Modeling and Simulation of Chemical Reactions for Thermal Plug and Abandonment of Oil Wells

Resumo

© 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. All rights reserved.The global shift to a carbon-free economy has spurred innovative technologies while necessitating the decommissioning of outdated energy infrastructure, including oil and gas wells. Strict environmental regulations now mandate that abandoned wells undergo plug and abandonment (P&A) operations to prevent future leaks. With thousands of wells still in operation and the rising costs of P&A, the industry is exploring more reliable, cost-effective solutions to address the impending "P&A wave." One promising technique involves using a powerful heat source to melt the casing, tubing, and surrounding rock at the plugging site, creating a seal upon cooling. This article presents a mathematical model and simulations of the reaction front propagation in a thermite mixture ignited in a vertical tube. Preliminary results show good qualitative agreement with experimental data, highlighting the potential of this method for improving P&A operations.