We lead them to a good end.

Climate friendly, regenerative and available almost throughout the entire country, deep geothermal energy is considered a beacon of hope for the energy transition. However, high investment costs and the so-called chance/risk of success are often barriers for investors. In addition, the technical risk of drilling geothermal wells is fairly high. It may therefore be advantageous to transform existing wells from oil and gas production to use them for geothermal purposes. If the location is suitable for subsequent geothermal use, the costs for a conversion would be significantly lower than a new well.

The transformation of oil and gas wells could make a valuable contribution to the decarbonization of heating networks. At the same time, with comparatively short project development times, experience with geothermal district heating projects would be improved and important knowledge gained for other deep geothermal projects. neowells creates concepts and work programmes to evaluate the suitability of converting existing wells and designs a potential geothermal conversion.

In the case of geothermal reuse, a fundamental distinction must be made between closed and open systems. In closed geothermal systems, a heat transfer medium (e.g. water) circulates in a cased and expanded borehole without coming into direct contact with the deep geological formations. In open geothermal systems, water is extracted from the subsurface via at least one well and reinjected via at least one well after heat has been extracted from it. As a rule, at least two wells are required for this: a production well and an injection well. Abandoned wells for the exploration or production of natural gas or crude oil offer to be potential scenarios.

The potential use of old wells for geothermal purposes has often been discussed in the professional world. The subsequent geothermal use of boreholes offers an attractive potential to reduce the high investment costs and the discovery risk in geothermal projects. The prerequisites for this are that a prospective customer for subsequent use is found before the borehole is plugged and abandoned and that sufficient heat consumption at the site is ensured. The legal framework for the geothermal use of boreholes is basically given. In order to take over the operation of a well, however, certain prerequisites must be met. neowells supports interested users in the evaluation and conception of possible geothermal potential and helps with the implementation.

Climate friendly, regenerative and available almost throughout the entire country, deep geothermal energy is considered a beacon of hope for the energy transition. However, high investment costs and the so-called chance/risk of success are often barriers for investors. In addition, the technical risk of drilling geothermal wells is fairly high. It may therefore be advantageous to transform existing wells from oil and gas production to use them for geothermal purposes. If the location is suitable for subsequent geothermal use, the costs for a conversion would be significantly lower than a new well.

The transformation of oil and gas wells could make a valuable contribution to the decarbonization of heating networks. At the same time, with comparatively short project development times, experience with geothermal district heating projects would be improved and important knowledge gained for other deep geothermal projects. neowells creates concepts and work programmes to evaluate the suitability of converting existing wells and designs a potential geothermal conversion.

In the case of geothermal reuse, a fundamental distinction must be made between closed and open systems. In closed geothermal systems, a heat transfer medium (e.g. water) circulates in a cased and expanded borehole without coming into direct contact with the deep geological formations. In open geothermal systems, water is extracted from the subsurface via at least one well and reinjected via at least one well after heat has been extracted from it. As a rule, at least two wells are required for this: a production well and an injection well. Abandoned wells for the exploration or production of natural gas or crude oil offer to be potential scenarios.

The potential use of old wells for geothermal purposes has often been discussed in the professional world. The subsequent geothermal use of boreholes offers an attractive potential to reduce the high investment costs and the discovery risk in geothermal projects. The prerequisites for this are that a prospective customer for subsequent use is found before the borehole is plugged and abandoned and that sufficient heat consumption at the site is ensured. The legal framework for the geothermal use of boreholes is basically given. In order to take over the operation of a well, however, certain prerequisites must be met. neowells supports interested users in the evaluation and conception of possible geothermal potential and helps with the implementation.

Once wells can no longer be operated economically or if they cease operations as part of the energy transition, they must be shut down and abandoned so that they are permanently secured against leaks and emissions. Well abandonment is the last activity to be performed on a well. It includes the installation of permanent barriers in the well providing liquid tight and gas tight seals. Well plugging is subject to very specific regulatory requirements that have to be documented, reported and monitored.

Every well is unique. It is designed to meet the well specific environmental conditions. It is subject to the state of the art engineering and planning available at the time of design and execution. neowells believes the development of a decommissioning procedure as a holistic and joint task. As experts in their fields, the neowells team has worked in many regions of the world and has learned that the keys to optimizing the Plug & Abandonment programmes are refined industry best practices, the introduction of innovation and reliable well data.

Decommissioning will be carried out according to an approved programme which forms the basis for all further plans and execution. Detailed work programmess are being prepared and service tendering is conducted. Depending on the requirements, drilling rigs, mechanical or hydraulic work platforms are used. A major advantage of providing the entire scope through an integrated project team is that neowells can reduce interfaces for the customer so that they only need one focal point. This enables more accurate cost forecasts for the project in advance. neowells looks after the project from its creation, programming, implementation, execution and documentation.

Successful decommissioning is one that is carried out safely, efficiently, sustainably and is fully documented. neowells offers the necessary processes and digital infrastructure to reliably trace decommissioning from the conception to the final report and proof of disposal.

Equipped with many years of experience in well engineering and driven by the will to accelerate the heat and energy transition, neowells is a company of change: The objective of the two founders Andre Varnhorn and Marco Meirich is to safely guide and shape the end of energy generation from fossil fuels. Geothermal as a source of energy deserves a breakthrough, which Andre and Marco aim to achieve with expertise and new ideas.

As a recognized well expert with international experience in both offshore and onshore sectors, Marco has travelled the world. He has been involved in a large number of projects. The doctor and graduate engineer for mining and petroleum technology knows how to holistically supervise wells throughout their lifecycle, from planning and operation to workovers and abandonment. Marco is passionate about good, coherent, efficient planning and has the necessary interest to detail. His experience taught him that 80 percent of operational problems can be made and avoided in the planning phase. Even during his studies and theses, Marco dealt with the modernization and digitization of the planning process. Later, as chief engineer and manager of the drilling department of a large, globally operating company, he succeeded in making the knowledge in the heads of the experts available to a larger team through methodology and modern means of communication. Marco knows: Success is not an orphan, but has many mothers and fathers.

With his practical training as an industrial mechanic and his subsequent mechanical engineering studies, Andre laid the foundation for his career. He quickly realized that the future of successful companies depends above all on their technical progress.
Andre has been working in the oil and gas industry since 2005. In 2007 he founded the company GOT German Oil Tools in Vechta with his business partners and managed it successfully until it was sold in 2017.
When the opportunity arose, he turned his personal dream of studying business psychology into reality. Within six semesters, Andre gained new knowledge and completed his studies at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences to start his entrepreneurship at neowells with full enthusiasm.

At neowells, being a responsible corporate citizen is an integral part of the way we do business. This is reflected in our core values: constant and authentic care for ourselves, others, the environment, our reputation and our employees on whom we rely upon. We strive to always be sincere in our actions. neowells acts openly, transparently, and inclusively. neowells is proud of its North German roots and its’ down to earth approach. This extends to all levels of the company. Sustainability is an important driver in all we do and the centre of our approach.

It is our aim to make each other successful without losing sight of our core values. neowells stands for value-based, entrepreneurial behaviour. Everything we do is reflected in our name.

A well is considered intact (tight) if the fluids it contains are safely controlled at every possible combination of pressure and temperature. neowells plans, constructs, monitors and guarantees the long-term stability and technical integrity of a wellbore. This  helps to ensure the safety in the interaction between operators, planning companies, service companies and authorities and helps to ensure the trust of citizens and communities is achieved in the long term.

Well Planning and detailed engineering go through many phases from the initial concept through to the successful execution of a Plug & Abandonment. These phases have differing requirements with regards to ensuring well integrity as well as common elements and procedures. neowells is your capable partner in the development of design principles, construction, operation and execution in abandoning of wells.

Deep wells have been drilled on an industrial level since the mid-19th century. The state of the art of drilling, operating, abandoning wells as well as the applicable regulatory requirements has continuously evolved since then. They have reached a high standard due to long standing experience. neowells plans, operates, repairs and abandons wells to stringent local, internal and international standards. The safest, not the lowest common denominator, counts.

The appropriate design and selection of the barrier elements, their construction, verification, maintenance and monitoring formulates the basis of an asset integrity management system. Based on acceptance criteria, neowells creates customer specific integrity management systems including control and maintenance plans  ensuring well documented and controlled safety over the life of the well.

neowells offers integrity related services that extend over the lifecycle of the assets including wells:

• Comprehensive integrity and barrier analysis
• Recommendations to ensure integrity
• Proofs of Integrity
• Repair recommendations
• Design principles and well designs
• Operating limits and safety measures
• Operational monitoring and maintenance
• Risk analysis and management
• Reports, audits and documentation
• Regulatory compliance and monitoring

We at neowells are burning to accelerate the energy and heat transition. This includes but is not limited to the development of regenerative energy sources, in addition to environmentally friendly decommissioning. Our sustainable mission is your advantage. Our processes to abandon wellbores is such that they are abandoned for the long term. Our thoroughness reduces your liability risk.

neowells is a company of change. This includes energy transition and even more so, the process of Plug & Abandonment (P&A). We have extensive experience in P&A engineering having and mastered the established techniques. Moreover we step up to develop new concepts for safe and cost efficient decommissioning of wells and their facilities.

Together with our customers and partners we develop business models that enable risk sharing and create incentives for the entire supply chain. neowells works with operators, service companies and industry associations to drive change, increase transparency, achieve regulatory compliance and ensure cost efficient delivery and execution of Plug & Abandonment operations.

Every well, regardless whether for exploration, development, oil, gas or geothermal energy, will require permanent closure at the end of its’ economic life. Driven by dwindling production and fuelled by the need for energy transition, there will be an immense wave of wells in Europe and beyond that will have to be shut down. This process, called Plug & Abandonment, is at times a complex challenge that must meet long term regulatory and environmental requirements. neowells is your trusted well decommissioning service partner of choice.

Sustainable decommissioning is a difficult challenge for companies. Abandoning wellbores and their surface facilities provides no added value to the company. Nevertheless, the inevitable expenses will increase rapidly for operators in the coming decades. At the same time, decommissioning ties up staff and resources that could better be used to generate value. It is therefore very important that this work is carried out as effectively and sustainably as possible.

Decommissioning is a complex operation that requires a complete engineering review and detailed planning. Rely on neowells for a thorough cost and risk assessment, a practical recommended solution with a focus on safety and the environment. neowells does things in the most effective and sustainable way possible, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that no resources – be they people, time or assets – are wasted.