Primary and Remedial Cementing Core

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary and Remedial

Cementing Core

T
H
IG
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

 If we don’t understand
O

proper cementing
practices, we might:
• Over- or under-design a
casing and cementing
C

program

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 1
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

 If we don’t understand
proper cementing
practices, we might:
• Over- or under-design a
casing and cementing
program
• Overspend in attempts to
repair poor well cement
conditions
• Lose production and
require excess water

T
handling and /or gas
processing

H
IG
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

O

This module:
C

• Provides insight into the

absolute necessity to
achieve competent primary
cementing job results
when running, setting, and
cementing well casing
strings

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 2
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

This module:

• Presents the broad scope of

cement in a well to not only
protect and isolate formation
conditions but also to provide

T
additional advantages such as:
– Protect casing from corrosion
– Protect shallow aquifers,

H
– Support casing within a well
– Prevent fluid migration behind pipe
– Modify cement properties design (customize a cement

IG
slurry) through the use of additives
– Permanently plug and abandon a zone or well
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

O

This module:
C

• Discusses the basics of plug

and abandonment operations
– When they are performed
– Why they are necessary
– The correct procedures for
performing them
• Discusses various wellbore
barriers used in plug and
abandonment operations, such
as cement plugs, bridge plugs
and cement baskets

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 3
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

It is important to know how to:

• Design and field mix a cement slurry

T
H
IG
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

It is important to know how to:

O

• Design and field mix a cement slurry

C

• Prepare a wellbore for cementing operations

• Select and run the proper cementing tools
• Displace and circulate cement downhole
during the critical pumping sequence
• Rotate and/or reciprocate casing during
cementing to promote optimum
cement placement

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 4
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

It is important to know how to:

• Design and field mix a cement slurry

• Prepare a wellbore for cementing operations
• Select and run the proper cementing tools
• Displace and circulate cement downhole
during the critical pumping sequence

T
H
IG
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

It is important to know how to:

O

• Design and field mix a cement slurry

C

• Prepare a wellbore for cementing operations

• Select and run the proper cementing tools
• Displace and circulate cement downhole
during the critical pumping sequence
• Rotate and/or reciprocate casing during
cementing to promote optimum
cement placement

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 5
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

It is important to know how to:

• Monitor cement slurry density

during pumping
• Gather cement samples during the
pumping sequence for compressive
strength testing
• Wait on cement (WOC) curing and
compressive strength development

T
Waiting on Cement (WOC) is the time to

H
achieve desired compressive strength

IG
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

It is important to know how to:

O

• Monitor cement slurry density

during pumping
C

• Gather cement samples during the

pumping sequence for compressive CASING
strength testing
• Wait on cement (WOC) curing and CASING
compressive strength development SHOE
• Test casing string shoe integrity
• Perform plug and abandonment
procedures, when necessary

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 6
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

It is important to know how to:

A “Good” Plan
• Monitor cement slurry density Conductor
during pumping Cement Plug
Casing
• Gather cement samples during the
pumping sequence for compressive Surface Cement Plug
strength testing Casing
• Wait on cement (WOC) curing and Intermediate
compressive strength development Casing Cut
and Removed

T
• Test casing string shoe integrity Intermediate
• Perform plug and abandonment Casing
procedures, when necessary

H
Production
Liner Cement Plug

IG
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

 Primary and remedial cementing operations are

O

conducted with the intent of making a wellbore “safe” to

conduct all future well intervention operations by isolating
reservoir pressure and fluid flow as part of the overall
barrier plan required for each well.
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 7
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

 Primary and remedial cementing operations are

conducted with the intent of making a wellbore “safe” to
conduct all future well intervention operations by isolating
reservoir pressure and fluid flow as part of the overall
barrier plan required for each well.
 Many problem well conditions and situations have been
linked to defective cement jobs which fail to isolate well
pressure and flow.

T
 Small casing
 Full well blowout

H
 Loss of well
control conditions

IG
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

 Primary and remedial cementing operations are

O

conducted with the intent of making a wellbore “safe” to

conduct all future well intervention operations by isolating
reservoir pressure and fluid flow as part of the overall
barrier plan required for each well.
C

 Many problem well conditions and situations have been

linked to defective cement jobs which fail to isolate well
pressure and flow.
 Proper engineering design and properly executed
primary cementing steps have an acceptably proportional
routine cost impact of about 5% of total upon the overall
Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) for any well.
 The long-term effect of poorly isolated casing strings due
to cementing deficiencies lead to life-of-the-well
maintenance and repair costs.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 8
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

 Similarly, when attempting remedial cementing steps,

industry data indisputably documents both the high costs
of squeeze cement repair attempts themselves and the
lesser-than-50%-success-rate chance of resolving all
cementing related problems when attempting cement
squeezes.

 High costs
 Lesser-than-50%-

T
success-rate

H
IG
R
PY

Why is This Module Important?

 Safety is an integral and basic component of all steps of the oil

O

and gas exploitation process

• Well casing cementing operations require a complete understanding
of and accommodation for potentially hazardous conditions and their
necessary mitigation efforts.
C

• Deeper wellbores and more complex well trajectories in combination

with increased pressure and temperature mandate that all aspects of
cementing be proven as acceptably safe in materials selection, well
intervention, and the placement of cementing tools and cement in
the well.
• Offshore cementing adds a further degree of complication as
modern-day wells far from shore are usually targeting deeper
reservoir targets.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 9
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why is This Module Important?

 Cementing standards are regularly being updated and improved

to address emerging phenomena that are encountered as wells
become more complex and downhole conditions become more
hostile.
 Once the well is no longer producing hydrocarbons, plug and
abandonment operations are performed.
• These are essential to ensure that the wells are non-damaging to
the environment and people populations long after the life of the well
has ended.
 In all cases, casing cement and related well integrity over a well’s

T
life is the focus of the referenced cementing standards.

H
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 10
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Learning Objectives

This section covers the following learning objectives:

 Explain the function of a primary cement job

 Describe the importance of achieving a successful primary
cement job

 Outline industry statistics regarding the frequency of primary

cement job failures and the low rate of industry success in
making cement job repairs

T
H
IG
R
PY

Primary Cementing

From the viewpoint of Production Operations...

O

 Probably the single most important factor in well drilling

and completion operations is obtaining a good primary
cementing job!
C

 Why? A good cement bond ensures downhole isolation of

producing intervals from other formation intervals of gas
gas,
water, the upper and lower hole section,and
underlying water section
any zones which may channel fluids into the perforated
zone. Also, pipe support and protection from external
corrosion are achieved.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 11
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Typical Casing / Cementing Well Program

Conductor Casing

Note that cement

(6-61 m) may or may not
Surface Casing be circulated back to
surface for
intermediate strings
(61-610 m)

T
Intermediate Casing This sketch shows
a design not
circulating cement

H
(610+ m) back to surface
Liner

(610-9,144 m)
IG
R
PY

Cementing Basics
O

Primary Cementing
C

Remedial Cementing
(Cement Squeeze / Remedial Repair)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 12
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Why Cement Casing in a Well?

 Cementing completes the isolation step that was started with

running a casing string
• Pressure isolation
• Pipe support and protection
– Limits exterior casing corrosion
– Contains / controls formation pressure
• Crossflow prevention
• Protection of shallow aquifers
• Water influx control

T
H
IG
R
PY

Function of Cased Hole Well Cement

 Restricts fluid movement between zones

O

• Zonal isolation achieved when kcement < 0.1 mD

C

 Supports casing
• At (100 to 300 psi (690 to 2,068 kPa)) cement compressive
strength
– Normally develops minimum of 500 psi (3,447 kPa) in
24 hours

 Protects casing from external corrosion

• If feasible, cement to the surface or to the bottom of
the previous casing string

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 13
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cementing Casing – Statistics

Value may vary
depending on location,
experience, etc.
 Primary cementing amounts to ~5% of total well cost

 About 15% of primary cement jobs require squeezing

Some believe this
 Squeezing is < 50% successful (cross-industry stats) estimate is too low

 Total cost of cementing, when squeezing is required, jumps to

about 17% of well cost, or more

T
 Typical number of squeezes required to fix a problem with some
primary cement job = 3

H
IG
R
PY

Important Considerations – Primary Cementing

 Cementing materials selected

O

 Quality design of slurry characteristics and design

 Rheology of cement slurries
 How cement properties perform under stress and strain
C

 Adjustment of slurry properties with additives

• Heavyweight
 Factors affecting cement “bond” and “isolation”
cement
 Displacement mechanics – the key design factor • Lightweight cement
 Primary cementing practices • Cements with
differing times for
 Cost considerations increased viscosity

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 14
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Dry Cement Sample

 Slurry
Neat cement
properties
(no for
additives)
the wellisare
a manufactured
made to orderproduct
by incorporating
with a a
range ofgrain
specific additives
size and
into the
properties
slurry
 Additives affect pumping time at temperature, fluid loss control,
stability to thermal conditions and gas migration

T
H
IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section has covered the following learning objectives:

O

 Explain the function of a primary cement job

 Describe the importance of achieving a successful primary
cement job
C

 Outline industry statistics regarding the frequency of primary

cement job failures and the low rate of industry success in making
cement job repairs

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 15
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary and Remedial

Cementing Core

T
Oilfield Cement Properties, Additives and
Composition

H
IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section covers the following learning objectives:

O

 Outline the components of oilfield cement and the processes to

blend composite materials to manufacture cement

 Describe the properties of and testing methods of oilfield cement

C

 Recognize the various uses of additives to modify cement

properties

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 16
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Portland Cement Principal Components

Ca3Si Tricalcium Silicate 51%

Ca2Si Dicalcium Silicate 31%
Ca3Al Tricalcium Aluminate 3%
Ca4AlFe Tetracalcium Aluminoferrite 12%
CaSO4 Gypsum 3%

T
Basic API Class G Cement

H
IG
R
PY

Portland Cement Manufacturing Process

Notice high
temperature
O

GYPSUM

CALCIUM
C

GRINDING
ALUMINUM MILL CEMENT

KILN
SILICA
FEED
TANK

IRON

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 17
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cement Blending and

Cement From Cement Mill
Delivered to the Central Bulk Station Transportation
Dry Additives
minimum of four
pneumatic transfers for
adequate blending

Cement From the Bulk Station

T
Sent to the Rig Location

H
IG
R
PY

Field Mixing of Cement

O
C

Conventional
Jet Mixer
Mixing Cement
+ Water
+ Additives

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 18
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Field Mixing of Cement

Recirculation Jet
Mixer
(High Density
Slurries Control)

Mixing Cement
+ Water
+ Additives

T
H
IG
R
PY

Required Cement Properties

O

1. Cement Slurry Viscosity

• Keep relatively low to ensure pumpability
• Check cement rheology with Fann Viscometer, need to find lab
based n' and k' values for cement and muds
C

2. Cement Slurry Thickening Time

• Dependent on job size and total time required to displace cement
• Test using API procedure
3. Water Separation: free water < 1% (0 in development holes)
4. Strength Development: > 500 psi (3,447 kPa) in 24 hrs
5. Sulfate Resistance: < 3% Ca3Al
6. Density: typically at least > 1 lb/gal (120 kg/m3) over mud (check
during job)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 19
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Required Cement Properties

7. Storage Stability: keep cement inventory dry

8. Mix Water: use fresh water
• Check actual water to be used before job
9. Effect of Acid on Cement
• HCl reaction minor
• HCl + HF (mud acid) acid could affect cement
10. Fluid Loss Control
• 125 to 500 cc in 30 min at 1000 psi (6,895 kPa) recommended

T
11. Permeability: < 0.1 md

H
IG
R
PY

Cement Slurry Fluid Loss

Example of Squeeze Cement Pumped Through Perforations
Fluid Loss
O

(P = 1000 psi)

(6,895 kPa)

800 mL/30 min

C

(800 cm3/1,800 s)

150 mL/30 min

(150 cm3/1,800 s)

50 mL/30 min
(50 cm3/1,800 s)

15 mL/30 min
(15 cm3/1,800 s)

(0.15 m)
[Lab test at 1,000 psi (6,895 kPa)
on 325-mesh screen]

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 20
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Ready-to-Pump Cement Slurry

 Final cement design has a specific slurry density ranging from

between 11-18 lb/gal (1,318 - 2,157 kg/m3), with typical class G or
H being about 16.4 lb/gal (1965 kg/m3)

 Additional water is often added to change cement density

T
H
IG
R
PY

API Cement Classification

Class Water Weight Depth (ft) (m) Temp ° F(°C)

O

(gal/sk) (lb/gal)
(L/sk) (kg/m3)
0 – 6000 80 – 170
A (Portland) 5.2 (19.7) 15.6 (1,870) (0 – 1828) (27 – 77)
C

0 – 6000 80 – 170
B (Portland) 5.2 (19.7) 15.6 (1,870) (0 – 1828) (27 – 77)

0 – 6000 80 – 170
C (High Early) 6.3 (23.8) 14.8 (1,770) (0 – 1828) (27 – 77)

6000 – 12000 170 – 260

D (Retarded) 4.3 (16.3) 16.4 (1,970) (1828 – 3659) (170 – 127)

6000 – 14000 170 – 290

E (Retarded) 4.3 (16.3) 16.4 (1,970) (1828 – 4267) (170 – 143)

10000 – 16000 230 – 320

F (Retarded) 4.3 (16.3) 16.2 (1,940) (3000 – 4,877) (110 – 160)

0 – 8000 80 – 200
G (Basic)* 5.0 (18.9) 15.8 (1,890) (0 – 2,438) (27 – 93)

0 – 8000 80 – 200
H (Basic)* 4.3 (16.3) 16.4 (1,970) (0 – 2,438) (27 – 93)

* Can be accelerated or retarded

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 21
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Casing Support / Casing Protection and Casing Shoe Integrity

ANNULUS
CASING

CASING
SHOE

T
After cementing, the well is The most important section of
drilled ahead for a few feet the cemented column is near
and a “shoe-test” is run to the casing shoe. Strength at

H
simulate the highest mud this point must be sufficient to
weight expected. If the shoe withstand the highest mud
breaks down, it must be CEMENT weight that will be used in the
squeezed until it passes. next section to be drilled.
IG
R
PY

Casing Support / Casing Protection and Casing Shoe Integrity

O

ANNULUS
CASING
Waiting on Cement (WOC) is the time to
C

achieve desired compressive strength

CASING
SHOE
After cementing, the well is The most important section of
drilled ahead for a few feet the cemented column is near
and a “shoe-test” is run to the casing shoe. Strength at
simulate the highest mud this point must be sufficient to
weight expected. If the shoe withstand the highest mud
breaks down, it must be CEMENT weight that will be used in the
squeezed until it passes. next section to be drilled.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 22
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cement Selection Criteria

Place cement effectively with available rig

equipment

Achieve satisfactory cement compressive

strength (e.g., 500 psi (3,447 kPa) in 24 hrs)

Retain properties necessary to isolate

zones, support casing and protect casing

T
Keep cost reasonable

H
IG
R
PY

Cement Mix Water Criteria

 Assure minimum free water is less than 1% in straight holes and

O

0% free water in deviated holes

C

 Incorporate effects of reducing mixing water:

• Increased slurry density
• Increased compressive strength
• Decreased pumping time before viscosity builds
• Decreased slurry volume per sack of cement

 Typically, water requirement is ~5 gal per sack (0.02 m3/sack)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 23
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Portland Cement Hydration Curve

Rate of Heat Evolution

Dissolution and
Gel Formation

Rapid Formation of
Calcium Silicate Hydrate
and Calcium Hydroxide
(CA(OH)2)
Diffusion

T
Controlled
Induction Period Reactions
Final Set

H
Initial Set

minutes hours Hydration Time days

IG
R
PY

Cement Thin Section Analysis

Ca3Si Thin Section Ca 4 AlFe

O
C

Ca2Si Portland Cement Clinker Ca3Al

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 24
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

API Pressure and Temperature Thickening Tester

 API test objective is to simulate

placement conditions per API Spec 10
Procedures
 Thickening Time is the elapsed
time between application of pressure
and temperature and attainment of a
slurry viscosity of 100 Bc*
 Equipment / Test Limitations
• Lab tests are not continuous pumping
• Lab tests don’t simulate dehydration

T
• Lab temperature and pressure are
field estimates
• Test result variations overall

H
– Within repeated lab tests is +/- 15% Bc =
– Comparing lab to field tests is +/- 40% “Bearden”
Units of

IG Viscosity
R
PY

Slurry Consistency in API Thickening Time Test

O

Thickening Time = 3:34 4:40

C Consistency, Bc

Thickening Time, Hours

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 25
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Temperature Effect / Thickening Time

Circulating Class G
Temperature Cement
91 oF (33 °C) 3:00+hrs:min
103 oF (39 °C) 2:30
113 oF (45 °C) 2:10
125 oF (52 °C) 1:44

T
Job Placement Time Determines
Rule‐of‐Thumb Required Slurry Thickening Time

H
2 X Placement Time = Required Thickening Time

IG
Note: Similar effect due to pressure
R
PY

Effect of Temperature and Pressure on Cement

(°
C)
O

(60)
C

(49) (kPa)

(20,684)

(38)
(34,474)

(27)

(16)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 26
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

24 Hours Compressive Strength at 140°F (60°C)

Compressive strength of various lightweight slurries

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (PSI) (kPa)

(11,032)

(8,274)

(5,516)

T
(2,758)

H
(719) (959) (1,198) (PPG) (1,438) (1,678)

Courtesy Halliburton Services

IG
SLURRY DENSITY (lb/gal) (kg/m3)
R
PY

Function of Cement Additives

 Modify Basic Properties (tailored cement)

O

• Adjust cement density

• Increase or decrease strength
• Accelerate or retard setting time
C

• Control filtration rate

• Reduce slurry viscosity
• Bridge for lost circulation control
• Improve economics

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 27
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cement Thickening Time Accelerators

 Calcium Chloride
• Normally, 1% to 4% is the most commonly used
 Sodium Chloride
• Normally, 1% to 4%
 Seawater
• Contains CaCl2 and NaCl and other unknowns
 Densified Cement Slurries
• Low water ratio, short pumping times, and high displacement

T
pressures

H
Accelerator Additives
Speed up (reduce) the time cement takes to thicken

IG
That is, they reduce thickening time (and placement time)
R
PY

Cement Thickening Time Retarders

 Needed for deep wells with high temperatures

O

 Check with service companies

• Most common retarders are lignosulfonates (organics)
C

 Primary factor on use is well temperature

 Use API Class G basic cement with additives
• Above 260°F (127°C), run API thickening time tests

Retarder Additives
Slow down (increase) the needed time for cement to thicken

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 28
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cement Thickening Time Retarders

(4,267 m) (97oC)

(0.019 m3/sack)
(3,658 m) (78oC)
Retarder, %

(3048 m) (62oC)

(2,438 m) (52oC)

T
H
IG
Thickening Time, Hours
R
PY

Lightweight Cement Additives

 Bentonite
O

• Commonly used from 2 to 16%

• Slurry weights from 15.5 lb/gal (1,857 kg/m3) to 11.6 lb/gal (1,390 kg/m3)
 Sodium Silicate
C

• Small amounts (2-3%) with 2x normal water mix

• Provides slurry density down to 12 lb/gal (1,438 kg/m3)
 Fumed Silica, Gilsonite, Diatomaceous Earth, Expanded Perlite
 Always check cost and properties before using
 Hollow Spheres < 6000 psi (41,369 kPa)
 Foamed Cement

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 29
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Heavyweight Cement Additives

 Increases cement density

 Often required to address overpressured zones in a well
 Recommended properties:
• Low water requirements, no strength reduction
• No reduction of thickening time
• Uniform particle size, minimum slurry volume increase
• Chemically inert
 Common cement additives to increase density:

T
• Hematite density to 20-22 lb/gal (2,397-2,636 kg/m3)
• Barite density to 18-19 lb/gal (2,157-2,277 kg/m3)
• Sand density to 17.5-18 lb/gal (2,097-2,157 kg/m3)

H
Note: Salt saturation can add 0.5 to 1.0 lb/gal (60 to 120 kg/m3) to density

IG
R
PY

Lost Circulation Cement Additives

Lost Circulation Materials (LCM) Additives

O

Attempt to physically plug off zones losing fluids to a formation

C

Gilsonite, walnut hulls (Granular)

Cellophane flakes (Lamellated)

Properties change as a
fluid moves in motion
Thixotropic cements
or remains at rest

“Kitchen sink” approach prior to cementing

Pump down hole

whatever is necessary
to control a well’s lost
circulation condition

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 30
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary Cement Job Placement: Circulation

 Cement path down casing and back up annulus

 Many concerns / challenges while cementing
1. Cement density versus pressure “window” from formation
2. Cement bond between pipe and formation
3. Cement pumping time to get the cement in place
– Ability to place the cement over the whole column
4. Fluid loss control
5. Correct volumes
6. Cement viscosity

T
7. Cement strength development over time
8. Quality and longevity of the formation / cement / pipe seal

H
9. Cement quality (permeability when set)

IG
R
PY

Equivalent Mud Weight (EMW)

 Total pressure exerted at TVD

O

 During circulation, the formation can

hold a specific mud weight / pressure,
the EMW
.
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 31
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD)

 The effective density of the fluid being

circulated in the well
 The composite sum of the hydrostatic 16
pressure imposed by the static fluid
ppg
column in the well and the pressure
(1,917 kg/m3) . Friction
due to friction, the ECD . Pressure

T
H
18 ppg ECD
(2,157 kg/m3)

IG
R
PY

Mud Displacement Challenge Solutions

O

 Always condition mud and  Maximize energy flow

hole at first
 Run top and bottom
 Use pre-flush cement plugs
C

 Always use “scratchers”  Use proper cement for

well conditions
 Always centralize pipe
 Use adequate volumes of
 Always move pipe cement
(reciprocate / rotate)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 32
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Considerations During Cementing

 Assure complete mixing of all additives with cement per

preparation specifications
 Check density with pressurized mud balance
 Calibrate Densometer for slurry density checks
 Pump preflush ahead of job
 Make ready top and bottom plugs
 Minimal casing pressure during WOC
• WOC normally 24 hours or > 500 psi (3,447 kPa) compressive strength

T
 Displace with chosen fluid / fluid density
 Move casing: reciprocate @ 20 ft/min (0.1 m/s) or 10 RPM

H
IG
R
PY

Primary Cementing Practices

 Need good mud conditioning program (eliminate soft, thick mud

O

cake)
 Centralization essential
C

 Scratchers helpful as stirrers

 Control pipe speed while Running In Hole (RIH)
 Adequate cement volumes
• 500 ft (152 m) above top of producing zone (corrosion care)
• 10 min contact time for critical zones
 Start casing movement early in cementing job
 Continue pipe movement throughout job

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 33
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Filter Cake Effects Upon Isolation

T
Mud filter cake affects
isolation potential and
enhances the possibility

H
of fluid communication
between zones after
cementing

IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section has covered the following learning objectives:

O

 Outline the components of oilfield cement and the processes to

blend composite materials to manufacture cement
 Describe the properties of and testing methods of oilfield cement
C

 Recognize the various uses of additives to modify cement

properties

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 34
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary and Remedial

Cementing Core

T
Cementing Equipment, Practices, and
Displacement

H
IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section covers the following learning objectives:

O

 Describe the importance of the wide variety of standard primary

cementing equipment designed to promote a quality cement job

 Identify cementing tools at the surface and downhole and the

C

related cement displacement process to achieve a quality

primary cement job to isolate a casing string

 Explain the steps involved in cement displacement operations to

pump cement downhole

 Identify specialized cementing tools such as the stage cement

collar and rotating liner hanger

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 35
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary Cementing Equipment

 Centralizers
• For proper location of the casing in the hole
• Use 1 per joint in pay zone area
• Use 1 per 3 joints in rest of cemented section
 Scratchers
• For removal of mud cake while running pipe in hole
• Run above and below pay, especially in washout areas
 Float shoe, float collar and guide shoe

T
• To control placement of cement in the hole
• Abrasive muds such as iron carbonates can cause erosion of
cementing equipment

H
 For long intervals, use stage cementing (DV tool)

DV (Dump Valve) tool is used to cement lower section of pipe. It is

IG
placed at a designated location in the intermediate section of the casing
string, then opened to allow cement to circulation to the surface.
R
PY

Casing Centralizers
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 36
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Casing Centralizer Placement

DEVIATION, DEGREES FROM VERTICAL

4-1/2 – 6-5/8 INCH CASING

(114 – 168 mm)
7 - 8-5/8 INCH CASING
(178 – 219 mm)
9-5/8 - 10-3/8 INCH CASING
(245 – 264 mm)

T
H
(6) (12) (18) (24) (31) (37)
MAXIMUM CENTRALIZER SPACING, FEET (M)

IG
R
PY

Scratchers
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 37
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Floats and Guide Shoes

T
H
FLOAT COLLAR IG GUIDE SHOE
FLOAT SHOE
R
PY

Float Collar and Float Shoe

 Cementing Tools
O

• Float Location
– Both are check valves
– Both are easily drillable
C

Float Collar

Float Shoe

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 38
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Float Valve

The float valve is pinned open during the running of

the casing string to allow the casing to fill with
wellbore fluid
Cement

Cement flowing through the float valve

T
H
Once cement is displaced, the float valve closes
and prevents cement flow back
IG
R
PY

Cementing Plugs

 Also referred to as Wiper Plugs

O

 Top and Bottom Plugs

• Bottom plug is dropped first
• Top plug is dropped after cement volume is
C

pumped
• Top and bottom plug become boundaries to
mechanically isolate the cement being
pumped down casing Top Plug
• Avoids contamination of the cement from
mud or fluids in the pipe below the cement
and the cement displacement fluid

Bottom Plug

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 39
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cement Displacement in Pipe

 The two-plug displacement system

• Patented and has been used since about 1915

T
H
IG
R
PY

The Two Plug System

 The top plug is solid

O

 The bottom plug is hollow

 The bottom plug has a diaphragm
 The diaphragm ruptures when the
C

bottom plug hits the float collar

 If plugs are accidentally reversed, the
cement will be trapped in casing
 Plugs are color coded to help prevent an
accidental switch of the plugs
 Color coding also helps to diagnose
problems when plugs are drilled out

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 40
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Wiper Plug Functions

Displacement
Fluid

Wiper Plug –
Top Plug
Wiper Plug – Gelled mud and
Bottom Plug contaminated
cement ahead of

T
lower plug is
pushed to total
depth

H
Mud

IG
R
PY

Plug Sweeping Mud Contaminants

 When a wiper plug sweeps through

O

casing, a small amount of mud and

other debris is pushed ahead of the plug
 Contaminated cement here will not set
C

or will set slowly

 For this reason, the float collar, set a
joint above the shoe, will keep the
contaminated cement at the end of the
displacement inside the casing, not at
the shoe

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 41
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Single Plug Cement Heads

T
H
IG
R
PY

Double Plug Cement Heads

O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 42
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Double Plug Cement Heads

1. Drop Bottom Plug

2. Pump the Cement
3. Drop Top Plug

T
H
IG
R
PY

Cementing Equipment and Cement Displacement

Cementing:
O

 Bottom plug has been dropped

 Cement slurry being pumped
C

 Top plug being dropped

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 43
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cementing Equipment and Cement Displacement

Cementing continues:
 Bottom plug has been dropped
 Cement slurry being pumped
 Top plug being dropped
 Top plug dropped

T
H
IG
R
PY

Cementing Equipment and Cement Displacement

Cementing continues:
O

 Bottom plug has been dropped

 Cement slurry being pumped
C

 Top plug being dropped

 Top plug dropped
 Displacement follows top plug

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 44
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cementing Equipment and Cement Displacement

Cementing continues:
 Bottom plug has been dropped
 Cement slurry being pumped
 Top plug being dropped
 Top plug dropped
 Displacement follows top plug
 Cement displaced through
bottom plug

T
 Cement rises in annulus

H
IG
R
PY

Cementing Equipment and Cement Displacement

Cementing continues:
O

 Bottom plug has been dropped

 Cement slurry being pumped
C

 Top plug being dropped

 Top plug dropped
 Displacement follows top plug
 Cement displaced through
bottom plug
 Cement rises in annulus
 Displacement continues
 Cement rises further in
annulus

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 45
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cementing Equipment and Cement Displacement

Cementing continues:
 Bottom plug has been dropped
 Cement slurry being pumped
 Top plug being dropped
 Top plug dropped
 Displacement follows top plug
 Cement displaced through
bottom plug

T
 Cement rises in annulus
 Displacement continues

H
 Cement rises further in
annulus
 Top plug bumps bottom plug

IG (EOJ)
R
PY

Casing String Cementing Operations

O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 46
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Effect of Standoff

Proper placement
Mud
of cement and
achievement of
isolation requires
proper pipe
centralization

T
Cement

H
100% Standoff 75% Standoff
IG 50% Standoff
R
PY

Stage Cementing

 To support long casing

O

stretches, 2-stage cement

jobs may be considered
C

Set blanking Plug

2nd Stage Cement

 Ensures placement of
cement behind upper casing
section
 Leaves a potential weak
point in the casing

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 47
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Liner Hanger with Packer

Liner hangers
that allow
rotation during
the cementing
job allow cement
to flow around
the pipe / hole
annulus to fill
channels and

T
voids

H
Type D
Type D
Boll Weevil
Hanger/Packer
Hanger/Packer

IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section has covered the following learning objectives:

O

 Describe the importance of the wide variety of standard primary

cementing equipment designed to promote a quality cement job
C

 Identify cementing tools at the surface and downhole and the

related cement displacement process to achieve a quality
primary cement job to isolate a casing string

 Explain the steps involved in cement displacement operations to

pump cement downhole

 Identify specialized cementing tools such as the stage cement

collar and rotating liner hanger

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 48
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary and Remedial

Cementing Core

T
Primary Cementing Results –
Evaluation, Special Cases and Pitfalls

H
IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section covers the following learning objectives:

O

 Evaluate cement bond laboratory testing to assess the strength

and extent of cement-to-formation and cement-to-casing bond

 Describe the concept of the cement “micro-annulus” effect and how

C

to prevent this problem from occurring

 Evaluate case study data for improving primary cement job quality
 Identify other cementing problems and challenges such as
cementing through gaseous zones and salt formations

 Describe cement fluid properties and how those properties affect

the flow of cement; this is referred to as “cement rheology”

 Calculate the cement volume required for a casing cementing job

 Evaluate a cement bond log (CBL) and make recommendations

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 49
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Evaluation

T
H
IG
R
PY

Achieving Isolation
O

 The term “isolation” is often used interchangeably with

the term “bond”
• This thinking is inaccurate
C

 Conventional thought in primary cementing is that:

what is really needed is good cement “bond”

 What is actually needed is good zonal “isolation”

 Shear Bond and Hydraulic Bond lab tests evaluate the

potential to achieve zonal isolation

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 50
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Hydraulic Bond Test Cell

Pressure

Cement
Slurry

Mud
Cake

Pressure
Formation Core

T
How good is the cement bond?
Has mud cake been removed?

H
- to the formation and to the pipe

What are the forces required to Can gas flow in formation / pipe
break the bond?
IG cemented annulus?
R
PY

Hydraulic Bond Test Cell

O

Casing
Cement
C

Formation

Pressure:
Water or Gas

Quantitative measurement
is made to determine
cement bond to the
formation and to the pipe

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 51
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Fluid In
Halliburton Cement
Returns
Test Cell Filtrate

Mud
Cement Casing
H2O
Formation

Cement

T
Heating oil
is circulated

H
to establish
temperature

IG
R
PY

External Pipe Surface Affects Bond

Shear Water Gas

Bond, psi Bond, psi Bond, psi
O

(kPa) (kPa) (kPa)

Resin-
2400 1200 400+
Sand
C

(16,547) (8,274) (2,758+)

Coat

141 500-700 150-250

Rusty (972) (3,447-4,826) (1,034-1,724)

Sand- 123 500-700 150-250

Blasted (848) (3,447-4,826) (1,034-1,724)

Mill
Varnish 79 200 10-20
(545) (1,379) (69-138)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 52
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Pipe / Cement Bond and the Micro-Annulus Effect

 Avoid pressure on casing during Waiting On Cement (WOC)

(if float valves holding pressure)
• If pressure is released, pipe returns to smaller outside diameter
• Micro-annulus forms between pipe and cement
 Displace (pump down) cement with light, clean salt water
 Heat of hydration will:
• Increase fluids temperatures, and,
• Increase casing pressure

T
– Could cause casing expansion
 Circulation while WOC is helpful
 Increased pressure after WOC helpful

H
IG
R
PY

Cost of Primary Cementing

 Cost of cement slurry

O

• Cement plus additives based upon total volume

C

 Cost of Pumping Equipment

 Cost of Rig Time and Waiting On Cement (WOC)

 Cost of Evaluation

 Cost of Remedial Operations (initial + future)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 53
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary Cement Study: Katy Field

 25 casing strings cemented 14-3/4 in. 10-3/4 in.

Hole Casing
 22 Failures (88%) (375 mm) (273 mm)

 Causes:
• 2 due to lost circulation 9-7/8 in.
• 20 due to: Hole 7-5/8 in.
(251 mm)
– Excess filter cake Casing
– Lost returns (194 mm)
– Inefficient mud displacement

T
Cockfield
5 in.
6-3/4 in.
Liner

H
Hole
(172 mm) (127 mm)

Wilcox

IG
R
PY

Spontaneous Potential (SP) Log of Katy Cockfield Sands

SP Pressure (psi) (kPa)

Depth 600 (4,137)
O

840 (3,923)
6100 ft
(1,859 m) 1600 (5,792)
Gas &
C

6500 ft 2000 (13,790) Water

(1,981 m) Zones
700 (4,826)
7000 ft
(2,134 m) 569 (3,923)

700 (4,826)
7500 ft 530 (3,654)
(2,286 m)

7700 ft
640 (4,413)
(2,347 m) 2500 (17,237)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 54
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Evaluation of Cement Jobs

7-5/8 in. (0.19 m) Casing Through Cockfield Zone

Well # Squeezes Well # Squeezes
1 0 6 7
2 6 7 9
3 11 8 4
4 8 9 4

T
5 10

H
9 Wells / 8 Failures / Average 8 squeezes per well

Conclusion: Must improve primary cementing practices

IG
R
PY

Changes After Study

 Improved drilling mud system fluid loss

O

 Casing rotations and reciprocation

• Requires power swivel
C

 Added centralizers and scratchers to help mud displacement

 Results:
• Drilled 13 new wells
• Only 2 primary cement job failures
– Each of these 2 failures required 3 squeezes
 Bottom Line:
• Saved enough money to drill 3 additional wells

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 55
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Special Cases

T
H
IG
R
PY

Special Cementing Problems

 Deep Wells
O

• Depths greater than 15,000 ft (4,572 m)

• Temperatures greater than 250°F (121°C)
 Liners
C

• High temperatures, small hole, no movement

 Gas communication
 Highly deviated wells
 Thermal wells strength retrogression:
• For > 230°F (110°C), add 30% to 40% silica flour
 Frozen formations:
• Use gypsum / cement blend
 Multi-Stage Cementing

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 56
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cementing Through Gas Zones

Channel
 Gas communication between zones Gas
and migration to surface is a Leakage
common problem
 First, understand problem and set
objectives
 Next, correct problem with careful
slurry design, pipe movement,
additives, proper displacement

T
pressure program, etc.

H
Gas Zone

IG
R
PY

Cementing Thru Salt Sections

 Control hole washouts

O

• Use salt saturated water while drilling

C

 Use salt-saturated cement through salt and shale zones

 Caliper hole to assure correct cement volumes

 Use ample cement to cover zone

 Design casing to withstand 1.0 psi/ft (22.621 kPa/m) collapse loads

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 57
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Casing Failure Patterns

Initial
Tubing
Casing
Salt

Deformed
Salt
Section

T
Collapsed

H
IG
R
PY

Effect of Salt Zones

 Salt zones can create

O

cavities or washouts
 If a salt water slurry is
used, check salt for
Salt Water Slurry
C

pumpability
 Salt may act as either an
Fresh Water Slurry

accelerator or retarder

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 58
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cement Rheology

T
H
 Field measurement of cement slurry properties


IG
Shear stress and shear rate determination
R
PY

Rheological Models
O

Herschel-Buckley
Shear Stress
C

Shear Rate

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 59
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Pressured Mud Balance

Tru-Wate
Balance

T
H
IG
R
PY

Pressured Mud Balance

O
C

Pressurized Mud Scale for Field Measurement of Cement Slurry Density

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 60
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Radioactive Densometer

T
H
IG
R
PY

Useful Cementing Data

O

 Volume: (hole diameter)2 x 0.97 = Bbls/1000 ft (304.8 m)

 Mix Water: ~5 gal (18.9 L) per sack

C

 Volume Conversion:
• 5.614 ft3 / bbl and 6.29 bbls/m3

 Hydrostatic Pressure:
• 10 lb / gal = 0.52 psi/ft or 11.76 kPa/m

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 61
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Pitfalls

T
H
IG
R
PY

Primary Cementing Pitfalls

 Company thought processes that say: “It’s the Service Company

responsibility to provide a good primary cement job”
O

 Using “hole problems” as an excuse not to implement correct,

known procedures
C PITFALLS

 Failing to recognize and handle mud gel problems and failure to

condition the mud

 Relying too much upon chemical additives to solve all cementing

problems

 Not doing the calculations needed and not keeping good records

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 62
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Compressive Strength versus Bond Index

Bond Index = Attenuation / Attenuation Max

Where:
Attenuation = Attenuation at any point on the
log (db/ft or db/meter)
Attenuation Max = Maximum attenuation
(db/ft or db/meter)

T
H
Example for this 7 in. (0.1778 m) casing:
Max log reading 3.5 mV eq 8.8 dB/ft (28.9 dB/m)
Min log reading 2 mV eq 10.5 dB/ft (34.4 dB/m)
> B.I. = 84%

IG
R
PY

Interval Isolation Evaluation

A Bond Index of 0.80 suggests that only about 80% of the annulus is filled with good cement.
Isolation can reasonably be ensured by a Bond Index higher than 0.80 over a minimum
O

cemented interval, the interval length depending on casing size.

ft

15
C

(4.572)

FOR 80% CEMENT

Cemented interval, ft

10
(3.048)

5
(1.524)

0
5 6 7 8 9 9 5/8 " 10
(0.127) (0.152) (0.178) (0.203) (0.229) (0.244) (0.254)

Casing size, in (m)

Graph from experimental work, courtesy Schlumberger

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 63
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Example Log: CBL / VDL with "Bond Index"

Cement bond log should
show < 10 millivolts over an
interval of 7 meters to be
interpreted as providing
isolation

T
H
IG
R
PY

Cement Bond Log

Borehole Fluid
 The Cement Bond Log Cement
O

(CBL) is a sonic log. It is

the most commonly used of CBL
the three electric line tools Log
available for engineers to Tool
C

evaluate primary cement

job quality.
Transmitter

Receiver
Formation
Casing

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 64
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cement Bond Log

Amplitude
 The CBL signal, measured 0 Increases 80
in millivolts (mv), is shown CBL (mv)
on the CBL Interpretation
Free Pipe
illustration to indicate the
presences or absence of
cement. It is commonly
thought by cementing
engineers that intervals of Partial Bond
(Limited
15-20 ft (5-6 m) of the CBL
Isolation)
mv log reading of less than
10 mv indicates likely Poorly

T
sealing or isolation of an Cemented
interval, though this
interpretation is often No Cement

H
questioned.
Good Cement
(Isolation)

IG
R
PY

Cement Bond Log

Amplitude
 In summary, CBL log data 0 Increases 80
O

and its use for well CBL (mv)

cementing job evaluation Free Pipe
overall is subject to local
experience in achieving
C

quality primary cement jobs

from the start, individual well Partial Bond
conditions, local factors such (Limited
as cement engineering Isolation)
design, water source and Poorly
cement blending, materials Cemented
quality, pumping conditions,
and other relevant factors. No Cement

Good Cement
(Isolation)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 65
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary Cementing Planning Strategy Summary

Work to achieve successful primary cement job execution and

results looking at both the drilling and the production operations
perspectives

Work with the drilling organization and cement services

companies to strive to achieve a properly designed primary

T
cement job

H
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 66
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary and Remedial

Cementing Core

T
Cement Squeeze Job Types

H
IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section covers the following learning objectives:

O

 Describe the seven various basic methods to perform both low

pressure and high pressure squeeze jobs
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 67
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Squeeze Types – Operationally

LOW PRESSURE A Low pressure circulation squeeze

B Low pressure bradenhead squeeze

C Low pressure walking / hesitation squeeze

D Low pressure block squeeze

T
E
HIGH PRESSURE

High pressure “suicide squeeze”

H
F High pressure frac squeeze

G Coiled tubing spot cement squeeze

IG
R
PY

Normal Operational Procedure

 Test equipment and establish injection rate: 0.5 to 2 BPM

O

• If necessary, exceed fracture pressure to test injection

• Acidize if < 0.5 BPM
 Batch mix cement in surface tank
C

• Test using API fluid loss method (API Spec 10 Appendix B)

 Spot cement across entire squeeze zone
 Pump cement into perforations/channels
• At less than fracture pressures
 Use hesitation technique to build pressure
 Reverse out excess cement
 Wait On Cement (WOC)
 Evaluate by pressure test and differential test BPM = Barrels
Per Minute

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 68
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

A. Circulating Squeeze
If cement volume pumped into and out
of squeeze perforations is to high, if
cement lands on top of packer and
Annulus Filled
grabs hold of work string, pipe can With Mud
become cemented in the wall.
(Must use low fluid loss cement)
Squeeze Perforations
(3.048 m)10 ft
(3 m)

Planned Perf
Oil Zone
Interval

T
100 ft± 30 ft±
(31 m)
(9 m) Cement Retainer

H
Squeeze Perforations

Water Zone Cement Top

IG
R
PY

A. Circulating Squeeze

 Confirm with the Cement Bond Log (CBL) and the Cement
Evaluation Tool (CET) that cement is below zone of interest
O

Shoot first set of squeeze perforations above cement top,

normally about 30 feet (9 m) below zone of interest
C

Shoot second set of squeeze perforations only 10 to

20 feet (3 to 6 m) above zone of interest; total distance
between perf sets < 100 ft (31 m)

Try to circulate brine or acid in void annulus to

displace mud, fluids

Establish circulation rate > 1 BPM (0.16 m3/min)

Follow primary cementing rules; proceed similar to second

stage of primary cementing job

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 69
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

B. Bradenhead Squeeze

Primary Cement

Squeeze Perforations

T
Channel (filled with mud)

H
IG
R
PY

B. Bradenhead Squeeze

 Term describes pumping cement down tubing or drill pipe

O

• Cement is placed in the hole at the base of the work string

• Casing head (bradenhead*) closed to prevent fluids from moving up
the casing
C

• Rig pumps are started; pump pressure moves forces cement out of
the tubing
• Since the top of the casing is closed, the cement goes into the
squeeze perforations previously placed in the casing
• Tubing or pipe is pulled from the well and the cement allowed to
harden
• Hardened cement seals the hole in the casing
• A bit and scraper is then worked across the squeezed zone

*Although the term "bradenhead squeezing" is still used, the term

"bradenhead" is obsolete.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 70
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

C. Hesitation Pumping Method

Surface Pressure (psi x 100) (kPa x 100)

(138) estimated formation fracture pressure

(110)

(83)

(55)

(28)

T
Time (min)

H
IG
R
PY

D. Block Squeeze
Primary Cement:
Annulus filled
O

with cement and mud

Tubing

Packer
C

Remedial Cement

Water Zone Salt

Water
Jim Peden
Pitac Ltd  2001

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 71
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

E. High Pressure “Suicide” Squeeze

Pwh
Do NOT do this
and accidentally
cement the string
in hole

Neat Cement

Open Perforations

T
RTTS Squeeze Packer

H
Squeeze Zone

IG
R
PY

F. High Pressure Frac Squeeze

Pwh
O

Do NOT do this unless

pumping away squeeze
cement is the single
C

primary objective

Neat Cement

RTTS Squeeze Packer

Squeeze Zone

Squeeze Perforations

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 72
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

G. Coiled Tubing Spot Cement Job

1. Run coiled tubing below lowest perforations

• Preferably to Plugged Back Total Depth
• Pressure test
2. Batch mix low fluid loss cement
• Allow for adequate pumping time
3. Establish injectivity with clean salt water
4. Spot cement
5. Normally cover all perforations plus 50 ft (15 m) in casing

T
6. Pull coiled tubing about 15 ft (5 m) above cement top
7. Close BOPs and perform low pressure squeeze

H
• Conventional: reverse out excess cement BOP =
• Non-conventional: wash to bottom carefully Blow Out
Preventers

IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section has covered the following learning objectives:

O

 Describe the seven various basic methods to perform both low

pressure and high pressure squeeze jobs
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 73
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary and Remedial

Cementing Core

T
Remedial Repair

H
IG
R
PY

Learning Objectives

This section covers the following learning objectives:

O

 Describe how failed primary cementing jobs need to be repaired

to avoid unwanted water or gas production from zones adjacent
to the productive zone
C

 Outline the attributes of a high pressure and low pressure

remedial cementing job and why the low pressure squeeze
method is favored

 Identify the hydraulic challenges of a typical remedial cement

squeeze job design to fill channel voids with cement

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 74
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary Cement Failure Example Cement Squeeze Required

T
H
Cement Failure Allows
IG
Unwanted Water into
Production String
R
PY

Squeeze Cementing

 Objective of a “Squeeze Job”

O

• Seal perforations / holes / channels

– By placing cement behind the casing
• Prevent flow between zones
C

 Many myths and misconceptions in squeezing

 Normally, only a small volume of cement is needed at the right

point in the well

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 75
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Repair Cementing

Squeeze Cementing

Isolating a pipe
annulus that was
Filling channels never cemented
behind pipe leaving channels for
gas and water
communication

T
H
IG
R
PY

Cement Composition and Volume

Low or high fluid loss? Volume of cement?

O

 Minimize slurry separation  Depends upon channel

of cement and water when size (channel with no
C

pumped through cement)

perforations • Often attempt several
small squeezes
• Under conditions of:
a) Low surface pumping
pressure (below frac
pressure)
- or -
b) High surface
pumping pressure
(above frac pressure)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 76
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cement Squeeze Applications

 Seal off undesired perforations

 Plug or fill channels with isolating cement

 Solve problems of communication

 Repair damaged casing

 Re-cement / supplement primary job

T
 Reduce opportunity for water or gas entry

H
 Well abandonment

IG
R
PY

Squeeze Success

Success rate = 50% Conditions vary widely

O

 Success rate increases when

C

1 Circulation is possible through the channel

2 Packer isolation is used for cement injection

3 Cement blending is batch mixed

4 The operator is experienced

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 77
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Rock Fracture Mechanics

Overburden
V Normally the highest stress

Max
H

T
H
Min
Triaxial Loading of Rocks
h
IG
R
PY

Low Pressure Squeeze Technique

 Below formation fracture pressure except possibly at initial

O

break-down

 Controlled fluid loss in slurry < 100 cc/30 min

C

 Small volume of cement slurry < 100 sacks

 Better control of slurry displacement (compared to high

pressure technique)

 Recommended

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 78
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

High Pressure Squeeze Technique

 Above formation fracture pressure

 High water loss cement slurry > 500 cc/30 min

 Large volume of cement > 100 sacks

T
 No control over where slurry goes

H
 Not recommended

IG
R
PY

High Pressure Squeeze Technique

O

 Above
Bottomformation
line: it isfracture
better topressure
place a
small amount of cement at less
than fracture pressure
C

 High water loss cement slurry > 500 cc/30 min

Low pressure squeeze

is almost
 Large volume of cement > 100always
sacks best

 No control over where slurry goes

Morning report should reflect that
a job pumped a large volume of
cement
 Not recommended

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 79
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Planning a Squeeze Cement Job

OBJECTIVE
 Place a little cement at the right place
 Stay below fracture pressure to keep control
 Use low water-loss cements and keep the mix water in the slurry
to prevent dehydration
 Keep the cement moving so that the gel strength does not affect
placement

T
 Clean out mud, if possible
 Use ball sealers, “pin-point” packers, coil tubing with jet cleaner,
etc.

H
 Spearhead small volume of 15% Hydrochloric acid with
surfactants prior to pumping squeeze cement

IG
R
PY

Planning a Squeeze Cement Job

 Consider workover fluid

O

 Use salt water

 Consider a circulating squeeze
C

 Use squeeze packer for special cases only

• Packer not normally needed
• Cement retainers preferred
 Isolate the location where the cement will go
 Recommend the “bradenhead” squeeze method for most jobs
 Plan on more than 1 squeeze; typically 3 may be required
 Test all equipment: tubing, casing, wellhead

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 80
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Planning a Squeeze Cement Job

 Normally Class G or H basic cement with fluid loss additive and

0 - 12% Bentonite added
 Squeeze cement thickening time tests:
• Typically 2 to 4 hours required pumpability time
• Use hesitation techniques
 Squeeze cement compressive strengths:
• Not overly important
• Recommend minimum of 500 psi (3447 kPa) @ 24 hours

T
 Volume: 0.1 cu ft (0.00283 m3) per perforation + casing fill-up +
channel typically 10 - 20 bbls (1.6 - 3.2 m3) (min vol 1000 ft (305 m)
tubing)

H
 Monitor Pressures:
• Than Pfrac but possibly > Pfrac during reverse out

IG
R
PY

Importance of Slurry Fluid Loss

Effects of
O

(6,895 kPa) increasing fluid

(800 cm3/1,800 s)
loss volumes in
30 minutes
C

150 mL/30 min

(150 cm3/1,800 s)

(50 cm3/1,800 s)

(15 cm3/1,800 s)

(0.15 m)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 81
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

API Fluid Loss Determination Lab Equipment

T
H
IG
R
PY

Fluid Loss vs. Filter Cake Permeability and Buildup Rate

API FL* Perm* Buildup**

O

(cc/30 min) (md) (min)

1200 5.00 0.2
C

600 1.6 0.8

300 0.54 3.4
150 0.19 14.0
100 0.09 30.0
50 0.009 100.0
25 0.006 300.0

* @1000 psi (6894.76 kPa) **2 inch filter cake

(50.8 mm)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 82
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Fluid Loss Reduction vs. Concentration of Additive (gal/sk)

Fluid Loss
(gal/sk) (cc/sk)

(264.98)

(492.10)
(643.52)

(719.23)
*

T
(832.79)
(908.50)

H
50 cc/30 min @ 1000 psi
(6895 kPa)

Additive (gal/sk)
IG (cc/sk)
R
PY

Practical Considerations
O

Primary Cement
C

Remedial Cement
Mud Filter Cake De-Hydrated Remedial Cement
Due to High Fluid Losses
Mud

Channel

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 83
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Poor Primary Cement Job Results

Annulus Filled
with Mud

Planned Perf
Oil Zone
Interval

Cement channel or
poor cement zone

T
H
Water Zone Cement Top
Salt

IG Water
R
PY

Squeeze Cementing a Channel

 Key Factors / Challenges

O

• Channel is initially filled with a fluid (mud, filtrate, etc.)

• Cement cannot be pumped into a channel occupied by another fluid
• Mud cannot be pushed into formation
C

 Plan operations so that the channel will be filled with fluid that
can be pushed into formation
 Complete the well and let formation fluids first expel the mud
from the channel, then produce formation fluids, then perform
cement squeeze
 If mud or filtrate is not produced first, then the fluid filled channel
may be a serious problem

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 84
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Squeeze Cementing Channel Repair

 Objectives
• Locate the channel
– How to locate the channel?
• Is using the CBL/VDL log appropriate (controversial?)
• Perforate into the channel
• Attempt to establish circulation
• Inject cement and fill channel
 Problems
• Locating channels

T
• Squeezing into channels

H
IG
R
PY

Channel Detection Production / Cased Hole Logs

 Cement Bond Log / Variable Density Log (CBL/VDL)

O

 Cement Evaluation Tool Log (CET)

C

 Ultra Sonic Investigation Tool Log (USIT)

 Segmented or radial bond log

• Bond differences
• Looking for patterns that represent channels

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 85
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Squeeze Cementing – Repairing Channel Filled with Mud

Primary Cement

Planned Perforations

Oil Zone

T
No Isolation Channel (filled with mud)

H
Water Zone Salt

IG Water
R
PY

Special Squeeze Cementing Situations

Problem
O

Fractured Limestone or Dolomite Typically Open Fractures, Low

C

Zone Temperature, Low Formation

Matrix Permeability, and Low
Fracture and Formation Pressures

Solution: Use Dual Slurry

1st batch – with bridging material, 2nd batch – slurry of a much

high fluid loss cement or lower fluid loss cement
thixotropic cement, and faster
setting cements

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 86
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Learning Objectives

This section has covered the following learning objectives:

 Describe how failed primary cementing jobs need to be repaired

to avoid unwanted water or gas production from zones adjacent
to the productive zone
 Outline the attributes of a high pressure and low pressure
remedial cementing job and why the low pressure squeeze
method is favored
 Identify the hydraulic challenges of a typical remedial cement
squeeze job design to fill channel voids with cement

T
H
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 87
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Plug and Abandonment

Learning Objectives

This section will cover the following learning objectives:

 Define well abandonment

 Explain the purpose of plug and abandonment (P&A) operations and when they are
used
 Explain the basic objectives, steps and elements of a P&A plan, the key stakeholders
and key customers
 Explain the types of equipment and procedures used in a P&A operation

T
 Identify the key HSE issues associated with a P&A plan

H
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 88
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

What are P&A Operations?

So what are Plug and Abandonment (P&A) operations?

Plug and abandonment operations is the

process of permanently isolating the
wellbore.

Listed below are a number of possible

reasons why we would want to isolate the
wellbore:

 Insufficient hydrocarbon potential

T
or it is determined that the wellbore
is not profitable to produce from

H
the formations drilled in the
wellbore.



of the hydrocarbons.
Temporary abandonments.
IG
The normal production operations for a given well have drained the reservoir
R
Wells may be temporarily abandoned with the intentions of performing a re-entry
into the same well at a later date. Although this is not the primary focus of this
PY

section, this are common especially during periods of low production or during
times when we feel that production may be minimized and no longer profitable to
attempt at a later date.
O

It is also important to remember that local regulatory agencies normally mandate

very specific requirements for Plug and Abandonment operations around the world.
There are a number of reasons why a regulatory agency may require that we either
C

plug and/or abandon a well. Some of these reasons will be discussed in this section.
Many of these regulatory mandates require the use of very specific tools and barrier
mechanisms which are used to utilize and isolate freshwater aquifers, hydrocarbon
bearing formations, and other areas.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 89
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Plug and Abandonment (P&A)

 In the process of Plug and Abandonment (P&A),

A “Good” Plan
it is important to ensure that:
• A very good plan is in place to seal off and isolate Conductor Cement Plug
the wellbore. Casing
• We are taking all health, safety, and environmental
precautions to prevent any contamination from Surface
Cement Plug
that well to us by affecting the environment. Casing
• We have the most stable and protected wellbore Intermediate
to prevent any sort of health, safety, or Casing Cut and
environmental issues. Removed
Intermediate
 In a perfect world, the most secure Plug and Casing

T
Abandonment procedure is to fill all casing and
uncemented annular spaces with cement from
the bottom all the way to the surface.

H
– Possible, but not practical!
Production Liner
Cement Plug

IG
R
PY

Plug and Abandonment

A “Good” Plan A “Better” Plan

O

Conductor Conductor Welded Steel Plate

Cement Plug Cement
Casing Casing
C

Surface Surface Bridge Plug

Cement Plug Casing
Casing Cement
Intermediate Intermediate
Casing Cut and Casing Cut and
Removed Removed
Intermediate Intermediate
Casing Cement
Casing
Bridge Plug

Production Liner Cement

Production Liner Cement Retainer
Cement Plug Cement

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 90
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Permanent Abandonment

 Insufficient hydrocarbon reserves

 No intention of re-entry / re-use
 Dry holes
• Initial exploration
• Production operations have drained the reservoir
• May still contain:
– Water
– Small (non-commercial) quantities of hydrocarbons
 Drilling operations require sidetracking

T
• Deviation correction
• Detour (lost junk in the hole or “fish”)

H
 Other well problems that cannot be economically repaired

IG
R
PY

Permanent Abandonment
O

 Zonal Isolation
• Acts as a casing point to seal-off non-
producing intervals
C

• Shut off water producing zones

• Seal off and protect a low pressured zone
before squeezing
• Seal off lost circulation zones

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 91
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

HSE and Challenges

There are a number of Health, Safety, and Environment

(HSE) and other challenges associated with plug and
abandonment operations.

Many times the challenges associated with plug and

abandonment operations are the result of information
flow, or better said, the lack of information flow.

This may come in the form of a lack of data or correct well

information, formation types, permeability, and pressures (either in the form of sub–
or sur– normal pressures).

T
The challenges may also come from insufficient handover information from previous

H
operations. What started as a drilling operation may have moved to a production
and completion operation, and as such, different personnel are involved.
IG
There may also be a number of challenges with the wellbore, as listed below:

 Temperature differentials, typically found at various depths within the

R
wellbore.
 Validity of cement behind casing strings that may have been placed in the
PY

wellbore previously.
 Reservoir formation pressures. These typically come once the reservoir has
been depleted and the pressures are lower than expected.
 Formation permeability. That is, how well does a fluid flow between one area
O

and the next.

C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 92
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Well Integrity – Barriers

 In the process of well abandonment, we depend upon barriers in

the wellbore.
 These barriers ensure that we are performing wellbore or well
integrity.
 These barriers are critical to the success of our plug and
abandonment operation.

T
H
IG
R
PY

Well Integrity – Barriers

 Many definitions
O

• Wikipedia
Well integrity – barriers
 Efficient well control typically
C

The “application of technical, operational

requires a minimum of 2 and organizational solutions to reduce
barriers! (the) risk of uncontrolled release of
formation fluids throughout the life cycle
of a well.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 93
 Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Plug and Abandonment as Barriers

 Basic Elements
1. Set cement and mechanical plugs to prevent
cross-flow or production
2. Isolate all potential flow zones and protect
them from differential pressures
3. Ensure P&A procedures follow local regulations

 Isolation
• Open hole
• Hydrocarbon and/or water zones

T
• Perforations Cement
Formation
• Casings and liners Plug

H
• Surface Locations

Annulus Casing Shoe

3
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 94
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Cost Considerations

The process of plug and abandonment also has significant cost considerations to
keep in mind.

ONSHORE Plug and Abandonment Operations

Costs are relatively minimal in comparison. Normally the equipment costs
are recovered and this outweighs the plug and abandonment expenses
that are incurred.

OFFSHORE Plug and Abandonment Operations

Costs are very expensive. This may include time, materials, as well as, personnel

T
costs that are incurred. The reason that costs are expensive offshore is due to the
fact that all of the material, personnel, and equipment must be brought out to the

H
rig from the land, thus there are significant transportation costs as well as lead time
costs associated with the procedure.

IG
Dependent upon the Regulatory Requirements
Also associated with the cost considerations for a plug and abandonment operation
are the regulatory requirements placed by the government of the area where the
R
well is being drilled.
PY

Different governmental agencies have varying degrees of regulations and

requirements for how to properly and legally plug and abandonment well. In areas
governed by the United States, plug and abandonment operations and drilling
operations are governed by section 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations 250
O

section 1710 to 1723. Other international regulatory jurisdictions have similar

requirements around the world.
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 95
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Regulatory Areas Addressed

As previously mentioned, different international regulatory jurisdictions have similar,

but not always exactly the same, requirements regarding plug and abandonment
operations for wells within their jurisdiction.

There are number of regulatory areas which are addressed by these regulatory
groups. These include:

 The number of barriers required

 The types of barriers which must be used in a given well
 The types of pressure testing is required after barriers are placed in the
wellbore as well as how long the pressure test must be held

T
 The isolation of aquifers or other formations, possibly hydrocarbon
formations, encountered in the wellbore

H
 The isolation of casing strings, liner strings, and depths required for plugs
 Wellhead requirements
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 96
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Wellhead Removed
Casing cut 5 m bgl

Mechanical Barriers – Bridge Plugs 20 ft (6 m) Conductor @ 50 m

Grouted to Surface
Cement Plug 5 @ 150 – sfc
Bridge Plug @ 150 m

 Used to provide a seal in the wellbore 13 3/8 in. (34 cm) Casing @ 450 m
Cemented to Surface
• Inside the production tubing Cement Plug 4 @ 500–350 m
Bridge Plug @ 500 m

• Inside the last casing string

Cement Plug 3 @ 1250–1200 m
Bridge Plug @ 1250 m

Permanent Bridge Plugs

Cement Plug 2 @ 2150–2000 m
• No capability for removal from tubing or casing TOL @ 2062 m
9 5/8 in. (24 cm) Casing @ 2112 m
Cemented to Surface
Bridge Plug @ 2150 m

Retrievable Bridge Plugs

• Able to be removed at a later date

T
Cement Plug 1 @ 2500–2350 m

H
7 in. (18 cm) Liner
Bridge Plug @ 2500 m

IG
Halliburton’s HERO™ Bridge Plug (courtesy of Halliburton)
TD Open Hole
@ 3112+ 400 m RTE
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 97
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Mechanical Barriers – Cement Plugs

Cement plugs:
 Can also be considered mechanical barriers
 Are very useful and depending on the purpose and the
volume of the cement that is being used in the well,
there are a number of different types of cement as
well as numerous additives which can be added to the
cement which change the cement's properties

T
H
IG
R
PY

Mechanical Barriers – Cement Plugs

 The type of formation and the depth of the location of

O

the cement plug in the wellbore conditions typically

dictate the type and volume of cement to be used
 Additives required in the cement slurry
C

• Fluid loss
• Retarders
• Accelerators
• Lost circulation materials
• Spacer types
• Excesses by casing/liner types/depths/sizes

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 98
 Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Balanced Cement Plug

 In a balanced cement plug, we are pumping a set volume of cement

slurry down the drillstring and into the wellbore for the purposes of
sealing off specific formations or areas, or even isolating them from
other areas of the wellbore.
 It is called a balanced cement plug, because due to hydrostatic
pressures the cement should stay in place and not fall deeper into
the wellbore and will not channel with the mud that is on top of the
wellbore or beneath the plug itself, or channel with the water spacer
that is been placed in the wellbore.

T
H
3
IG
R
PY

Balanced Cement Plug

Displacement of Wellbore Fluids are Drillstring is pulled up

Cement Balanced above cement Reversing Out
O MUD

MUD
MUD

MUD

MUD
MUD
C

MUD MUD
WATER WATER
WATER WATER

CEMENT CEMENT CEMENT

CEMENT

MUD MUD MUD MUD

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 99
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Challenges with Setting a Balanced Cement Plug

So what are the challenges associated with setting a balanced cement plug?

First off, the results are never guaranteed. We know

from our calculations regarding the balance cement
plug where the plug should be when the pumping
stops, and what formations and areas in wellbore it
should cover. However, we never know for sure.

Secondly, we have a high risk of contamination of the

cement slurry. These contaminations could come from

T
fluid crossflow, that is, those which separate the cement
slurry once it leaves the drill string and begins its

H
journey up the annulus until pumping stops.
Contamination can also occur if the density calculations
are incorrect, and thus making hydrostatic pressure
IG
calculations incorrect. Contamination of the mud can
also occur if the viscosity of the mud inhibits the flow of
the slurry.
R
We can also have challenges with balanced cement plugs if we have poor
PY

mud removal, poor communication and poor coordination of the

personnel on the wellsite when pumping the balance cement plug,
impatience of the crew, and overall poor job execution.
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 100
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Helpful Recommendations for a Successful Balanced Cement Plug

Shown here are some recommendations to ensure a successful balanced cement plug is
pumped.

Pump the slurry through the tubing

end but never reciprocating
downward with the string, only
upward. This will ensure that the
slurry is not mixed or channel
downhole once it leaves the tubing
string. It is okay to rotate the pipe
but do not reciprocate downward

T
into the cement slurry and into the
balanced plug.

H
Spot a high viscosity gel pill beneath
the cement slurry to help prevent
the slurry from mixing with the
drilling mud beneath.
IG
Use high viscous cement slurries in the formation which typically do not
R
channel as easy.
PY

Pull the tubing out of the slurry and out of the balanced cement plug slowly
after it is pumped. Patience is the key.

Wait a minimum of 4 hours on the cement for every hour of pump time putting
it in place. This is known as waiting on cement (WOC).
O

By using these helpful recommendations for a balanced cement plug we increase our
C

chances of successfully isolating our wellbore.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 101
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Dump Bailer Method

 Low cost method – utilizes wireline

 Accurate at depth control
 Normally involves
• Cement Baskets
• Permanent Bridge Plug
• Sand Pack
 Slurry is typically placed on top of another
mechanical tool, such as a bridge plug
 Disadvantages

T
 Slurry Volume
 Deep Applications

H
 Slow Process

IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 102
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Two Plug Method

 Pumps slurry out of the tubing and into the annulus

 Both top and bottom plugs are used during the
placement of the cement slurry
 Plug “catcher” will catch top plug before being pumped
into wellbore
 Helpful in reducing the amount of mud contamination
 Reverse circulation removes excess cement off of plug
 Establishes top of cement more accurately

T
H
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 103
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Additional Actions for P&A

There are a few additional actions that we take in a plug and abandonment operation.

We need to make sure that any time we are doing a plug and abandonment operation
we are pumping cement into the annulus of the last casing shoe that it is a good solid
cement slurry. We want to ensure that there is no communication with the upper water
sands and the related formations beneath them. We are, in effect, isolating them.

We also want to make sure that we cut the casing at the surface. This is typically 10 to
15 feet [3 to 5 meters] beneath the surface. There we will weld a plate on top of the
casing and we will seal it permanently with that weld.

T
H
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 104
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Communication is Essential

Throughout the plug and abandonment operation

on a well, communications is absolutely essential.

1. Good personnel coordination is essential in

order to eliminate invisible lost time (ILT).
This process involves all personnel who
are working at the rig site at the time of the
plug and abandonment operation, including
the cement or equipment personnel, the rig crew who is doing the pumping,
the mud engineer, the toolpusher, and the wellsite supervisor. It is essential
that all communication takes place, exact volumes are discussed, and all

T
personnel know exactly what is happening at the wellsite.

H
2. Wellsite personnel need to be aware of all the operations, the time that is
going to be required to wait on cement, and all need to be exercising

IG
patience in order to make sure that the job is done right.

3. Throughout the process, wellsite personnel need to make sure that they are
paying attention to the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the team, and
R
ensure that they are following best practices.

4. The wellsite supervisor on location is the decisive team leader in all plug and
PY

abandonment operations. It is their responsibility to ensure that the successes

and failures of past experiences are discussed in order to permit the
organization to be prepared for success on this plug and abandonment
operation and that the crew themselves will be able to learn from these
O

experiences.
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 105
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Personnel Responsibilities

There are additional personnel responsibilities

that everyone who is involved in a plug and
abandonment operation must take into
account.

Remember that the overall goal is to carefully

consider all of the data being presented and
ensure a smooth execution of the plan to
isolate the wellbore. This will ensure that the
well will never cause future problems or create a hazard to human life going forward.

T
All personnel associated with the plug abandonment operation should ensure that
all precautions have been exercised to properly seal the well.

H
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 106
Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Learning Objective Review

This section will cover the following learning objectives:

 Define well abandonment

 Explain the purpose of plug and abandonment (P&A) operations and when they are
used
 Explain the basic objectives, steps and elements of a P&A plan, the key stakeholders
and key customers
 Explain the types of equipment and procedures used in a P&A operation
 Identify the key HSE issues associated with a P&A plan

T
H
IG
R
PY
O
C

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© PetroSkills, LLC. All rights reserved. 107