Cementing Services

and Products Catalog

Cementing Services
and Products Catalog
© Schlumberger 2003
Schlumberger
225 Schlumberger Drive
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-
copying and recording, without prior written permission
of the publisher.
TSL-4274

An asterisk (*) is used throughout this document to denote a mark of Schlumberger.

†NExT is a mark of NExT.
‡InstanSeal is a mark of Den norske stats oljeselskap a.s. (Statoil).
Netscape® is a registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.
Window® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
 Contents

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Reservoir solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
Quality, health, safety and environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Key cementing technology highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Deepwater cementing products and services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Deepwater slurries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
DeepCRETE deepwater cementing solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FlexSTONE Cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
DeepCEM additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Well stress analysis software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CemCADE software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Advanced plug placement module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Offshore cementing skids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
DeepSea EXPRES offshore plug launching system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Surface dart launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Subsea tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
A gas migration control service—GASBLOK service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Gas flow risk analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Routes for gas migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CemCADE software—placement and postplacement risk analysis . . . . . . . . . . 10
Cement slurry design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
High risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Low risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Slurry properties for gas migration control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Cement placement design and execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Lost circulation systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Lost Circulation Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Cementing Services and Products ■ Contents iii

 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
InstanSeal system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
InstanSeal Cement system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ShearSEAL lost circulation fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
PERMABLOK system for plugging zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
CemNET advanced fiber cement to control losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
ZONELOCK S sealing system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
ZONELOCK SC permanent system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Mud removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
WELLCLEAN II engineering solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Pipe centralization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Displacement regimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Fluids design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
WELLCLEAN II simulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
WELLCLEAN II advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Chemical washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
MUDPUSH spacers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
InterACT wellsite monitoring and control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

iv Cementing Services and Products

 Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
CemCADE cementing design and evaluation software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Stress analysis model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
i-Handbook oilfield data handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
CemCRETE concrete-based oilwell cementing technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
LiteCRETE low-density slurry system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
DeepCRETE deepwater cementing solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
DensCRETE advanced cement technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SqueezeCRETE remedial cementing solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
CemSTONE Advanced Cement Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
FlexSTONE Advanced Cement Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
DuraSTONE Advanced Cement Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Cementing slurry systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Lightweight cements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
LiteCRETE cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
D049 lightweight cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Foamed cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Cementing Services and Products ■ Contents v

 Improved bonding cements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
FlexSTONE cement—advanced flexible cement technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
WELBOND cement—improved bonding cement system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
SALTBOND cement—cement system for cementing across salt zones . . . . . . 55
RFC regulated fill-up cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
SELFSTRESS expanding cement system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Fast strength development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
DeepCEM Cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
ARCTICSET cement—cement system for use through permafrost . . . . . . . . . . 57
Right-angle set cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Cements for harsh environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Acid-resistant cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Carbon dioxide-resistant cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Synthetic cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
UniSLURRY cement systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
UNIFLAC unified fluid-loss additive for cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
UNISET set control additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Cementing additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Accelerators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Antifoam and defoam agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Antigelation agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
DeepCEM additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Dispersants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Expanding additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Extenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Fluid-loss control additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Gas migration control additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Lost circulation control materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Retarders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Surfactants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Special additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Suspending and antisettling agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Thixotropic additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
UniSLURRY additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Weighting agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Spacers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Chemical washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

vi Cementing Services and Products

 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
CemSTREAK land cementing unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
CPF-376 double-pump cement trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
CPT-372 double-pump cement truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Offshore cementing skids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Standard equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Optional equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
LAS liquid additive system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
CemCAT cementing computer-aided treatment software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
SFM-C process control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Nonradioactive densitometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Execution analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Postcementing analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Cement evaluation services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Sonic services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
SlimAccess tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
SCMT Slim Cement Mapping Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Ultrasonic services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Cementing Services and Products ■ Contents vii

 USI UltraSonic Imager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Cement integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Pipe integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Nonstandard environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Marks of Schlumberger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

viii Cementing Services and Products

 Preface

Reservoir solutions
Schlumberger has been supplying products and services to the oil and gas industry for more than
75 years. Our trained, highly qualified professionals team with operating companies to maximize
asset values with reservoir solutions that combine best practices and advanced oilfield tech-
nologies with service quality and environmentally sound operations.
As exploration and production activities have expanded, our relationships with operating
companies have evolved. Today, we provide many services which help in finding hydrocarbons,
constructing and completing wells to produce them, and stimulating the wells to maximize their
production. We do this from service locations in all oil- and gas-producing areas of the world. We
are committed to providing real-time solutions that make the finding and production of oil and
gas more cost effective and that maximize recoverable reserves.
With the movement toward a more holistic approach to oil and gas development, geoscientists
and engineers gain a thorough understanding of the reservoir by using exploration and produc-
tion product technology, field services, and project management skills along with software and
information management services integrated with information technology (IT). Using this
approach, the value of the reservoir is increased and the capital expenditures and negative cash
flow are minimized.

Exploration Delineation Development Maturity

Maximize
production

+ Accelerate Maximize
production recovery

Cash
flow Time

Minimize Defer
Minimize opex abandonment
capex
–

Reservoir optimization Traditional development

Cementing Services and Products ■ Preface ix

 Cementing plays a role in this process by providing zonal isolation in the wellbore. High-
quality zonal isolation allows more accurate well testing to define the reservoir, maximizes recov-
ery at the least cost (reduced costs for produced water and its disposal), and provides more
effective stimulation through placement focused on the reservoir, more effective enhanced recov-
ery and reduced abandonment costs.

Research and development

Research has been a fundamental commitment since Schlumberger was founded in 1927. Despite
fluctuations in business activity, our long-term commitment to research and development (R&D)
is unwavering. During the market turndown in the late 1980s, we continued to spend heavily in
R&D and we now invest nearly $1 million a day in research for oil and gas applications.
Schlumberger employs top-level scientists, engineers and support personnel recruited from
the best technical universities worldwide. Our research teams are multidisciplinary, embracing
physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, statistics, computer science, signal process-
ing, instrumentation, earth science, and solid and fluid mechanics.
Our global R&D network provides a stimulating environment for the development of advanced
technologies. This network includes
■ Schlumberger-Doll Research, Ridgefield, Connecticut, a center of excellence for oilfield
research since the 1940s
■ Schlumberger Cambridge Research, Cambridge, England, which has been developing new
concepts and techniques to help oil and gas companies find and produce hydrocarbons
since 1981
■ Schlumberger Austin Research, Austin, Texas, at the leading edge of information technology
development since 1989
■ Schlumberger Stavanger Research, Stavanger, Norway, established in 1999 as our first
research satellite to conduct research activities at strategic locations around the world
■ Moscow Research, established in Moscow, Russia, in 2002

■ Dhahran Research, established in Dhahran in 2001

■ Schlumberger Reservoir Completions Center, near Houston, Texas, launched in 1999 to

develop products and services for intelligent completions.

x Cementing Services and Products

 Quality, health, safety and environment
At Schlumberger we strive to continually improve the quality of our products and services; to pro-
tect the health, safety and property of our employees, our customers, our contractors and third
parties; and to safeguard the environment in communities where we live and work. This proac-
tive approach results in greater efficiency; reduced accidents, pollution and waste; and a more
healthful workplace.
Quality, health, safety and environment (QHSE) training, provided through state-of-the-art
learning techniques, is mandatory for all Schlumberger personnel. All new employees receive
both general and job-specific QHSE orientation prior to their first work assignments, and
employees transferring to new positions or locations receive formal orientation about specific
QHSE issues related to their new work environment. Our suppliers and contractors are evaluated,
qualified and selected based on their ability to deliver a quality product or service in a safe,
healthy and environmentally acceptable manner.
Schlumberger practices go beyond environmental compliance. As stewards of the environ-
ment, we take proactive steps toward recognizing and eliminating detrimental practices.
QHSE requirements are incorporated into all stages of product design, development and
delivery. Prior to initiating a project or delivering a service, a formal assessment is conducted to
ensure that all QHSE aspects have been addressed.

Training
Schlumberger training is continuous—employees receive both formal and on-the-job training
throughout their careers. We periodically assess all our training programs for content, quality and
effectiveness, and we employ the latest technology to ensure that our training remains “best in
class.”
Our training emphasizes the use of IT. We have developed on-line and CD-ROM training modules
and achieve full use of IT by providing worldwide connectivity to the internal Schlumberger
communications network and to the Internet. Both new employees and those studying for
advancement can use the Internet for their training courses.
Schlumberger technical training programs sponsor on-line, in-house and field training in all
phases of equipment selection, application and operation, as well as effective design, execution
and evaluation. Structured training programs and seminars provide the latest information and
technical knowledge, and we conduct directed learning programs and seminars around the
world.
Within Schlumberger, no education is ever really complete. Methods and techniques change,
as do market conditions and regulatory guidelines. Following formal university and in-house
training, employees continue to gain knowledge through experience and pre- and postjob ses-
sions in which principles and practices are continually improved.
The NExT† Network of Excellence in Training, an alliance of Heriot-Watt University in
Scotland, Texas A&M University, the University of Oklahoma and Schlumberger, provides training
that fills a learning gap for working professionals, both within and outside the company, to help
them diversify their skill sets and learn about emerging technologies. Delivery methods include
traditional classrooms, mentor-supported on-line distance learning, CD-ROM self-study programs
and custom on-site courses.
Our policy is to attract the very best graduates, then train and develop them. The majority of
Schlumberger managers started in the field directly after graduating.

Preface xi
 Key cementing technology highlights
Our high-quality cementing solutions are based on application of best practices, environmentally
sound wellsite operations and innovative technology with safety as a highest priority. That tech-
nology includes Advanced Cement Technology, CemSTREAK* rapid deployment cementers, deep-
water cementing with DeepCRETE* cement and DeepCEM* additives, and UniSLURRY* cement
systems.
Advanced Cement Technology increases the solids content of slurries by optimizing blends of
several particles with different sizes in which the smallest particles fill the spaces between larger
particles. Because of the higher solids content, the cement has greater strength, reduced per-
meability and greater resistance to corrosive fluids.
The CemSTREAK unit is a lightweight, low-maintenance truck with four-wheel drive. It can
handle almost any cementing application, even in hard-to-reach well locations. Equipment
design makes rig-up, rig-down, cleanup and movement to next location fast and efficient. This
design allows a single unit and crew to cement as many as six wells in one day.
In deepwater cementing, DeepCRETE slurries, with their excellent slurry and set-cement
properties, are combined with DeepCEM additives, providing improved rheology, rapid strength
development and high strength. Compared with conventional cement technology, these tech-
nologies reduce the risk of shallow flow and shorten the waiting-on-cement (WOC) time and its
associated high cost.
UniSLURRY systems can be used for all types of cementing operations, including casing, liner,
squeeze and plug cementing. Similarly, the additives are functional throughout the range of appli-
cation conditions. This versatility simplifies the logistics of offshore cementing by reducing the
number and quantity of additives that have to be transported and stored.

xii Cementing Services and Products

 Introduction

Schlumberger provides high-quality services for well construction and remedial applications.
These services are based on best practices, environmentally sound wellsite operations and
innovative technology and always have safety as a first priority.
Cementing is a process used to support and protect the casings in a well and to achieve or
renew zonal isolation. Zonal isolation is required to prevent liquids or gases from flowing from
one zone to another within the wellbore. This isolation allows the completion and production
and subsequent abandonment of the well at the lowest possible cost. Isolation allows more
accurate well testing to define the reservoir, maximum recovery at the least cost (reduced costs
for produced water and disposal), more effective stimulation through placement focused on the
reservoir, more effective enhanced recovery and reduced abandonment costs. Without isolation,
the cost of each of these processes is increased and its effectiveness is reduced.
When isolation is not achieved by the primary cement job (cementation of the casing string)
a squeeze job is required to correct the deficiency. Squeeze jobs are also used during the well’s
life to meet changing objectives as the well and field age.
Occasionally, cement plugs are set in the well to allow changes in drilling. Plugs are also used
to isolate intervals within the well when it is depleted and abandoned.
All these cementing treatments require careful design of the cement systems to provide the
required properties of the slurry before setting and of the cement once it is in place and set.
Designs must consider the conditions in the well at the time of cement placement as well as
conditions that may occur at any time during the life of the well. In addition to the design of the
slurry and set-cement properties, the mechanics of the placement process must be designed to
accomplish optimal mud removal and cement placement. On location, the cement must be
properly mixed to achieve the required properties and pumped into place, maintaining the
integrity of the well.
To achieve the cementing objectives, various additives can be used to modify the slurry and
set-cement properties. Specific cement slurry systems are employed to meet especially demand-
ing applications. A new, innovative approach to cementing is Advanced Cement Technology. This
technology utilizes principles from the concrete industry, specially adapted for oilfield use, to for-
mulate slurries with lower water content. These advanced principles eliminate the problems of
conventional slurries, which require high water content for optimal pumpability that ultimately
reduces the compressive strength of the set cement.
This Advanced Cement Technology has two families; CemCRETE* concrete-based oilwell
cementing technology and CemSTONE* technology. CemCRETE technology increases the solids
content of the slurry using a custom-designed particle-size distribution. More solids in the
cement mean greater compressive strength, reduced permeability and greater resistance to
corrosive fluids. CemSTONE technology uses this high solids content together with particles
having specific properties to modify the set-cement performance (such as durability, flexibility
and expansion) to the needs of the well. Using stress analysis modeling software, cements can
be designed with properties to provide isolation for the life of the well.

Cementing Services and Products ■ Introduction 1

 Our cementing software is used worldwide by Schlumberger engineers. CemCADE* cement-
ing design and evaluation software, which allows simulation based on well data and formation
conditions, is used to plan the proper placement of the slurries and ensure the integrity of the
well is not compromised. DESC* design and evaluation services for clients improves communi-
cations and solutions development by placing a dedicated Schlumberger engineer in the client's
office with access to information hubs, technology centers and the most complete family of
application software in the industry.
Purpose-built and highly specialized mixing and pumping equipment is employed to properly
execute the treatment, while the CemCAT* monitoring and recording system provides a record
of the treatment. Use of the CemCAT record, along with design parameters and placement and
isolation evaluations such as those provided by USI* UltraSonic Imager logs, allows the design
engineer and service team to make performance enhancements and use principles of continuous
improvement to enhance the value of the cementing process.

2 Cementing Services and Products

 Services

Deepwater cementing products and services

Deepwater drilling poses unique challenges for cementing. Large-diameter casings are set in
poorly consolidated formations, frequently with a narrow pore-fracture pressure window and
high potential for shallow-flow hazards (water or gas). Compounding the problems is the low
temperature found at the sea bottom and the first few thousand feet below mudline. With sub-
sea wellheads, launching cement wiper plugs is also more complicated. Logistically, the distance
from shore makes versatility in cement slurry design an important consideration. Add to this the
difficulty of remedial work in the deepwater environment, and annular sealing throughout the
life of the well becomes more critical.
Abnormally pressured sands, with a high probability of shallow-water or gas flow, character-
ize many deepwater geological environments. Such flows present problems in cementing opera-
tions, affecting the integrity of the well. Consequences of uncontrolled shallow flows include
subsidence, compromised seafloor stability, loss of well support and buckling of structural cas-
ing, and compromised wellbore integrity, resulting in well control problems and potential loss of
the well and supporting structures.
Schlumberger provides innovative products and services for solutions to deepwater cement-
ing challenges. DeepCRETE slurries, DeepCEM additives and GASBLOK* gas migration control
slurries deliver the properties necessary to provide rapid setting, control of potential flows and
the long-term isolation needed to ensure the integrity of the well and protect the environment.
The DeepSea EXPRES* offshore plug launching system allows the efficient release of bottom and
top wiper plugs in subsea cementing heads to prevent cement contamination and control dis-
placement. Engineers use CemCADE software, proven over two decades, for placement design
and to assure well security and control. Offshore cementing skids, built for performance and reli-
ability, provide the means to efficiently mix and pump the high-quality slurries required in this
tough cementing environment.

Innovative deepwater cementing solutions provide effective and efficient cementation

of wells drilled in deepwater.

Cementing Services and Products ■ Services 3

 Deepwater slurries
DeepCRETE cement slurry systems are based on CemCRETE Advanced Cement Technology.
DeepCEM additives minimize risk of shallow flow, enhance strength development, reduce WOC
time and provide low permeability of the set cement.
When needed, FlexSTONE* Advanced Cement Technology slurries can be employed to provide
set-cement durability, with annular cement sheaths able to withstand changing downhole
stresses without failing.

DeepCRETE deepwater cementing solution

The DeepCRETE deepwater cementing solution is a combination of efficient technologies pro-
ducing slurries that let you cement weak deepwater zones where low temperature and potential
shallow flow exist, yet quickly return to drilling. DeepCRETE technology, which provides low-
density slurries with excellent strength and low permeability, is ideal in the environment encoun-
tered in deepwater well construction. Without requiring special equipment or personnel,
DeepCRETE slurries isolate the formation with a light cement that develops strength rapidly.
This is done using the CemCRETE concept and DeepCEM liquid additives to deliver short tran-
sition time and rapid setting at low temperatures. With CemCRETE technology, permeability
and strength are independent of slurry density and superior to those of conventional cements.
See page 40 for additional information on CemCRETE Advanced Cement Technology.

FlexSTONE Cement
FlexSTONE systems offer mechanical properties that can be engineered to meet the changing
stresses in the wellbore; excellent flexibility and chemical resistance while maintaining lower
permeability and good compressive strength. FlexSTONE systems, with these properties cus-
tomized to the well, will resist stresses and maintain isolation. These slurries also expand to seal
any microannulus. FlexSTONE cements are engineered to be more flexible than the formation
they seal, and expansion of the cement sheath occurs both outwards (toward the formation) and
inwards (toward the casing), thus assuring complete hydraulic isolation.
See page 48 for additional information on FlexSTONE Advanced Cement Technology.

DeepCEM additives
DeepCEM liquid cementing additives were created for short transition time and early compres-
sive strength development. Such properties are necessary for isolation and early casing release
to ensure successful cementation in the unconsolidated, low-temperature environment of the
surface and conductor casings in deepwater wells. When combined with Schlumberger GASBLOK
gas migration control technology, DeepCEM slurries provide the solution to shallow gas or water
flow control. These additives can be used in foamed cement slurries.
Use of these systems allows elimination of the special blends often needed to overcome chal-
lenges related to low temperature in deep ocean drilling.
DeepCEM additives include the nonretarding dispersant (D185) and cement set enhancer
(D186). The nonretarding dispersant provides the dispersion required for good slurry design
without retardation at low temperatures. Even at the low temperatures encountered in deep-
water wells, D186 set enhancer is more effective for early strength development than standard
cement accelerators such as calcium chloride.

4 Cementing Services and Products

 Well stress analysis software
Stress analysis modeling software is used to identify potential well stresses and their magnitude
throughout the life of the well. Engineers then design the appropriate set-cement properties to
withstand these stresses. Where required, FlexSTONE systems are designed with the properties
identified using this software. FlexSTONE systems are purpose-built to offer control over proper-
ties not possible with conventional oilwell cement. These include such set properties as flexi-
bility and expansion for continuous well integrity and zonal isolation for the life of the well.

CemCADE software
CemCADE software can be used to design all primary cementing operations, from large-diameter
conductor casing to the deepest liners. Use of CemCADE software helps the engineer ensure that
well security is respected at all times and at all points in the well during the cementing treat-
ment. By coupling centralization calculations with a numerical fluid placement simulator,
CemCADE software allows easy flow regime and annular flow rate selection. It also aids in design
of wash, spacer and slurry for optimum displacement of mud and cement placement.
Displacement optimization helps to prevent channeling, ensuring zonal isolation.
The program utilities and underlying physics are enhanced continually to reflect the latest
developments in cementing technology. Of particular interest for deepwater operations are the
temperature simulator, gas migration predictor, and swab and surge pressures calculator. The
temperature simulator allows a calculation of fluid and wellbore temperatures that considers
wellbore environment parameters such as seawater temperature and current. Better knowledge
of the temperature makes selection of retarder or accelerator concentration more accurate as
well as allows WOC time determination based on modeled wellbore temperatures.

Advanced plug placement module

Due to the high operating cost in deepwater, time for any operation must be minimized. This is
especially true when setting cement plugs. A module assists engineers in designing plugs to
minimize contamination during placement, resulting in much higher plug-setting success. This
success minimizes the need for repeat plugging operations, thus saving valuable rig time.
See page 29 for additional information on CemCADE software.

Offshore cementing skids

The performance and versatility of Schlumberger skid-mounted cementing units make them the
best option for offshore, high-pressure pumping services. These state-of-the-art units, capable of
delivering up to 1490 kW [2000 hhp] of power, can be used as backup or supplemental mud pumps
as well as efficient cementing units. Power to drive the pumps comes from high-performance
diesel engines or air-cooled electric motors.
These units are fitted with state-of-the-art sensors for data acquisition and monitoring, and an
optional remote control system permits operation of the unit from an adjacent control room.
When a Schlumberger SLURRY CHIEF* cement mixer is used in combination with the skid,
cement-mixing rates of more than 1.9 m3/min [12 bbl/min] can be achieved for optimal job exe-
cution.
See page 83 for additional information on offshore cementing skids.

Services 5
Cement mixing and pumping units are specially designed for use on offshore drilling rigs.

Liquid additive metering systems provide versatility in the ability to adjust cement slurry prop-
erties right up to the time of the cementing treatment. This is especially beneficial in deepwater
operations, because the requirements may not be known until the hole section is drilled. If dry-
blended cements were used, there would be considerable time spent waiting for testing, blend-
ing and delivery if requirements are not known until the section is drilled.

DeepSea EXPRES offshore plug launching system

The Schlumberger DeepSea EXPRES offshore plug launching system is a remotely operated sys-
tem for releasing cementing wiper plugs from a subsea tool. It combines a design for safety with
highly functional, high-quality plugs to provide a reliable system for launching plugs in a subsea
system. This system uses solid plugs, which are more reliable than the flow-through type. Plugs
are released with minimum or no shutdown of the cementing operation.

Applications
■ Casings hung from subsea hangers
■ Top and bottom plug operation in casing sizes from 244 to 508 mm [95⁄8 to 20 in.]

Benefits
■ Dart release takes only seconds, reducing rig time.
■ Uninterrupted pumping improves mud removal.
■ High pumping rates allow improved mud removal.
■ Casing pressure test can be combined with bump.
■ Casing running tool can be activated without removing treating lines.
■ Remote operation improves safety.

Features
■ Wiper plugs are efficiently designed.
■ Fluids are not pumped through the plugs.
■ Plugs do not contact casing wall during rig-up.
■ Surface pressure provides positive indication of each plug release.
■ Plug launch qualified at flow rates up to 1.9 m3/min [12 bbl/min].
■ Optional three plugs separate up to four fluids.

6 Cementing Services and Products

 Surface dart launcher
A surface dart launcher (SDL) holds the darts, which are launched during the cementing opera-
tion. When they reach the subsea tool, these darts release the casing wiper plugs. The standard
configuration can hold two darts up to 610 mm [24 in.] long. The SDL is modular, so additional
hardware can be added to launch more darts.
Fluids are pumped around the outside of the dart holder. To launch a dart, the EXPRES*
system power pack, operated from the rig floor, rotates the valve a quarter turn. This rotation
aligns a hole in the valve body with the dart and launches the dart.
The SDL offers full top-drive compatibility. The fluid inlet swivel provides two 50.8-mm [2-in.]
WECO connections and permits pipe rotation with the treating lines attached. The 114.3-mm
NC50 [41⁄2-in. IF] connections at top and bottom allow the entire string to be supported and
rotated. Both circulating mud and displacement fluid can be pumped through the topdrive.
Darts offer several advantages over “free fall” balls. The darts wipe the inside of the drillpipe
and separate the fluids to prevent contamination. They also provide positive fluid displacement.
The time and uncertainty spent waiting for a ball to reach the downhole assembly are eliminated.

DeepSea EXPRESS offshore plug launching system is a reliable tool for releasing cement wiper
plugs when subsea hangers are used.

Services 7
 Subsea tool
The subsea tool (SST) retains the casing wiper plugs until they are released by the arrival of the
darts. Hydraulic pressure acting through the dart and a rod releases the plugs. The SST accepts
up to three plugs for 219- to 340-mm [85⁄8- to 133⁄8-in.] casing or two plugs for 406- to 508-mm
[16- to 20-in.] casing.
The deepwater cementing products and services portfolio of Schlumberger provides all the
components required to provide zonal isolation for the life of the well.

A gas migration control service—GASBLOK service

Gas migration, or annular gas flow, is a problem that has plagued the industry for many years.
There is no one cause of gas migration, nor is there any one solution to it. To effectively control
gas migration, the nature of the problem must be understood so that the proper techniques can
be applied. This implies a careful analysis of the potential for flow as well as an integrated
approach to its control. During this analysis, one must consider not only the potentially produc-
tive intervals, but also the intervals that may not be economically productive, including gas
stringers, which can exist behind any casing string.
Among the reasons for gas migration are an uncemented channel, failure to maintain over-
balance pressure before and during cementing, loss of overbalance pressure after cement place-
ment, development of flow paths after cement setting, and insufficiently low permeability to
prevent gas from flowing through the set-cement matrix. Obviously, each of these arises from dif-
ferent mechanisms. Therefore, control of gas migration must address the totality of the sources
for flow.
Controlling gas migration takes much more than just complex cement slurry design. Slurry
design addresses only one facet of the complex problem, albeit a very key one. An element of the
overall process of controlling gas flow is achieving zonal isolation through the intervals contain-
ing the gas. An additional element is maintaining overbalance pressure during the critical tran-
sition period. The final element is preventing gas from migrating along the annulus. The
GASBLOK service considers these elements as three phases of the process: remove the drilling
fluid to provide the proper environment for zonal isolation, delay gas entry, impede propagation
of the gas.

8 Cementing Services and Products

 Each of these phases requires careful analysis and design to achieve the desired overall
result—a well that is free of gas migration. The first step, that of achieving zonal isolation, is
accomplished by the cement, but only after the drilling fluid has been removed from the wellbore
to allow cement to fully occupy the annulus between the borehole and the casing. Mud removal
is accomplished by techniques that have been developed by Schlumberger through the years, cul-
minating in the WELLCLEAN II* engineering solution for mud removal. This solution considers
the factors that impact mud removal and provides a systematic approach to removal of mud.
The second step is to design the placement process so that an overbalanced condition is main-
tained until late in the transition of the cement from a liquid to a solid. The nature of the setting
process makes it difficult to maintain overbalanced pressure; after placement, cement undergoes
a gradual gelation, resulting in loss of hydrostatic pressure. Ideally, the pressure is maintained
above formation pressure until the cement is set. In practical terms, this is extremely difficult to
do. Another option is to minimize the time between development of gel strength and setting while
maximizing the overbalanced pressure (without risking breaking the well down). This is done by
analyzing the pressures in the well and employing options that maximize the overbalanced pres-
sure. Several tools in CemCADE cementing design and evaluation software assist in this step.
Obviously, a component of this step is the design of the slurry.
The third step, impeding propagation of the gas, depends on the use of slurries with special
properties so that gas cannot invade and migrate along the cemented annulus. Special proper-
ties, such as those provided by GASBLOK slurries, are required during the critical transition
period as well as after setting. Additionally, to maintain isolation for the life of the well,
CemSTONE Advanced Cement Technology may be required.

Applications
■ Zonal isolation in gas wells
■ Prevention of annular gas migration from nuisance gas stringers

Benefits
■ Minimized risk of gas migration
■ Long-term solution
■ Reduced exposure to hazardous gas flow
■ More trouble-free operations

Features
■ Tailored to specific well conditions
■ Effective at any density
■ Effective at any temperature
■ Compatible with CemCRETE and CemSTONE technologies
■ Integrated solution employing materials and techniques
■ Materials with low environmental impact
■ Engineering tools to assess risk and tailor treatment to severity

Services 9
 Gas flow risk analysis
A risk analysis is an important element in the design for gas migration control. Such an analysis
incorporates knowledge of all the gas sources (from openhole logs and drilling logs), the poten-
tial for gas flow from each source and the potential routes through which gas can migrate.

Routes for gas migration

Gas migrates in a well when the pressure becomes underbalanced. If the cement is in place and
set when this occurs, the potential for flow depends on the integrity of the cement, both its com-
plete filling of the annulus and its mechanical durability. Paths for gas flow develop as a result of
incomplete mud removal (a mud channel), free fluid development in the cement slurry, or an
interfacial gap (microannulus) at the cement-pipe or cement-formation interface. An additional
path can be created if the cement fails mechanically, producing a crack along its length. These
paths can also be created by changing mechanical stresses in the well.
A path can be created if the well becomes underbalanced before the cement has developed
sufficient strength to prevent its propagation through the column; that is, while the cement is
unset. In this case, gas can migrate through the unset cement, forming a channel.

CemCADE software—placement and postplacement risk analysis

CemCADE cementing design and evaluation software has two tools that aid in preventing gas
invasion of the cement before it has developed adequate strength to control gas flow. The first is
a tool common to most cementing simulators, an analysis of the fluids and pressures in the well
during and after the cementing process to determine well security and control. If an underbal-
anced condition develops during cement placement, a warning is given and the fluids and/or
placement process are redesigned.
A second tool, called postplacement analysis module, provides the design engineer with an
indication of the relative risk of gas migration based on the degree of overbalance and the well
geometry. The engineer can then assess variations in slurry placement and treatment execution
variables to propose the lowest-risk method of cementing the well. In cases where the risk is
judged to be small, less-aggressive solutions can be proposed; conversely, if the risk is judged to
be high, more aggressive solutions should be considered.

Very critical Critical Moderate Low Very low

25 Pa 75 Pa 150 Pa 250 Pa
50 lbf/100 ft2 150 lbf/100 ft2 300 lbf/100 ft2 500 lbf/100 ft2
Postplacement analysis provides the design engineer with a relative degree of risk for use in selection of
methods of controlling gas migration.

10 Cementing Services and Products

 Cement slurry design
Slurry design for controlling gas migration requires attention to the entire realm of slurry and set-
cement properties. These include free fluid, fluid loss, rheology, thickening time, gel strength
development, setting profile and set mechanical properties including permeability. In wells with
a high risk of flow, slurries with special properties to stop gas invasion and flow may be required.
Their use is normally based on the perceived risk of gas flow.
After assessment of risk, the design engineer develops the slurry design and placement
accordingly. For scenarios with low risk, control of free fluid, rheology, gel strength development
and fluid loss may be adequate to control gas flow. Where the risk is higher (or uncertain), the
use of more complex slurries with special properties to contain the gas are required.

High risk
Schlumberger slurries for high-risk gas migration scenarios have very special properties. These
slurries are called GASBLOK slurries, proven for over two decades. GASBLOK slurries are part of
the overall GASBLOK technology, a systematic approach to solving the gas migration problem.
These slurries use either a specially designed and patented latex additive or a customized micro-
gel polymer.
The latex provides unique properties to cement slurries and the set cement. Being a suspen-
sion of solids, the latex provides excellent rheological properties and control of gelation without
affecting the hydration process. Free fluid is easily controlled and setting is rapid. The finely
divided latex particles provide efficient pore-blocking in the developing cement matrix during the
transition from liquid to solid and in the set cement. This pore-blocking minimizes the invasion
of the cement by gas and prevents its movement. Microgels provide similar effects, but with spe-
cially designed hydrated polymer particles.
The GASBLOK family of additives includes D500 GASBLOK LT additive, D600G GASBLOK MT
additive, and D700 GASBLOK HT additive for low, moderate and high temperatures, respectively.
A surfactant, D701 GASBLOK stabilizer, is used to control transition time and setting in certain
cases. These additives, used so successfully in controlling gas migration for the past two decades,
have been modified to make them acceptable in more environmentally sensitive areas, such as
the North Sea.

Low risk
When the risk of gas migration is judged to be low, less-aggressive designs are required. Slurries
can be designed with more conventional fluid loss additives in place of the GASBLOK latices or
microgel. Besides fluid loss control, excellent slurry and set properties must still be maintained.

Slurry properties for gas migration control

Laboratory and field evaluations have demonstrated that several properties of cement slurries
are critical in controlling gas migration.

Services 11
 Poor mud High Gel
Free Cement
removal fluid strength
fluid hydration
(rheology) loss development

Bulk Chemical
shrinkage contraction

Result Gas
Gas
■ Interzonal channeling
channeling
communication within
along
■ Pressure-charged cement
interfaces
formations matrix
■ Gas to surface
■ Blowout

Unplanned costs
■ Remedial work
■ Lost production
■ Damage to
equipment
and facilities

Many slurry properties must be correctly designed for success in cementing across
gas-bearing formations.

Fluid loss control is important, because maintaining the proper ratio of water to solids is crit-
ical to maintaining the rheological properties for effective placement of the slurry as well as pre-
venting premature gelation. Premature gelation will lead to long transitions to a set matrix and
result in unacceptably early hydrostatic pressure decay. Such hydrostatic pressure decay would
in turn lead to an underbalanced condition. If occurring before the cement develops a solid
matrix, this situation can easily lead to gas invasion of the cement and migration along the annu-
lus to points of lower pressure.
Simultaneously, the proper water/cement ratio must be designed and maintained to control
slurry stability. An unstable slurry can allow the development of free fluid and/or solid sedimen-
tation. Free fluid can create a water channel in the column of cement, leading to gas flow.
Sedimentation can lead to changes in density of the slurry and result in inadequate fluid pres-
sure to control the formation pressure. An additional impact of the water/cement ratio is that of
the slurry and set-cement permeability. As the water/cement ratio increases, so does the perme-
ability of the cement matrix. A permeable cement matrix makes control of gas more difficult; if
permeability is sufficiently high, there may be migration through the matrix after setting.

12 Cementing Services and Products

 The setting behavior of the cement is important for several reasons. Initially, early setting
determines the relationship of strength development to hydrostatic pressure decay (and under-
balance and gas flow initiation). Subsequently, permeability, shrinkage, expansion and long-term
durability are controlled by the setting behavior. As discussed previously, permeability must be
kept low to minimize or prevent gas flow through the set-cement matrix. Shrinkage can result
in the development of microannuli between the cement and pipe or wellbore wall. Shrinkage
can also result in radial cracking of the cement, which provides another path for gas to flow.
Long-term durability can be enhanced with CemCRETE and CemSTONE Advanced Cement
Technology.
CemCRETE and CemSTONE slurries are highly effective in achieving the properties necessary
for gas migration control. CemCRETE slurries provide low-permeability cement, even at very low
densities. They also have excellent slurry properties (stability, rheology, etc.). CemSTONE slur-
ries have very high durability and, if required, can be designed to expand. When coupled with
GASBLOK technology, both slurry systems provide excellent properties to meet the demanding
requirements for gas migration control.

Cement placement design and execution

The control of gas migration requires more than special slurries. Successful control involves
many elements.
Mud removal design—Mud removal is critical to achieving zonal isolation. Schlumberger
engineers use the advanced WELLCLEAN II technology for designing the flow regime, fluids and
pumping schedule to achieve mud removal.
Coverage of zone of interest—There must be adequate slurry covering all the gas-bearing for-
mations, not just the pay zone.
Maximize overbalanced pressure—Pressure decay, an unavoidable consequence of the
change from slurry to set cement, results in loss of overbalance. By maximizing the overbalance
pressure, the age and therefore the strength of the cement is greater at the time an underbal-
anced condition is reached. The Schlumberger engineer uses the postplacement tool in
CemCADE cementing design software to optimize the overbalanced pressure.
Gas migration risk—The Schlumberger engineer uses the postplacement module of CemCADE
software to evaluate design and operational effects to lower risk of gas flow. Application of
pressure on the annulus following placement, as well as other operational procedure changes,
can reduce the risk.
Well security and control—Throughout the cementing process, the pressures in the well must
be sufficient to control the gas yet not be so high as to cause lost circulation. The U-tube simu-
lator in CemCADE cementing design software provides a plot showing the pressures at all times
during the cementing treatment and aids the engineer in maintaining security and control in
the well.
Hydrostatic-pressure-relieving devices—At times, openhole casing packers are used to isolate
sections of the wellbore. Care must be taken with these devices because they have the effect of
preventing full hydrostatic pressure transmission and can aggravate the problem. Any loss of vol-
ume below the packer (such as by fluid loss) can result in very rapid hydrostatic pressure loss
and subsequent rapid gas migration through the entire section isolated by the packer. Gas pres-
sure can build up beneath the packer and cause failure of the packer.
Well design—Although not a common approach to solving gas migration, changes can be made
to the well design to change the level of risk. Using the postplacement module of CemCADE soft-
ware, the Schlumberger engineer can work with the well design team to evaluate parameters and
redesign the well for the lowest risk for gas flow. An example of a well parameter that plays a part
in gas migration risk is the annular gap size. Increasing the annular gap will lower the risk of gas
migration.
Schlumberger engineers integrate all the elements of gas migration control. The risk analysis,
the complete placement design and the optimum design of the cement slurries minimize the risk
of gas migration, providing zonal isolation and well integrity.

Services 13
 Lost circulation systems
Lost circulation is a frustrating, costly and time-consuming problem. Some of the major conse-
quences of lost circulation include increased cost resulting from
■ poor or no removal of cuttings, requiring additional wiper trips
■ stuck drill pipe
■ excessive mud lost
■ remedial work to cure losses
■ rig time required to cure losses.
Reservoir damage and loss of well are also possible as a result of
■ lack of zonal isolation caused by poor cement coverage
■ formation damage resulting from mud losses
■ blowout after a drop in hydrostatic pressure.
To select the correct technique to effectively solve lost circulation, it is necessary to know the
reasons for the losses; i.e., the type of loss and the drilling history.
Very often lost circulation treatments fail because of a lack of information such as the types of
losses and their relative depths. A lack of knowledge can lead to selection of the wrong treatment,
which usually results in poor success, excessive costs and time, and the frustration caused by
repetitive failures.
Lost circulation can occur at any time in the life of the well. During construction, lost circu-
lation can be encountered while drilling and while cementing. These problems are solved by dif-
ferent methods. A tool for identifying the best solution is the Lost Circulation Advisor.

Lost Circulation Advisor

The Lost Circulation Advisor is software developed jointly by Schlumberger and M-I, LLC. It is a
case-based reasoning tool, used to analyze lost circulation problems and recommend the best
treatment to control the losses. The advisor is a knowledge-management software based on the
field experience and the lost circulation expertise of field engineers. Regardless of the loss type
(partial or complete) and the operation (drilling or cementing), the advisor guides field person-
nel toward the best lost circulation treatment. Based on the input data that include well data,
previous lost circulation treatments, operation (drilling or cementing), estimated loss rate and
openhole stratigraphy, the advisor identifies the type of loss and its depth. Finally, the Lost
Circulation Advisor recommends the best lost circulation treatment from a list of generic and
specialized systems available from M-I, LLC and Schlumberger. Once the best lost circulation
treatment is identified, complete technical data are provided for the design of the treatment.

Applications
■ All types of lost circulation

Benefits
■ A simple software based on knowledge management, not complicated mathematical models
■ A systematic and analytical approach to lost circulation
■ A guide to the best lost circulation treatment and the relative depths
■ Validated cases for more precise solutions
■ A low-cost solution to complex problem

14 Cementing Services and Products

 Features
■ Uses case-based reasoning
■ Identifies whether the losses are to permeable formations, natural or induced fractures, vugs,
or cavernous formations
■ Estimates the depth of losses
■ Identifies the best lost circulation treatment based on the operation (drilling or cementing)
■ Provides technical information for use in designing the recommended treatments

InstanSeal system
The InstanSeal‡ system is a unique technology for combating high mud losses. It is often more
time- and cost-effective than other lost circulation control methods. The InstanSeal system uses
shear activation to trigger formation of a rigid gel. This unique activation method saves crucial
drilling time and money over other lost circulation methods.
The base fluid for InstanSeal lost circulation control is an emulsion. The emulsion contains
gelling polymer and crosslinker in separate phases. The emulsion is converted when the slurry is
pumped through the nozzles in the bit, crosslinking the polymer. This results in rapid action and
excellent control of polymer placement into the loss zone.

Water phase containing

high concentration
of polymer
Oil phase
Crosslinker particle
Cement 500 psi
Emulsion Set gel

Activation of the InstanSeal system is by shearing force rather than chemical action.
This technology makes placement across the loss zone more certain.

Applications
■ Severe lost circulation

Benefits
■ Internally activated
■ Valuable rig time savings
■ Downhole mixing of fluids not required

Features
■ Use to 95°C [200°F]
■ Set time independent of bottomhole temperature (BHT)
■ Can be weighted to 1440 kg/m3 [12 lbm/gal]
■ Requires no tripping
■ Set time short and adjustable
■ Is acid-soluble when set
■ Can be mixed up to 3 weeks before use

Services 15
 InstanSeal Cement system
The InstanSeal Cement system is similar to the InstanSeal system, but has powdered cement
added to the oil phase. Once the emulsion is broken and the system forced into the loss zone, the
cement will become wet with water and will set. This system is used when a more permanent
solution is required. InstanSeal Cement is stable to 110°C [230°F].

ShearSEAL lost circulation fluid

ShearSEAL* shear-activated, high-temperature lost circulation fluid is a highly innovative lost
circulation solution. The system can be used at temperatures to 163°C [325°F]. If necessary, it can
be weighted to 2040 kg/m3 [17 lbm/gal]. It can be mixed using batch-mixing techniques or con-
tinuously with a static, in-line mixer. The crosslinked gel is not shear sensitive, has improved elas-
ticity, exhibits no syneresis and is removable with light acid.
The base fluid for ShearSEAL lost circulation control is an emulsion. The emulsion contains
gelling polymer and crosslinker in the oil phase. The emulsion is converted and the polymer
crosslinked when the slurry is sheared through the nozzles in the bit. For activation, only a
1725-kPa [250-psi] pressure drop at the bit is required. Activation at the bit results in rapid
activation and excellent control of placement of the gelling polymer into the loss zone.
In addition to use for lost circulation control, ShearSEAL system can be used to create support
beneath a cement plug and to fill the rathole during cementing of the casing.

Applications
■ Severe lost circulation
■ Support for cement plugs

Benefits
■ Internally activated
■ Rig time savings
■ No downhole mixing of fluids

Features
■ Use to 163°C [325°F]
■ Set time independent of BHT
■ Can be weighted to 2040 kg/m3 [17 lbm/gal]
■ Requires no tripping
■ Set time short and adjustable
■ Is acid-soluble when set
■ Can be mixed up to 3 weeks before use

16 Cementing Services and Products

 PERMABLOK system for plugging zones
The PERMABLOK* fluid system to permanently plug a zone is used to solve lost circulation prob-
lems (either during drilling or before cementing), plug high-permeability zones and provide con-
solidation of weak formations. Such high permeability can appear as interconnected porosity
within the matrix, or micro- or macrofissures including vugs.
PERMABLOK systems are internally activated solutions with very low initial viscosities. The
solutions have controlled gelling (pumping) times and set to form a rigid, drillable gel. With a
temperature limit of 79°C [175°F], these solids-free liquids have many applications, including
pumping through the bit. PERMABLOK systems can also be used to permanently plug formations
and to consolidate loose formations that threaten, slow or halt drilling.

CemNET advanced fiber cement to control losses

When cement is pumped downhole, some of the cement can be lost into natural fractures, fis-
sures, vugs or highly porous zones even when the fracture pressure is not exceeded. CemNET*
advanced fiber cement is composed of an inert, fibrous material capable of forming a network
across the loss zone, allowing circulation to be regained. The CemNET fibers are engineered to
an optimal size for sealing such loss zones.
CemNET fiber (D095 or D096) is compatible with most cementing systems and additives and
does not affect the cement properties. CemNET fiber is added to the slurry in the mixing tub or
a batch mixer. If CemNET fibers to be used only in the portion of the slurry to be pumped down-
hole where losses are expected to occur. Once dispersed in the slurry, the CemNET fibers create
a physical network that forms a bridge when flowing past loss zones, resulting in control of
losses and improved fill of the cement during treatment.
CemNET fibers seal formations having potential for losses during treatment, reducing both the
amount of cement used and disposal during cleanup. If CemNET fibers are not used, operators
often pump excess cement in anticipation of losses to fractures, fissures, vugs or highly porous
zones. By adding CemNET fibers to the existing cementing program, well costs are lowered.
These cost reductions are a result of smaller excesses of cement needed to achieve returns,
reduced disposal of large excesses returned to surface and, more significantly, reduced remedial
cementing in the event that cement is not returned to surface.
In some cases, the use of CemNET fiber in the cement has resulted in regained returns.

CemNET fibers are inert and require no special handling. They can be readily
dispersed in water-base fluids such as cement. An interlocking network is formed,
allowing the cement to bridge and resume circulation.

Services 17
 Applications
■ Regain circulation while cementing
■ Most cement slurry formulations
■ All temperatures
■ Any slurry density

Benefits
■ Minimizes losses during cementing
■ Raises cement tops
■ Helps prevent cement fallback
■ Reduces the need for costly remedial operations
■ Reduces excess cement requirement
■ Makes cement returns more predictable, thus decreasing disposal costs
■ Provides coverage of loss zones during cementing operations

Features
■ Fibers added directly to the slurry during mixing, without dry blending
■ No effect on cement properties
■ Compatible with most cementing systems and additives
■ Forms bridging network in the slurry

ZONELOCK S sealing system

The ZONELOCK* S permanent zone sealing system is a solution of silicate that forms a rigid,
semipermanent gel when in contact with a heavy calcium or sodium brine. The system is com-
posed of two solutions: one silicate and one calcium chloride. This system is very effective and
works independently of temperature. It can be used to effectively seal problem zones of brine pro-
duction or lost circulation. The solutions can be pumped in multiple stages to cover the zone
more effectively.

ZONELOCK SC permanent system

The ZONELOCK SC system includes the ZONELOCK S system followed by a spacer and then
cement. When the cement contacts the gel resulting from the silicate-calcium brine solution, the
cement sets very rapidly. This ZONELOCK SC system forms a permanent seal that can only be
removed by drilling.

18 Cementing Services and Products

 Mud removal
WELLCLEAN II engineering solution
Effective mud removal is considered the most basic requirement for cementing success. Failure
to achieve removal of mud can result in failure to isolate productive intervals, allowing produc-
tion of unwanted fluids, misapplication of stimulation treatments, and chronic issues of sustained
casing pressure and gas migration. When such conditions exist, additional costs and efforts are
incurred.

Applications
■ Mud removal in oil and gas wells, including deviated, extended-reach, horizontal and injection
wellbores
■ Oil-base mud (OBM) or water-base mud (WBM)

Benefits
■ Enhances zonal isolation
■ Eliminates production of unwanted downhole fluids
■ Reduces occurrence of sustained casing pressure
■ Minimizes casing corrosion through improved cement bonding
■ Reduces remedial operations and their associated costs

Features
■ An engineered approach using specialized tools and products
■ Ability to assess the effect of all relevant parameters on the mud removal process
■ A wide range of flexible preflush systems for all application conditions
■ Proven results in the field
■ Environmentally friendly spacers
Recognizing that effective mud removal cannot be achieved without considering the effect of
all relevant parameters, the WELLCLEAN II engineering solution utilizes innovative products
and tools to design cement placement for effective zonal isolation. These products and tools
include
■ optimized chemical wash systems

■ a wide range of custom spacers for all applications

■ WELLCLEAN II simulator, CemCADE software and WELLCLEAN II advisor engineering tools
■ a testing methodology focused on evaluating the effectiveness of preflushes in removal of
drilling fluids

Pipe centralization
Because fluids in the annulus tend to flow more freely on the wide side, casing centralization is
critical to ensure continuous flow all around the annulus. Schlumberger engineers use the cen-
tralization module of CemCADE software to design the optimum degree of standoff to meet the
requirements for mud removal.

Services 19
 Displacement regimes
Complete mud removal can be achieved using either laminar or turbulent flow regimes. The
choice between the two regimes depends on several parameters and conditions, including well
geometry and fluid properties. The design engineer must analyze all the relevant parameters to
make the right selection. The WELLCLEAN II simulator is a powerful tool for showing critical
results with the chosen fluids and flow regimes. These include such parameters as the percent-
age of cement coverage, the risk of leaving a mud film or channel at the end of the cement job,
and for turbulent flow, the contact time—all as a function of depth and time.

Fluids design
Knowledge of cement and spacer fluid properties is essential to ensure proper zonal isolation.
The effectiveness of each fluid to displace the fluid ahead of it can be checked using the
WELLCLEAN II simulator. Output will clearly predict channeling that exists between the fluids.
WELLCLEAN II simulator output guides the design engineer to improve mud displacement
through modification of spacer and cement properties and flow parameters.

WELLCLEAN II simulator
Ensuring complete zonal isolation is the ultimate goal of cementing operations. However, fre-
quently this goal is not achieved. Because incomplete mud removal is a repeated source of unex-
pected costs for operators, every effort should be made to ensure critical zonal isolation on the
primary cement job.
A two-dimensional numerical simulator, the WELLCLEAN II simulator uses computational
fluid dynamics to predict the process of cement placement. Based on well geometry and trajec-
tory, downhole fluid properties, volumes, pump rates, and casing centralization, Schlumberger
engineers predict the efficiency of mud removal and identify whether a mud channel will be left.
Using the WELLCLEAN II simulator, engineers can make the necessary design changes to opti-
mize the operation and achieve zonal isolation.
The design engineer uses visually displayed displacement patterns produced by the
WELLCLEAN II simulator as a guide to the most efficient and complete form of mud removal.

Applications
■ Mud removal and cement placement to achieve zonal isolation in vertical, extended-reach and
horizontal wells

Benefits
■ Enhanced zonal isolation
■ Reduced costs associated with mud removal through optimized job design
■ Predictable results validated by physical experiments and field performance

Features
■ Accurate rheological description of fluids (Herschel-Bulkley model)
■ Simulation of fluid placement in turbulent and laminar flow
■ Maps of fluid position and concentration in annulus
■ Maps of fluid velocity and flow regime
■ Animated view of fluid displacement process as a function of job time
■ View of potential detrimental contact between mud and cement during displacement

20 Cementing Services and Products

 Fluids Mud risk Fluids Mud risk
concentration on the concentration on the
map wall map wall
4600 4600

5000 5000

5400 5400
Depth Depth
(ft) (ft)
5800 5800

6200 6200

Wide Narrow Wide Wide Narrow Wide Wide Narrow Wide Wide Narrow Wide

Mud High
Spacer Medium
Cement Low
None

Modeling allows the engineer to analyze various mud removal scenarios and
select the best one to achieve zonal isolation.

WELLCLEAN II advisor
The WELLCLEAN II advisor design tool greatly facilitates the selection and adjustment of addi-
tive concentrations in spacer fluids for the optimal rheological properties to achieve the ultimate
goal of mud displacement and zonal isolation. This software reduces engineering and laboratory
time through recommendation of additive concentrations for the specific mud removal scenario
(flow regime, required fluid properties) at the temperature of the well.

Chemical washes
Chemical washes are used if increased density is not needed for well control and turbulent flow
is required. These fluids have a density and viscosity close to those of water or oil. When pumped
ahead of the cement slurry, they assist in mud removal by diluting, thinning, and dispersing mud
and by water-wetting the casing surface, improving the quality of the bond between the cement
and the casing and formation.
When oil-base fluid is used for drilling, base oil is often the first preflush fluid and is followed
by chemical washes containing surfactants and/or solvents.
Schlumberger offers a comprehensive line of MUDCLEAN* chemical washes for all applications.

Table 3-1. Schlumberger Chemical Washes

Name Function Type Mud Removed
MUDCLEAN WBM Disperse and thin drilling fluids WBM

MUDCLEAN OBM Disperse, thin and invert the emulsion OBM

of OBM drilling fluids; water-wet
the casing for better bonding

Services 21
 Applications
■ Cementing jobs where a light preflush is pumped in turbulent flow

Benefits
■ Improved bonding and hydraulic isolation

Features
■ Displace mud by thinning, turbulence and erosion
■ Preflushes for any type mud
■ Compatible with cement slurries
■ Compatible with WBM and OBM
■ Leave surfaces water-wet
■ Easy to mix in the field

Chemical washes are lightweight, thin fluids that remove mud by turbulent flow.

MUDPUSH spacers
Spacers are weighted fluids that provide a compatible buffer between the drilling fluid and the
cement slurry and offer control of rheological and flow properties. They can be designed for tur-
bulent or laminar flow regimes. Performance of the spacer is optimized using engineering tools
such as the WELLCLEAN II simulator. Their effective use results in displacement of drilling fluid
around and along the annulus for effective zonal isolation.

22 Cementing Services and Products

MUDPUSH II spacer properties are engineered in the laboratory to optimize
mud removal in the field.

To provide effective mud removal, Schlumberger offers a wide range of MUDPUSH* spacer flu-
ids to suit zonal isolation criteria under all well conditions.
Schlumberger offers a comprehensive line of MUDCLEAN chemical washes for all applications.
Depending on well conditions and on the fluid properties, the spacer is designed to be pumped

Table 3-2. Schlumberger Spacers

Name Base Fluid Density Flow Regime Temperature Type Mud Removed
(kg/m3 [lbm/gal]) Limit (°C [°F])
MUDPUSH II Water (up to 20% salt) 1200–2400 [10–20] Turbulent or laminar 149 [300] WBM or OBM

MUDPUSH WHT Water (any salinity) 1560–2400 [13–20] Laminar 232 [450] WBM or OBM

in either turbulent or laminar flow. Performance of the spacer is optimized using engineering
tools such as the WELLCLEAN II simulator.
The MUDPUSH II spacer properties are specially formulated to address environmental con-
cerns. Properties include lower toxicity, better biodegradation and lower bioaccumulation to pro-
duce a minimal impact on the environment.
MUDPUSH II spacers have less retarding effect on the cement than earlier versions of spac-
ers. Any contaminated cement slurry is subject to less delay in strength development. This proves
critical, especially at tops of liners when relatively fast strength development is required.
In wells drilled with an oil-base drilling fluid, the proper surfactant and, in some instances, a
solvent, are tailored to the base oil. These surfactants and solvents are added to basic MUDPUSH
spacer to disperse the oil phase into water and provide a water-wet surface for better bonding to
the cement.
Services 23
 Applications
■ All cementing operations to 232°C [450°F]

Benefits
■ Turbulent or laminar flow displacement
■ Predictable displacement along the entire cemented interval
■ Good fluid loss control over a wide density and temperature range

Features
■ Density range from 1200 to 2400 kg/m3 [10 to 20 lbm/gal] or 1560 to 2400 kg/m3 [13 to 20 lbm/gal]
for MUDPUSH WHT spacer
■ Compatible with cement
■ Excellent suspension properties
■ Compatible with fresh water, salt water or seawater
■ Compatible with all drilling fluids (water- and oil-base)
■ Stable rheological profile with increasing temperature
■ Excellent reproducibility between laboratory and field performance
■ Extremely stable
■ Easy to mix in the field

In the upper log, a conventional spacer resulted in poor isolation in the permeable section
(140-mm [51⁄2-in.] liner at inclination of 55° with 1800-kg/m3 [15-lbm/gal]) cement. The lower
log shows a 178-mm [7-in.] liner in a horizontal well cemented with lightweight cement and
using MUDPUSH II spacer for mud removal.

24 Cementing Services and Products

 InterACT wellsite monitoring and control system: Remote real-time
data delivery for cementing and pressure testing operations
The InterACT* wellsite monitoring and control system provides Web-based data delivery with
secure real-time, two-way communication that makes oilfield data and information available any-
where desired by the user.
By allowing authorized personnel easy access to project information through an online
Internet workspace, the InterACT system promotes teamwork and collaboration in the decision-
making process. Files of all standard data types and formats can be exchanged, including drilling
reports and programs, mud logs and reports, wireline and logging-while-drilling logs, well stimu-
lation data, and surface and subsurface production data.
Using this system, engineers can prepare precise, timely cementing designs by gathering data
from the historical file of the well. The cementing proposals can then be communicated to all
operating company personnel who need the information. Data from wireline logs and well para-
meters can be easily collected by the design engineer and communicated to others involved in
the cementing operation. Data can be easily communicated to laboratory or operations person-
nel with minimal effort and error-free.
Data from many sources, including openhole logs, cementing operations and cement evalua-
tion logs, can be viewed simultaneously. An evaluation based on all the data makes the decision
on zonal isolation easier and faster in what is often a critical point in the operation.

Applications
■ Remote data transmission
■ Remote monitoring of wellsite operations
■ Two-way communication and distribution of real-time cementing, leakoff test (LOT),
formation integrity test (FIT) and completion test information
■ Cement evaluation
■ Remote monitoring and decision-making on squeeze cementing
■ Sharing of data among selected parties
■ Supervisory control of remote assets
■ Distribution of cementing laboratory reports

Benefits
■ Secure connection to confidential data
■ Real-time worldwide access to data through the Internet or an intranet
■ Speedy communication of well data such as caliper and survey information for cementing
design
■ Simultaneous review of data from many sources for cement evaluation
■ Real-time decision-making
■ Promotion of teamwork and collaboration
■ Real-time access to Schlumberger experts
■ Time and expense of travel to wellsite saved
■ Fewer safety and environmental hazards

Services 25
 Features
■ No communication infrastructure or specialized software required
■ Alarm notification services
■ Access to complete well data for use in cementing design
■ User-defined acquisition of data, either streamed or polled
■ Compatible with CemCADE cementing design and evaluation software
■ Comparison of actual job with design
■ Proprietary software for autorecovery and compression to manage network outages and expen-
sive bandwidth
■ Customizable graphics
■ Configurable levels of accessibility for partners and third parties
■ Acceptance and display of wellsite information transfer specification (WITS) or WITS markup
language (WITSML) data from any source

The InterACT system allows user to select preprogrammed graphics

or customize graphics to display data of interest.

26 Cementing Services and Products

 Personnel participating in an operation, whether it be cementing or testing, can easily view
the data during the operation. Users analyze real-time graphical or digital data that are easily
uploaded to the InterACT Web site by the wellsite engineer. By viewing the data remotely, per-
sonnel at different locations can participate in the operation without the time and expense of
traveling to the wellsite. Remote observers can provide responses and instructions throughout an
operation. By allowing teams to participate, better decisions can be made in real time, resulting
in a more efficient operation.
Because it works through the Internet or intranet using a standard Web browser, the InterACT
system is inherently easy to use. Data can be viewed from a variety of computers or handheld PCs;
data files can also be produced for import to other local applications for further manipulation and
interpretation. Numeric displays ensure access to real-time data, even if users are accessing the
system over slow connections. Predefined log displays or simple pulldown menu configurations
allow users to quickly display data in the desired format, zoom in, change scales and curve attrib-
utes, or even switch between scales. Customized displays can be saved and made available to
other users.
The InterACT system supports common digital formats such as American Standard Code
Information Interface (ASCII), Digital Log Interchange Standard (DLIS) and Log ASCII
Standard (LAS). The InterACT system also supports all graphical data types, including Picture
Description System (PDS) and Tagged Image File Format (TIFF).

System requirements
■ Minimum 200-MHz personal computer
■ 32-MB random access memory
■ Windows NT® Windows® 98, ME, 2000, or XP
■ Netscape® or Microsoft® Internet Explorer browser
■ Internet connection using transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) over local
area networks, wide area networks, or modem-to-modem over Ethernet, telephone, cell phone
or satellite. There are no restrictions regarding types of Internet access, but a high-speed con-
nection will enhance system performance. A minimal 9600-bps link is required to upload real-
time data.

Services 27
 Software

CemCADE cementing design and evaluation software

Cementing in today’s challenging wells is a complex task. Wells may have depleted intervals,
resulting in narrow windows between pore and fracturing pressures. Deviations can make casing
standoff by centralizers hard to determine. Mud removal may be difficult as a result of the stand-
off and exotic drilling fluids.
CemCADE software provides tools to assist the engineer in evaluating all the parameters and
in designing cementing slurries and procedures to cement the well and achieve the required
zonal isolation. The software is used for all types of wells and casings, from land to offshore in
deepwater and from large-diameter conductor casing to the deepest production liner. Tools
assist in calculation of centralizer placement, pump rates and spacer properties to achieve mud
removal and cement placement; calculation of densities and pumping parameters help maintain
well control. Additional tools evaluate the risk of gas migration and allow the engineer to select
appropriate solutions to minimize this risk. A module assists engineers in designing plugs to min-
imize contamination during placement, resulting in much higher plug-setting success. A simula-
tor aids in determining the temperatures to expect during cementing, providing better data for
cement slurry design and better schedules for thickening-time tests and compressive-strength
tests to determine optimum WOC.
A key use of CemCADE software is the optimization of the mud removal process for effective
mud displacement and zonal isolation using WELLCLEAN* mud removal technology. This
optimization requires knowledge of the stresses placed on the mud by displacing fluids. These
stresses, which contribute to displacement of the mud, depend on fluid densities, viscosities,
flow regimes and fluid velocities. An additional factor is the degree of casing standoff in the open
hole, which has a large effect on localized fluid velocity and flow regime. CemCADE software
provides tools that integrate the standoff calculation, the fluid properties, the pump rate and
the U-tube phenomenon to assess the ability of a combination of fluid properties and flow rates
to achieve the mud removal required for zonal isolation. A proprietary placement simulator,
WELLCLEAN II software, assists the engineer in evaluating the potential effectiveness of mud
removal by the chosen fluids.

Applications
■ Primary cementing on land and offshore wells
■ Centralizer selection and centralization optimization
■ Mud removal optimization
■ Gas migration risk assessment and optimization
■ Temperature simulations
■ Preparation of cement slurry testing schedules
■ Foamed cement design
■ Postjob analysis
■ Plug cementing

Cementing Services and Products ■ Software 29

 Benefits
■ Optimized design for effective zonal isolation
■ Well security and control
■ Minimized risk of annular gas migration
■ Optimized plug design
■ Postjob analysis for continuous improvement
■ Real-time comparison of treatment parameter plots with design plots

Features
The fluid placement simulator evaluates well control and pipe integrity by computing and com-
paring hydrostatic and dynamic pressures with the formation fracture and pore pressures, and
tubular burst and collapse ratings. This is done for all points in the well during the cementing
process.
■ Fluid test data (e.g., rheology and thickening time) are managed in a database.
■ Standoff is optimized using caliper and directional survey data and properties of the
centralizers.
■ Forces to run the casing in the hole are calculated.
■ WELLCLEAN technology and fluid-fluid displacement theory is used to predict mud removal
and help ensure zonal isolation.
■ Temperatures in the well during conditioning and cementing are determined, enabling slurry
design for specific conditions.
■ Schedules for thickening-time tests are constructed using temperature simulator.
■ Temperature schedules are generated to avoid premature setting or excessive WOC time
resulting from over-retardation.
■ Postplacement analysis aids in analysis and minimization of the risk of gas migration after
cement placement.
■ Postplacement analysis aids in selection of operational procedures and slurry properties for
minimization of risk of gas migration.
■ Surge and swab calculations check well security during running and moving casing.
■ Tables are generated to schedule and monitor foamed cement job.
■ Foamed cement job optimization.
■ Well data and cementing parameters are exported to external software, such as SoniCalc
acoustic log calculator.
■ Postjob evaluation is performed using quality assurance and quality control plots from data
recorded during the treatment.
■ Pressure signature evaluation of unanticipated events.
■ Designs for balanced plug minimize chance of contamination during placement.
■ Volumes for balanced fluids are calculated.
■ Well control and pipe integrity are checked during forward or reverse circulation following
plug cementing.

30 Cementing Services and Products

CemCADE simulator computes well security and control pressures experienced for
all depths during the cementing process.

Temperature plots show a profile of the temperature in the casing and in the
annulus at selected times during the cementing process.

Software 31
 Stress analysis model
Wells are exposed to many changing conditions that create mechanical stresses on the casing and
the cement sheath behind it. These stresses can come from pressure changes; fluid weight
changes during drilling and completion; pressure testing and pressure treating such as squeeze
cementing or high-pressure stimulation treatments; changes in well pressures caused by reser-
voir pressure depletion. Temperature changes, especially in upper portions of a well producing
high-temperature fluids, can also generate mechanical stresses.
FlexSTONE cement is designed to prevent cement failure caused by these mechanical
stresses. This flexible and expansive cement can survive the mechanical stresses and maintain
isolation in the wellbore, when properly designed. A proper design requires knowledge of the cur-
rent stress conditions in the well as well as the future conditions that will occur over its life.
Stress analysis model software was developed by Schlumberger to predict the stresses to be
experienced by the cement sheath throughout the life of the well. By analyzing the changing con-
ditions of the well, the mechanical stresses are determined. The software also assesses the
mechanical properties of the cement to determine if the cement will survive these stresses. If
not, the mechanical properties of the cement can be modified so that the cement will survive to
provide isolation for the life of the well.

Using
stress
analysis
model
software,
set-cement
properties
are matched
to formation
properties and
future well conditions.

Mechanical properties
of FlexSTONE cement
are adjusted through
static testing.

FlexSTONE design process.

32 Cementing Services and Products

 Applications
■ Any primary cementing application

Benefits
■ Isolation for the life of the well
■ Cement designed for the conditions of the well

Features
■ Evaluates well stresses based on anticipated well operations
■ Evaluates cement behavior under anticipated stresses
■ Allows selection of minimum cement mechanical properties to maintain isolation

i-Handbook oilfield data handbook

Oilfield-related engineering calculations are dependent on well and treatment-specific informa-
tion, such as details on well tubulars, hardware, well or equipment on site. During any well oper-
ation, the on-location supervisors are required to make many decisions as conditions change.
Accurate information is critical to the evaluation of the situation, and real-time calculations of
volumes, pressures or rates are often required.
Prior to development of the i-Handbook* oilfield data handbook, engineering data were only
available in physical handbooks or in a static electronic format. Taking a different approach, the
i-Handbook tool is interactive, providing not only the data lookup features of previous products
but also simple-to-use calculators for commonly used computations, such as tubular or tank vol-
umes, cementing load quantities, and hydrostatics.

Applications
■ Pipe and cementing data lookup
■ Cementing computations
■ Typical fracturing calculations
■ Coiled tubing calculations
■ Basic materials formulation (cement, hydrochloric acid, brines)
■ Volume calculations for tanks, pits, tubing and annulus
■ Engineering calculations
■ Unit conversions in multiple standards
■ Field quality checks

Benefits
■ Faster, more consistent computations through user-friendly calculators
■ Fewer calculation errors
■ Intuitive extrapolation of computations from single-point entry
■ Faster, more accurate volume calculation for intricate geometries and hanger scenarios
■ Rapid access to database
■ Better understanding of forces through enhanced graphics and animations
■ Archiving of data and calculations for future use

Software 33
 Features
■ Pipe data for both API standard and non-API tubulars
■ Exchange of data among users
■ Useful calculators to assist in multiple well operations such as drilling and workover, cement-
ing, fracturing, acid, oil and brines and coiled tubing
■ Library of predefined wellbore diagrams
■ Engineering data with source equations
■ Data from tables can be copied and pasted into other applications such as spreadsheets or
word processing software
■ View of page can be copied into other applications to use in reports or presentations
The Schlumberger i-Handbook tool retains the familiar appearance of a book, making use of
the program intuitive. A right click on the section tab displays a table of contents for the section.
Clicking on an item in the list opens that part of the book. Standard oilfield and metric units are
supported, and changing the units is as simple as clicking on the displayed unit and selecting the
alternate. Users can also save a particular units format under the custom units option, thus hav-
ing the flexibility of using multiple units systems. Tubing and casing data tables can be expanded
so that additional physical properties may be viewed. Data entered in any calculator or wellbore
configuration can be saved and sent to another user, thus facilitating quick and accurate
exchange of information.

34 Cementing Services and Products

 Information and calculations unavailable in printed handbooks can be found in the i-Handbook
tool. These include tubular data supplied by the vendors and several calculators for common frac-
turing and cementing computations. Presentation of comprehensive engineering data, complete
with source equations, and rapid interactive calculations offer substantial time savings through-
out a project. For drilling and workover operations, pipe stretch, free point and critical buckling
forces can be calculated by the i-Handbook tool. Typical cementing calculations include slurry
formulation, volumes and properties of cement slurries, bulk plant load quantities, displacement
volumes, balanced plug volumes, and pressures to land the plug and casing lift forces. For frac-
turing operations, calculations can be made for slurry density and proppant fill, proppant gate
settings for blenders, proppant settling, screenout, sand plugs, and pressure drop. Acid density
and dilution tables, API density, and hydrostatic pressures for oils and brine density require-
ments can be calculated. Ovality of coiled tubing can be calculated as well. For general use, units
conversions can be made, and hydrostatic pressures and gradients and volumes in tanks (strap
conversions) can be calculated.
The i-Handbook tool’s interactive wellbore diagram enables the user to build a graphical view
of the wellbore by dragging and dropping data from the tubular tables. After drawing the well-
bore, the user can define various flow paths in the well and the volumes of defined sections will
automatically be calculated and displayed on the diagram. Configurations can be saved and mod-
ified as conditions change during the operation.

Wellbore diagrams can be created by dragging and dropping the elements, and
the i-Handbook tool automatically calculates volumes.

Software 35
 A thorough understanding of the treatment and effects of recommended actions are commu-
nicated through visual, sometimes animated, schematics. Using various input, the user can pre-
pare diagrams illustrating the various combinations of strings and sizes, thus creating multiple
realistic design options in one session. With a zoom feature, wellbore features can be examined
closely. Wellbore elements are automatically labeled, and the user can color code volumes per-
taining to different sections in the wellbore. The completed wellbore schematic can be presented
as a picture file pasted in a report by using “copy” feature.
In addition to providing views of various fluid positions during the job, the i-Handbook tool can
be used to generate configurations corresponding to hangers and wellbore geometries associated
with washouts and under-reaming.
An automated check corrects elements of the well scenario or alerts the user to an inconsis-
tency so that corrections can be made. For example, the system issues an alert if the input for
the outer diameter of a pipe is greater than the wellbore diameter.
The i-Handbook tool includes data not included in printed versions of the engineering hand-
book and each section has been updated with new content. Supplier databases have also been
updated and expanded. New offerings include the following.

General (pipe, tubing, casing, tanks)

■ Enhanced casing and tubing database with a wide range of pipe diameters and with
mechanical properties
■ Drillpipe, drill collar and coiled tubing database
■ Calculator to compute effects of axial loading on collapse pressure
■ Connection interchange list for various thread types
■ Enhanced list of drill bits and clearance
■ Stretch and free-point tables
■ Buckling force calculations for deviated wells
■ Visual and tabular data on tanks of various geometries
■ Visual and tabular information on flange and ring specifications

Volume
■ Annulus and tubular volume calculation
■ Volume-to-depth conversions

Fracturing
■ Expanded proppant database
■ Slurry density tables and proppant fill tables
■ Calculation of gate settings for various blender types
■ Proppant settling rates in various fluid types
■ Calculation of flow of gas through chokes
■ Calculation of pressure drop across an orifice
■ Calculation of perforation friction

36 Cementing Services and Products

 Cement
■ Quick estimation of borehole circulating temperatures
■ Official Schlumberger cementing materials database
■ Calculations for preparation of cement slurry
■ Bulk-plant loading quantities for cementing materials
■ Calculations for balanced plug
■ Pressure to land plug
■ Casing lift calculation

Acid, oil, brines

■ Brine formulation by percent weight or density
■ Calculator for computing salt requirements for various types of brine
■ Calculator for densities and dilutions of hydrochloric acid
■ Calculator for API gravity of oils
■ Calculation of hydrostatic pressure and gradient based on fluid density
■ Calculation of buoyancy factor

The i-Handbook tool makes it easy to calculate volumes for a balanced cement plug.

Software 37
 Materials

Introduction
In today’s remote areas and extreme environments, exploration puts increasing demands on the
technology required for developing new reserves. No new technology is better tailored to these
demands than Advanced Cement Technology from Schlumberger. Incorporating 10 years of R&D,
Advanced Cement Technology provides a range of cement alternatives, tailored to the well, to
achieve zonal isolation for the life of the well.
CemCRETE Advanced Cement Technology decouples set-cement properties from slurry den-
sity. With CemCRETE systems, properties such as permeability and strength are superior to
those of conventional cements. Slurries can be lighter (or heavier) than ever, without compro-
mising properties of the set cement.
CemSTONE systems, the newest generation of Schlumberger Advanced Cement Technology,
offer set-cement properties that can be adjusted to meet the requirements of the well. They are
purpose-built to withstand mechanical stresses and changes in temperature and pressure that
damage conventional cements. CemSTONE systems offer control over properties never possible
with conventional oilwell cement, allowing you to meet your requirements for such set proper-
ties as flexibility, expansion and impact resistance.

Standard cement slurries require water to fill the void between particles. CemCRETE slurries
fill the interparticle void with more solids, giving superior cement properties.

Cementing Services and Products ■ Materials 39

 CemCRETE concrete-based oilwell cementing technology
CemCRETE slurries are systems that allow deeper casing points, better high-pressure, high-
temperature (HPHT) wells or reduced time WOC in deepwater. Special formulations enable
repair in wells where microcements are ineffective. CemCRETE slurries are available in differ-
ent formulations for various applications.
LiteCRETE* slurry systems provide the high strength and low permeability, even at densities
as low as 900 kg/m3 [7.5 lbm/gal], necessary to cement across weak formations.
DeepCRETE slurries let you cement shallow, weak zones in wells drilled in deepwater, mini-
mize the risk of shallow water flow and return to drilling in a short time.
DensCRETE* technology gives you very high-density cements (to 2880 kg/m3 [24 lbm/gal]), for
well control with low viscosity.
SqueezeCRETE* remedial cementing slurries are specifically designed to solve problems by
penetrating narrow gaps more efficiently, without bridging or dehydrating during placement.
CemCRETE Advanced Cement Technology is a high-performance alternative to conventional
oilwell cement slurries that changes the fundamental rules for cementing. Casing strings can be
set deeper without worrying about lost returns. Cements in HPHT wells can be placed at lower
circulating pressures and higher rates. Channels and failures in primary cement too small for
repair using microcement slurries can be repaired. CemCRETE slurries produce new answers for
today’s tough problems, providing zonal isolation for the life of the well.
Unfortunately, in conventional cementing slurries, the amount of water needed for mixing and
pumping is much more than is optimum for set cement. CemCRETE technology disconnects
these two phases of cement performance to give both optimum slurry properties and excellent
set-cement performance.
CemCRETE technology increases the solids content of the slurry by using engineered particle-
size distribution. Smaller particles fill the void space between larger ones, resulting in a slurry
requiring less water, yet retaining good fluid properties. Putting more solids into your cement pro-
vides greater compressive strength, reduces cement permeability and increases resistance to cor-
rosive fluids. Choosing solids with different properties allows slurry designs to meet the
requirements of the application.
CemCRETE designs mean cements for production casing can be lower density while main-
taining optimum properties for isolation. You can set lighter, longer cement columns. Casing
points can be deeper. The set cement performs better than standard cement for the life of the
well. In remedial operations, increasing solids content improves the penetrating ability of the
slurry and decreases placement pressures.

0.25

0.20

0.15
Permeability
(mD)
0.10

0.05

0.00
12.0 lbm/gal 12.0 lbm/gal 15.8 lbm/gal 17.5 lbm/gal
Conventional LiteCRETE Conventional DensCRETE
cement cement cement cement

Properties of CemCRETE cements are superior to those of cement made using

conventional technology.

40 Cementing Services and Products

 LiteCRETE low-density slurry system
When cementing across weak formations, it can be difficult to place sufficient cement behind the
casing without using extended, low-density cement slurries or multiple-stage cementing opera-
tions. A simple, low-density slurry that performs like conventional-density cements can eliminate
these restrictions and allow you to set casing deeper or perhaps eliminate a casing string.
The new LiteCRETE high-performance system enables you to redesign your casing program.
LiteCRETE technology, a member of CemCRETE Advanced Cement Technology family, provides
production-quality cement properties at extended-slurry densities. LiteCRETE slurries can be
mixed from 900 to 1560 kg/m3 [7.5 to 13 lbm/gal] for effective placement across weak zones.
Once set, these cements provide compressive strength and permeability that are superior to
properties of other lightweight systems and even comparable to those of 1900-kg/m3 [15.8-
lbm/gal] cement.

Foamed cement
LiteCRETE cement

3500

3000

2500

Compressive 2000
strength
(psi) 1500

1000

500

0
8 9 10 11 12 13
Density (lbm/gal)

0
Permeability
(log mD) –1

–2

–3

–4
8 9 10 11 12 13
Density (lbm/gal)

Strength and permeability of LiteCRETE slurries are superior to properties

produced by foamed cement.

Materials 41
 Low-density LiteCRETE slurry frequently eliminates stage cementing in long intervals. With
performance similar to higher-density slurries, you can get exceptional perforation quality with-
out reducing cement integrity. LiteCRETE systems are even strong enough for hydraulic fractur-
ing treatments or setting kickoff plugs.
In some cases, special properties may be built into CemCRETE slurry systems to meet specific
performance criteria. For instance, casing strings through permafrost zones must be cemented
with slurries having protection from freezing. For this application, Schlumberger developed
Arctic LiteCRETE cement.

Applications
■ Across weak formations where high-performance cement is required
■ Slurries with densities as low as 900 kg/m3 [7.5 lbm/gal]
■ Alternative to stage cementing or topping out
■ Alternative to foamed cement
■ Across completion intervals
■ Kickoff plugs

Benefits
■ Production-quality zonal isolation across easily fractured formations
■ Longer cement columns without losses caused by hydrostatic pressure
■ Elimination of two-stage cementing
■ Less damage to completion intervals resulting from slurry or filtrate invasion
■ Whipstock plugs at lower densities with less tendency for contamination or falling downhole

Features
■ Cement with low density but that has completion-quality properties
■ Slurry preparation without special equipment or additional personnel
■ Set-cement properties vastly superior to those of other lightweight systems at equivalent
densities

42 Cementing Services and Products

 DeepCRETE deepwater cementing solution
DeepCRETE slurries let you cement weak zones in deepwater wells, minimize risk of shallow-
water flow and return to drilling in a short time.
Drilling in deepwater environments means higher costs. Weak formations can fail under the
hydrostatic load of the cement column, causing incomplete zonal coverage, additional delay and
more expense. Slow-setting cement can allow flow of shallow water or gas, risking the integrity
of the well and potentially the surface location. Low BHT can delay compressive strength devel-
opment, increasing WOC time. When cementing operations are completed, every minute spent
WOC costs money.
DeepCRETE technology is a combination of efficient technologies for cementing in the diffi-
cult deepwater scenario where the temperature is low and shallow flows may exist. It is a part of
the Schlumberger deepwater drilling solution. The DeepCRETE solution isolates the formation
with a lightweight cement slurry (1200–1650 kg/m3, 10–14 lbm/gal) that develops strength faster
than conventional cement systems without requiring special equipment or personnel. DeepCEM
additives, which facilitate rapid strength development in the low temperatures, are combined
with CemCRETE technology to form a highly effective system that provides the short transition
time, early strength development and good fluid-loss control necessary to cement the surface and
conductor casing in deepwater wells with risk of shallow flow. The lighter weight allows place-
ment across weak formations.
DeepCRETE systems, with a lower heat of hydration, are the right choice in areas where gas
hydrates are a concern. DeepCRETE cement is less permeable than conventional cements and
therefore protects the casing from corrosive brines.
DeepCRETE systems mixed at 1500 kg/m3 [12.5 lbm/gal] develop sufficient compressive
strength to return to drilling in less than 24 hr even at 4°C [40°F]. When combined with
Schlumberger gas migration technology, DeepCRETE systems provide the right solution for
shallow water or gas-flow problems.

Applications
■ Placement of full columns of cement for complete coverage across weak, shallow formations
in deepwater
■ Potential shallow water or gas flows

Benefits
■ Cement circulation to surface across weak shallow formations
■ WOC time minimized in low-temperature environments
■ Control and isolation of shallow water or gas formations
■ Low-density, low-temperature cementing without complicated equipment setup or additional
personnel on the rig

Features
■ Rapid compressive strength development even at 4°C [40°F]
■ Low density with compressive strengths comparable to those of higher-density cement
■ Low density with low permeability
■ Slurry preparation without special equipment or additional personnel
■ Compatible with Schlumberger gas migration technology

Materials 43
 3500

3000 DeepCRETE at 12.5 lbm/gal

Class G at 15.8 lbm/gal
2500

2000
Pressure
At 65°F
(psi) 1500

1000

500

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time (hr)

At low temperatures, 1500-kg/m3 [12.5-lbm/gal] Deep CRETE slurry develops strength faster than conventional
Class G cement with density of 1895 kg/m3 [15.8 lbm/gal]. WOC time is reduced, saving rig time and reducing costs.

DensCRETE Advanced Cement Technology

When working on HPHT wells, the fewer unplanned concerns there are, the smoother the opera-
tion runs. An ideal cement system offers a simple robust design, lower viscosity and the versatil-
ity of slurry density that can be easily increased on location.
Using unique engineered-particle-size technology, DensCRETE systems give you very high-
density cements, up to 2880 kg/m3 [24 lbm/gal], with low viscosity. Because of higher com-
pressive strength and lower permeability, DensCRETE slurries outperform conventional
high-density slurries to provide high-pressure zonal isolation for the life of your well.
The primary applications for DensCRETE technology include high-pressure primary cement-
ing, well control plugging, whipstock or kickoff plugging, and grouting operations.

500

450 Conventional cement

DensCRETE cement
400

350

300
Friction
pressure 250
(lbf/1000 ft)
200

150

100

50

0
1 3 5 7 9
Pump rate (bbl/min)

CemCRETE technology results in slurry formulations that have excellent flow properties. Friction
pressures are much reduced, so slurries can be placed at greater flow rates to reduce place-
ment time and enable better mud removal.

44 Cementing Services and Products

 High-pressure drilling can require sudden changes in mud weight. With DensCRETE tech-
nology, you can quickly increase the slurry density by 120 kg/m3 [1 lbm/gal] on location. With
reduced risks, shorter placement times and lower costs, DensCRETE systems offer the high-
density cementing alternative with higher performance.

Applications
■ High-pressure primary cementing
■ High-density slurries to 2880 kg/m3 [24 lbm/gal]
■ Well control plugs
■ Sidetrack and whipstock plugs
■ Grouting

Benefits
■ Easier slurry placement in narrow fracture-pressure/pore-pressure windows
■ Reduced costs and risks associated with long WOC
■ High-density cements that can be continuously mixed

Features
■ High-density cement slurry with lower viscosities
■ Greater density differentials with high-density drilling fluids
■ Shorter placement times, allowing use of slurries with shorter pumping time, and
consequently shorter WOC time
■ Stability at high temperatures without special additives
■ Easy design of high-density systems
■ Reduced additive requirements
■ Ability to increase the density at the wellsite using special additives

SqueezeCRETE remedial cementing solutions

Oil and gas wells, old or new, can develop isolation problems that normal cements or even micro-
cement cannot repair. Microannuli, leaking liners and old perforations are just some of the prob-
lems that may remain even after multiple cement squeeze attempts. SqueezeCRETE technology
is specifically designed to solve these problems by enabling more efficient slurry penetration
into narrow gaps without bridging or dehydrating during placement. It even penetrates farther
and more efficiently than microcement.
In laboratory testing, SqueezeCRETE slurry has been injected into gaps as small as 120
micrometers [0.005-in.]. SqueezeCRETE slurry develops more than 13.8-MPa [2000-psi]
compressive strength and extremely low permeability. This system can seal liner tops,
microannuli or other areas where primary isolation has failed. SqueezeCRETE systems are
resistant to acid and corrosive brine, allowing the cement to seal old perforations even when
future acid stimulations are planned. SqueezeCRETE systems can be prepared using
conventional cementing equipment.

Materials 45
 Syringe containing
the slurry to be injected

Transparent
plate

Filter paper Spacer medium,

delimiting
a “channel”

Porous plate

Injection point Injection point

Well-dispersed microcement slurry SqueezeCRETE slurry

In this 120-micrometer [0.005-in.] slot test, well-dispersed microcement bridged immediately after
entering the slot. SqueezeCRETE slurry penetrated and filled the entire length of the slot, providing
a complete, effective seal.

Applications
■ Microannulus repair
■ Repair of leaking liner tops
■ Repair of leaking perforations
■ Squeeze of small channels
■ Plugging and sealing of old gravel packs

Benefits
■ Improved penetration into difficult-to-repair and difficult primary isolation problems
■ Superior channel-filling properties for complete isolation repair
■ Low placement pressures for improved fluid placement
■ Restoration of zonal isolation or well integrity

Features
■ Superior injectivity compared to other remedial systems, including microcements
■ Superior slurry properties, including low viscosity, low fluid loss
■ Superior set-cement properties, including high compressive strength and low permeability

46 Cementing Services and Products

 CemSTONE Advanced Cement Technology
CemSTONE systems provide reliable, long-term zonal isolation despite changing downhole con-
ditions. These systems control set-cement properties, such as flexibility, expansion and impact
resistance, so the cement can withstand stresses that destroy conventional oilwell cements. The
following systems are included in the CemSTONE family.
FlexSTONE systems provide mechanical properties that can be adjusted to match the wellbore
stresses and provide permanent zonal isolation to seal wellbore fluids behind casing.
ThermaSTONE* chemically stabilized cement for ultrahigh-temperature applications com-
bine the patented engineered-particle-size technology with new cement blend chemistry to pro-
duce cement having excellent strength, long-term durability, and corrosion resistance in
geothermal and steamflood wells.
DuraSTONE* Advanced Cement Technology systems are tougher and have better impact resis-
tance than conventional cements, so they are more durable and provide better isolation under
rugged drilling and completion conditions.
Even when conventional cement is properly placed and initially provides zonal isolation,
changes in downhole conditions can induce stresses that cause the cement sheath to lose its
integrity. Large increases in wellbore pressure, temperature or tectonic stresses can crack the
sheath and can even reduce it to rubble.
Radial movement of casing caused by temperature changes, pressure changes or cement bulk
expansion can cause the cement to lose its bond to the casing, and bulk shrinkage can cause the
cement to lose its bond to the formation. In either case, a microannulus is created. Changes in
mud weight during drilling and completion can contribute to these pressure changes.
Temperature or pressure changes can also generate tensile stresses that can cause cracking of
the cement sheath and loss of zonal isolation.
Proprietary additives, combined in proven engineered-particle blends, enable CemSTONE sys-
tems to meet specific mechanical property requirements: elasticity, expandability, compressive
and tensile strength, durability, and impact resistance. As a result, these systems can withstand
downhole stresses for the life of the well, providing long-term wellbore integrity that conventional
cement cannot.
This long-term integrity reduces remedial cementing costs, ensures isolation for stimulation
treatments, and reduces the possibility of annular pressure during a gas well’s producing life. It
can also extend the productive life of steam injection wells and wells in tectonically active areas.
Durable, impact-resistant systems substantially improve success when setting problematic kick-
off plugs, leading to rig time savings and ultimately lower drilling cost. These systems also
improve the stability of the cement sheath across other areas subjected to high drilling impacts,
such as multilateral junctions.
Combined with stress analysis model software, these CemSTONE slurries provide powerful
engineered solutions. Engineers can model changes that will occur in the cement sheath over the
life of the well and optimize the mechanical properties of the set cement to compensate for these
changes. The result is zonal isolation for the life of the well.

Materials 47
 Temperature shock that occurs
when hot produced fluids pass
through lower-temperature
surface casings causes
Microannuli are created stress cracks in conventional
by changing the fluid weight. cement. CemSTONE systems
CemSTONE systems can are very resistant to thermal
expand to reseal the well. and mechanical stresses.

Any changes in wellbore

stresses can cause loss
of isolation. Stress analysis
model software can help
Complicated completion optimize design parameters
techniques such as multilaterals to improve well life.
shatter conventional cement.
CemSTONE systems provide
better durability.

Modern well construction techniques can destroy conventional cements.

CemSTONE systems have superior mechanical properties.

48 Cementing Services and Products

 FlexSTONE Advanced Cement Technology
For years cements were designed based on the optimal properties necessary for slurry placement.
The set-cement properties—high compressive strength and low permeability—were assumed to
be sufficient for all well conditions. Today, the importance of an isolation material that will last
under complicated well stresses is better understood.
The set cement must withstand stresses caused by changes in temperature and pressure in the
wellbore throughout the well’s life. This reliability is especially relevant considering the expense
and difficulty of repairing wells.
Changes in pressure caused by production, injection or high-pressure treatments can impose
stresses on the cement through the casing. Isolation is always needed across the productive inter-
vals, but it is also needed in other intervals that may protect valuable surface waters or prevent
movement of corrosive or hazardous liquid or gas behind the casing. Changes in temperatures
resulting from production of high-temperature fluids or injection of hot fluids, such as steam, can
expand the casing and create great stresses in the cement sheath. These changes can cause ten-
sile stresses that crack the cement.
FlexSTONE Advanced Cement Technology systems offer mechanical properties that can be
engineered to meet the changing stresses in the wellbore: lower permeability than conventional
cements, good compressive strength, better flexibility and better chemical resistance. With these
properties customized to the well, the system will resist stresses and maintain isolation.
FlexSTONE systems also expand to seal any microannulus. Because FlexSTONE cements are
engineered to be more flexible than the formation they seal, this expansion of the cement sheath
occurs both outward (i.e., toward the formation) and inward (i.e., toward the casing), thus assur-
ing complete hydraulic isolation.
With FlexSTONE systems, you will have a seal in your well that provides long-term protection
from microannuli formation, stress cracks, corrosive fluid invasion, annular gas pressure and
fluid migration. As part of the new Advanced Cement Technology solution, FlexSTONE systems
offer zonal isolation for the life of the well.

Applications
■ HPHT gas wells
■ Casings subjected to changing stress loading
■ Casings isolating gas, either productive or nuisance
■ Steam injection wells
■ Areas with high tectonic stresses

Benefits
■ Zonal isolation during and after stimulation treatments
■ Extended productive life of steam injection wells
■ Long-term isolation and casing protection in dynamic stress environments
■ Long-term isolation and casing protection in corrosive environments
■ Protection from annular gas and fluid migration
■ Prevention of sustained casing pressure
■ Prevention and healing of microannuli resulting from decreases in pressure or temperature
while drilling and completing

Materials 49
 12
Conventional cement
FlexSTONE system
10

Well isolation 6
properties

0
T/E ratio Bond strength Permeability
(MPa after 4 weeks’ set time) (µD)
Properties of conventional cements are not adequate for difficult well isolation.
FlexSTONE systems have higher ratios of strength to Young’s modulus (T/E) and
higher bond strength while maintaining low permeability.

Features
■ Mixed and pumped with conventional equipment
■ Flexibility adjusted to the requirements for the life of the well
■ Linear expansion two to three times greater than possible with conventional cement systems
■ Lower permeability than conventional cement—independent of slurry density
■ Resistance to corrosive fluids

50 Cementing Services and Products

 DuraSTONE Advanced Cement Technology
Previously, oilwell cements were designed to be pumped, to develop strength and then to remain
relatively undisturbed behind casing, thereby providing isolation and pipe support throughout
the production cycle of the well. Mechanical shocks during further drilling or other well opera-
tions that can destroy the integrity of the cement sheath were not considered, although they
could impair zonal isolation.
Modern reservoirs require more complicated technology. Complex drilling programs call for
bicentered bits, multilaterals or milled windows, and difficult sidetracks. Completions use larger
perforations or higher perforation densities in ever thinner producing intervals. Isolation in these
situations is critical; it requires a tougher material with better tolerance to vibration and impact.
DuraSTONE Advanced Cement Technology systems are more durable or tougher than con-
ventional systems. DuraSTONE systems have all the desirable properties of production-quality
cement, but they survive flexural stress, vibration and impact. With DuraSTONE designs, you can
maintain zonal isolation across sections of the well that will be subjected to extreme mechanical
impact stresses.
Drilling tests have shown DuraSTONE systems to be two to three times tougher than conven-
tional cements; this allows faster kickoff in less distance, even in hard formations.
As part of the new Advanced Cement Technology solution, DuraSTONE systems offer zonal
isolation for the life of the well.

Applications
■ Multilateral completions
■ Reentry wells
■ Sidetrack plugs, especially in hard formations
■ Across shoes where impacts are high during subsequent drilling

Benefits
■ Zonal isolation integrity across multilateral junctions
■ Improved security against failure of the cement sheath in high-impact areas
■ Better isolation in high-density, precision perforating
■ Improved success in setting sidetrack plugs

Features
■ Engineered mechanical properties
■ Mixed and pumped with conventional equipment
■ Increased durability
■ High resistance to impact
■ Lower permeability than conventional set cement—independent of slurry density
■ Broad density range (1200–3360 kg/m3 [10–28 lbm/gal])
■ Greater drilling resistance for faster sidetracks

Materials 51
DuraSTONE Advanced Cement Technology systems are more durable and have better
impact resistance than conventional cements, so they provide better isolation under
rugged drilling and completion conditions. The conventional cement (top right) failed
after 6 impacts while the DuraSTONE cement (bottom right) held up to more than
82 impacts.

16
15X
14

12

10
DuraSTONE
system 8
performance
6

4 3.5X
3X
2
Conventional cement
0 performance
Drilling Impact Energy for
resistance resistance flexural failure

DuraSTONE systems are tougher than conventional cement. They have better
drilling resistance and impact resistance, and significantly more energy is
required to cause flexural failure.

52 Cementing Services and Products

 Cementing Slurry Systems
Portland cements that conform to American Petroleum Institute (API) Specification 10A (ISO
10426-1:2000) are supplied where available or by request. These cements are supplied as
Ordinary (O) grade (Classes A and C), Moderate Sulfate Resistant (MSR) grade (Classes B, C, G
and H), or High Sulfate Resistant (HSR) grade (Classes B, C, G and H). Sulfate resistance is nec-
essary to protect against attack of the hydrated (set) cement by soluble sulfates. Where several
grades exist, local requirements determine the grade that is available.

Lightweight Cements
Lightweight cements are used to control losses to weak or high-permeability formations. In most
cases, cement extended by the addition of water and additives to prevent water separation are
adequate to control the losses. These cements generally have low strength and high permeabil-
ity. However, when low density with either high strength or low permeability is required, special
formulations are necessary to meet those requirements.
Applications for lightweight cements include very weak, fractured, and highly permeable or
vuggy formations. Such cements can be used in primary, squeeze or plug cementing.

Low-density LiteCRETE cement or foamed cement can float on water. After a short period,
the high-porosity foamed cement sinks as a result of water absorption. LiteCRETE cement
continues to float as a result of its low porosity and permeability, which is beneficial for
preventing gas flow and damage to the cement or casing by corrosive fluids.

Materials 53
 LiteCRETE cement
LiteCRETE cement is a special formulation using patented technology to produce very low
permeability and high strength. LiteCRETE cement is discussed in detail in the section on
CemCRETE cements.

D049 lightweight cement

D049, TXI lightweight oilwell cement is a special cement with lightweight components inter-
ground to provide an economical low-density, high-yield slurry. Because of the composition, the
low specific gravity and the particle size of the grind, slurries can be mixed over a wide density
range without extenders. This feature gives high versatility and flexibility to D049 lightweight
cement. By varying the mix water-to-cement ratio, slurries can be mixed over a density range of
1440 to 1700 kg/m3 [12.0 to 14.2 lbm/gal] without excessive free fluid or high rheology.
Because of the chemical composition and particle size, D049 lightweight cement provides
excellent strength. Strengths at low densities are superior to those of conventionally extended
cements. In most cases, the strength of D049 lightweight cement is adequate for completion,
making a tail slurry unnecessary. Elimination of a separate tail slurry can simplify the cementing
operation and improve the quality of the isolation.
D049 lightweight cement requires no blending and no special additives. Properties of D049
lightweight cement can be adjusted to meet almost any performance criteria needed to cement
a well.

Foamed cement
Cement is foamed by adding a gas (generally nitrogen) and surfactants. Foamed cement has been
very effective in controlling losses when very weak formations are cemented or where formations
are highly permeable. The thixotropic nature, in addition to the low density of the cement, makes
it highly effective in these scenarios. In addition to their low density, foamed cement slurries pro-
vide excellent strength and relatively low permeability compared with low-density cements pre-
pared by conventional means. Foamed cement has greater durability than conventional cements.
This cement can be made at virtually any density, depending on the density of the base slurry
and the amount of gas. Virtually any cement used in the oil field can be used as the base slurry.
A further advantage of foamed cement is that the density at which it is mixed can be selected
immediately prior to the job, unlike the case of preblended cements. Additionally, by merely
adjusting the gas ratio, the density can be changed during the job to provide slurries with differ-
ent properties in different parts of the well.

54 Cementing Services and Products

 Improved bonding cements
FlexSTONE cement—advanced flexible cement technology
FlexSTONE cement systems provide mechanical properties that can be adjusted to match the
wellbore stresses. When designed with the assistance of stress analysis model software, flexibil-
ity and expansion properties provide permanent zonal isolation to seal wellbore fluids behind
casing. See page 48 for details on FlexSTONE cement.

WELBOND cement—improved bonding cement system

WELBOND* improved bonding cement systems were developed to improve zonal isolation
through better bonding. They improve the cement-to-pipe and cement-to-formation bonds by con-
trolling fluid loss and by adhesion properties provided by latex additives. Furthermore, their low
permeability when set prevents fluid movement behind the casing.
For optimal bonding properties, the latex concentration is adjusted to control fluid loss below
70 mL/30 min. When bonding is not an issue but fluid-loss control is a necessity, the latex is
adjusted to control fluid loss to less than 100 mL/30 min. This formulation provides a cost-
effective alternative to polymeric fluid-loss agents, particularly at high temperatures.
WELBOND slurries can be used over the entire range of temperatures, densities and depths
that normally occur in oil and gas wells.

SALTBOND cement—cement system for cementing across salt zones

The cementing of wells penetrating massive salt formations poses a number of problems.
Frequently, cementing across salt formations makes it necessary to use slurries containing high
concentrations of salt. Historically, salt-saturated cement slurries have had technical limitations.
Many additives cannot tolerate saline environments or are degraded in the presence of salt.
Other additives, which can tolerate the salt, often result in undesirable performance.
Effects of the salt and additives used with it have led to poor early strength development, espe-
cially when conventional fluid-loss additives were used. The unusually high plasticity of salt
causes it to deform, or flow, when it is subjected to stress. Thus, under normal overburden pres-
sures salt zones will typically encroach upon a well drilled through them. The nonuniform nature
of this flow results in point-loading on casing strings, often causing their failure and collapse. To
reduce this risk it is essential that the cement slurry develops good early compressive strength,
thereby preventing the movement of the salt formation into the wellbore.
One of the key performance problems in high-salinity cements is obtaining sufficient control
of fluid loss. Many polymers do not perform well in high-salinity systems. Thus, standard fluid-loss
additives could not provide the level of fluid-loss control needed and drastically increased slurry
rheology. Additionally, formulations for cementing through salt greatly delayed strength develop-
ment, leading to operational delays and exposure to hazards while waiting for the cement to set.
SALTBOND* slurries are specially designed for use across salt zones. They use a special addi-
tive that provides fluid-loss control and dispersion in salt-rich slurries. API fluid-loss values as low
as 40 mL/30 min are obtained as are good rheological characteristics, short controllable thick-
ening times, and good early strength. The normal temperature range over which these slurries
can be applied is 49 to 121°C [120 to 250°F] BHCT.
SALTBOND slurries contain 18 to 37% (based on the weight of water) salt and exhibit the
following properties:
■ fluid loss as low as 40 mL/30 min

■ very low rheological characteristics

■ short controllable thickening times
■ good early strength development.

Materials 55
 With a low rate of fluid loss and low rheology values at high salinities, the SALTBOND service
also provides controllable thickening times and high early compressive strengths. The result is
valuable protection against casing collapse.
SALTBOND slurry offers these advantages:
■ good fluid-loss control (less than 100 mL/30 min)

■ low placement (friction) pressures to help prevent loss of circulation

■ high early compressive strength to help prevent casing collapse
■ predictable slurry properties attained with only one additive (and one retarder, if required)
■ good bonding against salt formations
■ no potential dissolution of the salt formation while cementing.

RFC regulated fill-up cement

RFC* regulated fill-up cement slurries are highly thixotropic, forming a rigid gel structure shortly
after slurry movement has stopped. They also expand. RFC slurries provide a number of distinct
advantages over conventional cement slurries because of their thixotropic and expansive prop-
erties. Thixotropy minimizes losses and provides better bonding and zonal isolation through
expansion. RFC cement is a mixture of Portland cement and plaster.
With minimized losses, RFC slurries provide more predictable fill-up in the well. RFC slurries
are advantageous in any application in which it is desirable for the slurry to quickly become
immobile after placement. In addition to primary cementing where losses are minimized, these
systems can also be used to provide a gelled barrier to prevent further penetration during
squeeze cementing, thus improving success of squeeze cementing.
An important property of RFC cement is the expansion of the set cement. The plaster reacts
with the tricalcium aluminate in Portland cement to provide expansion during the early strength
development. This expansion acts to compensate for slight dimensional changes in the pipe
resulting from thermal or pressure changes following cement placement. Thus, the expansion
helps prevent microannulus development, resulting in improved zonal isolation.

SELFSTRESS expanding cement system

SELFSTRESS* expanding cement provides improved bonding. The maximum application tem-
perature is 85°C [185°F] BHST. SELFSTRESS cements can be used where thixotropic properties
are undesirable. SELFSTRESS cement is composed of Portland cement, plaster and salt or dis-
persant, depending on the application. Other additives, such as retarders, fluid-loss agents, dis-
persants, and extenders may be used as required.

Fast strength development

DeepCEM Cement
When cementing at shallow depths below the mudline in deepwater wells, rapid strength devel-
opment is critical to prevent water flow and to provide adequate strength to continue operations,
avoiding costly waiting time.
DeepCEM cement additives provide the dispersion needed to minimize adverse gelation
effects, minimize friction pressure and to enhance compressive strength development. DeepCEM
dispersant D185, unlike most dispersants, does not retard at the very low temperatures encoun-
tered at shallow depths below the mudline. This property, coupled with the rapid set-enhance-
ment offered by D186, the DeepCEM set enhancer, provides the rapid strength development
needed in this tough cementing environment. DeepCEM set enhancer provides much more rapid
strength development than standard accelerators.

56 Cementing Services and Products

 Slurries formulated with DeepCEM additives are simpler and easier to design than other slurry
formulations for deepwater cementing. When used with DeepCRETE Advanced Cement
Technology slurries, these benefits are provided in a system that has low density, avoids losses
and sets rapidly.
This same technology is used in land operations where fast strength development at low
temperatures is required.

ARCTICSET cement—cement system for use through permafrost

ARCTICSET* cements are designed for low-temperature applications across permafrost zones.
They will not freeze but will set and develop adequate strength in wells having temperatures as
low as –9°C [15°F]. ARCTICSET cements have low free-water separation, low permeability, excel-
lent durability to temperature cycling, and controllable pumping times and gel strength properties.
To ensure that the mix water does not freeze before the cement hydrates, a freeze depressant is
used. Heat of hydration is low to prevent thawing of the permafrost.
ARCTICSET formulations are available for a variety of wellbore conditions including normal
density, lightweight and with lost circulation materials (LCM).

Right-angle set cement

At low temperatures, conventional accelerators like calcium chloride often do not provide either
early setting or rapid strength development. This is especially true below 20°C [68°F].
Right-angle set cement systems are designed for use at low temperature, between 0°C [32°F]
and 30°C [86°F], where short WOC time and/or short transition time are required. Application
at temperatures to 122°F [50°C] is possible. Regardless of the temperature, a compressive
strength of 500 psi can be obtained 1 to 2 hr after the setting begins, while the slurry transition
time from 30 to 100 Bc consistency is only a few minutes. The thickening time can be adjusted
easily between half an hour and several hours, without impairing this right-angle setting prop-
erty.
Right-angle set cement is known by several names, depending on the application, including
surface-set cement and quick-setting cement.

Materials 57
 Cements for harsh environments
In some situations, cement with special resistance properties is required. This is true in wells
with soluble sulfates that can attack the cement (generally controlled by the chemistry of the
Portland cement during manufacture) or when other chemical compounds may contact the
cement. Sulfate resistance is imparted to the cement in moderate- and-high-sulfate resistant
cements during manufacture. Resistance to attack by other chemicals is controlled by selection
of the components added to the cement or by using special cements, such as synthetic cement.

Acid-resistant cement
In some situations, cement is exposed to acid. Portland cement is acid soluble, although in most
cases acid treatment does not cause failure to the cement sheath. When large volumes of acid are
pumped at high rates and expose old perforations that have been sealed with cement, the plugs
in the perforations sometimes fail. Acid-resistant cement can prevent such failures.
Acid-resistant cement is made from conventional API cement with a special formulation of
latex that reduces the permeability of the cement and imparts acid resistance. When used for
plugging perforations, this formulation has been effective in wells where acid treatments have
caused failure of the plugged perforations in other cement formulations.
When complete resistance to attack by acid or other chemicals is required, synthetic cement
can be used.

Carbon dioxide-resistant cement

Carbon dioxide-resistant cement was developed for completions in wet carbon dioxide environ-
ments. Applications include source, injection and production wells in carbon dioxide enhanced
oil recovery projects or oil and gas wells with high levels of carbon dioxide. Under these condi-
tions, wet carbon dioxide chemically attacks cement. The end result is a loss of strength and
structural integrity in the casing sheath.
This cement is 45% more resistant to carbon dioxide leaching than either conventional cement
or typical fly ash-cement blends of equivalent density. Although the carbon dioxide corrosion rate
is dependent on the amount of water present and is difficult to predict, the use of carbon diox-
ide-resistant cement translates into improved performance with respect to completion life at
approximately the same cost per sack as conventional cement. These systems are applicable in
the temperature range of 16 to 93°C [60 to 200°F].
Because of their low permeability, the cements of Advanced Cement Technology, CemCRETE
and CemSTONE cements are well-suited for such use, either on their own or supplemented with
the special treatments used to prepare the acid-resistant cement or carbon dioxide-resistant
cement.

Synthetic cement
Synthetic cement is designed for completing waste-disposal wells. It is characterized by high cor-
rosion resistance and high compressive and shear-bond strength. Synthetic cement is resistant
to attack by strong acids and bases, such as 37% hydrochloric, 60% sulfuric and 50% sodium
hydroxide, at elevated temperatures. However, it is not resistant to organic solvents such as ace-
tone or chlorinated solvents. The system density can be adjusted from 1140 to 1560 kg/m3 [9.5 to
13.0 lbm/gal]. The upper temperature limit of synthetic cement is between 93 and 104°C [200
and 220°F], depending on the required pumping time.
Remedial cementing is another application for synthetic cement. Computer modeling shows
that it can enter microleaks and microannuli at low differential pressures.

58 Cementing Services and Products

 UniSLURRY cement systems
The UniSLURRY cement system concept is a new methodology for designing cement slurries in
which the additives use chemistry designed to perform specific functions. Because they are built-
for-purpose, they are highly effective and have minimal effects on properties other than those for
which they are intended. Only a few universal additives are required to work in the entire range
of well conditions, from conductor casing to production liner. Additionally, UniSLURRY additives
work together synergistically.
These features improve the entire cementing process, from prejob laboratory testing to execution
in the field. The innovative, superior chemistry common to all UniSLURRY additives provides tech-
nical and economical advantages, such as reduced additive consumption and shorter WOC times.
Prejob laboratory testing is shorter and more efficient because a few reliable and predictable
UniSLURRY additives have taken the place of many less-efficient additives. Stocking of materials at
the warehouse and on location is more efficient because fewer additives are needed to complete all
cement jobs. Mixing on location is improved because smaller quantities of additives are required.
UniSLURRY systems can be used for all cementing operations, including casings, liners, plugs and
squeeze jobs. The UniSLURRY concept can be used over a wide temperature and density range,
addressing most oilfield cementing requirements.
The UniSLURRY family consists of four members: UNIFLAC* S solid and UNIFLAC L liquid uni-
fied fluid-loss additives and UNISET* LT and UNISET HT liquid unified retarders. These versatile,
unified additives cover all cementing conditions and bring to everyday cementing operations a
quality previously found only in highly technical areas such as deepwater or HPHT wells. Their
versatility simplifies the logistics of cementing operations by reducing the number and quantity of
additives that have to be transported and stored at the wellsite. The environmentally friendly
UniSLURRY products are used for both land and offshore operations. They are the first choice when
logistics are an issue; e.g., on offshore or remote locations.
Conventional cementing additives have addressed a particular range of temperature and set of
conditions, such as maximum water salinity or cement type, making them highly specialized. This
specialization has made the design of cement slurries both time-consuming and complicated.
The UniSLURRY products perform over a broader range of temperatures and salt concentrations
and work in any application; cementing casing or liner, squeeze or plug. Their performance is con-
sistent and practically independent of the cement type or brand. UNIFLAC additives and UNISET
additives work synergistically, allowing reduction of additive concentration while maintaining slurry
quality.
The benefits of the UniSLURRY additives extend to every aspect of the cementing operation:
■ Laboratory testing—UniSLURRY additives make the laboratory-testing process more efficient.
Consistent and predictable, the UniSLURRY additives work with simpler and more reliable
designs (both UNIFLAC additives and UNISET additives exhibit nearly linear dependence on tem-
perature and other parameters).
■ Logistics—When cementing with traditional additives, the temperature limitations often make it
necessary to use different sets of additives on different strings of pipe. This makes it necessary to
stock numerous additives, both at the warehouse and at the wellsite. Because UniSLURRY addi-
tives can be used on all casings from conductor to liner, surplus additives from one job can be used
on the next cementing job. Unnecessary handling between jobs is avoided, precious space on the
rig is conserved, and waste is reduced, thus reducing the overall cost and enhancing operational
safety and efficiency.
■ Job execution—UniSLURRY technology simplifies cement job execution at the wellsite. Fewer
additives are required to obtain the needed slurry properties. This benefit simplifies the mixing
operation, especially in remote locations using liquid additives.
All UniSLURRY additives share some common benefits and features.

Materials 59
 Benefits
■ Simplified slurry design
■ Cost-effective
■ Minimized rig time
■ Fewer additives for simplified wellsite logistics
■ Low sensitivity to cement variations for reduced slurry-design time

Features
■ Universal fluid-loss and retarder additives for any condition
■ Low sensitivity to cement brands
■ Low sensitivity to temperature and concentration variations
■ Lower concentrations needed
■ Highly predictable concentration and thickening time
■ Minimized WOC time
■ Environmentally friendly chemistry

UNIFLAC unified fluid-loss additive for cement

Inadequate fluid-loss control can lead to serious problems during cementing operations. Loss of
fluid from the cement slurry can result in friction pressure increases, shorten thickening time
and increase the risk of microannulus and loss of zonal isolation.
UNIFLAC additive is a universal and cost-effective solution for fluid-loss control in all cementing
applications. The additive is a custom-made, third-generation polymer that is available in liquid
(D168) or solid (D167) form. The solid additive can be dry-blended with the cement or predissolved
in the mix water. Its robust properties make slurry design very simple and produce predictable
results in the field, from the conductor casing to the liners. Test results demonstrate the very low sen-
sitivity of UNIFLAC additive to variations in temperature or concentration. It also has a low sensi-
tivity to cement brands.
The same additive is used at all temperatures, from 10 to 260°C [50 to 500°F]. Synergy between
UNIFLAC additive and Schlumberger UNISET retarders provides additional operational benefits.
When used with UNIFLAC additive, the concentration of UNISET retarder required to achieve a
desired thickening time is reduced and early compressive strength development reduces WOC time.

0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
UNIFLAC L
(gal/sk) 0.4
0.3
0.2
13.0 lbm/gal
0.1 16.2 lbm/gal
0.0 18.5 lbm/gal
50 150 250 350 450
Temperature (°F)

UNIFLAC L additive concentration to achieve API fluid loss of 50 mL/30 min

is easily predictable at different temperatures and slurry densities.

60 Cementing Services and Products

 Applications
■ All cementing applications
■ Wells with temperatures from 10 to 260°C [50 to 500°F]

Benefits
■ Economical
■ Savings from less WOC time
■ Simplified slurry design
■ Simplified logistics—few additives required

Features
■ Low sensitivity to cement brands
■ Low sensitivity to temperature
■ All densities
■ Fresh to salt-saturated mix water
■ Compatible with all additives, including calcium chloride accelerator and silicate extenders
■ Synergy with Schlumberger UNISET retarders
■ Low concentration requirements
■ Excellent slurry rheology

UNISET set control additives

Schlumberger UNISET set control additives provide a unique set of properties that are not avail-
able with conventional retarders. Cement retarded using UNISET additives exhibits a rapid set-
ting behavior, even with longer thickening times for increased safety factors. Their synergistic
behavior with UNIFLAC additives allows lower concentrations (as much as two-thirds reduction),
thus improving economics.

12

10

D177 and D168

8
Thickening
time (hr)
6

D177
4

2
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25
Concentration (gal/sk)

Use of UNISET retarder with UNIFLAC additive results in synergy that

allows much reduced concentrations.

Materials 61
 Excessive retardation by conventional retarders impairs strength development, extending WOC
time and making the cement vulnerable to invasion by well fluids or mechanical damage from
changing stresses in the well. In extreme cases, some cementing treatments must be done in
several stages to avoid excessively long setting times. This complicates and increases the overall cost
of the operation.
UNISET HT additive retards to provide sufficient time to place the cement, yet promotes early and
rapid strength development to minimize WOC time. UNISET HT additive is also much less sensitive
to temperature variations than other cement retarders. It is the preferred retarder for the most
challenging situations when temperature is not well defined or if there is a large difference between
temperature at the top of the liner and the bottom of the cement.

Applications
■ All cementing operations

Benefits
■ Simplified slurry design
■ Much reduced risk of problems from inherent temperature errors
■ Cost benefits from simplified logistics, reduced additive usage and shorter WOC time
■ Lower concentrations required due to synergy with UNIFLAC additives

Features
■ Full range of temperature
■ All densities
■ Fresh water and seawater
■ Highly reliable and predictable concentration and thickening time response
■ Only two additives needed for entire temperature range
■ Synergistic with UNIFLAC fluid-loss additives
■ Rapid setting and compressive-strength development

7
16-lbm/gal slurry

5
D121/D28
Ratio of time to reach 4
50 psi at 320°F (hr)
to thickening time
at 350°F (hr) 3

D121/D28
2

1
2 4 6 8 10 12
Thickening time at 350°F (hr)

When UNISET HT additive is used, extended thickening times do not result in

the excessive WOC times found with conventional retarders.

62 Cementing Services and Products

 UNISET additives are available for low- to moderate-temperature and high-temperature applica-
tions. UNISET LT additive covers applications to about 120°C [250°F], and UNISET HT additive
can be used from about 80 to 260°C [180 to 500°F].
UNISET retarders are compatible with most other Schlumberger cementing additives.

1.0

0.8

0.6
Concentration
(gal/sk)
0.4

0.2

0.0
180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320
Pump rate (bbl/min)

The relationship between concentration and temperature is linear, making

concentration selection simple when using UNISET HT retarder. The graph
shows the concentration required for a thickening time of 4 to 5 hr.

Cementing additives
The following paragraphs and tables describe the performance of cementing additives by func-
tional group. Some materials are discussed in more detail in sections on specific functional
systems. The Cementing Additive Quick Guide and Cementing Additive List provide descriptions
of additives listed by functional group and by code, respectively. The list gives general application
conditions for each additive. These application conditions reflect those tested during product
development. In many cases, the products can be used outside the quoted conditions with testing
appropriate to specific applications.

Accelerators
Accelerators are materials that cause cement to hydrate and develop strength earlier and faster.
They are commonly used to provide improved strength at low temperatures and to counteract the
retarding effects of other additives. Accelerators also shorten the thickening time.

Antifoam and defoam agents

Antifoam agents prevent or reduce the foaming tendencies of cement when it is mixed. This is
necessary because the properties of cement slurries and the set cement depend on the
water/cement ratio. Most field mixers determine the ratio by measuring the density of the slurry,
so entrained air causes the slurry to be mixed at improper ratios. Some materials can be used as
antifoam agents, but not as defoamers. Other materials act as either defoamers or foam preventers.

Antigelation agents
In some cases gelation is caused by the chemical makeup of the cement. Many times this gela-
tion can be controlled by dispersants, but special materials may be required.

Materials 63
 DeepCEM additives
DeepCEM liquid cementing additives were created for short transition time and early compres-
sive-strength development. Such properties are necessary for isolation and early casing release
to ensure successful cementation in the unconsolidated, low-temperature environment of the
surface and conductor casings in deepwater wells. They are also useful in other low-temperature
situations. DeepCEM additives are discussed in detail on page 56.

Dispersants
Dispersants act to reduce the viscosity of cement by breaking up aggregates of the fine cement
particles. This reduction in viscosity allows mixing at lower water/cement ratios for higher
density, improved fluid-loss control and pumping at reduced pressures.

Expanding additives
Expanding additives react chemically after hydration (setting) to produce an increase in the bulk
volume of the cement. This reaction provides benefits in zonal isolation and protection of the cas-
ing. When used across soft formations, flexible systems may be required to prevent microannulus
formation.

Extenders
Extenders allow the production of a greater volume of slurry from the powdered cement. This fea-
ture can result in reduced cost and, where the extenders are lightweight (or they allow additional
water to be used), lower density. The advantage of reduced cost is obvious. Reduced density is
important where weak formations are to be cemented. Such weak formations could part and
allow loss of the slurry during the cementing operation. A variety of extenders are available to pro-
vide for different requirements of lower density, lower cost and other performance parameters.

Fluid-loss control additives

Fluid-loss control additives minimize the loss of water from the slurry into permeable formations.
This helps to maintain the properties of the cement slurry during placement and until the cement
sets.

Gas migration control additives

Gas migration control additives are used to reduce the risk of gas invading the cement and
migrating into the wellbore. Gas migration in discussed in detail in the section on gas migration
control on page 8.

Lost circulation control materials

Materials used to prevent or halt losses of slurry from the wellbore are called LCM. In addition
to LCM added to the cement, special lost circulation control products are available for combat-
ing lost circulation during operations other than cementing. They are discussed in the section on
lost circulation systems on page 14.

Retarders
Retarders are used to lengthen the time that a cement slurry can be pumped or remains fluid so
that other operations (such as pulling pipe after spotting a cement plug) can be performed. They
are required at elevated temperatures or when large volumes of slurry require a long time to
pump at lower temperatures.

64 Cementing Services and Products

 Surfactants
Surfactants are used in chemical washes and spacers with OBM and to create stable foam when
adding a gas to make foamed cement.

Special additives
There are a number of additives that do not fit neatly into functional groupings. Fibers are used
for controlling lost circulation (see section on CemNET advanced fiber cement). Special types of
fibers also improve the impact resistance and tensile strength of cement (see section on
DuraSTONE cement).
The flexibility of cement can be improved by the use of special additives. This increase in flex-
ibility provides increased resistance to failure by mechanical stresses imposed on the cement
during well operation. (See section on FlexSTONE cement.)
Granular salt (sodium chloride) and potassium chloride are used primarily to change the ionic
nature of the water in the slurry, which helps to minimize adverse formation interactions. In
cases where the formation is salt, high concentrations of salt, up to saturation, are commonly
used to prevent leaching salt from the borehole wall.
Silica is used to combat strength retrogression. Strength retrogression is a change in the
hydration products that are formed when cement is exposed to high temperatures (>110°C
[230°F]). Silica is available in coarse or fine grades for cementing.

Suspending and antisettling agents

Occasionally, segregation can occur in a cement slurry. This segregation may be in the form of
water separation (known as free fluid) or in solid particle sedimentation. In either case, a
material to suspend the solids is used to maintain slurry integrity.

Thixotropic additives
Thixotropic additives produce an intentional gelation of the cement to aid in placement of the
cement. Thixotropic cement is discussed as RFC cement on page 56.

UniSLURRY additives
UniSLURRY additives have unique and synergistic properties. These additives have been pur-
pose built to perform their function and have properties that distinguish them from other fluid-
loss or set-control (retarder) additives. UniSLURRY additives, UNIFLAC fluid-loss additive,
UNISET LT retarder and UNISET HT retarder are discussed on pages 59–63.

Weighting agents
Weighting agents are used to increase the density of the cement when needed for well control.

Spacers
Spacers are generally thickened, weighted fluids used to aid in mud removal and to separate the
mud from the cement to prevent any compatibility problems.

Chemical washes
Chemical washes are generally thin fluids with surfactants to aid in mud removal and to separate
the mud from the cement to prevent any compatibility problems.
The following tables list additives by functional category (Cementing Additive Quick Guide)
and by additive code (Cementing Additive List).

Materials 65
Cementing Additive Quick-Guide
Code Form, Liquid (L) Material and/or Application Temperature Range
or Solid (S) Application (BHCT except where noted)
Accelerators
D044 S Sodium chloride No limit
D077 L Calcium chloride Below 55°C [130°F]
D186 L Set enhancer 7–55°C [45–130°F]
S001 S Calcium chloride Below 55°C [130°F]
S002 S Calcium chloride Below 55°C [130°F]

Antifoam Agents
D046 S Foam preventer No limit
D047 L Foam preventer No limit
D144 L Defoamer No limit
D175 L Defoamer No limit
M045 L Defoamer No limit

Chemical Washes
D122A L Chemical wash concentrate No Limit
D191 L Surfactant for washes and spacers Maximum 250°C [482°F]
D192 L Chemical wash concentrate No Limit

DeepCEM Additives
D185 L Low temperatures; nonretarding Maximum 57°C [135°F]
D186 L Set enhancer 7–55°C [45–130°F]

Dispersants
D065 S Freshwater systems Maximum 121°C [250°F]
D065A S SALTBOND additive for high-salinity systems Maximum 121°C [250°F]
D080 L Liquid equivalent to D065 Maximum 121°C [250°F]
D080A L SALTBOND additive for high-salinity systems Maximum 121°C [250°F]
D121 S Dispersant, retarder, fluid-loss additive 121–274°C [250–525°F]
D145A L Low temperature Maximum 85°C [185°F]
D185 L Low temperature; nonretarding Maximum 57°C [135°F]
D604AM L SALTBOND additive for high-salinity systems Maximum 121°C [250°F]
D604M L Easy-to-disperse cement Maximum 121°C [250°F]

Expanding Additives
D053 S Additive for RFC and SELFSTRESS systems Maximum 85°C [185°F]
D174 S Low to moderate temperatures Maximum 110°C [230°F] BHST
D176 S High temperatures 80–204°C [176–400°F] BHST

Extenders
D020 S Bentonite Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST
D035 S Class F fly ash Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST
D048 S Class F fly ash Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST
D056 S Diatomaceous earth No limit
D072 S Expanded perlite Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST
D075 L Sodium silicate Limited by ability to retard
D079 S Sodium metasilicate Limited by ability to retard
D124 S LITEFIL* ceramic microspheres Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST
D125 S Expanded perlite Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST
D128 S Attapulgite Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST
D132 S Class C fly ash Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST

66 Cementing Services and Products

Cementing Additive Quick-Guide (continued)
Code Form, Liquid (L) Material and/or Application Temperature Range
or Solid (S) Application (BHCT except where noted)
Extenders
D152 S Premium bentonite Maximum 232°C [450°F] BHST
D154 S Microsilica Limited by ability to retard
D155 L Microsilica Limited by ability to retard
D602 S Diatomaceous earth No limit

Fluid-Loss Additives
D008 S Fluid loss control 85–232°C [185–450°F]
D059 S High-salinity systems 38–93°C [100–200°F]
D065A S SALTBOND additive for high-salinity systems About 121°C [250°F]
D080A L SALTBOND additive for high-salinity systems About 121°C [250°F]
D112 S Low-density systems 4–93°C [ 40–200°F]
D167 S UNIFLAC additive 0–204°C [32–400°F]
D168 L UNIFLAC additive 0–204°C [32–400°F]
D300 L Low to moderate temperatures, nonretarding Maximum 121°C [250°F]
D604AM L SALTBOND additive for high-salinity systems About 121°C [250°F]

Gas-Control Agents
D500 L GASBLOK LT additive for low temperatures Maximum 71°C [160°F]
D600G L Latex GASBLOK MT additive for 66–121°C [150–250°F]
moderate temperatures
D700 L Latex GASBLOK HT additive for high temperatures 121–191°C [250–375°F]
D701 L GASBLOK stabilizer for high temperatures Maximum 191°C [375°F]

Lost Circulation Materials

D024 S Gilsonite granules Maximum 149°C [300°F] BHST
D029 S Cellophane flakes Maximum 132°C [270°F]
D042 S KOLITE* LCM 538°C [1000°F] BHST
D095 S CemNET fiber Maximum 150°C [302°F]
D096 S CemNET fiber Maximum 232°C [450°F]
D130 S Polyester flakes Maximum 70°C [158°F]

Retarders
D008 S Moderate temperature; also controls fluid loss; 54–104°C [130–220°F]
used mostly with high-salinity systems
D013 S Low temperatures Maximum 85°C [185°F]
D028 S High temperatures 104–149°C [220–300°F]
204°C [400°F] (with aid D121)
D081 L Low temperatures Maximum 85°C [185°F]
D093 S Retarder aid; high temperatures 149–204°C [300–400°F]
D110 L High temperatures 79–149°C [175–300°F]
191°C [375°F] (with aid D121)
D121 S Retarder aid; high temperatures 110–177°C [230–350°F]
D150 L High temperatures 104–149°C [220–300°F]
204°C [400°F] (with aid D121)
D161 L UNISET additive for high temperatures 85–232°C [185–450°F]
D177 L UNISET additive for moderate temperatures 60–121°C [140–250°F]
D800 S Moderate temperatures 52–121°C [125–250°F]
154°C [310°F] (with aid D121)
D801 L Moderate temperatures 52–121°C [125–250°F]
154°C [310°F] (with aid D121)

Materials 67
Cementing Additive Quick-Guide (continued)
Code Form, Liquid (L) Material and/or Application Temperature Range
or Solid (S) Application (BHCT except where noted)
Spacers
D182 S Additive for MUDPUSH II spacer Maximum 149°C [300°F]
D190 S MUDPUSH WHT additive Maximum 232°C (450°F)

Special Additives
D030 S Coarse silica; strength retrogression control No limit
D044 S Salt No limit
D053 S Additive for RFC and SELFSTRESS cements Maximum 85°C [185°F]
D066 S Silica flour; strength retrogression control No limit
D111 L Additive for RFC cement Maximum 85°C [185°F]
D140 S Activator for PERMABLOK plug Maximum 80°C [176°F]
107°C [225°F]
D606 S Gelation suppressant No limit
J120 S Polymer for polymer plug 200°F
M117 S Potassium chloride No limit

Surfactants
D139 L Stabilizer for foamed cement Maximum 232°C [450°F]
D607 L Wash or spacer for OBM removal Maximum 232°C [450°F]
F040 L Aid in OBM removal Maximum 232°C [450°F]
F057 L Aid in OBM removal Maximum 232°C [450°F]
F078 L Foaming agent for foamed cement Maximum 232°C [450°F]
F103 L Aid in OBM removal Maximum 232°C [450°F]
F104 L Foaming agent for foamed cement Maximum 232°C [450°F]
U066 L Solvent for OBM removal Maximum 232°C [450°F]
U100 L Solvent for OBM removal Maximum 232°C [450°F]

Suspending Agents
D153 S Antisettling agent Maximum 149°C [300°F]
D162 L Antisettling agent Maximum 149°C [300°F]

Thixotropic Agents
D053 S Additive for RFC and SELFSTRESS cements Maximum 85°C [185°F]
D111 L Additive for RFC cement Maximum 85°C [185°F]

Weighting Agents
D018 S Ilmenite No limit
D031 S Barite No limit
D076 S Hematite No limit
D151 S Calcium carbonate No limit
D157 S Micromax Maximum 232°C [450°F]
D165 S Additive for DensCRETE slurries No limit
D166 S Additive for DensCRETE slurries No limit

68 Cementing Services and Products

Cementing Additive List
Code Name Application Description SG Primary Purpose
D008 Retarder/ Moderate White powder Used primarily with high-salinity slurries.
fluid-loss temperatures Strong viscosifier; provides some fluid-loss
additive control. Concentration: 0.05–1.0% BWOC.
Temperature: 54–104°C [130–220°F] as retarder;
to 232°C [450°F] as fluid-loss additive.

D013 Retarder Low to moderate Brown powder 1.23 Temperature: to 60°C [140°F] when used
temperatures alone and 85°C [185°F] with a dispersant.
Concentration: 0.1–0.5% BWOC. Can be
used in fresh water and seawater.

D018 Ilmenite High-density slurries Black granules 3.50–4.50 High-density slurries and spacers to
2300 kg/m3 [19 Ibm/gal].

D020 Bentonite Cement extender Light tan to 2.65 API untreated bentonite. To 25% BWOC when
gray powder dry blended. About one-fourth as much is
required when prehydrated. Minimum density:
1380 kg/m3 [11.5 Ibm/gal]. Attapulgite (D128)
is used in salt water.

D024 Gilsonite Lost circulation Black granules 1.07 LCM. Concentration: 10.6–106 kg/t [1–10 lbm/sk].
control Temperature to 149°C [300°F].

D028 Retarder High temperatures Dark brownish 1.25 Temperature: 104–149°C [220-300°F];
Can be used to 204°C [400°F] with a retarder aid.
Concentration: 0.05–1.0% BWOC. Can be used
in fresh water and in high-salinity systems.

D029 Cellophane Lost circulation Clear thin flakes 1.45 LCM. Concentration: 1.3–5.3 kg/t
flake control [0.125–0.5 Ibm/sk].

D030 Silica Strength White to tan granules 2.65 100-mesh silica sand. Prevents strength
retrogression retrogression at temperatures above
control 110°C [230°F]. Concentration: 35-50%
BWOC. D030 is preferred to D066 (silica flour)
in dense, low-water-ratio slurries.

D031 Barite Weighting agent Grey or tan powder 4.33 High-density slurries and spacers
(to 2300 kg/m3 [19 Ibm/gal]).

D035 LITEPOZ 3 Cement extender Tan to gray powder 2.48 Class F fly ash. Normally substituted for a
extender portion of the cement on an absolute volume
basis (e.g., in USA, 35:65) or blended on a
bulk volume basis (e.g., in Canada, 1:1).

D042 KOLITE lost Lost circulation Black angular 1.30 LCM. Granular material of controlled
circulation control granules particle size distribution.
additive Concentration: 10.6–106 kg/t [1–10 lbm/sk].

D044 Granulated Accelerator; White granules 2.16 Sodium chloride. Used where formations are
salt inhibit clay swelling; sensitive to fresh water. Accelerates cement
facilitate bonding in set when used at concentrations to 15%
salt formations BWOW (by weight of water). At 18% BWOW,
its effect is essentially neutral and thickening
times are similar to those obtained with fresh
water. Above 18% BWOW, D044 retards setting
of cement. Used above 18% to minimize
leaching of salt formations.

D046 Antifoam Control foaming of Tan solid 1.50 General purpose solid foam preventer.
cement slurries Typical concentration: 2 kg/t [0.2 Ibm/sk].

Materials 69
Cementing Additive List (continued)
Code Name Application Description SG Primary Purpose
D047 Antifoam Control foaming of Colorless liquid 1.00 General purpose liquid foam preventer.
cement slurries Typical concentration: 4.5 L/t [0.05 gal/sk]
for cement slurries and 6 L/m3 [0.25 gal/bbl]
for spacers.

D048 LITEPOZ 6 Cement extender Gray to tan powder 2.01 Class F fly ash. Normally substituted for a
extender portion of the cement on an absolute volume
basis (e.g., in USA; 35:65) or blended on a bulk
volume basis (e.g., in Canada, 1:1).

D053 Cement agent Thixotropy and White powder 2.70 Additive for RFC cement and SELFSTRESS
expansion cement. Thixotropic slurries (RFC cement)
are used for lost circulation control and their
expansive properties. SELFSTRESS cement
is used for its expansion. Effective up to
85°C [185°F].

D056 Extender Cement extender Light gray granules 2.10 Diatomaceous earth.

D059 FLAC* fluid- Salt cement slurries White powder 1.36 Fluid-loss control additive for salt slurries.
loss additive Can be used in fresh slurries with dispersant.
Temperature range: 38–93°C [100–200°F].
Typical concentration: 0.5 to 1% BWOC.
Retards at low temperatures.

D065 TIC* Freshwater or low Light brown powder 1.43 Powerful cement dispersant. Concentration:
dispersant salinity slurries 0.1–1.5% BWOC. Can be used with seawater.
Temperature to 121°C [250°F].

D065A SALTBOND Fluid-loss control for Light brown powder 1.43 Dispersant and fluid-loss additive for high-
additive high salinity slurries salinity slurries when “difficult-to-disperse
in salt” cement is used. Temperature to
121°C [250°F].

D066 Silica flour Strength White to tan granules 2.65 Fine silica flour (finer than 200 mesh). Prevents
retrogression strength retrogression at temperatures above
control 110°C [230°F]. Concentration: 35–50% BWOC.
Preferred over D030 in lightweight slurries and
at very high temperatures.

D072 Perlite Cement extender White, fluffy powder 2.40 Expanded volcanic glass. Used in shallow wells;
collapses at high pressure (significant at
20.7 MPa [3000 psi]).

D075 Sodium silicate Cement extender Colorless liquid 1.38 Silicate-based liquid extender. Preferred for
seawater applications. When used with fresh
water, requires calcium chloride addition
to the mix water. Typical concentration:
18–54 L/t [0.2–0.6 gal/sk]. Minimum density:
1380 kg/m3 [11.5 Ibm/gal]. Accelerates set.

D076 Hematite Weighting agent Reddish brown powder 4.95 High-density slurries and spacers to
2300 kg/m3 [19 Ibm/gal].

D077 Liquid calcium Cement slurry Clear to straw 1.38 Liquid form of calcium chloride. Used in fresh
chloride accelerator colored liquid water or seawater. Maximum concentration
of 35.5 L/t (0.4 gal/sk).

D079 Sodium Cement extender White solid 2.40 Sodium metasilicate extender. Most applicable
metasilicate for low bulk-storage requirements, such
as remote locations and offshore.
Typical concentration: 0.25–3% BWOC.
Minimum density: 1380 kg/m3 [11.5 Ibm/gal].
Accelerates set.

70 Cementing Services and Products

Cementing Additive List (continued)
Code Name Application Description SG Primary Purpose
D080 TIC dispersant Dispersant Dark brown liquid 1.24 Liquid equivalent of D065.
Concentration: 2–36 L/t [0.02–0.4 gal/sk].
Temperature: to 121°C [250°F].

D080A SALTBOND Fluid-loss control Dark brown liquid 1.24 Dispersant and fluid-loss additive for high-salinity
additive for salt slurries slurries when “difficult-to-disperse in salt”
cement is used. Temperature: to 121°C [250°F].
Concentration: 27–81 L/t [0.3–0.9 gal/sk].

D081 Liquid retarder Low to moderate Brown liquid 1.26 Liquid equivalent to D013. Temperature range:
temperatures to about 60°C [140°F] when used alone and
about 85°C [185°F] with a dispersant.
Concentration: 2–9 L/t [0.02–0.1 gal/sk].
Can be used in fresh water and seawater.

D093 Retarder aid Increase White powder 1.73 Synergistic effect with all retarders, increasing
performance range their effective range. Most useful above
of retarders 149°C [300°F]. Detrimental effect on most
fluid-loss control additives.

D095 CemNET fiber Lost circulation Fibers 2.55 Controlling and preventing lost circulation.
control Maximum temperature: 150°C [302°F].
Concentration: to 7 kg/m3 [2.5 lb/bbl].

D096 CemNET fiber Lost circulation Fibers 1.27 Controlling and preventing lost circulation.
control Maximum temperature: 232°C [450°F].
Concentration: to 6 kg/m3 [2.1 lb/bbl].

D110 Retarder High temperatures Brown liquid 1.13 Temperature: 79-149°C [175–300°F];
to 190°C [375°F] with D093.
Concentration: 2–45 L/t [0.05-0.5 gal/sk].

D111 RFC additive Liquid additive for Light green liquid 1.26 Concentration: to 72 L/t [0.8 gal/sk].
thixotropic cement
slurries

D112 FLAC fluid-loss Low-density slurries Tan powder 1.15 Control fluid loss, primarily in lightweight
additive slurries. Temperature: to 93°C [200°F].
Concentration: 0.5–3.0% BWOC. Can be used
in fresh water and seawater. Strong viscosifier.

D121 TIC III Dispersant, retarder Dark brown powder 1.38 Temperature: to 177°C [350°F]. Concentration:
tri-functional and aid for fluid-loss 0.5–2.0% BWOC. Effective in fresh water and
additive control high-salinity systems.

D122A Chemical Mud thinning, Brown liquid 1.03 Typical concentration: 12 L/m3 [0.5 gal in 41.5 gal]
wash dispersing and in water.
concentrate removal

D124 LITEFIL Ultralightweight Gray powder 0.65- 0.85 Hollow ceramic microspheres allowing slurry
extender cementing additive density as low as 1080 kg/m3 [9 Ibm/gal].
Temperature: to 232°C [450°F]. Pressure limit
owing to crushing of spheres: about 35 MPa
[5000 psi].Application ranges may be extended
with testing.

D125 Perlite Extender Off-white, fluffy powder 2.40 Expanded volcanic glass used in shallow wells;
collapses at high pressure (significant at
20.7 MPa [3000 psi]).

D128 Attapulgite Extender for salt Light tan to 2.65 Clay extender for saline waters
cement slurries gray powder (including seawater).
D130 Polyester flake Lost circulation Clear thin flakes 1.06 LCM. Concentration: 1.3–5.3 kg/t [0.125–0.5 Ibm/sk].
control

Materials 71
Cementing Additive List (continued)
Code Name Application Description SG Primary Purpose
D132 Cement Carbon dioxide- Tan to gray powder 2.67 Class C fly ash; component of carbon
agent resistant cement dioxide-resistant cement.

D139 Foamed Foamed cement Clear to hazy 1.07 Used to maintain downhole stability of
cement yellow liquid foamed cement.
stabilizer Usual concentration: 9 L/t [0.1 gal/sk].

D140 Hardener Hardener for Yellow liquid 1.24 Hardener for PERMABLOK rigid gel system.
PERMABLOK lost Temperature: to 80°C [176°F]. May be extended
circulation plug through laboratory testing to 107°C [225°F].
Concentration: 5–20% by volume of solution,
depending on temperature, required gel time
and rigidity.

D144 Antifoam High-salinity slurries White liquid 1.00 General purpose liquid foam preventer
additive and spacers and defoamer. Added to the mix water. Typical
(efficient in any fluid) concentration: 1–5 L/t [0.01–0.05 gal/sk] for
cement slurries and 2.4 L/m3 [0.1 gal/bbl]
for spacers.

D145A Liquid Low temperatures Viscous liquid 1.24 Dispersant, much less retarding than D080.
dispersant Temperature: to 85°C [185°F] in freshwater
systems. Usual concentration: 4 to
27 L/t [0.05 to 0.3 gal/sk].

D150 Retarder High temperatures Dark brown liquid 1.11 Liquid equivalent to D028. Temperature:
104–149°C [220–300°F]; to 204°C [400°F]
with a retarder aid. Concentration:
2–36 L/t [0.02–0.4 gal/sk].

D151 Calcium Weighting agent White powder 2.70 Graded calcium carbonate. Weighting material
carbonate for spacers for spacers, especially where acid solubility
is required.

D152 Premium Extender Light tan to 2.65 Premium grade of bentonite having better
bentonite gray powder fluid-loss control properties when used at
high concentrations (>12%).

D153 Antisettling Suspending additive White to gray powder 2.53 Maintains slurry stability at downhole
additive temperature conditions. For all densities.
Temperature: to 149°C [300°F].
Concentration: 0.1–1.5% BWOC.

D154 Extender Low temperatures Gray powder 2.20 Microsilica. Improves performance of most set
cement formulations; better strength and lower
permeability. Useful for lightweight systems to
1320 kg/m3 [11 Ibm/gal], especially at low
temperatures (to 85°C [185°F]).
Concentration: 5–20% BWOC.

D155 Extender Low temperatures Gray liquid 1.40 Suspension of microsilica in water. Improves
performance of set cement; usually gives better
strength and lower permeability. Useful for light-
weight systems to 1320 kg/m3 [11 Ibm/gal].
Concentration: 90–360 L/t [1–4 gal/sk].

D157 Weighting High-density slurries Red brown powder 4.80 Compatible with freshwater and high-
agent salinity slurries to 232°C [450°F]. Applicable
1920–2640 kg/m3 [16–22 lbm/gal]. Very small
particle size (5 micrometers) enables addition
directly to mix water, allowing last-minute
density increases.

72 Cementing Services and Products

Cementing Additive List (continued)
Code Name Application Description SG Primary Purpose
D161 UNISET HT High temperatures Clear liquid 1.08 Compatible with freshwater slurries and
retarder salinities to 25% salt BWOW and any density.
Works synergistically with UNIFLAC fluid-loss
additives. Concentration: 9–225 L/t [0.1–2.5 gal/sk].
Effective temperature: 85–232°C [185–450°F].

D162 Liquid Sedimentation control Off-white liquid 0.84 Compatible with freshwater and high-
antisettling salinity slurries. For all densities.
additive Temperature: to 149°C [300°F].
Concentration: 0.45–2.3 L/t [0.005–0.025 gal/sk].

D165 CemHD DensCRETE slurries Reddish powder 4.95 Special grade of hematite for DensCRETE slurries.

D166 CemD DensCRETE slurries White powder 2.65 Special grade of silica for DensCRETE slurries.

D167 UNIFLAC S Fluid-loss control White powder 1.32 Compatible with freshwater and high-salinity
additive slurries. Temperature: to 204°C [400°F].
All densities. Typical concentration:
0.1 to 0.8% BWOC.

D168 UNIFLAC L Fluid-loss control Colorless to yellow 1.08 Liquid version of D167. Compatible with
additive liquid freshwater and high-salinity slurries.
Temperature: to 204°C [400°F]. All densities.
Typical concentration: 9–81 L/t [0.1–0.9 gal/sk].

D174 Expanding Low to moderate Tan powder 3.22 Temperature: 27–110°C [80–230°F].
cement temperatures Typical concentration: 3–5% BWOC.
additive

D175 Antifoam High-salinity slurries White liquid 0.99 General purpose liquid foam preventer and
additive and spacers (efficient defoamer. Added to the mix water. Typical
in any fluid) concentration: 1–5 L/t [0.01–0.05 gal/sk] for
cement slurries and 2.5 L/ m3 [0.1 gal/bbl]
for spacers.

D176 Expanding High temperatures Tan powder 3.54 Temperature: 80–204°C [176–400°F].
cement Typical concentration: 1–5% BWOC.
additive

D177 UNISET LT Low to moderate Light green liquid 1.10 Can be used with fresh water or seawater.
additive temperatures Concentration: to 26 L/t [0.3 gal/sk].
Low sensitivity of thickening time to
changes in temperature or concentration.
Maximum temperature: 121°C [250°F] if
used in combination with UNIFLAC additive
(D167 or D168).

D182 MUDPUSH II Low to moderate Red brown powder 1.32 Concentrate for preparing MUDPUSH II spacer;
spacer temperatures used with freshwater, seawater, or high-salinity
additive spacers. MUDPUSH II spacer density can be
designed to 2400 kg/m3 [20 lb/gal].
Temperature: to 149°C [300°F].

D185 Dispersant Low temperatures Colorless liquid 1.04 DeepCEM additive for cold environment of
deepwater. Nonretarding. Temperature: to
57°C [135°F]. Rheology is not affected by salt
(D044) or calcium chloride (S001).

Materials 73
Cementing Additive List (continued)
Code Name Application Description SG Primary Purpose
D186 Set enhancer Low temperatures Green liquid 1.35 DeepCEM additive for cold environment of
deepwater. Enhances the set profile of
cement; accelerates cement hydration
resulting in early compressive strength
development. It is especially effective with
GASBLOK LT additive (D500) and D185
dispersant. D186 can be used with
DeepCRETE systems. Preferred temperature:
7–55°C [45–130°F]. Compatible with fresh
water or seawater.
Concentration: to17.8 L/t [0.2 gal/sk].

D190 MUDPUSH High temperatures Colorless powder 1.23 Viscosifies to suspend weighting agents
WHT additive and control fluid loss in MUDPUSH WHT
high-temperature spacer, which has a
temperature limit of 232°C (450°F).
Density: to 2400 kg/m3 [20 lb/gal].

D191 Surfactant For spacers and Clear opalescent liquid 0.98 Environmentally friendly surfactant used in
washes for removal washes and MUDPUSH spacers for removal
of OBM of OBM, low-toxicity OBM or synthetic OBM.
Temperature: to 250°C [482°F].
Typical concentration: 48 L/m3 [2 gal/bbl].

D192 Chemical Mud thinning, Dark brown liquid 1.18 Environmentally friendly surfactant used
wash dispersing and in washes. No limit on temperature.
concentrate removal

D300 Fluid-loss Low to moderate Green liquid 1.00 Nonretarding. Compatible with calcium chloride.
additive temperatures Compatible with salinity to 10% BWOW.
Temperature: 27–120°C [80–250°F].
Concentration: 32–117 L/t [0.35–1.3 gal/sk].
Only dispersants D145A and D185 can be
used with D300 fluid-loss additive.

D500 GASBLOK LT Gas migration Yellow liquid 1.01 Nonretarding liquid additive.
additive control at low Temperature: to 71°C [160°F].
temperatures Density: 1260–1970 kg/m3 [10.5–16.4 lbm/gal].
Compatible with fresh water and seawater.
Typical concentration: 45–180 L/t [0.5–2.0 gal/sk].

D600G GASBLOK MT Gas migration White liquid 1.02 Latex additive. Temperature: 66–121°C [150–250°F].
additive control additive Concentration: 130–260 L/t [1.5–3.5 gal/sk] in
GASBLOK slurries; 90–180 L/t [1–2 gal/sk] as
WELBOND cement. Lower concentration is
required when used for fluid-loss control only.

D602 Diatomaceous Cement extender White to gray powder 2.10 Naturally occurring material used as extender.
earth

D604AM SALTBOND Fluid-loss control for Dark brown liquid 1.21 Salt system dispersant and fluid-loss additive.
additive high salinity slurries Temperature: to 121°C [250°F].
Concentration: 27–81 L/t [0.3-0.9 gal/sk].

D604M Dispersant “Easy-to-disperse” Dark brown liquid 1.21 Formulated to minimize overdispersion.
cements Temperature: 121°C [250°F].
Concentration: 0.9–9 L/t [0.01–0.1 gal/sk].

D606 Gel- Antigelling additive White crystals 2.68 Eliminates primary gelling tendency of cement
suppressing with improperly balanced sulfate. Typical
additive concentration: 0.5–1.0% BWOC.

74 Cementing Services and Products

Cementing Additive List (continued)
Code Name Application Description SG Primary Purpose
D607 Surfactant For spacers and Yellow liquid 0.99 Typical concentration: 2–10% by volume.
washes for removal
of OBM

D700 GASBLOK HT Gas-migration-control White liquid 1.02 Latex additive. Typical temperature:
additive additive for high 121–191°C (250–375°F). Concentration:
temperatures 177–310 L/t [2–3.5 gal/sk]. The addition of
D701 (high-temperature latex stabilizer)
may be required.

D701 GASBLOK Stabilizer for Clear yellow 1.05 Used to stabilize D700 GASBLOK slurry;
stabilizer GASBLOK slurries viscous liquid necessary. Typical concentration: 5% by
volume of D700.

D800 Retarder Low to moderate Dark brown powder 1.26 Lignosulfonate retarder with reduced tendency
temperatures for gelation. Temperature: 52–121°C [125–250°F]
BHCT; can be extended to 154°C [310°F] when
used with a retarder aid. Compatible with fresh
water or salt water (to saturation).
Concentration: 0.25–2% BWOC.

D801 Retarder Low to moderate Dark brown liquid 1.18 Liquid version of D800. Temperature:
temperatures 52–121°C [125–250°F] BHCT; can be extended
to 154°C [310°F] when used with a retarder
aid. Compatible with fresh water or salt
water (to saturation). Concentration:
4.5-36 L/t [0.05-0.4 gal/sk].

F040 EZEFLO* For spacers and Clear liquid 1.04 Typical concentration: 2–10% by volume.
surfactant washes for removal
of OBM

F057 Surfactant For spacers and Yellow liquid 1.07 Typical concentration: 2–10% by volume.
washes for removal
of OBM

F078 EZEFLO For spacers and Clear amber liquid 0.89 Typical concentration: 2–10% by volume.
surfactant washes for removal Also used for foaming cement slurries
of OBM with nitrogen or air.
Typical concentration: 19–18 L/t [0.1–0.2 gal/sk].

F103 EZEFLO For spacers and Clear colorless liquid 0.94 Typical concentration: 2–10% by volume.
surfactant washes for removal
of OBM

F104 Foaming Foamed cement Clear amber liquid 1.01 For foaming cement slurries with nitrogen or air.
additive Also used in washes and in MUDPUSH spacers
for removal of OBM.
Typical concentration: 2–10% by volume.
Typical concentration: 9–18 L/t [0.1–0.2 gal/sk].

J120 Polymer Polymer Plug White powder 1.00 Polymer for use in Polymer Plug lost circulation
lost circulation system control system.

J237A Fluid-loss Fluid-loss control in Creamy liquid 1.06 Typical concentration: 6 L/ m3 [0.25 gal/bbl].
additive chemical washes

M045 Antifoam Washes and spacers White liquid 1.00 General purpose liquid foam preventer and
additive defoamer. Added to the mix water. Typical
concentration: 5 L/t [0.05 gal/sk] for cement
slurries and 2.5 L/m3 [0.1 gal/bbl] for spacers.

Materials 75
Cementing Additive List (continued)
Code Name Application Description SG Primary Purpose
M117 Potassium Clay stabilizer White to gray 1.98 Used in washes and spacers as a clay
chloride crystals stabilizer. Typical concentration: 3% BWOW.
Sometimes used in cement slurry to control
swelling shales.

S001 Calcium Accelerator White solid 1.75 Calcium chloride 77%. Typical concentration:
chloride 1 to 2% BWOC. Increases temperature of slurry
when dissolved.

S002 Calcium Accelerator White solid 1.75 Calcium chloride 95%. Typical concentration:
chloride 1 to 2% BWOC. Increases temperature of slurry
when dissolved.

U066 Mutual For spacers and Colorless to 0.90 Used in washes and in MUDPUSH spacers for
solvent washes for removal white liquid removal of OBM and particularly environmen-
of environmentally tally safe OBM. Typical concentration: 2–10%
safe OBM by volume.

U100 Mutual For spacers and Colorless to 0.90 Used in washes and in MUDPUSH spacers for
solvent washes for removal white liquid removal of OBM and particularly environmen-
of environmentally tally safe OBM. Typical concentration: 2–10%
safe OBM by volume.
Note: Temperatures, concentrations and other conditions of application are typical. Testing may allow extension of ranges.

76 Cementing Services and Products

 Equipment

Introduction
Cementing requires specially designed equipment. Equipment may be high-powered like the
CPF-376 double-pump cement trailer or CPT-372 double-pump cement truck or highly versatile
to accomplish numerous cementing operations each day, like the CemSTREAK cementing unit.
Even more specialized equipment is required for use offshore, with the skids designed to deliver
high power with high reliability. In many cases, offshore cementing is done using liquid additives
and LAS* liquid additive systems are used for precise delivery of the additives to the mixing sys-
tem. When subsea heads are used, the DeepSea EXPRESS plug launching system is used for reli-
able wiper plug launching. Monitoring and recording of the cementing operation is done using
the CemCAT computer-aided treatment software and a portable computer. Innovative mixing
control is accomplished using the SFM* Solids Fraction Monitor.

CemSTREAK land cementing unit

The CemSTREAK land cementing unit is a lightweight, low-maintenance truck with four-wheel
drive that can be used for almost any cementing application. Its rugged, compact design enables
operation even in hard-to-reach locations. The simplicity of design and extensive test program
provide a high level of reliability over rough terrain and in bad weather and allow quick rig-up,
rig-down and cleanup. This unit enables as many as six jobs to be performed in one day.

The compact CemSTREAK unit can service wells in difficult-to-reach locations.

Designed for fast rig-up and rig-down, the unit can perform multiple jobs in one day.

Cementing Services and Products ■ Equipment 77

 The CemSTREAK unit is equipped with one triplex pump and two 1.1-m3 [6.9-bbl] displace-
ment tanks, one of which doubles as the mix tank. The hydraulically driven triplex pump allows
control of flow rates and pressures and delivers 127 kW [170 hhp] of power. Two centrifugal
pumps enable high-energy mixing, pressurizing the triplex pump as well as bringing water onto
the unit.
The unit carries 38 m [125 ft] of treating hose, rated to 20.7-MPa [3000-psi] working pressure,
to serve as the high-pressure conduit to the well. The hose is stored on an automated reel for fast
deployment and retrieval.
A nonradioactive mass-flow meter provides accurate measurements of slurry density, flow rate
and fluid volume even during U-tubing of fluids in the well.
Cleaning of the unit starts with the displacement tanks, which minimizes wastewater and
hence environmental impact.

Applications
■ Cementing services
■ Low- and intermediate-range pumping services
■ Remedial cementing operations requiring very low pump rates
■ Low-range pressure testing

Benefits
■ Ability to reach difficult locations
■ Savings in rig time through rapid rig-up and rig-down
■ Minimal environmental impact
■ Weight compliant with various road ban rules
■ Crew of only two operators for improved logistics, reduced risks and costs
■ Downtime probability reduced or eliminated by reliability of equipment
■ Ability to mix all slurry types

Features
■ Four-wheel drive
■ 127-kW [170-hhp] triplex pump
■ Rating of 20.7-MPa [3000-psi] working pressure
■ 38 m [125 ft] of 50.8-mm [2-in.] hose rated to 20.7-MPa [3000-psi] working pressure
■ Powered reel for hose storage, deployment and retrieval
■ 1.11-m3/min [7-bbl/min] pump rate
■ Nonradioactive densitometer
■ SLURRY CHIEF Mark III cement mixer
■ Oilfield or metric gauges
■ Integrated data-acquisition system
■ Two 1.1-m3 [6.9-bbl] displacement tanks
■ CemCAT real-time monitoring
■ Four separate systems for pressure relief
■ Self-sufficient unit, including cement head and extra treating iron

78 Cementing Services and Products

 CPF-376 double-pump cement trailer
This cement trailer is a state-of-the-art mixing and pumping unit for land operations. The high-
power unit allows mixing and pumping cement at rates to 2.7 m3 [17 bbl/min] and at pressures
to 68.95 MPa [10,000 psi]. Pumps are available with rating to 137.9 MPa [20,000 psi]. The unit is
fully redundant, allowing operations to continue in the event of failure of one of its components.
A SLURRY CHIEF mixer with automated density control is used in conjunction with a

The CPF-376 double-pump cement truck delivers high reliability in high-pressure pumping operations.

0.95-m3 [6-bbl] mixing tub and a 2.2-m3 [14-bbl] averaging tank. This arrangement produces
superior density control and separates the critical mixing stage from downhole pumping. It also
provides the ability to mix 3.2 m3 [20 bbl] of cement in batch mode for squeeze and plug operations.
The CemCAT system is used to monitor and record treatment parameters and to provide a job
report.

Applications
■ Cementing services
■ High-power pumping services
■ Remedial cementing operations

Benefits
■ Full redundancy ensures ability to complete job
■ Downtime reduced or eliminated by reliability of equipment
■ Ability to mix all slurry types

Equipment 79
 Features
■ 194-kW [260-hhp] power per triplex pump, for a total of 388 kW [520 hhp]
■ 2.7-m3/min [17-bbl/min] pump rate
■ Working pressure rating to 137.9 MPa [20,000 psi]
■ Fully redundant for high reliability
■ SLURRY CHIEF Mark III cement mixer
■ Automatic density control system
■ Two nonradioactive densitometers
■ Oilfield or metric gauges
■ Underdrive for pumping at low rates
■ Direct drive centrifugal pumps for reliability
■ Integrated data-acquisition system
■ CemCAT real-time monitoring
■ Self-sufficient unit, including treating iron

CPT-372 double-pump cement truck

The CPT-372 truck is a high-power cement mixing and pumping unit that allows mixing and
pumping at rates to 2.7 m3 [17 bbl/min] and at pressures to 68.95 MPa [10,000 psi]. The unit is
fully redundant, allowing operations to continue even if one component fails.

The CPT-372 double-pump cement truck delivers high reliability in high-pressure

pumping operations.

80 Cementing Services and Products

 A SLURRY CHIEF mixer is used in conjunction with a 0.95-m3 [6-bbl] mixing tub. This arrange-
ment produces superior density control and separates the critical mixing stage from downhole
pumping. It also provides ability to mix a maximum of 3.2 m3 [20 bbl] of cement in batch mode
for squeeze and plug operations.
The CemCAT system is used to monitor and record treatment parameters and to provide a job
report.

Applications
■ Cementing services
■ High-power pumping services
■ Remedial cementing operations

Benefits
■ Full redundancy ensures ability to complete job
■ Downtime reduced or eliminated by reliability of equipment
■ Ability to mix all slurry types

Features
■ Power to 388 kW [520 hhp]
■ Pump rate to 2.7 m3/min [14 bbl/min]
■ Working pressure rating of 68.95 MPa [10,000 psi]
■ Fully redundant for high reliability
■ SLURRY CHIEF Mark III cement mixer
■ Nonradioactive densitometer
■ Oilfield or metric gauges
■ Integrated data-acquisition system
■ CemCAT real-time monitoring
■ Self-sufficient unit, including treating iron

Offshore cementing skids

Schlumberger provides a versatile line of CPS* cement pumping skids specially designed to meet
all offshore cement mixing and pumping requirements. These skids can produce up to 1490 kW
[2000 hhp] for high-pressure pumping.
Two triplex pumps equip the unit for simultaneous high-energy mixing and downhole pump-
ing or for parallel downhole pumping. Two engines (diesel or electric) power the unit. The design
focuses on reliability, redundancy and noise reduction. The units are typically controlled from a
local console but optional remote control packages are available. Optional marine cooling kits
and a helicopter lift unit are available.
Cement slurries are mixed using the SLURRY CHIEF recirculating mixer fitted with an SFM
quality control monitor or an SFM-C* process control unit for automatic density control. The
SLURRY CHIEF unit mixes consistent slurries at rates to 1.75 m3/min [11 bbl/min]. Equalizing
tubs provide excellent slurry uniformity (3 m3 [19 bbl]).

Equipment 81
CPS cement pumping skids are available in a number of configurations to fit any requirement.

Offshore cementing skids are fitted with all sensors necessary for direct connection to the
CemCAT data-acquisition and monitoring system. The CemCAT system monitors and records
the critical job parameters including rate, pressure and slurry density.
Batch mixers, such as the CBS-961 twin 50-bbl mixer, are available for mixing of cement
slurries or other fluids. The CBS-961 unit features two centrifugal pumps for picking up fluids
from remote tanks, recirculating for mixing and for delivering fluid to high-pressure pumps.

Standard equipment
■ SLURRY CHIEF cement mixer
■ Nonradioactive densitometer
■ Two triplex pumps
■ Stainless-steel displacement tanks
■ Slurry pump
■ Recirculation pump
■ Two mixing water pumps
■ Full selection of fluid ends

Optional equipment
■ SFM package
■ Automatic density control
■ Zone II-certified engine package
■ Remote control package
■ Split skid with bulkhead
■ Optional loose equipment skid
■ Marine cool kit
■ Liquid additive metering system
■ Soundproof enclosure (for CPS-601 and CPS-665 units)

82 Cementing Services and Products

 Applications
■ All cementing jobs
■ High-pressure pumping services
■ Fluid pickup from remote sources
■ Metering of mixing fluids
■ Metering and pumping of displacement fluids
■ Downhole pumping using one or both triplex pumps

Table 6-1. Dimensions of Offshore Cementing Units

CPS 361 CPS 601 CPS 665 CPS 763AC CPS 763DC CPS 2000
Length (mm [in.]) 6,511 [256] 7,710 [304] 7,863 [310] 8,180 [322] 7,823 [308] 7,164 [282]

Width (mm [in.]) 2,578 [102] 3,011 [119] 2,898 [114] 3,007 [118] 3,150 [124] 3,841 [151]

Height (mm [in.]) 3,043 [120] 3,467 [136] 3,333 [131] 3,339 [132] 3,323 [131] 3,267 [129]

Operating weight (kg [lbm]) 20,658 [45,550] 32,180 [70,960] 33,840 [74,600] 37,360 [82,380] 38,010 [83,810] 46,795 [103,180]

Table 6-2. Performance of Offshore Cementing Units

CPS 361 CPS 601 CPS 665 CPS 763AC CPS 763DC CPS 2000
Power (kW [hhp]) 410 [550] 626 [840] 1044 [1400] 1194 [1600] 1194 [1600] 1490 [2000]

Max. rate at 1.6 [10] 3.1 [19.7] 2.9 [18.3] 2.9 [18.3] 2.9 [18.3] 3.8 [24.0]
41.4 MPa [6000 psi] at 46.9 MPa
(m3/min [bbl/min]) [6800 psi]

LAS liquid additive system

Modular systems, such as the CMP-351 unit, deliver metered amounts of liquid additives to the
cement slurry as it is mixed. Metering of liquid additives adds versatility to the mixing process,
enabling the mixing of various slurry systems from bulk storage of neat cement. Metering can be
manual, or automatic when the CMP-751 LAS metering unit is used. With the CMP-751 unit, elec-
tromagnetic flow meters control the additive metered into the displacement tanks.

Applications
■ Offshore cementing operations
■ Operations in remote areas

Benefits
■ Allows use of neat (unblended) cement for all operations
■ Provides high versatility in slurry designs
■ Simplifies logistics
■ Enables last-minute design without regard to time of transport from base
■ Eliminates waste of unused blended cement
■ Enables decisions on treatment volumes at time of job

Equipment 83
 Features
■ Meters up to four different additives into mixer
■ Stainless-steel construction for durability
■ Remote control of additive addition
■ Certified for Zone II operations
■ Electromagnetic flow meters

CemCAT cementing computer-aided treatment software

The CemCAT system is a quality control (QC) and data-acquisition software for acquiring, record-
ing, displaying, and reporting cementing and related pumping treatment data in real time.
CemCAT system real-time displays and plots present detailed job information to decision-makers.
User friendly and quickly accessible, the CemCAT system provides enough defaults for the system
to be used quickly with a minimum of user input, or it can be completely customized.
By acquiring data from existing hardware on cementing units, the CemCAT system provides
efficient data transfer between the Wellsite Reporting System and Schlumberger CemCADE
cementing design software. Integration of up-to-the-minute data with design and evaluation soft-
ware results in precise treatment design and execution. During the job, the CemCAT system
tracks the design and displays actual job parameters compared with planned values.
With the CemCAT system, quality assurance (QA)/QC plots can be generated at the end of
each treatment to determine if a job was pumped within the designed density range. Internet
connectivity allows the transmission of data from a remote wellsite to anywhere in the world for
real-time analysis. The CemCAT system also provides the means to easily archive job data for
future use.

Applications
■ Primary and remedial cementing operations
■ Miscellaneous high-pressure pumping services for testing blowout preventers or for leakoff or
formation integrity tests
■ Matrix acidizing and coiled tubing services

Benefits
■ Superior QC during all treatment phases
■ Precise treatments that follow job design
■ Immediate data for job-critical decisions, thus reducing risk
■ Exceptional flexibility, performance and reliability

Features
■ Complete integration with CemCADE design and evaluation software
■ Clear, customizable digital displays and plots of job data
■ Real-time data transmission from wellsite to any location worldwide
■ Detailed postjob plots including QA and QC plots and reports
■ Archive of job data for future use

84 Cementing Services and Products

 SFM-C process control
An important element of successful low-density slurry placement and ideal set-cement proper-
ties is QC. A key measure of quality in cement slurries is the solids fraction, which is the percent
of dry components in the slurry. In a conventional cementing operation, densitometers measure
slurry density, and the solids fraction can be calculated from the density measurements.
Variation in the solids fraction of the slurry affects all the cement properties. Too many solids and
the slurry will be too viscous and set early. Too few solids and free fluid will be high and the com-
pressive strength will be low and develop late. For certain slurries, such as very low density slur-
ries, slurry quality cannot be determined using density measurements.
In ultralightweight slurries, the densities of the dry blend and the mix water can be nearly the
same, so density measurements cannot discriminate between water and solids. The density
would be the same, even if the slurry consisted entirely of water. For example, a slurry designed
at 1020 kg/m3 [8.5 lbm/gal] with 57% solids content and monitored using only a densitometer
with a variation of ± 12 kg/m3 [0.1 lbm/gal] in density will have a solids content ranging from 24%
to 84%.
The SFM-C process control system provides a new method for real-time slurry QC that accu-
rately determines and controls solid/liquid ratios without making density measurements. The
system measures the rate of mix water and slurry flows and calculates the solids fraction from
those measurements. From this determination, the fluid density is easily computed. The solids
fraction is automatically maintained by process control of the water and cement flow into the
mixer.

SFM-C system instantly displays critical data in convenient, readable formats.

Equipment 85
 Slurry density
Slurry rate
Solid fraction
100 10
90 9
80 8
70 7
60 6 Slurry density
Solid
50 5 (lbm/gal)
fraction
40 4 Slurry rate
(%)
(bbl/min)
30 3
20 2
10 1
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Time (min)
100
90 88% of volume ± 2% of the solid-fraction target
99% of volume ± 0.2 lbm/gal
80
70
60
Volume 50
(%)
40
30
20
10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Solid fraction (%)

The SFM-C system controls the solids fraction, which in turn controls the density.

The SFM-C system is a complementary technology, designed to provide QC for very low density
LiteCRETE slurry systems. Although SFM-C technology was developed specifically for light-
weight-cement operations, it is effective for slurries of any density.
This new SFM-C technology allows cementing crews to maintain slurry properties while con-
tinuously mixing and pumping large slurry volumes. The system requires a slurry flow meter, such
as the nonradioactive densitometer already available on cementing units, a residence tank sen-
sor, a water flow meter and process-controlled valves. These retrofits can be added easily to land
or offshore mixing equipment.
User-friendly software helps cementing crews monitor and easily switch between automatic
and manual control.

Applications
■ All cementing operations
■ Slurries with very low densities (less than 1320 kg/m3 [11 lbm/gal])

86 Cementing Services and Products

 Benefits
■ Excellent QC

Features
■ Continuous-mixing control of all slurries, even at densities equal to or lower than that of water
■ More sensitive method for controlling cement mixing than by density measurement
■ Independent of specific gravity of components
■ Automatic control of slurry quality
■ Real-time monitoring
■ Complete compatibility with all data-acquisition systems
■ Easy installation on conventional mixing equipment

Nonradioactive densitometer
Density measurement and control in the oil industry have traditionally been accomplished by
using radioactive densitometers, mainly because they are nonintrusive, durable and easy to use.
Unfortunately, the radioactive technique has several major drawbacks; the radioactive source
presents safety and environmental concerns, and the required accuracy (12 kg/m3 [0.1 lbm/gal])
is difficult to attain.
Because of the deficiencies of radioactive densitometers, Schlumberger uses a nonradioactive
densitometer that employs a proven method; poses no health, safety, or environmental hazard;
and provides direct density measurements with an accuracy of better than 12 kg/m3 [0.1 lbm/gal].
The nonradioactive densitometer is extremely reliable, easy to use and requires no on-site cal-
ibration. Additionally, it measures flow rate with an accuracy of ±0.5% of reading and can be used
as a flow-measurement instrument for acidizing service. The vibrating tube principle governs the
density measurement in the nonradioactive densitometer.

The nonradioactive densitometer is a rugged, field-proven instrument with excellent reliability.

Equipment 87
 Applications
■ Cementing operations with slurry density over 1200 kg/m3 [10 lbm/gal]
■ Land and offshore (including Zone II)
■ Process controlled operations
■ Can be used for acidizing service

Benefits
■ Accurate density measurement
■ Reliability, requires no on-site calibration
■ Minimal environmental and safety concerns

Features
■ No radioactive source
■ Superior accuracy and field-proven reliability for measuring density and flow rate
■ Accuracy greater than 12.0 kg/m3 [0.1 lbm/gal]
■ Virtually maintenance-free
■ Easy configuration; easily drained and cleaned in place
■ Output (density, rate) independent of changes in temperature, pressure, flow profile
or viscosity
■ Fast response time

88 Cementing Services and Products

 Evaluation

Introduction
Cement evaluation plays an important role in the cementing process. By cement evaluation, the
quality of zonal isolation is confirmed. In cases where zonal isolation is not achieved, the evalu-
ation helps diagnose the problems that led to the poor zonal isolation. Consequently, methods
and slurry design used for the primary cementing are reviewed and improved for the next well.
Results also help in deciding whether remedial work is required. Cement evaluation and QC are
processes completed during and after every step of primary cementing.
During the design, using Schlumberger CemCADE design software, the design engineer uses
well data and cementing parameters to predict the results with selected cement systems, select-
ing the one providing the desired zonal isolation. During execution, the operation is monitored
and analyzed. Finally, in the evaluation, cement evaluation logs are acquired for final confirmation
of hydraulic zonal isolation.
Thus, cement evaluation is a continuous process beginning with the design and continuing
with execution analysis, post-treatment analysis and analysis of cement evaluation logs to deter-
mine zonal isolation.

Design
In the design the well data are entered into CemCADE software to ensure optimum WELLCLEAN
mud removal, pipe centralization, cement slurry for downhole conditions, flow rate, etc. The
execution, as designed, is simulated and theoretical mud removal and zonal isolation are
assessed. If results are not satisfactory, the design is revised and the simulation is rerun.
See page 29 for more information on CemCADE software and WELLCLEAN mud removal.

Execution analysis
The purpose of primary cementing is to achieve zonal isolation. The slurry composition and the
execution procedure are designed to provide complete zonal isolation. The properties of the
cement sheath are optimized to isolate all productive zones, as well as those containing water
and nuisance gas.
The first QC step and evaluation during the execution determines if the materials were mixed
according to the design and if the displacement process followed the prescribed procedure. This
evaluation is made using plots of the slurry density, solids fraction, flow rate and pumping
pressure during the execution.
See page 84 for more information on CemCAT monitoring software.

Postcementing analysis
If the execution analysis indicated abnormal values of any monitored parameters, a thorough
analysis is performed after the operation. The data acquired during the cementing operation are
loaded into CemCADE cementing design and evaluation software and the execution data can be
overlaid and compared with the simulation run during the design. The simulation can also be
rerun using density and volumes of fluid mixed and pumped to determine if mud removal para-
meters were met.

Cementing Services and Products ■ Evaluation 89

 Cement evaluation logs are acquired for final confirmation of hydraulic zonal isolation and
tops of cement.
Using the analysis from both steps, any problem areas can be highlighted with special attention
to the depths on the evaluation logs where isolation is a concern.

Cement evaluation services

Cement evaluation services are used in the final evaluation of cement integrity and zonal isolation.
Used in conjunction with the execution and the postcementing analyses, evaluation logs can help
identify poor isolation and the reasons for that poor isolation. If remedial work is necessary, eval-
uation logs assist in its design to achieve the required isolation for well completion and pro-
duction of desired fluids. Any problem identified in these analyses is targeted for improvement in
the design or execution phases for future wells.
Cement evaluation services also play an important role in confirming the pipe’s integrity,
support and isolation from formation fluids, because exposing pipe to formation fluid can even-
tually lead to corrosion if the lack of isolation is not corrected.
Cement evaluation services are divided into two major groups:
■ Acoustic logging can be either sonic services, with tools that provide a log of amplitude
measurements and Variable Density* sonic waveforms, or ultrasonic services, with tools that
provide a map of the cement distribution around the pipe.
■ Other logging tools provide indirect evaluation through measurements of pressure, temperature,
nuclear activity and noise.
SoniCalc software is a tool that allows the logging engineer to import well and cementing data
for use in tool setup and interpretation of cement bond logs (CBLs) and USI UltraSonic Imager
cement evaluation logs. Tool setup parameters are provided so that tool setup and computed
output are correct for the well being logged, improving logging service quality. These data also
assist in interpreting evaluation logs and in determining if remedial treatments may be required.
Only acoustic tools are discussed in this catalog.

Sonic services
CBLs, with amplitude and/or attenuation and Variable Density waveform data, have been the pri-
mary method for cement quality evaluation for many years. The principle of the cement bond
measurement is to record the transit time and amplitude (or attenuation) of a 20-kHz acoustic
wave after propagation through the well fluid and the pipe wall.
The measurement is the amplitude in millivolts of the tubular first arrival (E1) at a receiver
with 0.91-m [3-ft] or shorter spacing. The amplitude of the signal is a function of the attenuation
by the shear coupling of the cement sheath to the pipe. The attenuation rate depends on the
cement acoustic impedance, cement thickness, pipe diameter, pipe thickness and percentage of
bonded circumference.
A receiver with 1.52-m [5-ft] spacing is used to record the Variable Density waveform for bet-
ter discrimination between sonic waves traveling through pipe and those through formation. This
measurement is generally used to qualitatively assess the cement-to-formation bond.

SlimAccess tool
The SlimAccess* wireline logging tool is designed for slim, complex-geometry boreholes. It gen-
erates, records and digitizes acoustic waves and provides CBL amplitude, Variable Density mea-
surement and attenuation measurement for cement bond evaluation. It is also used for openhole
applications such as seismic correlation, porosity measurement and evaluation of lithology. It has
a short-spacing 0.30-m [1-ft] transmitter-receiver for cement evaluation in fast formations.
Besides the primary transmitter-receivers used for CBL and Variable Density measurement, the
SlimAccess tool also uses a second set of transmitter-receivers for backup. It is a monopole sonic
tool with a diameter of 6.35 cm [21⁄2 in.], which enables it to be run in 14-cm [51⁄2-in.] casing.

90 Cementing Services and Products

 The SlimXtreme* tool is the version of the SlimAccess tool for use in slim, complex-geometry
boreholes under HPHT conditions.

Applications
■ Determine quality of pipe to cement bond
■ Determine quality of formation-to-cement bond
■ Identify cement top
■ HPHT wells (SlimXtreme tool)

Benefits
■ Logging in pipe as small as 14 cm [51⁄2 in.]
■ Log quality minimally affected by environmental conditions

Features
■ 0.30-m [1-ft] receiver for cement evaluation in fast formation
■ 6.35-cm [21⁄2-in.] diameter
■ Low sensitivity to environmental conditions
■ Combinable with ultrasonic imaging tool for enhanced interpretation

SCMT Slim Cement Mapping Tool

The SCMT* Slim Cement Mapping Tool is a sonic tool that provides a radial cement attenuation
variation map from a 0.61-m [2-ft] eight-segment receiver, as well as conventional 0.91-m [3-ft]
amplitude (attenuation) and 1.52-m [5-ft] Variable Density data. In addition, the 0.61-m [2-ft]
mapping receivers are effective for cement evaluation in fast formations where the 0.91-m
receiver might give ambiguous results. Because of its slim size (4.29-cm [111⁄16-in.] diameter), the
tool can be run through tubing. The SCMT tool can be run in combination with the PS Platform*
new-generation production services platform or the RST* Reservoir Saturation Tool for complete
well and reservoir evaluation in one trip.
The principal application of the SCMT log is cement quality and integrity evaluation around
the entire circumference of the pipe.

Applications
■ Determination of quality of pipe-to-cement bond
■ Qualitative evaluation of cement-to-formation bond
■ Identification of cement top

Benefits
■ Tubing does not have to be removed from well (no rig required).
■ Interpretation is valid, even in fast formations.
■ Time is saved when the tool is run in combination with other tools.

Features
■ Combinable with PS Platform suite or RST tool for well, reservoir and cement integrity
evaluation in the same run
■ Combinable with PipeView* multifinger caliper tool for PS Platform tool string, for cement
and pipe integrity evaluation in the same run giving complete well integrity diagnosis
■ 4.29-cm [111⁄16-in.] diameter
■ 8-segment receiver for bond variation mapping
■ 0.61-m [2-ft] receiver

Evaluation 91
 A SCMT log showing possible channel and its position aids in decision to squeeze and
in design of the squeeze cementing treatment.

Ultrasonic services
USI UltraSonic Imager
The USI UltraSonic Imager provides an accurate and reliable high-resolution, comprehensive,
real-time answer product revealing pipe-to-cement bond quality and downhole pipe condition.
Using ultrasonic technology, the USI tool sends ultrasonic pulses between 200 kHz and 700 kHz
that travel through the well fluid and strike the casing, providing 360º azimuthal coverage using
a single rotating transducer. The transducer receives reflected signals that have undergone mul-
tiple reflections between the casing internal and external interfaces. The signal decays at a rate
dependent on the acoustic impedance of the material in the annulus.
USI log maps of the acoustic impedance of the material in the annulus are generated using
very advanced processing techniques. From the acoustic impedance values, the material in the
annulus is identified and maps are prepared showing the nature (gas, liquid, solid) of the mate-
rial in the annulus. High-resolution maps of pipe wall thickness, internal radius and inner wall
rugosity are provided for accurate evaluation of the pipe condition. The results are displayed in
real time as quantitative, self-explanatory interpreted cement and pipe integrity maps.
The combination of the USI tool with CBL and Variable Density tools provides enhanced
assessment of cement-to-pipe and cement-to-formation bond quality.

Applications
Cement integrity
■ Hydraulic zonal isolation evaluation
■ Remedial work decision-making and assessment of effectiveness
■ Primary cementing process improvement
■ Identification of gas invasion
■ Determination of casing support before sidetrack
■ Cement top identification and free pipe identification for pipe retrieval

92 Cementing Services and Products

 Pipe integrity
■ Quantification of internal and external corrosion, wear, metal loss and/or scale buildup
■ Identification and quantification of pipe distortion
■ Selection of optimal packer setting depth

Benefits
■ Detailed channel identification and location
■ Remedial cementing optimization
■ Microannulus identification
■ Accurate, effective real-time answers
■ Rig time saving by acquiring cement and pipe integrity data in one run
■ Continuous improvement of cementing process

Features
■ Cement map showing cement quality and presence of channels
■ Pipe integrity data
■ Wellsite product for enhanced three-dimensional (3D) visualization
■ 100% azimuthal coverage by a single, rotating transducer
■ 5º radial and 3.81-cm [11⁄2-in.] vertical resolution in high-resolution mode
■ Combinable with inclinometry tools to aid image orientation in deviated wells
■ Combinable with CBL tools for enhanced evaluation

A USI log with optional Variable Density data provides the best identification of uncemented
channels and aids in decisions to squeeze and in design of the squeeze cementing treatment.

Evaluation 93
 The USI log provides several presentations reflecting different applications. The easily read-
able, color-coded images make cement coverage in the annulus easy to interpret. Problems such
as channels in cement and tubular damage can be seen directly on the images, thus revealing
the status of zonal isolation for decisions about remedial work. Enhanced field products allow
visualization of the cement distribution and quality, as well as a 3D view of pipe condition to further
facilitate remedial work decisions. QC log presentations are used for data validation.
Cement integrity evaluation is essential, not only for zonal isolation confirmation and help in
the remedial work decision and design, but also for the determination of the causes of poor
cementing procedures. All acoustic logs are sensitive to cement-to-pipe bond. Some measure-
ment methods are affected by downhole conditions more than others and in different ways. For
this reason, a USI log and CBL combination is advisable to help diagnose zonal isolation problems
at the cement/pipe interface and the cement/formation interface. A full analysis of the cement
evaluation logs will assist in diagnosing the problem and provide information to improve the
cementing.
Thus, USI logs and CBLs with Variable Density data should be acquired together because their
responses area complementary, especially in the presence of
■ microannulus (liquid or gas)

■ thin cement sheath

■ fast formation

■ double strings of casing

■ heavily corroded casing

■ inside deposits (cement, rust)

■ high-attenuation mud

■ lightweight cement.

The table shows the USI log and the CBL response under the different conditions.

Effects on Evaluation Logs

USI Log CBL
Resolution 5° radial and 3.81 cm [11⁄ 2 in.] vertical 360° by 0.91 m [3 ft]

Well-bonded cement Cement (high acoustic impedance) Low amplitude or high attenuation;
characteristic Variable Density log

Lightweight cement Acoustic impedance based on properties Complicates interpretation

of the cement; special processing may be required
for very low density cement

Dry microannulus and/or Affected: Resolved by special processing Complicates interpretation

debonded cement

Mud layer Slightly affected Complicates interpretation

Wet microannulus Slightly affected Complicates interpretation

Contaminated cement Shown as solid with low acoustic impedance if set Complicates interpretation

Mud channel Displayed as channel filled with liquid Complicates interpretation

Gas channel Shown as channel filled with gas Complicates interpretation

Formation bond Not discriminated Qualitatively indicated on Variable Density plot

Outer casing/ Slightly affected Strongly affected if cement sheath is thin

hard formation

Casing condition Very sensitive: Corrosion, wear and deformed casing Slightly affected: No indication on log of quality
can be quantified in alternate acquisition mode

94 Cementing Services and Products

 The USI log measures the bonding between the pipe and the cement, and the Variable Density
display indicates the bonding between the cement and the formation. The advantage of the USI
log over the traditional CBL is at the cement-pipe interface. The USI log
■ identifies liquid-filled microannulus

■ identifies microdebonding

■ identifies channels as small as 3.05 cm [1.2 in.]

■ evaluates thin cement sheath.

The processed USI log and CBL with Variable Density data can be displayed side by side for
complete visual cement evaluation in real time at the wellsite. This feature helps the completion
engineer make sound decisions on remedial actions. The combination also helps cementing
companies in the continuous improvement and enhancement of their cementing systems and
methods for best hydraulic isolation and cement integrity results.

Nonstandard environment
The evaluation of ultralightweight cement systems or logging in heavy mud or nonstandard casing
sizes may require advanced interpretation.
For further information about cement evaluation services, please refer to www.slb.com/oilfield.

Evaluation 95

Absolute Volume. Volume a solid occupies or displaces
when added to water divided by its weight: the volume
per unit mass. Units are gallons per pound or cubic
meters per kilogram.
American Petroleum Institute (API). Organization
which standardizes materials and procedures for use in
oilfield.
API Cement. One of several classes of cement manufac-
tured to the specifications of API Specification 10A.
Classes of API cement are A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H.
API Recommended Practice 10B. Recommended
Practice for Testing Well Cements. The standard which
gives guidelines for testing methods for cements and
cement formulations for use in well cementing.
Procedures are intended to be modified to conditions of
the well.
API Specification 10A. Specification for Cements and
Materials for Well Cementing. The standard which spec-
ifies requirements for API well cements and specifica-
tion testing methods.
API Water. The amount of mixing water specified in API
Specification 10A for specification testing of cement to
meet API requirements. This amount in not intended to
be a guide for mix water requirements in field applica-
tions.
Base Slurry. Conventional cement slurry used as the
cementitious component of a foamed cement slurry.
Bc. See Bearden Units of Consistency.
Bearden Units of Consistency (Bc). The pumpability or
consistency of a slurry is measured in Bearden units of
consistency (Bc), a dimensionless quantity with no
direct conversion factor to more common units of vis-
cosity.
BHCT. See Bottomhole Circulating Temperature.
BHST. See Bottomhole Static Temperature.
Blaine Fineness. The particle size or fineness of a
cement in cm2/g or m2/kg as determined from air per-
meability tests using a Blaine permeameter.
Cementing Services and Products ■ Glossary
Glossary
Bond Log. See Cement Bond Log.
Bottomhole Circulating Temperature (BHCT). The
temperature that occurs at the bottom of a well while
fluid is being circulated. The temperature used for most
tests of cement slurry in a liquid state (thickening time,
fluid loss, etc.). In most cases, is lower than the BHST,
but in some cases, such as in deepwater or in the arctic,
may be higher than BHST.
Bottomhole Static Temperature (BHST). The undis-
turbed temperature at the bottom of a well. After circu-
lation and the well is shut in, this temperature will be
approached after about 24–36 hr, depending on condi-
tions. The temperature used in most tests in which the
cement slurry is required to set or is set.
Bulk Volume. The volume per unit mass of a dry mater-
ial plus the volume of the air between its particles.
BWOB. See By Weight of Blend.
BWOC. See By Weight of Cement.
BWOW. See By Weight of Water.
By Weight of Blend (BWOB). Used to define the
amount (in percent) of a material added to cement
when the material is added based on the total amount of
a specific blend.
By Weight of Cement (BWOC). Used to define the
amount (in percent) of a material added to cement. The
method used for most additives in the dry form.
By Weight of Water (BWOW). Used to define the
amount (in percent) of a material added to a cement
slurry based on the weight of water used to mix the
slurry. Normally used only for salt.
Cement Bond Log (CBL). An acoustic log used to mea-
sure the attenuation rate of a sound wave propagating
along the casing. Can be used as an indication of the
quality of cement in the annulus.
Consistometer. Laboratory apparatus used to determine
the thickening time of a cement slurry as described in
API Specification 10A and API Recommended Practice
10B.
97
Consistency. A rheological property of matter which is
related to the cohesion of the individual particles of a
given material, its ability to deform and its resistance to
flow. The consistency of cement slurries is determined
by thickening time tests in accordance with API
Recommended Practice 10B and is expressed in
Bearden units of consistency (Bc).
Contact Time. The elapsed time required for a specific
fluid to pass a designated depth in the annulus during
pumping operations.
Critical Rate. The minimum rate required to achieve
turbulent flow.
Curing. The ageing of cement under specified conditions
of temperature and pressure.
Dehydration. Loss of water from cement slurries or
drilling fluid by the process of filtration. Results in the
deposition of a filter cake and loss of the slurry’s internal
fluid into a porous matrix. The cement is not completely
dehydrated (sufficient water remains to allow setting of
the cement).
Difficult-to-Disperse (DTD). Cement which is not
easily dispersed by a material known as a dispersant.
Difficult-to-Disperse in Salt (DTDS). Cement which is
not easily dispersed by a material known as a dispersant
when the slurry is mixed with water containing a high
concentration of salt.
DTD. See Difficult-to-Disperse.
DTDS. See Difficult-to-Disperse in Salt.
Easy-to-Disperse (ETD). Cement which is highly sensi-
tive to the concentration of dispersant, often leading to
slurry stability problems.
Easy-to-Disperse in Salt (ETDS). Cement which is
highly sensitive to the concentration of dispersant when
the slurry is mixed with water containing a high concen-
tration of salt. Overdispersion often leads to slurry sta-
bility problems.
Effective Laminar Flow. A technique for effectively dis-
placing drilling mud from the annulus using a laminar
flow regime.
Equivalent Sack. The weight of any cementitious mate-
rial or blend based on the absolute volume of the
cement. Normally used to define a “sack” of cement
blend in which part of the cement has been replaced, on
an absolute volume basis, by a pozzolanic material such
as fly ash.
ETD. See Easy-to-Disperse.
98
ETDS. See Easy-to-Disperse in Salt.
Expanding Cement. Cement system exhibiting a bulk
volumetric increase after setting.
Fill Cement. A cement system used to provide zonal iso-
lation across generally nonproductive zones located
above the zones of interest. May also be called lead
cement.
Fly Ash. The noncombustible residue from the burning
of pulverized coal. Fly ash is pozzolanic and is frequently
used to replace a portion of the cement and reduce its
density.
Foamed Cement. A homogeneous, ultralightweight
cement system consisting of base cement slurry, gas
(usually nitrogen) and surfactants.
Free Fluid. The volume of fluid (expressed in percent)
separating from a cement slurry when left static.
Measured as specified in API Recommended Practice
10B. Once called free water.
Gas Migration. A generic term which covers all possible
routes for annular gas entry and propagation through
and around the cement sheath. Also known as annular
gas flow.
Gel Strength. The degree to which a fluid behaves as a
solid when left static.
Gilsonite. An asphaltinic material frequently used as
LCM for drilling fluid and cement.
Grind. The fineness to which cement is ground. Also may
refer to a specific production of cement (e.g., lot
number).
Hydraulic Cement. A substance which, when mixed
with water, becomes hard like stone because of a chem-
ical reaction with the water. Hydraulic cement will set
under water.
Lead Cement. See Fill Cement.
Liquid Additive. A material used in a liquid form to
modify the properties of cement for use in oil- or gaswell
cementing.
LITEPOZ. A term used by Schlumberger for certain
materials added to cement that are lightweight and have
pozzolanic properties.
Microannulus. Small gap between the casing and
cement sheath resulting from downhole stresses (pres-
sure or temperature).
Neat Cement. Cement containing no additives.
POD. See Point of departure.
Cementing Services and Products
Point of departure (POD). A term used to describe the
beginning of thickening of a cement slurry during the
thickening time test. For some slurries, the POD is used
as the thickening time.
Portland Cement. The product obtained by pulverizing
clinker consisting essentially of hydraulic calcium sili-
cates.
Portland Cement Clinker. Hard granular nodules com-
posed essentially of hydraulic calcium silicates, with
smaller quantities of calcium aluminates and ferrites. It
is produced by the heat treatment of cement raw mate-
rials in a kiln. Clinker is pulverized with gypsum in the
manufacture of Portland cement.
Pozzolan. A siliceous or siliceous and aluminous mater-
ial which in itself possesses little or no cementitious
value but will, in finely divided form and in the presence
of moisture, chemically react with calcium hydroxide at
ordinary temperatures to form compounds possessing
cementitious properties. (ASTM C340)
Pozzolanic. Possessing little or no cementitious value
but capable of chemically reacting with calcium hydrox-
ide at ordinary temperatures to form compounds pos-
sessing cementitious properties. (ASTM C340)
Prehydrate. To mix with water and allow to react or
yield in the water before use. Common technique for
bentonite. May also be done for convenience in cement-
ing operation to allow mixing of water containing the
additives with powdered neat cement.
Primary Cementing. The first cementing operation per-
formed to place a cement sheath around a casing or
liner. The main objectives include zonal isolation to pre-
vent fluids migration in the annulus, support for the
casing or liner and protection of the casing from corro-
sive fluids.
Pumpability. The ability of the slurry to be pumped.
Measured by the API thickening time test.
Pumping Time. Loosely, the total time required for
pumping the cement slurry into the well, plus a safety
factor. Pumping time can also be the time to reach a con-
sistency deemed to be unpumpable (generally 70 Bc)
during an API thickening time test.
Reduced Water Slurries. A cement slurry having a
water content less than would normally be used without
modifying additives.
Right Angle Set. The characteristic of a cement slurry in
which its consistency increases from the point of depar-
ture or 30 Bc to 100 Bc in a very short time.
Cementing Services and Products ■ Glossary
Sack. A unit of measure of Portland cement. In the
United States the amount which occupies a bulk volume
of 1.0 ft3. For most Portland cement, including API
classes of cement, a sack is 94 lbm. The sack is the basis
for slurry design calculations.
Sedimentation. Separation of the components of a
cement slurry in which the solids settle. One of charac-
terizations used to define slurry stability.
Slurry Density. The weight per unit volume of a cement
slurry (usually kg/m3 or lbm/gal).
Slurry Yield. The volume of slurry obtained when one
sack of cement is mixed with the desired amount of
water and other additives (usually m3/kg or ft3/sk).
Slurry Stability. The ability of a cement slurry to main-
tain homogeneity. Two tests are used as a measure of
slurry stability; the free fluid and sedimentation.
Squeeze Cementing. The forcing, by pressure, of cement
slurry into a specified location in a well, such as chan-
nels or perforations, for the purpose of achieving isola-
tion.
Strength Retrogression. A decline of cement strength
at elevated temperatures. This decline is pronounced at
temperatures above 110°C [230°F]. It is controlled by
the addition of silica to the cement.
Sulfate Resistance. The ability of set cement to resist
deterioration in the presence of sulfate ions.
Sulfate-Resistant Cement. Cement in which the
amount of tricalcium aluminate is controlled as speci-
fied by API Specification 10A.
Tail Cement. The last cement system pumped during
primary cementing. It is the cement which covers the
lower sections of the well, especially planned comple-
tion intervals.
Tensile Strength. The force per unit cross-sectional area
required to pull a substance apart.
Thickening Time. A measurement of the time during
which a cement slurry remains in a fluid state and is
capable of being pumped. Thickening time is assessed
under simulated downhole conditions using a consis-
tometer that plots the consistency of a slurry over time
at the anticipated temperature and pressure conditions.
The end of the thickening time is considered to be 50 or
70 Bc for most applications. (API RP10B)
99
Thixotropy. The characteristic of a fluid, such as
cement or drilling mud, to develop gel strength over time
when not subject to shearing and then to liquefy when
agitated.
Turbulent Flow. Flow of a fluid characterized by
swirling or chaotic motion as the fluid moves along the
flow path. This is a preferred flow regime for mud
removal during primary cementing.
Water-to-Cement Ratio. In a cement slurry, the ratio of
water to cement expressed as percent; the parts of water
used to mix with 100 parts of cement.
Wait on Cement (WOC). The time necessary to wait for
cement to develop required strength for the next opera-
tion.
WOC. See Wait on Cement.

100 Cementing Services and Products

 Marks of Schlumberger

Mark Identifier
ARCTICSET cement system for use through permafrost

CemCADE cementing design and evaluation software

CemCAT cementing computer-aided treatment

CemCRETE concrete-based oilwell cementing technology

CemNET advanced fiber cement to control losses

CemSTONE advanced cement technology

CemSTREAK rapid deployment cementer

CPS cement pumping skid

DeepCEM deepwater cementing solution

DeepCRETE deepwater cementing solution

DeepSea EXPRES offshore plug launching system

DensCRETE slurry system

DESC design and evaluation services for clients

DuraSTONE advanced durable cement technology

EXPRES extrusion plug release system (cementing head)

EZEFLO surfactant

FLAC fluid-loss additives for cement

FlexSTONE advanced flexible cement technology

GASBLOK gas migration control cement system

i-Handbook oilfield data handbook

InterACT wellsite monitoring and control system

KOLITE cement additive for low-density slurries

LAS liquid additive system

LiteCRETE slurry system

LITEFIL cement additive for low-density slurries

MudCLEAN chemical wash for removal of drilling mud

MUDPUSH spacer family for cementing

PERMABLOK fluid system to permanently plug a zone

PipeView multifinger caliper tool for PS Platform tool string

PS Platform new-generation production services platform

Cementing Services and Products ■ Marks of Schlumberger 101

Mark Identifier
RFC regulated fill-up cement

RST Reservoir Saturation Tool

SALTBOND cement system for cementing across salt zones

SCMT Slim Cement Mapping Tool

SELFSTRESS expanding cement system

SFM Solids Fraction Monitor

SFM-C Process control for cement slurry mixing

ShearSEAL shear-activated, high-temperature lost circulation fluid

SlimAccess wireline logging tool for slim and complex geometry boreholes

SlimXtreme slimhole, high-pressure, high-temperature well logging platform

SLURRY CHIEF cement mixing equipment

SOS slurry/oil squeeze

SqueezeCRETE remedial cementing solutions

ThermaSTONE chemically stabilized cement for ultrahigh-temperature applications

THIXOLITE thixotropic low-density cement

TIC turbulence inducer for cement

TORNADO cement mixing equipment

UNIFLAC unified fluid-loss additive

UniMIX cement slurry system

UNISET unified retarder

UniSLURRY cement systems

USI UltraSonic Imager

Variable Density cement bond quality

WELBOND improved bonding cement system

WELLCLEAN optimal mud removal service

WELLCLEAN II Engineering Solution

ZONELOCK permanent zone sealing fluid system

102 Cementing Services and Products

TSL-4274