Neptune Energy decommissions 80 wells in the Hamburg area

The aim of plugging and abandonment is to return the areas originally used for extraction to their original state and to restore them for agricultural or forestry purposes, for example.
Project manager Hans-Werner Henze from Neptune Energy explains the sequence of the upcoming work: "First we expand the central field stations for the plant, which will safely backfill the well with deep drilling cement. The site construction work is reminiscent of a normal building site. After the expansion, our team removes the old production pipes with a special winch, seals the reservoir with deep drilling cement and several mechanical barriers." After this work, the wells are prepared in such a way that no more gases or liquids can escape from the reservoir. "Neptune Energy has a lot of experience with decommissioning activities of this kind and draws on the knowledge gained from numerous projects throughout Germany," says Henze, emphasising his team's expertise.
The aim of the decommissioning campaign is to remove the existing production and processing facilities and recultivate the sealed areas after the backfilling work. The pipelines that used to transport the crude oil will also be removed or safely sealed as part of this process.
"The fact that crude oil was once produced at the sites will no longer be recognisable once our work is complete," emphasises Henze.

The Reitbrook Alt oil field, which was also partially used as a natural gas storage facility until the end of 2014, is located around 15 kilometres south-east of Hamburg city centre. The reservoir extends for around 4.2 kilometres and is bordered to the north by the A25 motorway and to the south-east by the Goose Elbe. A total of over 70 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been produced here from 80 wells since 1938.

All work is supervised by the Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG). This and other specialised authorities ensure that the safety and environmental protection standards applicable in Germany are adhered to.

• Number of well sites: 69
• Number of wells: 80
• Project duration: Around six years
• Project start: May 2025 with site expansions
• Pipeline expansion and securing: Around 30 kilometres

Neptune Energy is one of the leading raw materials companies in Germany. With over 135 years of experience, we secure supplies for industry and society. Our goal: Today we produce what counts tomorrow. Around 480 employees in many regions of Germany and at our headquarters in Hanover are involved in three key areas of activity

Base - Gas & Oil: safe and reliable production of domestic energy resources

Balance - Plugging and abandonment: taking responsibility for the past and restoring nature

Boost - New Energy: actively shaping the future, for example with lithium from Germany

This is how we combine experience with progress. Neptune Energy's revenue in the 2024 financial year was €440 million. The total annual production of gas and oil was 5.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).