By Mayra Aquino, Principal Well Risk Engineer at GMVi, WITS Liaison South & Central America
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The experience in the Netherlands provided an invaluable opportunity to discuss and understand the challenges and solutions in well integrity management. The discussions and presentations underscored the need for a joint and collaborative approach to address emerging challenges in the industry. I had the honour of participating as the South America Liaison on the panel dedicated to the WITS Board.
I am immensely grateful to my colleagues Kenny McAllister, Ainur Kaken, and Scott Myers for their valuable contributions. It was rewarding to share the WITS message and spread our mission of building a global community for well integrity with ample room for knowledge sharing!
It became clear that effective well integrity management requires a comprehensive understanding of specific situations and a skill set, especially for junior professionals. The bonus presentation on Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) was remarkable. I believe this is the way to transform how the oil and gas industry perceives and addresses risk in well integrity management.
One of the highlighted points was the serious issue of demographic demands and specialization for the future. We discussed the challenges posed by the loss of experience and the lack of recognition for these roles, as well as the critical role of regulators and the need for global alignment. There were many learnings and reflections, but Session 5, “Well Integrity for CCS,” stood out to me. Shared primarily by the Integrity team, it reinforced the idea that this is not a job for isolated individuals. I was inspired by the women who brilliantly represented the inclusion and diversity I advocate for: “Women who stand out for their knowledge, competence before flag-waving!”
The event conveyed this message: “Instead of focusing too much on the transition, the industry should strive to improve our current practices. Beyond simply focusing on ‘oil and gas’ or ‘energy,’ it is crucial for the general public and government authorities to also consider social impact, the global economy, job creation, and social development. Most people don’t realise that oil and gas will remain present for a considerable period and that the transition won’t happen overnight. With the diversification of the energy matrix and the addition of sustainable energy sources, it’s clear that well integrity management is a vital element for a stable energy future. Supporting the socioeconomic foundation of communities and directing the global narrative towards a responsible process.”
I am fully convinced that, with a good dose of will, we can do much better for this industry and society!