Well integrity: An overlooked source of risk and liability for underground natural gas storage. Lessons learned from incidents in the USA

Abstract

AbstractSafety is a primary concern at underground gas storage (UGS) sites. Thorough evaluation of all potential migration pathways is critical to ensure UGS containment and public safety. Substantial risk is directly associated with inaccurate technical evaluations, that may result in subsequent gas migration from a UGS facility.Existing wellbores, including abandoned oil and gas wells, old dry exploration wells and water wells represent primary potential vertical gas migration conduits, which are not always thoroughly analysed during UGS site evaluation studies. Most abandoned oil and gas wells develop leaks over time, even when plugged in accordance with current (US) government regulations.Leaking wells in urban areas represent significant health and safety hazards. Many cities including Los Angeles permit construction of new homes directly over abandoned wells, even though state agencies recommend against this practice, thus placing residents at risk. Explosions and fires, along with possible exposure to substances such as benzene and toluene, are possible when gas reaches the surface through leaking wells and accumulates inside building voids. These potential problems are amplified with UGS fields, where operating pressures, already raised above the declining pressures of the field, fluctuate when alternating gas injection and extraction induce cyclic stress on wellbores and caprock sequences.