ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2013
page 28
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
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.
53
20%
114
42%
79
29%
18
7%
3
1%
2
0.74%
1
0%
0
0%
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
Source: Oil & Gas UK
