Directives and regulations on closure and post-closurePeriod after transfer of responsibility to the competent authority for CO2Carbon dioxide-storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere are still in development. Therefore there are only a few regulations dealing with the abandonment(wells) Actions taken to ensure permanent isolation of the fluids and pressures of exposed permeable zones within a well from the surface and from lower pressured zones of CO2Carbon dioxide-storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere wells, which are mostly amendments and further recommendations of the already existing subsoil acts and directives concerning hydrocarbon exploration wells (due to the similarities of the topic).
International Regulations
The IEAInternational Energy Agency Carbon CaptureThe separation of carbon dioxide from other gases before it is emitted to the atmosphere and Storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere: Model Regulatory Framework requires for the abandonment(wells) Actions taken to ensure permanent isolation of the fluids and pressures of exposed permeable zones within a well from the surface and from lower pressured zones of CO2Carbon dioxide storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere wells a description of the location, the condition of the wells, applied plugging procedures and integrity testing results for every possibly effected wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids. Also a description of the decommissioning, as required by the relevant authority, is wanted.
The OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992 and London ConventionInternational convention on the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matter, which was adopted at London, Mexico City, Moscow and Washington on 29 December 1972 amendments related to CO2Carbon dioxide-storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids abandonment(wells) Actions taken to ensure permanent isolation of the fluids and pressures of exposed permeable zones within a well from the surface and from lower pressured zones state: "Particular attention should be paid to integrity of the wells. Over the longer term, the risk assessmentA process intended to calculate or estimate the risk to a given target, part of a risk management system should also address any change in the integrity of the sealAn impermeable rock that forms a barrier above and around a reservoir such that fluids are held in the reservoir and of the plugs in the abandoned wells and might include the effects of CO2Carbon dioxide dissolution and mineralization". "Special care should be taken to use sealing plugs and cement that are resistant to degradation from carbonic acid" (London ProtocolProtocol to the London Convention, adopted in London on 2 November 1996 but which had not entered into force at the time of writing, 2006b). In 2007 the OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992 Convention made amendments for environmentally safe storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere of CO2Carbon dioxide where they excluded the injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells of CO2Carbon dioxide in the water columnVertically continuous mass of water from the surface to the bottom sediments of a water body and the disposal onto the seabedBoundary between the free water and the top of the seabottom sediment.
European regulations
EUEuropean Union directive 2009/31/ECEuropean Commission notes as a requirement that "the site has been sealed and injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells facilities have been removed". Guidance Document 3 (ECEuropean Commission, 2011c) mentions the necessity of appropriate materials and practices without any further details on procedure or plugging.
The SINTEF Petroleum Research Report on "Ensuring wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids integrity in connection with CO2Carbon dioxide injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells" (Randhol et al., 2007) stated that NORSOK D-010 standard could fundamentally serve as basis for setting guidelines for CO2Carbon dioxide storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere wells. However, it criticised some topics in NORSOK D-010 standard in relation to CO2Carbon dioxide applications: mainly: (1) material selection of barriers are too general and specific details missing (type of cement etc.), (2) wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids barriers: no plug placed in cap rock - insufficient for wells exposed to CO2Carbon dioxide, (3) completion(well) Refers to the cementing and perforating of casing and stimulation to connect a well bore to reservoir string: NORSOK leaves tubing in place also for abandoned wells - inadequate for CO2Carbon dioxide applications, (4) temporary wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids abandonment(wells) Actions taken to ensure permanent isolation of the fluids and pressures of exposed permeable zones within a well from the surface and from lower pressured zones: no time frame defined, (5) monitoringMeasurement and surveillance activities necessary for ensuring safe and reliable operation of a CGS project (storage integrity), and for estimating emission reductions guidelines missing for permanently abandoned wells
Germany
In 2012 the EUEuropean Union Directive 2009/31/EG was implemented in Germany as the Federal Law regarding the Application of CCSCarbon dioxide Capture and Storage in Germany ("Demonstration der dauerhaften Speicherung von Kohlenstoffdioxid (Kohlendioxid-Speicherungsgesetz - KSpG). Before the abandonment(wells) Actions taken to ensure permanent isolation of the fluids and pressures of exposed permeable zones within a well from the surface and from lower pressured zones of CO2Carbon dioxide-storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere wells it is required to submit a decommissioning plan including a description of the steps taken to prevent any leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column as wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids as a post-closurePeriod after transfer of responsibility to the competent authority plan with monitoringMeasurement and surveillance activities necessary for ensuring safe and reliable operation of a CGS project (storage integrity), and for estimating emission reductions concepts updated every 5 years. These updates lead to renewed assessment of long-term safety as wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids as riskConcept that denotes the product of the probability of a hazard and the subsequent consequence of the associated event and ensure an up-to-date technical maintenance. The operator has the duty to provide financial security to the authority. He will be able to transfer the liability of the storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere site to the competent authority at earliest 40 years after decommissioning.
USA
EPA UIC regulations state that before placing plugs the wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids has to be flushed with a buffer fluid and the operator has to determine bottom reservoirA subsurface body of rock with sufficient porosity and permeability to store and transmit fluids pressure and perform mechanical integrity test. A plugging plan, which has to contain a bottom hole reservoirA subsurface body of rock with sufficient porosity and permeability to store and transmit fluids pressure test, mechanical integrity test and number and material of plugs, as wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids as placement of the plugs and which method was used needs an approval by the authority. There are no specifications on required materials or required tests, as they want to acknowledge the variety of available/appropriate methods and materials. The only state requirement is the compatibility of plugs with injectate to eliminate potential degradation of plugs over time.
IOGCC guide regulations state that the operator needs an approval before the plugging of wells. It also states: "WellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids-casingA pipe which is inserted to stabilise the borehole of a well after it is drilled shall be cut off at a depth of 5ft below surface and a steel plate shall be welded on top identifying wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids name and that it was used for CO2Carbon dioxide injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells". After wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids plugging, the surface installations must be removed and the site restored to its original state as far as possible.
Australia
The Offshore Petroleum Amendment requires the operator to remove all property brought to the site and to demonstrate to the Minister the removal and plugging of wells in a way that minimises quality damage to the petroleum bearing formations and maintains the suitability for permanent storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere of greenhouse gasGas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere, and clouds; thus, trapping heat within the surface-troposphere system. e.g. water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), ozone (O3), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) substances.
The "Queensland Greenhouse GasGas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere, and clouds; thus, trapping heat within the surface-troposphere system. e.g. water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), ozone (O3), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) Storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere Regulation 2010" further requires a report when decommissioning CO2Carbon dioxide storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere wells, which must include:
- Details on the installed wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids equipment with diagrams showing their dimensions and features;
- Full description of equipment that may cause a hazard to underground mining operations;
- Surveyed location of any prescribed equipment;
- Method of the cementing operations (location and type of plugs, plugging intervals, volume/type of cement, occurrences while cementing (cement loss and remediation));
- Description of any other performed abandonment(wells) Actions taken to ensure permanent isolation of the fluids and pressures of exposed permeable zones within a well from the surface and from lower pressured zones procedures;
- Details of activities performed on the wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids to assess potential risks to safe and efficient underground mining.