| dc.description.abstract | Looking forward, there will be a need of performing a considerable number of permanent plugging and abandoning (PP&A) of oil and gas wells on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). These wells just cannot be left behind. The permanent plugging needs to be done either with or without a conventional rig tower. This thesis will cover the different surface equipment that can do P&A operations and the different downhole equipment that can aid in doing P&A operations without a conventional rig tower.
In 2015, a roadmap was made showing how one thought the development in rigless technologies would be [27]. One thought that within three years, the new development in rigless technologies would allow for P&A operations from start to finish, but even still today P&A operations are not done completely rigless. One can say that the development in this area has not been exactly how one anticipated.
By investigating different rigless technologies and their applications, this thesis aims to contribute valuable insights into the ongoing development within the oil and gas industry. As operators seek more sustainable and cost-effective solutions, the exploration of innovative rigless technologies emerges as key factor in the future of well abandonment on the NCS.
Today, the technologies for doing P&A without a conventional rig tower exists but not all the technologies are being used on the NCS due to HSE regulations.
If the hydraulic workover units (HWO) make their pipe handling systems completely automated, and a red zone with no personnel activity while the equipment is in use, they will be allowed on the NCS.
If the more advanced HWO’s are introduced, large parts of the P&A jobs can be performed without the use of conventional rig tower. It should also be noticed that improvements in downhole technologies will facilitate more use of rigless surface technologies.
The surface technologies this thesis will cover combined with new development in downhole equipment make it possible to P&A from start to finish. | |
