appendix D – Work Packages
P&A Phase 3 - Wellhead and Conductor Removal with explosives (Must be approved
Abrasive cutting Mechanical cutting
Removal by PSA)
138
Activity RLWI Vessel
Install
Punch/Cut Circulate
Kill well - deep/shall Nipple up & down
Phase 0 - Preparatory Work for P&A production Logging tubing and Logging Retrieve VXT
VXT/HXT ow set RLWI Stack (w/WCP)
tubing A-annulus
plugs
Nipple up
Wash & Perforate,
& down
Retrieve set wash &
P&A Phase 1 - Reservoir Abandonment RLWI Pull tubing Logging Cut & retrieve casing Section milling
HXT cement cement
Stack/RLCT
plug (CT)
Stack/SSD
P&A Phase 2 - Intermediate Wash & Set cement SWAT/WASP/CAT - SWAT/WASP/CAT -

Cut & retrieve casing Logging
Abandonment plug one annulus two annulus
P&A Phase 3 - Wellhead and Conductor

Abrasive cutting Mechanical cutting Removal with explosives (Must be approved by PSA)
Removal
a subsea well P&A operation. The P&A operation is fulfilled by combining the different work
packages and by repeating some of them if required. The green cells indicates the current
This table is a presentation of the different work packages associated with different phases of
practice, the yellow cells indicates that the technology/method exists and the red cells indi-
cates that there is no technology provided. The table is a comparison between a semi-sub-

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FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Study programme/specialisation: Spring semester, 2017

Author: Thomas Monge Øia

Faculty Supervisor: Kjell Kåre Fjelde, University of Stavanger

External Supervisor: Per Buset, Island Offshore Subsea AS

Keywords: Number of pages: 142

Riserless P&A Operation, Riserless Coiled Tub- + supplemental material/other: 8

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Abstract ........................................................................................................................... III

List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... X

2 Rules and Regulations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf........................................ 5

3 Subsea P&A vs Platform P&A ................................................................................... 19

4 RLWI vessel and Subsea Equipment ......................................................................... 23

4.1 Introduction to RLWI Vessels ...................................................................................... 23

5 Riserless Coiled Tubing using RLWI Concept ............................................................. 41

6 Typical P&A procedure of subsea wells on the NCS .................................................. 53

6.1 Well X ........................................................................................................................ 53

7 Material Selection ................................................................................................... 59

8 P&A Methods .......................................................................................................... 63

9 Riserless P&A Scenarios ........................................................................................... 69

10 Overview of the Proposed Systems .......................................................................... 81

11 Riserless P&A Operations – Base Cases .................................................................... 83

11.1.2 Operational Sequence ................................................................................................. 86

12 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 109

14 References ............................................................................................................ 125

15 Appendices ........................................................................................................... 131

AHC Active Heave Compensator RLCT Riserless Coiled Tubing

1.1 History of subsea wells

1. Perform a study of plug and abandonment requirement, technology and operations

1.3 Structure of Thesis

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2 Rules and Regulations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

The regulatory hierarchy on the NCS[3];

2.1 Regulations and Standards for P&A on NCS

2.1.1 Well Integrity

To understand all aspects of P&A operations, it is fundamental to clarify the importance of

2.1.1.1 Well Barrier Elements

2.1.1.1.1 Well Barrier Element Acceptance Criteria (EAC)

Table 1: Additional EAC requirements [4]

2.1.1.2 Well Barriers

2.1.1.3 Well Barrier Schematics (WBS)

Thoroughly planned operations has a detailed description of the operational sequences. It is

2.2 General requirements for P&A operations

2.2.1 Temporary Abandonment (TA)

2.2.2 Permanent well barrier

a) Provide long term integrity (eternal perspective)

f) Ensure bonding to steel

Figure 3: Four types of well barriers

2.2.2.1 Permanent WBE acceptance criteria

For a permanent WBE to be accepted it must satisfy certain criteria[4];

- The minimum cement plug length shall be:

Figure 4: Permanent abandonment, open hole and inside casing plugs

2.2.2.2 Positioning of well barrier

Figure 5: Minimum setting depth - Pressure curves

2.3 UK oil and gas guidelines

2.3.1 Operation separated into well abandonment phases