This client is an International Oil Company (IOC) based in Oman and operates as a standalone business unit of a large international energy company. This IOC required a detailed review of their Well Integrity Management Standard in line with ISO 16053-1, Norsok D10, and MOG SUB04-B01-Guidelines-Wells-Well Integrity. A well-integrity standard document was one of the required deliverables. This contained all the other well lifecycle steps and management. Our input involved reviews, training, problem-solving, systematisation of processes, ongoing support, and complete documentation.

In addition to the initial research and planning, we were asked to facilitate workshop days to raise awareness of well integrity and then prepare for the rollout of the well integrity plan.

The objective of these sessions was to provide a comprehensive understanding of well integrity management and its importance. The sessions were divided into two parts – the first part discussed why we need well integrity management, while the second part focused on how we could achieve it.

The first part of the session aimed to provide a broader and more consistent understanding of well integrity and the reason behind the development of a well-integrity management standard. It emphasised the importance of well integrity in ensuring the safety and sustainability of oil and gas operations.

The session highlighted the risks associated with poor well integrity, such as the potential for hydrocarbon leaks, which can have catastrophic environmental and safety consequences. The second part of the session discussed the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in ensuring well integrity management.

The session emphasised the importance of collaboration and communication between different departments and contractors to achieve well integrity throughout the well’s lifecycle.

The session aimed to promote a proactive approach to well integrity management, encouraging participants to consider and question the methods used to ensure well integrity.

Overall, the session’s objectives were to provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage well integrity effectively, ensuring the safety and sustainability of oil and gas operations.

By understanding the importance of well integrity and how it can be achieved, participants became better equipped to manage the risks associated with oil and gas operations and ensure the longevity of these operations.

Article 7 of the MOG Regulations outlines the requirements for oil and gas operators to ensure well integrity during drilling and production activities. The article covers various aspects of well management, including casing and cementing requirements, well control procedures, and pressure testing procedures.

According to the article, operators must ensure that the casing and cementing of wells are designed, installed, and maintained per industry standards and best practices. This includes ensuring that the cement used in well construction is of high quality and is properly placed to prevent leaks or fluid migration.

Additionally, operators are required to have well control procedures in place to prevent well blowouts or other well control incidents. These procedures should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in technology or operational practices.

Finally, the article outlines the pressure testing requirements for wells, which are designed to verify the integrity of the wellbore and prevent the escape of hydrocarbons or other fluids. These tests must be performed at regular intervals and must be conducted by qualified personnel using approved testing equipment.

In summary, Article 7 of the MOG Regulations requires oil and gas operators to take measures to ensure the integrity of wells during drilling and production activities. These measures include casing and cementing requirements, well control procedures, and pressure testing requirements. By adhering to these regulations, operators can help minimise the risk of well failure or other well control incidents, which can have serious environmental and safety consequences.

A technical review was carried out by our Well Integrity team with a focus on past documentation and the current state of play. We provided a detailed gap analysis report, as well as recommendations to address the gaps covering all aspects of the Well Integrity review, including findings, training, planning and evaluation.

The purpose of this document was to define how the IOC manages the integrity of its well stock throughout the lifecycle of the well and to set out the responsibility and accountability of the departments for delivering necessary well-integrity assurance. It followed ISO 16530-1 2017 Well Integrity Part 1 – Life Cycle Governance concerning the IOC company policies, procedures, and guidelines (PSPGs) and other key industry standards where applicable.

The well was designed and built following the company’s Well Construction PSPGs. That ensured that the well was constructed to the highest standards of safety and quality. The well design also ensured that the well could be effectively abandoned at the end of its life. This is important to protect the environment and to prevent the well from becoming a hazard. The well barrier verification process is documented to ensure that the well meets the life of well objectives.

This process includes testing and verifying the well’s barriers to ensure that they are effective in preventing leaks and spills. The risks associated with the well were assessed and mitigated to reduce the associated risk to ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable). That ensures that the well is operated safely and responsibly. The well was validated by the Subsurface Department to ensure that it met the original functional specification. This validation process included testing and verifying the well’s performance to ensure that it meets the requirements of the operator. The key requirements for the well were:

• The well must be designed and built in accordance with the company’s Well Construction PSPGs
• The well must be designed to be effectively abandoned at the end of its life
• The well-barrier verification process must be documented and completed
• The risks associated with the well must be assessed and mitigated
• The well must be validated by the Subsurface Department.

The following information must be available prior to well handover:

• The details of the MAASPs (Minimum Allowable Annulus Surface Pressure) and well-operating envelopes
• The specified operating and maintenance requirements
• The complete and accurate documentation for well-barrier verification
• The complete and accurate well-barrier schematic
• The complete and accurate well handover documentation.

This information is essential to ensure that the well can be operated safely and effectively.

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