_RP_65-3-2021.pdf

Wellbore Plugging and AbandonmentAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 65-3FIRST EDITION,JUNE 2021Special NotesAPI publications necessarily address problems of a general nature.With respect to particular circumstances,local,state,and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.The use of API publications is voluntary.In some cases,third parties or authorities having jurisdiction may choose to incorporate API standards by reference and maymandate compliance.Neither API nor any of APIs employees,subcontractors,consultants,committees,or other assignees make anywarranty or representation,either express or implied,with respect to the accuracy,completeness,or usefulness of theinformation contained herein,or assume any liability or responsibility for any use,or the results of such use,of anyinformation or process disclosed in this publication.Neither API nor any of APIs employees,subcontractors,consultants,or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so.Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure theaccuracy and reliability of the data contained in them;however,the Institute makes no representation,warranty,orguarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss ordamage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication mayconflict.API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven,sound engineering and operatingpractices.These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgmentregarding when and where these publications should be utilized.The formulation and publication of API publicationsis not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standardis solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard.API does not represent,warrant,or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.All rights reserved.No part of this work may be reproduced,translated,stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise,without prior written permission from the publisher.Contact the Publisher,API Publishing Services,200 Massachusetts Avenue,NW,Suite 1100,Washington,DC 20001.Copyright 2021 American Petroleum InstituteForewordThis document was prepared with input from oil and gas operators,drilling contractors,service companies,andconsultants.Guidance is provided to accomplish the following:permanently abandon wells;place wells on inactive status(temporary abandonment).Permanent abandonment is performed when there is no further utility for a wellbore by sealing the wellbore againstfluid migration.A well is placed on inactive status when there are plans for future utility of the wellbore.Temporary abandonment isperformed by sealing the wellbore for the anticipated time of inactivity.The purpose of this document is to address wellbore plugging and abandonment practices.The primary goals areprotection of useable water sources,isolation of hydrocarbon bearing or water injection intervals,prevent any leakageto the surface,and prevention of unintended cross flow.Topics discussed include cementing practices and theplacement of well barriers.This document does not address regulatory requirements nor surface reclamation.The content of this document is not all inclusive and not intended to alleviate the need for detailed information foundin textbooks,manuals,technical papers,or other documents.The formulation,adoption,and publication of APIstandards are not intended to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.Research into the installation andevaluation of permanent abandonment well barriers are ongoing.As new materials,isolation methods,placementtechniques,and evaluation methods emerge these should be effectively reviewed by the user prior to use.Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right,by implication or otherwise,for themanufacture,sale,or use of any method,apparatus,or product covered by letters patent.Neither should anythingcontained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.The verbal forms used to express the provisions in this document are as follows.Shall:As used in a standard,“shall”denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the standard.Should:As used in a standard,“should”denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in orderto conform to the standard.May:As used in a standard,“may”denotes a course of action permissible within the limits of a standard.Can:As used in a standard,“can”denotes a statement of possibility or capability.This document wa