PUBLICATION

5Wellabandonmentregulations
5.1Introduction
ManyCCSprojectsarelikelytoencounterexistingabandonedoilandgaswells.Inorderto
safelystoreCO2ingeologicalformations,itisofhighimportancetoknowtheconditionof
thesewells.However,ofteninformationonthecurrentstatusoftheabandonedwellsis
difficulttoobtain.Theconditionofabandonedwellsisprimarilydeterminedbythe
practicedabandonmentmeasures.Therefore,therequirementsgoverningthe
decommissioningofoilandgaswellsprincipallydeterminetheirsuitabilityforuseinsecond
lifeapplications.
TABLEOFCONTENTS

Worldwide,countriesand/orstatesemployspecificpoliciesandproceduresforwell
abandonment.Thischapterpresentsanoverviewofofficialregulationsconcerningwell
abandonmentforaselectednumberofcountriesandstates(Table5.1).Theselectionof
countriesincludedisbasedontwomaincriterionsandthereforenotexhaustive.Firstofall,
thecountriesandregionsconsideredinthecurrentassessmentareeithersignificantly
engagedinoilandgasproductionorinvolvedinCO2storageapplications.Secondly,
accessibilityofregulatorydatawastakenintoaccount.Thefactthatinmanycasesthe
officialregulationsconcerningwellabandonmentareonlyavailableintheofficiallanguage
ofthecountryfurtherhamperedincorporationoftheseregulations.
Table5.1Regulationsofcountries/internationalregulationsreviewed.
Country
Denmark
France
Germany
Norway

State

Regulation
AGuidetoHydrocarbonLicencesinDenmark
Article49(partofDecreeno.2000278(RGIE,2000))

NORSOKStandardD010
theMiningLegislationandoftheWorkingConditions
TheNetherlands
Regulation
GuidelinesfortheSuspensionandAbandonmentofWellsby
UnitedKingdom
UKOOA
Western
ScheduleofOnshorePetroleumExplorationandProduction
Australia
Australia Requirements1991
QueenslandPetroleumandGas(ProductionandSafety)Regulations2004
TheWellAbandonmentGuidedescribedinDirective20ofthe
Canada
Alberta
EnergyResourcesConservationBoard
ControlRulesonoffshoreOilWellAbandonmentOperations
China
ofthePeoplesRepublicofChina
WellabandonmentregulationsbytheJapaneseMinistryof
Japan
Economy,TradeandIndustry
USEPARegulationsonPluggingandAbandoningInjection
WellsforClassIIwells.
UnitedStatesof
APIguidance
America
Alaska
TheAlaskaAdministrativeCode
California Section1723fromtheCaliforniaCodeofRegulations
Texas
Rule3.14fromtheTexasAdministrativeCode
International
LondonConvention1972and1996ProtocolOSPAR
Conventions
Convention
TheevaluationofassetsforpotentialapplicationinCO2storageprojectsrequiresadetailed,
sitespecificapproach.Theinformationpresentedinthischaptergivesageneraloverview
andwillnotsufficedrawingconclusionsonthestatusofspecificwells.Inaddition,itmustbe
notedthatonlystandardwellabandonmentregulationswerestudied,insteadofspecificCCS
wellabandonmentregulations.Althoughaneffortwasmadetodescribehistorical

Executivesummary
1Introduction
2Wellpluggingand
abandonmenttechniques
3Casestudies
4ImpactofCO2onwellbore
integrity
5Wellabandonment
regulations
6Riskmanagement
methodologies
7Recommendedbestpractice
8Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Appendices

developmentsinabandonmentregulations,themajorityofinformationinthischapter
comprisescurrentorrecentregulatorydescriptions.Furthermore,theevaluationof
regulationsinthischapterfocusesonprescriptiverequirements.Ifinforce,complementary
regulationsone.g.labourconditionsandenvironmentalimpactcansignificantlyinfluence
theeffectivemanagementofwellabandonment.However,regulationsconcerningthese
subjectsaswellasregardingadministrativetasks,suchasabandonmentreporting,are
beyondthescopeofthisstudy.
Nolegalrightscanbederivedfromtheregulatorydescriptionsinthischapter,astheyoften
involveunofficialrepresentationsand/ortranslationsoftheoriginaldocuments.The
meaningoftermsusedinthedifferentdocumentsmaydifferanditisadvisedtoconsultthe
originaldocumentsincaseclarityisrequired.Authenticregulationsarepublishedbythe
legalauthorities.Severalinvolvedauthoritiesrespondedtoourrequesttoapprovethe
informationinthischapter.

5.2Denmark
5.2.1Introduction
OilandgasexplorationstartedinDenmarkin1935.In1966,hydrocarbonswerediscovered
intheDanishpartoftheNorthSea.Afterthat,theexplorationcontinuedandaseriesofoil
andgasfieldswerefound.ThefirstoilwasproducedfromtheDanfieldin1972.
TheDanishEnergyAuthority(DEA)[1]isaninstitutionundertheMinistryofTransportand
Energyandwasestablishedbylawin1976.ItistheresponsibilityoftheDEAtofollowand
evaluatetheDanishandinternationalprogressinthefieldsofenergyproduction,supplyand
research.TheDEAadministratesandsupervisesenergylegislationforpowerandheating
supply,renewableenergy,andexplorationforandproductionofoilandnaturalgas
accordingtotheDanishSubsoilAct.TheSubsoilActlaysdownthebasicframeworkfor
petroleumexplorationandrecovery.TheActisformulatedasageneraltermsactallowing
foradaptationsandmoredetailedregulations.Itregulatesexploitationandrecovery
activitiesintheDanishsubsoilandtheDanishContinentalShelfconcerningminerals,and
specificallyhydrocarbons.
ApartfromtheDEAfunctionsintheoilandgassector,theactivitiesofthelicenseesare
subjecttoapprovalfromotherDanishauthorities.Especiallytheenvironmentalregulations
andtheapprovalproceduresforoilspillcontingencyplansshouldbeconsidered.
In2007,theDEApublishedAGuidetoHydrocarbonLicencesinDenmark(DEA,2007).
Thisguide7containsthesectionGuidelinesforDrillingExplorationwhichwaspublished
in1988andrevisedin2005.Theseguidelinesapplytoapprovalandsupervision,whichin
consequenceoftheDanishSubsoilActhavebeendelegatedtotheDEA.Theguidelinesrelate
toexplorationandappraisalwellsforhydrocarbonsandotherminerals,offshoreandonland
asspecifiedinSectionIoftheSubsoilAct.Inaddition,thesectionGuidelinesforDrilling
Explorationprovidesguidelinesforwellabandonment.Theseguidelinesareavailablein
AppendixA(/node/98961#h2_22).

5.2.2Wellabandonmentregulations
Anexplorationwellshallbeabandonedpermanentlywhendrillingoperationsaswellas
relevantloggingandtestproductionhavebeencarriedout.However,underspecial
circumstancestheDEAmaypermitawelltobeabandonedtemporarilywithoutpermanent
plugging.Awellshallbepluggedsuchthatitisensuredthatnofluidofflowthroughthehole
andnocommunicationfromdownholeformationtotheseabed/surfaceviaanycasing
annulusispossible.Tothisend,multipleplugsshallbeplaced.Thetotalweightofthe
cementplugsinthewellandtheweightofthefluidbetweentheplugsshallensurethatasa
minimumthesystemisinbalancewithanypressurewhichmaydevelopintheborehole.

Incaseswherethewellisuncasedoppositepermeablezones,plugsarenormallyplacedat
least50mbelowandabovetheindividualzones.Wherethereisanopenholebelowthe
deepestcasing,acementplugshallbeplacedinsuchamannerthatitextendsatleast50m
aboveandbelowthecasingshoe.Alternatively,amechanicalplugmaybepositionedinthe
casing,within50mfromtheshoe.Inaddition,acementplug,atleast50mlongshallbe
placedontopofthisplug.Perforatedintervalsshallbeisolatedwithcementplugsthrough
theindividualperforatedzonesandwith50mlongcementplugsbelowthelowermost
perforationandabovetheuppermostperforation.Alternativelytheperforatedzonescanbe
isolatedbyacombinationofamechanicalplugandsqueezecementingoftheperforations
andcementpluggingabovethemechanicalplug.Intheinnermostcasingacementplugmust
beplacedfromtheshoedepthofthepreviouscasingand100mup.Acementplug,atleast
100mlong,shallbeplacednearthesurface.
Ingeneral,plugsshallbepressuretestedforsufficienttimeandwithenoughdifferential
pressuretodetectapossibleleakormechanicalfailureoftheplug.Inaddition,thetopof
cementplugsshallbelocatedbyloadtesting.

5.2.3Additionalnote
TheGuidelinesforDrilling(DEA,2007)weredefinedin1988,whereasthefirstoilwas
producedin1972.Thisraisesthequestionwhathappenedtothewellsthatwereabandoned
before1988.AccordingtoDEA8,thepolicyhasalwaysbeenthesameandallindividualwell
abandonmentsareapprovedbythem.Secondly,itwasnotedthatonlytwoclosedwellsin
Denmarkhavebeenleakingsince1980.Smallleaksinabandonedoffshorewellswill,
however,neverbefound,sincethesewellsaregenerallynotinthevicinityofexisting
platformsandarenotmonitored.

5.3France
5.3.1Introduction
WellabandonmentregulationsinFrancearedefinedbytheMinistryofEconomics,Industry
andEmployment(formerlytheMinistryofEconomics,FinancialAffairsandIndustry)inthe
RglementGnraldesIndustriesextractives(RGIE,i.e.GeneralRegulationsforthe
ExtractiveIndustry).Withinthisregulationmultipledecreeshavebeendefined.In1986,
Decreeno.86287(RGIE,1986)wasdefinedforoffshoredrillingactivities.In2000,this
decreewasrevisedintoDecreeno.2000278(RGIE,2000).Withinthisdecree,Article49
Fermeturedfinitivedupuits(translated:Definitiveclosureofwells)wasdefined,
focusingonbothonshoreandoffshorewellabandonment.
ThissectionpresentsanoverviewoftheregulationsfromArticle499.Detailedinformation
canbefoundinAppendixB(/node/98966#h2_23).

5.3.2Wellabandonmentregulations
TherequiredclosureprograminFrancedependsontheageandthestateofthewells.In
addition,theknowledgeoftheoperatoronthestatusofprimarycementingandcasingis
takenintoaccount.Ifthestateofthecementingisnotadequatelyrecorded,theclosureshall
beprecededbyaninvestigationofthecementandcasing.Incasenocementingispresent,or
ifthecementingisnotsufficientlylongorhasreducedefficiency,itisnecessarytoplace,
extendorimprovethecementing.Thelattercanbeaccomplishedbyforexample,circulation
ofcementorresinafterperforation.Inaddition,thecurrentpressureintheannulineedsto
bedetermined.
Ingeneral,inArticle49itisstatedthatallnecessaryprecautionsmustbetakentoisolate
reservoirsfromeachother.Theabandonmentoperationsmustbeperformedsuchthatthe
permeablelayerswillremainpermeableandthatnomixingoffluidbetweendifferent
permeablelayersshalloccur.Toseparatepermeablelayers,onlymaterialsareallowedtobe
usedthatdonotdegradeovertime.Theplugsshallbeplacedsuchthateithertwo

subsequentpermeablelayersareisolated,orotherlevelsareisolated,ifincontrollableflows
betweenintermediatelayersareacceptable.Pluglengthsshallbeatleast50or100m,
dependingonthecharacteristicsofthewellbore.

5.3.3Generalcomments
Ingeneral,theplugsconsistofcement,butsedimentsorresinarealsoallowed.Thematerial
thatisuseddependsonthelocationoftheplug.Onlymaterialswithknowncharacteristics,
suchasresistanceandplasticity,shallbeused.Thequalityofisolationmustbecheckedby
meansofaloadtestandapressuretest.Theheightandqualityofthecementcanbe
monitoredbyaCementBondLog(CBL).

5.4Germany
5.4.1Introduction
Germanyhasalonghistoryforminingregulation,inparticularconcerningtherightto
exploreandproduceminerals.Thefirstknownlegalbasisdatesbacktotheyear1158.In
1865anewmininglawwasapprovedwhichconcernedacentralregulation.AftertheSecond
WorldWartheexistingjurisdictionconcerningmineralresourceswasdecentralisedtothe
elevenstatesintheWesternpartofGermany.TheEasternpartofGermanywasdirectedto
thegovernmentinBerlinanduntil1947onlystatecompaniesreceivedtherighttoexplore
andproduce[4].

5.4.2Wellabandonmentregulation
ThefirstabandonmentpolicieswereestablishedasBergpolizeilicheVorschriften(Mining
policeorders)inthe19thcenturyforeachGermanstateseparatePrussia,Saxony,
Oldenburg,SchaumburgLippeetc.Untilrecentlyacomplexregionalhistoryofregulations
wasinplace.CurrentlytheGermanexplorationandproductionofhydrocarbonsisregulated
undertheBundesberggesetzBBergG(Federalmininglaw)dated13August1980,andthe
UVPVBergbau(ordinanceontheenvironmentalimpactassessmentofminingprojects)
dated13July1990,aswellastherespectiveminingregulationsofthevariousstates.In
addition,theVereinDeutscherIngenieure(AssociationofGermanEngineers)hasissueda
numberofguidelinesdealingprimarilywiththerelevantmechanicalequipment[5].
TheFederalInstituteforGeosciencesandNaturalResources(BGR)inHannoveriscurrently
documentingthewellabandonmentregulationperstateinGermany.Thisreportwillbe
publiclyavailableinthesecondhalfof200910.

5.5Norway
5.5.1Introduction
AsaresultoftheenforcementoftheContinentalShelfActin1963thefirstproduction
licenseinNorwaywasgrantedbyStatein1965,followedbythefirstproductionwelldrilled
in1966.TheNorwegianpetroleumproductionstartedafterthediscoveryoftheEkofisk
reservoirin1969whichwasthefirstcommerciallyviablediscovery.Afterthestartof
productionon15June1971morediscoveriesweremadeintheNorwegiancontinentalshelf.
Atthebeginningof2008,57newoilandgasfieldswereinproductioninNorway(Ministry
ofPetroleumandEnergy,2008),(Bull,1981).Thetotalnumberofnonactiveandactive
development,exploration,productionandinjectionwellsontheNorwegianContinental
Shelfper1January2006canbefoundinVignesetal.(2006),aswellasagesofthewells.

5.5.2Explorationandoperationphase
On1July1985the1963ContinentalShelfActwasreplacedbytheNorwegianPetroleumAct
containingrequirementsforpreparingafieldspecificenvironmentalimpactassessment
(EIA)fortheexplorationandoperationphaseofpetroleumactivitiesintheNorwegianshelf.
However,thefirstNorwegianEIAswerecriticisedforfocussingtoolittleonfield

developmentconceptsandthetechnicaldesignoftheinstallations(Kinn,1981).The1985
PetroleumActwasrevisedin1997inwhichalegalbasiswasestablishedforrequiring
RegionalEIAs(REIA).WithREIAsthetotalplannedandexpectedactivityanditseffects
withinanareaareevaluated.
Norwayparticipatesintheestablishmentofinternationalstandards,ISOandEN,which
formthebasisofpetroleumactivity.ToensurecontinuanceintheNorwegiansafety
frameworkandclimateconditionsamendmentsarerequired.Therefore,in1993NORSOK
standardswereestablishedbytheNorwegianpetroleumindustrytoensureadequatesafety,
valueaddingandcosteffectivenessforpetroleumindustrydevelopmentsandoperations[5].

5.5.3Wellabandonmentregulation
DecommissioningactivitiesinNorwayareregulatedunderthe1996PetroleumActaswellas
undertheobligationsoftheOSPARConvention(ConventionfortheProtectionoftheMarine
EnvironmentoftheNorthEastAtlantic).ThePetroleumActrequireslicenseestosubmita
decommissioningplantotheMinistryofPetroleumandEnergytwotofiveyearspriorthe
expiringorsurrenderofalicenseortheterminationofafacility.Thedecommissioningplan
mustconsistoftwomainpartsadisposalplanandanimpactassessment.OSPARDecision
98/3,whichcameintoforceon9February1999,concernsrulesonthedisposalofoffshore
installationsatsea(NPD,2008),(MinistryofPetroleumandEnergy,2008).Seeformore
informationontheseregulationstheOSPARConventiondescriptioninSection5.13.2.
SpecificabandonmentregulationsaredevelopedinNORSOKStandardD010(Standards
Norway,2004)whichfocusesonwellintegrity.Thestandardwasamendedin2004inorder
toaccountfortechnologicaldevelopmentincludingCO2storage.Thestandarddefinesthe
minimumfunctionalandperformanceorientedrequirementsandguidelinesforwelldesign,
planningandexecutionofsafewelloperationsinNorway.Adetaileddescriptionofrelevant
guidelinesconcerningwellabandonmentisavailableinAppendixC(/node/98971#h2_24).
Intheremainderofthissectionabriefdescriptionofthestandardispresented.Inaddition,
anumberofdiscussionpointsconcerningtheNORSOKStandardD010inrelationtoCO2
applicationsispresented.

5.5.4Generalwellabandonmentregulations
Ingeneral,permanentlypluggedwellsshallbeabandonedwithaneternalperspective.There
shallbeatleastonewellbarrierbetweensurfaceandapotentialsourceofinflow,unlessitis
areservoirthatcontainshydrocarbonsand/orhasaflowpotentialwheretwowellbarriers
arerequired.
Pluglengthsof100marerequired.Itmustextend,ataminimum,50maboveasourceof
outfloworleakagepoint.Aplugintransitionfromopenholetocasingshouldextendatleast
50mbelowthecasingshoe.Iftheplugissetinsidethecasingandwithamechanicalplugas
afoundation,theminimumlengthmustbe50m.
Thepluginstallationshallbeverifiedthroughdocumentationofjobperformances.In
addition,thepositionoftheplugsshallbeverifiedbyeithertaggingorpressuretests.Ifa
mechanicalplugisplaced,onlythisplugshallbetested.Thecementplugontopofthe
mechanicalplugdoesnothavetobeverified.

5.5.5Discussionpoints
InareportpreparedbySINTEF(Randholetal.,2007),sometopicsintheNORSOKD010
standardarecriticisedinrelationtoCO2applications.Inaddition,morestringent
requirementsareneededinsomeareasfortheapplicationonCO2wells:
materialselectionofbarriersforabandonedwells:therequirementsformaterialare
toogeneralandspecificdetailsarenotprovided,e.g.typeofsteel,cement.
wellbarrierinseveralstages:nocementplugisplacedinthecaprockwhichis
insufficientforwellsexposedtoCO2.

completionstring:accordingtoNORSOKthetubingcanbeleftinplaceincaseof
permanentlyabandonmentwhichisinadequateforCO2applications.
temporarywellabandonment:isnotregulatedtoacertaintimeframe.
monitoringpermanentlyabandonedwells:guidelinesaremissing

5.6TheNetherlands
5.6.1Introduction
IntheNetherlandstheregulationsandguidelinesforminingactivitiesdatebacktothe
Napoleonictimesof1810(LoidesMines).Theseregulationsweremainlyaimedatnatural
resourcesminedinquarriesandcoalmines.Onlyinthe20thcenturywellsweredrilledto
exploreforhydrocarbons.Thefirstcommercialoilwasfoundin1943(Schoonebeek)and
firstgaswasstruckin1948(Coevorden).In1959thegiantGroningengasfieldwas
discovered(ca.2800billioncubicmeters)whichledtoasharpincreaseofdrillingactivity,
bothonshoreandoffshore.Eventuallythisledtonewregulationsin1964tocopewiththe
newsituation.TheseregulationsconsistedoftheMiningregulations(Mijnregelement1964)
andtheMiningRegulationsContinentalShelf(MijnregelementContinentaalPlat)which
cameintoforcein1967(nooffshorewellsweredrilledpriortothisdate).In2003these
regulationswereupdatedandunitedbyanewupdatedMiningact.Theregulationsand
guidelinesconcerningwellabandonmenttherewerenotchangedsince1964.Beforethat
timewellabandonmentwasnotexplicitlydealtwith.
IntheNetherlandstherearesome1140wellsdrilledbeforetheMiningactwasupdatedin
1964and1967.Forthesewellsnogeneralregulationsonwellabandonmentwereinplace.
Therefore,morespecificinvestigationswillhavetobeexecutedtodeterminetheir
appropriatenessforfutureapplicationssuchasgeologicalstorageofCO2.

5.6.2Regulatoryinstrumentsofwellabandonment
Regulatoryinstrumentsinvolvedintheevaluationofabandonmentprogrammesarelaid
downintheprescriptivelegislationoftheDutchMiningRegulations,aswellasinthegoal
settinglegislationoftheDutchMiningDecreeandtheWorkingConditionslegislation.The
wellsandboreholessectionintheMiningRegulationsdictatesprescriptiveruleson
abandonmentmeasures.TheMiningDecreeincludesgeneralandfitforpurpose
requirementstotheconstruction,interventionandabandonmentofboreholesandwellsto
preventdamagetohealth,safetyandenvironment(HSE)interests.Compliancetothese
goalsettingelementsoftheMiningDecreeisgenerallydemonstratedbyusingbestpractices
andstateofthearttechniquesinordertoreachanacceptablerisklevel.Inaddition,the
MiningDecreeiscoupledtotheWorkingConditionsAct,includingaSafetyCaseregimethat
requiresajustificationofriskstoworkersonamininglocationorinstallation,ineachstepof
itslifetime,tobeacceptable.Thisalsoaccountsforactivitieslikeconstruction,intervention
andabandonmentofwellsthatarecarriedoutontheseminingworks.Thecouplingofthe
MiningDecreetotheWorkingConditionslegislationprovidesanextrarequirementto
preventadverseeffectsonHSE.AsaresulttheSafetyCaseextendsbeyondtheMining
Regulationsbyincludingtheexternalrisksthatareprojectedfromthemininglocationor
installationtosurroundingHSEinterests.Theintegrallegislationframeworkassociatedwith
MiningisenforcedbytheStateSupervisionofMinesundertheDutchMinistryofEconomic
Affairs.

5.6.3DutchMiningAct
DutchMiningActconsistsinfactofthreelevels:theMijnbouwwet(MiningActitself),the
Mijnbouwbesluit(MiningDecree)andtheMijnbouwregeling(MiningRegulations).The
currentMiningAct,acceptedatOctober12,2002andinstalledatJanuary1,2003,contains
rulesinrelationtotheexplorationanddevelopmentofmineralresourcesandinrelationto
miningactivities.Itaimstogiveaclearframeworkforresponsibleandeffectivemining.The
MiningDecreespecifiesthemainelementsoftheMiningAct.Moretechnicaldetailsofthe
wholeMiningActsystemaresetforthintheMiningRegulations.

5.6.3.1MiningRegulations
Chapter8(/node/98941/node/98941#h2_18)oftheMiningRegulationdealswith
boreholesandwells.Sections8.1(/node/98941#h3_38)8.4(/node/98941#h3_41)deal
respectivelywithgeneralissues,workingprogramandreporting,constructionofboreholes
andreparationofwells,andequipmentofwells.Section8.5(/node/98941#h3_42)deals
withabandonmentofboreholesandwells.
Besideswellplugs,thepresenceofaprimarycementsheathoutsideofthecasingisan
importantissue,sincegasescanmigraterelativelyeasilywhenawellisuncementedatthe
levelofagasbearingzone.DutchMiningRegulationChapter8
(/node/98941/node/98941#h2_18)givesextensiveregulationsfortheplacementofcement
plugswhenabandoningwellsandforupholdsafetyrequirementsandinstallations,butpays
littletechnicalattentiontodownholeprimarywellcementing.Thisisregulatedonthegoal
settingMiningDecreelevel.WithoutanyfurtherdescriptionSection8.2.1demandsa
workingprogrammedescribingthecementingpercasinginterval(8.2.1.1.e).Agoodprimary
wellcementingjobisinfactsecuredbytherequiredmonitoringofcasingpressuresin
Section8.4.4.Thissystemleavesinfactthefreedomtotheoperatortoadjusttheprimary
cementingtothespecificprevailingfieldconditions.Operatorshaveextensiveinternal
regulationsandguidelinesforprimarywellcementing.
Concerningtheregulationsoncementjobswhensettingthecasingsintervalsorandsetting
cementplugswhileabandoningthewellasstatedinthecurrentMiningRegulationshavenot
beenamendedinthelatestversion.Thisimpliesthattheyareequaltothoseintheprevious
MiningRegulationsContinentalShelfandtheMiningRegulations1964.Detailed
informationcanbefoundinAppendixD.1(/node/98976#h3_46).

5.6.4WorkingConditionsAct
ThepurposeoftheWorkingConditionsActistohaveequivalentandsafeworking
conditionsinallcompaniesintheNetherlands,regardlessofthenumberofemployees.
Employersareprimarilyresponsiblefortheworkingconditionsintheircompany.And
employersandemployeescooperateonimprovingtheworkingconditions.Thehealthand
safetyservicecanadviseinthis.TheHealthandSafetyInspectoratesupervisesemployers
compliancewiththeWorkingConditionsAct.
TheWorkingConditionsActdescribesthemainfeaturesforhealthandsafetypolicy.The
generalrulesoftheWorkingConditionsActareelaborateduponintheWorkingConditions
DecreeandtheWorkingConditionsRegulation.TheWorkingConditionsDecreecontains
concreteprovisionswhichemployersmustfollow,classifiedbysubject.Anumberofsubjects
intheWorkingConditionsDecreehavebeenelaborateduponintheWorkingConditions
Regulation.DetailedinformationcanbefoundinAppendixD.2(/node/98976#h3_47).
5.6.4.1Safetycases
Therequirementfortheminingindustrytoproduceandsubmitasafetyandhealth
document(safetycase)emanatedfromthePiperAlphadisaster.Followingpublicationof
LordCullensreportofthePublicInquiryintothePiperAlphadisaster,Governmentstated
itscommitmenttoimplementthoserecommendationsofrelevancetominingactivitiesin
TheNetherlands.
ThesafetycaseregimeislaiddownintheWorkingConditionslegislationandrequires
companiestofollowalogicalstructuredapproach,whenundertakinganobjectivecritical
reviewoftheirinstallations,locations,facilitiesorunitsandtheoperationsandactivities
performedtherein,includinginwells.Itidentifiesfourkeyelementsconsideredessentialin
theworkperformedbycompaniesincompilingasafetyandhealthdocument.Thiswork
providesthedegreeofassurancenecessarytosatisfyCompanymanagement,theirworkforce
andfinally,todemonstratetoGovernment,thatoperationalactivitiescanbeperformed
safely,withdueregardtotheprotectionofhumanlife.Theseelementsare:

riskidentification
riskevaluation
riskeliminationandreduction
riskcontrolandmanagement.
Theprimaryobjectiveofthesafetycaseprocessis,toensurethatthesafetyandhealth
protectionofallpersonnelinvolvedinminingoperationsandassociatedactivities,is
safeguarded.Thisrequirestheimplementationofmeasuresnecessarytoensure:
thatthedesign,useandmaintenanceofmininginstallations,locations,facilities,units
andoftheequipmentandsystemstherein,whetherfixed,mobile,portableorfor
individualuse,aresafeandremainingoodcondition
thattherisksincurredbypersonnelattheirplaceofwork,bothoperationaland
occupational,havebeenidentifiedandevaluated
thatadequatemeasuresexistorwillbetakentoensurethatworkplacesareandwillbe
maintainedsafeandthatriskstopersonnelhavebeeneliminated,orreducedtoalevel
thatisAsLowAsisReasonablyPracticable(ALARP)
thatimprovementstotheexistingsituation,resultingfromadvancesintechnologyand
technicalknowledgewillbeadopted.

5.7UnitedKingdom
5.7.1Introduction
Thefirstoilandgaslegislationwasestablishedin1918whenthePetroleum(Production)Act
wasenacted.TheCrownnowhadtherighttocontrolexplorationandproductionintheUK
andtograntlicences.The1918actwasrevokedbytheintroductionofthePetroleum
(Production)Actin1934.ThePetroleum(Production)Act1934andelementsfromthe
ContinentalShelfAct1964wasconsolidatedintothePetroleumAct1998.Thisactcontains,
amongothers,rulesrelatingtodecommissioningofoffshoreinstallations[7].

5.7.2Abandonmentofwells
5.7.2.1Onshorewellabandonment
Decommissioningofonshorewellsandassociatedhydrocarboninstallationswillbe
addressedthroughIPPClegislation.Permissiontodecommissiononshorewellsisalso
requiredfromtheDepartmentofTrade&IndustryunderThePetroleum(Production)
(LandwardAreas)Regulations1995.
5.7.2.2Offshorewellabandonment
AbandonmentofoffshorewellshastobecarriedoutinaccordancewiththeOil&GasUK
GuidelinesfortheSuspensionandAbandonmentofWellsdevelopedbytheUKOffshore
OperationsAssociation(UKOOA).Thefulltextofthisguideline(UKOOA,1995)canbe
foundinAppendixE(/node/98981#h2_26).
5.7.2.3DescriptionoftheUKOOA(1995)guideline
Therequiredstandardsforwellabandonmentinvolveanacceptablepermanentbarrier(the
maincharacteristicsofabandonmentmaterials(pluggingmaterial)),thelocationofthe
permanentbarrierforisolationfromthesurface,minimumrequirementsforpermanent
barriersandaverificationprocedure.
Thebarrierrequirementsinvolvethemaincharacteristicsofabandonmentmaterial,e.g.low
permeability,longtermintegrity,noshrinking.Thecementplugmustbeacolumnofatleast
100ftdepthmadeoutofgoodcement.Wherepossible500ftAHDplugsmustbeused.The
guidelinesdistinguishbetweenacasedholeplugandaopenholeplug,aswellascemented
casingandalternativepluggingmaterial.Twopermanentbarriersfromsurface/seabedare

requiredbytheseguidelinestoachieveeffectiveisolationofhydrocarbonbearingpermeable
zones.Thefirstbarriershouldextentatleast100ftabovethehighestpointofpotential
inflow,thesecondbarrieractsasabackupofthefirstbarrier.
Theminimumrequirementsforpermanentbarriersaresetperspecificcircumstancesopen
hole,casingshoe,perforatedcasing,behindcasingandcasingcutsandlinercaps.
Accordingtotheguidelinesitisimportantthatthepositionandeffectivenessofbarrierscan
beconfirmed.Theguidelinesdonotoutlinespecificrequirementsforverification.Theydo,
however,recommendminimumrequirementsincaseofopenhole(weighttested),cased
hole(firstbarrier:taggedandpressuretested,secondbarrier:tagged),annulus,casingcuts
andlinerlaps(log).
Whentheisolationsareachievedtheremovalofdownholeequipmentisnotrequired.
Typically,wellconductorandcasingstringsarecut35mbelowthemudline,and
conductors,casingsandwellheadarewithdrawn(OConnoretal.,2004).

5.8Australia
5.8.1Introduction
Bytheendofthe19thcenturyandthebeginningofthe20ththefirstwellsweredrilledin
Australia.Thesewellsweremostlyforthepurposeofwaterextraction,howeveralsooil
substancesandgaswerefound.Australiasfirstoilfieldwasdiscoveredin1924,asaresultof
anattempttodrillforwater[8].In1923thePetroleumActwasimplementedwhichcovered
petroleum(oilandgas)explorationandtransmission(PetroleumandGasInspectorate,
2005).
WesternAustraliahasbeenproducingcrudeoilsince1967andcondensatesince1972.The
firstdiscoveryofoilintheStatewasatRoughRangein1953,butthisfieldwastoosmallfor
commercialdevelopment.TheStatesfirstcommercialfield,onBarrowIsland,began
operationsin1967.ThefirstcommercialquantitiesofnaturalgasintheonshorePerthBasin
wereproducedfromDongarain1971andMondarrain1972.Offshoreexplorationbeganon
theNorthWestShelfin1967.Althoughthesearchwasinitiallyforoil,therewereshowsof
gasasearlyas1968.MajordiscoveriesofgasweremadeatNorthRankin,Goodwynand
ScottReefin1971andhavecontinueduptothepresentday.

5.8.2Wellabandonmentregulations
Inthesecondhalfof1950abandonmentofwellswasfirsttakenupinthePetroleumActof
1923whichwasupdatedin1955and1958.AnewsubdivisionofthePetroleumActof1923
wasmadein1962,includingtheamendmentsuntilthen.Thelastamendmentwasinthe
year2000(TheOfficeoftheQueenslandParliamentaryCounsel,2008).
InWesternAustralia,onshorewellabandonmenthassince1991beenprovidedforinthe
ScheduleofOnshorepetroleumExplorationandProductionRequirements1991.This
Scheduleisservedonpetroleumtitleholdersinlieuofregulations.
5.8.2.1Offshorewells
ThemainoperationsconcerningpetroleumexplorationandproductioninAustraliais
situatedoffshore.About96percentofoiland83percentofgasisproducedfromoffshore
sources(AustralianGovernment,2008).
Since2005NOPSA(NationalOffshorePetroleumSafetyAuthority,aStatutoryAgency
regulatingCommonwealth,StateandTerritorycoastalwaterswithaccountabilitytothe
relevantMinisters)administersoffshorepetroleumsafetyregulationsinordertoregulatethe
Australianoffshorepetroleumindustryandassistittoreducethehealthandsafetyrisksto
anacceptablelevel.ForoffshorepetroleumoperationscurrentlytheOffshorePetroleumAct
2006(OffshorePetroleumandGreenhouseGasStorageAct2006)providesthelegislative
backgroundaswellastheEnvironmentProtection(SeaDumping)Act1981[10].Approvalof

decommissioningisbasedoninternationalprotocolsandtreatiesassetoutintheGuidelines
fortheDecommissioningofOffshorePetroleumFacilities.Inpractice,extensiveexperience
ofsuchupstreampetroleumdecommissioningisprobablynotyetavailableinAustralia
(AustralianGovernment,2008).
EachStateandNorthernTerritoryhasmadeorwillmakecorrespondingamendmentsto
existinglegislation,soastocreateanequivalentoccupationalhealthandsafetyregimefor
petroleumactivitiesinStateandNorthernTerritorycoastalwaters.
5.8.2.2Onshorewells
Onshoreoilandgasprojectsinvolvingmorethanonejurisdiction,duetoindividualstate
basedlegislation.Especially,WesternAustraliaandQueenslandestablisheda
comprehensivebasisoflegislationforonshorewellabandonment.Thesetwoexamplesof
statelegislationinAustraliaarepresentedinthefollowingsections.

5.8.3WesternAustralia
WesternAustraliahasapetroleumlegislationthatiscommontobothitsonshoreand
offshoreareas.ThelegislationissimilartothenationalOffshorePetroleumAct2006.
Requirementsforonshorepetroleumexplorationandproductionwereestablishedin1991,
inwhichdecommissioningofonshorewellsinthestateisregulated.Therequirementswhich
aresetforwellabandonmentandpluggingcanbefoundinAppendixF.1
(/node/98986#h3_48).

5.8.4Queensland
InQueenslandtheabandonmentofoffshorewellsisregulatedaccordingtotheNOPSA
requirements.Incaseofonshorewells,Queenslandestablishedrequirementsfor
abandonmentinthePetroleumandGas(ProductionandSafety)Act2004andinthe
PetroleumandGas(ProductionandSafety)Regulations2004.Anoverviewofrelevant
issuesconcerningonshorewellabandonmentintheregulationscanbefoundinAppendix
F.2(/node/98986#h3_49).Inthisappendix,therequirementsforpluggingandabandoning
petroleumwellsandboresaredescribedinSchedule3.Specificrequirementsforplugging
andabandonmentarenotsetintheregulations.

5.9Alberta,Canada
5.9.1Introduction
EveryprovinceinCanada(Figure5.1)hasspecificpoliciesandproceduresforwell
abandonmentprocedures.Forthisstudy,onlytheAlbertaBasinisconsidered.From1947
on,thisfieldhasbeenexploited.
EffectiveJanuary1,2008,theAlbertaEnergyandUtilitiesBoard(EUB)hasbeenrealigned
intotwoseparateregulatorybodies.Firstly,theAlbertaUtilitiesCommission(AUC)hasbeen
installed,whichregulatestheutilitiesindustry.Secondly,theEnergyResources
ConservationBoard(ERCB)hasbeeninstalled,whichregulatestheenergyindustry.The
ERCBisanindependent,quasijudicialagencyoftheGovernmentofAlberta[14].Thisboard
hasformulatedseveraldirectivesconcerningtheoilexplorationandexploitationactivitiesin
theAlbertaBasin.TheWellAbandonmentGuideisdescribedinDirective20.Thislatest
revisedreleaseofthedirectivewasinDecember2007(ERCB,2007).Amendmentstothis
directivehavebeenmadeinDirective72(ERCB,2008)andwillbeincorporatedinafuture
releaseofDirective20.

Figure5.1Left:Canada,withAlberta[15].Right:FourProgramAreasinAlberta,adapted
fromERCB(2007).

5.9.2Wellabandonmentprocess
TheinformationintheremainingpartofthissectionhasbeensummarizedfromERCB
(2007),unlessstatedotherwise.
Theobjectiveofawellabandonmentistocoverallnonsalinegroundwaterandtoisolateor
coverallporouszones.Adifferenceismadebetweenopenholeabandonmentrequirements
andcasedholeabandonmentrequirements.Anoverviewoftherequirementsforbothtypes
isprovidedinthenextsections.Thelastsectiondealswithsurfaceabandonment.

5.9.3Openholeabandonmentrequirements
Theabandonmentprogramforanopenholewelldependsonthelocationofthewellwithin
theprovinceandwhetherthewellisinanoilsandsarea.Foropenholeabandonments,the
provinceAlbertaissubdividedintofourprogramareas(Figure5.1):WesternAlberta
(ProgramArea1),NortheasternAlberta(ProgramArea2),EastCentralAlberta(Program
Area3)andSoutheasternAlberta(ProgramArea4).Designatedoilsandsareasexistin
ProgramAreas1and2.
ThegeologyofProgramArea1istoodiversetosupportasinglepluggingprogram.
Therefore,licenseesofwellsinthisregionmustdeveloptheirownpluggingprogramthat
meetstherequirementsofDirective20.FortheremainingthreeProgramAreas,prescribed
pluggingprogramshavebeendevelopedbytheEUB(nowERCB).
Ingeneral,cementplugsmustbeplacedthatareofsufficientlengthandnumbertoensure
thatcrossflowbetweenporouszonesdoesnotoccur.Secondly,pluggingprogramsmust
coverallnonsalinegroundwaterbycement,andmustisolateorcoverallporouszones.The
generalandProgramAreaspecificrequirementsarepresentedAppendixG.1
(/node/98991#h3_51).

5.9.4Casedholeabandonmentrequirements
Theabandonmentprogramforacasedholewelldependsonthelocationofthewell,ifthe
wellwascompleted,andwhetherthewellpenetratedanyoilsandszones.Inacasedhole
abandonment,thelicenseemustabandoneachcompletedpoolseparatelyandmustcoverall

nonsalinegroundwaterwithcement.Ifthecasingstringsinacasedholewellwerenot
cementedaccordingtotherequirementsinDirective009(ERCB,1990)thecementlocation
andconditionmustbeevaluated.
Differentabandonmentrequirementshavebeendefinedforwellsthatdoanddonot
penetrateoilsandszones.AnoverviewisgiveninAppendixG.2(/node/98991#h3_52).

5.9.5Additionalrequirements
AppendixG.3(/node/98991#h3_53)presentsadditionalrequirementsconcerningremoving
casingsandsettingcementplugs.

5.10China
Attheendofthe1950sChinasoffshoreoilindustrystartedintheSouthChinaSea.After
1965theexplorationfocuswasrepositionedtotheBohaiBayintheNorthofChina.Untilthe
year1972simpletechnologywasusedfordiscoverywellsforoilandgas.From1966to1972
intotalfourfixeddrillingplatformswerebuilt,14wellsweredrilledandthreeoilbearing
structureswerediscoveredinBohaiBay.Inthisperiodexperiencewasbuiltupforoffshore
oilexploration.After1973thedevelopmentequipmentbegantoberenewed,andasupplyof
jackupvessels,threepurpose(towing,weighinganchorandcastinganchor,supply)
workboats,geophysicalsurveyvesselswerebuiltathomeandintroducedfromabroadfor
conductingexplorationanddevelopmenttestsinBohaiBay.
On30January1982theChineseStateCouncilpromulgatedRegulationsofthePeoples
RepublicofChinaconcerningtheExploitationofOffshorePetroleumResourcesin
CooperationwithOverseasPartnersanddecidedtoestablishChinaNationalOffshoreOil
Corporation(CNOOC).CNOOChastheexclusiverightofconductingoilexploration,
development,productionandsellingandtakingchargeofthebusinessonexploitingoffshore
oilresourcesinthecountrysseaareas,possiblyincooperationwithoverseaspartners[16].

5.10.1Onshorewellabandonmentregulations
InformationononshoreregulationsinChinaappearedtobedifficulttoobtain.

5.10.2Offshorewellabandonmentregulations
CNOOCestablishedtheControlRulesonoffshoreOilWellAbandonmentOperations.In
AppendixH(/node/98996#h2_29)theEnglishtranslationoftheregulationscanbefound.
Themainfocusofthetextisonthetechnicalrequirementsforwellabandonmentoperations,
inwhichamongothertopicsconditionsofwellabandonmentoperations,permanentwell
abandonmentandtemporarywellabandonmentareaddressed.

5.11Japan
TheJapaneseMinistryofEconomy,TradeandIndustry(METI)[18]specifiestheprovision
andthestandardsforthenecessarymeasuresofanabandonedoilwell.Thestandardof
abandonedoilwellsisspecifiedin1986andisbasedontheMineSafetyAct11.METI
providedtheJapaneseregulationsonwellabandonmentinJapanese(METI,1986).
TheJapaneseauthoritiesdistinguishtwodifferentcasesforabandonment.Firstofall,
regulationsaredefinedforabandonmentofwellsforoilornaturalgasproductionfrom
structuralreservoirs.Secondly,regulationsaredefinedforwellsproducingnaturalgasthatis
dissolvedinwater.AppendixI(/node/99001#h2_30)containsanunofficialtranslationof
theregulations.

5.12UnitedStatesofAmerica
5.12.1Introduction

Regulationsregardingtheabandonmentprocedureandrequirementswerefirstinstalledin
theUSAafter1930andinsomestatesevenafterWorldWarII(CalvertandSmith,1994).
Theinitialprescriptionsweresignificantlyimprovedin1952,whentheAmericanPetroleum
Institute(API)presentedalistofstandardcementcompositionsandadditiveswhichdivided
thecementineightclassesdependingonthedepthofapplicationandadditives.TheAPI
classificationisstillbeingusedforspecificationofthecompositionofwellboreplugging
cementsusedatspecificdownholeconditions.Since1953developmentsinplugging
proceduresweremostlyrestrictedtochangesinpluglengthsandthenumberofplugs
appliedperwell(Ideetal.,2006).
TheUSregulationsshowadistinctregionalnature.Whiletheobjectiveofpluggingisthe
sameinallstates(i.e.protectionofpotablewateraquifersandisolationofhydrocarbon
zones),abandonmentregulationsdifferfromonestatetoanotheronmoredetailedlevels
(e.g.pluglengths,additives).

5.12.2UndergroundInjectionControl(UIC)
Themostsignificantimprovementwithrespecttotheoriginalrequirementswaseffectedby
theintroductionoftheSafeDrinkingWaterAct(SDWA)in1974thatembracedthe
philosophyofzonalisolationordisplacement.UnderthisActtheUndergroundInjection
Control(UIC)Programwasestablishedinordertoenablethesafeinjectionoffluidsin
subsurfacereservoirsbymaintainingthecurrentandfuturesourcesofdrinkingwater.The
UICProgramisresponsibleforregulationintheUSAatregionalleveloftheconstruction,
operation,permitting,andclosureofinjectionwellsthatinjectfluidsinunderground
reservoirsforstorage.Adoptingthisapproachrequiredoperatorstoisolateallfreshwater
drinkingzonesfromhydrocarbonreservoirsbycementplugs(Ideetal.,2006)andto
preventmovementofotherfluidsintothewellborebyapplyingadequatemudfluids
(EnglehardtandWilson,2001).
TheUICProgramdefinesfiveclassesofwellsbasedonsimilaritiesinthefluidsinjected,
construction,injectiondepth,design,andoperatingtechniques:
injectindustrialnonhazardousliquids,municipalwastewatersorhazardouswastes
Classbeneaththelowermostundergroundsourcesofdrinkingwater(USDW).Thesewells
I: aremostoftenthedeepestoftheUICwellsandaremanagedundertechnically
sophisticatedconstructionandoperationrequirements.
Classinjectfluidsinconnectionwithconventionaloilornaturalgasproduction,enhancedoil
II: andgasproduction.Mostoftheinjectedfluidisbrine.
Classinjectfluidsassociatedwiththeextractionofmineralsorenergy,includingthemining
III: ofsulfurandsolutionminingofminerals.
injecthazardousorradioactivewastesintooraboveUSDWs.FewClassIVwellsarein
Class
usetodaythesewellsarebannedunlessauthorizedunderanapprovedFederalorState
IV:
groundwaterremediationproject.
includesallinjectionwellsthatarenotincludedinClassesIIV.Ingeneral,ClassV
wellsinjectnonhazardousfluidsintooraboveUSDWshowever,therearesomedeep
Class
ClassVwellsthatinjectbelowUSDWs.ThiswellclassincludesClassVexperimental
V:
technologywellsincludingthosepermittedasgeologicsequestrationpilotprojects
[20].

5.12.3EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)
UndertheSDWA(seeSection5.12.2),theEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)sets
standardsfordrinkingwaterquality.In2008theEPAproposedaruleforthecreationofa
ClassVIwellcategorywhichwouldconcernwellswhichonlyinjectCO2(EORwellsremain
ClassIIwells).
AccordingtotheUSEPA,theobjectivesofanabandonmentprocedureofinjectionwellsare
to[19]
1.eliminatephysicalhazards
2.preventgroundwatercontamination

3.conserveaquiferyieldandhydrostatichead
4.preventintermixingofsubsurfacewater.
Aselectionoftheappropriatemethodsofwellabandonmentshouldbemadeafter
considering
1.thecasingmaterial
2.casingcondition
3.diameterofthecasing
4.qualityoftheoriginalseal
5.depthofthewell
6.wellplumbness
7.hydrogeologicsetting
8.thelevelofcontaminationandthezoneorzoneswherecontaminationoccurs.
Ifnocrosscontaminationcanoccurbetweenvariouszonesandcontaminationcannotenter
fromthesurface,groutingthewellfrombottomtotopwithoutremovingthecasingmaybe
sufficient.However,sincetheprimarypurposeofmonitoringwellabandonmentisto
eliminatetheverticalmigrationoffluidsalongtheborehole,removalofthecasingisthe
preferredmethodofwellabandonment.Whenthecasingisremoved,theboreholecanbe
sealedcompletelyandthereislesspotentialforchannellingintheannularspaceor
inadequatecasing/groutseals[19].
Regulatoryrequirementsforwellabandonmentvarydependingontheclasswellsaswellas
thestate.EachstatecanchooseontheenforcementofEPAregulations.Onstatelevelseven
statesshareauthoritywithEPA[21].InFigure5.2theimplementationofregulationinthe
differentU.S.statesisshown.

Figure5.2TheimplementationofregulationindifferentstatesoftheUSA.Moststatesare
responsiblefortheimplementationoftheUICprogram(green).Theredcolouredstates
implementitjointlywiththeEPAandincaseofthebluecolouredstatestheEPA
implementstheprogramdirectly[23].
InAppendixJ.1(/node/99006#h3_54)thetextavailablefromtheEPAwebsiteconcerning
thegeneralrequirementsforpluggingandabandoningwellsaswellasforclassIIwellsis
presented.

5.12.4AmericanPetroleumInstitute(API)12
TheAmericanPetroleumInstitute(API)providesinitsAPIBulletinE3(API,1993)guidance
onenvironmentallysoundabandonmentpracticesforwellboresdrilledforoilandgas
explorationandproductionoperations,primarilyfocusedononshorewells.APIstatesthat

severalsafeguardsutilizedduringwellconstructionandduringpluggingoperationsprevent
fluidmigrationinpluggedandabandoned(P&A)wells.

Figure5.3Schematicofproperlypluggedwell(reproducedcourtesyoftheAmerican
PetroleumInstitute)
Safeguardsprovidedduringtheconstructionofawellincludesurfacecasingandproduction
casinginstalledandadequatelycemented.Cementandmechanicalplugsplacedatcritical
pointsinthewellboreduringeitherpriorremedialorpluggingoperationspreventfluid
migrationwithinthewellbore.Safeguardsprovidedduringpluggingandabandonment
operationsincludecementplugssetinopenholesaswellascementormechanicalplugsset
aboveperforatedintervalsinproductionorinjectionzones,atpointswherecasinghasbeen
cut,atthebaseofthelowermostfreshwateraquifer,acrossthesurfacecasingshoe,andat
thesurface.Figure5.3showsaschematicofatypicalproperlypluggedandabandonedwell.
SomeUSstateagenciesspecifyadditionalplugplacementsinsomesituations.Anoverview
oftheAPIguidanceispresentedinAppendixJ.2(/node/99006#h3_55).

5.12.5Alaska
ThefirstcommercialoilwelldevelopedinAlaskawasintheyear1902intheKatallaOil
Field.TheregulatoryagencyinAlaskaoverseeingtheundergroundoperationoftheAlaska
oilindustryonprivateandpubliclandsandwateristheAlaskaOilandGasConservation
Commission(AOGCC).Itisresponsibleforregulatingdrillingandproductionofoilandgas.
Itsorigindatesbackto1955[24].
5.12.5.1Wellabandonment
InTheAlaskaAdministrativeCode,theabandonmentandpluggingofwellsisaddressed
(TheAlaskaAdministrativeCode,2009).IntheArticletheabandonmentofwells,plugging
ofwellbranches,suspendedwells,wellpluggingrequirements,shutinwells,well
abandonmentmarker,waterwells,onshorelocationclearanceandoffshorelocation
clearanceisaddressed.TheoriginaltextcanbefoundinAppendixJ.3
(/node/99006#h3_56).
5.12.5.2Wellinformationdatabases
TheAOGCCalsomaintainsanOilandGasInformationSystemcontaininginformationon
publicwellandproductionfilesanddatabases.Thedatabasecanbefoundonitswebsite
[24].Oilandgasdata,wellfiles,anddigitallogdatacanbefoundthere.

5.12.6California
In1915,thefirstregulationsfordrillingofwellswerepublishedinCalifornia(McLaughlin,
1915).Thiswasmainlyduetothewidespreaddemandamongoiloperatorsforregulationsto
preventdamagingthepropertyofaneighbourbytheinfiltrationofwater.Accordingtothe
StateMiningBureauitwasnotnecessarytoinstructtheexperiencedoperators.The
regulations,therefore,wererathersupportingthanstrictlyprescribing.Section16ofthislaw
describesthewellabandonment.Itstatesthatitisthedutyoftheownerofawelltoprevent
thatwaterenterstheoilbearingstrata.
In1970,theCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActwasdefined.TheDivisionofOil,Gasand
GeothermalResources(DOGGR)fromtheCaliforniaDepartmentofConservation(DOC)
implementedthisactintheCaliforniaCodeofRegulations(DOGGR,2006).These
regulationsdefinewellabandonmentregulationsforbothonshoreandoffshorewells.These
regulationsarepresentedinAppendixJ.4(/node/99006#h3_57).

5.12.7Texas
TheTexasAdministrativeCode(TAC)isacompilationofallstateagencyrulesinTexasand
wascreatedbytheTexasLegislatureundertheAdministrativeCodeActin1977[25].Inthe
AdministrativeCodeAct,theLegislaturedirectedtheOfficeoftheSecretaryofState(SOS)to
compiletheTAC.EachtitlewithintheTACrepresentsacategory.Eachtitleisdividedinto
multipleparts,towhichrelatedagenciesareassigned.TheRailroadCommissionofTexas
(RRC)13isassignedtoPart1ofTitle16(EconomicRegulation).Chapter3
(/node/98916#h2_13)withinthispartisdedicatedtotheOilandGasDivision(SOS,2007).
ThefirstversionofthisrulewasadoptedinJanuary1976andthemostrecentamendments
wereadoptedinJanuary2007.
5.12.7.1Wellabandonment
TherulesforpluggingandwellabandonmentarelistedinRule3.14(SOS,2007).The
informationinthissectionhasbeencompiledfromthisrule,unlessstatedotherwise.
Wellsshallbepluggedtoinsurethatallformationsbearingusablequalitywater,oil,gasor
geothermalresourcesareprotected.Plugsshallbesettoisolateeachproductivehorizonand
usablequalitywaterplacingtherequiredplugateachdepthasdeterminedbytheTexas
CommissiononEnvironmentalQualityoritssuccessoragencies.
AppendixJ.5(/node/99006#h3_58)presentsRule3.14fromtheTexasAdministrative
Code.Animportantnoteisthatcementplugsshallbeplacedbythecirculationorsqueeze
methodthroughtubingordrillpipe.Dumpbailingisnotpermissible.

5.13InternationalConventions
5.13.1LondonConvention1972and1996Protocol
OneoftheoldestglobalconventionsistheLondonConventiononthePreventionofMarine
PollutionbyDumpingofWastesandOtherMatter1972coveringtheNorthSeaandNorth
EastAtlantic.In1996theconventionwasamendedtoallowcapturedCO2tobestoredinto
subseabedgeologicalformationsundercertainrestrictions.In2006the1996Protocoltothe
Conventionenteredintoforce.Itisthefirsttimethatamaritimetreatygovernsstorageof
wastesintheseabed,aswellastheabandonmentofoffshoreinstallations.Theamendment
formsabasisininternationallawtoregulatestorageofCO2ingeologicalreservoirsunder
theseabed[27].Undercertaincircumstances,theConventiongovernstheissueofpermits
forthedisposalofinstallationsatsea.Specificlawsforgoverningdecommissioningare
preparedandimplementedbynationalgovernments.
ThefollowingisstatedonwellintegrityinrelationtoCO2storageinthelastamendment:
Particularattentionshouldbepaidtointegrityofthewells.Overthelongerterm,therisk
assessmentshouldalsoaddressanychangeintheintegrityofthesealandoftheplugsinthe

abandonedwellsandmightincludetheeffectsofCO2dissolutionandmineralization.and
Specialcareshouldbetakentousesealingplugsandcementthatareresistantto
degradationfromcarbonicacid.(LondonProtocol,2006b).

5.13.2OSPARConvention
TheOSPARConventionalsoappliestowastedisposalandotheractivitiesingeological
reservoirsundertheseabed.In2007theOSPARCommissionamendedtheConventionto
allowforenvironmentallysafestorageofCO2intheNortheastAtlanticandatthesametime
excludingtheinjectionofCO2inthewatercolumnandthedisposalontotheseabed.The
OSPARconventionconcernstheNortheastAtlanticandisseenasoneofthemost
comprehensiveandstrictlegalframeworksinplacefortheprotectionofthemarine
environment.TheCommissionoftheOSPARConventionstressesthatcarboncaptureand
storageisoneoptionaspartofapackageofpossiblemeasuresreducingCO2emissions[28].
Specificregulationforabandonmentofwellsisnotincluded.
7DISCLAIMER:TheEnglishversionofthisdocumentisanunofficialtranslation.Incaseofdiscrepancy,the

originalDanishtextshallprevail.
8CommunicationwithDEAinFebruary2009.
9DISCLAIMER:TheEnglishversionofthisdocumentisanunofficialtranslation.Incaseofdiscrepancy,the

originalFrenchtextshallprevail.
10PersonalcommunicationwithBGR.
11PersonalcommunicationwithMETI,February2009.
12ReproducedcourtesyoftheAmericanPetroleumInstitutefromAPIBulletinE3
13TheRRCwasestablishedin1891.Nowadays,theRRChasprimaryregulatoryjurisdictionoveroiland

naturalgasindustryinTexas[26].

4ImpactofCO2onwellbore
integrity

up

6Riskmanagementmethodologies