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EG503T: WELL PLUGGING AND ABANDONMENT (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

Decommissioning of offshore oil and gas  infrastructure requires graduates to have a competent and realistic understanding of well plugging and abandonment. This course allows students to understand the scientific, engineering, and economic rationale for abandoning wells and decommissioning fields.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Prashant Jadhawar

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Engineering (EG)
  • Either Any Postgraduate Programme or Programme Level 5

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The aim of the course is to give students an overview of the origins of petroleum, factors influencing commerciality of fields, and the technical and economic need for decommissioning.  Students will gain practical understanding of the main technologies and procedures involved in the plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells prior to decommissioning. The key aspects of specific regulatory and legislative drivers are also covered to provide the basis for the plugging and abandonment procedure.

This course examines different methods for well plugging and abandonment (P&A).  A general overview of reservoir and petroleum geology is presented with emphasis on depleted reservoirs and associated challenges for P&A.  Specific regulations set by regional and national governments  of well plugging and abondonment are discussed.  A detailed discussion is provided of the different methods for well plugging and abandonment, and associated technologies.  The application and limitations of materials such as cement slurries, gelled pills, mechanical plugs, inflatable plugs and sand plug are discussed, focusing on installation procedures and reliability and long-term (decadal) monitoring of well integrity.  Project planning and P&A implementation costs are examined.  Real-life case studies are used to support student learning.


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

First Attempt

1x Timed Online Test (65%)
1x Coursework (35%)

Alternative Resit Arrangements

Resit of only the failed assessment component(s)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateAssess the engineering and economic requirements for successful abandoning of wells and decommissioning fields.
ProceduralCreateDesign an appropriate plugging and abandonment procedure considering the advantages and limitations of various P&A tools and technologies.
ProceduralAnalysePerform well integrity assessment considering depleted reservoir conditions and standard industry regulatory frameworks.
ProceduralEvaluateEvaluate the efficiency of plugging and abandonment technologies and operations in terms of costs, operational risks and environmental impacts.

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