Time saving well severance solution using SIMOPS in the Gulf of Thailand

The challenge

An operator was looking for a well severance solution for three subsea tieback wells and eight dual bore wells across three platforms in the Gulf of Thailand:

• Subsea tieback wells –7”, 9 5/8”, 20”, 30”
• Dual bore wells – 2x 9-5/8” cemented into a 30” conductor

The primary objective was to sever these wells below mudline and recover for disposal as the final phase of the well abandonment process.

The solution

Claxton*, a cutting and decommissioning brand in Acteon’s Energy Services division, proposed its abrasive water cutting technology to carry out severance of the multi-string cuts, based on the speed and reliability of the solution. That meant that once the well-services provider had started plugging the wells Claxton could operate ‘offline’ and begin SIMOPS, hence off the critical path of the jack-up rig. To do this, Claxton proposed to deploy the cutting tool using a modular deployment system rather than the rig crane or derrick facilities.

The result

Eight dual bore and three tie-backs wells were severed 15ft below the mudline. As Claxton were offline, the time did not extend the rig days/critical path offshore and the solution provided successfully completed all well severances where conventional methods failed.

The customer was challenging the way they approached P&A campaigns to be as efficient as possible and Claxton adapted deployment, recovery and proving methods to align with their vision.

The client believed this was one of the most challenging well abandonment campaigns they had carried out globally, so a testament to the capability of the equipment and offshore team provided.

*At the time of this project, Proserv FTS was contracted to perform the work. Proserv FTS has since been acquired by Claxton Engineering Services Ltd.