Two Stage Cementing

Schlumberger Private
© Schlumberger 2008

An asterisk is used throughout this presentation to denote a mark of

Schlumberger. Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks,
registered trademarks, or service marks of others.
Revision History
Rev. Date Description Prepared by

Schlumberger Private
1.0 Jul 09, 2009 Review presentation Deepak Khatri
Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to explain:

„ Reasons for a two-stage job (Multistage jobs)
Hardware use for two-stage jobs

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„
„ Step by step job procedure of a two-stage job.
„ Special Job considerations
„ Advantages and disadvantages of the Multistage cementing
„ Alternative methods to two-stage jobs
„ Calculations to perform a two-stage job
What is Multistage Cementing?

A cement job performed in two or more stages is called Multistage

cementing.

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Three standard multistage techniques are commonly employed.
„ Regular two-stage cementing
„ Continuous two-stage cementing
„ Three-stage cementing
The execution time of stage cementing increases the rig time.
Reasons for Multistage Cementing

Reduce hydrostatic column

„ Weak formation or Low Fracture Gradient

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„ Narrow Frac and pore pressures gap
„ Widely common reason for two-stage cementing
Upper zone to be cemented with special cement system
„ Salt or Gas zone
„ Higher density, Higher compressive strength
„ Cost Reduction
Reasons for Multistage Cementing

Avoid long cementing intervals

„ Logistic

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„ Temperature difference
Leave some zones not cemented
„ Cost Reduction
„ Injection of formation Cuttings
Hardware for two-stage jobs

Closing plug

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Stage collar
Opening bomb

First stage plug

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Stage Collar – Running Position

Casing is at bottom and Stage collar is

closed
Start mud circulation

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Stage Collar – 1st Stage Cementing

Start 1st-stage cementing

Release 1st-stage plug and start
displacement

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1st-stage plug
„ passes through stage collar
„ lands at float collar (displacement is
completed)
Opening bomb is dropped and wait for
15 minutes
Stage Collar – 2nd Stage Cementing

Opening Bomb lands on stage collar

Pressure up and open the stage collar

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Now circulation starts through ports at
stage collar
Start 2nd-stage cementing
Release closing plug and start
displacement
Stage Collar – Closed Position

Closing plug (2nd-stage plug) is landed

on the stage collar
Pressure up and close the stage collar

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Cement slurry will remain in annulus
and will not come back
Special Considerations

Stage Collar Does Not Open !

Possible Solutions :

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1. Wait: Bomb may not have arrived yet.
2. Increase Pump Pressure.
• Note: Max Pressure < Burst Pressure of casing
3. Run Drill Pipes in the hole and try to open mechanically
4. Perforate above collar and cement
• Note: Might perforate through 2 casing
• No mechanical closing
Special Considerations

To WOC or not to WOC !

Possible Solutions :

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1. WOC: YES !..If height of the 2nd stage slurry may fracture
the “weak formation"
2. Otherwise – NO
Special Considerations

Where to place Stage Collar

Problem Formation

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4100’

„ Weak formation
„ Lost circulation zone weak formation
7100 -7250
FG: 0.6 psi/ft

Solution: weak formation 8400 - 8450

FG:0.68 psi/ft

„ Above the LC zone, it will

reduces the hydrostatic above TD:10200’

the problem zone

Special Considerations

Where to place Stage Collar

Problem Formation

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„ Salt Zone
2400’

„ Gas Zone 5500’

Problem zone
Solution: 5850’

„ Below the Problem zone to reduce

the slurry volume.
TD:10400’

– 200’ below for salt

– 500’ below for gas
Special Considerations

Collar Inside Previous Casing

Many clients insist on this. Why ?

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„ To avoid “jetting” effect on the
formation while circulating or
cementing
„ To ensure that if the collar fails to
open, at least the open hole section is
cemented
Special Considerations

External Casing Packer

Purpose

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„ To give an extra seal below the stage
collar
How do they function?
„ As the wiper plug (first stage) seals,
pressuring up shears the pins and
displacement fluid is pumped into the
packer, inflating it.
Special Considerations

Others
ALWAYS - Open collar immediately and circulate out excess
cement.

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– Note: Control circulating pressures, not to fracture any weak
formations
1st-stage lead slurry should have enough thickening time in order to
excess slurry circulates out without any problems after stage
collar opens.
Slow down to 2-3 bpm while first stage plug passing through stage
collar
Some Other Points

The stage collar is eventually drilled out leaving the same "drift" as
the rest of the casing.

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A stage collar is considered to be a "weak" point in the casing by
many clients and so avoid using them.
Use good amount of pre-flushes, as there is no bottom plug in both
stages and there are many chances for cement to get
contaminated and have a wet shoe.
3 Stage cementing is the same as 2 stage, but with 3 Stages.
Alternatives
Reduce hydrostatic column
Use of lightweight slurries
„ Foam Cement

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„ LiteCRETE*
This leads to:
„ Complex designs
„ Logistical problems
„ Expensive slurries

* Mark of Schlumberger
Example

Well Information:
„ 13 3/8” 68lb/ft, shoe at 2789 ft
„ 9-5/8" 53.5 lb/ft intermediate casing from surface to 6398 ft

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„ 9 5/8” stage collar at 4265.3 ft
„ 12 1/4" open hole
„ Float collar at 6348.8 ft
Top of cement required 2461 ft
Calculate:
„ Slurry Volume and Displacement
2-Stage Cementing Job - Example

13 3/8” 68 lb/ft Casing

cuft/ft bbl/ft

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Top of cement at 2461 feet
4 Csg
13 3/8” shoe at 2789 feet
Csg-csg
3
9 5/8” Stage collar at 4265.3 feet
OH
12 1/4” O.H.

9 5/8” 53.50 lb/ft Casing

2 9 5/8” Float collar at 6348.8 feet
1
9 5/8” Shoe at 6398 feet
2 Stage Cement Job - Answers
First Stage
„ Slurry Volume:
V1=[(6398 ft - 6348.8 ft) x 0.0708 bbl/ft]= 3.48 bbl
V2=[(6398 ft - 4265.3 ft) x 0.0558 bbl/ft]= 118.9 bbl

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„ Displacement Volume:
VDESP1=6348.8 ft x 0.0708 bbl/ft = 449.50 bbl
Second Stage
„ Slurry Volume:
V3=[(4265.3 ft - 2789 ft) x 0.0558 bbl/ft]= 82.35 bbl
V4=[(2789 ft -2461 ft) x 0.0597 bbl/ft)= 19.59 bbl
„ Displacement Volume:
VDESP2=4265.3 ft x 0.0708 bbl/ft= 302 bbls
Problems
PROBLEM 1: PROBLEM 2:

Frac Gradient: 0.8 psi/ft Frac Gradient: 0.8 psi/ft

Mud: 12 ppg Mud: 11.2 ppg

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4100’

2400’
7100 -7250
weak formation FG: 0.6 psi/ft
5500’
salt zone salt zone
5850’ 8400 - 8450
weak formation
FG:0.68 psi/ft

TD:10400’ TD:10200’

Answer the following:

1. Would you recommend a 2-stage ? Why ?
2. What depth would the Collar be?
3. What is the maximum density of slurry possible
during the first stage? (assume cement to stage collar)
4. Where would the TOC be for the first stage?
Conclusion

Multistage cementing is a solution, but it is not always the

best option

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„ Advantages
„ Disadvantages
– Logistics, Cost
– Stage collar represents a weak point in the string
– Poor Mud removal, Contaminated slurries
Case Study

North Africa

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