Injection Well Failure Mode Evaluation

Background
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Paradox Valley Unit (PVU) is part of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program, aimed at controlling salinity in water delivered to users in the U.S. and Mexico.

The PVU utilizes shallow brine extraction wells to divert saline groundwater into the Paradox Salinity Control Well No. 1, a deep disposal well operational since 1996. Recent seismic events have raised concerns about the well's integrity, necessitating a thorough evaluation of potential failure modes to inform future operational decisions.

Work Details
The contractor will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of potential risks and indicators of failure associated with the Injection Well. This includes: identifying potential failure modes affecting both subsurface and surface components; evaluating various types of failures that could compromise well integrity; identifying methods and tools for evaluating these failure modes; defining indicators for recognizing onset of well failure; and providing recommendations for monitoring and diagnostic methods to detect early warning signs of integrity issues.

Period of Performance
From January 20, 2027, to April 30, 2027.

Place of Performance
Paradox Valley Unit located in western Colorado, approximately 60 miles southwest of Grand Junction.

Bidder Requirements
This is a total small business set-aside. Bidders must demonstrate experience in deep injection well design and operation, casing integrity evaluation, mechanical integrity testing, geomechanical evaluation, and risk assessment related to high-pressure brine disposal operations. Key personnel must have at least ten years of relevant industry experience in petroleum engineering or related fields.