Well Decommissioning Research Committee (WDRC)

WDRC focuses on helping to deliver on reducing methane emissions from operations and closed wells. The challenge of emissions migration through the well infrastructure is of concern to many Oil and Gas producing jurisdictions. This committee works diligently to find new cost-effective mitigation technology solutions.

WDRC Committee Members

Name	Company Name
Andrew Robinson	Alberta Energy Regulator
Barkim Demirdal	Canadian Natural
Ben Fraser	Imperial Oil
Christian Montoya	Imperial Oil
Claudette Fedoruk	Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Dave Samuelson	Cenovus Energy
Mike Fulsom	The Explorers and Producers Association of Canada
Rajan Varughese	Alberta Energy Regulator
Richard Wong	Cenovus Energy
Ryan McDowell	Crescent Point Energy
Shanna Nolan	Shell Canada
Shawn Forster	Cenovus Energy
Wade Hartzell	Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Current Policy Issues and Knowledge Gaps

Public Policy Issue	Knowledge Gaps
Cut and Cap Policy for Low-Risk SCVF Wells	Gas migration impacts on potable water. Water/conduit creating a connection. Risks associated with a non-zero threshold for SCVFs. Processes to facilitate site closure/progress sites to re-certification under this policy. Options in consideration of existing policies and regulations.
Understanding Surface Casing Vents in Thermal Operations	Best practice monitoring strategy. Alignment about when to test for SCVF and GM in thermal wells and methods/devices to be used for accurate determination of flow characteristics such as: Flowrate Methane levels Hydrogen Sulphide levels Identify risk associated with shallow and production zone emissions to determine the need and methods for proper characterization of Methane and Hydrogen Sulphide. Risk assessment requires environmental impact analysis.
Evaluate Cement Alternatives for SCVF/GM Repair	Evaluate acceptable cement alternatives for SCVF/GM repair that meet or exceed established regulatory requirements for cement properties. Improve repair success metrics. Assess the bond quality behind the pipe for cement alternatives.
Identify Long Term Monitoring & Management Solutions	Identify a cost-effective long-term monitoring solution (i.e. continuous and semi-routine). identify options for managing non-serious SCVF/GM before abandonment. Cost-effective quantitative measurement of SCVF (emission calculation). There are regulatory instruments that provide industry options for active and inactive wells with non-serious SCVF/GM that are cost-effective.
Data Analysis	Data utilization strategy. i.e. Carbon isotope database – improve accessibility and transparency for industry use Regulatory data – improve availability of public data related to well remediation activities (certain data may only be available by request or datasets are incomplete, the outcome would be to improve data usability and improve quantity of information available). Data analysis aimed at informing and helping the industry to make better, smarter, and cost-effective decisions.