Wellbarrier Planning uses the barrier definition (ensuring the necessary barriers are in place and being able to test and verify them) as the basis to ensure that all stakeholders have a clear and common understanding of risk throughout the well life cycle.

By establishing two independent barrier envelopes, a primary barrier, which is backed by a secondary barrier, operators safeguard well activities and reduce risk.

Where this is not available for legacy or technical reasons, it is equally important to communicate what well barriers are in place. The advantage of a two-barrier philosophy is that no matter where the pressure might escape, there will always be a protective second barrier in place as backup. 

→ Wellbarrier Planning improves decision-making during planning operations and safeguards the execution of well activities by using the barrier definition to support collaboration and mitigate vulnerabilities.

→ The foundation of the solution is the well barrier schematic, it supports collaboration between stakeholders involved in well operations.

→ Risk assessments are performed objectively and systematically using failure mode effect and criticality analysis (FMECA) methodology. Remediation of anomalies proactively managed and allow prioritization of mitigating measures.

→ Understanding of potential operational challenges is enhanced through visualization of the well inclination, knowledge of the formation strength, and provision of well control action diagrams to support response to unexpected events.

Wellbarrier planning 

Understanding of potential operational challenges is enhanced through visualization of the well inclination, knowledge of the formation strength, and provision of well control action diagrams to support response to unexpected event.  .

Interactive well inclination schematic 
Provides a clear illustration of the curvature of the well and includes descriptions of the well components.   

Well control action diagram 
Displays the sequence of proposed actions in the event of an unforeseen incident. Particularly useful if the drilling or wellsite crew is using new or unfamiliar equipment.   

Sequence diagram 
Displays a step-by-step visual of how the well activity is progressing. Shows the well and well equipment and how the well barrier definition is changing as the well activity progresses.   

Pore and fracture pressure 
Determines whether the formation strength is sufficient at critical points in the overburden where casing shoes, cement plugs, or other critical well components are placed.   

Wellbarrier shared modules 

Both Wellbarrier Planning and Wellbarrier Integrity Management share the following five Wellbarrier solution features.

Well data and integration 
Defines the hole and casing configuration, completion components, reservoir sections, blowout preventer (BOP) configuration, and other well status information.    

Engineers can share, track, and update data in real time. Built-in quality assurance continuously improves the data’s richness and accuracy.  The Wellbarrier API (application programming interface) allows data to be synchronized between existing systems.   

Illustrations 
Quickly generate illustrations using intuitive drag-and-drop functionality to represent the well at any stage of its life cycle, enabling the creation of consistent and accurate illustrations in minutes.   

Wellbarrier schematic 
Shows how the well integrity should be assured through easy-to-read schematics and summary tables of how to qualify and monitor the defined well barrier elements. The well barrier schematic is the foundation of the solution.   

Risk assessment 
Enables performing of objective failure mode effect and criticality analysis (FMECA) risk assessments for the well or specific operations. Systematic evaluation of failure modes and consequences supports the understanding the risks and specifying mitigating measures to limit them.   

Well integrity anomaly tracking 
Provides an overview of well integrity anomalies identified during the well’s construction and lifetime. This feature is used to assign actions to colleagues, set deadlines, and take corrective action.   

Industry recognized

The Wellbarrier user community comprises more than 6,000 registered users across over 65 countries worldwide. They are using the Wellbarrier solution’s user-friendly and intuitive digital tool to efficiently and effectively prepare more than 110,000 barrier schematics to bring them unique, reliable insight to safeguarding their well integrity. 

Wellbarrier training courses

Contact the SLB team for updates on Wellbarrier training courses.

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