DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF A BARRIER QUALIFICATION CHAMBER FOR NEW PLUGGING MATERIALS FOR WELL-ABANDONMENT

The National Decommissioning Centre at the University of Aberdeen has identified that there is a need for a downhole testing facility with the primary purpose of evaluating the behaviour of new plug materials for well-abandonment. Existing and emerging alternative plugging technologies require a framework for validation and verification. A mobile test facility is to be built for this purpose. The facility will have to mimic downhole conditions such as pressure and temperature and to allow a test tool to be deployed and activated before enabling a pressure test on the seal.