Transcript API SC10_API Bulletin E3 Status_Jan 2016_rev 2

2016 Exploration & Production
Winter Standards Conference
Subcommittee 10
2015 Workgroup formed to address rewrite:
Current Status of API Bulletin E3

API Bulletin E3, 1st Edition, Environmental Guidance
Document: “Well Abandonment and Inactive Well Practices
for U.S. Exploration and Production Operations”, January
1993


Reaffirmed 2000
This new document will supersede API Bulletin E3, 1st Edition
Workgroup:
D Mueller, G Benge, C Gardner, E Cunningham, A Parlipiano, D Stiles,
A Garnier, J Heathman, J Edwards, L Galey, J Reid
The charge:
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Rewrite Bulletin E3 as a Guideline Document:
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Well Abandonment Practices API Bulletin E3 2nd Edition xxxx, 2016
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An abandonment cementing and barrier placement guideline to reside with
SC 10
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This will not replace upcoming Well Abandonment RP – Joe Shine WG 05
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Rewrite will provide a guideline for the permanent and temporary
abandonment of active and inactive wells:

Provide a general approach and design considerations for well
abandonment
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Placement and verification of cement plugs
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Protection of useable water aquifers and isolation of hydrocarbon intervals
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Does not discuss cement design
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Does not address specific regulatory requirements
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Not all inclusive. References to other API documents for detailed information
Summary of progress in the rewrite:
 Rewrite of API Bulletin E3
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SC 10 workgroup comprised of 9 Operators
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Group met 4 times since summer meeting in San Francisco
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Revision includes discussion of placement method(s), and use of cement and
mechanical devices to set abandonment plugs
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Adds a clear definition of the term “workstring”
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Modified existing and/or added new well bore diagrams for different abandonment
scenarios
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Reference to Standard 65-2 and other prescriptive documents
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Removal of Inactive Well Program (Appendix A)
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Removal of Inactive Well Worksheets (Appendix A)
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Removed Summary of Environmental Legislation and Regulations (Appendix B)
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Rewriting Glossary to be consistent with new document
2016 Milestones
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Completion of document by workgroup by end of Q1, 2016
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Document goes to ballot by summer 2016