SLIDE 1 TITLE
Well Barrier
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SLIDE 2 OUTLINE
• Hierarchy of Hazard Control
• Hazard in Well Operation
• Barrier Terminology
• Barrier Philosophy
• Barrier Requirement
• Barrier Elements
• Documentation
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SLIDE 3 SAFETY HIERARCHY OF HAZARD CONTROL (NIOSH)
Elimination and Substitution
Elimination and substitution, most effective at reducing hazards, also tend to be the most difficult to
implement in an existing process.
Elimination: Electric shut off, Pressure bleed off
Substitution: steel hammer brass hammer, noisy equipment quite equipment
Engineering controls
These do not eliminate hazards, but rather isolate people from hazards.
Installing safety device, electric breaker, pop off disc
Administrative controls
changes to the way people work
procedure changes, employee training, signs and warning
Personal protective equipment
least effective means of controlling hazards
safety helmet, safety shoes, gloves, etc
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SLIDE 4 HAZARD IN WELL OPERATIONS
Weather: hot, cold, rain, wind
Height: working at height (derrick man)
Falling object: wrench, tools, etc
Moving & rotating object: travelling block, pipe,
rotary table
Pinch point: tong
Fatigue: long working hours, schedule, shift
Slips, trips, falls: poor housekeeping, not
concentration
Electricity: shorts, grounding
Explosive material: bunker, no hot working,
Chemical: mud/brine, cement, acid
Pipe stuck: reactive clay swelling, sloughing,
HC fluid, P, T, toxic (H2S, CO2), flammable
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SLIDE 5 BARRIER TERMINOLOGY
NORSOK D-10 Well integrity in drilling and well operations
Well Barriers. A barrier is an object that prevents flow from a source. Well barriers prevent fluids or
gases from flowing unintentionally from a formation
barrier elements : One of several dependent components cement, casing, DP, tubing, packer,
barrier envelope : combination of one or more Well Barrier Elements
HIGHWAY ILUSTRATION
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SLIDE 6 BARRIER PHILOSOPHY
API RP 96: Deepwater Well Design and Construction
A barrier plan should be developed that identifies flow paths and the barriers that prevent flow along
each path, during each phase of the well construction process [DRILLING, COMPLETION,
PRODUCTION, WELL INTERVENTION, SHUT IN, P&A]
The designer’s objective is to achieve a high level of well reliability by combining operational and
physical barriers
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SLIDE 7 BARRIER REQUIREMENTS
API RP 65-2 Isolating Potential Flow Zones During Well Construction
A well’s barrier plan should include maintaining well control via hydrostatic pressure from fluids,
selection and use of well control equipment, and the placement of cement or other mechanical
barriers in the well.
The well center design (i.e. wellhead, BOP equipment, riser, etc.) should include a minimum of two
barriers available during any operation to prevent uncontrolled flow from the well to the atmosphere.
The barrier design should incorporate the following elements:
– ability to withstand the maximum anticipated wellbore pressure,
– ability to be tested for function and leaks,
– failure of a single barrier will not result in uncontrolled flow from the well,
– the operating environment [TEMPERATURE, PRESSURE, CORROSIVE FLUID] is within the design
specifications of the barrier element
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SLIDE 8 BARRIER REQUIREMENTS
In addition, at least one of the barriers should have the capability to do the following:
– Shear any device that passes through the barrier and seal the wellbore after shearing. If this is not
possible, an alternative pressure control plan should be created.
– Seal the wellbore with any size device penetrating the well barrier. If this is not possible, an
alternative pressure control plan should be created.
Plans for testing of well barriers should be part of each well design. Plans should address well control
issues each time a barrier is removed or replaced.
Pressure testing
Negative testing (CEMENTING JOB, TOP OF LINER)
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SLIDE 9 BARRIER ELEMENT
Primary well barrier
– One or more barrier elements
– Direct contact with potential outflow source
– Elements that see pressure during operations
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SLIDE 10 BARRIER ELEMENT
Secondary well barrier
– Consists of barrier elements
– Provides defense should any primary barrier
elements fail
– Formation pressure is higher than hydrostatic
pressure
– Activating the secondary barrier envelope
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SLIDE 11 BARRIER ELEMENTS
Secondary Elements (Red)
– Formation above production packer
– Casing cement
– Casing with seal assembly
– Wellhead
– Tubing hanger with seals
– Annulus access line and valve
– Production tree (X-mas tree) with X-mas tree
connection
Primary Elements (Blue)
– Formation /cap rock above reservoir
– Casing cement
– Casing
– Production packer
– Completion string (below the DHSV)
– Surface controlled subsurface safety valve
(DHSV)
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SLIDE 12 DOCUMENTATION
ISO 16530-2:2013(E) 9.5: WELL INTEGRITY FOR OPERATIONAL PHASE
Documentation Well Barrier Envelopes
The Well Operator shall be able to demonstrate the status of well barrier envelopes for each well and
well type.
§ The Well Operator should consider recording the current barrier envelopes and their
respective elements. It is suggested that a well barrier schematic be used to convey this
information.
§ Any failed or impaired well barrier elements should be clearly marked and stated on the well
barrier record.
§ It shall be clear from the well handover documentation which components in the well are
well barrier elements and comprise which barrier envelope, the primary or the secondary
(where applicable).
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SLIDE 13 DOCUMENTATION – WELL BARRIER SCHEMATIC
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SLIDE 14 MEDCO STANDARD – WELL DESIGN AND OPERATION STANDARD
Document No: MEP-D-DS-001
G. Well Integrity & Barrier Policy
1. Well Integrity Management shall be applied within planning and execution of Drilling & WOWS /
Well Operations Division activities. Well Integrity principle shall refer to Well Integrity Management
System Guideline.
2. During all operations, there shall be a minimum of 2 barriers for all potential flow paths and at
least one shall be a physical barrier. A contingency plan should be in place for loss of a barrier. If the
minimum number of barriers cannot be maintained, action shall be taken immediately to reinstate
them prior to proceeding.
3. The barriers and acceptance criteria shall be defined prior to commencement of operations. The
barrier elements shall meet/exceed the casing/tubing design load cases.
4. For a fluid column to serve as a barrier, it must be part of a monitored and maintained system.
5. For set cement to serve as a physical barrier the cement slurry shall be designed and laboratory-
tested for anticipated well conditions and must be tested as per regulation.
6. Exceptions to this standard include riserless and surface hole drilling prior to installing BOP’s.
These exceptions must include detailed, risk mitigation plans.
7. A drilling diverter or a rotating head shall not be considered as a barrier.
8. Terms and Definitions (as defined by Medco E&P).
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THANK YOU
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