Strategic Area
Energy – Technology and Innovation
GHG & Air Emissions
Status
Completed
Partners
Alberta Innovates
City of Medicine Hat
DynaEnergetics
Husky Energy
Perfco
Tier 1 Energy Solutions
Fund
Clean Growth Program
Year
2018
Agreement Value
$1,028,533
Project Total
$2,487,500
Location
AB, SK
Find out more
Lead Proponent
Seal Well Inc.
Project Background
This project demonstrated the use of a bismuth-based metal alloy as a more effective sealant to permanently prevent the leakage of gases from producing and abandoned oil and gas wells.
Results
The project replaced Seal Well's original prototype system with a lightweight digital unit that provides precision control of output current and voltage. The downhole tool was also redesigned by encasing the heating elements with molten aluminum, thereby increasing the external pressure strength of the tool and reducing its cost of manufacture. The new system was tested successfully with two bismuth alloy deployments. The alloy was deployed by heating and melting at a sufficient temperature to remain liquid until it reaches the surface to be sealed, then allowing the alloy to solidify and expand against the sealing surface. The alloy plugs are considered to be permanent, with an expected life of 10,000 years. The alloy is non-toxic in contact with groundwater, impermeable to gas flow when solid, has a low viscosity when liquid, and does not corrode or cause corrosion in the well environment.