UK-based offshore energy engineering firm Aquaterra Energy has introduced a groundbreaking solution designed to streamline legacy well abandonment processes, facilitating offshore hydrogen and carbon capture storage (CCS) projects. Their new service includes legacy well re-entry and re-abandonment, supported by a patent-pending Recoverable Abandonment Frame (RAF).

Key highlights:

Targeted Application: The RAF focuses on offshore wells that intersect with oil and gas reservoirs or saline aquifers for potential repurposing into CO₂ or hydrogen storage.

Challenges Addressed: Conventional methods of re-abandoning legacy wells often face technical and economic hurdles, with risks of leaks from seabed wells and impractical relief well drilling.

Innovative Solutions: Aquaterra employs advanced seabed and subsurface surveying technologies, alongside well imaging and tagging, to accurately locate legacy wells, enhancing safety and efficiency in re-abandonment.

RAF Technology: This modular tool adjusts to specific well positions, minimizing environmental impact while directing loads from wave action into the frame and seabed.

Cost and Time Efficiency: The RAF can reduce costs by up to 80% (approximately £18-20 million per well) and shorten project timelines by up to 50%.

Global Reach: Designed for repeated use, the RAF can be assembled on-site, allowing for flexibility in various seabed conditions and enabling wider application across the globe.