About the issue of liquidation of oil and gas wells

Abstract

Currently, there are over 25,000 abandoned, suspended, or permanently plugged wells across Russia. Many of them may pose risks to the environment and public safety. Some wells can become sources of pollution or even potential explosion hazards. The number of wells requiring abandonment or repair is expected to increase in the coming years. Well abandonment means a series of isolation and restoration activities aimed at ensuring industrial safety, protecting subsurface integrity, and securing environmental safety. Over time, irreversible processes occur in abandoned wells. These processes include the degradation of column cement stone, abandonment plugs, wellhead bollard, and the corrosion of casing strings. As a result of these factors, there are possible risks of losing downhole behind the casing, intercolumn tightness of wells. This loss can lead to pressure appearance at the wellhead, formation of crossflows, and surface leaks of hydrocarbons and formation water. This paper discusses the current challenges associated with the abandonment of oil and gas wells. Additionally, it analyses the regulatory document RD 08-492-02: Instruction on the Procedure for Abandonment and Suspension of Wells and Wellhead Equipment, which no longer fully addresses modern environmental and technical requirements.