Long, cold winter emphasizes need for energy transition plan

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Long, cold winter emphasizes need for energy transition plan

Energy prices skyrocket going into winter as the U.S. energy industry is experiencing another market swing. While there is no clear-cut plan moving forward, there are things that can be done in the near-term.

Once again, the demand for energy is exceeding supply resulting in increased energy prices in the U.S. Demand for energy is up due to several reasons including disruptions in the supply chain, an economy emerging from 18 months of Covid, weather extremes and plan old poor planning. But the main cause may be the decreased investing in oil and gas companies resulting in a supply shortage.

Whenever there is an increase in energy demand, the question ultimately arises on renewables verses oil and gas. According to this recent article from Fareed Zakaria, in the Washington Post, there is no current overall plan for a transition to a renewables-based energy supply. The result is a confusing U.S. energy policy where we are now asking OPEC to increase production when we have some of the world’s largest reserves of oil and gas!

While more domestic drilling will help with supply, we can also look at reducing emissions in the short-term. For example, convert the 5% of older fossil-fuel plants responsible for 73% of emissions. And decrease the 70% of methane leakage from O&G wells that can be stopped by using existing technology.

Renegade is expertly positioned to help stop the methane leakage problem. These flow paths to the surface typically occur in older and abandoned wells and compromise wellbore integrity. This has long plagued oil and gas wells, especially in abandoned wells where methane leaks are common and present an environmental risk. This includes the thousands of ‘orphan’ wells seeping methane that will need to be treated in the future before they are plugged and abandoned.

Local Expander™ technology from Renegade can safely and effectively seal the annulus without damaging the casing and stop methane from escaping to the surface. The key to this innovation is a set of expanding fingers that open outward once the tool is actuated downhole. This unique technology expands the casing into the cement, densifying the cement and blocking the path of any unwanted gas flow.

Renegade Wireline Services is the largest independent provider of cased-hole electric wireline services and is recognized as the premier cased-hole completions service provider in the North American oil and gas industry. Renegade offers professional, experienced personnel with a cased-hole and radioactive tagging focus working in an efficient and safe manner to produce operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

URTeC Manuscript and Technical Presentation Featuring the Local Expander

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Renegade Participated in the 2021 URTeC Conference

Presents new technology to close micro-annular flow, stopping gas from escaping to the surface

In July 2021, Renegade Services participated in the Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC) at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. URTeC, sponsored by SPE, AAPG and SEG, welcomed over 4800 attendees, with over 70% in attendance.

The presentation, titled, New Technology Closes Micro-Annular Flow Paths in the Wellbore, Stopping Downhole Gas from Escaping to the Surface was authored by Charles Green, Randy Evans, Brenson Fry and Scott Wruck, all of Renegade Services. The paper was presented by Green.

The paper describes new technology that seals micro-annulus formed in the cement/casing bond of the wellbore. These anomalies create potential flow paths to the surface that can compromise wellbore integrity. This has long plagued oil and gas wells, especially in abandoned wells where methane leaks are common and present an environmental risk. This includes the thousands of ‘orphan’ wells seeping methane that will need to be treated in the future before they are plugged and abandoned.

The key to this innovation is a set of expanding arms that open outward once the tool is actuated downhole. This unique technology expands the casing into the cement, densifying the cement and blocking the path of any unwanted gas flow.

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Abstract

New Technology Closes Micro-Annular Flow Paths in the Wellbore, Stopping Downhole Gas from Escaping to the Surface

C. Green1, R. Evans1, B. Fry1, W. S. Wruck1, 1. Renegade Services*

For decades, operators and service companies have attempted to minimize problems impacting aging oil and gas wells. Over time, micro-annulus can form in the cement/casing bond of the wellbore, creating potential flow paths to the surface and compromising wellbore integrity. This has long plagued oil and gas wells, especially in abandoned wells where methane leaks are common and present an environmental risk.

In 2020, the EPA published the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990-2018. The report states there are over 3.2 million abandoned oil and gas wells in the U.S. Emissions of both CH4 and CO2 increased by 50% from 1990, as the total population of abandoned gas wells increased 79%. If not cemented and plugged property, these wells will continue to release methane gas into the atmosphere.

Numerous applications that attempt to mitigate these issues have been tried with limited success. These include perforate and squeeze cementing, downhole packers, section milling and recementing—all of which are either costly, time-intensive or require a workover rig.

New technology recently confirmed by successful field tests offer promising alternatives. This involves a retractable, expandable mechanical device that induces plastic deformation and elongation of the inner diameter of the casing string. The result is the outer diameter of the casing expanded into the micro-annuli. The associated volume reduction in the annulus closes micro-annuli defects in the cement and results in an overall densification of the cement. This alternative offers rigless remediation of annular gas/fluid migration.

In 2020, Renegade Services utilized this new technology on four wells in the Northeast U.S. for four separate operators (three in Pennsylvania, one in Ohio). All wells exhibited annular gas flow determined by either measured annular flow or pressure. This flow prevented the operator from starting plug and abandon (P&A) operations on the wells. Upon completion of running this new technology, all four wells showed zero gas discharge (on three wells the stoppage was almost immediate; the fourth well showed zero discharge after two weeks). With these results, the state granted approval for the operator to begin P&A operations. This paper will provide detailed analysis of these four wells and show how this new technology can help safely and efficiently prepare older wells for abandonment.

As the unconventional plays of the ‘00s start to mature, wells may begin to exhibit annular gas flow. With this new technology, the associated volume reduction in the annulus closes micro-annuli defects in the cement and results in an overall densification of the cement. This new technology alternative stops seepage and annular flow behind the casing, results in permanent well repair and does not affect casing integrity or burst and collapse pressure ratings.

This type of expandable technology is also applicable to other areas of well services and interventions, particularly wellbores that need to be sealed in producing wells. Other areas that could see reduced non-productive time and cost/benefit upside are cementing and drilling intervention operations as well as the thousands of ‘orphan’ wells seeping methane that will need to be treated in the future before they are plugged and abandoned.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Unconventional Resources Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, USA, 26-28 July 2021.

The URTeC Technical Program Committee accepted this presentation on the basis of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). The contents of this paper have not been reviewed by URTeC and URTeC does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information herein. All information is the responsibility of, and, is subject to corrections by the author(s). Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this paper does so at their own risk. The information herein does not necessarily reflect any position of URTeC. Any reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper by anyone other than the author without the written consent of URTeC is prohibited.

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Renegade Real-Time Job Monitoring

Renegade Real-time Job Monitoring (RJM)

Renegade is making it easier than ever to keep you connected to your Wellsites with our real-time job data monitoring.

The Renegade real-time job data platform keeps you connected to wellsite operations regardless of time or location. From approving shot-sheets to checking maintenance records to implementing last minute changes, you now have the confidence to make both routine and critical decisions 24/7 whether you are at the wellsite, the office or home.

Renegade can now perform real-time online analysis of job data, pre-job planning and post-job reporting, equipment utilization, maintenance history, revenue tracking and much more. By utilizing powerful asset tracking and scheduling tools, we can deploy crews, equipment and tools where they are need, when they are needed.

Our new platform contains modules including Asset and Cable Management, Sales & Ticketing, Operations and Modeling to help make sure our jobs run efficiently saving you time and expense.

REMOTE DATA STREAMING

Your data is easily available at all times.

If the internet connection is lost, the system automatically resumes where it left off when the connection is restored.
Real-time monitoring system sends packets of wellsite data to the server via the internet every 10 seconds, where it is analyzed and displayed in the web browser.

» Livestream of pump-down operation with depth indicated in blue, wellhead pressure in green and pump-down pressure in red.

» Wellbore modeling screen showing well inclination at left and wellbore trajectory in North-South and East-West projections on the right.

PUMPDOWN MODELING

DESIGN JOBS TO MINIMIZE RISK AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE.

Pre-job planning of details such as tool sizes, pump-down rates and BHA design will help optimize job design and performance. The pre-job plan can be compared to the actual job to improve and optimize future jobs.

Perform a complete analysis of minimum pumpdown rates based on the toolstring design.
Check surface conditions on your phone before and during the job.
Web-based modeling reports can be distributed internally and with the customer.
Monitor and update modeling parameters remotely from your office or home. All modeling calculations from the wellsite are available remotely, provided the wellsite has an internet connection.

Aradia Wireline acquired data vs timegif

» Modeling of a pumpdown operation with casing profile and inclination at left, wellbore trajectory at right and tool diagram at the bottom.

OPERATIONS REPORT

ALL JOB ACTIVITY IS RECORDED AT THE WELLSITE AS IT HAPPENS.

The wellsite engineer can now log the job every step of the way from leaving the shop to rig up to running the actual job to rig down. On longer jobs the engineer can track when the crew arrives and departs each day for accurate time reporting. The engineer can choose from a selection of events that change according to the current operation.

Real-time logging of job details support KPIs for time on location, standby time, and travel time.
Track rigging and all associated certifications and expiration dates
Schedule and track jobs online to better utilize crews and equipment. Immediately see which crew is on which job, what equipment is on what location and what equipment is due for maintenance.
Analyze results with metrics such as KPIs, NPT, well models, man-hours and revenue.
Report jobsite incidents for non-safety related incidents such as tool failures, wrong tool or supply delivery, process not followed, etc. A detailed report is generated, including corrective action that is shared throughout the organization.

» Live data monitoring of shot sheet.

» Live data monitoring showing the setup for perforating a specific stage.

» Live data monitoring of shot sheet and live data monitoring showing the setup for perforating a specific stage.

» Example of post job report showing job information and time. Mouse over image to magnify details.

Post Job Reporting

Post-job analysis allows both Renegade and the customer to see a breakdown of time for different well site activities. This presents invaluable information to see which activities take up the most time, compare actual to planned job time and help schedule for future jobs. These include:

Operating time
Downhole time
Standby time
NPT
Well swap time
Waiting time
Customizable Reports

All the runs are calculated and presented in the pad report with the depths of plugs and perforations. Shot sheets are tallied and easily accessible for Renegade and customers.

HOW WE USE IT

Minimize risk and improve efficiency and performance in longer horizontals.

Equipment Maintenance: Track and utilize equipment maintenance, including trucks, cranes and tools for robust maintenance records. This can be done remotely at the wellsite or the yard.
Dispatch & Job Scheduling:  Utilizing powerful asset tracking and scheduling tools, units can be deployed where and when they are needed. When monitoring a job, we can view position, status and modeling.
Asset Management: Track the utilization and maintenance of equipment, including trucks, cranes, BOPs, iron, tools and instrumentation. Add photos, reports and specifications to augment records and demonstrate compliance with operator protocols.
Cable Management: Accurate cable records are critical to the safety and success of the operation. Maintaining these records can consume time and effort. This new system helps us:
- Manage current cable inventory at a base, on location, or at the storage facility.
- Keep track of cuts, current length, and total runs.
- Assign a cable to a truck, and associate all jobs for that truck to the specific cable.
Streamline Reporting: Once the job is complete, a final report can be printed for the customer. Operations Reports can be viewed on the mobile app which does not require an internet connection or on the bowser which requires an internet connection.

Laurel MS Renegade Wireline Services Truck

Case Study: Plug and Abandonment Proceeds After Expansions

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Case Study:

Pennsylvania DEP grantS permission for operator to P&A well After Expansion Service

Local Expander Data assists in Plug and Abandonment approval

» Decrease in both pressure and gas rate to zero show the effectiveness of Local Expander technology and allowed the operator to P&A the well.

CONDITION:

This Pennsylvania well was scheduled for plug and abandonment, however, gas flow in the annulus prevented the operator from starting the process. All gas migration and pressure had to be eliminated before the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection (DEP) would let P&A operations commence. Previous attempts at stopping the gas flow with traditional squeeze cement jobs proved unsuccessful.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION:

The operator contacted Renegade Services. After reviewing well problems, Renegade recommended its Local Expander technology, which expands the casing into the cement and blocks the path of any unwanted gas flow.

SOLUTION & RESULTS:

Utilizing Local Expander technology, Renegade created two sets of three expansions. The first set of expansions was performed at depths of 3369, 3370 and 3371 ft while the second set was at 2069, 2070 and 2071 ft, successfully sealing the annulus. The gas rate dropped from 1.5 mscf/day to zero flow after five days while the pressure rate decreased from 105 psi to zero psi after 14 days. Upon reviewing these successful results, the Pennsylvania DEP granted permission for the operator to P&A the well.

Case Study: Local Expander Resolves Backside Pressure in Pennsylvania

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Case Study:

Decrease in backside pressure allows operator to return seven wells to production

Renegade Local Expander Operator E Well 1 - 5

Candidate selection is a critical factor in obtaining effective and consistent Local Expander results. Factors such as expansion depth, the number of expansions and cement quality all will affect the success of the Local Expander service on individual wells.

CONDITION:

This operator in Pennsylvania had an issue with backside pressure on several wells. The pressure was causing gas to flow up the annulus between the casing and cement. The gas flow exceeded limits set by the state for maximum gas flow. The operator had to stop production on the wells until the problem was addressed.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION:

Renegade Services was called in to evaluate the wells and recommended the Local Expander™ tool to shut off the gas flow. Local Expander unique technology expands the casing into the cement, densifying the cement and stopping upward gas flow. The wells were at two locations, with one pad containing five wells and the second pad containing two wells. Pre-job well pressure ranged from 130 psi to 680 psi on the seven wells.

SOLUTION & RESULTS:

The Local Expander provided a successful remedy decreasing the unwanted gas flow. Renegade performed 12 expansions (four sets of three expansions) on each well. Upon reviewing the successful results, the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection (DEP) granted permission for the operator to return the well to production. With the success of these wells, the operator engaged Renegade and the Local Expander on ten more wells.

0.16% Methane Leak Occurrence Rate of Collaborative US Production in 2019

As the US has grown oil and gas production to record levels, interdisciplinary parties have expressed concern with the current administration’s decision to reduce regulations governing methane processing on well-sites.

The Environmental Partnership¹, a cohort of 65 oil & gas production companies, representing every basin in the US (and globe for that matter), with the simple mission of collectively monitoring and reducing air emissions, including methane and VOCs.

Their mission statement is:

To continuously improve the industry’s environmental performance by taking action, learning about best practices and technologies, and fostering collaboration in order to responsibly develop our nation’s essential natural gas and oil resources.

Even with the US dry gas production totals in 2018 exceeding 30,438 bcf annually, up from 27,291 bcf per day in 2017, it is impressive that the leak rate from surface equipment is 0.16% and decreasing with continued best practices efforts across 78,000 well locations ^{2, 3}.

In those efforts, there is a strong emphasis on implementing latest leak detection technologies (including portable), replacing pneumatic bleeding devices that make little to no effort to process vent gas, and improving processes involving the manual transfer of liquids from wells. The Environmental Partnership and companies within it agree that they all can continue to drive the number of leaks down further with on-going participation.

The Environmental Partnership Emissions | Renegade Services

Figure 1. The Environmental Partnership Emissions Source Chart via EPA2.

In conclusion of the report, it is great to see the industry collective being as proactive as possible in this initiative. We would like to use this opportunity to go one step further and look at the complications involved with downhole leaking. Unwanted issues of gas getting to surface through micro-annuli behind casing and fractures in casing causing leaks can present unwanted processing concerns that take away from typical production operations.

Our Local Expansion Tool™ is a cost-effective solution that can have repeated services applied through the length of a wellbore without leaving any deployable tools downhole. The simple crimping of casing to close the annuli gap and strengthening casing has been found to eliminate surface casing vent flow and sustained casing pressure situations.

Adding a downhole dimension to The Environmental Partnership with efforts toward eliminating downhole venting in the most cost-effective way possible is a discussion we would love to have! We know this is a solution the industry has been demanding for some time now and we want to cement our legacy in gas containment and pioneering responsible industry practices.

Sources

DISCLAIMER: Renegade Services remains a neutral-party to all of other companies referenced in any blog post listed on our website. The opinions in any blog post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Renegade Services at any point beyond our current time of publishing.

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