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Source: Interwell university, using computed tomography (CT) scanners it’s in- vested in over recent years, which means the porosity of the material can be seen. The next challenge is funding to make it a reality. With that in place, Dr. Neilson says it could be built in about 18 months.

Getting mechanical

In the well placement arena, the OGTC supported initial work with Oil? eld Innovations, an Aberdeen based startup that’s looking at ways to cut and compact tubulars, so that rock to rock sections can be opened without removing the ma- terial from the well. In 2017, the ? rm ran trials of the concept and, last year, it worked with the University of Strathclyde to better understand some of the processes.

The OGTC is also working with Aberdeen-based SPEX at a system development stage – pre-bench testing – to use con- trolled explosives to crumble targeted sections which would then fall down the well. The OGTC is also supporting another

Aberdeen ? rm, Deep Casing Tools, to develop its Casing Ce- ment Breaker tool – a kind of eccentric roller that’s run down- hole to deform the casing and break up the cement. The tech- nology was run offshore, in a trial with Equinor, earlier this year. The OGTC project’s goal is to make it a one-trip tool, able to cut, break down the cement, and then latch, in one trip.

And there’s more. The OGTC’s TechX technology accel- erator program also has Sentinel Subsea on its books – a ? rm developing a hydrocarbon snif? ng technology which would detect any traces of a pre-placed substance that have leaked from beneath the well barrier. On detection, a signal would examine it; the morphology of what’s been generated. There’s a be sent to shore, noting where the leak came from in the well. big advantage to being able to do that. You can show that these There is plenty going on, plenty more to do and many ques- materials will do what was expected in downhole conditions.” tions to be answered. Luckily, there are many people trying

The examination of the materials can go even further at the and much more to come.

INTERWELL CONTINUES TESTING

Interwell’s goal is to deploy thermite P&A technology on wireline, hugely reducing rig requirements. Since 2016, the