University of Aberdeen and Resolute Energy Solutions Limited KTP 24_25 R3

Cement plugs used to seal abandoned oil and gas wells can crack over time, creating leak paths for greenhouse gases or fluids. This project embeds flexible, expanding polymers into cement to give it self-healing properties—when a crack forms, the polymer expands to seal it. Current well abandonment relies on rigid cement barriers that degrade over decades, risking leaks of methane or carbon dioxide. The same problem affects wells used for carbon capture and storage, where long-term sealing is essential. This research develops a cement-polymer composite that maintains flexibility and self-repairs, addressing a critical gap in permanent well sealing technology. If successful, the approach could reduce fugitive emissions from decommissioned wells and improve the integrity of carbon storage sites. The materials and methods developed here would also apply to other infrastructure requiring durable, self-sealing barriers—such as geothermal wells or underground waste storage. The project is applied, not fundamental: it aims to deliver a commercial product through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the University of Aberdeen and Resolute Energy Solutions.