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Resin Compared to Cement as a Sealant for OCS Wells

Office/Division Program
TAP
Project Number
787
Peer Review Type
Influential
Category
Research Initiation Date (Award Date)
Research Performing Organization
CSI Technologies, LLC
Research Principal Investigator
Fred Sabins
Research Contract Award Value
$940,011.00
Description

The main objective of this project is determine how resins can be used for OCS well cementing to improve barrier performance. A global evaluation of the different types of commercially available resins will be conducted to determine how effective they have been when placed in offshore and onshore wells to affect proper pressure control. Global evaluation will include an assessment of any available real world data (public and/or private). An assessment of any regulations in effect on the use of these resins will be conducted among major offshore (e.g. IRF member nations) and onshore oil and gas regulators. Based on the evaluation, the offeror shall propose a draft BSEE regulation addressing use of resins and/or a draft of the major issues an industry standard to this effect should address. Evaluation will address any cost differential between initial cost of purchasing a resin and use of the resin versus traditional cement costs and use.

Latest progress update

n/a

Final Research Abstract
Portland cement is the current well sealant of choice used in industry for permanently sealing a petroleum well when a well has reached the end of its production lifecycle. Yet, this studied aimed to evaluate the performance of various resin based compounds (epoxy, phenolic, polyester, and furan) as sealants for petroleum wells in the outer continental shelf and compare them to Portland cement.

This study had many objectives it aimed to accomplish. To begin with, the study aimed to evaluate commercially available resin materials and close the gap in fundamental chemical and physical knowledge of the selected resins in their application as well sealants. Through a literature review, lab testing, and finite element analysis, the study aimed to quantify the long-term stability and short-term performance of the selected resins under well conditions. Seal integrity and material performance was assessed for the resins and then compared to the Portland cement properties under the same conditions. Based on the resin evaluation, this study aimed to develop operational guidelines for implementing resins in the outer continental shelf. Health, safety, and environmental factors as well as the cost-benefit were evaluated over the range of applications and conditions. Based on the findings overall, the study aimed to evaluate current regulatory and industry standards and propose example regulation guidelines for implementing resin as a wellbore sealant.
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