Knowhow, Skills and Experience
Projects Overview
The Consortium Drilling Leadership Team plays a critical role in supporting Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects by leveraging their expertise in drilling and subsurface operations to develop safe and efficient CO₂ injection wells. These wells are crucial for securely storing captured carbon dioxide in geological formations, such as depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs or saline aquifers. The team’s extensive experience in well design, drilling operations, and subsurface integrity ensures the success of CCS projects in achieving emissions reduction targets.
Challenges
Complex Well Design: Designing wells that can withstand high CO₂ pressure and maintain long-term integrity under challenging subsurface conditions.
Material Compatibility: Ensuring well materials, such as cement and casings, are resistant to CO₂-induced corrosion over time.
Uncertain Subsurface Conditions: Managing risks associated with unknown reservoir properties and potential for migration or leakage.
Precision Drilling: Drilling wells with high accuracy to intersect target geological formations while avoiding potential faults or fractures.
HSE Risks: Managing health, safety, and environmental risks in areas where CO₂ injection wells are drilled.
Integration with CCS Workflow: Coordinating drilling timelines with other CCS components like capture and transport.
Budget Constraints: Balancing the costs of drilling and maintaining wells with overall CCS project budgets.
Regulatory Compliance: Meeting stringent regulatory requirements for well integrity, environmental monitoring, and CO₂ storage.
Solutions
Advanced Well Design and Drilling Practices:
Implementation of state-of-the-art drilling technologies to ensure precision and minimise risks in CO₂ injection well construction.
Use of specialised materials like high-performance corrosion-resistant alloys for casings and CO₂-resistant cement blends for well integrity.
Collaboration with geoscience teams to optimise well placement in secure subsurface formations.
Enhanced Subsurface Management:
Continuous reservoir monitoring using advanced tools such as seismic imaging and pressure sensors to track CO₂ plume behaviour.
Development of well integrity management plans for the entire lifecycle of CO₂ injection wells, from drilling to abandonment.
Integrated Operations:
Aligning drilling schedules with capture and transport infrastructure timelines to ensure seamless CCS project execution.
Utilising the consortium’s experience in geothermal and oil and gas well drilling to adapt proven methodologies for CCS.
Stakeholder Engagement and Training: Conducting training programs for drilling crews on the unique requirements of CCS wells.
Working with regulators and local communities to ensure transparency and compliance with environmental standards.
Outcomes
The Consortium Drilling Leadership Team’s expertise ensures the successful construction and operation of injection wells, facilitating the secure storage of CO₂ in targeted reservoirs. Their use of cutting-edge materials and advanced well designs enhances well integrity, guaranteeing long-term containment of CO₂ and contributing to the safety and reliability of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects. The team’s efforts have a significant environmental impact, reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels and supporting global climate change mitigation goals. By establishing safe, scalable CCS practices, their work sets a precedent for future projects worldwide. Economically, the consortium’s proven drilling practices deliver cost efficiencies, creating a replicable blueprint for industry teams and reinforcing the sector’s position as a leader in sustainable development. Technologically, their innovations in drilling and well construction are tailored to the unique demands of CCS, setting new standards for the industry. The team’s collaborative approach, integrating drilling expertise with geoscience and regulatory frameworks, drives the success of CCS initiatives and advances global decarbonisation efforts, cementing their role as key contributors to a sustainable future.
Consortium Drilling’s team played a crucial role in achieving our well objectives. Their exceptional practical experience and expertise are unmatched in the industry. There is no other company that brings the same level of hands-on knowledge and dedication to the table. Their professionalism and commitment were key to the success of our project.