This chapter provides a comprehensive examination of the regulatory frameworks and technical standards that govern well integrity across global oil and gas operations. It begins by differentiating between prescriptive and goal-setting (performance-based) regulatory approaches, highlighting how each influences operator responsibilities and well integrity practices. The chapter underscores that while prescriptive regimes specify detailed technical requirements, goal-setting regimes require operators to demonstrate that risks are reduced to “As Low As Reasonably Practicable” (ALARP), fostering innovation and risk ownership. The evolution of regulatory frameworks is contextualized through lessons learned from major incidents such as Macondo, Montara, and Piper Alpha. Case studies from key jurisdictions—including the U.S. (BSEE), Norway (PSA/Havtil), the UK (HSE/OPRED), Australia (NOPSEMA), and Brazil (ANP)—illustrate diverse regulatory philosophies and their impact on Well Integrity Management Systems (WIMS). These regional models demonstrate how incident-driven reforms have led to increasingly stringent requirements for risk assessment, barrier management, and lifecycle documentation. A detailed review of major industry standards—NORSOK D-010, ISO 16530, and various API specifications—follows, outlining their technical scope, influence, and integration into both regulations and operator WIMS. These standards provide structured guidance on well design, barrier verification, testing, monitoring, and abandonment, serving as critical tools for demonstrating regulatory compliance and engineering excellence. The chapter further explores the Safety Case/Report methodology required in many goal-setting regimes, where operators must explicitly document their identification of major accident hazards, risk assessments, barrier systems, and safety management strategies. This approach shifts the burden of proof from regulators to operators and necessitates robust internal systems for ongoing risk management. Finally, this chapter emphasizes the importance of compliance assurance through internal and external auditing processes. It introduces a systematic audit lifecycle and stresses the value of findings management in driving continuous improvement. The chapter concludes by acknowledging challenges in regulatory alignment with technological innovation, underscoring the need for agile standards and regulatory frameworks that can accommodate emerging risks and advanced tools such as AI and digital twins. Overall, this chapter highlights that regulatory compliance, when integrated with industry standards and proactive management systems, forms the cornerstone of sustainable and safe well integrity performance.

Regulatory Requirements and Industry Standards

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发表日期：

2026年

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Ahmed Alsubaih,
Kamy Sepehrnoori

摘要

This chapter provides a comprehensive examination of the regulatory frameworks and technical standards that govern well integrity across global oil and gas operations. It begins by differentiating between prescriptive and goal-setting (performance-based) regulatory approaches, highlighting how each influences operator responsibilities and well integrity practices. The chapter underscores that while prescriptive regimes specify detailed technical requirements, goal-setting regimes require operators to demonstrate that risks are reduced to “As Low As Reasonably Practicable” (ALARP), fostering innovation and risk ownership. The evolution of regulatory frameworks is contextualized through lessons learned from major incidents such as Macondo, Montara, and Piper Alpha. Case studies from key jurisdictions—including the U.S. (BSEE), Norway (PSA/Havtil), the UK (HSE/OPRED), Australia (NOPSEMA), and Brazil (ANP)—illustrate diverse regulatory philosophies and their impact on Well Integrity Management Systems (WIMS). These regional models demonstrate how incident-driven reforms have led to increasingly stringent requirements for risk assessment, barrier management, and lifecycle documentation. A detailed review of major industry standards—NORSOK D-010, ISO 16530, and various API specifications—follows, outlining their technical scope, influence, and integration into both regulations and operator WIMS. These standards provide structured guidance on well design, barrier verification, testing, monitoring, and abandonment, serving as critical tools for demonstrating regulatory compliance and engineering excellence. The chapter further explores the Safety Case/Report methodology required in many goal-setting regimes, where operators must explicitly document their identification of major accident hazards, risk assessments, barrier systems, and safety management strategies. This approach shifts the burden of proof from regulators to operators and necessitates robust internal systems for ongoing risk management. Finally, this chapter emphasizes the importance of compliance assurance through internal and external auditing processes. It introduces a systematic audit lifecycle and stresses the value of findings management in driving continuous improvement. The chapter concludes by acknowledging challenges in regulatory alignment with technological innovation, underscoring the need for agile standards and regulatory frameworks that can accommodate emerging risks and advanced tools such as AI and digital twins. Overall, this chapter highlights that regulatory compliance, when integrated with industry standards and proactive management systems, forms the cornerstone of sustainable and safe well integrity performance.