Locating Abandoned Wells

170 Pages·2002·1.62 MB·English

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Report
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No. 2002-1-SMRI
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Subsurface Technology, Inc.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

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Je nnifer L. Hare, Ph.D.
Zonge Engineering & Research Organization, Inc.
Tucson, Arizona, USA

June 2002
NOTICE

This report is the result of work sponsored by the Solution
Mining Research Institute, Inc. (SMRI). Neither the SMRI, nor
any of its employees, contractors, sub-contractors or their
employees, (a) makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or
assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy,
completeness or usefulness of any information, apparatus or
process disclosed, or (b) represents that its use would not
infringe on privately-owned rights. Reference herein to any
commercial process, technology or service by trade name,
trademark, manufacturer or otherwise does not necessarily
constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by the
SMRI. The views and opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily state or reflect those of the SMRI. Any
recommendations herein are not to be interpreted as standards
recommended by the SMRI.
NOTICE
This report is the result of work sponsored by the Solution Mining
Research Institute, Inc. (SMRI). Neither the SMRI, nor any of its
employees, contractors, sub-contractors or their employees, (a) make
any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any
information, apparatus or process disclosed, or (b) represents that its
use would not infringe on privately-owned rights. Reference herein to
any commercial process, technology or service by trade name,
trademark, manufacturer or otherwise does not necessarily constitute
or imply its endorsement or recommendation by the SMRI. The views
and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect
those of the SMRI. Any recommendations herein are not to be
interpreted as standards recommended by the SMRI.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................ix
1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................1-1
2.0 BACKGROUND CONCEPTS............................................................................................2-1
2.1 History of Drilling.......................................................................................................2-1
2.2 Drilling Methods..........................................................................................................2-2
2.3 Configurations of Abandoned Wells...........................................................................2-3
2.4 Detection and Location of Abandoned Wells..............................................................2-4
3.0. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY.......................................................................................3-1
4.0 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL.........................................................................................4-1
5.0 HOW TO BEGIN AN ABANDONED WELL INVESTIGATION....................................5-1
5.1 Summary Charts..........................................................................................................5-3
5.2 Decision Tree...............................................................................................................5-6
6.0 HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY METHODS............6-1
6.1 Historical Research, Oil and Gas Records, Site Reconaissance..................................6-1
6.1.1 Historical Records Research.............................................................................6-1
6.1.2 Local Sources of Information............................................................................6-3
6.1.3 Site Reconnaissance..........................................................................................6-4
6.1.4 Costs..................................................................................................................6-5
6.1.5 Information Sources..........................................................................................6-5
6.2 Wide-Area Survey Methods – Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing...................6-6
6.2.1 Aerial Photography...........................................................................................6-6
6.2.1.1 Methods................................................................................................6-7
6.2.1.2 Sources of Aerial Photography............................................................6-8
6.2.1.3 Costs.....................................................................................................6-9
6.2.2 Remote Sensing-Visible and Infrared Imaging...............................................6-10
6.2.2.1 Basis of Remote Sensing...................................................................6-11
6.2.2.2 Methods of Acquiring Images...........................................................6-13
6.2.2.3 Applicability......................................................................................6-19
6.2.2.4 Commercial Resources......................................................................6-19
6.2.2.5 Costs..................................................................................................6-19
6.2.2.6 References..........................................................................................6-20
7.0 INTRODUCTION TO GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY METHODS.......................................7-1
7.1 The Magnetic Method..................................................................................................7-4
7.1.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................7-4
7.1.2 Physical Basis....................................................................................................7-5
7.1.3 Survey Methods.................................................................................................7-9

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

7.1.4 Applicability....................................................................................................7-13
7.1.5 Case Histories and Literature..........................................................................7-16
7.1.6 Time and Cost Estimates.................................................................................7-17
7.1.7 References.......................................................................................................7-19
7.1.8 Selected Web Resources.................................................................................7-23
7.2 Introduction to Electrical and Electromagnetic Methods.........................................7-23
7.2.1 The Resistivity Method...................................................................................7-27
7.2.1.1 Introduction........................................................................................7-27
7.2.1.2 Physical Basis....................................................................................7-28
7.2.1.3 Survey Methods.................................................................................7-29
7.2.1.4 Applicability......................................................................................7-31
7.2.1.5 Time and Cost Estimates...................................................................7-32
7.2.1.6 References..........................................................................................7-33
7.2.1.7 Selected Web Resources....................................................................7-35
7.2.2 The Self-Potential Method..............................................................................7-35
7.2.2.1 Introduction........................................................................................7-35
7.2.2.2 Physical Basis....................................................................................7-36
7.2.2.3 Survey Methods.................................................................................7-39
7.2.2.4 Applicability......................................................................................7-41
7.2.2.5 Time and Cost Estimates...................................................................7-43
7.2.2.6 References..........................................................................................7-44
7.2.3 Time and Frequency Domain Electromagnetic Methods................................7-46
7.2.3.1 Introduction........................................................................................7-46
7.2.3.2 Physical Basis....................................................................................7-47
7.2.3.3 Survey Methods.................................................................................7-50
7.2.3.4 Applicability......................................................................................7-56
7.2.3.5 Time and Cost Estimates...................................................................7-59
7.2.3.6 References..........................................................................................7-60
7.2.3.7 Selected Web Resources....................................................................7-62
7.2.4 The Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magnetotelluric Method................7-63
7.2.4.1 Introduction........................................................................................7-63
7.2.4.2 Physical Basis....................................................................................7-63
7.2.4.3 Survey Methods.................................................................................7-64
7.2.4.4 Applicability......................................................................................7-67
7.2.4.5 Time and Cost Estimates...................................................................7-69
7.2.4.6 References..........................................................................................7-70

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

7.3 The Ground Penetrating Radar Method.....................................................................7-72
7.3.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................7-72
7.3.2 Physical Basis.................................................................................................7-73
7.3.3 Survey Methods...............................................................................................7-75
7.3.4 Applicability....................................................................................................7-77
7.3.5 Case Histories and References.......................................................................7-79
7.3.6 Time and Cost Estimates.................................................................................7-79
7.3.7 References.......................................................................................................7-81
8.0 MONITOR WELLS.............................................................................................................8-1
8.1 Methods/Procedures....................................................................................................8-3
8.1.1 Construction......................................................................................................8-4
8.1.2 Monitoring the Potentiometric Surface.............................................................8-5
8.1.3 Sampling Aquifer Fluid for Analysis................................................................8-5
8.2 Applications of Monitor Wells....................................................................................8-6
8.2.1 Potentiometric Surface Measurements..............................................................8-6
8.2.2 Brine or Hydrocarbon Concentrations..............................................................8-8
8.3 Time and Cost Estimates...........................................................................................8-10
8.4 Equipment and Service Vendors...............................................................................8-10
8.5 References..................................................................................................................8-11

TABLES

Table 2-1: Classification of Abandoned Well Related Targets for
Geophysical Surveys........................................................................ 2-6
Table 5-1: Comparison of Applicable Geophysical Methods for Locating
Casings and Well-Related Structures............................................... 5-4
Table 5-2: Comparison of Applicable Geophysical Methods for Locating
Well-Related Brine Plumes.............................................................. 5-5
Table 6-1: Landsat Thematic Mapper – Remote Sensing Data and
Wavelength Bands Utilized............................................................. 6-15
Table 6-2: Spot (Systeme Pour l’Observation de la Terre) Remote Sensing
Data and Wavelength Bands Utilized.............................................. 6-16
Table 6-3: Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Satellite Series Remote Sensing
Data and Wavelength Bands Utilized.............................................. 6-17
Table 7-1: Equivalent Units of Magnetic Intensity .......................................... 7-6

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

TABLES

Table 7-2: Common Ranges of Magnetic Susceptibility for Various
Materials.......................................................................................... 7-7
Table 7-3: Common Range of Ground Magnetic Anomalies for Typical
Well Casings.................................................................................... 7-14
Table 7-4: Common Sources of SP Anomalies and Typical Range of
Amplitudes....................................................................................... 7-43

FIGURES

Figure 1-1: Hydrocarbon Migration in an Abandoned, Improperly Plugged
Well................................................................................................ 1-2
Figure 2-1: Conceptual Model of Salinity Sources in the Vicinity of Oil-
Field Operations............................................................................. 2-7
Figure 6-1: Electromagnetic Spectrum............................................................. 6-12
Figure 7-1: Schematic Diagram of the Components of the Earth’s Magnetic
Field Vector and of the Earth’s Dipolar Field................................ 7-6
Figure 7-2: Schematic Total Field Anomaly Curve over a Magnetic Dipole
Source in Northern, Mid Latitudes................................................. 7-9
Figure 7-3: A Geometrics 858 Mag Mapper Portable Ground
Magnetometer With Integrated Trimble GPS Positioning
System (Courtesy of Geometrics).................................................. 7-12
Figure 7-4: Fugro Airborne Surveys Helicopter-Borne Stinger Mounted
Magnetic Sensor System................................................................ 7-12
Figure 7-5: Typical Range of Resistivity of Rocks and Sediments.................. 7-25
Figure 7-6: Effect of Various Geological Processes of Resistivity................... 7-26
Figure 7-7: Distribution of Current and Potential Lines for Two Current
Electrodes at the Surface of a Simple, Homogeneous Earth.......... 7-28
Figure 7-8: Schematic of Possible Galvanic-Cell Mechanism for Generating
Negative SP Anomalies Over a Buried Well Casing..................... 7-38
Figure 7-9: Self-Potential Anomalies Generated By Buried Metal Pipelines
and Well Casing at East Mesa, California...................................... 7-39
Figure 7-10: Secondary Field Decay Curve Schematic For TDEM Data........... 7-48
Figure 7-11: Depth of Investigation for Time-Domain EM (TDEM)................. 7-49
Figure 7-12: General Schematic of Dipole-Dipole EM Systems........................ 7-51

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

FIGURES

Figure 7-13: GEM-3............................................................................................ 7-52
Figure 7-14: Example of Airborne EM System.................................................. 7-53
Figure 7-15: Zonge Nanotem System................................................................. 7-55
Figure 7-16: Zonge Nanotem System Decay Curves ......................................... 7-56
Figure 7-17: EM Response of a Buried Stainless Steel Pipe.............................. 7-58
Figure 7-18: A Typical CSAMT Survey Setup................................................... 7-66
Figure 7-19: Csamt Pseudosections of Apparent Resistivity and Impendance 7-67
Phase...............................................................................................
Figure 7-20: A Resistivity Depth Model from Inversion of CSAMT Data........ 7-67
Figure 7-21: A Radar Reflection System ........................................................... 7-76
Figure 7-22: A GPR System in Use.................................................................... 7-77
Figure 7-23: A GPR Image of an Inaccessible Subsurface Drywell with a
Concrete Access Cover and an Accessible Subsurface Drywall
with a Steel Manhole Cover........................................................... 7-80
Figure 8-1: Monitor Well Construction............................................................ 8-4
Figure 8-2: Pressure Rise at Times Extending to 1,000 Hours After
Initiation of Flow and at Radii Extending to 10,000 Feet.............. 8-7

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Other Geophysical Methods Considered For Abandoned Well Search
Appendix B: GPS Positioning For Geophysical Surveys: Terminology, Accuracies And Costs
Appendix C: Guidelines For Contracting Geophysical Services
Appendix D: List Of Vendors
Appendix E: Comprehensive Reference List

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors wish to acknowledge the supportive and considerate sponsorship of this project by
Jeff Hertzing of Dow Chemical. The following professionals are acknowledged for their
valuable comments on the draft manual: Joe Ratigan of the SMRI Research Committee; Steve
Kelly, Richard Brown, John Fleniken and Ken Davis from Subsurface Technology; and Ken
Zonge, Chet Lide and Norm Carlson from Zonge Engineering & Research Organization. Special
thanks and appreciation go to Scott Urquhart and Mike Henley at Zonge who contributed to
sections of the manual.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Subsurface Technology, Inc. and their subcontractor, Zonge Engineering & Research
Organization, Inc., were contracted by the Solution Mining Research Institute to conduct a
Survey of Methods and Commercial Resources for Locating Abandoned Wells. The current
volume is the result, presenting descriptions of methods that have been used, or have the
potential for use, in detecting abandoned artificial penetrations. Included are descriptions of
selected methods, explanations of the physical quantity being measured, discussions of
procedures, cost estimates, and resources for procuring services to implement the methods.

The methods discussed are listed below in three phases:

Background Site Investigation
• Historical Research of State and Local Records, Site Interviews
• Surface and Aerial Reconnaissance
• Remote Sensing – Visible and Infrared Images

Geophysical Methods
• Magnetics
• Resistivity
• Self Potential
• Electrical Tomography
• Frequency Domain Electromagnetics
• Time Domain Electromagnetics
• Controlled Source Audio-Frequency Magnetotellurics
• Ground Penetrating Radar

Monitoring Wells
• Potentiometric Surface
• Fluid Sampling

The goal of this manual is to provide a resource to persons responsible for the safe operation of
storage cavern facilities. No manual such as this can provide a prescriptive set of procedures to
follow. Rather, the intent of this manual is to provide guidance for educated selection and
supervision of service companies that provide the various methods.

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