Alternative setting materials for primary cementing and zonal isolation – Laboratory evaluation of rheological and mechanical properties

Abstract A good primary cementing job governs in a great part the producing performance of a well. Successful zonal isolation, which is the main objective of any cementing job, primarily depends on the right cement design. The resin-based cement system, which is a relatively new technology within the oil industry has the potential to replace conventional cement in critical primary cementing applications. This paper describes the lab-testing and field deployment of the resin-based cement systems. The resin-based cement systems were deployed in those well sections where a potential high-pressure influx was expected. The resin-based cement system, which was placed as a tail slurry was designed to have better mechanical properties as compared to the conventional cement systems. The paper describes the process used to get the right resin-based cement slurry design and how its application was important to the success of the cementing jobs. The cement job was executed successfully and met all the zonal-isolation objectives. The resin-based cement's increased shear bond strength and better mechanical properties were deemed to be instrumental in providing a reliable barrier that would thwart any future issues arising due to sustained casing pressure (SCP). This paper describes the required lab-testing, lab-evaluation, and the successful field deployment of the resin-based cement systems.

Download Full-text

Remediation of oil-based mud contaminated cement with talcum in shale gas well primary cementing: Mechanical properties, microstructure, and hydration

Construction and Building Materials ◽

10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 300 ◽

pp. 124047

Author(s):

Sheng Huang ◽

Bo Feng ◽

Zaoyuan Li ◽

Shizhong Tang ◽

Jin Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Shale Gas ◽

Gas Well ◽

Primary Cementing

Download Full-text

Technology Focus: Cementing and Zonal Isolation (May 2021)

Journal of Petroleum Technology ◽

10.2118/0521-0065-jpt ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 73 (05) ◽

pp. 65-65

Author(s):

Gunnar DeBruijn

Keyword(s):

National Laboratory ◽

Self Healing ◽

Evaluation Tool ◽

Initial State ◽

Los Alamos National Laboratory ◽

Successful Case ◽

Managed Pressure Drilling ◽

Zonal Isolation ◽

Primary Cementing ◽

Technology Focus

Wow! What a year it has been! We have experienced enormous upheavals in our professional and social circles and wholescale changes in the way that we interact with each other. As engineers, though, we recognize that in every challenge there is an opportunity. I have been lucky to attend SPE online events, including a happy hour and a webinar on geothermal energy. As we witness a shift to renewable energy, I note that 2020 SPE President Shauna Noonan highlighted that our SPE professional expertise in the subsurface will be needed to both maintain existing energy production and develop new sources of energy. Cementing, zonal isolation, and well integrity continue to be an important piece of the puzzle. This year, in the presence of enormous challenges, the selected papers demonstrate step changes both in efficiency and in the results of cementing operations. Managed-pressure cementing extends the benefits of managed-pressure drilling, and a successful case is described in paper OTC 30481. Last year, we read about offline cementing in North America. Offline cementing continues to increase rig efficiency, and wellhead equipment that enables offline cementing is described in paper SPE 202439. Improving cementing results by enabling casing rotation with rotating cement heads is discussed in paper SPE 198970. Research that will enable future successful changes also continues. Although not summarized in this edition, extra reading is recommended for interesting discussions on proving shale as a barrier (SPE 200755), cement properties and initial state of stress in confined pressure conditions (SPE 201770), and the evaluation of neutron logging as a possible cement evaluation tool (SPE 202973). As an industry, we also continue to investigate materials that will provide effective isolation in the annulus. Papers about self-healing systems (SPE 203174), epoxy (SPE 202648), and expanding metal sealing systems (SPE 203354) are also recommended as extra reading. Although it has been a challenging year, operational improvements, research, and material investigation continue to provide engineering opportunities in cementing and zonal isolation. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 200755 - Innovative One-Trip System Helps Qualify Creeping Shale as Permanent Barrier for Plug and Abandonment of Wells on the Gyda Field by Thore Andre Stokkeland, Archer, et al. SPE 201770 - Laboratory Measurement of Cement Stress Before, During, and After Curing Under Undrained Condition With Constant Hydrostatic Pressure by Meng Meng, Los Alamos National Laboratory, et al. SPE 202973 - Potential Usage of Neutron Logging Technology for Casing Cement Evaluation—Feasibility Study by Espen Dommersnes, University of Stavanger, et al. SPE 203174 - A Game-Changing Technology for Cementing in Highly Deviated and Horizontal Wells Using Interactive Mud-Sealing Cement System by Choosak Orprasert, Mubadala Petroleum, et al. SPE 202648 - Primary Cementing Using Epoxy Resins as Additive: Experimental and Application by Khawlah Abdulaziz Alanqari, Saudi Aramco, et al.

Download Full-text

Obtaining Zonal Isolation in Geothermal Wells

10.2118/201068-ms ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Allam Putra Rachimillah ◽

Cinto Azwar ◽

Ambuj Johri ◽

Ahmed Osman ◽

Eric Tanoto

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Free Fluid ◽

High Heating Rate ◽

Lost Circulation ◽

Geothermal Well ◽

Geothermal Wells ◽

Zonal Isolation ◽

Primary Cementing

Abstract Cementing is one of the sequences in the drilling operations to isolate different geological zones and provide integrity for the life of the well. As compared with oil and gas wells, geothermal wells have unique challenges for cementing operations. Robust cementing design and appropriate best practices during the cementing operations are needed to achieve cementing objectives in geothermal wells. Primary cementing in geothermal wells generally relies on a few conventional methods: long string, liner-tieback, and two-stage methods. Each has challenges for primary cementing that will be analyzed, compared, and discussed in detail. Geothermal wells pose challenges of low fracture gradients and massive lost circulation due to numerous fractures, which often lead to a need for remedial cementing jobs such as squeeze cementing and lost circulation plugs. Special considerations for remedial cementing in geothermal wells are also discussed here. Primary cement design is critical to ensure long-term integrity of a geothermal well. The cement sheath must be able to withstand pressure and temperature cycles when steam is produced and resist corrosive reservoir fluids due to the presence of H2S and CO2. Any fluid trapped within the casing-casing annulus poses a risk of casing collapse due to expansion under high temperatures encountered during the production phase. With the high heating rate of the geothermal well, temperature prediction plays an important part in cement design. Free fluid sensitivity test and centralizer selection also play an important role in avoiding mud channeling as well as preventing the development of fluid pockets. Analysis and comparison of every method is described in detail to enable readers to choose the best approach. Massive lost circulation is very common in surface and intermediate sections of geothermal wells. On numerous occasions, treatment with conventional lost-circulation material (LCM) was unable to cure the losses, resulting in the placement of multiple cement plugs. An improved lost circulation plug design and execution method are introduced to control massive losses in a geothermal environment. In addition, the paper will present operational best practices and lessons learned from the authors’ experience with cementing in geothermal wells in Indonesia. Geothermal wells can be constructed in different ways by different operators. In light of this, an analysis of different cementing approaches has been conducted to ensure robust cement design and a fit-for-purpose cementing method. This paper will discuss the cementing design, equipment, recommendations, and best available practices for excellence in operational execution to achieve optimal long-life zonal isolation for a geothermal well.

Download Full-text

Zonal Isolation Assurance: Relating Cement Mechanical Properties to Mechanical Durability

Proceedings of the 2nd Unconventional Resources Technology Conference ◽

10.15530/urtec-2014-1913405 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jessica McDaniel ◽

Nathan K. Combs ◽

Larry Watters

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Mechanical Durability ◽

Zonal Isolation

Download Full-text

Application of Resin-Cement Blend to Prevent Pressure Build-Up in Casing to Casing Annulus CCA: A Novel Approach to Improve Well Integrity

10.2118/202103-ms ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wajid Ali ◽

Freddy Jose Mata ◽

Ahmed Atef Hashmi ◽

Abdullah Saleh Al-Yami

Keyword(s):

High Pressure ◽

Shear Bond Strength ◽

Resin Cement ◽

Cement Slurry ◽

Well Integrity ◽

Cement System ◽

Zonal Isolation ◽

Primary Cementing ◽

Cement Sheath

Abstract Assurance of well integrity is critical and important throughout the entire well's life cycle. Pressure build-up between cemented casings annuli has been a major challenge all around the world. Cement is the main element that provides isolation and protection for the well. The cause for pressure build-up in most cases is a compromise of cement sheath integrity that allows fluids to migrate through micro-channels from the formation all the way to the surface. These problems prompt cementing technologists to explore new cementing solutions, to achieve reliable long-term zonal isolation in these extreme conditions by elevating shear bond strength along-with minimal shrinkage. The resin-cement system can be regarded as a novel technology to assure long term zonal isolation. This paper presents case histories to support the efficiency and reliability of the resin-cement system to avoid casing to casing annulus (CCA) pressure build-up. This paper presents lab testing and application of the resin-cement system, where potential high-pressure influx was expected across a water-bearing formation. The resin-cement system was designed to be placed as a tail slurry to provide a better set of mechanical properties in comparison to a conventional slurry. The combined mixture of resin and cement slurry provided all the necessary properties of the desired product. The slurry was batch-mixed to ensure the homogeneity of resin-cement slurry mixture. The cement treatment was performed as designed and met all zonal isolation objectives. Resin-cement’s increased compressive strength, ductility, and enhanced shear bond strength helped to provide a dependable barrier that would help prevent future sustained casing pressure (SCP). The producing performance of a well depends in great part on a good primary cementing job. The success of achieving zonal isolation, which is the main objective of cementing, is mainly attributed to the cement design. The resin-cement system is evolving as a new solution within the industry, replacing conventional cement in many crucial primary cementing applications. This paper highlights the necessary laboratory testing, field execution procedures, and treatment evaluation methods so that this technology can be a key resource for such operations in the future. The paper describes the process used to design the resin-cement system and how its application was significant to the success of the jobs. By keeping adequate strength and flexibility, this new cement system mitigates the risk of cement sheath failure throughout the life of well. It provides a long-term well integrity solution for any well exposed to a high-pressure environment.

Download Full-text

Value of Cement Bond Logs for Evaluation and Improvement of Cementing Practices in Extended Reach Drilling ERD Wells

10.2118/208115-ms ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Romulo Francisco Bermudez Alvarado ◽

Abdelkerim Doutoum Mahamat Habib ◽

Jamie Scott Duguid ◽

Manish Srivastava ◽

Ruben A. Medina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Valuable Insight ◽

Methods Development ◽

Ultrasonic Technology ◽

Angle Deviation ◽

Zonal Isolation ◽

Primary Cementing ◽

Shale Formation ◽

Intermediate Section ◽

Extended Reach Drilling ◽

Insight Into

Abstract This paper discusses the value of cement logs as the core input to analyze the cement quality and validate the improvements made to cementing designs and practices of the intermediate casing string in Extended-Reach Drilling (ERD) wells. The ERD wells are being drilled from artificial islands in a field offshore in the UAE. The primary cementing objectives are isolating the reservoirs from their sublayers and protecting the casing against possible future corrosion across an upper formation. Cementing challenges include higher angle deviation, higher mud weight requirements resulting from an anisotropic, unstable shale formation present above the reservoir section. Effective reservoir management requires sound zonal isolation to eliminate crossflow between different reservoir units. In combination with standard cement bond logs (CBL), ultrasonic technology has provided detailed information about cement quality and a qualitative indication of casing position in the borehole. These have also led to valuable insight into how continued cementing designs and practices improved zonal isolation. Improvements in cement quality seen as a result of enhanced casing centralization, optimized hydraulic model, modified cement rheology, displacement rate impact, among others, were confirmed with the cement log evaluation program. The paper will present the ultrasonic and standard CBL responses, which support the enhancements made to the cementing design and practices that yield the desired results. The cement quality has been improved in the ERD wells intermediate section through strategic modification in cementing practices. Cement evaluation logs have played a significant role in validating the cementing methods’ development. Consistently improved zonal isolation results have opened up the opportunity for future efficiency gains by eliminating routine CBL.

Download Full-text