Well Integrity Assessment: Managing CO2-Containment Risks

Long-term containment is critical for the success of CO2 storage projects. It is imperative to prevent injected CO2 from moving back to the surface or into other subsurface horizons outside the storage complex. Prospective CCS project sites must be thoroughly evaluated for risks. Understanding that wells represent a significant risk to containment, these risks must be appropriately documented and addressed.

Wells may become conduits for fluid migration due to the corrosive nature of the CO2 environment acting against well components and increased subsurface pressure due to injection. The risk of leakage through wells, the development of leaks, and any associated reactive remediation measures may render a project economically unviable. Therefore, it is essential to assess well integrity and formulate mitigation plans at the early stages of the project.

In this webinar, we will present a systematic approach to well integrity assessment based on determining the existing well conditions, the effects of barriers degradation, and the probability of leakage. The results of the assessment enable project teams to formulate proactive remediation strategies and cost-effective solutions to derisk projects.