Alkmaar Way
Norwich
NR6 6BF, UK
We have designed our legacy well re-entry service suite to be a specialised resource for facilitating safe re-entry into well formations for the offshore storage of CO2; crucial for advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives. At Aquaterra, we are wholly committed to safe and efficient CO2 storage. Our recent contract with INEOS on Project Greensand highlights our commitment to meeting worldwide CCS goals.
Repurposing depleted oil reservoirs and saline aquifers makes practical sense, as they are typically situated within mature basins and come with detailed geological data. However, they do present unknown leakage risks. Before CO2 injection can begin, these wells must undergo re-entry to establish an environmental and pressure-retaining barrier, ensuring safe re-abandonment and readiness for storage.
Drawing upon decades of expertise in well re-entry and tieback engineering from the oil and gas industry, we provide tailored solutions for repurposing depleted reservoirs and saline aquifers to store CO2 effectively.
The Recoverable Abandonment Frame (RAF) is an innovative, cost-effective vertical well re-entry solution designed to reduce costs and project timelines, making offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen storage projects more viable.
The RAF is a specially designed steel frame that can be positioned precisely over a well, enabling safe vertical re-entry. The frame provides structural support for all intervention equipment, keeping the weight off the well to avoid damaging any corroded casings. Its unique movement mechanism allows for adjustments to account for installation tolerances.
The frame is accurately positioned over the well, accounting for installation tolerances.
It reacts loads away from the legacy well, preserving the integrity of unknown or compromised casings.
Enables the establishment of environmental and pressure-retaining barriers, facilitating safe and efficient well re-abandonment.
It protects corroded well casings by supporting intervention equipment and avoiding additional loads.
Rapidly installs barriers to prevent sediment intrusion and secure the well for re-plugging.
Can be redeployed across multiple wells, maximising cost-effectiveness without additional investment.
Minimises risks, regulatory delays, and the need for complex, costly alternatives.
Proven, flexible and integrated drilling well access solutions, improving efficiency across subsea developments.
Riser-based systems for safe and reliable well re-entry, for intervention and abandonment operations.
Intelligent analysis supporting confident delivery, smarter investment and sustained project success.
Expert CO₂ storage solutions, supporting tomorrow’s energy transition.
Integrated subsea systems connecting seabed infrastructure through to surface operations.
Innovative offshore platforms tailored to unique project needs, from concept to installation.
Delivering a full suite of specialist products, supported by decades of offshore expertise.
In the first article in this series, I outlined why subsea tiebacks have become the only realistic development route left in the UKCS and why the window to execute them is narrowing fast. But urgency alone doesn’t make a project deliverable. Subsea tiebacks often get described as the quick, low‑CAPEX answer to unlocking remaining reserves, especially in […]
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