Ah, the Beauty of Construction

In oil production, there will be a time when productive activity ceases. Then the site has to be decommissioned, which involves plugging up holes and properly disposing oilfield equipment. Your petroleum company can succeed with oilfield decommissioning when this advice is utilized:

Plan Before Wells Run Dry

Before your petroleum company officially stops oilfield operations around a particular site, you want to plan for decommissioning well in advance. Then you'll have enough time to put together concrete plans, line up professional parties, and ensure everyone is on the same page.

A couple of years prior to wells running completely dry is typically the appropriate timeframe to start planning for decommissioning. You won't have to worry about tight deadlines or having logistical issues. Even if decommissioning turns out to be more difficult than what your petroleum company originally planned for, there will be enough time allotted to schedule around these difficulties. 

Perform the Right Regulatory Measures

Oilfield decommissioning is a highly structured process that is governed by regulatory bodies. Before you even start to plan for this decommissioning process, make sure your company understands exactly what regulatory measures it needs to comply with.

This usually involves getting the appropriate permits, disposing of oilfield products the right way, properly sealing up wells, and knowing what structures can be left behind. Turn over every stone from a compliance standpoint so that you don't face stressful financial penalties. You might want to consult with an oilfield decommissioning service to ensure all regulatory issues are worked out prior to the planning stage.

Select the Right Removal Method for the Conductor Pipe

One of the most important components to focus on during oilfield decommissioning is the conductor pipe. It's very large and serves as the foundation for an oil well system. You'll want to figure out an appropriate removal method that takes care of this pipe correctly and safely.

A couple of methods include using explosives, ID cutters, abrasives, and diamond wire saws. Pick a solution that is the most feasible for your petroleum company to support and manage until enough of the conductor pipe has been removed in order to remain compliant.

There are certain rules every petroleum company has to follow when dealing with oilfield decommissioning, a process that is required at the end of every oilfield operation. If you look into the rules and start planning as early as you can, decommissioning will be something your company expertly manages from start to finish.