Leading the MENA Energy Industry in Deploying a Combination Bismuth Alloy & Cement Barrier in Offshore P&A Applications for Permanent P&A Integrity

This paper will explain the P&A strategy that was safely and successfully executed using a combination of a bismuth alloy barrier along with conventional cement plugs in two of the wells, which had sustained annulus pressures. This strategy was adopted with the aim of maximizing P&A integrity, using a V0-rated bismuth plug to reduce the length of dual casing section milling. The P&A designs for the project were compiled to align with the technical standards of UK Oil + Gas Well Decommissioning Guidelines (Issue 6 January 2018), and bismuth alloy technology has been an approved abandonment barrier under Oil and Gas. The P&A project was the first deployment in the Arabian Gulf & Middle East North Africa Region using bismuth alloy technology as an integral part of the 2-barrier system with the STC (Seal Through Casing) in single and dual section milled windows, hence building upon the track record of over 200 STC P&A barriers worldwide (status Jan 2024). In this context, the operator has demonstrated a clear technology leadership position and created a very valuable learning curve for the MENA future gas well P&A domain.