Abstract
During the last 2 years, a combined integrity-corrosion analysis technique was developed and implemented, for the assessment of high pressure gas wells, with the following objectives:
To address variations in active damage mechanisms incidence, due to changes in operating conditions.
To calculate metal loss rates on affected components.
To assess fitness for service and estimate residual life.
As a result of this approach, the following developments were possible:
Increase in production rates without sensible risk increment due to corrosion and erosion-corrosion damage.
Metal loss rates and thickness evolution prediction due to potentially active damage mechanisms.
Specific fitness for service evaluation, identifying segments with eventual compromise and defining specific limits for metal loss.
Residual life estimates, considering both potential leak and mechanical failures scenarios.
Based on these results, the current Well Integrity Program was upgraded, including new prediction and mitigation methods, with focus on ensuring continuous fitness for service, safe operation, risk management and periodic performance evaluation. As key elements of this new program, specific plans were designed and initiated, including damage mechanisms monitoring and mitigation, well and pipeline inspection, preemptive maintenance and periodic risk and integrity evaluation.
