M00044246
New product
API RP 65-3 Wellbore Plugging and Abandonment, First Edition
standard by American Petroleum Institute, 06/01/2021
This document provides guidance for the design, placement, and verification of cement plugs in wells to be temporarily or permanently abandoned, as well as remediation and verification of annular barriers. Wells temporarily abandoned (suspended) are intended to be re-entered in the future. The placement of barriers may depend on whether the well is to be temporarily or permanently abandoned. Cement plug lengths are not considered in this document.
In stock
Warning: Last items in stock!
Availability date: 01/06/2022
API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 65-3 FIRST EDITION, JUNE 2021
API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed. The use of API publications is voluntary. In some cases, third parties or authorities having jurisdiction may choose to incorporate API standards by reference and may mandate compliance.
Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of API’s employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.
API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.
API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.
Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact the Publisher, API Publishing Services, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.
Copyright © 2021 American Petroleum Institute
This document was prepared with input from oil and gas operators, drilling contractors, service companies, and consultants. Guidance is provided to accomplish the following:
permanently abandon wells;
place wells on inactive status (temporary abandonment).
Permanent abandonment is performed when there is no further utility for a wellbore by sealing the wellbore against fluid migration.
A well is placed on inactive status when there are plans for future utility of the wellbore. Temporary abandonment is performed by sealing the wellbore for the anticipated time of inactivity.
The purpose of this document is to address wellbore plugging and abandonment practices. The primary goals are protection of useable water sources, isolation of hydrocarbon bearing or water injection intervals, prevent any leakage to the surface, and prevention of unintended cross flow. Topics discussed include cementing practices and the placement of well barriers. This document does not address regulatory requirements nor surface reclamation.
The content of this document is not all inclusive and not intended to alleviate the need for detailed information found in textbooks, manuals, technical papers, or other documents. The formulation, adoption, and publication of API standards are not intended to inhibit anyone from using any other practices. Research into the installation and evaluation of permanent abandonment well barriers are ongoing. As new materials, isolation methods, placement techniques, and evaluation methods emerge these should be effectively reviewed by the user prior to use.
Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.
The verbal forms used to express the provisions in this document are as follows.
Shall: As used in a standard, “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the standard.
Should: As used in a standard, “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the standard.
May: As used in a standard, “may” denotes a course of action permissible within the limits of a standard. Can: As used in a standard, “can” denotes a statement of possibility or capability.
This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.
Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.
iii
Page
v
Page
vi
Wellbore Plugging and Abandonment
This document provides guidance for the design, placement, and verification of cement plugs in wells to be temporarily or permanently abandoned, as well as remediation and verification of annular barriers. Wells temporarily abandoned (suspended) are intended to be re-entered in the future. The placement of barriers may depend on whether the well is to be temporarily or permanently abandoned.
The information in this document is general in nature. Wellbore plugging and abandonment practices will vary with regulatory requirements, well type, and purpose. Sound engineering and operational practices should be applied to each wellbore plugging operation. Cement plug lengths are not considered in this document.
This document assumes that generally accepted well construction practices were followed during the installation of the cemented casings.
As specified in API 65-2, properly designed casing strings cemented in place provide multiple barriers during well operations.
Abandonment barriers may include those placed:
across any exposed casing/liner shoe;
in open hole;
above perforated intervals in cased hole;
at points where casing has been removed;
across liner tops;
above and below usable water sources;
above or below hydrocarbon bearing zones or other potential flow zones;
at the surface or mudline.
See Figure 1 for an example of a permanent well abandonment.