Forståelse av lekkarsjeprosesser med offshore brønner | WELLFATE

Imagine a world where we can safely store carbon emissions or hydrogen in wells after they've served their primary purpose. This is the vision behind the WELLFATE project, which seeks to shed light on the complex subsurface processes around boreholes. The Norwegian Continental Shelf, a sprawling petroleum province with nearly 7,000 wells, holds the promise of repurposing depleted reservoirs for carbon storage and reducing global emissions. However, concerns have arisen about the integrity of these wells, which could have serious environmental and climate consequences. The WELLFATE project seeks to fill the gaps in our understanding by characterizing leaky well sites through direct observations and available data. Moreover, a seabed observatory will be deployed to monitor emissions for an entire year. This comprehensive strategy will help us grasp fluid migration pathways, identify the origins of fluids, pinpoint the onset of leakage, and relate these dynamics to well configuration and geology. The implications of the WELLFATE project are substantial. It paves the way for guidelines and best practices to optimize well-decommissioning procedures and early drilling strategies to prevent issues in ecologically sensitive areas. Ultimately, it aims to offer solutions to mitigate leakage from already problematic wells. WELLFATE is more than just a scientific endeavor; it's a pathway to sustainable ocean management. By preventing depleted fields from leaking and making them suitable for CO2 storage, the project aligns with Norway's emission goals for 2050. Furthermore, WELLFATE positions Norway as a hub for clean and sustainable energy knowledge, supporting technological innovation through research. It's a step towards a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.