The lack of planning for well plug and abandonment (P&A) during the well-construction phase can significantly contribute to the extended operational time and associated high cost of P&A. The impact on time and cost is mainly due to insufficient well data, uncertain casing cement integrity, and lack of information on competent formation for permanent barrier placement. Undocumented pressure and stress evolution, and well events also can contribute to increased time and cost of P&A. Although new technologies can reduce plug and abandonment cost, another approach is to effectively plan for well abandonment during the front end engineering design (FEED) and well-construction phases and during drilling of new wells. This paper examines recommendations for improvement and requirements that should be addressed by the industry, regulators, and operators to introduce clear well-abandonment requirements into FEED and well-construction phases for new drilled wells. –Requirement for planning for well integrity for the entire well life cycle of the well from well construction to well abandonment and after well abandonment–Identify number and position of required barriers for abandonments–Requirement to identify and document competent formation during well-construction phase–Requirement to demonstrate there is cement with good bond / isolation between the casing and the formation in the areas where internal cement plugs are to be set.–Qualification of the formation as possible well barrier–Well monitoring: consider introducing sensors or instrument in cement (cement behind casing) to continuously monitor and track any pressure build-up in the casing annulus.–Completion design: Avoid control lines at the intended well-barrier depth(s) and install production packer(s) in a location enables through-tubing well-abandonment methodologies. Other considerations to be addressed in this paper are the change of regulations between the time the well is constructed, and its final P&A. The novelty of addressing well abandonment requirements in the FEED and well-construction phases will significantly simplify the abandonment phase reducing risks and cost while improving well barrier integrity.

Discuss a cost-effective rigless methodology to abandon complex onshore wells. –Onshore wells can be near housing, and multiple non-technical risks (NTR) need to be carefully managed to keep the license to operate.–Select a 100% electric rigless plug and abandonment (P&A) unit to reduce emissions, smell, and noise contour.–Manage and execute a complex P&A scope of work of 60+ wells in three years. This paper studies the solutions selected and implemented by the project management team in collaboration with the well operator for a successful start-up and cost-effective well abandonment project. –Implement the first fully integrated well abandonment project solution for onshore P&A in the Netherlands including well P&A services, hydraulic workover (HWO), logistics, and site preparation.–Ensure full compliance with the stringent local mining and environmental regulations.–Select a bespoke P&A unit to provide a robust solution for complex P&A work.–Select downhole services and technologies to successfully execute a complex, rigless P&A work scope. The project encompasses over 60 wells on 23 different onshore locations drilled over a 50 year period. The known scope of work and requirements of multiple contingencies while managing NTRs resulted in the selection of a rigless well abandonment solution. –A modular, highly capable rigless well abandonment unit in combination with enabling downhole technologies provides a total solution for simple and complex wells.–A 100-percent electrically powered P&A unit reduces emissions, smell, and noise contour. This was thefirst electrified P&A unit in the history of the operator running on grid power. All well site equipment is electrically powered (HWO P&A Unit, Mud/Cement Pumps, and ancillary equipment) to reduce emissions, smell, and noise contour.–Project management and engineering is key to ensuring efficient planning and close collaboration with the well operator's project team.–Collaboration between partners enables multi-skilling and reduction of POB to save additional costs.–Improve efficiencies and execution through extensive after-action reviews and learning curves.–Successfully execute complex P&A work and re-establish annular cement integrity on multiple complex wells (perforate, wash and cement, section milling, perf, circulate and cement)–More than 40 wells completed in two years, and operations continue today.–This is the first fully integrated well abandonment approach that includes full project management, well-site supervision, cross-product services, and extensive third-party management (HWO, logistics, and other third-party service companies).–A 100% electric P&A unit reduces emissions, smell, and noise contour, delivering a net reduction of CO2 through electrification.