Case of success: Integrity condition remediation of a hydrocarbon well categorized as high risk
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Currently, well integrity management in the hydrocarbon industry is highly relevant due to past incidents and process safety events caused by inadequate monitoring and control of asset integrity. In 2020, a high‐risk integrity condition was identified in a well in the Colombian Foothills, involving sustained pressure in two annulars from an external source and failure of the tubing hanger's secondary seals. The primary barrier was deemed ineffective, and the secondary barrier partially effective, posing a high risk of gas communication with annulars A and B, and potential external communication, risking fire and explosion. A remediation intervention was deemed necessary. A workover operation restored the barrier envelope status, using remedial cementing to isolate the annuli pressure source and a double production packing system to isolate open perforations. The well was successfully recompleted, restoring integrity at both surface and downhole levels, with tested secondary barriers. The operation restored well integrity as a gas injector, providing pressure support and recovery benefits to nearby wells, minimized risk conditions, and prevented containment loss and process safety incidents. Currently, primary and secondary seals are optimal, and annular pressure remains below operational limits.
Source: Process Safety Progress
DOI: 10.1002/prs.70038
Authors: Vanessa Torres Ramos, Jose Tomás Mejía Payares, Cesar Augusto Gil Paredes, Armando Estebes Prieto Acosta, Alba Enith Rodríguez Otavo
Institution: Ecopetrol (Colombia)
Language: English
Subfield: Ocean Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4416531083
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