In the offshore environment of the Caspian Sea (Turkmenistan), a client faced a recurring challenge—cement channeling during completion causing B annulus pressure buildup.

Seeking a technical solution, a client approached Welltec® for the deployment of the Welltec Annular Barrier (WAB®) to provide cement assurance.

This not only aimed at safeguarding well integrity but also formed a crucial part of the technical approach to prevent the buildup of methane and other harmful gases at the surface.

Collaboratively, Welltec and the client identified a suitable well for the WAB trial deployment. In March 2019, a 1214 WAB was mobilized to a vertical offshore well. Positioned within the 9-5/8” casing, 50 meters (165 ft) above the 13-3/8” casing shoe, the WAB was deployed as part of the cement assurance strategy. As the drillers ran the WAB (during casing deployment), a Welltec engineer monitored and controlled the WAB expansion and cementing process from an onshore location.

The operation, including WAB expansion, changing the cementing unit, and packer activation, was efficiently executed within a 20-minute timeframe, demonstrating technical precision in both cement assurance and methane emissions prevention.

The client, satisfied with Welltec's performance, specifically commended the WAB installation procedure. The Head of Drilling, leveraging prior positive experiences with Welltec, acknowledged the WAB's technical capability in providing an economical and high-quality cement assurance solution while concurrently preventing methane emissions.

The successful deployment of the WAB achieved outstanding results in addressing the B annulus pressure challenge while incorporating a technical approach to prevent methane emissions. The Head of Drilling's proactive engagement resulted in a swift and problem-free operation. The WAB's effectiveness in reducing the risk of B annulus gas migration was a notable achievement, simultaneously presenting a cost-effective solution to prevent methane emissions.

The WAB showcased its technical versatility, serving not only as a tool for cement assurance but also as a proactive measure to combat common pressure build-up issues and prevent the release of harmful gases at surface. In the technical landscape of oil and gas operations, the WAB emerged not just as a solution to a specific problem but as a pragmatic and technically sound approach to environmental stewardship.