Wel-lok technology delivered across 30-well campaign in the North Sea
Published: 22 March, 2023
BiSN, a leading supplier of downhole sealing solutions and technology to the global oil and gas industry, recently caught up with representatives from Aker BP regarding the successful 30-well P&A campaign conducted in the Valhall oilfield in 2020.
Extensive testing over the past two years reveals that BiSN’s Wel-lok technology has delivered as promised.
Aker BP, a major global operator, needed to safely plug and abandon 30 wells in the Valhall field in the North Sea. To achieve this, BiSN partnered with Aker BP to deploy Wel-lok technology to create safe and cost-efficient Wel-lok plugs. Not only did this provide a permanent plug and abandonment solution, it allowed for new wells to be drilled and operated safely for the next 30 years.
“As part of the success story, we are monitoring the same wells today and we’re proud to say that out of the 30 wells today there is no leakage,” said Kjetil Vadset, senior drilling engineer, Aker BP.
For two years prior to commencing the campaign in 2020, Aker BP and BiSN carried out a joint testing program at BiSN’s Houston location to ensure Wel-lok technology was the safest, most cost-effective option.
As a result of completing this rigorous testing programme, BiSN Wel-lok technology received acknowledgement of consent for use, including DNV-GL verification and PSA (NORSOK) evaluation of bismuth.
“Qualifying Wel-lok technology for use in the North Sea and securing a long term partnership with Aker BP were two major priorities for BiSN at the time,” said Paul Carragher, founder and CEO of BiSN. “We are looking forward to continuing to develop a one team relationship with Aker BP on their forthcoming P&A campaigns.”
The active campaign that took place in 2020 provided 30 environmentally-friendly permanent seals in the Valhall oilfield. By implementing Wel-lok technology over traditional cement, it is estimated that the campaign saved approximately three months of rig time, or approximately $2,000,000 per well.
As part of the campaign, BiSN says it delivered the largest bismuth plug ever deployed to date. Produced at BiSN’s UK facility, the tool weighed in at 33,191 lbs and sealed up to 30 inches in the wellbore.
“We’re very proud. The operation has gone beyond expectations. We planned and hoped for 72 hours per installation. We’re down to 33 hours per installation just now,” said Kjetil Vadset, senior drilling engineer, Aker BP.
BiSN continues to refine and develop Wel-lok technology for a variety of well intervention, completion, and plug and abandonment applications. Currently Wel-lok technology has been commercially applied to 11 different applications, including water shut-off, cement repair, packer repair and plug and abandonment.
“BiSN has stepped up big time. They have developed a portfolio of smart systems for P&A applications, packer repair, water shutoffs, you name it,” added Egil Thorstensen, senior engineer P&A, Aker BP. “They now have a fleet of products that can be utilised for almost any application.”
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