Aquaterra Energy Launches Innovative RAF for Legacy Well Re-Entry and Re-Abandonment
Key Ideas
  • Aquaterra Energy introduced a patent-pending Recoverable Abandonment Frame (RAF) for well re-entry and re-abandonment services to address challenges in repurposing offshore wells for carbon dioxide or hydrogen storage.
  • The RAF solution overcomes economic and technical obstacles, such as leak risks and traditional relief well drilling challenges, by employing advanced seabed surveying technologies and a vertical well re-entry tieback method.
  • The technology is designed for repeated use, offering flexibility across various seabed conditions and locations, with potential cost savings of £18-20 million per abandoned well and up to a 50% reduction in project timelines per well.
  • Aquaterra Energy's innovative solution not only enhances efficiency in well abandonment but also contributes to the viability of carbon and hydrogen storage projects, crucial for driving the energy transition forward.
Aquaterra Energy has unveiled a groundbreaking solution with the launch of its patent-pending Recoverable Abandonment Frame (RAF) for well re-entry and re-abandonment services. This innovative technology aims to tackle the challenges associated with repurposing offshore wells for carbon dioxide (CO2) or hydrogen storage, a crucial aspect of the energy transition. Legacy wells pose significant economic and technical obstacles, including leak risks beneath the seabed, which could hinder carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen storage projects. Traditional relief well drilling methods may not be feasible in certain scenarios, leading to the development of Aquaterra Energy's advanced solution. The RAF utilizes cutting-edge seabed and subsurface surveying technologies to locate wells precisely, enabling a vertical well re-entry tieback method for successful re-abandonment. By protecting the legacy well components from environmental loading, the RAF ensures operational integrity. George Morrison, CEO at Aquaterra Energy, highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and addressing energy transition challenges with this technology. A key feature of the RAF is its modular design, facilitating global shipping and assembly for various seabed conditions. This approach offers significant cost savings, with an estimated 80% reduction in expenses per abandoned well compared to current methods. Moreover, the technology could expedite project timelines by up to 50% per well, enhancing operational efficiency. Ben Cannell, Innovation Director at Aquaterra Energy, emphasized the significance of the RAF in advancing abandonment technology and meeting the new challenge of well re-abandonment for CCS. The solution not only enhances efficiency and reduces costs but also enables the feasibility of carbon and hydrogen storage projects, which would otherwise be challenging or impractical to execute. Aquaterra Energy's pioneering approach signifies a major leap forward in offshore engineering and contributes to the sustainable development of the energy industry.
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