Zenith Energy carries out its first offshore oil rig abandonment project in Italy

Zenith Energy – the Aberdeen based well-management firm – has successfully completed the plug and abandonment of a Rockhopper platform well located in offshore Italy.

Utilising its well-engineering experts, well-delivery process and HSEQ management systems, Zenith completed the project safely and within AFE, using the Atwood Beacon Jack Up MODU.

The operation involved re-entry to the existing well situated on an unmanned platform, bullheading operations, removal of completion, casing and wellhead equipment, and the setting of permanent barrier cement plugs.

Chris Collie, Operations Director, Zenith Energy, said: “This project marks a significant milestone for us. We have safely and efficiently completed our first offshore well management project, which was planned and executed by a small but highly experienced team within a five-month period.

“This enabled our client to take advantage of a rig of opportunity and permanently abandon their well at significant cost savings due to current market rates.

“Our team planned and executed operations within AFE and the project involved all operations that you would typically expect in a well abandonment – slick line, wireline, Xmas tree removal, cementing, cutting and pulling casing and removal of topside wellhead equipment in a well with high concentrations of H2S and A annulus pressure issues.”

Fiona MacAulay, Chief Operating Officer, Rockhopper Exploration, said: “Zenith provided us with the well engineering personnel to plan and manage our well abandonment operation and they have achieved our objectives of permanently abandoning the Ombrina Mare well.

“They integrated well with the Rockhopper team and provided a first class team of engineers to deliver the project safely and within budget.”

Set up in 2012, Zenith currently has a team of 18 engineers and over the last two years, has more than doubled its client list to 20, working with a number of operators and service companies.