Regulatory Intelligence
What extra engineering checks matter when a disposal or injection well has sour or critical-sour context?
Category:
Sour Service and Safety Planning
Research Basis
Archive Period
2015-2019
Records Reviewed
6
Primary Topics
critical sour; H2S; casing metallurgy; engineering assessment; ERP; conversion well; re-entry
Current Reference
AER Directive 051; AER Directive 010; AER Directive 087; AER Directive 056; AER Manual 012; AER Directive 071
Common Question
What extra engineering checks matter when a disposal or injection well has sour or critical-sour context?
Archive Findings
The folder includes IRP 1 Critical Sour Drilling, which is broader than D051 but relevant when injection, disposal, conversion, or re-entry work intersects sour service. IRP 1 emphasizes competent technical judgment, engineering assessments, sour-service casing suitability, casing burst/collapse/tension design, hydrogen sulphide degradation mechanisms, and project-plan contents such as geological setting, offset wells, formation pressure, casing design, BOP/choke equipment, drilling fluids, H2S release-rate calculation, ERP, personnel, and wellbore diagram. The 2019 email chain also shows conversion planning where wellbore schematic, packer test, CIL, and pressure limits were active application issues.
Engineering Insight
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Do not let a D051 disposal application become disconnected from sour-service assumptions. Confirm whether sour zones, H2S release potential, sour metallurgy, corrosion risk, and temperature/service conditions affect the casing and completion. For re-entry or conversion wells, verify remaining wall thickness, sour-service grade suitability, packer setting depth, well control exposure during workovers, and emergency planning. Where IRP 1 is used, document any engineering assessment and the qualifications or technical basis behind it.
Current Guidance
Current guidance should be read across Directive 051 for injection/disposal integrity, Directive 010 for casing design, Directive 087 for packer and well-integrity testing, Directive 056/Manual 012 for application requirements, and Directive 071 for emergency preparedness and response. IRP 1 remains an industry recommended practice and does not override regulatory requirements.