Primary Cementing - 4133694 - 01 PDF

PROVISORY RELEASE
Primary Cementing
Reference: InTouch content ID#4133694
Version: 5.2
Release Date: Provisory
EDMS UID: 274762026
Produced: 25-Nov-2009 23:28:12
Owner: WS Training
Author: Bernadette Gomez
Private cementing,
Interface, WCS,
primWPC,
ar y, SWBT,
CTS, TBT
WBT, IT Modules,
PROVISORY RELEASE
Copyright © 2009 Schlumberger, Unpublished Work. All rights reserved.
Primary Cementing / Legal Information
PROVISORY RELEASE
Legal Information
This work contains the confidential and proprietary trade secrets of Schlumberger
and may not be copied or stored in an information retrieval system, transferred,
used, distributed, translated or retransmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, in whole or in part, without the express written
WS Training \Bernadette Gomez\InTouch content ID#4133694\5.2\Release Date:Provisory\EDMS UID: 274762026\Produced: 25-Nov-2009 23:28:12
permission of the copyright owner.
Trademarks & Service marks
Schlumberger, the Schlumberger logotype, and other words or symbols used

to identify the products and services described herein are either trademarks,
trade names or service marks of Schlumberger and its licensors, or are the
property of their respective owners. These marks may not be copied, imitated
or used, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of
Schlumberger. In addition, covers, page headers, custom graphics, icons, and
other design elements may be service marks, trademarks, and/or trade dress
of Schlumberger, and may not be copied, imitated, or used, in whole or in part,
without the express prior written permission of Schlumberger.
A complete list of Schlumberger marks may be viewed at the Schlumberger

Oilfield Services Marks page: http://markslist.slb.com
Marks of Schlumberger include but may not be limited to CemCADE.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
Primary Cementing / Document Control
PROVISORY RELEASE
Document Control
Owner: WS Training
Author: Bernadette Gomez
Reviewer: Bernadette Gomez
Approver: Torsten Braun, Alice Lee
Contact Information
Name: WS Training
LDAP Alias: IPC-DOC
Revision History
Version Date Description Prepared by
5.2 25-Nov-2009 Changed instructions for taking module test Author: John Schneider
online using iLearn.
5.1 18-Jul-2008 Updated exercises link-url to the Author: Beena Hemkar

perception-resp server.
5.0 27-Oct-2006 Changed instructions for taking module Author: Stuart Averett
test online. Test may be launched from
perception-ws server via LMS or taken online.
4.1 11-Apr-2006 Changed labels,erased list-trademark, Author: Torsten Braun

updated revision info
4.0 30-Sep-2005 updated graphics and text. .Added captions Author: Luisa Attaway, Torsten
Braun
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
iv Primary Cementing / Table of Contents iv
PROVISORY RELEASE
Table of Contents
1 Objectives _____________________________________________________ 1-1
2 Introduction ____________________________________________________ 2-1

2.1 Casing Damage animation ___________________________________ 2-2
3 Casing _________________________________________________________ 3-1

3.1 Types of Casings ____________________________________________ 3-2
3.2 Casing Standards ___________________________________________ 3-16
3.3 Thread Types _______________________________________________ 3-17
3.4 Running Casing _____________________________________________ 3-19
3.5 Exercise ____________________________________________________ 3-20
4 Cementing Job Procedures ____________________________________ 4-1

4.1 Pre-Job Procedures __________________________________________ 4-1
4.2 Job Procedures ______________________________________________ 4-2
4.3 Post-Job Procedures _________________________________________ 4-3
4.4 Exercise _____________________________________________________ 4-4
5 Summary _______________________________________________________ 5-1
6 Take the module test ___________________________________________ 6-1
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
v Primary Cementing / List of Figures v
PROVISORY RELEASE
List of Figures
2-1 Placement of slurry in casing _______________________________________ 2-1

3-1 Casing with centralizer, float shoe and collar_________________________ 3-1
3-2 Stab-in casing drawing _____________________________________________ 3-4
3-3 Macaroni tubing setup _____________________________________________ 3-6
3-4 Casing scheme____________________________________________________ 3-7
3-5 Typical BOP_______________________________________________________ 3-7
3-6 Lead and tail slurry ________________________________________________ 3-9

3-7 Intermediate casing _______________________________________________ 3-10
3-8 Float collar and shoe, centralizer and casing _______________________ 3-11
3-9 Zonal isolation____________________________________________________ 3-12
3-10 Stage collar ______________________________________________________ 3-13
3-11 Tapered string ____________________________________________________ 3-17
3-12 VAM threads _____________________________________________________ 3-18
3-13 HYDRIL threads __________________________________________________ 3-19
4-1 STEM I being performed ___________________________________________ 4-3
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
vi Primary Cementing / List of Tables vi
PROVISORY RELEASE
List of Tables
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
1-i Primary Cementing / Objectives 1-i
PROVISORY RELEASE
1 Objectives
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
1-1 Primary Cementing / Objectives 1-1
PROVISORY RELEASE
1 Objectives cementing,
Interfac e, WCS,
primary,
WPC, SWBT,
CTS, WBT,
TBT IT Modules,
In this training module, you will learn to do the following:
• Identify the main objectives of primary cementing.

• Identify the typical parts of a BOP.

• Discriminate between the different types of casing.
• Identify the cementing methods used with each type of casing.
• Identify the purpose of liners.
• Identify the API casing requirements.
• Identify the downhole conditions that affect the types and sizes of casings.
• Discriminate between the thread types used for casing.
• Put the steps of the pre-job procedure in order.
• Put the steps of the job procedure in order.
• Put the steps of the post-job procedure in order.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
2-i Primary Cementing / Introduction 2-i
PROVISORY RELEASE
2 Introduction
2.1 Casing Damage animation _____________________________________ 2-2
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
2-1 Primary Cementing / Introduction 2-1
PROVISORY RELEASE
2 Introduction cementing,
Interfac e, WCS,
primary,
WPC, SWBT,
CTS, WBT,
TBT IT Modules,
Figure 2-1: Placement of slurry in casing
Primary cementing is the placement of a cement slurry into the annulus

between the casing and the formation exposed to the wellbore (open hole) or
previous casing.
The most important objective of primary cementing is to provide zonal isolation

(that is, to prevent communications between the different zones in a well). In
addition, the cement provides support for the several casing strings run in a well.
Another objective for primary cementing is to protect the casing from plastic (e.g.,
salt) formations or corrosive formation fluids (e.g., waters containing sodium,
calcium, magnesium, or dissolved CO2 ). Without cement for support, the plastic
formation will deform, or creep, and may collapse or shear the casing. Also,
underground corrosive waters can destroy the integrity of the steel (of the casing)
in a few years, which results in unwanted fluid migration during production, or,
worse, premature loss of the well.
Finally, primary cementing is done to protect the borehole from collapsing

(otherwise known as caving in), especially across plastic, water-sensitive, or
unconsolidated formations.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
2-2 Primary Cementing / Introduction 2-2
PROVISORY RELEASE
2.1 Casing Damage animation

Multimedia 2-1: Without support, the casing could be damaged by the formation. Animation
NOTE: Multimedia is currently available only in HTML publications.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
3-i Primary Cementing / Casing 3-i
PROVISORY RELEASE
3 Casing
3.1 Types of Casings _______________________________________________ 3-2
3.1.1 Conductor Casing or Pipe ____________________________________ 3-2
3.1.1.1 Description _______________________________________________ 3-2
3.1.1.2 Driving Pipe animation ____________________________________ 3-3
3.1.1.3 Cementing Methods with Animations ______________________ 3-4
Through-Drillpipe or Stab-In Cementing ________________ 3-4
Outside Cementing animation _________________________ 3-5
3.1.2 Surface Casing ______________________________________________ 3-6

3.1.2.1 Description _______________________________________________ 3-6
3.1.2.2 Cementing Methods ______________________________________ 3-8
3.1.3 Intermediate Casing __________________________________________ 3-9
3.1.3.1 Description _______________________________________________ 3-9
3.1.3.2 Cementing Methods _____________________________________ 3-11
3.1.3.3 Methods ________________________________________________ 3-11
Two-Stage Cementing ________________________________ 3-13
Two-Stage ___________________________________________ 3-14
3.1.4 Production Casing __________________________________________ 3-14
3.1.5 Liners ______________________________________________________ 3-15
3.1.5.1 Liner and liner hanger animation _________________________ 3-15
3.2 Casing Standards _____________________________________________ 3-16
3.2.1 Standards __________________________________________________ 3-16
3.3 Thread Types __________________________________________________ 3-17
3.3.1 Buttress and 8-Round Threads ______________________________ 3-18
3.3.2 VAM Threads _______________________________________________ 3-18
3.3.3 HYDRIL Threads ___________________________________________ 3-18
3.4 Running Casing _______________________________________________ 3-19
3.5 Exercise _______________________________________________________ 3-20
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
3-1 Primary Cementing / Casing 3-1
PROVISORY RELEASE
3 Casing cementing,
Interfac e, WCS,
primary,
WPC, SWBT,
CTS, WBT,
TBT IT Modules,
Figure 3-1: Casing with centralizer, float shoe and collar
Casing is placed down the wellbore from the surface to
• separate the open hole from the formation

• prevent the wellbore from caving in
• allow the flow of fluids both in and out of the wellbore.
The size of the casing depends on
• the depth of the well

• the size of the open hole
• the drilling objective
• the expected hydrostatic and formation pressures
• the type of completion once the well is drilled.
Of these, the hydrostatic and formation pressures are the most important to
avoid bursting or collapsing of casing.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Depending on the size and type of casing to be cemented, different methods of
cementing may be used. To understand these methods, it is important to learn
about the various types of casings.
3.1 Types of Casings

This section will address the following types of casing:
• conductor casing
• surface casing
• intermediate casing
• production casing
• liners.
3.1.1 Conductor Casing or Pipe

This section will describe
• the types of conductor casing

• cementing methods, including
– through-drillpipe or stab-in cementing
– outside cementing.
3.1.1.1 Description
Conductor casing is the largest casing run in a hole. Its size ranges from 30 in.
down to 16 in. in diameter. Its primary purpose is to
• prevent washout under the rig

• provide elevation for the flow nipple to allow mud flowback to the rig tanks.
Conductor casing is usually set at shallow depth, running from between 30 to

200 ft, with 100 ft being the most common.
This shallow, large casing is often driven into the ground through the use of
a pile or pile hammer, and often does not require cementing. If cementing is
done, plugs are not used. Cement is pumped until it returns to the surface;
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
then, displacement fluid is pumped until 40 to 80 feet of casing is left full of
cement. Neat cement with an accelerator is normally pumped in to reduce the
waiting-on-cement (WOC) time at low temperature.
Because plugs are rarely used, slurry contamination can occur in both the pipe
and the annulus. For this reason, cement is often seen reaching the surface
long before it is expected. This is called channeling, or fingering. To avoid
contamination inside the casing, the through-tubing, or through-drillpipeor
stab-in cementing method is performed.
Conductor casing is not always API standard, so extra care must be taken
when pumping to avoid exceeding the burst or collapse pressure on the casing
during the job. This means that pumping must be done very carefully, with the
job carefully recorded.
Conductor casing can be either welded or threaded. Usually, the larger sizes
(20 to 30 in.) are welded, while the smaller sizes (16 to 20 in.) are threaded.
Because formations at the surface are unconsolidated, there are usually large
washouts, which lead to excess volumes of 100% to 200% being pumped.
The drilling of these surface holes has a large impact on the size of the holes.
Drilling with too much hydraulic horsepower (too fast of a flow rate) will result
in an oversized hole.
Normally, the blowout preventers (BOP) are not connected at this stage, so
care must be taken to avoid lost control of the well (which could be the result of
a strong water flow). In wells where overpressured formations are likely to be
encountered, the BOPs are installed.
It is also quite common to face a problem with shallow freshwater zones (Artesian
wells), which can produce at very large flow rates and can endanger the drilling
rig as the ground below gets washed away.
3.1.1.2 Driving Pipe animation
Multimedia 3-1: Pile or pile hammer driving casing. Animation

PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
3.1.1.3 Cementing Methods with Animations

This section will describe these two cementing methods:
• through-drillpipe, or stab-in, cementing

• outside cementing.
Through-Drillpipe or Stab-In Cementing
Figure 3-2: Stab-in casing drawing
There are three important reasons for using the through-drillpipe, or stab-in
method of cementing:
1. The stab-in tube, or pipe, greatly reduces contamination and channeling of

the cement while traveling down within the casing.
2. Displacement volumes (and, therefore, job time) are reduced. For example,
400 ft of 26-in. casing would require 223 bbl, while 400 ft of 5-in. drillpipe
would require only 7 bbl.
3. You can continue mixing and pumping until you have good cement at the
surface, ensuring a good cement job at the end of displacement. Usually, this
technique is used for casing sizes larger than 13 3/8-in. outer diameter (OD).
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Outside Cementing animation

Multimedia 3-2: Cementing outside of casing. Animation

Since the conductor casing is cemented in weak, or unconsolidated, formations,

losses may occur, or estimated excess volumes may not have been enough.
This causes the top of the cement to be too low. In these cases, “top jobs,” or
outside cementing, may be required to bring the top of the cement to the surface.
Top jobs are run using small-OD tubing called macaroni tubing (usually between
1- and 2 1/2-in. OD). Depending upon job requirements, two, three, or four
strings of tubing can be run into the annulus. The usual maximum depths for
top jobs is between 250 and 300 ft.
Generally, the "macaroni" pipes are left cemented in place. If not, they are
lifted out as the cement is placed. This is a dangerous and difficult operation;
therefore, Schlumberger employees should never get involved in this operation.
Potential Severity: Light

Potential Loss: Assets
Hazard Category: machinery equipment hand tools
Since these pipes have small diameters, friction pressures will be high. For
this reason, care must be taken to avoid bursting the pipes during pumping.
Additionally, the connections for these pipes tend to be non-standard, often
made up by the rig welder just prior to the job. So extra care must be taken with
surface pumping pressures.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Figure 3-3: Macaroni tubing setup
It is recommended that the macaroni tubing be rotated around the casing to

ensure constant distribution of the cement.
Top-out job animation
Multimedia 3-3: Top-out job done with macaroni tubing

3.1.2 Surface Casing

This section will address surface casing and surface casing cementing methods.
3.1.2.1 Description
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Figure 3-4: Casing scheme
Surface casing is run to protect freshwater formations from contamination by

formation or drilling fluids. This type of casing serves to case off unconsolidated
or lost-circulation zones near the surface and is used to support subsequent
casing strings. Additionally, surface casing provides primary-pressure control by
supporting the blowout preventers (BOP).
Figure 3-5: Typical BOP
A typical BOP consists of four distinct parts:
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
• The first is called an annular preventer, or Hydril. It is designed to seal off
the annulus around most sizes and shapes of pipe. It is mounted at the
very top of the stack of BOPs.
• Below the Hydril is the pipe ram. The purpose of the pipe ram is to completely
seal the annulus around the pipe, while allowing flow to continue through the
pipe. Unlike the Hydril, which adjusts to various sizes of pipe, the pipe ram is
designed for one specific OD of pipe. If, during drilling, the pipe size changes,
the rams in the pipe ram must be changed to match the new size of pipe.
• Below the pipe ram is the blind ram. The blind ram is designed to seal the
hole.
• Below the blind ram is the shear ram. The shear ram is equipped with a
knife-like blade that cuts the pipe. This should only be employed as a last
resort, since the drillstring will be lost down hole when it is sheared.
If the BOP is closed, well fluids can be pumped out through the choke line, and
surface fluids can be pumped down hole through the kill line.
BOPs are not used on larger casing sizes (greater than 20 in.), as shallow
formations rarely have high pressures. Also, the size of the BOP for these
casings may be too large to even fit under the rig.
Typical casing sizes range from 9-5/8 to 20 in., with 13-3/8 in. being the most
common. Surface casing is threaded casing run to depths of 100 to 3,000 ft (or
more). The depth of the surface casing is limited in part by the weight restrictions
of the rig and the types of zones deeper in the well.
3.1.2.2 Cementing Methods

When cementing surface casing, an excess (additional volume of slurry ) is
usually used to provide for unknown hole volumes. This excess can range from
50 to 100%, or even more.
As in conductor casings, the through-drillpipe method of cement placement is

preferred to
• reduce rig time (jobs are performed faster)

• save on cement quantity (the slurry is mixed and pumped until it appears at
surface and then the job is stopped)
• ensure higher-quality jobs by reducing the channeling and contamination
in the casing.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Figure 3-6: Lead and tail slurry
Lightweight, extended lead slurries (bentonite or silicate extended slurries) that

have a high yield are generally used for surface-casing cementing. These slurries
keep costs low and give a lower density, which means less chance of losses.
Neat-tail slurries are used to provide maximum compressive strength at the

shoe. In addition, accelerators are used in the tail slurry to reduce waiting on
cement (WOC) time. Before the drilling can resume, the cement must have a
compressive strength of at least 500 psi. The faster the cement reaches this
value, the less rig downtime.
Normally, the lead slurry is pumped until it returns to the surface; then, the tail
slurry is pumped. A good rule of thumb is for the tail slurry to usually be between
25% and 30% of the length of the cement column (i.e., the length of the casing
to be cemented). If, for example, the casing were 3,000 ft, the tail slurry would
be between 750 ft and 900 ft.
3.1.3 Intermediate Casing

This section will describe the types of intermediate casing and the cementing
methods used with intermediate casing.
3.1.3.1 Description
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Figure 3-7: Intermediate casing
Intermediate casing (sometimes called the "long string") is used to
separate the well into the following workable sections:
• isolated lost-circulation zones

• salt sections
• over-pressured zones
• heaving shales
• other downhole or surface conditions that would make further drilling difficult
or dangerous.
Sizes and depths can vary from one operator to another, from one field to
another, and even from one well to another in the same field. Some typical
casing sizes are
• 13-3/8 in.
• 10-3/4 in.
• 9-5/8 in.
The setting depths range from around 3,000 ft down to 15,000 ft. Intermediate
casing normally is not used in shallow wells of less than 3,000 ft.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
3.1.3.2 Cementing Methods

Figure 3-8: Float collar and shoe, centralizer and casing
Intermediate casings can be cemented to the surface or to some point

within the previous casing shoe (depending upon the client’s requirements,
formation-fracture pressures as determined by a leakoff test at the previous
casing shoe, etc.). Some clients may even prefer to leave some open hole
uncemented to allow for reinjection of cuttings and other drilling wastes.
If the interval to be cemented is very long and low-fracture pressure formations

exist, the casing may be cemented in several stages. When cementing
intermediate casing, the following casing accessories are used
• shoes
• collars
• centralizers
• plugs, etc.
3.1.3.3 Methods
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Figure 3-9: Zonal isolation
The number one objective of a cementing job is to provide zonal isolation. To

provide zonal isolation, all the drilling fluid must be removed from the annulus
and replaced by cement, both in the open hole and in the previous casing. To
efficiently remove the mud, the following are required
• pre-flushes (washes and spacers)

• centralizers, for good centralization
• casing movement (both reciprocating and rotational)
• well-engineered displacement rates.
Typically, large cement volumes are used, since the depths are great and the
casing size is large. Often, clients will have logged this part of the well, and
caliper logs are available to calculate the volume of required slurry more
accurately.
Even with caliper log readings, excess slurry of at least 10% over the caliper hole
size should be run to compensate for errors in measurement.
Note
Two-armed caliper logs give a less accurate reading of open hole volume than
four-arm calipers.
The volume of cement required often makes cost an important issue in

intermediate cementing.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
The type of cement slurries used depends on the conditions that exist downhole.
Typically, extended-lead and neat-tail slurries are used. Retarders are added to
control thickening time. Fluid-loss agents and other additives are added to the
slurries, depending on downhole conditions.
In some cases, specialized slurries may have to be used to control salt zones or
gas migration, and lightweight slurries may be used for weak zones, etc.
Two-Stage Cementing
Figure 3-10: Stage collar
Two-stage cementing is a technique in which a special type of collar (called a

stage collar) is placed as part of a casing string. This collar allows ports or holes
to be opened, and circulation can be performed through them.
This picture is showing the two-stage tool.
This technique is very useful for isolating two problem-zones within one
open-hole section (for example, a high-pressure zone and a low-fracture
pressure zone). It is also useful for reducing the hydrostatic pressure in the well
when a weak formation exists: the first-stage cement is pumped and left to set
before the second stage is cemented.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Two-Stage
Finally, this technique can be used to reduce cement wastage in a well where
only the bottom and an upper portion of the casing are to be cemented. With
two-stage cementing, some part of the hole can be left uncemented. It is
important to be certain that the portion of the hole that remains uncemented has
no corrosive fluids or plastic formations that can damage casing.
Two-stage cementing is also used on long casing string. Basically, it is like doing
two primary-cement jobs back-to-back, the stage collar being just another shoe
higher up in the hole.
Two-stage cementing is also used on many applications when a weak zone that
cannot support a heavy column of cement is encountered in a well. In such a
case, the stage collar is located just above the weak zone.
One serious disadvantage of two-stage cementing is the absence of a bottom

cementing plug on the second stage. This can result in extremely bad
contamination of the slurry as it travels inside the casing.
3.1.4 Production Casing

Production casing is normally run across the pay zones. Since different zones
may have different pressures, the water or gas in these zones may slow down or
even stop the production of oil from the pay zone if not properly isolated. It is also
used to provide a protective housing for the subsurface production equipment
when the well is completed (for example, submersible pumps).
Production casing can also be used to cover worn or damaged intermediate

casings. Depths and sizes vary considerably, as in the case of intermediate
casings, but the most common sizes are
• 4-1/2 in.
• 5 in.
• 7 in.
• 9-5/8 in.
Clients usually maintain casings sizes as a set from the beginning of the well
to the end (in other words, conductor casing: 30 in.; surface casing: 20 in.;
intermediate casing: 13-3/8 in. and 9-5/8 in.; and production casing: 7 in.).
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Production casing can be run as a complete string from total depth (TD) to
surface, or only from TD to 300–500 ft inside the previous casing. Production
casing that does not run to the surface is called a production liner.
3.1.5 Liners
Unlike casing, which runs to the surface, liners are strings that are not run to the
surface, but are hung off inside the intermediate casing (300–500 ft inside is quite
common). Here’s a typical liner and liner hanger inside the intermediate casing.
Liners are run to save on the amount of casing required. Since casing can be the
most expensive part of a well, reducing several thousand feet of casing in a deep
well can save a great deal. Also, in deep wells where the intermediate casing
is already small (for example, 7 in.), a liner allows production from lower zones
with standard production equipment.
Care should be taken when cementing liners because the annular clearances are
small, and rates and pressures are usually restricted to avoid over-pressuring
the well and causing losses. Note that the burst/collapse pressures listed in
the Field Data Handbook assume casing in air. To measure conditions on the
casing downhole, the pressure of fluids in the casing and annulus must be taken
into account.
Additionally, since the liner hanger and packer are activated by pressure,
excessive pressure in the casing can cause premature setting of the liner hanger
and/or packer.
The liner equipment and corresponding cement head are not Schlumberger
equipment, so good coordination and communication with the liner-hanger
company is necessary to avoid failures.
3.1.5.1 Liner and liner hanger animation
Multimedia 3-4: Liner and liner hanger in an intermediate casing. Animation

PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
3.2 Casing Standards

For a particular size and type of casing to be considered acceptable for running
into an oil well, it has to meet certain requirements that have been set up by the
American Petroleum Institute (API). These requirements include
• OD
• weight
• grade
• collapse and burst (or internal yield) pressures
• thread type.
3.2.1 Standards
With the OD and weight of a casing given, the inside diameter (ID) and the
internal capacity can be determined. Here is an example of API casing specs:
• OD: 9-5/8 in.

• Weight: 53.5 lb/ft (determines ID)
• Grade: C75 (yield point allowable tension)
• Burst pressure: 7430 psi
• Collapse pressure: 6380 psi
• Thread type: Buttress
In this example, the OD is 9-5/8 in., and the weight is 53.5 lb./ft.
Grade C75 corresponds to a steel with a yield point of 75,000 psi. This value
is then used to determine the collapse and burst pressures, as well as the
tension the casing will stand before it goes from elastic to the plastic region
and becomes permanently deformed.
• OD: 9-5/8 in.

• Weight: 53.5 lb/ft (determines ID)
• Grade: C75 (yield point allowable tension)
• Burst pressure: 7430 psi
• Collapse pressure: 6380 psi
• Thread type: Buttress
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
In this case, since Stress = Force / Area, and the known stress is 75,000 psi, the
burst and collapse pressures are determined by the ID and the OD, respectively.
The collapse pressure will always be lower because of the larger exposed area
(OD).
The thread type (e.g., buttress) is important, as this is usually the weakest point
in the string, with regard to tension.
Figure 3-11: Tapered string
Some clients run tapered strings, where the casing size changes or where
different weights of one size casing are used. This is done to reduce cost.
The types and sizes of casings used are based on downhole conditions:
• formation pressures
• maximum hydrostatic and pumping pressures during the cementing operation
• expected maximum pressure during the life of the well, depth, etc.
The types and sizes of casings used are also influenced by surface conditions
(for example, how much the rig can lift). These factors determine the burst and
collapse pressures and tensile loadings that the casing will have to stand.
3.3 Thread Types

Thread types include
• buttress
• 8-round
• VAM
• HYDRIL.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
3.3.1 Buttress and 8-Round Threads

Buttress and 8-round are the oldest and most popular types of threads. Both
rely on sealing on the threads themselves. The buttress is a development over
the 8-round API thread, making it easier to screw the two pieces together.
3.3.2 VAM Threads

Figure 3-12: VAM threads
VAM threads are used mainly for production strings and are quite popular,
although they are not recognized as API-type threads. VAM threads have the
ability to seal on the thread (similar to a buttress thread) and also on the shoulder
in the coupling.
A newer type, called the NEW VAM, has recently appeared in the field. It has
a shorter length of thread and a better sealing area in the shoulder. Buttress
threads can be used with VAM threads, but not with NEW VAM.
3.3.3 HYDRIL Threads
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Figure 3-13: HYDRIL threads
A HYDRIL-type thread is a special type of thread that is integral with the casing
(that is, it is machined into each side of the casing), making this type of thread
very expensive. HYDRIL threads have three sealing areas:
• on the threads
• on the shoulders
• on the middle shoulder.
This type of thread is quite rare in the oil field. You will find HYDRIL threads on
special projects, such as high-pressure gas re-injection wells.
Whenever rig-up is done, special care must be taken to ensure that the correct
threaded connections are used in crossovers and connections for the cement
heads, swages, etc.
3.4 Running Casing

Schlumberger does not run the casing; however, you need to understand the
different steps so that you can recognize if something causes possible problems
later on during the cement job.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
Before being sent out to the rig, each joint of casing is inspected using a
Tuboscope and other specialized methods of inspection. These methods
typically use X-ray or magnaflux to determine if there are faults in the steel or
threads.
On the rig, the casing is inspected again, but the inspection usually consists of a
visual inspection of the threads and the measurement of each joint of casing.
Prior to running in the hole, the drilling fluid is conditioned and circulated to
remove the solids and cuttings, and prepare the hole for the casing. The
clearance between the open hole and the casing is checked, and a comparison
is made between the caliper of the hole and the OD of the casing collar, since
this is usually the largest OD in the string.
The casing is usually run by specialized casing crews (for example, Franks or
Weatherford), who have all the necessary equipment to perform the job efficiently
and safely. On some rigs, the rig crews run the casing.
Special precautions should be taken while running the casing, since running
casing too fast may cause the formation to fracture. After the casing is run, it is
landed either on bottom or just off bottom. Special connections may need to be
made at the wellhead. This procedure is called nippling up.
3.5 Exercise
Casing Exercise (online)
Casing Exercise (offline)
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
4-i Primary Cementing / Cementing Job Procedures 4-i
PROVISORY RELEASE
4 Cementing Job Procedures
4.1 Pre-Job Procedures ____________________________________________ 4-1
4.2 Job Procedures ________________________________________________ 4-2
4.3 Post-Job Procedures ___________________________________________ 4-3
4.4 Exercise ________________________________________________________ 4-4
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
4-1 Primary Cementing / Cementing Job Procedures 4-1
PROVISORY RELEASE
4 Cementing Job Procedures cementing,

Interfac e, WCS,
primary,
WPC, SWBT,
CTS, WBT,
TBT IT Modules,
Cementing job procedures include
• pre-job procedures
• job procedures
• post-job procedures.
Good centralization is the key to a successful cement job; therefore, it is

important for the Schlumberger cementing supervisor to ensure that the
correct number and type of centralizers specified in the CemCADE design
are actually run on the job. In some situations this is not a problem, since the
cementer is normally present at the rig site before the casing is run. It may
also be the responsibility of the Schlumberger cementer to check the casing
jewelry, including float shoes and collars. There are cases, however, where the
Schlumberger engineer arrives on location after the casing has been run.
4.1 Pre-Job Procedures

Pre-job procedures include
1. The first thing to do upon arrival on location is to meet with the company
man and review the job calculations with him. Verify that no changes have
been made to the planned job design.
2. Next, the lines and equipment should be rigged up. STEM I is required on all
the equipment, including priming the units and pressure-testing the lines.
3. Check that all the products and materials have arrived correctly.
4. A pre-job safety and organization meeting must be held with everyone who
will be involved in the job:
• the customer representative

• the Schlumberger personnel
• the rig crew.
5. After the meeting, start preparing the different mix-fluids, spacers, and
washes. (You must get the go-ahead from the company representative
before starting to prepare any fluids at the well site. That will cover you
should the job be called-off for any reason.) The company man may want
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
you to wait until the casing is on bottom and the well is circulated to avoid lost
products, if the casing cannot get to the bottom. If this is the case, make sure
everything is ready to go, including correct water volumes in the tanks.
6. Collect the compulsory samples of fluids.
4.2 Job Procedures

The job starts when the company man gives the go-ahead.
1. The first task is to test the lines again in the presence of the company
representative. It’s very important that both the company man and the
Schlumberger engineer in charge agree on the maximum pressure and rates
for the job that will begin.
2. Contingency plans must be drawn should the execution not go as planned.
The plugs are then loaded into the cement head in the correct order. The
company representative must witness and acknowledge that the plugs are
correctly loaded at this stage.
3. It is strongly recommended that you run two bottom plugs. The objective
is to prevent the contamination of the slurries and spacers while traveling
down in the casing. You should ensure that the slurry is always pumped in
sandwiched between the bottom plug and the top plug. The contamination is
worse with large-size casing, and the density differential between the cement
and the mud is critical. It’s very important that you do everything correctly to
prevent this contamination.
4. The pre-flushes (washes/spacers) are then pumped in the proper sequence.
5. After the pre-flushes have been pumped, the bottom plug is dropped by
the operator.
6. The cement slurries are mixed and pumped at the correct density.
7. When all of the slurry has been pumped, the top plug is dropped by a
Schlumberger employee, and displacement can start.
8. Displacement is done at the specified rate. The volume that can be pumped
above the calculated displacement volume should be defined prior to the
job, and an agreement should be reached with the company man to avoid
misunderstandings, or a major operational failure (MOF), at this critical
moment.
9. When the top plug reaches the bottom plug, the top plug is bumped with
the agreed pressure. Always check the returns to make sure that the float
equipment is holding. If there is a constant return flow after about four or five
barrels of return fluid, the float equipment is leaking, which means cement
slurry is returning in the casing.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
When this happens, pump the returned fluid back into the well to push the
plug back onto the float collar, but don’t allow the pressure to build up in the
casing above the pressure at the end of displacement. Then, you should
install a pressure sensor close to the cement head, and close the line.
If the plug is not bumped once the theoretical mud volume has been pumped,
you, in agreement with the company man, need to pump a volume of mud no
more than half the shoe-track capacity.
Potential Severity: Serious

Potential Loss: Assets
Hazard Category: machinery equipment hand tools
VERY IMPORTANT: NEVER OVER-DISPLACE A SLURRY PAST THE SHOE.
4.3 Post-Job Procedures
Figure 4-1: STEM I being performed
The end of the job can be as important as the rest of the operation and can leave
a good or bad impression on the client.
1. When the job is completed, equipment and lines must be washed up. The
wash-up should be performed to the waste pit of the rig. No water or oil or
mud spills should be thrown on the client’s location, even with approval from
the company man. The location should be left in as good or better condition
than when you arrived.
2. After washing up, all equipment should be rigged down. No Schlumberger
equipment is to be left on the rig. A STEM 1 must be done on all equipment
at this time. This helps to prepare for the next job and identifies potential
difficulties that might arise in the future.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
PROVISORY RELEASE
3. Finally, all the paperwork should be completed and either signed by the client
or left with him. Remember, the client has probably been awake during the
whole running of the casing, so avoid trying to pressure him to sign your
paperwork when he is tired.
4.4 Exercise
Cementing Job Procedures Exercise (online)
Cementing Job Procedures Exercise (offline)
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
5-i Primary Cementing / Summary 5-i
PROVISORY RELEASE
5 Summary
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
5-1 Primary Cementing / Summary 5-1
PROVISORY RELEASE
5 Summary cementing,
Interfac e, WCS,
primary,
WPC, SWBT,
CTS, WBT,
TBT IT Modules,
In this module, you learned
• the objectives of primary cementing,

• types of casing and the cementing methods for each type,

• casing standards,
• thread types,
• the procedure for running casing, and
• cementing job procedures.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
6-i Primary Cementing / Take the module test 6-i
PROVISORY RELEASE
6 Take the module test
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private
6-1 Primary Cementing / Take the module test 6-1
PROVISORY RELEASE
6 Take the module test cementing,

Interfac e, WCS,
primary,
WPC, SWBT,
CTS, WBT,
TBT IT Modules,
To receive credit for completing this module, you must take and pass the module
test. A score of 90% or higher is required to pass the test. You must take the test
for this module from the Schlumberger iLearn System online.
To take the test
If you do not know how to take an IT Module test from iLearn, go to:
http://intouchsupport.com/intouch/MethodInvokerpage.cfm?caseid=4253433 for
instructions.
If you already know how to use iLearn, in iLearn click on the “Enroll & Launch”
button for the IT Module you are working on.
For more information on how iLearn works, please go to: iLearn OFS Hub.
There are specific guidelines on every procedure under the User Documentation
section.
PROVISORY RELEASE
Private

Primary Cementing - 4133694 - 01 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Primary Cementing - 4133694 - 01 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Primary Cementing - 4133694 - 01 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PROVISORY RELEASE

Copyright © 2009 Schlumberger, Unpublished Work. All rights reserved.

permission of the copyright owner.

Trademarks & Service marks

Schlumberger, the Schlumberger logotype, and other words or symbols used

A complete list of Schlumberger marks may be viewed at the Schlumberger

Author: Bernadette Gomez

Reviewer: Bernadette Gomez

Approver: Torsten Braun, Alice Lee

5.1 18-Jul-2008 Updated exercises link-url to the Author: Beena Hemkar

4.1 11-Apr-2006 Changed labels,erased list-trademark, Author: Torsten Braun

1 Objectives _____________________________________________________ 1-1

2 Introduction ____________________________________________________ 2-1

3 Casing _________________________________________________________ 3-1

4 Cementing Job Procedures ____________________________________ 4-1

5 Summary _______________________________________________________ 5-1

6 Take the module test ___________________________________________ 6-1

2-1 Placement of slurry in casing _______________________________________ 2-1

3-6 Lead and tail slurry ________________________________________________ 3-9

In this training module, you will learn to do the following:

• Identify the main objectives of primary cementing.

• Identify the typical parts of a BOP.

Figure 2-1: Placement of slurry in casing

Primary cementing is the placement of a cement slurry into the annulus

The most important objective of primary cementing is to provide zonal isolation

Finally, primary cementing is done to protect the borehole from collapsing

2.1 Casing Damage animation

3.1.2 Surface Casing ______________________________________________ 3-6

Figure 3-1: Casing with centralizer, float shoe and collar

Casing is placed down the wellbore from the surface to

• separate the open hole from the formation

The size of the casing depends on

• the depth of the well

3.1 Types of Casings

3.1.1 Conductor Casing or Pipe

• the types of conductor casing

• prevent washout under the rig

Conductor casing is usually set at shallow depth, running from between 30 to

3.1.1.2 Driving Pipe animation

Multimedia 3-1: Pile or pile hammer driving casing. Animation

3.1.1.3 Cementing Methods with Animations

• through-drillpipe, or stab-in, cementing

Through-Drillpipe or Stab-In Cementing

Figure 3-2: Stab-in casing drawing

1. The stab-in tube, or pipe, greatly reduces contamination and channeling of

Outside Cementing animation

Multimedia 3-2: Cementing outside of casing. Animation

Since the conductor casing is cemented in weak, or unconsolidated, formations,

Potential Severity: Light

Figure 3-3: Macaroni tubing setup

It is recommended that the macaroni tubing be rotated around the casing to

Top-out job animation

Multimedia 3-3: Top-out job done with macaroni tubing

3.1.2 Surface Casing

Figure 3-4: Casing scheme

Surface casing is run to protect freshwater formations from contamination by

Figure 3-5: Typical BOP

A typical BOP consists of four distinct parts: