Call for Greater Focus on Subsea Well Integrity Management (Australia)

Many oil and gas operators are taking an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to subsea well integrity management, according to internationally renowned engineer and Director of Intetech, Liane Smith.

Smith, who will be one of the leading speakers at the Subsea Australasia Conference, being held as part of the Australasian Oil & Gas Conference (AOG) in Perth, said there was not enough focus on well integrity in the oil and gas industry.

“Subsea wells are often built to a good design basis and therefore operators tend to believe they’ll remain leak-free through the whole well life. I would say they’re out of sight, out of mind,” she said.

“But in practice subsea well leaks are a common fact and given the cost of their repair, the introduction of a well integrity management system pays back if even a single leak is prevented.”

In one of the highlights of the conference’s subsea operations stream, Smith will discuss how operators can better manage well integrity, reduce shut-ins and maintain wells safely in production.

Her presentation will examine the case history of subsea operator Maersk Oil UK, which has introduced a well integrity management system, including a well integrity management manual, operational procedures documentation and well integrity management software to provide real-time risk evaluation of individual wells.

“This is a field proven well integrity management system that can manage well integrity and in doing so reduce well shut-ins and workovers,” said Smith.

Australia’s largest subsea event, the Subsea Australasia Conference will explore new advances, challenges and solutions in sessions focusing on subsea operations, drilling and well management, marine sediment transport, global demand for subsea talent and subsea fields of the future.

A joint initiative between Subsea Energy Australia, Subsea UK, the Society for Underwater Technology and AOG 2013, the conference will bring together more than 600 delegates at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 20-22 February.

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Press Release, January 31, 2013