Well Integrity Management (WIM) is becoming the main mission of oil & gas operators especially in maturing field. It is an operator’s objective to safeguard lives, protect environment, Company’s Assets, maintains production rates throughout the entire life cycle of a well at a low cost, and keep the reputation of the Country and Operator. Well Integrity starts with the proper well design to fit for purpose through the entire life of a well and ensuring best practices while drilling and completing a well and continuous monitoring.
Statistics has shown that well integrity challenges are increasing especially in old fields. In 2004,
a study conducted by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) in the Gulf of Mexico shown that 45% of all wells have a sustained casing pressure; a similar more recent survey was performed in 2009 in the North Sea has shown comparable results. Accurate diagnosis and designed surveillance and or online monitoring are all essential for taking the proper remedial or pro-active action on time to resolve problems and challenges and extend the life of the well.
Financial impact can be very high; loss of revenue of the hydrocarbons that escape, damage to the reservoir as a result of the uncontrolled flow and collateral damages has the potential to bring an Operator in financial dire straits. Several incidents in the recent past have shown that even the largest Operator can barely manage such financial drain. It is therefore of critical importance that the well integrity envelope is properly designed, constructed and maintained during its life cycle: Sustained Effective Well Integrity Management (WIM).
