GRUPO IPS’S CONDUCTOR RECOVERY APPROACH ENABLES EXISTING OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT NEW WELL DEVELOPMENT.
Since 2020, Grupo IPS has applied its conductor recovery technique to offshore wells, enabling operators to reuse slots that would otherwise remain unavailable following well abandonment.
A well may be abandoned for several reasons, including mechanical failure, collision, loss of integrity or the end of its productive life. However, the existing platform slot can still represent valuable infrastructure.
Grupo IPS’s approach makes it possible to recover that space and establish a new well trajectory from the same platform. The process involves cutting and recovering the existing pipe, using a conductor whipstock to deflect the new trajectory, and installing a new conductor within the recovered slot.
By reusing existing infrastructure, operators can access new targets without the need to build additional platform structures. The conductor recovery intervention can also be completed within a relatively short period before drilling operations begin. The solution combines specialized engineering, field execution and purpose-designed technology. Components of the system are protected by design patents for offshore applications.
For mature offshore assets, conductor recovery provides a practical way to extend the value of existing infrastructure while creating new opportunities for well development.