Publications

Plug and Abandon (P&A) is one of the most important steps of well reconditioning before production phase is halted semi permanently or ceased permanently. It is important to ensure that not only subsurface connections and fluid flow but also surface based connections to be properly terminate any hydrocarbon movement to surface. Current practices in Indonesia; oil and gas business does not put P&A as one of the top priorities, compared to fundamental engineering aspects in petroleum engineering. Therefore, P&A is sometimes regarded as a formality. This publication presents a case study where long term oil and gas exploration and unique rock mechanics in ONWJ Work Area has caused subsidence and inherently leading to both operational and well integrity issues. Several issues namely casing deformation and detachment from main casing strings have been observed and is likely to put harm to oil and gas production in ONWJ Area. Casing buckling and wrinkled casing, as well as the presence of microcracks will present complications in safely plugging and abandoning the more mature wells. Recommendations based on current practices around the world as well as mitigation solutions done in ONWJ Area such as mechanical stress release combined with well condition evaluation and monitoring is maximized as an input to properly design safe and cost efficient plug and abandonment strategy for complex, marginal, and offshore wells with integrity issues. This research is aimed to become a benchmark for future uses of P&A not only in ONWJ area but also in Indonesia.