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DACC IRP #30 - Temporary Wellbore Suspensions
New IRP - Overview
IRP 30 is a new Industry Recommended Practice (IRP) developed to provide guidance on the temporary suspension of wellbores. It emphasizes a risk-based approach, stressing the importance of comprehensive risk assessments to evaluate well conditions, classify wells into minimal, moderate, or high-risk categories, and guide decisions on whether to shut in or suspend wells. IRP 30 offers industry best practices to complement, but not replace, jurisdictional regulations. It is intended for wellbore owners, operators, and regulators involved in suspension planning and execution.
Summary of Content
The IRP includes the following content:
- Well Status Definitions - Provides definitions of well status (e.g., shut-in, suspended, inactive) across different jurisdictions.
- Risk Categories - Identifies common risk categories and factors that can either increase or reduce risk.
- Risk Levels and Barriers - Defines risk levels (minimal, moderate, high) applicable across jurisdictions and outlines corresponding barrier requirements.
- Shut-In vs. Suspension - Offers guidance to decide whether to shut in or suspend a well based on risk assessment outcomes.
- Shut-In Planning & Execution - Includes best practices for planning and executing the shut-in of minimal-risk wells.
- Suspension Planning & Execution - Details planning and execution of suspensions for moderate and high-risk wells, including acceptable and unacceptable barriers, selection and installation considerations, and isolation requirements.
- Post Shut-In and Suspension Activities - Recommends ongoing monitoring, inspection, and integrity testing for shut-in and suspended wells. Appendix B outlines inspection frequencies by jurisdiction.
- Well Reactivation - Discusses considerations for safely return a shut-in or suspended well to production.
- Subsurface Safety Valves - Provides recommended practices for suspending wells equipped with subsurface safety valves.
- Case Studies - Appendix C includes 11 case studies that illustrate the use of the risk-based approach.
Developer: DACC
Sponsor Organizations: CAPP, Enserva, CAOEC, EPAC
Current Status: Sanctioned October 2024
