An optimization model for the planning of offshore plug and abandonment campaigns

Abstract

Plug and abandonment (P&A) operations can be time-consuming and thus very costly, especially for subsea fields. P&A of subsea wells require dedicated vessels such as high cost semi-submersible drilling rigs or lower cost Riserless Light Well Intervention vessels. This paper describes an optimization model that can be used to plan multi-well P&A campaigns by finding cost-efficient vessel routes and allocation of P&A operations to different rigs and vessels. The model's functionality is demonstrated on ten different synthetic cases, generated from realistic data. Results show that significant cost savings can be made by adapting the optimal solutions from this model compared to planning strategies that are currently used by operators, as well as by cooperating across fields and licenses in a large campaign.