BioSqueeze Inc. was contracted by an operator in Pennsylvania to seal a leak in the cement plug of a previously abandoned well. Over an extended shut-in period, casing pressure in the well built up to 120 psi. The operator prepared the well by setting 2-3/8” tubing 6” above the cement top at 1,250’ below surface. Prior to our arrival a one hour pressure build up test showed 10 psi.

Our team arrived on site and began pumping our biomineralizing solution down the well and into the leakage pathways in the cement. Six injection sequences were then run over a 36-hour period.

Injection pressure was first stepped up gradually until the maximum pressure specified by the operator (2,000 psi) was reached. In each subsequent sequence pressure was promptly brought up to max pressure. At the conclusion of each sequence pressure falloff was measured to assess progress.

Pressure falloff at the end of each sequence was relatively flat with slope decreasing progressively, a good indication of successful sealing. The average flow rate also decreased with each sequence, beginning at 0.08 gpm at the start of the first sequence and ending at 0.018 gpm at the conclusion of the final sequence, another good indication of successful sealing.