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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE

A case study on CO2 production casing operations

Jessica Wrigley A * , Gaurav Kumar Singh B , Simon Hann A , Mitch Allison C and Paul Boggon B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A InGauge Energy, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

B SLB, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

C CO2CRC Limited, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.




Jessica Wrigley is a Senior Well Engineer for inGauge Energy. Jess has over 13 years of experience in the petroleum industry and has worked across operational and planning roles in drilling, completions and geomechanics. She started her career at Santos Ltd working across various Australian basins such as Surat-Bowen, Cooper-Eromanga, Browse and in the Northern Territory in Amadeus and Beetaloo. Jess was the lead drilling engineer for the 2023 drilling campaign for CO2CRC at the OITC where inGauge was the drilling and completions project management provider. Jess has a keen passion for efficiency, simplicity and sustainable solutions and aims to embed these ideologies in all of her projects. ORCID: 0009-0005-5083-4470.



Gaurav Kumar Singh is a Customer Engagement Coordinator in SLB. Gaurav has 6 years of experience in the oil and gas sector. He has worked as both Field and Technical Engineer for cementing operations. He did his Bachelor of Technology in Petroleum Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 2018. He has worked in various fields in Australia since then, notably in the North Perth Basin and Beetaloo Basin. He is part of the sustainability team in Australia for SLB and is always looking to work towards a sustainable future with technological solutions. ORCID: 0009-0006-4309-5128.



Simon Hann is a founding partner of inGauge and a well engineering professional with over 20 years of operational experience including conventional oil and gas, geothermal, HPHT and coal seam gas drilling and completions. Simon has 4 years of offshore experience including semi-submersible tender assist, drill ship and jack-up. Simon has 14 years of management experience including roles as Operations Manager, Drilling Team Leader, Drilling and Completions Manager and Production Manager; demonstrating competency in management of rig operations, well design, complex project planning and execution.



Mitch Allison graduated from the University of Guelph in 2005 with a BSc in Geology. He is an experienced geologist and project manager who has worked in oil and gas exploration and development in Canada and Australia for 18 years. In November 2022, he accepted a role with CO2CRC as a Geoscientist and in June 2023, moved into the Operations Manager role. Mitch is a current member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Petroleum Engineers. ORCID: 0009-0008-4482-8500.



Paul Matthew Boggon is a Laboratory Manager in SLB. Paul has 21 years of experience in the oil and gas sector. He has worked as both field and base locations for cementing operations. He did his Associate Diploma in Laboratory Techniques and Diploma in Chemical Engineering at TAFE Western Australia. He has worked in mining for gold and diamond exploration in the laboratory before starting with SLB in 2004. He is part of the sustainability team in Australia for SLB and is always looking to work towards a sustainable future with technological solutions. ORCID: 0009-0000-4558-1038.

* Correspondence to: Jessica.wrigley@ingauge.com.au

Australian Energy Producers Journal 65, EP24186 https://doi.org/10.1071/EP24186
Submitted: 13 December 2024  Accepted: 3 February 2025  Published: 22 May 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of Australian Energy Producers.

Abstract

This paper presents a case study on the innovative deployment of a production casing run, incorporating dual fibre optic (FO) cables on the exterior of the casing, secured with specialised clamps and centralisers, and protected with blast rods for future perforating. The integration of these cables required not only operational adjustments involving spoolers and sheaves but also a bespoke cement blend to ensure compatibility with the unique casing configuration. The cement formulation was specifically tailored for corrosion resistance as the well is expected to be exposed to carbon dioxide during a future injection. This was achieved using local additives that were both emissions-friendly and offered comparable performance to premium alternatives. Additionally, the use of premium threads required the use of a casing running tool, which proved to be an optimal choice over conventional casing tongs. This configuration minimised the operational footprint on the drill floor, reduced handling risks and streamlined operations, particularly given the added complexity of personnel and equipment managing the FO cables and clamps during the casing make up and running operations. The study underscores the value of tailored engineering solutions in complex well construction scenarios and highlights the effectiveness of specific tools and materials in optimising safety, performance and environmental impact. These insights are intended to advance the understanding of best practices in the industry for casing runs that involve complex cable integration and corrosion-resistant cement blends.

Keywords: Australia, carbon capture and storage, CCS, CCS projects through time, Otway, production casing, chrome casing, corrosion resistant cement, fibre optic cables, operations.

Biographies

EP24186_B1.gif

Jessica Wrigley is a Senior Well Engineer for inGauge Energy. Jess has over 13 years of experience in the petroleum industry and has worked across operational and planning roles in drilling, completions and geomechanics. She started her career at Santos Ltd working across various Australian basins such as Surat-Bowen, Cooper-Eromanga, Browse and in the Northern Territory in Amadeus and Beetaloo. Jess was the lead drilling engineer for the 2023 drilling campaign for CO2CRC at the OITC where inGauge was the drilling and completions project management provider. Jess has a keen passion for efficiency, simplicity and sustainable solutions and aims to embed these ideologies in all of her projects. ORCID: 0009-0005-5083-4470.

EP24186_B2.gif

Gaurav Kumar Singh is a Customer Engagement Coordinator in SLB. Gaurav has 6 years of experience in the oil and gas sector. He has worked as both Field and Technical Engineer for cementing operations. He did his Bachelor of Technology in Petroleum Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 2018. He has worked in various fields in Australia since then, notably in the North Perth Basin and Beetaloo Basin. He is part of the sustainability team in Australia for SLB and is always looking to work towards a sustainable future with technological solutions. ORCID: 0009-0006-4309-5128.

EP24186_B3.gif

Simon Hann is a founding partner of inGauge and a well engineering professional with over 20 years of operational experience including conventional oil and gas, geothermal, HPHT and coal seam gas drilling and completions. Simon has 4 years of offshore experience including semi-submersible tender assist, drill ship and jack-up. Simon has 14 years of management experience including roles as Operations Manager, Drilling Team Leader, Drilling and Completions Manager and Production Manager; demonstrating competency in management of rig operations, well design, complex project planning and execution.

EP24186_B4.gif

Mitch Allison graduated from the University of Guelph in 2005 with a BSc in Geology. He is an experienced geologist and project manager who has worked in oil and gas exploration and development in Canada and Australia for 18 years. In November 2022, he accepted a role with CO2CRC as a Geoscientist and in June 2023, moved into the Operations Manager role. Mitch is a current member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Petroleum Engineers. ORCID: 0009-0008-4482-8500.

EP24186_B5.gif

Paul Matthew Boggon is a Laboratory Manager in SLB. Paul has 21 years of experience in the oil and gas sector. He has worked as both field and base locations for cementing operations. He did his Associate Diploma in Laboratory Techniques and Diploma in Chemical Engineering at TAFE Western Australia. He has worked in mining for gold and diamond exploration in the laboratory before starting with SLB in 2004. He is part of the sustainability team in Australia for SLB and is always looking to work towards a sustainable future with technological solutions. ORCID: 0009-0000-4558-1038.

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