Safeguarding a blown out well

Objective: This was a gas storage well that supplied gas to the German capital, Berlin. A down-hole explosion occurred during regular maintenance, which caused the well to blow out. This explosion caused major damage to the completion, casing and well-head. The primary objective was to safeguard the well by charging out the well-head and gaining access to the reservoir.

Location: The well side is located on the outskirts of Berlin close to residential areas. Therefore maximum precautions had to be taken to ensure the safety of the nearby residents:

  • Wells located in "cellar" underneath location
  • Special substructure manufactured to ensure no well-head loading
  • Deluge system and fire monitors rigged up in case of fire
  • Contact with fire brigade on daily basis
  • Location set-up so that all planned activities could be carried out
  • Rig set up so that all scenarios could be handled safely

Execution:

  • BPC coordinated the entire project
  • The completion was found shattered in pieces, but access to the required depth was achieved
  • Well-head was charged out and the well was secured