The signing of Welltec as the latest speaker at the 30 June-1 July conference comes as Welltec enters a global framework agreement with Shell Global Solutions International to develop new technologies.

Announcing the agreement with Shell on 18 May, Welltec’s founder and CEO Jorgen Hallundbaek said: “It aligns and extends our ability to do for Shell what is at Welltec’s core – delivering game-changing technologies that truly impact our industry.”

Welltec says its novel, expandable metal products now provide an alternative to cement as a primary well barrier.

Also new at the third annual conference are a series of intimate roundtable discussions with leading experts from super-major and independent operators including Total, Shell and BP, and tier 1 integrated contractors and technology solutions providers.

The roundtables will probe the biggest questions of the day in well integrity and plugging and abandonment, including how to handle wells with limited historical data and how to make life extension decisions, according to conference organiser DecomWorld.

“Whether your well is producing, suspended or permanently abandoned, this is the only conference to unite offshore experts at all stages of the well lifecycle, making this a one-of-a-kind gathering for developing a robust well integrity management strategy,” said Paul Soskin, DecomWorld project director.

“The well integrity focused discussions will not only reduce the risk and costs associated with ageing assets, but will help the industry improve recovery rates, well design and construction.”

Also speaking at the conference is veteran well specialist and innovator Simon Sparke who, in conjunction with Tullow Oil, is setting up a well abandonment database exclusively for operators to capture intelligence on well abandonment issues.

Sparke told DecomWorld that sharing information was vital for operators in managing their assets at a time when they are faced with three major challenges: falling revenues due to the low oil price, ageing assets, and the looming departure of skilled people.

“I have seen this happen several times in my last 30 years and each time, when the recovery occurs, there is a shortage of qualified and competent personnel,” Spark said. “This will be even worse on the next recovery as a very large number of people are retiring.”

In-depth case studies will also be presented at the conference, including one presented by Shell’s manager of wells research and development, Jip van Eijden.

Entitled “Understanding the fundamentals of zonal isolation”, his presentation will help participants understand Shell’s R&D strategy and program to validate the effectiveness of cement slurries for zonal isolation, and to develop a consistent testing procedure that will facilitate standardization.

Shell is currently testing and developing alternative materials to cement and has said that, with significant plugging and abandonment activity on the horizon, the need for appropriate solutions of zonal isolation has resulted in a renewed focus.

DecomWorld’s Paul Soskin said the conference has been designed to reflect the unique circumstances facing the offshore industry.

“We’ve hand-picked experts for two days of presentations, panels and roundtables that will cover the industry’s most challenging topics right here in the middle of 2015,” he said. “Really it’s designed to help the industry set solid, workable strategies amid uncertain times.”

• DecomWorld’s Third Annual Well Integrity and Abandonment Conference will be held at the Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen, UK, 30th June – 1st July 2015. For more information, visit: http://www.decomworld.com/well-integrity/

Get the full line-up speaker line-up to the Well Integrity and Abandonment Conference (Aberdeen, 30^th June-1^st July)

Sample list of attendees at the Well Integrity and Abandonment Conference:

• Well Examiner, Total
• Senior Interventions Expert, BP
• Wells Technical Authority,EnQuest
• Drilling Operations Manager, Addax Petroleum
• Wells Integrity team Leader, CNR International
• Decommissioning Facilities Lead, Marathon Oil
• Principle Engineer, PSA
• Dunlin Area Commercial Manager, Fairfield Energy
• Sr.Advisor & Board Member, Welltec Inc
• Production and Well Integrity domain champion, Schlumberger
• Technical Manager, ITF
• P&A Manager, Halliburton
• WGIntetech Well Integrity Manager - North Sea, Wood Group Kenny
• Drilling Engineer, Addax Petroleum
• Well Integrity Engineer, EnQuest
• Engineering Consultant, Oxand Group
• Well Integrity Engineer, CNR International
• Sjefingeniør, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate
• Decommissioning Facilities Supervisor, Marathon Oil
• Advanced Completions Lead, Aramco Overseas Co