Emerging technologies

Cement and multiple casing logging

• Effective cement logging through multiple casing strings would provide cost and time benefits, but remains challenging
• The OGTC are supporting a tier one supplier on an early stage multiple casing logging tool
• The wider supply chain is working to develop a range of additional technologies (e.g. enhanced ultrasonic, X-ray, advanced algorithms)

Casing removal

• To improve work flows and reduce costs further, alternatives to section milling are being sought
• Shell and ConocoPhillips have undertaken trails of a conductor laser cutting system
  - capability to sever multistring casings
  - fast and accurate

Barriers (alternatives to cement)

• Alternatives to cement, could result in significant operational and cost benefits
• In 2019 Spirit Energy and OGTC tragetted an offshore test of a thermite based technology
• Resin has been used as a temporary barrier.  Use as a permanent barrier is under assessment
• To reduce the need for remedial cementing there are ongoing studies on the functional of natural barriers (e.g. swelling shales, squeezing salt)