Environment Report 2013

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2013

With respect to gas wells, only two of the 270 gas wells capable of unassisted flow have flow rates in excess of 50 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD). Most wells range between 0 and 20 MMSCFD as shown in Figure 18 below.

Figure 18: Flow Rate Classes of Gas Wells in Million Standard Cubic Feet Per Day

3 1%

2 0.74%

1 0%

0 0%

18 7%

53 20%

0 to 1 MMSCFD 1 to 5 MMSCFD 5 to 20 MMSCFD 20 to 40 MMSCFD 40 to 50 MMSCFD Greater than 50 MMSCFD Under Review Plugged and Abandoned

79 29%

114 42%

Source: Oil & Gas UK

Use of the data Oil & Gas UK has now established an accurate inventory of platform wells and the overall finding from the exercise demonstrates that very few wells are capable of unassisted flow at significant rates, allowing appropriate preventative and control measures to be put in place. Given the number and location of these wells it is deemed unnecessary to develop an industry-wide intervention capability. The data will also be used in discussion with regulators on a range of issues, including the potential for generic OPEPs for low risk installations and in ensuring that the requirements for financial responsibility, insurance and environmental liability are appropriate.

A similar exercise will be undertaken for subsea production wells during 2014 to complete the inventory.

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