Revealing Microstructure and Enduring Properties of Settled Barite Extracted from an Offshore Well Two Decades Later – Well Abandonment and Slot-Recovery

Abstract

Barite settling in the annulus behind the casing is an undesired yet common occurrence during the life of a well. Over time, the drilling fluid left in the annulus settles, leaving behind solidified barite that can hinder slot recovery and Plug & Abandonment (P&A) operations by impeding the cut and pull process. During a P&A operation, Equinor acquired settled barite samples from a North Sea well where the casing was held back by these weighting agents, introducing overpull and prolonging the cut and pull operation. A laboratory analysis program that included determination of the particle size distribution, electrokinetic potential of particles (zeta potential), crystallography (XRD), chemical composition (XRF), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and microstructure (QEMSCAN) was carried out on these settled barite samples to understand their properties. The results of this study provided valuable insights into the composition and characteristics of the settled material in the annulus. The solidified barite within the annular space exhibited no signs of chemical reactions. XRD analysis confirmed the barite to be the sole predominant solid in the solidified material, aligning with expectations. However, additional analytical techniques, including XRF, QEMSCAN, and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) detected interconnections between barite particles, primarily facilitated by iron or quartz particles. Additionally, trace amounts of calcite, iron-oxide, SiO2, and mixed compositions involving Si, S, Fe, Ba, O, and Cl were identified within the solidified material. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results indicated that the particles exhibit strong compaction characteristics but lacked cementation, retaining some porosity. Notably, the absence of bentonite or other clays was consistently observed in all analyses. Furthermore, the zeta potential measurements of the samples showed a more stable response than the API barite. This study highlights the process of solidification observed in settled barite, suggesting that factors other than chemical reactions may be responsible for this phenomenon. The potential mechanisms contributing to solidification include physical aggregation, compaction, and alterations in surface charge under downhole conditions. This enhanced understanding of the solidification process will contribute to the development of solutions for efficient casing removal and even the utilization of settled barite as a barrier material.