Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) introduced the first well decommissioning guidelines for carbon storage on Nov. 23. The new guidelines will support the industry in decommissioning North Sea oil and gas wells so that reservoirs can be repurposed for offshore carbon storage.
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The guidelines were commissioned by the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The Health and Safety Executive, the North Sea Transition Authority, BEIS, and well operations specialists, operator companies, consultancies, and academia all contributed to the project.
The new guidance outlines what oil and gas companies must consider for decommissioning wells to retain structural integrity when repurposing depleted reservoirs. For carbon storage developers, the guidelines support the verification process and permitting procedures.
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