DEPART MENT OF MINES AND ENERGY
GUIDELINE
Well Plug and Abandonment Applications
Requirements

Reference to Clause 528 “Approval to Abandon or Suspend a Well” and Clause 529 “Abandonment
of a Well” in the NT Schedule of Onshore Petroleum Exploration and Production Requirements
2012.

Plug and Abandonment (P & A) Applications are required to:
o
Address the requirements of Clause 529 appropriate to the construction and status of
the well
o
Include the installation and validation of a minimum of two (2) permanent downhole
barriers.
Applications for Well Plug and Abandonment
Plug and Abandonment (P & A) applications are to consist of the following:
1. Letter of application, signed by the custodian of the project and making reference to Clause 528 of
the Schedule of Onshore Petroleum Exploration and Production Requirements 2012.
2. The specific reason for the P & A as per Clause 528 (5)(a).
3. P & A Program reflecting the step by step procedures the rig will follow when installing and then
validating the integrity of barriers (to be validated by either tagging or pressure testing).
4. Proposed final well schematic with all well construction features labelled, including the proposed
position of installed barriers. The well’s final kill fluid weight is to be included (as attached Sample
Diagram).
NOTE:

NO CASING CAN BE RECOVERED IF IT WILL EXPOSE ANY ABNORMAL PRESSURE,
LOST CIRCULATION, HYDROCARBON OR WATER BEARING ZONE.

ALL PERMANENT BARRIERS ARE TO BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED ON THE FINAL WELL
SCHEMATIC
Petroleum Operations
Last Update: October 2014
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DEPART MENT OF MINES AND ENERGY
GUIDELINE
Sample Diagram:
Identifying all permanent barriers in the wellbore and signage at the surface.
Steel Post and
Signage w ith Well
and Operator
details.
Ground Level
Minimum: 15m
Surface
Cement
Plug
Minimum:
30m
Conductor Casing
Kill Fluid
with
Corrosion
Inhibitor
Surface
Cement
Plug
Minimum:
30m above
perforation
in the well
Surface Casing
Perforation
Zone
Production Casing
Petroleum Operations
Last Update: October 2014
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DEPART MENT OF MINES AND ENERGY
GUIDELINE
For Well Plug and Abandonment Activity Close-out
Please submit:

Daily Drilling Reports to be sent as usual and reflecting the entire P & A until activity close-out.

The Final Well Schematic reflecting all well construction features (labelled) the position of ALL
validated barriers and also the final brine weight.

Details relating to ALL installed barriers are to include:
o
o
o
o
o

Barrier type (cement plug, mechanical plug etc.)
Bottom depth of barrier (m)
Top depth of barrier (m)
Tagging weight (lbs), unless pressure tested
Pressure test (psi), unless tagged.
Photographs of the well site along with surface signage reflecting well and operator details. At
least 4 photographs will be required.
ADDITIONAL GUIDING INFORMATION

Checklists and guidelines for various petroleum activities are available on the Department of Mines
and Energy’s website at: http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Minerals_Energy/

Contact the Petroleum Operations Team on petroleum.operations@nt.gov.au for further
information.
- END -
Petroleum Operations
Last Update: October 2014
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