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PDF Halliburton Cementing 1 Book Compress
PDF Halliburton Cementing 1 Book Compress
Cementing 1
Student Workbook
Developed by
Halliburton Energy Institute
for the
HES Cementing Product Service Line
Notices
Confidentiality
All information contained in this publication is confidential and proprietary property of
Halliburton Energy Services, a division of Halliburton Company. Do not transfer this
document outside of Halliburton without approval from the Intellectual Property Group
of the Law Department.
Document History
First Release: July 2001
Revised: October 2002
Revised: March 2003
Revised: July 2003
Acknowledgements
HEI would like to thank the following for their contributions to this manual (in
alphabetical order):
Greg Ash, David Bedford, Clay Dupree, John (J.J.) Jennings, Kathy Mead,
Von Parkey, Sherry Snyder, and Ralph Voss
Cementing 1
Table of Contents
Section Subject
1 Introduction to Cementing
2 Casing and Tubing
3 API Cements and Additives
4 Primary Cementing
5 Primary Cementing Calculations
6 Liner Cementing
7 Plug-Back Cementing
8 Squeeze Cementing
9 Surface Cementing Equipment
10 Downhole Cementing Equipment
11 Cement Mixing and Pumping Equipment
12 Bulk Cement Storage and Handling
Section 1
Introduction to Cementing
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................1-3
Before You Start This Course ..................................
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.... 1-3
How This Course is Organized ...................................
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..................... 1-3
Study Suggestions ..................................
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....... 1-4
The Purpose of Cement in an Oil Well ...................................
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............. 1-5
Halliburton and the Drilling of an Oil Well...............................................................................................1-6
Drilling Operations.................................................................................................................................1-6
Running Drill Pipe ...................................
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.... 1-6
Running Surface Casing.........................................................................................................................1-7
Cementing ..................................
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..1-8
1-8
Tripping In............................................................................................................................................1-10
Running and Cementing Intermediate Casing......................................................................................1-10
Drilling To Final Depth........................................................................................................................1-10
Completing the Well .................
...................................
....................................
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...................................
................. 1-10
Setting Production Casing....................................................................................................................1-11
Perforating............................................................................................................................................1-11
Installing the Completion System ....................................
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....................................
.....................................
................................
............. 1-12
Sand Control.........................................................................................................................................1-12
Installing the Christmas Tree ...................................
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..... 1-13
Acidizing ....................................
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................. 1-13
Fracturing ..................................
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................. 1-13
Historical Background of Cementing ....................................
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............ 1-16
Halliburton Energy Services Vision and Mission....................................................................................1-17
HES 2003 Vision Statement.................................................................................................................1-17
HES Mission Statement ...................................
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.............. 1-18
General Safety and Work Guidelines.......................................................................................................1-19
Cementing Job Descriptions ...................................
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........ 1-20
Oilfield Terms, Slang, and Acronyms .................................
................ ...................................
...................................
...................................
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............... 1-21
Common Oilfield Terms ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
...................................
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........... 1-21
Common Oilfield Acronyms................................................................................................................1-28
Common Halliburton Acronyms..........................................................................................................1-28
1•1 Cementing 1
Introduction
1•2 Cementing 1
Introduction
Introduction
1•3 Cementing 1
1•4 Cementing 1
When an oil well is drilled, steel pipe (casing) is • Cement seals off formations to prevent
put into the ground to protect the well by fluids from one formation migrating up or
keeping any formation debris from falling into down the hole and polluting the fluids in
it, or even collapsing. The casing also provides a another formation (also know as zonal
smooth, solid surface for further work in the isolation). For example, cement can protect
well. A guide shoe (a rounded, steel cover) is a freshwater formation (that perhaps a
place in the end of the casing being
being placed in the nearby town is using as its drinking water
hole to protect and guide the casing. supply) from saltwater contamination.
The space that remains between the casing and • Cement helps prevent blowouts by setting
the formation (the annulus) is then filled with rapidly
cement by pumping the cement slurry through
the casing and back up the annulus. A plug is • Cement protects the casing from the
used behind the cement to push the cement up corrosive effects that formation fluids (as
the annulus. A displacement fluid (such as salt water) may have on it.
water) is pumped behind the plug to push it. • Cement protects casing from shock loads
1•5 Cementing 1
At the beginning, an oil company (called an • adding a new joint of pipe as the hole
operating company or the operator, such as deepens
Shell, Texaco, or BP-Amoco) must locate areas • tripping the drill string out of the hole to put
where there is a good potential for oil to be
found (an oil reserve). To do this, they examine on a new bit and running it back to bottom,
the geology and conduct other tests (such as or making a round trip
seismic) using Reservoir Engineers, Geologists, • helping to run and cement casing, which is
Geophysicists, and Petrophysicists from their large-diameter steel pipe that is put into the
own staff or using a contractor such as hole at various, predetermined intervals.
Halliburton’s Reservoir Description
Description PSL. If the
potential exists, the operator
operator must then acquire Often, special casing crews are hired to run the
the right to drill by buying or leasing the land. casing, and usually a cementing company is
called on to place cement around the casing to
The operator will then hire a drilling contractor bond it in place in the hole.
hole. Still, the rig crew
to actually drill the well (such as Parker Drilling usually assists in casing and the cementing
or Santa Fe International). The operator may operation.
manage the whole drilling project or they may
hire a contractor to manage it, such as For drilling to be effective, a special fluid (called
Halliburton’s Integrated Solutions PSL. Before drilling mud) must be used to wash away the
drilling can begin, the operating company must cuttings and lubricate and cool the drill bit. The
determine the following: industry’s top provider of drilling fluids is
Halliburton’s BAROID PSL. Also, Halliburton’s
• How deep is the reservoir (the depth of an Security DBS PSL is one of the top providers of
oil or gas well can range from a few hundred drilling bits. And if the well is to be drilled at an
to more than 20,000 feet)? angle other than straight down (called a
deviated well), a subcontractor with the
• What kind of pressures will be encountered?
specialized equipment and knowledge may be
• What is the cost? brought in, such as Halliburton’s
Halliburton’s Sperry-Sun
Drilling Services.
• How will the reservoir be controlled?
• Will this well be profitable?
The operator must also hire a service and supply Running Drill Pipe
company (such as Halliburton) to provide
The drill bit is made up (connected) on the end
drilling mud and bits, casing and casing
of the first drill collar (heavy wall pipe).
attachments, cementing, and measuring and
Enough collars and drill pipe are made up and
testing services.
lowered in (called tripping in) until the bit is
almost to bottom. Then, the kelly is attached. (a
Drilling Operations kelly is a four- or six-sided piece of pipe that fits
into the kelly bushing, which fits into the master
bushing in the rotary
rotary table. The rotary table is
Simply stated, the drilling rig crew’s normal
the part of the derrick floor that spins the drill
drilling operations are
pipe. The system is like a wrench
wrench turning a bolt.)
• keeping a sharp bit on bottom, drilling as The drillstring then starts to rotate and weight is
efficiently as possible applied to drill the hole.
1•6 Cementing 1
1•7 Cementing 1
Cementing
1•8 Cementing 1
casing and wall of the hole. Pumping continues drilling is resumed with a smaller bit that fits
and the cement slurry fills the annular space. inside the surface casing.
A top plug, which is similar to the bottom plug
except that it is solid, is released as the last of
the cement slurry enters the casing. The top plug
follows the remaining slurry down the casing as
displacement fluid (usually water or drilling
mud) is pumped in behind the top plug.
Meanwhile, most of the cement slurry flows out
of the casing and into the annular space. By the
time the top plug seats on or “bumps” the
bottom plug in the
the float collar, which signals the
the
cementing pump operator to shut down the
pumps, the cement is only in thethe casing below
the float collar and in the annular space. Most of
the casing is full of displacement fluid.
1•9 Cementing 1
Tripping In
Drilling To Final Depth
To resume drilling, a smaller bit is selected,
because it must pass down inside
inside the surface
Whether intermediate casing is set or not, the
casing. To drill the surface hole, the example rig
final part of the hole is what the operating
crew used a 17-1/2 inch bit, whereas a 12-1/4
company hopes will be the production hole. To
inch bit will now be used. In this case, the inside
drill it, the crew makes up a still smaller bit,
diameter of the surface casing is less than 13-3/8 such as 7 7/8-in. for our example. This bit is
inches, so in order to get adequate clearance, a
tripped in, drills out the intermediate casing
12-1/4 inch bit is used. As before, the bit is
shoe, and heads toward what everyone hopes is
made up on the drill collars followed by drill
pay dirt, which is a formation capable
capable of
pipe.
producing enough oil oil and gas to make it
economically feasible for the operating company
to complete the well.
Running and Cementing
Intermediate Casing Once again several bits will be dulled and
several round trips will be made, but before long
the formation of interest (the pay zone, the oil
At this point, particularly in deep wells, another
sand, or the formation that is supposed to
smaller-inch-diameter string of casing may be
contain hydrocarbons) is penetrated by the hole.
set and cemented in the hole, such as using a 12
It is now time for a big decision. The question is,
¼-in.
is the bit and 8 5/8-in.
intermediate casing.
string. This
It runs allcasing string
the way “Does this well contain enough oil or gas to
make it worthwhile to run the final production
from the surface, down through the surface
string of casing and complete the well?”
string, and to the bottom of the intermediate
hole. Sometimes intermediate string is needed in
deeper holes because almost invariably so-called Completing the Well
troublesome formations are encountered in the
hole.
After the operating company carefully considers
Troublesome formations are those that may all the data obtained from the various tests it has
contain formation fluids under high pressure ordered to be run on the formation or formations
and, if not sealed off by casing and cement, of interest (such as the tests performed by
could blow out, making it difficult if not Halliburton’s Logging & Perforating PSL or
impossible to eventually produce oil or gas from Sperry-Sun Drilling Services), a decision is
the well. Or perhaps there is a sloughing shale, a made on whether to set production casing and
formation composed of rock called shale that complete the well or to plug and abandon it. If
swells up when contacted by the drilling mud the decision is to abandon it, the hole is
and falls or sloughs off into the hole. Many considered to be dry, that is, not capable of
types of troublesome formations can be producing oil or gas in commercial
commercial quantities. In
overcome while they are being drilled but are other words, some oil or gas may be present but
better cased off and cemented when the final
final not in amounts great enough to justify the
portion of the hole is drilled.
drilled. expense of completing the well.
Therefore, several cement plugs will be set in
the well to seal it off more or less permanently.
However, sometimes wells that were plugged
and abandoned as dry at one time in the past
may be reopened and produced if the price of oil
or gas has become more favorable. The cost of
plugging and abandoning
abandoning a well may only be a
few thousand dollars. Contrast that cost with the
1 • 10 Cementing 1
Cement
Surface
Casing
Intermediate
Casing
Cement
Production
Casing
Reservoir
Casing Shoe
Cement
Figure 1.11- Schematic of casing and
Figure 1.10- Cement used to plug a well. cement in well.
1 • 11 Cementing 1
1 • 12 Cementing 1
Fracturing
1 • 13 Cementing 1
1 • 14 Cementing 1
Figure 1.16- Schematic of cement job showing various cementing equipment and casing
attachments.
1 • 15 Cementing 1
1 • 16 Cementing 1
1 16 Cementing 1
Halliburton
Halliburton Energy Services Vision and Mission
regulatory bodies reduced WOC times from 72 250 sk of Portland cement and water into the
to 24 hours. casing. This was the first blowout cementing
job. After a 10-day wait, the cement was drilled
drilled
To evaluate the success of early cementing,
out, and the well was produced without
crews conducted water shutoff tests. If no water
excessive water or gas production. Within
was found on the test, the cement job was
months, crews had cemented 61 wells using this
successful. Studies of those early jobs showed
technique.
that cement had to reach a certain strength or
hardness before a job could be successful. Cores
taken from a large number of deep wells showed
that many cement failures were the result of mud
contamination. To improve the quality of
cement, cementers focused their attention on
conditioning the mud, circulating the hole before
cementing, and placing a water spacer between
the mud and the cement.
In 1920, a blowout on Skelly’s No. 1 Dillard
(Figure 1.12) occurred while operators were
running casing into the oil sand. Efforts to
control it had failed until Halliburton, using Figure 1.18- Blowout at Skelly’s No. 1
crude mixing and cementing equipment, pumped Dillard.
The Halliburton Energy Services 2003 Vision is to be the undisputed leader in Real Time
Reservoir Solutions.
The fundamental principles to achieving our vision involve:
•
Providing superior value to shareholders and customers
• Creating a company-wide environment for developing, motivating, and rewarding our people
• Being the undisputed leader in innovative technology, integrated solutions and health, safety
and the environment.
• Being No. 1 or 2 in core discrete businesses
• Leveraging Halliburton Company's total capability
capability
1 17 Cementing 1
Our Mission Statement defines our purpose and our beliefs in how we want to achieve our vision by
providing "markers or guideposts"
guideposts" to our beliefs as a company.
•
Recognize that we are responsible for protecting the environment and consistently
meeting those responsibilities
• Continually apply new technology that benefits our customers and distinguishes
Halliburton Energy Services from our competitors as a leader in fit for purpose
solutions
• Support a culture of real-time decision-making and speed to ensure responsiveness
to our customers’ needs
• Maintain integrity in all of our actions — always honor our commitments
• Be flexible and innovative in our business models and recognized as the leading
company with whom it is easy to do business
By virtue of our mission and values, Halliburton Energy Services expects to be the most
valued
meetingprovider of solutions
our customers’ to our
needs andcustomers. And practices,
good business because we weare successful
expect in
to deliver
superior financial performance to our shareholders.
We can only accomplish this with the efforts and participation of our employees;
therefore, we must commit to invest in our people to promote a climate of enthusiasm,
teamwork, and challenge which attracts, motivates and retains superior personnel and
rewards performance.
1 • 18 Cementing 1
Everyone at times is hesitant to admit that he can be hazardous if the way is littered with loose
does not know all there is to know about the job, boards, scraps of oil field equipment,
equipment, nails and
operation, or machine to which he or she is scrap iron, or mud-filled holes.
assigned. Consequently, the supervisor in charge Always use safety hats and safety shoes on the
of the job, who is responsible for the safety of job. When assembling hammer-up
hammer-up type unions
the crew, may assume that the worker fully wear safety shields or goggles for the operation.
understands the safety rules. So he leaves them
alone. Carefully observe the following precautionary
measures:
As a result of this assumption, sooner or later
someone is injured, equipment is ruined, or a 1. No smoking is allowed
1. allowed on or near the well
well is damaged. Every supervisor prefers that site.
workers ask questions about the job--it shows 2. Never wash tools and equipment
2. equipment in
interest and a desire to learn and progress. flammable mixtures in areas without proper
Remember, no one knows everything, even ventilation.
about his or her work. It is no admission of
3. Keep all hammers, chisels, punches, etc.
3.
dumbness or lack
not sure I know of experience
how to admit
y ou want this
you done.”“I’m properly dressed to eliminate
eliminate the possibility
possibility
of steel particles becoming dislodged. Cold
Safety begins for the job even before you leave chisels and hammers have destroyed the
home. A worker who gets plenty of proper rest sight of countless numbers of eyes.
and nourishment is provided the alertness that is
necessary to be a safe worker. 4. Make certain of proper footing when
4.
climbing around the equipment. Do not
Get up in plenty of time to thoroughly awaken grasp anything for support that is not
and clean up before driving to the job. Take properly secured.
enough clothing to comfortably complete the
pending job. If it is to be
be a long job, be certain 5. Your supervisor is responsible for the safety
5.
you have plenty of spare clothes. of the crew. Follow his or her instructions
and always seek advice if you do not
On the way to the location is a good time to understand the procedure at hand.
become oriented with the coming
coming operation. Ask
questions concerning what is expected of you 6.
6. Before every job, you must have a tailgate
and the crew on the job. On the way back home safety meeting on location to discuss the job
it is a good idea to talk the job over. It may and potential safety hazards while on
reveal mistakes that could have been prevented. location.
It may recall to your mind an unsafe condition, 7. Think the project through before proceeding
7.
which can be avoided under similar conditions with any operation around the well site.
in the future. And it will aid in keeping the
driver from becoming drowsy and sleepy 8. The most dangerous part of your job is on
8.
through the boredom of a long drive. If the the roads to and from the field. Ask your
driver does appear to be getting drowsy, it’s time Supervisor for special instructions
for another coffee break. concerning your driving duties.
After arriving at the location and changing to 9. All safety equipment should be carried in its
9.
work clothes, clear the way to the equipment proper place on the vehicle. This
This equipment
should be checked periodically. It is the duty
site.
a newThis preparation
location. is especially
Transporting heavyimportant
equipmenton
1 • 19 Cementing 1
of the operator to know the location of the • If you are not sure, ask the advice of your
equipment and its proper operation. supervisor.
In short: • Study the rules and regulations in the HES
Safety Policy Manual
• Be sure you know how to do the job.
• Be sure you know the hazards of the job and
how to protect yourself.
operational excellence and customer satisfaction performance measures and documents results
results
for the long term growth and profitability of the and best practices. (This classification is
NWA. Manages processes to ensure
ensure job site available only for North America MBU
execution as designed. Follows up job site participants).
performance with customer. Maintains
Maintains MBU
Oilfield Terms,
Terms, Slang, and Acronyms
Sometimes, it may seem that those working in measured by a system recommended by the
the oilfield are speaking a whole different American Petroleum Institute. It is related to
language. The oil industry and Halliburton have specific gravity by the following formula:
come up with many terms, slang, and acronyms Deg API = 141.5_- 131.5
that you need to know. sp gr 60°F/60°F
ATTAPULGITE CLAY- A colloidal,
Common Oilfield Terms viscosity-building
viscosity-building clay used principally in salt-
water muds. Attapulgite, a special fullers earth,
is a hydrous magnesium aluminum silicate.
ABANDON- To cease efforts to produce oil or
gas from a well, and to plug a depleted BACK-OFF- To unscrew.
formation and salvage all material and
BARITE, BARYTES, OR HEAVY SPAR-
equipment.
Natural barium sulfate used for for increasing the
ADDITIVE- A material other than cement and density of drilling fluids. If required, it is usually
water which is added to a cement subsequent to upgraded to a specific gravity of 4.20. The barite
its manufacture to modify its properties. mineral occurs in white, grayish, greenish, and
reddish ores or crystalline masses.
AMBIENT- We use this term to describe
temperature. Strictly speaking, the term is BARREL- A volumetric unit of measure used in
defined as “completely surrounding.” Ambient the petroleum industry consisting of 42 gal.
temperature, then would be the temperature of
BED- A specific layer of earth or rock material
the air surrounding us. We stretch this definition
in contrast to other layers of earth or rock of
a little and refer to pumping fluids at ambient
different material lying above, below, or
temperature. We mean we don’t heat or cool the adjacent to the bed in reference.
fluid, but use it just like it is in the tank.
BENTONITE- A highly plastic, highly
ANNULUS (ANNULAR SPACE) - The space
colloidal clay, largely made up of the mineral,
surrounding pipe suspended in the well bore.
montmorillonite,
montmorillonit e, a hydrated aluminum silicate.
The outer wall of the annulus may be an open
For use in drilling fluids, bentonite has a yield in
hole or it may be larger pipe.
excess of 85 bbl/ton. The generic term
API- American Petroleum Institute. “bentonite” is neither an exact mineralogical
Headquarters of the API Division of Production name, nor is the clay of definite mineralogical
are at 300 Corrigan Tower Bldg., Dallas, Texas. composition.
API CEMENT CLASSES- A classification BLOCKS, CROWN AND TRAVELING- The
system for oil well cements defined in API Std block and tackle on a rig that
that raises and lowers
10A. the drill string.
API GRAVITY- The gravity (weight per unit BLOWOUT- An uncontrolled escape of drilling
volume) of crude oil or other related fluids as fluid, gas, oil, or water from the well caused by
1 • 21 Cementing 1
the formation pressure being greater than the fluids to impart special properties, but primarily
hydrostatic head of the fluid in the hole. to increase the density of the fluid phase.
BLOWOUT PREVENTER - A device attached CALIPER LOGGING- An operation to
immediately above the casing, which can be determine the diameter of the well bore or the
closed and shut off the hole should a blowout internal diameter of casing, drill pipe, or tubing.
occur. In the case of the wellbore, caliper logging
indicates undue enlargement of the bore due to
BOLL WEEVIL- Any inexperienced worker or
“hand.” caving condition or other causes. In the case of
tubular goods, the caliper log reveals the internal
BOND- Adhering, binding, or joining of two corrosion.
materials; e.g., cement to casing.
CASING CEMENTING- The practice of
BONDING- The state of bond between cement filling the annulus between casing and hole with
and casing and/or formation. cement in order to prevent fluid migration
between permeable zones and to support
support the
BOTTOMHOLE PRESSURE- The pressure at
casing.
the bottom of a well.
CEMENT- A mixture of calcium aluminates
BREAKOUT- Refers to the act of unscrewing
and silicates made by combining lime and clay
one section of pipe from another section,
while heating. Sacked cement contains about
especially in the case of drill pipe while it is
62.5 percent calcium hydroxide, which is the
being withdrawn from the well bore. During this
major source of trouble when cement
operation
unscrewing theoperation.
breakout Also
tongsrefers
are used to start the
to promotion contaminates mud. - (a) n.; A plastic material
which hardens and forms a firm connection
of a crew member to the position of driller or of
medium between two or more solids (b) v.t.;
a driller to become a tool pusher. For example,
The- act of placing cement.
“He broke out as driller at Conroe.”
CEMENT DENSITY- The specific gravity of
BRIDGING MATERIAL- Fibrous, flaky, or
an oil well cement as determined by a method
granular material added to a cement slurry or
similar to ASTM C 188: Specific Gravity of
drilling fluid to aid in sealing formations in
Hydraulic Cement. Most portland cements have
which lost circulation has occurred. See Lost
a specific gravity of about 3.15 when tested by
Circulation Material.
this method. Cement density should not be
BRINE- Water saturated with or containing a confused with slurry density.
high concentration of common salt (sodium
CEMENT SYSTEM- The combination of
chloride); hence, any strong saline solution
materials that make up an oil well cement slurry.
containing such other salts as calcium chloride,
zinc chloride, calcium nitrate, etc. CEMENTING- The operation by which cement
slurry is forced down through the casing and out
BRINGING IN A WELL- The act of
at the lower end in such a way that it fills the
completing a well and bringing it into actual
space between the casing and the side of the well
production status.
status.
bore to a predetermined height above
above the bottom
BUCK UP- To tighten a threaded connection. of the well. This is for the purpose of securing
BY-PASS- Usually refers to a pipe connection the casing in place and excluding water and
around a valve or other control mechanism. A other fluids from the well bore.
by-pass is installed in such cases to permit CEMENTING TIME- The total elapsed time
passage of fluid through
through the line while for a cementing operation from the beginning of
adjustments or repairs are made on the control, mixing until the completion of displacement to
which is by-passed. final depth and complete circulation of any
excess slurry to the surface.
CALCIUM CHLORIDE- CaC12. A very
soluble calcium salt sometimes added to drilling
1 • 22 Cementing 1
CENTIPOISE (CP)- A unit of viscosity equal the upflowing drilling fluid from the well bore to
to 0.01 poise. A poise equals 1 g per meter- the slush pit.
second, and a centipoise is 1 g centimeter-
CONNECTION- The joining of two lengths of
second. The viscosity of water at 20°C is 1.005
pipe.
cp (1 cp = 0.000672 lb/ft-sec).
CONTAMINANTS- Materials, usually mud
CENTRALIZERS- Spring steel guides that are
components, which become mixed with the
attached to casing to keep it centered in the hole.
CHRISTMAS TREE- A term applied to the cement slurry
and which during
have the displacement
a deleterious effect on process,
cement
valves and fittings assembled at the top of a well properties.
to control the flow of the oil.
CROWN BLOCK- Sheaves and supporting
CIRCULATE- To cycle drilling fluid through beams on top of derrick.
drill pipe and well bore while drilling operations
CURING- Aging of cement under specified
are temporarily suspended. This is done to
conditions.
condition the drilling fluid and the well bore
before hoisting the drill
drill pipe and to obtain - Atmospheric Pressure Curing - The aging of
cuttings from the bottom of the well before cement specimens for test purposes at normal
drilling proceeds. Circulation of the drilling fluid atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi at sea level), for a
while drilling is suspended is usually necessary designated period of time under certain given
to prevent drill pipe from becoming stuck. conditions of temperature and humidity. See API
RP 10B.
CLAY- A hydrated aluminum silicate. Clays are - Pressure Curing - The curing of cement
components of soils in varying percentages.
Some types swell with absorption of water. specimens for test purposes, in water at pressure
Various types are: kaolinite, smectite, illite, above atmospheric pressure. See API RP 10B.
chlorite and mixed-layer. A plastic, soft,
DENSITY- When used in relation to materials
variously colored earth, commonly a hydrous
such as solids, liquids, or gases, this means the
silicate of alumina, formed by the decomposition
weight of a unit volume of the material. Many
of feldspar and other aluminum silicates. See
types of units are used to measure density. The
also Attapulgite, Bentonite, High Yield, Low
chemist usually uses grams per cubic centimeter
Yield, and Natural Clays. Clay minerals are
(gm/cc). In the oil patch we may use pounds per
essentially insoluble in water but disperse under
cubic foot (lb/cu ft) for solids, pounds per gallon
hydration, shearing forces such as grinding,
(lb/gal) for liquids and pounds per cubic foot
velocity effects, etc., into the extremely small
(lb/cu ft) for gases.
particles varying from submicron
submicron to 100-micron
sizes. DERRICKMAN- The crew member whose
work station is in the derrick while the drill pipe
COLLAR- A pipe coupling threaded on the
is being hoisted or lowered into the hole. He
inside.
attaches the elevators to the stands of drill pipe
COMING OUT OF HOLE- Withdrawing of while the pipe is being lowered into the hole and
the drill pipe from the well bore. This detaches the elevators while the pipe is being
withdrawal is necessary to change the bit, or hoisted. Other responsibilities frequently include
change from bit to core barrel, to prepare for a conditioning the drilling fluid and maintenance
drill stem test, and for other reasons. of the slush pumps. He is usually next in line of
authority under the driller.
CONDUCTOR PIPE- A short string of casing
of large diameter which is used in marshy DIATOMACEOUS EARTH- An infusorial
DIATOMACEOUS
locations and under certain other conditions. Its earth composed of siliceous skeletons of diatoms
principal function is to keep the top of the well and being very porous. Sometimes used for
bore open and to provide means
means of conveying combating lost circulation and as an additive to
1 • 23 Cementing 1
1 23 Cementing 1
cement; also has been added to special drilling rotary drilling rigs normally there are two
fluids for a particular purpose. floormen on each drilling crew.
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE- The difference FLUID LOSS- The volume of fluid lost to a
in pressure between the hydrostatic head of the permeable material due to the process of
drilling-fluid column and the formation pressure filtration. The API fluid loss is the volume of
at any given depth in the hole. It can be positive, fluid in a filtrate as determined according to the
zero, or negative with respect to the hydrostatic Fluid-Loss Test given in API RP 10B. See
head. Water Loss.
DISPLACEMENT RATE- The volumetric FLUID-LOSS ADDITIVE- An additive used
flow rate at which cement slurry is pumped to reduce the fluid loss of cement slurries.
down the hole. Material used to maintain adequate injected fluid
within the created fracture and to minimize
DOPE- Material used on threads of pipe or
damage by controlling fluid leak-off.
tubing to lubricate and prevent leakage.
FORMATION DAMAGE- Damage to the
DOUBLE- Two lengths or joints of pipe joined
productivity of a well
well resulting from invasion
together.
into the formation by mud particles or mud
DRILL STRING- The string of pipe that filtrates. Asphalt from crude oil will also
extends from the bit to the Kelly, carries the damage some formations. See Mudding Off.
mud down to the bit, and rotates the bit.
FRACTURING- Application of hydraulic
DRILLING FLUIDS- Any fluid, such as air or pressure to the reservoir formation
formation to create
gas, water- or oil-base muds, circulated in a well fractures through which oil or gas may move to
during drilling operations. the well bore.
DRILLING MUD OR FLUID- A circulating GEL CEMENT- Cement having a small to
fluid used in rotary drilling to perform any or all moderate percentage of bentonite added as a
of various functions required in the drilling filler and/or to reduce the slurry weight. See
operation. Gunk Plug.
ELEVATORS- Latches that secure the drill GRAVITY, SPECIFIC- The weight of a
pipe; attached to the traveling
traveling block which rais
raises
es particular volume of any substance
substance compared to
and lowers the pipe from the hole. the weight of an equal volume of water at a
reference temperature. For gases, air is usually
FEMALE CONNECTION- A pipe or rod
taken as the reference substance, although
coupling with the threads on the inside.
hydrogen is sometimes used.
FILLER MATERIAL- A material added to a HEADACHE- A warning cry given when
cement or cement slurry for the primary purpose
anything is dropped from overhead.
of increasing the yield of the slurry.
HYDROCARBON- A compound consisting
FILTER CAKE- The suspended solids that are
only of molecules of hydrogen and carbon.
deposited on a porous medium during the
process of filtration. See also Cake
Cake Thickness. KELLY OR KELLY JOINT- A heavy square
pipe or other configuration
configuration that works through a
FITTINGS- The small pipes and valves that are
like hole in the rotary table and rotates the drill
used to make up a system of piping.
stem.
FLASH SET- Flash set is abnormal early
LATEX- Colloidal suspension or emulsion of
thickening or setting of cement slurry wherein
organic materials. Certain latexes are sometimes
the cement slurry becomes unpumpable.
used as cement additives.
FLOORMAN- A member of the drilling crew
LINER- Any string of casing whose top is
whose work station is about the derrick floor. On situated at any point below the surface.
1 24 Cementing 1
LOG- A running account listing a series of measurement is the darcy or millidarcy (0.001
events in chronological order. The driller’s log is darcy).
a tour-to-tour account of progress made in
POTASSIUM- One of the alkali metal elements
drilling. Electric well log is a record of
with a valence of 1 and an atomic weight of
geological formations which is made by a well
about 39. Potassium compounds, most
logging device. This device operates on the
commonly potassium hydroxide (KOH) are
principle of differential resistance
resistance of various
sometimes added to drilling fluids to impart
formations
current. to the transmission of electric special properties, usually inhibition.
POZZOLAN- A siliceous or siliceous and
MAKE A HAND- To become a good worker.
aluminous material, which in itself posseses
MALE CONNECTION- A connection with the little or no cementitious value but will in finely-
threads on the outside. divided form and in the presence of moisture,
chemically react with calcium hydroxide at
NEAT CEMENT- A slurry composed of
ordinary temperature to form compounds
portland cement and water.
possessing cementitious
cementitious properties.
OIL-COUNTRY TUBULAR GOODS- Oil-
PRECIPITATE- Material that separates out of
well casing, tubing, or drill pipe.
solution or slurry as a solid. Precipitation
P recipitation of
OIL FIELDS- An area where oil is found. A solids in a drilling fluid may follow flocculation
loosely-defined term referring to an area in or coagulation, such as the dispersed red-bed
which one or more separate pools or reservoirs clays upon addition of a flocculation agent to the
may be found. fluid. An insoluble solid substance produced as a
result of a chemical reaction.
OLD HAND- A man who has been around the
oil field for a long time. PRIMARY CEMENTING- Primary casing
cementing is the original cementing operation
OPEN HOLE- The uncased part of the well.
performed immediately after casing has been run
OPERATOR- The person, whether proprietor into the hole. See Casing Cementing.
or lessee, actually operating a mine or oil well or
PUMPING TIME- Synonymous with
lease.
cementing time except in those instances where
OPERATING PRESSURE- The pressure at a volume of cement slurry is premixed prior to
which a line or system is operating at any given displacement in a well. In this instance, the
time. pumping time will be total
total cementing time
PACKER FLUID- Any fluid placed in the minus mixing time.
annulus Along
packer. between theother
with tubing
funand casing
functions,
ctions, theabove a
PULLING CASING- Removing casing from a
well.
hydrostatic pressure of the packer fluid is
RESERVOIR- Each separate, unconnected
utilized to reduce the pressure differentials
body of producing formation.
formation.
between the formation and thethe inside of the
casing and across the packer itself. RETARDER- A chemical which is added to
cements to increase their thickening time. A
PAY ZONE OR PAY FORMATION- The
chemical or physical modification that slows the
formation drilled into that contains oil and/or gas
reaction of an acid on the formation so as to
in commercial quantities.
achieve deeper penetration.
PERMEABILITY- The property of a solid
RIGGING UP- Before the work of drilling can
medium which allows a fluid to flow through its
be started, but after the derrick has been built,
interconnected pore network. A procedure for
tools and machinery must be installed and a
determining the permeability of hardened
supply of fuel and water must be established.
cement is given in API RP 10B. Unit of This operation, which in substance is that of
1 25 Cementing 1
getting the rig ready, is conveniently described SLOUGHING- The partial or complete collapse
by the driller’s term “rigging up.” of the walls of a hole resulting from
incompetent, unconsolidated formations, high
RISER- A pipe through which liquid travels
angle or repose, and wetting along internal
upward.
bedding planes.
ROUGHNECK- A driller’s helper and general
SLURRY- Suspension of cement in water, oil,
all-around worker on a drilling rig.
or mixture of both.
ROUSTABOUT- A laborer who assists the
SLURRY VOLUME- The sum of the absolute
foreman in the general work about producing oil
volumes of solids and liquids that constitute a
wells and around the property of the oil
slurry.
company. The roustabout is a semi-skilled
laborer in that he requires considerable training SLURRY DENSITY- The density of a cement
to fit him for his work. slurry expressed in either pounds per gallon or
pounds per cubic foot. Light-weight
Light-weight and heavy-
SACK- Sack is a weight measure. Cement,
weight slurries are prepared by adding suitable
bentonite, and barite are marketed in
in sacks
additives to modify slurry density.
containing amounts as follows:
SLURRY WEIGHT- See Slurry Density.
- Cement- 94 pounds
SLURRY YIELD- (a) Volume of slurry when
- Bentonite- 100 pounds
one sack of cement (94 pounds) is mixed with
- Barite- 100 pounds desired amount of water containing any other
SALT- In mud terminology, the term salt is additive such as accelerators, fluid-loss control
agents, etc. (b) Slurry volume as previously
applied to sodium chloride, NaCl. Chemically,
defined by the total number of sacks of cement
the term salt is also applied to any one of a class
(94 pounds per sack).
of similar compounds formed when the acid
hydrogen of an acid is partly or wholly replaced SODIUM CHLORIDE- NaCl. Commonly
by a metal or a metallic radical. Salts are formed known as salt. Salt may be present in the mud as
by the action of acids on metals,
metals, or oxides and a contaminant or may be added for any of
hydroxides, directly with ammonia, and in other several reasons. See Salt.
ways.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY- The weight of any
SAND- A loose granular material resulting from volume of a material divided by the weight of
the disintegration of rocks, most often silica. the same volume of a material taken as a
standard. For solids or liquids, the standard is
SCRATCHER- A device fastened to casing
water. For gases, the standard is air. It may also
which removes
condition the mud cake
it for cementing. from
It is the hole
fashioned oftostiff be defined as the ratio of the density
density of a
substance to the density of water or air. We deal
wire.
mostly with liquids and solids. The density of
SET CASING- To install steel pipe or casing in water is 1 gm/cc or 8.33 lb/gal. To go from
a well bore. An accompanying operation is the density to specific gravity, and vice versa, is a
cementing of the casing in place by surrounding simple matter. For example, given a 10 lb/gal
it with a wall of cement extending for all or part brine, calculate its specific
specific gravity:
of the depth of the well.
Specific Gravity
Gravity = 10 lb/gal
lb/gal ÷ 8.33 lb/gal = 1.2
SHALE- Fine-grained clay rock with slate-like
cleavage, sometimes containing an organic oil- SQUEEZE- A procedure whereby slurries of
yielding substance. cement, mud, gunk plug, etc. are forced into the
formation by pumping into the hole while
SHUT IN- To close valves on a well so that it maintaining a back pressure, usually by closing
stops producing; said of a well on which the the rams.
valves are closed.
1 26 Cementing 1
commonly barite but can be galena, etc. In MMCR - Micro Matrix Cement Retarder -
special applications limestone is also called a Micro Matrix cement retarder (MMCR) is
weight material. designed for use in Micro Matrix cement
ce ment
only. MMCR is a liquid. Secondary Effects:
WORK-OVER- To perform one or more of a
Micro Matrix cement retarder is an
variety of remedial operations on a producing oil
extremely potent retarder for conventional
well with the hope of restoring or increasing
cements
production. Examples
Examples of work-over operations
are deepening, plugging back, pulling and MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet
resetting the liner, squeeze cementing, shooting,
NORM - Naturally Occuring Radioactive
Radioactive
and acidizing.
Material - as it relate to the EPA
OD - Outer Diameter
Common Oilfield Acronyms
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health
Administration - Federal US Agency
ADC - Automatic Density Control responsible for worker safety
API - American Petroleum Institute POOH - Pull Out Of Hole
ASME - American Society of Mechanical PPE - Personal Protective Equipment - used for
Engineers personal safety in performance
performance of duties -
ASTM - American Society for Testing and coveralls, gloves, eye protection, hearing
Materials protection
BHA - Bottom Hole Assembly PTA - Plug to Abandon
CAPE - Concurrent Art to Production how do we know we've done it, and how
Environment can we make it better.
CBT - Computer-Based Training HPM - Halliburton Performance Management -
This function includes Market and Business
CEMS - Computerized Equipment Management
Analysis, Strategic Planning, PSL
System - field system for tracking
Marketing and the Product Development
equipment and repairs
and Commercialization Initiative
COE - Common Office Environment – An Champion
architecture of PCs that standardizes
HR - Human Resource department
software and hardware throughout the
company. HRD - Human Resource Development -This
department drives performance -focused
CPI - Correction, Prevention, and Improvement.
change of our people, processes, and
Halliburton’s quality improvement system.
organization, supporting Halliburton`s goal
CPS - Completion Products & Services PSL – A of becoming a high -performing
reservoir focused set of Completion organization. Using the developmental
Solutions including Subsurface Products, solutions approach, HRD develops and
Sand Control, Slickline, and Surface implements specific processes that change
Products and improve performance - -processes
collectively known as interventions - -to
CT - Coiled Tubing and all its components
components
support our clients` business needs
CVA - Cash Value Added - The CVA for a
IS - Integrated Solutions PSL -was established,
period is a good estimate
estimate of the cash flow
uniting the best people, technology,
generated above or below the investor's
products, and equipment
equipment to offer oil and
requirement for that period. See also
gas companies the most effective and
NOVA
profitable solutions
solutions to their challenges
challenges
EJCS - End of Job Customer Survey
IT - Information Technology
F&A - Finance and Administration
ITP - Integrated Technology Products -The
FDP - Field Development Product – Code for purpose of the Integrated Technology
Technology
new products before they are named. Products Group is to offer solutions with
FSQC - Field Service Quality Coordinator reservoir performance focus; champion the
rapid development and introduction of new
FSR - Field Service Representative technologies that cross PSL boundaries;
HALCO21 - Halliburton’s team and processes focus on cross -PSL technology delivery as
for revolutionizing business processes a business; and commercialize multi-PSL
globally to provide dramatic improvements solutions based on value creation transfer
for Halliburton Company, enabling our technology to countries.
success in the 21st Century JSA - Job Safety Analysis
HEI - Halliburton Energy Institute – the KBR - Kellogg Brown and Root – Halliburton’s
development center in Duncan, OK, which business unit that
that provides a full spectrum
spectrum
provides training for employees
employees and of services: project development,
customers technology licensing and development,
HMS - Halliburton Management System - is an consulting, project management,
integrated management system designed to engineering, procurement, construction,
meet operations, quality, health, safety, and operations and maintenance services.
environmental management systems needs. KPI - Key Performance Indicator; used as a
What that really means is, the HMS is what measure in Service Quality PII
we do, how we do it, who is responsible,
1 • 29 Cementing 1
RTO - Real Time Operations - delivery of real TC - Team Coordinator -The PSL Team
time data from wellsite to Coordinator functions as a team leader and
Halliburton/Client
Halliburton/Client office, typically via use coach for the Service Supervisors. The
of the Mobile Net satellite system Team Coordinator provides personnel
development for the MBU Team and
SC - Service Coordinator - is a customer focused champions best practices and process
member of the PSL and Asset Management improvements.
Team. The Service Coordinator provides
technical and operational expertise, TTTCP - Tools & Testing and Tubing Conveyed
champions service excellence, creating Perforating PSL
customer satisfaction. The Service
1 • 30 Cementing 1
Section 2
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................2-3
Topic Areas ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 2-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
..................... 2-3
Unit A: Casing and Tubing Uses ....................................
.................. .....................................
.....................................
....................................
....................................
....................
..2-3
2-3
Unit A Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
.................................
................ 2-4
Unit B: Typical Casing Strings ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.........................
....... 2-5
Conductor Casing...................................................................................................................................2-5
Surface
ProtectiveCasing........................................................................................................................................2-5
Casing (Intermediate Casing)................................................................................................2-6
Production Casing ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
......................
.... 2-6
Liners......................................................................................................................................................2-7
Tubing String..........................................................................................................................................2-8
Unit B Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
.................................
................ 2-9
Unit C: Casing and Tubing Threads ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
...................................
..................................
................. 2-10
Casing Threads.....................................................................................................................................2-10
Tubing Threads ..................................
................. ...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
.....................................
............................
........ 2-11
Thread Selection...................................................................................................................................2-12
Make-Up Torque Selection ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
........................
..... 2-12
Thread Care ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 2-13
Unit C Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...............................
.............. 2-14
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 2-15
2•1 Cementing 1
Introduction
Due to the nature of our work, Halliburton B. Couplings and Threads
personnel must be familiar with
with basic drilling C. Casing and Tubing Threads
operations. An understanding of the factors
involved in making up joints of casing, tubing,
and drill pipe will help you work more Learning Objectives
effectively with customers as well as better
understand the ways in which Halliburton Upon completion of this section, you should be
equipment is used with these tubular goods. familiar with the
• Purpose and use of tubular goods
•
Types of threads and how to select and care
for them
Casing design involves three major steps: A casing designer’s main job is to select the
weight and grades of casing that will be just
1. Determining the sizes and lengths of casing
strong enough to withstand the loading
strings you will run
conditions of the well. Since casing is made
2. Calculating the type and size of loading from steel pipe, cost generally increases with
conditions weight, but tensile strength and grade change
3. Choosing the weights and grades of casing also affect prices. When selecting casing sizes
and final weights and grades, consider the
that will not fail when exposed to these
availability of tubular goods. You may not be
loads
able to purchase certain types of casing in your
This section will discuss the basics for area. In extreme cases, you may have to base the
developing a casing program. An ideal casing casing design on what is available; the main goal
string design allows you to control common and is to simply make sure the specific string is
uncommon well conditions safely and suitable for the well.
economically. Specifically, the casing program
To plan a well, you must first choose a
should be appropriate for the geological
casing/bit system. When choosing this system,
environment and allow safe well production.
you should consider
Although it would be easy to choose a single
casing weight and grade to satisfy most well • Past experience with the area
conditions, you might be going to unnecessary
• Geological factors
expense depending on the complexity of the
well. • Abnormal pressure
2•3 Cementing 1
• Troublesome zones (such as salt) and on the casing also has an effect upon the
sloughing shale collapse and burst values.
Unit A Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit A.
1. The casing program should be appropriate for the __________________________
__________________________ and allow safe
well production.
2. The casing size and weight chosen will determine casing ________________
________________________.
________.
3. The basic loading conditions on a casing or tubing string that must be considered are
______________,
______________, ________________,
________________, and _______________.
_______________.
2•4 Cementing 1
In this unit, we will describe the purpose and use the rig. If such a shallow flow is encountered,
of tubular goods used in a typical well. the well should not be completely shut in. It is
likely, in most cases, that insufficient pipe is set
to prevent fluids or gas from breaking around
Conductor Casing the outside of the conductor casing to surface. In
other words, the diverter system protects the rig
and personnel until the problem can be
corrected.
Conductor
Casing
Surface Casing
Conductor
Casing Conductor
Casing
Cement
Cement
Surface
Casing Surface
Casing
Intermediate
Casing
Cement
Reservoir
Reservoir
Figure 2.2 - Surface Casing (Set inside the Figure 2.3 - Protective Casing (Set inside
conductor casing) the surface casing and extending from total
depth to surface)
to kill the well (offset bottom hole pressure with cemented casing string. These hanging casing
fluid hydrostatic head), circulate workover strings are called liners and they are used in
fluids, and conduct some pressure testing. almost every deep well completion.
Casing in general and production casing/liners Four types of liners will be described briefly to
specifically, allow for a wellbore with consistent begin this section:
known internal diameter. This is critical when
• Drilling (or protective) liners
utilizing special downhole tools that require
these conditions. These tools are commonly • Production liners
inserted into the casing during completion and
production operations
operations in order to obtain • Stub liners
wellbore isolation at desired points. • Scab liners
In some areas, conditions may allow you to use
small diameter lines; in these instances, Drilling Liners
production casing is set
set for well fluid
production. In other words,
words, these are tubingless A drilling liner (Fig. 2.5) is a string of casing
completions – there is no backup string. that is hung from another casing of a larger
diameter which has already been cemented
downhole. It is used to case off open holes so
that deeper drilling may be performed. A drilling
Conductor
Casing
liner serves to
Cement
• help control water or gas production
Surface
Casing • isolate lost-circulation zones
• isolate high-pressure zones.
Intermediate
Casing
A drilling liner is subject to the same design
conditions as protective casing, and it provides
Cement
Production the same protections. Multiple drilling liners
Casing
may be required. As with all liners, the top of
the casing does not extend to the surface, but is
Reservoir
“hung off” at some point in the previous casing
Cement
Casing Shoe string.
Liners
A production liner is a string of casing that is An unusual type of liner, a scab liner (Fig. 2.7)
hung from a drilling liner or casing in the is usually not cemented after it has been run
producing formation (Fig.
(Fig. 2.6). This type of downhole and, therefore, it is retrievable. It has a
liner is then cemented and perforated like any packoff on both ends and is used under the same
other completion string. It provides isolation and conditions as a stub liner.
support when casing has been set above the Stub and scab liners can be set with part of their
production zone.
weight on the liner below or hung uphole on
existing casing.
Conductor
Casing
Cement
Surface
Casing
Intermediate
Casing
Scab Liner
Cement
Production
Liner
Reservoir
Production
Casing Shoe Liner
Cement
Reservoir
Figure 2.6 – Production liner (cemented in
place but hangs from the
t he bottom of the
Figure 2.7 - Scab Liner
intermediate casing rather than extending to
the surface.
Tubing String
Stub Liners
The tubing string gives produced fluids a flow
A stub liner (also called a tie-back liner) is path to the surface and allows
allows you to inject for
usually a short string of casing that provides an secondary recovery, storage, and disposal. By
upward extension for a drilling liner. It is run increasing the size of this string, you can reduce
when friction pressure and increase production or
injection rates. However, by increasing this
• casing above the drilling liner has been
diameter, you must increase all other casing
damaged in some way (by corrosion, etc.)
sizes in the well. In other words, you must make
• a liner is leaking sure the increased production/inj
production/injection
ection ratio
justifies the higher cost.
cost.
• greater resistance is needed for other reasons
(abnormal pressure, etc.).
2•8 Cementing 1
Unit B Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit B.
1. The first string in the well may be ___________ or ___________ casing. If the top soil is erodible,
4. ___________
____________
_ casing supports all casing
casing strings run in the
the well.
Tubing Threads
Thread Selection
On location, check the specifications, which are As an example, let’s assume that you want to
stenciled on the side of the joints. If the joints make up a float collar on the customer’s casing.
are not marked, you’ll need a caliper tool (Fig. The casing has this stamp: 5 ½ in. casing,
2.13) and ruler to identify pin dimensions. 15.5lb/ft, J-55, grade, 8rd, long thread.
To use the make-up torque charts, you need to
know all the information provided by this stamp.
The stamp tells you that the casing has:
• An outside diameter (OD) of 5 ½ inches
• 15.5 lb/ft nominal weight, threads and
coupling
• J-55 grade
• 8 round threads per inch
• long thread.
2 • 12 Cementing 1
After a piece of equipment has been inspected, After you’ve finished using the equipment,
equal care should be taken in its use: reinspect it for damage. Be sure to clean the
thread protectors and carefully reattach them to
• Never allow threads to hit metal or hard
the equipment.
objects.
Remember, if you have a question about the
• Never drop or throw equipment.
equipment.
condition of a thread, ask a supervisor. One
• blown out pin could
could not only cause an accident,
Be aware
a piece of of proper torque when making up
equipment. but could also leave you with
with a workstring full
of cement.
• Place wrenches close to the threads but not
on them.
Unit C Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit C.
1. Threads have been regulated by the _______________
_______________ for over 50 years.
2. As a connection is screwed together, the pin threads begin to ______________ to the box threads.
Eventually, the pin end is ________ tightly into the box, which produces a __________ against
internal pressure.
3. Both the ____________ and____________ types of casing threads are square-shaped.
4. The two main questions you need to answer when choosing the proper pin size for casing or tubing
are: What is the type of ______________ on the string, and what is the ______________ of the pipe
on the string?
5. When inspecting threads, you should look for _________________, __________________,
__________________, and
___________________.
___________________.
2 • 14 Cementing 1
5. intermediate 2-6
6. liner 2-8
Section 3
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................3-3
Topic Areas ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 3-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
..................... 3-3
Unit A: API Cements.................................................................................................................................3-3
API Classification ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
.......................
.... 3-3
Manufacturing and Composition............................................................................................................3-4
Unit A Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
.................................
................ 3-5
Unit B: Cement Properties ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...............................
............. 3-6
Factors Influencing Slurry Properties.....................................................................................................3-6
Thickening Times...................................................................................................................................3-7
Compressive Strength ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
...................................
................ 3-7
Mix Water .................................
................ ...................................
....................................
...................................
...................................
.....................................
....................................
...................
..3-8
3-8
Unit B Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
.................................
................ 3-9
Unit C: Cement Additives........................................................................................................................3-10
Introduction ..................................
................. ...................................
...................................
...................................
....................................
.....................................
.................................
.............. 3-10
Cement Accelerators ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
................. 3-10
Lightweight Additives..........................................................................................................................3-10
Heavyweight Additives ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 3-10
Cement Retarders ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.......................
..... 3-11
Lost Circulation Additives ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..........................
........ 3-11
Fluid Loss Additives ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
..................................
................. 3-11
Cement Dispersants or Friction Reducers ....................................
................. .....................................
.....................................
......................................
................... 3-12
Gas Control Additives..........................................................................................................................3-12
Salt as an Additive (Salt Cement) ....................................
................. .....................................
....................................
.....................................
................................
............. 3-13
Unit C Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...............................
.............. 3-14
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 3-15
3•1 Cementing 1
Introduction
Class A 6000 ft 60°-170° 5.2 15.6 1.18 May be used when no special properties are desired
(Portland) and well conditions permit. No sulfate resistance.
Class B 6000 ft 60°-170° 5.2 15.6 1.18 Moderate sulfate resistance.
(Portland)
Class C 6000 ft 60°-170° 6.3 14.8 1.32 Available in regular and high sulfate-resistant types.
Class G 8000 ft 200° 5.0 15.8 1.15 Basic cement, compatible with accelerators or
retarders for use over the complete range of Classes
A through E.
E.
Class H 8000 ft 200° 4.3 16.4 1.06 Basic cement, higher density, higher and lower
water volume.
8000 ft 200° 5.2 15.6 1.18
You may also hear the terms Standard, Premium creating a hydraulic cement--one that hardens
and Premium Plus when referring to oil field with the addition of water. Aspdin named the
cements. product portland cement
cement because it resembled a
stone quarried on the Isle of Portland off the
• Standard cement has characteristics similar British Coast. With this invention, Aspdin laid
to API Classes A&B. However; Standard the foundation for today's portland cement
Cement may not meet API specifications for industry.
Class A or B.
Cements consist of limestone
limestone (or
(or other materials
• Premium Cement has characteristics similar high in calcium carbonate), clay
clay or
or shale, and
to API Classes G&H. However; Premium some iron and aluminum oxides (if not found in
Cement may not meet API specifications for quantity in the clay or shale). These dry
Class G or H. materials are finely ground and mixed
• Premium Plus Cement has characteristics thoroughly in the correct proportions, either dry
similar to API Class C. However; Premium (dry process), or with water (wet process). The
Plus Cement may not meet API mixture is heated to very high temperatures
causing the ingredients to react chemically,
specifications for Class C. resulting in material called clinker. The clinker
Other materials having somewhat different is ground with a controlled amount of gypsum to
cement properties are also commonly used in the form cement.
primary cementing process. These materials All cement classes are manufactured in
do not fall in any specific API classification and essentially the same way and made of the same
are classified as “Special Cements.” ingredients, only in different proportions.
The water requirement of each cement varies
Manufacturing and Composition with the fineness of grind or amount of surface
area. High early strength cements (Class C) have
In 1824, Joseph Aspdin, a British stone mason, a high surface area (fine grind); the retarded
obtained a patent for a cement he produced in cements (Classes D, E, F) have less surface area,
his kitchen. The inventor heated a mixture of and the Portland cements (Classes A & B) have
a surface area slightly higher than the retarded
finely ground
stove and limestone
ground and clay
the mixture intoina his kitchen
powder cements. Class G is a premium fine grind and
class H is a premium coarse grind.
3•4 Cementing 1
Unit A Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check you progress in Unit A.
1. The American Petroleum Institute has identified nine classes of basic cements. Five of those nine
classes are commonly used in the oil field. They are _____________,
_____________, _____________
_____________,,
_____________,
___________ __, _____________
_____________ and _____________.
_____________.
2. The API cements most commonly used across a wide geographical area are classes _____ and
_____.
3. Although both Class G and Class H cements have similar properties, Class H has a ___________
density.
4. Special cements are similar to basic cements in that they are commonly used in the
_______________________
_______________________ process.
process.
7. The water requirements for each type of cement vary based upon ____________
________________________
_____________.
_.
3•5 Cementing 1
The properties of cements used in the oil field • Too much water: Free water appears on top
vary based upon the following factors: of the slurry in the sample cup and retards
setting.
• Geographic location
• Too little water: The slurry is thick and
• Conditions down-hole (temperature, depth,
difficult to pump and accelerates setting.
etc.)
Slurry density or
density or cement slurry weight should,
• Type of cement job
except for squeeze jobs, be great enough to
• Type of mixing water. maintain well control. As a result, slurry
densities are always carefully monitored. In the
Cement properties can be changed to meet the
field, this can be done either manually with a
needs of a particular job. This unit addresses the
pressure balanced scale (Fig. 3.1) or
physical properties of oilwell
oilwell cements and how
automatically with a densometer. To avoid a
these properties affect or are affected by
poor primary cementing job,job, a slurry must be
conditions downhole. This unit includes
maintained at its proper density.
•
Factors influencing slurry properties
• Thickening time
• Compressive strength.
• Flow properties
The careful recording and monitoring of slurry The “Technical Data” section of your Red
your Red Book
density ensures a correct water to solids ratio is contains temperature/thickening time
maintained. information. This data represents average
temperatures at various depths along the Gulf
Slurry yield is the number of ft³/sk an API
Coast and may not correspond to temperatures at
standard manufactured cement yields based
the same depths in other areas.
upon a given amount of mixing water. In
determining the volume of cement required to do Always remember temperature, rather than
a particular cement job, a caliper survey, volume depth, has the greatest effect on cement
requirements based on Red
on Red Book data,
data, and/or thickening times.
times.
regulatory requirements are used. Too much
Thickening time is also affected by conditions
cement rather than too little is always advisable,
that cannot always be controlled during
especially where there is a possibilit
possibility
y of mud
laboratory tests, such as
contamination, dilution, or channeling.
• water invasion - causes failure to set
Compressive Strength
Caustics
(NaOH, Accelerates set
Na2COH3,etc)
Unit B Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit B.
1. An important factor in determining the thickening time and compressive strength of the cement is
the ______________________
______________________ or gallons of water required per sack of cement.
2. In order to determine the water requirements for the cement you are using, refer to your
_____________.
_____________.
3. Difficulty in pumping cement slurry downhole can be the result of _____________________
________________________.
___.
4. The required cement thickening time is usually determined under _________________________
_________________________
conditions.
5. Contaminants which can affect the cement slurry usually come from two sources: mixing water
and ______________________.
______________________.
6. An important thing to remember when dealing with thickening times in the field is that the
cement starts to build __________________
__________________ once you’ve stopped _____________.
8. The wellbore temperature and the cement type, density, and additives are factors to consider
when determining _________________________
____________________________________t
___________time.
ime.
3•9 Cementing 1
Shales
actuallythat are sensitive
be softened by ittobefore
cementthefiltrate
cement can
sets.
If softened enough, the shale will flow. This
creates channels behind the cement sheath from
one perforated zone to another.
Blending dry granulated salt with cement at the
bulk plant makes salt-saturated
salt-saturated cement much
Figure 3.9 - Hole washing in a salt zone. easier to use. It allows you to eliminate waste,
and save time and labor; it can also reduce the
possibility of foaming.
foaming.
While sodium chloride is the salt generally used
with cement, potassium chloride is used also. In
some cases, potassium chloride may be effective
at lower
affect concentrations;
cement slurries anyit differently
does not significantly
than
sodium chloride, except at higher
concentrations.
3 • 13 Cementing 1
Unit C Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit C.
1. Most additives are available as _______________
_______________ or __________________________
________________________________.
______.
3. ___________
_________________
______ is one of the most
most commonly used lightweight
lightweight additives.
7. __________
_____________________
______________________
_____________
__ counteract the tendency of cement slurries
slurries to lose the
water that the slurries need to help achieve a good cement job.
8. Because cements with dispersers added can be pumped in turbulent flow at lower pressures, you can
reduce the __________________
__________________ required.
10. ___________
________________________
______________
_ can help prevent shale sections
sections from sloughing or heaving during
cementing.
3 • 14 Cementing 1
Section 4
Primary Cementing
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................4-3
Topic Areas ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 4-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
..................... 4-3
Unit A: Primary Cementing Background...................................................................................................4-3
Preparations for Primary Cementing......................................................................................................4-5
Pre-Job Checklist....................................................................................................................................4-5
Unit A Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
.................................
................ 4-6
Unit B: Types of Casing Cementing Jobs..................................................................................................4-7
Conductor Casing...................................................................................................................................4-7
Surface Casing........................................................................................................................................4-7
Intermediate Casing................................................................................................................................4-8
Production Casing ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
......................
.... 4-9
Innerstring Cementing..........................................................................................................................4-10
Unit B Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...............................
.............. 4-12
Unit C: Preventing Cementing Failures...................................................................................................4-13
Causes of Primary Cementing Failures ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
.........................
....... 4-14
Effects of Drilling Fluids and Contaminants on Cements....................................................................4-14
Flow Properties ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
........................
........ 4-15
Conditioning the Drilling Fluid............................................................................................................4-16
Pipe Movement ...................................
.................. ...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
....................................
...........................
........ 4-16
Pipe Centralization ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................
...4-17
4-17
Eccentric Flow and Density Difference ...................................
................ .....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.......................
..... 4-17
High Displacement Rates ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.............................
........... 4-18
Spacers and/or Flushes ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
.................................
.............. 4-18
Unit C Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...............................
.............. 4-19
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 4-20
4•1 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Primary Cementing
Introduction
The primary cementing process bonds the pipe • Primary cementing provides a sealant and
to the wall of the hole and prevents protects the casing against
against
communication of fluids in the well bore from - formation fluids or gas, which could
one zone to another. This is critical in the upper
cause casing corrosion
part of the well where freshwater
freshwater zones may be
encountered. The three main functions of the - external pressure, which could collapse
cement are isolation, protection, and support. the casing or result in a blowout.
• Primary cementing isolates zones so that the - hole cave-in while deeper drilling is
migration of fluids cannot occur. For being done.
example, it prevents:
• Primary cementing supports the casing and
- oil, gas, and salt water from migrating to guards the casing string against:
and causing contamination of freshwater
- the excessive weight of other strings.
zones.
- the possibility that the bottom joints
- salt water from migrating into gas and
might unscrew.
oil zones and causing production Primary cementing uses several basic
problems as well as pollution.
pollution.
techniques. The most typical procedure is the
4•3 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
single-stage primary cementing job using the three-, and four-stage cementing procedures
two-plug displacement method (Fig. 4.1). decrease the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid
column in the annulus, help protect weak zones
The single-stage primary cementing procedure
against excessive high pressure, and help
pumps cement down the casing between two
prevent circulation loss. In addition
addition to offering
rubber plugs. The plugs are equipped with
economic advantages, cement may or may not
wiping fins to help prevent contamination of the
be circulated up the entire string
string to surface.
cement
the pipe.by mud and to help clean the interior of Multiple-stage primary cementing is also
important for use in wells where two or more
Other commonly used techniques depend upon zones are separated by long intervals.
well depth and completion requirements. Two-,
Figure 4.1 – Single-stage primary cementing job using the two-plug displacement method.
4•4 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Pre-Job Checklist
Primary Cementing
Unit A Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit A.
1. Primary cementing _____________ zones so that migration of fluids cannot occur. It prevents
pollution and contamination
contamination of ___________________
________________________.
_____.
2. In addition, primary cementing protects the casing against ____________ and ______________, and
the hole against _____________ while deeper drilling is being done.
3. Before drilling, a hole is dug on site which will house BOPs as well as other items. The rig will be
placed over this hole, which
which is called a ____________.
____________.
4•6 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
In primary cementing, four basic strings of In soft formations, the conductor casing may
casing may be used depending on well depths, simply be pounded into the ground. Otherwise, a
downhole formations, pressures, temperature, hole is drilled for it. Only conductor casing that
freshwater zones and fluid to be recovered (oil, is run in drilled holes is cemented. The cement
gas, or steam). This section explains the used for conductors is usually accelerated to
cementing of the four basic types of casing. reduce WOC (Wait on Cement) time. It also
may include lost circulation additives to prevent
• Conductor
loss of cement to the formation.
• Surface This pipe may be cemented in the conventional
• Intermediate manner or it may be cemented in stages. Care
must be taken to ensure that the pipe does not
• Production collapse during cementing. If a hole has been
These casings were discussed in Section 2 of drilled for the conductor, mud may have been
this workbook. used. Therefore, a spacer should be run for good
mud removal, and a top plug should be run to
help prevent channeling when the conventional
Conductor Casing cementing method is used.
To reduce the amount of cement that is inside
If conductor casing is used, it is first string set in the casing at any point during the job,
a well (Fig. 4.2). The setting depth of the innerstring cementing may be used on the
conductor casing can vary from 10 ft to more conductor casing. In this technique, tubing or
than 300 ft. The depth of conductor casing drill pipe (small enough to fit inside the casing)
depends on how deep you must go to reach solid is run to a specially-designed
specially-designed innerstring guide
material. The size of conductor pipe ranges from shoe or float collar. The tubular goods
goods are
16 in. to 36 in. OD, depending upon how many stabbed into the collar or shoe, and cement is
other strings run through it. pumped. If the hole size has been estimated
estimated for
the job and cement slurry is designed to be lifted
to surface, some of the excess cement may be
Conductor
Casing
eliminated and returned in dry bulk form due to
having a minimal amount within the
tubing/drillpipe
tubing/drillpipe at any one time. Typically, a
latch-down plug is run inside the workstring
after the cement to seal off in the collar or shoe.
Surface Casing
Primary Cementing
Surface pipe size ranges from 7 5/8-in. to 20-in. the casing is reduced by adding weighted fluid
OD. Again, the size depends upon how much between the drill pipe and the casing.
additional casing will be run below the surface
If lost circulation is a problem, the cement may
casing. As the depth increases, so does the
be pumped down the annulus
annulus through a 1 in.
temperature, pressure, and the amount of
pipe to bring cement to the surface.
surface. If casing
corrosive fluids. Thus, different grades of pipe
collapse or formation breakdown may be a
are necessary to withstand different well
conditions. The hole is drilled to the depth problem, the cement
using a multiple stagemay
tool.be pumped in stages,
stages,
desired for the surface casing.
Usually a filler or lead cement (a less expensive
cement, such as Class H cement with Bentonite)
Conductor
is run to fill the annulus back to ground level.
Casing Higher strength cement (called the tail cement)
Cement
is then pumped to set around the bottom of the
Surface
Casing
surface casing. Before drilling out, the cement
should have a compressive strength of at least
500 psi.
The bottom joints of surface casing (or any
casing string that will have drilling operations
conducted below it) are subject to being
unscrewed by drill pipe rotation. As drill pipe is
rotated clockwise inside the surface casing, any
Reservoir
drag transferred to the casing results in a
counter-clockwise force being exerted above the
point of drag. Should the
the force be adequate to
unscrew a casing joint, the problem must be
Figure 4.3 – Surface Casing fixed or the well abandoned. For this reason, the
bottom joints of casing
casing must be well centralized
in the hole, with a competent cement in place to
Before cementing, the well should be circulated hold it securely in a fixed position. Often,
to break up the gel strength of the mud. Also, a special thread compounds are used to chemically
spacer should be run for good mud removal. "weld" the box and pin connections together.
Cement for surface casing will usually be an
accelerated type. Other additives are used to
combat lost circulation, if necessary. Intermediate Casing
Normally, a simple combination
combination of a casing Intermediate casing is set after the surface casing
guide shoe, float collar (or insert float valve), (Fig. 4.4). A string may extend from ground
and centralizers is used. It is important to ensure level to as far as 25,000 ft. The size and type of
that the bottom section of the surface casing is intermediate casing is again dependent on the
well centralized. Downhole equipment discussed number of other strings to be run below it, and
in Section 10 may be used when running surface the grade required to withstand the conditions in
casing. the well. Sizes range from 6 5/8 in. to 20 in.,
On a conventional job, both a top and a bottom with the most common sizes being: 9 5/8-in., 10
plug should be run,
run, unless you are using a lost 3/4-in. and 13 3/8-in. casing. The hole is drilled
circulation additive in the cement. An important to the depth desired for the intermediate casing.
point to keep in mind
mind is that the pressure to land
the plug, when released, must not be enough to
collapse the casing. When innerstring cementing
techniques are used, the possibility of collapsing
4•8 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cement
Surface Production Casing
Casing
Primary Cementing
Innerstring Cementing
By pumping
string, through
you can reducethe smaller
cement inner
contamination casing string. The casing string is run into the
well in the usual manner. The inner string is then
resulting from channeling inside casing
run in, with the sealing adapter made up on the
• Cement is discharged outside the casing lower end and stabbed into the floating-
much faster after mixing, reducing the risk equipment sealing sleeve.
of the cement slurry within the casing
The sealing sleeve is built into the floating
having a highly accelerated setting time
equipment to provide a sealing-surface
• Reduces amount of cement that has to be receptacle for the innerstring sealing adapter.
drilled out of large diameter casing Concrete is molded around the sealing sleeve to
secure the sleeve within the floating equipment.
• Less circulating time required with inner The floating-equipment top is also tapered to
string cementing form a surface that helps guide the sealing-
There are three basic methods available for sleeve adapter into its sealing sleeve. Two
Primary Cementing
Mud Removal
Unit B Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit B.
1. Cement for conductor and surface casing usually contains additives to _______________ the setting
5. The depth of surface casing depends on how far you must go to cover all ______________ zones.
6. Following the spacer, _____________ cement is run. This is followed by a _________ cement which
is usually more expensive and more dense.
8. The last full string of pipe run in the hole is ________________ casing.
Mud Removal
Many cementing failures have been caused by Displacement research has examined various
inefficient drilling
in drilling fluid fluid displacement,
channels in the cementresulting
column. formations,
as washouts),irregularities in thefactors
and controllable wellbore (such
(such as
Since 1971, HES has used a large-scale test the condition of the drilling fluid, pipe
model, equipment, and materials that simulate movement, pipe centralization, flow rate, and the
actual cementing conditions to study the factors use of spacers/flushes). Each of these affect
that affect cementing efficiency. Findings from displacement efficiency (the percentage of mud
these cementing studies, combined with the removed ahead of a cement slurry). This section
knowledge acquired from more than 75 years of summarizes 25 years of study on the factors that
cementing experience, have led to procedures affect displacement efficiency for the majority
and theories for effectively cementing wells. of jobs performed:
These uncemented drilling fluid channels • Causes of primary cementing failures
provided a permeable conduit forfor well fluids to
migrate, causing lost production and/or corroded
• Possible flow patterns that mud, cement, and
spacers may obtain in the annulus during a
casing. Since then, the industry
industry has investigated
investigated
many variables under various simulated primary job.
cementing conditions. The general testing • Importance of mud conditioning and flow
procedures and the equipment
equipment used to perform rates.
these tests have been modified and updated
throughout the years, enabling the simulation of • Importance of pipe centralization and
both typical and specialized
specialized cementing movement.
conditions. • Importance of cement-mud spacers.
Figure 4.8 – Test samples showing cement displacement efficiencies: Sample 2 is 97% efficient
and Sample 4 is only 64% efficient (notice the mud between the cement and the outer casing).
4 • 13 Cementing 1
Mud Removal
Mud Removal
Sealants (scrap, cellulose, rubber, etc.) Seal against leakage to formation Retardation
Mud Removal
Conditioning the Drilling Fluid influence, the results presented in Figure 4.5
show a significant decrease in displacement
efficiency after only 5 minutes of down time.
A well-conditioned drilling fluid is the most
significant factor affecting drilling fluid
displacement. Studies in test wells that simulate
Affect of Static Time
realistic permeability reveal the importance of
additives to control fluid leak-off, from the mud, 100
in order to prevent excessive filter-cake buildup. ) 90
%
(
In tests simulating vertical wellbore cementing y 80
c
conditions, immobile drilling fluid filter cake n 70
e
i
could not be displaced completely by the cement c
i
f
f
60
slurry, even under turbulent flow conditions. E
t 50
Low viscosity spacers/flushes placed ahead of n
e 40
the cement slurry and pipe movement coupled m
e 30
with mechanical scratchers/wall cleaners can c
a
l
help remove gelled drilling fluid or filter cake. p 20
s
i
However, there is no substitute for maintaining D 10
drilling fluid properties that enhance the 0
s s s
r s
r
mobility of the drilling fluid, enabling e
t e
t u u
u u o o
displacement by the cement slurry. n
i n
i H H
M
0 M
5 2 4
Figure 4.11 – Static Time
Low
Mobile
Mobility
Mud
Mud
Mud Removal
Figure 4.
4.14 – Pipe centralization.
Mud Removal
High Displacement Rates Spacers may be water or oil based. Current oil
based spacers often use synthetic
synthetic oils to avoid
the environmental concerns of hydrocarbon
The greatest displacement efficiencies observed
based oil, such as diesel. Water
Water based spacers
in tests conducted at a scale-model test facility
tend to leave steel in a water wet condition
consistently occur at the highest displacement
which aids with cement bonding.
rates, regardless of the flow regime of the
cement slurry. The highest displacement Non-weighted spacers are often referred to as
efficiency occurred under turbulent flow flushes. Water is a common flush. These are
conditions; however, if turbulent flow could not most effective and economical on low density
be achieved, displacement was consistently
consistently muds that are near the density of the flush. They
better at the highest rates attained
attained under like are the easiest to put into turbulent flow. Often,
conditions for similar slurry compositions. additives are used which thin drilling mud or
chemically attack mud filter cake.
With other factors being equal, thin cement
slurry placed under turbulent flow conditions
exhibited higher drilling fluid displacement
efficiency than a thicker slurry placed at low
rates. Frequently, turbulent flow is not a viable
option, such as when hole and formation
conditions create frictional pressures exceeding
the fracturing gradient of the formation. Test and
field data clearly indicate that even when
turbulence is not possible, pump rates should be
maximized.
Mud Removal
Unit C Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit C.
1. A plugged shoe or collar, contaminated mixing water, or an inadequate pumping rate might cause the
___________ to
to _________________________.
_________________________.
2. __________
_____________
___ can be caused by lack of pipe centralization
centralization and movement.
3. Drilling fluid and cement are often _______________ and intermixing of the two may cause a
primary cementing job _________________
_________________..
4. ____________
_________________________
_______________
__ properties allow for maximum
maximum removal of drilling mud d
due
ue to high
frictional drag forces.
5. A ________________________
_________________________
_ drilling fluid is critical for successful mud removal.
6. Pipe movement can offset the ________________ effects of poorly _________________
_________________ casing
during a primary cement job.
7. If casing is not perfectly centered, cement will tend to flow up the _________ side of the annulus.
9. ___________
____________
_ or _____________
_____________ help minimize contaminatio
contamination
n between a cement slurry and
drilling ___________.
4 • 19 Cementing 1
Mud Removal
Sect
Sectio
ion
n5
Prima
ri mary
ry Cement
mentin
ing
g Calc
lcul
ula
ation
ti ons
s
Table
Table of Cont
onteents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................5-3
Topic Area..............................................................................................................................................5-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
....................................
.................................... ..................... 5-3
.....................................
Unit A: Capacity Calculations ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................... ....... 5-3
...........................
Fill-Up Calculations ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................... .................. 5-4
.....................................
Displacement..........................................................................................................................................5-5
Bull-Plugged Pipe ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.................................... ...... 5-5
........................
Open-Ended Pipe....................................................................................................................................5-5
Unit A Test:............................................................................................................................................5-7
Unit B: Annular Volume Calculations.......................................................................................................5-8
Unit B Test ....................................
.................. ...................................
...................................
....................................
....................................
.................................... .............. 5-11
................................
Unit C: Slurry Weight and Volume Calculations ....................................
.................. ....................................
.................................... ............ 5-12
..............................
Density ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
..................................
.................... 5-12
...5-12
Specific Gravity....................................................................................................................................5-13
API Gravity ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
................................... .............. 5-13
................................
Absolute Density vs. Bulk Density ....................................
.................. .....................................
.....................................
..................................... .......... 5-13
.............................
Absolute Volume..................................................................................................................................5-13
Unit C Quiz: ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................... .............. 5-17
...............................
Unit D: Primary Cementing Calculations Example.................................................................................5-18
Given Information for Primary Cementing Calculations ................................. ................ ................................... ................... 5-20
...................................
1 Calculations for Pressure Required to Lift Pipe.............. Pipe................................
.....................................
..................................... .......... 5-20
............................
2 Calculations for Amount of Cement ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
.................................... ....... 5-22
.........................
3 Sacks of Cement ...................................
................. ...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
.....................................
..................... 5-25
..5-25
4 Calculations for Amount of Mixing Water ..................................
................ ....................................
.................................... ................ 5-25
..................................
5 Calculations for Amount of Fluid to Displace Top Plug ................. ....................................
..................................... ........... 5-26
.............................
6 Calculations for Pressure to Land the Plug Plug................
...................................
.....................................
.................................... ............... 5-27
.................................
7 Calculations for Resulting Force....................................
Force.................. ....................................
....................................
.................................... ............ 5-28
..............................
Intermediate Casing Job One ..................
...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
.......................................
....................... 5-33
..5-33
Unit D Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................... .............. 5-36
...............................
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
.................................... .............. 5-37
................................
5•1 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Introduction
Primary cementing is the cementing operation C. Slurry Weight and Volume Calculations
performed immediately
run downhole. after the
The materials, casin
casing
tools, g has been
equipment, D. Primary Cementing Calculations Example
and techniques to be used vary depending on the
hole conditions, depth of the well, and the Learning Objectives
people planning the
the job. Successful primary
cementing presents a constant challenge and
Upon completion of this section, you should be
requires up-to-date knowledge and technology.
familiar with:
How to calculate the amount of cement for a
Topic Ar ea Primary job.
How to calculate the mixing water required
The units in this section are:
for the cement.
A. Capacity Calculations
How to calculate the pressure required to
B. Annular Volume Calculations land the top plug
Unit A: Capacity
Capacity Calculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
the sample of Section 210 shown in Figure 5.1 Capacity Factor = 0.1888 gal/ft
to aid your calculations. Capacity = 0.1888 gal/ft × 1000 ft = 188.8 gal
Solution
Figure 5.1
Sample Problem
Fill-Up
Fill-Up Calculation
Calculationss
How many feet of 3-1/2 in., 15.50 lb/ft internal
Fill-up of pipe is defined as the length of pipe a upset drill pipe will 25 barrels of oil fill? Use
specified volume will fill. Fill-up factors are also Figure 5.1 to aid in your calculations.
listed in Section 210 of the Red Book .
Solution:
Fill-up Factor = 152.05 ft/bbl
5•4 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
3 in.
1.5 in.
Dry
1,000 ft
Bottom Dry
1,000 ft
Bull-
Plugged
Ou t s i d e Vi ew Sec t i o n al Vi ew
Figure 5.2 Bottom Open
Ou t s i d e Vi ew Sec t i o n al Vi ew
Figure 5.3
5•5 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Unit A Test:
For items 1 and 2, fill in the blanks. For items 3 to 5, use your Red Book as a reference and find the
solutions to check your progress in Unit A.
1. The volume that a certain length of pipe will hold is known as the pipe's ______________________.
______________________.
2. ___________
________________________
_________________is
____is defined as the
the volume of fluid displaced
displaced by an object when it is
placed in that fluid.
3. What is the capacity, in barrels, of 10,000 ft of 7 in., 23.0 lb/ft casing?
4. The casing ID is callipered on location with an average ID measured of 6.50”. What is the
recalculated capacity, in barrels, of 10,000 ft of 7 in., 23.0 lb/ft casing?
5. How many feet of 4-1/2 in., 16.6 lb/ft internal upset drill pipe will 25 barrels of oil fill?
OD = 4.5 in.
ID = 2.0 in.
Length = 2000 ft
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Unit B: Annul
An nular
ar V
Volu
olume
me C
Calculation
alculationss
Figure 5.6
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Figure 5.7
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Unit B Te
Test
st
1. What is the annular volume, in gallons, between 5000 ft of 9-5/8 in., 53.50 lb/ft casing and 12-1/4 in.
hole? Use the Red Book to find the appropriate factor.
2. What is the annular volume in cubic feet, for 7675 ft of 2-7/8 in., 6.5 lb/ft tubing inside 7 in., 26 lb/ft
casing? Use the Red Book to
to find the appropriate factor.
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Unit C: Slurry
Slurr y We
Weigh
ightt and Volu
olume
me C
Calculations
alculations
Density Gases
Air 0.075 0.0075 0.0012
Density can be defined as the weight of a Oxygen 0.084 0.00134
substance per unit volume. In the English Nitrogen 0.0737 0.00118
system, one cubic foot is a unit of volume, and Carbon Monoxide 0.0734 0.00117
one pound is a unit of weight. In the metric Hydrogen 0.0053 0.000085
system, a unit of volume is cubic centimeter (cc)
and weight can be measured in grams (g). If you
measured the weight of a specific volume of For practical purposes, the densities of gases are
iron, wood, lead, and water, you would find they compared with air at atmospheric pressure
have widely
is needed different
to refer weights.
to the weightTherefore, a term
of a unit-volume instead of with
reference, water.
the vapor Using air
densities ofas
thea gases
comparative
listed
of substance -- that term is density. For example, above are:
a cubic foot of water weighs 62.4 lb, so the
Air 1.00
density of water is 62.4 lb/ft3.
Oxygen 1.120
If you know the density and the volume of a Nitrogen 0.983
material, you can calculate its weight: Carbon Monoxide 0.979
Hydrogen 2.004
Weight = Density × Volume
Some densities of common materials are listed
here for your reference.
5 • 12 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Sample Problem
A
Abb so l u te Den si ty v s. B u l k
What is the specific gravity of a 10 lb/gal brine? Density
Solution
density is the mass per unit volume.
Absolute density
Sp Gr = 1.2
If you were given the specific gravity of a liquid
A
Abb so l u te Vo l u m e
as 1.2, the density can be calculated:
Absolute volume is the volume per unit mass.
1.2 × 8.33 lb/gal = 10 lb/gal Here is an example of absolute volume. Let's
assume we have a container (Figure 5.8) that
measures one cubic foot (1 ft high, 1 ft deep, 1 ft
A
API
PI Gravi
Gra vi ty wide). This container is filled with golf balls.
There are void spaces between the golf balls
Baume’s gravity is a scale that uses salt water as filled with trapped air. We want to know the
a reference rather than fresh water. It is used in volume in gallons that is occupied by the golf
refineries to determine the gravity of acids and balls only.
alkalis only.
API gravity is used in most other instances in the
oil field. Water is used as the standard. Water's
API gravity is 10 degrees.
As the specific gravity increases, the API gravity
decreases. Crude oil with a 42° API gravity has
an actual specific gravity of 0.82. American
crude is commonly run from 0.768 to 0.966
specific gravity, which would range from 52.6
to 10.5° on the API gravity scale.
5 • 13 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
The left-hand column lists the material, the Total lb Total abs gal = lb/gal
second column gives the bulk weight in lb per 12.33 lb 1.1824 gal = 10.427943 lb/gal
ft3. The third column gives the specific gravity,
and the fourth column provides absolute volume Sample Problem
in gal/lb.
Note: When using fluids in absolute volume What is the absolute volume (gallons) and
calculations, you will not find a gal/lb factor in weight (lb per gallon) of this slurry?
the Red Book . However, you can calculate this Base Fluid is water @ 8.33 lb/gal
factor if you know the fluid density in lb/gal.
Additive is 3% KC1
Simply divide 1 by the fluid density. For
example, water is 8.33 lb/gal, so: 4 lb of sand is added
What is the absolute volume (gallons) and Water 8.33 × 0.1200 = 1.0
weight (lb per gallon) of this slurry? 3% KC1 0.2499 × 0.0443 = 0.0110705
We will use the chart below to help in our 12.5799 lb 1.1934705 gal = 10.5 lb/gal
calculation of absolute volume. First, list the Note: Generally, when working with sand and
materials and their weights in the first two water (or base fluid) slurries, the calculations are
columns. Then, using the Red Book table,
table, list the based on 1 gallon of base
base fluid and the weight of
absolute volume factors (gal/lb) in the third that 1 gallon of fluid.
column.
ABSOLUTE Sample Problem
MATERIAL FACTOR VOLUME
MATERIALS (lb) (gal/lb) (gallons)
What is the absolute volume (gallons) and
Water 8.33 0.1200 weight (lb per gallon) of this slurry?
Sand 4 0.0456
Class H Cement
TOTALS
Water @ 8.33 lb/gal
Multiply the materials (lb) by the factor (gal/lb)
to obtain the absolute volume and add these Solution
values to the table. For the totals, add the For this cementing problem, we will add a
materials (lb) together and add the absolute column to the chart for mixing water
volumes together: requirements. Proceed as in the last two sample
ABSOLUTE problems until you need to fill in the mixing
MATERIAL FACTOR VOLUME water requirements for the Class H cement. This
MATERIALS (lb) (gal/lb) (gallons) quantity you can find in the Technical Data
Water 8.33 × 0.1200 = 1.0 section of the Red Book in the table for “Water
Requirements.” For Class H cement, the
Sand 4.0 × 0.0456 = 0.1824
requirements are 4.3 gal/sk. Enter this under the
TOTALS 12.33 lb 1.1824 gal
appropriate column:
Find the weight of the mixed slurry using this
formula:
5 • 15 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Enter 5.2 gal for the absolute volume for water. Total lb Total abs gal = lb/gal
Divide the water factor by the absolute volume
to determine the materials (lb) for water. Then 129.82 lb 7.9 gal = 16.4 lb/gal
calculate the totals: Find the yield of cement (ft3 per sack) by using
this formula:
Total abs gal 7.4805 gal/ft3 = ft3/sk
7.9 gal/sk* 7.4805 gal/ft3 = 1.06 ft 3/sk
* NOTE: When working
working with cement slurries,
the calculations are usually based on one sack of
cement and the weight of that sack.
5 • 16 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Unit C Quiz:
For items 1 3, fill in the blanks. For items 4 and 5, calculate the answer.
1. In dealing with specific gravity, the weight of a volume of a material is ________________________
________________________
by the weight of the same volume
volume of a material taken as a______
a_______.
_.
5. Using Class H cement (94 lb/sk) and 4.3 gallons mixing water, what is the cement slurry density (lb/
gal) and yield (ft3/sk)?
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Unit D: Primary Ce
Cementing
menting Ca
Calcu
lculations
lations Example
Also included is a new slurry weight and yield Critical Circulating Pressure – Pressure required to lift
1 (pump) the casing out of the h ole
ole
worksheet.
Cement volume – The volume of cement required to fill
2 the required footage of the annulus plus the shoe track
capacity.
capacity.
1 4 slurries.
Mixing water required for given slurries.
F
A Well Parameters
A Pipe Size
B
B Well Fluid
5
C C Hole Size
D Pipe Depth
3
Calculation Guidelines
Do not apply any decimal
decimal places for pres
pressure
sure or sacks
4
6 Apply one decimal place for lb/gal
Apply 2 decimal place
places
s for
psi/bbl
cubic feet
E pounds
feet
area
gallons
barrels
D For psi/ft use same number of decimal places as in Red
Book “Hydrostatic Pressure And Fluid Weight Conversion
Tables”
Figure 5.10 – Primary Cementing Setup Show one decimal place for bbl/min
Rounding numbers – if the last number is to be dropped,
5.
round up if 5, down if < 5.
5 • 18 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
. X = +
X = +
X = +
X = +
X = +
TOTALS
TOTALS ==> gal
Total mixing water must be entered under absolute gallons b efore totaling.
totaling.
Find the weight
weight of the mixed cement by using this fo rmula:
Total Pounds/Total Absolute gallons = lb/gal
Find the cement
cement yield in c ubic feet per sack by using this fo rmula:
3 3
Total Absolute gallons / 7.4805 gal/ft (constant) = ft /sack
The mixing w ater
ater per sack is the sum of t he gallons in the far right co lumn
3 3
Cement Yield (ft /sk) ===> ft /sk
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
4 slurries.
Mixing water required for given slurries.
In the Essential Red
Red Book course,
course, you were
introduced to the basic calculations and concepts
needed in preparing for a primary cementing
job. In this unit you will
will be shown the step
stepss for
calculating a surface casing cement job. Later,
you’ll be asked to actually make the calculations
for a similar job on your own.
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Hole” section
this table, you in theto
need handbook. (To use
find the table with
the correct number of strings. For
example, see the four different tables for
tubing with an OD of 3 ½ in). Look on
the table for 9 5/8 in (see also Figure
5.17). The ft3/ft for this annulus is
0.3132.
b) You know that the length of the annulus
is 300 ft. Multiplying this by the ft3/ft
value found in Step 9a results in the
volume needed to fill the annular space.
300 ft × 0.3132 ft3/ft = 93.96 ft3.
c) Excess cement – knowing we need
Figure 5.16 100% excess (double the calculation
volume) we calculate the following:
7. To find the weight of the cement slurry in 93.96 ft3 × 2 = 187.92 ft 3
pounds per gallon,
gallon, divide the total pounds
pounds
by the total absolute volume
volume in gallons:
137.78 8.7270 gal = 15.8 lb/gal
5 • 24 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Figure 5.17
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Figure 5.18
First, find out how much mixing water you need When all of the cement has been mixed, the top
in gallons: plug will be pumped down
down to a depth of 260 ft.
The number of barrels needed to do this is the
5 gal/sk × 175 sk = 875 gal
same as the capacity of the casing to the float
1. Since there are 42 gal in a barrel, convert to collar.
barrels:
0.0773 bbl/ft × 260 ft = 20.1 bbl
875 gal 42 gal/bbl = 20.83 bbl
In this example we have used the Redbook value
Therefore, it will take this amount of water to which is based on the stated ID of this particular
mix your cement. You will need more water on casing OD and weight. The actual ID of a joint
location, considering the water used for cleanup, of casing is almost always larger than the value
spacer, etc. stated in the tables. This is due to the
manufacturing process of seamless tubulars. The
actual tolerances are identified in API
5 Calcula
alculations
tions for Amount of
specification 5CT.
Fluid to Displace T
Top
op Plug
It is recommended to caliper a number of joints
The first step in the cementing process is to run of casing just inside the pin area. These are used
a bottom plug to wipe the casing clean of mud to come up with an average ID for the casing
buildup. The cement following
following the bottom plug
plug being run.
will rupture the plug’s diaphragm. Then it will
The caliper ID should be used in the final
move through the center of the plug, out the
calculations relating to casing capacity such as
bottom of the shoe, and up thethe annulus. If a
shoe track volume and fluid to displace the top
bottom plug is not
not run, the top plug will wipe
wipe
down the walls and mud will collect in the shoe plug. The volume difference in displacing
displacing the
top plug can be significant.
joint between the top plug
plug and the cement slurry.
5 • 26 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
6 Calcul
Calcul ations for Pre
Pressur
ssur e to
Land the Plug
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Cement
Cement The hydrostatic pressure in a casing job is the
300 ft × 0.8208 psi/ft = 246 psi pressure in the annular space. The
The plug will
Total: 300 ft 246 psi close off the pressure in the casing when it lands
on a float collar. If you do not land the plug or
Hydrostatic Inside
Inside run a float collar or back pressure valve, but
Cement
Cement only stop the plug in the casing, then you will
40 ft × 0.8208 psi/ft = 33 psi
Fluid
Well Fluid close in the cementing head and the pressure to
260 ft × 0.4519 psi/ft = 117 psi land the plug will remain on the casing until the
Total 300 ft 150 psi cement has set.
Differential Pressure (At
Pressure (At top of shoe) = 246 psi – 150 psi To calculate the hydrostatic pressure at a given
= 96 psi
depth, multiply that depth by the psi/ft of the
Always re-total the depth. If you don’t end up fluid in the annulus – in this case, cement slurry:
with the same depth then something is wrong. 300 ft × 0.8203 psi/ft = 246 psi
NOTE: You must slow the pump rate down to a
half-barrel per minute to read this on a
chart or gauge because high rates create 7 Calcul
Calcul ations for Re
Result
sult ing
friction pressure (which can give you a Force
false pressure reading).
When the plug has been pumped to its landing Precautions must be taken before pumping the
position and 96 psi
psi is readable on the gauge, this plug down when you are working on the surface
job has been done successfully.
successfully. Remember that casing. You need to find out if the casing will
you will not be able to correctly read the remain still, or if the plug landing pressure will
pressure to land a plug on all jobs. Losing pump the casing out of thethe hole – if so, you will
cement into the formation or developing need to chain the pipe down (in addition to
channels in the cement will alter the pressure chaining the head to the elevators).
reading. Release the pressure when the plug As you did in Calculation 1, you will calculate
lands; this will prevent a microannulus. Keep in the difference between the upward force on the
mind that most companies will require more pipe and the downward force
force on the pipe.
pressure than what is required
required to land the plug in
order to test the plug’s seal. Depending on the 1. You have calculated the area of the surface
situation, some customers will pressure test casing (Step 1b - Pressure to2Lift the Pipe
casing after the plug lands. Calculations) to be 72.76 in. . In addition,
you know the pressure to land the plug is 96
psi (Step 6 – Pressure to Land the
the Plug
Calculatio ns for Hydros tatic Pressure
Calculatio
Calculations). Multiplying the two values
at a Given Depth will give you the amount of upward force
f orce in
pounds.
You need to be able to calculate the hydrostatic
pressure at any depth. For the purpose
purpose of this 72.76 in2 × 96 psi = 6984.96 lb
problem, you will determine
determine the hydrostatic psi 2. In a previous problem, you looked up the
at 260 ft. Will this formation support the amount buoyancy factor for the 8.7 lb/gal
lb/gal
of pressure exerted by the column of cement displacement fluid (Step 2a – Pressure to
down the annulus to the given point? Lift the Pipe Calculations). Referring to the
In this example problem, you will have only one “Displacement” section again, look up the
hydrostatic pressure to work with since you have buoyancy factor for the cement used
used (see
cement from the top to the bottom of the well. also Figure 5.14) The weight of cement is
That pressure is 0.8208 psi/ft, which you 15.8 lb/gal as determined in Step 7 of the
determined earlier (Pressure to Land the Plug amount of cement calculations. To find the
5 • 28 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Surface Casing
Casing Jo b Two
This casing job consists of LEAD and TAIL slurries in which
cement is to be circulated from total
tot al depth to surface.
Well Parameters
Pipe Size 13 3/8 in., 68 lb/ft
Well Fluid 8.5 lb/gal
Hole Size 17.5 in.
Pipe Depth 2400 ft
13 3/8-in.
3/8-in. Casi ng
Shoe Track Length 80 ft
Required Cement Fill-Up (TAIL) 400 ft
17 1/2-in.
1/2-in. Hol e
Required Cement Fill-Up (LEAD) 2000 ft
Excess Volume Required (percent) 120%
Hook Load
Load
2,400 ft × 68 lb/ft × 0.8701 = 142,000.32/lbs
(Section 130 Table 132 Buoyancy Factor)
hole
Pressure to lift (pump) pipe out of the hole
2
2,320 ft 142,000.32 lb 140.50 in. = 1010 psi
2 Cement
Cement Volume
Lead Lead Slurry Composition
Composition Given
Given
Tail
Halliburton Light Cement Sl. Wt 13.6 lb/gal
Displacement 3
2% Calcium Chloride Sl. Vol. 1.55 ft /sk
1/4 lb/sk Flocele Water 7.62 gal/sk
2,400 ft Composition
Tail Slurry Composition Given
Class H Premium Sl Wt 16.4 lb/gal
3
1% Calcium Sl. Vol 1.07 ft /sk
Figure 5.20 1/4 lb/sk Flocele gal/sk
Water 4.3 gal/sk
Tail
Tail
3 3
400 ft (openhole) × 0.6946 ft /ft = 277.84 ft
3 3
277.84 ft × 2.2 (excess) = 611.25 ft
3 3
80 ft (shoes) × 0.8406 ft /ft = 67.25 ft
3
678.50 ft (tail)
Lead
3 3
2000 ft (openhole) × 0.6946 ft /ft = 1389.20 ft
3 3
1389.20 ft × 2.2 (excess) = (lead)
3056.24 ft (lead)
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Surface Casin
Casin g Two L ead
ead Cement Surface Casin
Casingg Two Tail Cement
Worksheet for Slurry Weight and Volume Worksheet for Slurry Weight and Volume
Calculations Calculations
Material Material Factor Absolute Mixing Material Material Factor Absolute Mixing
Name (lb) (gal/lb) Volume Water Name (lb) (gal/lb) Volume Water
(gal) Required (gal) Required
(gal) (gal)
65% Class H 61.1 × 0.0382 = 2.33402 2.75 Class H 94 × 0.0382 = 3.5908 4.30
Cement Cement
35% Poz 25.9 × 0.0488 = 1.26392 1.27 1% Calcium 0.94 × 0.0612 = 0.05753
6% Bentonite 5.22 × 0.0453 = 0.23647 3.60 Chloride
2% Calcium 1.74 × 0.0612 = 0.10649 0.00 .25lb Flocele 0.25 × 0.0845 = 0.02113
Chloride × =
.25lb Flocele 0.25 0.0845 0.02113 0.00
Water 63.47 = 8.33 × 7.62 Water 35.819 = 8.33 × 4.30
Totals 157.68 11.5820 7.62 Totals 131.009 7.9695 4.30
Total mixing water must be entered under absolute Total mixing water must be entered under absolute
gallons before totaling. gallons before totaling.
Find the weight of the mixed cement by using this Find the weight of the mixed cement by using this
formula: formula:
Total Pounds ÷ Total Absolute gallons = lb/gal Total Pounds ÷ Total Absolute gallons = lb/gal
The mixing water per sack is the sum of the gallons in The mixing water per sack is the sum of the gallons in
the far right column the far right column
Cement Density 157.68 ÷ 11.5820 = 13.6 lb/gal Ce
Ceme
ment
nt Dens
Densit
ity
y 131.
131.00
009
9 ÷ 7.96
7.9695
95 = 16.4 lb/gal
3 3
Cement Yield 11.5820 ÷ 7.4805 = 1.55 ft /sk Cementt Yield
Cemen 7.969
7.9695
5 ÷ 7.4805 = 1.07 ft /sk
Mixing Water 7.62 gal/sk Mixing Water 4.3 gal/sk
Required Required
5 • 31 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
3 Sacks
Sacks of Cement
Cement 7 Resulting Force
Tail
Tail Down
Force Down
3 3
678.50 ft 1.07 ft /sk = 634 sk
2320 ft × 68 lb/ft
lb/ft × 0.87
0.8701
01 BF = 137266.98 lb
80 ft × 68 lb/ft × 0.7494 BF = 4,076.74 lb
Lead
Lead 2400 ft Total Down 141343.72 lb
3 3
3056.24 ft 1.55 ft /sk = 1972 sk Force Up
Up
2
140.50 in × 661
661 psi
psi = 9287
92870.50 lb
0.50
4 Mixing Water
Water Requir
Requir ed Hook Load 141343.72 lb
92870.50 lb
Tail
Tail 48473.22 lb Downward Force
634 sk × 4.3 gal/sk = 2726.2 gal 42 gal/bbl When Plug Lands
= 64.91 bbl
Lead
Lead
1972 sk × 7.62 gal/sk = 15026.64 gal 42 gal/bbl
= 357.78 bbl
Hydrostatic Outside
Outside
Tail
Tail
400 ft × 0.8519 psi/ft = 341 psi
Lead
Lead
2000 ft × 0.7065 psi/ft = 1413 psi
Inside
Hydrostatic Inside
Tail
Tail
80 ft × 0.8519 psi/ft = 68 psi
Well Fluid
Fluid
2320 ft × 0.4416 psi/ft = 1025 psi
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Intermediate Casing
Casing Job One
Well Parameters
Pipe Size 7 in. 32 lb/ft
Well Fluid 10.4 lb WBM
GIVEN:
GIVEN:
TOS
TOS (t op Cement through casing as follows
of spacer)
30 bbl spacer @ 11.4 lb/gal
9,620 ft
9,700
9,700 ft
Figure 5.21 – Intermediate Casing Job
5 • 33 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
X = +
X = +
X = +
Total
Find the weight
weight mixing
of the water
mixed mustby
cement beusing
enteredthisunder absolute gallons b efore totaling.
fo rmula: totaling.
Total Pounds/Total Absolute gallons = pounds/gallons
Find the cement
cement yield in cu bic feet per sack by using th is formu la:
3 3
Total Absolute gallons / 7.4805 gal/ ft (constant) = ft
ft ./sack
The mixing water per
per sack is the sum o f the gallons in the far right c olumn
Cement Densit
Density
y (lb/g
(lb/gal)
al) ==> 136.214
136.214 / 8.6419 = 15.8 lb/gal
3
Cement Yield (ft3/sk
/sk)) ===>
===> 8.6419
8.6419 / 7.4805
7.4805 = 1.16 ft /sk
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
1 Cement
Cement Volume
3 3
Open Hole: 500 ft × 0.1503
0.1503 ft /ft = 75.15 ft
3 3
25% Excess: 75.15 ft × 25% = 18.79 ft
3/ 3
Shoe Track: 80 ft × 0.2025 ft /ft = 16.2 ft
3
Total: 110.14 ft
2 Sacks
Sacks of Cement
Cement
3 3
110.14 ft 1.16 ft /sk = 95 sks
3 Mixing Water
Water Required
95 sk × 5 gal/sk = 475 gal
475 gal 42 gal/bbl = 11.31 bbl
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Unit D Quiz
Fill in the blank with one or more words to check your progress in Unit D.
1. When using the Worksheet for Slurry Weight and Volume Calculations, the first thing you need to
know is what ___________ of cement is being used. Then you can look up the ingredient’s
______________
______________ and _____________
_____________ volume factors.
2. An absolute volume for each material is calculated by multiplying its _____ by its ___________.
3. To obtain the density of the cement mixture, divide the ______________
________________
__ of the materials by the
______________________
_________________________________
__________________
_______ of the materials.
4. To find the yield, the total absolute volume in gallons is divided by the constant, ___________ gal/ft³.
5. To calculate the total volume of slurry needed for this job, add the slurry needed to fill the
_________________
_________________ and the slurry needed
needed to fill the __________________
____________________.
__. Your unit of measure
will be ___________ which needs to be converted to __________.
6. To calculate the number of sacks needed for this job, divide the amount of slurry in _____________
by the _____________________
_______________________________
__________ in cubic
cubic feet per sack.
7. To obtain the total amount of mixing water you will need, multiply the number of ______/sk water by
the number of __________.Then convert to the unit of measurement used in tanks, ___________, by
dividing gallons by _______gal/bb
_______gal/bbl.
l.
8. You need to calculate the pressure needed to land the plug, since a pressure build up might
indicate_________
indicate_________ and a loss of pressure may mean
________________________
_____________________________________
______________________.
_________.
9. For the pressure to land the plug, you will need to use the ____________
_______________________
___________________________________
____________ conversion
conversion tables in the “Calculations
“Calculations and Formulas”
section of you handbook. You will look up the _____/ft of the fluids (extrapolating, if necessary),
then multiply these by the depth of the float collar (or the length of the _____________ part of the
hole).
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
An
A n s w er
erss t o Uni
Un i t Qu
Quii zzes
Refer to
Page
Items from Unit C Quiz
1. Divided, standard
2. Actual volume
5 • 37 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
3. Absolute volume
4.
ABSOLUTE
MATERIAL FACTOR VOLUME
MATERIALS (lb) (gal/lb) (gal)
Refer to
Page
Items from Unit D Quiz
1. type, water requirement, absolute
2. gal/lb, weight
3. weight, gallons
4. 7.4805
3
5. annulus, shoe joint, ft , sk
3
6. ft , yield
7. gal, sk, bbl, 42
5 • 38 Cementing 1
Primary Cementing
Cementing Ca
Calculations
lculations
Section 6
Liner Cementing
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................6-3
Topic Areas ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 6-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
..................... 6-3
Unit A: Types of Liners ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.................... 6-3
Drilling Liners........................................................................................................................................6-3
Production Liners ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
........................
....... 6-4
Stub Liners
Scab .................................
................ ...................................
...................................
...................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...................
..6-4
Liners.............................................................................................................................................6-4 6-4
Quiz A: Types of Liners.........................................................................................................................6-5
Unit B: Setting Liners ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
......................
.... 6-6
Preparing Liners ....................................
.................. ...................................
...................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
..........................
....... 6-6
Making Up Liners ..................................
................ ...................................
...................................
....................................
...................................
....................................
..........................
....... 6-6
Running Liners.......................................................................................................................................6-7
Quiz B: Setting Liners............................................................................................................................6-7
Unit C: Cementing Liners..........................................................................................................................6-8
Single Stage Method ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
................... 6-8
Delayed-Set Method...............................................................................................................................6-9
Quiz C: Cementing Liners......................................................................................................................6-9
Unit D: Liner Calculations.......................................................................................................................6-10
The Required Calculated Results ....................................
.................. ....................................
.....................................
.....................................
................................
.............. 6-10
Well Parameters
Liner Cementing....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.......................
Job One.....................................................................................................................6-12..... 6-10
1 Cement Volume .................................
................ ...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
....................................
........................
..... 6-13
2 Sacks of Cement ...................................
................. ...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
....................................
.....................
...6-15
6-15
3 Mixing Water Required ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
...................................
....................................
...........................
........ 6-15
4 Displacement Fluids Required ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 6-15
5 Top of Cement with Drillpipe In and Drillpipe Out .....................................
.................. .....................................
...................................
................. 6-16
6 Pressure to Land the Plug ...................................
................ .....................................
.....................................
.....................................
...................................
......................
..... 6-17
Quiz D: Liner Calculations...................................................................................................................6-17
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 6-18
6•1 Cementing 1
Liner Cementing
Liner Cementing
Introduction
Drilling Liners
Liner Cementing
Stub Liners
Scab Liners
Liner Cementing
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in this section.
1. A drilling liner is used above a ________________________
____________________________________
__________________
______ zone to case off
open holes so that ____________________________
_________________________________
_____ may be performed.
3. A production liner is hung in the producing formation. It is cemented and ___________________
___________________ like
any completion string.
4. The main difference between stub and scab liners is that a scab liner is ________________________.
________________________.
5. Stub and scab liners are short liners that are used when casing above a drilling liner has been
________________.
________________. They can also be used when
when a liner is ______________________
_______________________
_ or when
greater ________________________
________________________ is needed because of high pressure or other reasons.
6. Stub and scab liners can be hung uphole on existing casing or they can be set with part of their weight
on the _______________________
__________________________.
___.
Liner Cementing
When setting liners, it is important to be familiar relatively small. If the liner is not centralized,
with these three areas: the result may be bridging or channeling. A
uniform cement sheath has not been formed
• Preparing liners around the liner, therefore no zonal isolation.
• Making up liners Slim-hole centralizers are usually used when
running liners because of the small annular
• Running liners space. Downhole equipment considerations are
the same as if the joints would be run to the
surface.
Preparing Liners
Drill pipe and a setting tool are used to run a
liner (Fig. 6.3). The setting tool connects the
Before setting a liner, the entire length of hole to
drill pipe to the liner, forms a pressure-tight seal
be lined must be drilled. It is very important to
with the liner, and holds the liner-wiper plug.
prepare the liner before lowering it into the
wellbore; the mill finish must be removed so
that cement can form a better bond with the
liner. This usually is done by sandblasting or
weathering the liner.
The hole must be well-conditioned to set a liner
because of the small annular space. To condition
condition
the mud system, circulate at least enough
drilling fluid to displace the annular volume
twice.
Decisions must be made about how much
overlap there should be between the casing and
the liner. The amount of overlap varies between
50 and 500 feet. For example, if higher pressure
zones are penetrated, there should be more
overlap than in lower pressure zones.
Making Up Liners
6•6 Cementing 1
Liner Cementing
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in this section.
1. One step in the preparation of a liner is to ______________
______________ the mill finish. This is usually
accomplished by ______________________
___________________________________
______________________.
_________.
2. The amount of overlap between the casing and the liner is usually between _________ and
_________ feet.
3. Because of the small clearance between a casing and a liner, it is very important to make sure the
liner is _______________________
__________________________.
___.
Liner Cementing
10 to 30% more than the caliper-calculated Bottom plugs are generally not run in liner
volume of cement is pumped when using the cementing; therefore, as the two plugs descend,
single stage method of cementing liners. This they wipe mud off the liner. This mud, trapped
amount of cement is circulated down the drill between the shoe and the collar,
collar, should not go
pipe (behind the spacer fluid).
fluid). It travels out the into the annulus to contaminate the cement.
shoe and up the outside of the liner (Fig. 6.4).
The drill pipe and setting tool are then pulled out
The pump-down plug is released and pumped
of the hole. It is risky to reverse out excess
down with displacement fluid. It mates with the
cement at this point because this process would
liner-wiper plug and its pins are sheared off.
exert extra pressure on the annulus. The extra
Both continue downward until they seat and seal
pressure could break down the the formation and
on the float or landing collar.
cause lost circulation. This would leave the
overlap area unprotected. Instead, the cement is
drilled out after it has set, which should result in
a good bond in the liner-casing overlap.
6•8 Cementing 1
Liner Cementing
Delayed-Set Method
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in this section.
1. __________
________________
______ % more cement than the
the caliper calculated volume is used with the single-st
single-stage
age
method of cementing liners.
2. The path that the cement takes is down the ________________ and then up the ______________ in
3. It is risky to reverse out cement when the workstring is pulled in the single-stage method because this
would ________________________
_____________________________________
______________.
_.
4. The delayed-set method differs from the single-stage method because the liner is lowered into the
hole ____________ the cement is pumped down.
5. When delayed-set cement is used, the WOC may be increased by ___________________________.
___________________________.
Liner Cementing
Before a liner job is started, calculations must be 6. Required pressure to land the plug, being the
performed. These calculations are based on differential pressure required to pump the
known information and on figures obtained from plug to the top of the shoe
shoe track.
your Halliburton
your Halliburton Cementing
Cementing Tables
Tables (the
(the Red
Red
Book ).
).
Well Parameters
In this unit, you will go through the calculations
necessary for a liner cementing job. You will
learn how to calculate answers to the following Following are the well parameters that you must
questions: have to perform the above calculations:
A. Liner Size
• Where is the top of the cement when the
drill pipe is out? B. Liner Top
• What pressure is needed to land the plug? C. Well Fluid
• How much displacement fluid is needed to D. Hole Size
land the plug?
E. Liner Total Depth
• What is the force on the plug when it has a F. Shoe Track Length
given psi above the pressure to land the plug
on it? G. Required Cement (on top of liner)
• What is the hydrostatic pressure at a given H. Excess Volume Required (percent)
depth after the plug lands? I. Size of Previous Casing
J. Depth of Previous Casing
The Required Calculated K. Drill pipe size, weight, thread
Results
Liner Cementing
Pressure topump
Land the Plug—Differential pressure
D 6 required to the plug to the top of the shoe
track
4B Well Parameters
A A Liner Size
B Liner Top
C Well Fluid
D Hole Size
E Liner Total Depth
F Shoe Track Length
1B G Required Cement (on top of liner)
H Excess Volume Required (percent)
I Size of Previous Casing
J Depth of Previous Casing
K Drill pipe size, weight, thread
E
6 • 11 Cementing 1
Liner Cementing
Well Parameters
Liner Cementing
1 Cement Volume
6 • 13 Cementing 1
Liner Cementing
1C - Liner Lap Volume (Annular Looking in Section 221, Table 221-D, we find
Volume between Casings) that the volume factor is not printed for 9 5/8 in.
casing.
This is the volume between the existing 9 5/8 in. There is an easy way to calculate this factor. All
intermediate casing and the 7 in. liner, you need to know is
commonly referred to as the “Liner Lap.” This
volume is calculated as “Perfect Hole” with no 1. Drillpipe O.D. 4.5 in
washout or excess (because we are working with 2. Casing I.D. we look up the I.D. in section
pipe inside pipe). 210, Table 214, page 23 and find the I.D. for
9 5/8 in., 47 lb/ft, casing is 8.681 in.
Lap Footage (Section 221, Page 113):
The formula for calculating the volume factor is
9 5/8 in.
in. pipe depth:
depth: 11,930 ft
found in section 240, page 10.
7 in. top of liner: -11,600 ft
330 ft of Lap Linear feet per Cubic Feet = 183.35
D2 - nd2
330 ft × 0.1438 ft3/ft = 47.45 ft3
where:
1D - Liner Cap Volume (Annular D = Diameter of hole, inches (or I.D. casing)
Volume Between Drill Pipe and
d = Outside Diameter of tubing, inches
Casing)
n = number of tubing strings
This is the volume above the liner hanger inside (in our case, we are calculating the annulus
the intermediate casing commonly referred to as between 9 5/8 in. casing and 4.5 in. drill pipe)
Liner Cap Cement. This volume will reach its
maximum height when the plug lands. This will Applying the Formula:
give you the maximum differential pressure 183.35 183.35 183.55
(pressure to land plug). As you pull drill pipe, = =
the height will decrease until the drill pipe is 8.6812 − 4.5 2 75.36 − 20.25 55.11
pulled above the slurry.
slurry. =3.33 ft/ft3
Therefore, we will make two calculations: Therefore, for every cubic foot of slurry in the
(a) Height of Cement with drillpipe in Liner annulus, we fill up 3.33 feet of annular length.
Hanger And
(b) Height of Cement with drillpipe pulled 162.74 ft3 of slurry × 3.33 ft/ft3
above the Cement Column. = 541.92 ft annular fill (drillpipe in)
Total Cement Volume: 353.25 ft3 Likewise, this is a good time to calculate the
Shoe Track Volume: 3
- 16.89 ft height of spacer. We are pumping 40 bbl of
spacer. We calculated the annular volume factor
Annular Hole Volume: in ft/ft3. Therefore, all we need to do is convert
(perfect hole): - 126.17 ft3 bbl to cubic feet and multiply
multiply by the annular fill
Liner Lap Volume: - 47.45 ft3 factor. (Section 240, Page 85)
Resulting Cap Volume: 162.74 ft3 40 bbl × 5.6146 ft3/bbl = 224.58 ft 3 spacer
224.58 ft3 × 3.33 ft/ft3 = 747.85 ft spacer (DP in)
Height of Cement (with drillpipe in)
Now, knowing the top of the liner is at 11,600 ft,
We have calculated that 162.74 ft3 of cement the length of the cement on top of the liner is
will remain above the Liner Top. We should be
able to multiply by the ft/ft 3 volume factor of the 541.92 ft (DP in); the length of spacer on top of
the cement is 747.85 ft (DP in), therefore it is
4.5 in drill pipe × 9 5/8 in. intermediate casing. easy to calculate the top of each fluid.
6 • 14 Cementing 1
Liner Cementing
2 Sacks of Cement
6 • 15 Cementing 1
Liner Cementing
4A - Drillpipe Volume
6 • 16 Cementing 1
Liner Cementing
0.8052
Refer to Section 240, Page 18 to arrive at psi/ft 15.5 lb/gal 81 ft x
psi/ft
= 65 psi
for lb/gal figures. Cement
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in this section.
1. What are the six critical calculation
ca lculation required for each liner cementing job?
• _____________
__________________________
_________________________
_________________________
____________________
_______
• _____________
__________________________
_________________________
_________________________
____________________
_______
• _____________
__________________________
_________________________
_________________________
____________________
_______
• _____________
__________________________
_________________________
_________________________
____________________
_______
• _____________
__________________________
_________________________
_________________________
____________________
_______
•
_____________
__________________________
_________________________
_________________________
____________________
_______
Liner Cementing
Items from Unit A Quiz Refer to Items from Unit C Quiz Refer to
Page Page
1. producing, deeper drilling 6-3 1. 10 to 30 6-9
2. water or gas, lost-circulation, 6-3 2. drill pipe, outside of the liner 6-9
high-pressure
3. exert extra pressure on the 6-9
3. perforated 6-4 annulus
4. retrievable 6-4 4. after 6-10
5. damaged, leaking, resistance 6-4 5. two days or more 6-10
6. liner below 6-4
Items from Unit D Quiz Refer to
Page
Items from Unit B Quiz Refer to
Page 1. Volume of cement 6-10
1. remove, sandblasting or 6-6 Amount of cement in sacks
Amount of mixing
mixing water
weathering
Amount of displacement
displacement fluid
2. 50, 500 6-6 Top of cement
Required pressure to land plug
3. centralized 6-6
2. cement volume 6-13
4. float 6-6
3. drilling mud 6-16
5. drill pipe, pressure-tight seal 6-6
6. spacer fluid 6-7
6 • 18 Cementing 1
Section 7
Plug-Back Cementing
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................7-3
Topic Areas ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 7-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
..................... 7-3
Unit A: Purposes of Plug-Back Cementing ....................................
................. .....................................
....................................
.....................................
.......................
.... 7-3
Plugging to Isolate Zones.......................................................................................................................7-3
Plugging to Stop Lost Circulation..........................................................................................................7-4
Plugging for Directional Drilling ..................................
................ ...................................
...................................
...................................
.....................................
...................... 7-4
Plugging for Well Abandonment ..................................
................. ...................................
....................................
...................................
....................................
..................... 7-5
Unit A Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
.................................
................ 7-6
Unit B: Plug-Back Cementing Calculations ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
.....................................
.......................
.... 7-7
Balanced Plug Cementing ....................................
.................. ...................................
...................................
...................................
.....................................
..............................
.......... 7-7
Example Using Equalization Point Formula .................................
............... ...................................
...................................
...................................
......................
..... 7-8
Balanced Plug Job One (One Wellbore Geometry) ...................................
................ .....................................
.....................................
.........................
...... 7-9
Balanced Plug Job Two (Two Wellbore Geometries)..........................................................................7-11
Unit B Quiz .....................................
.................. .....................................
....................................
.....................................
.....................................
................................
............................
.............. 7-13
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 7-14
7•1 Cementing 1
Plug-Back Cementing
Plug-Back Cementing
Introduction
During its life, every well will require a plug- Topic Areas
back cementing job. Slurry is pumped
pumped down
drillpipe or tubing and into the annulus; unlike The units included in this section are:
primary cementing jobs, the cement levels
levels in the
annulus and inside the tubular goods are the A. Purposes of Plug-Back Cementing
same. This creates a blocked area which is B. Plug-Back Cementing Calculations
referred to as a cement plug. Typical length of a
cement plug is 100 to 500 ft. Halliburton
recommends a 500 ft minimum. Learning Objectives
Setting high quality cement plugs may be
difficult for several reasons: state regulations, Upon completion of this section, you should be
formations, and the conditions in the hole. familiar with:
However, plug-back cementing serves many • the conditions under which cement plugs are
purposes, as you will see
see in this section. used
• how to calculate basic plug-back cementing
jobs
Cement plugs are used for the following reasons: • It prevents damaging fluids from entering a
producing formation.
formation. High-pressure from a
• Zonal isolation
squeeze job performed above the pay zone
• Lost circulation stoppage may force cement or wellbore fluids into a
• Directional drilling pay zone, causing damage and loss of
production.
• Well abandonment
• It isolates an upper zone by forming a new
These reasons and the types of jobs associated bottom for the well from which
which drill stem
with them are discussed in this unit. tests can be run. The plug eliminates the
chances of sticking your pipe below the
testing assembly.
Plugging to Isolate Zones
• It can be used to block off a problem area.
For example, a permanent cement plug can
When you use a cement plug to isolate zones be placed above a depleted zone without
without
(Fig. 7.1), it can serve several purposes.
affecting the producing zones above the
• It prevents fluid migration up the pipe or plug.
annulus by isolating a high-pressure zone
from a lower pressure zone. Fluid migration
can cause loss of production or an increase
in lifting costs.
7•3 Cementing 1
Plug-Back Cementing
7•4 Cementing 1
Plug-Back Cementing
producing zones
• above and below freshwater zones
• above and below the bottom of any casing
left in the hole
• at ground level (Figure 7.4).
Plug-Back Cementing
Unit A Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to test your progress on Unit A.
1. Plug-back cementing differs from primary cementing because the level of cement in the ___________
is the same as in the __________.
5. A cement plug stops lost circulation because its cement _________ into a formation’s pores or
fractures.
6. The purpose of a cement plug in directional drilling is to provide a ______________ for the tool. A
plug used for this purpose
purpose is called a _______
_____________.
______. The bit is ____________
____________ off the pl
plug
ug to drill in
another direction.
7. When plugging to abandon, plugs are set across and above _________ formations, and above and
below ___________
___________ zones. In addition,
addition, they are set above and below the bott
bottom
om of ________ and at
__________ level.
level.
Plug-Back Cementing
Before a plug-back cementing job begins, Following are the basic plug-back problem
several calculations must be performed. In this calculations:
unit, you will learn how to calculate
With drillpipe out:
• The amount of cement needed for a
1 Volume of cement
cement (bbl).
(bbl).
balanced plug
2 Sacks of cement
• The amount of cement with the workstring
in the plug. 3 Minimum water requirements.
• The height of cement with the workstring With drillpipe in:
out of the plug.
4 Height of cement
• The volume of the spacer needed behind the
5 Height of spacer ahead of
of cement (with
cement
volume given)
• The volume of cement mixing water
6 Volume of
of spacer behind cement
cement
7 Height of mud
8 Volume of
of mud (to balance)
8 7
Following are the well parameters needed for the
calculations (Figure 7.5):
A Drillpipe size
6
5 B Bottom of plug
C Top of plug
C
1
D Hole size
A 4
D 2
3
B Balanced Plug Cementing
Mud
Spacer One of the most unique calculations in the
Wellbore after job Wellbore during Cement oilfield is the balanced plug. More often than
completion job execution
(drillpipe out) (drillpipe in)
not, this job is performed with open-ended
drillpipe. When performed correctly, the
Figure 7.5 – Well parameters.
calculations are simple. Problems with this job
occur when one of the known parameters, such
as drillpipe ID or hole size is incorrectly
reported.
Plug calculations are easier to reason out when
you draw two wellbores:
The wellbore during job execution
• The wellbore after job completion
7•7 Cementing 1
Plug-Back Cementing
• Volume of spacer to pump behind cement volume with the pipe suspended in the fluid.
• Height of mud (drillpipe in)
7•8 Cementing I
Plug-Back Cementing
Balanced Plug Job One (One The following table presents the well parameters
Wellbore Geometry) for our example job:
Well Parameters
In a single wellbore geometry, you have the
Hole Size 8 ¾ in. (Average)
same size hole (on average) throughout the area
Drillpipe Size 4 ½ in., 16.6 lb/ft EUE
involved in the calculations, as shown in Fig. Plug Depth 6,800 ft
7.7.
Length of Plug 500 ft
Cement Type Class H
3
Mixed at 16.4 lb/gal 1.06 ft /sk yield
Spacer Ahead 20 bbl water
8 7
Cement Required
Required
6
5
1 Section 210, Table 213, Page 13
3 3
500 ft × 0.4176 ft /ft = 208.8 ft
2 Sacks Of Cement
3 3
C 208.8 ft ÷ 1.06 ft /sk = 197 sks
1 Mixing Water
D 2 A 4 3
197 sks × 4.3 gal/sk = 847.1 gal
3
B
Calculations (Drillpipe In)
Mud
Spacer
Wellbore after job Wellbore during Cement
4 Height of Cement (HOC)
completion job execution
(drillpipe out) (drillpipe in)
We use the equalization point formula, Red
Book , Section 240, page 12:
Figure 7.7 – Single geometry wellbore.
N
h=
C + T
7•9 Cementing I
Plug-Back Cementing
7 Height of Mud
Drillpipe Depth 6800 ft
HOC (Drillpipe in) - 539.67 ft
HOS (Drillpipe in) - 365.61 ft
5,894.72 ft
Mud
8 Volume Of Mud Behind (To Balance) Spacer
5894.72 ft × 0.01422 bbl/ft = 83.82 bbl Wellbore after job Wellbore during Cement
completion job execution
5 Height of Spacer
Known: 20 bbl total spacer
The trick is to use the same equalization point
formula we used in Calculation 4 (substitute
barrels instead of cubic feet).
h= 20 bbl
0.0547 bbl/ft + 0.01422 bbl/ft
= 20 bbl = 290.198 ft
0.06892 bbl/ft
Therefore the spacer height is 290.198 ft and the
volume of spacer ahead (of cement) is
290.19 ft × 0.0547 bbl/ft = 15.87 bbl
Plug-Back Cementing
5 6
4 Height of Cement (HOC)
Work from the know values to solve for the
6,040 ft 4B unknown. We are trying to determine the cement
6, 140 ft 6 ,1 40 ft height with the drillpipe in. We have two
1 4A different hole sizes to work with. To solve this
6,340
6,340 ft problem, first calculate what you know
know (the
2
volume in the 9 ½ in. hole, because you know
3 the volume factor and length). Then subtract this
volume from the total cubic feet of slurry. Then
use the equalization point formula
N
Job Co mpl
mpleted
eted Job Execution
h=
(Drillpipe Out) (Drillpipe In) C + T
Figure 7.9 – Two wellbore geometries. to solve for the actual height. (If you have a third
hole size then you continue to work from the
bottom up, solving for
for the volume until you get
get
to the top hole size that contains cement and
then use the equalization point formula.)
Now, working from the bottom
bottom up:
7 • 11 Cementing I
Plug-Back Cementing
Plug-Back Cementing
Unit B Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to test your progress on Unit B.
1. What are the well parameters needed for the plug-back calculations?
________________________
____________________________
____
________________________
____________________________
____
________________________
____________________________
____
________________________
____________________________
____
Plug-Back Cementing
Section 8
Squeeze Cementing
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................8-3
Topic Areas ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 8-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
..................... 8-3
Unit A: Squeeze Cementing Background ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
...........................
......... 8-3
Purposes of Squeeze Cementing ...................................
................ .....................................
.....................................
.....................................
...................................
................... 8-3
Squeeze Cementing Terminology ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 8-4
Hesitation ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...................
..8-5
8-5
Planning Squeeze Cementing Jobs.........................................................................................................8-5
Unit A Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
.................................
................ 8-6
Unit B: Squeeze Cementing Calculations..................................................................................................8-7
Squeeze Problem One ...............
.................................
....................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
.....................................
...................... 8-9
Squeeze Problem Two..........................................................................................................................8-17
Unit B Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...............................
.............. 8-22
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 8-23
8•1 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
Squeeze Cementing
Introduction
If all primary cementing jobs were completely this process. The bottom of casing strings (shoe)
successful, there would rarely be a need for and liner tops may also require squeezing to
squeeze cementing. However, if drilling mud correct problems. These types of jobs may not
has been bypassed (channeling) during the require perforating prior to squeezing.
primary job, squeeze cementing may
may be required
to correct or remediate the problem.
Topic Areas
Squeeze cementing is the process by which
cement is forced into the casing-hole annulus.
In this section, these units will be included:
Fluid returns are not normally expected at the
surface. Perforations in the pipe are often A. Squeeze Cementing Background
required to obtain a flow path to the annulus. B. Squeeze Cementing Calculations
The channel or area of poor bond, as well as the
perforations, are filled with cement.
cement. Pump
pressure is allowed to rise
rise in order to "squeeze" Learning Objectives
cement slurry into the desired area. The cement
is allowed to harden into a plug which blocks
Upon completion of this section, you should be
fluid movement. Drill-out of set cement inside
familiar with:
the casing is normally required.
• The purposes of squeeze cementing
Existing production perforations may be
abandoned by squeeze cementing. Also, casing • How to calculate a basic squeeze cementing
leaks due to pipe corrosion may be sealed with job
To perform a successful squeeze job, it is first • to provide a seal for places purposely not
necessary to become familiar with cemented during primary cementing — for
example, squeezing liner tops
• the purposes of squeeze cementing
• to reduce the gas/oil ratio by shutting off
• terminology associated with squeeze
some of the gas-producing perforation
cementing
(isolating the gas and oil zones)
• planning considerations
considerations for squeeze jobs.
• to improve the oil/water ratio by shutting off
some of the water-producing formation
Purposes of Squeeze (isolating the oil and water zones)
8•3 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
Figure 8.1 – Squeezing to repair casing. In squeeze jobs, forcing the formation to fracture
is not the objective. If the formation fractures, it
will break down. Then whole cement slurry (not
just the filtrate) will be
be displaced into the
formation. Therefore, care must be taken so that
Squeeze Cementing the pump pressure and the pressure exerted by
Terminology the weight of the fluid are not sufficient to force
a fracture of the formation. The pressure
In order to understand the different methods required to force filtrate into the formation
used in squeeze cementing, it is necessary to without fracturing it is called the pump-in
first be familiar with the following terms: pressure.
• Cement dehydration The volume per minute at which the fluid will be
pumped during the squeeze
squeeze job is called the
• Pump-in pressure and injection rate injection rate. Both the pressure and rate should
• Low- and high-pressure squeeze be established by performing
performing an injection test in
8•4 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
Block squeezing requires that perforations be the necessity of using a spacer (in case of
made at the interval to be squeezed. Then, fluid incompatibility)
cement is forced into this interval (Figure 8.3).
• the bottomhole static temperature, which
Block squeezing is generally used to isolate the
affects the setting time of the cement
producing zone before completing
completing a well.
• the difference between the depths of the
perforations and the packer (if
(if used), which
should from 100 to 150 ft to allow enough
volume to continue the squeeze after the
cement has cleared the workstring
• the maximum pressure to be used, which
cannot exceed the pressure limitations of the
workstring, casing, BOPs, and other
equipment to be used
• the type of cement to be used, in that fluid-
loss additives are used to ensure that a small
amount of cement filter cake will form
against the formation, while the slurry in the
casing remains fluid enough to reverse out
Figure 8.3 – Block Squeeze
• the amount of cement to be used, which
depends on the volume of the workstring
Hesitation Squeeze (volume of cement should not exceed the
capacity of the tubular goods) and the length
At some point during a squeeze job, you will of the interval to be squeezed (a rule of
thumb is to use 2 sk/ft).
have attained the pressure planned for the job.
That pressure is then held. If it drops off (that is, • testing all wellhead equipment and annulus
bleed off is occurring), you know
know that your to the pressure required to reverse out the
cement is continuing to dehydrate. maximum height of cementing the
In this case, a hesitation squeeze may be workstring.
conducted. Time is allowed for the cement to
begin to set. The pressure is applied
applied again. If
bleed off continues, more time is allowed.
allowed. This
is repeated as many times as is necessary; the
only limitation is the thickening time of the
cement. If too long a period is allowed, the
workstring may be cemented up.
8•5 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
Unit A Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit A.
1. Common reasons for performing a squeeze job are to ___________ a defective primary cementing
job or to __________
__________ holes in casing caused
caused by corrosion. In addition
addition,, the ______________
______________ ratio is
improved.
2. When the filtrate enters the formation, cement ____________ to form a cake on the formation.
3. The pressure required to force filtrate into the formation without ___________ it is called the
___________ pressure.
pressure. This pressure is established
established by pumping
pumping _____________
_________________
____ into the
formation to be squeezed.
4. If the formation fractures during a squeeze job, then a _________ pressure squeeze job is being
performed.
5. If the pressure drops off during a squeeze job, this is called ______________.
______________. To correct this
condition, a _______________ squeeze may be performed.
6. The ____________ pressure to be used during a squeeze job cannot exceed the limitations of the
equipment being used.
7. Cement used for squeeze job usually contains ______________ additives.
8•6 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
4 Displacement vovolume
lume to spot
spot cement one C Top of perforations
barrel above packer.
D Bottom of perforations
5 Pressure to reverse cement when
when spotted.
6 Pressure to reverse cement from workstring E Casing size
when cement reaches top perforation.
7 Pressure to reverse cement from workstring
when cement reaches bottom perforation.
A
2
4
d
i d
i
u
l u
l 5
F F
l
l l
l
e e t
W W n
e
m
e
C
E
Figure 8.3 – Well schematic showing squeeze calculations and parameters.
8•7 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
d d
i d
i
i u
l u
l
u
l F F
F l
l l
l
l
l e e
e
W W W
t 6 7 8
n
e
m
e 9
C
Figure 8.4 - Well schematic showing squeeze calculations and parameters.
Squeeze Cementing
Well Parameters
2 7/8 in., 6.5 lb/ft
A EUE Tubing Drillpipe/tubing
Drillpipe/tubing size 2 7/8 in., 6.5 lb/ft
EUE
Packer Depth 5000 ft
Top of perforations 5094 ft
Bottom of perforations 5136 ft
Casing size 7 in., 20 lb/ft
Cement type Class G
Cement volume 75 sk
Displacement/well fluid Fresh water (8.33
lb/gal)
8•9 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
2 Pressure to Reverse One Barrel of the number of feet that one barrel will fill
Slurry from Workstring inside the tubing, which is 172.76 ft/bbl.
3. Multiply the differential pressure found in
Step 1 by the value found in Step 2 to obtain
the pressure required to reverse out one
Figure 8.7 – Determining pressure to
reverse on barrel of slurry from drillpipe.
8 • 10 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
Squeeze Cementing
Squeeze Cementing
circulating any
the packer is setcement
and youbehind
attemptthetopacker.
begin When
4 pumping fluid into
into the perforations, you may
experience problems establishing an injection
rate, in which case you would unset the packer
and reverse all the cement out of the tubing.
Therefore, you need to calculate how much
d
i pressure is required to do this.
this.
u
l 5
F The pressure needed to reverse out this cement
l
l
e t
W n
e
in the tubing can be calculated by multiplying
m the barrels of cement in the tubing, which in this
e
C case is the total cement volume, by the
differential pressure per barrel of fluid (as
calculated in Calculation 2 , 67.00 psi/bbl):
15.36 bbl × 67.00 psi/bbl = 1029 psi
Figure 8.10 – Displacement Volume.
8 • 13 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
t 6
n
e
m
e
C
Figure 8.11 – Pressure to reverse when
cement reaches the top perforation.
8 • 14 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
d
i
u
l
F
l
l
e
W
Figure 8.12 – Pressure to reverse when
cement reaches bottom perforation.
8 • 15 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
cement pumped
this squeeze job.through the perforation during
1. The total volume of slurry (15.36 bbl) minus
the volume of slurry in the casing (5.49 bbl)
minus the volume of slurry now in the
tubing is the volume of cement in the
formation:
d
i
u
l
F 15.36 bbl – 5.49 bbl – 4.95 bbl = 4.92 bbl
l
l
e
W 2. Divide this by the yield of the cement, 1.15
cu.ft/sk, to obtain the amount of cement in
the formation:
9 Results of Calculations
8 • 16 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
Squeeze Cementing
1 Volume of Cement
2
Absolute Mixing
Material Material Factor Volume Water
Name (lb) (gal/lb) (gal) Required
(gal)
Class
CementH 94 × 0
0.0
.038
382
2 = 3.
3.59
5908
08 4.
4.3
3
0.4% Halad-
0.3
0.376
76 × 0.0
0.0811
811 = 0.0
0.0305
305 0 +
413
× = + d
i
u
l
Water 35.819 = 8.33 × 4.3 gal + F
l
l
Totals 130.20 7.92 4.3 gal e
W
Total mixing water must be entered under absolute gallons
before totaling.
Find the weight of the mixed cement by using this formula:
Total Pounds/Total Absolute gallons = pounds/gallons
Find the cement yield in cubic feet per sack by using this
formula:
Total Absolute gallons / 7.4805 gal/cu.ft. (constant) = cu.ft./ sack
The mixing water per sack is the sum of t he gallons in the far
right column
Cement Density
130.20 / 7.92 = 16.4 lb/gal
(lb/gal)
Cement Yield 3
3 7.92 / 4.4805 = 1.06 ft /sk
(ft /sk)
Mixing Water
4.3 Gal/sk
required
Based on the worksheet, Figure 8.15 – Determining pressure to
reverse one barrel of slurry from workstring.
150 sk × 1.06 cu ft/sk = 159 cu ft
159 cu. ft × 0.1781 bbl/cu. ft = 28.32 bbl
8 • 18 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
28.32 bbl × 72.37 psi/bbl = 2050 psi 26.70 bbl × 72.37 psi/bbl = 1932 psi
d
i d
u 5 i
l u
l
F F
l
l l
e t l
e
W n
e W
m
e
C
t 6
n
e
m
e
C
Figure 8.16 – Calculations 4 and 5. Figure 8.17 – Pressure to reverse cement.
8 • 19 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
8
Figure 8.18 – Pressure to reverse cement.
8 • 20 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
8 • 21 Cementing 1
Squeeze Cementing
Unit B Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit B.
________________________
____________________________________
____________
________________________
____________________________________
____________
________________________
____________________________________
____________
________________________
____________________________________
____________
________________________
____________________________________
____________
2. To convert a given volume of cement from sacks to barrels, you must determine the
________________________
_____________________________________
____________________.
_______.
Squeeze Cementing
Section 9
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................9-3
Topic Areas ..................................
................ ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
..................................
................ 9-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
.................. ...................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.....................................
..................... 9-3
Unit A: Cementing Heads/Plug Containers ...................................
................ .....................................
.....................................
......................................
.......................
.... 9-3
Methods of Using Plug Containers ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 9-4
Commonly Used Halliburton Plug Containers.......................................................................................9-5
Remote Control Plug Container System ...................................
................. ...................................
...................................
...................................
..........................
......... 9-6
Quick-Latch Coupler..............................................................................................................................9-7
Casing Swivels ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
............................
.......... 9-7
Plug Container Lifting Devices..............................................................................................................9-8
Maintenance and Use of Plug Containers ...................................
................ .....................................
.....................................
.....................................
......................
.... 9-8
Unit A Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...............................
.............. 9-10
Unit B: Density Measurement..................................................................................................................9-11
Radioactive Density Meters ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
.......................
..... 9-11
Pressure Balanced Mud Scale ....................................
.................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................
..9-11
9-11
Unit B Quiz ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
...................................
...............................
.............. 9-12
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
................. ....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
................................
.............. 9-13
9•1 Cementing 1
Introduction
The
is to main
blendpurpose of any
water and cement at
dry cement mixing system
a satisfactory A. Cementing Heads/Plug Containers
B. Density Measurements
rate so that ideal weights, viscosities, and
densities can be maintained. In addition, recently
developed mixing systems provide the capacity Learning Objectives
for additive reactions and batch mixing. The end
result is cement that will set properly downhole.
Upon completion of this section, you should be
familiar with
Topic Areas • Types of cementing heads
• Use of Densometers
In this section, the following units are included:
Non-Continuous Circulation
Continuous Circulation
To use a plug container on non-continuous
If well conditions dictate that continuous
pumping jobs, follow
follow the guidelines belo
below:
w: circulation be used, you can use two plug
1. Stop circulating the well fluids and remove containers or a double plug container as
the plug container cap. described below:
2. Insert the bottom plug through the plug 1. Load both plugs into the plug container
container to a point just below the inlet port. before circulating the well fluids
fluids so that both
plugs can be released without
without opening the
3. Move the plug-release plunger to the
plug container.
extended position.
2. Circulate the well fluids and prepare the
4. Place the top plug inside the plug container
cement for pumping.
so that it rests on top of the extended
plunger. 3. When the cement is introduced into the
5. Reinstall the cap on the top of the plug casing, retract the bottom plug release
plunger for the bottom plug.
container and begin the cementing job. The
bottom plug will
will travel down the casing in 4. Open the middle Lo-Torc valve above the
front of the cement to separate the cement bottom plug to allow
allow the bottom plug to
from the well fluid. enter the casing ahead of the cement.
9•4 Cementing 1
9•5 Cementing 1
• is approximately 33% shorter and lighter • includes a plunger assembly that attaches to
than previous Halliburton plug containers. the plug container body with a 3 in. 1502
union half, allowing easier removal and
• includes an integral quick-latch coupler maintenance.
(QLC) that allows safe and quick
installation. The QLC also eliminates taper- • includes a new lifting swivel and has a
threaded connections from the PC assembly, seamless, weldless cap with bar holes for
thereby eliminating the maintenance easy makeup.
associated with tapered threads.
Figure 9.3 – Front and side view of free fall type cementing plug.
9•6 Cementing 1
The control console releases the plugs and opens Premium and type-certified couplers are
the valves in a controlled sequence, preventing available for NKK-3SB, Vam, Mannesmann,
accidental release of the wrong plug or pumping API 8RD,and Buttress type threads.
on top of a plug before the plug release plunger
is retracted. Because the plug release plungers
and Lo-Torc valves can be operated by remote
control, you can release plugs during pumping,
saving rig time and promoting rig safety.
The console has a sequencing system that can
prevent the operator from accidentally
accidentally releasing
the top plug first or pumping on top of a plug
before retracting the plunger.
plunger.
The release pins on the plunger lock
mechanically in the external position to help
prevent plugs from being
being released prematurely.
After the plugs are released, fluid flow through Figure 9.5 – Quick-latch coupler
the manifold forces them down the casing. mechanism.
Because they operate by remote control, they
can be stationed a safe working distance from
the wellhead. These systems also have manual
override, so operators can run the release Casing Swivels
plungers manually if air pressure
pressure is lost.
Casing swivels allow the casing to rotate during
cementing or circulating. Install swivels between
the top of the casing and the bottom nipple of
the plug container; latch elevators onto the
casing below the swivel.
IMPORTANT: Casing swivels are not
designed to lift or support casing weight.
When rotation is required, set the slips on the
9•7 Cementing 1
Inspection Procedure
Safety Concerns
Plug Container Lifting Devices
Older style slings use welded rings as part of the
Chain slings/hoist rings for Halliburton plug
construction of the sling (Figure 9.8). In some
containers are used to lift the cap on and off the cases, these welded rings have broken at the
plug container during
during a job. They are also used
weld, causing some safety concerns.
to lift the entire plug container onto the rig floor
and to lift the plug container while it is being
attached to the casing. Chain slings/hoist
slings/hoist rings
are designed only to lift the weight of the plug
container and attached equipment. Never use
them for any other purpose.
9•8 Cementing 1
passed
into the through
casing the cementing head and
•
Grease the O-rings on the shaft supporting the two
flags
Top Cap Detaches to load plug and to stack heads • Clean and lightly oil the seals or O-rings before
(free fall type only) replacing
Adaptor (Sub) Simplifies ease of connecting cementing
cementing • Upon removal, clean and lightly oil the seals or O-
head to casing (changed out to fit rings before replacing
customer’s casing threads)
Quick Latch Coupler Shortens and simplifies the connection • Remove body from the adjusting nut
procedures when connecting the
• Remove the coupling face seal, check O-ring seal for
cementing head to the casing collar
cuts
(omits need to screw heads on)
Casing Swivel Attaches to the base of the cementing • Cleaning should occur immediately after use to
head and allows the casing to rotate prevent cement setting up in the swivel
without rotating the cementing head (Not
• After cleaning, pump a few strokes of grease into the
to be used with the Quick-Latch Coupler.)
swivel bearing.
9•9 Cementing 1
Unit A Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit A.
1. Plug containers are used in most cementing jobs to adapt the ____________ to the pumping lines as
well as release the _________________________
_________________________ at the proper time.
4. The Compact™ plug container is approximately ______% shorter and lighter than previous
Halliburton plug containers
5. The Remote Control Plug Container System includes two ___________
___________________
________ operated plug
release plungers.
7. Casing swivels allow the casing to ____________ during cementing or circulating.
8. Chain slings/hoist rings for Halliburton plug containers are used to lift the ________ on and off the
_____________________
________________________
___ during a job. They
They are also used to lift the entire plu
plug
g container onto
the ___________________and
___________________and to lift the plug container while it is being attached to the casing.
9. Switching slings between plug containers could cause the sling to be ________________________,
________________________,
possibly causing
causing injury.
10. Most of the parts of the plug container and its attachments need to be ________________ and
________________
________________ thoroughly
thoroughly before and after their use.
9 • 10 Cementing 1
Density meters (or densometers) are used to Pressure Balanced Mud Scale
measure the weight of a fluid. These devices are
used on blenders where they measure the density
of sand in a fluid, and on pumping units where The Pressure Balanced Mud Scale is an
the weight or density of the cement is measured. instrument for measuring the absolute density of
When used in larger scale cementing or a fluid sample. The unit is similar in operation to
fracturing operations they are portable units. the conventional mud scales, the difference
being that the slurry sample
sample can be placed in a
For the purpose of this unit, two types of density fixed volume sample cup under pressure.
meters will be discussed:
A major problem found in the density
• Radioactive Density Meters measurement of fluids, cement slurries, and mud
• Pressure Balanced Mud Scale is that they often have a considerable amount of
air entrained with them. However, pressurizing
the sample cup can reduce the entrained air
Radioactive Density Meters volume to a negligible quantity.
9 • 11 Cementing 1
Unit B Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit C.
Section 10
Downhole
EquipmentCementing
Table of Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................10-3
Topics...................................................................................................................................................10-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
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.................. 10-3
Unit A: Guiding and Floating Equipment................................................................................................10-3
Guide Shoes..........................................................................................................................................10-3
Super Seal™ II Float Shoe...................................................................................................................10-4
Super Seal™
Seal™ II High-Port Up-Jet (HPUJ) Float Shoe ....................................
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................... 10-4
Super Seal™ II Down-Jet Float Shoe ...................................
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........ 10-5
Super Seal™ II Float Collar.................................................................................................................10-5
Insert Flapper Float Valve....................................................................................................................10-6
Backpressure Valves ....................................
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................ 10-6
Pressure Differential
Differential Fill (PDF) Float Shoes Shoes and Collars ..................................
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................ 10-7
Unit A Quiz ...................................
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.............. 10-8
Unit B: Casing Attachments ...................................
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........ 10-9
Clamps..................................................................................................................................................10-9
Centralizers...........................................................................................................................................10-9
Wall Cleaners ...................................
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......... 10-10
Cement Baskets ....................................
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... 10-11
Unit B Quiz ...................................
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............ 10-12
Unit C: Primary Cementing Plugs ..................................
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Bottom Plugs......................................................................................................................................10-13
Top Plugs............................................................................................................................................10-13
Latch-down Plugs...............................................................................................................................10-14
Unit C Quiz ...................................
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............ 10-16
Unit D: Multiple Stage Cementing Tools ................ .................................
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....... 10-17
Type-P External Sleeve (ES) Cementer ...................................
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..10-17
10-17
Type-H External Sleeve (ES) Cementer.............................................................................................10-18
Stage Tool Plug Sets ...................................
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................ 10-18
Full-Opening (FO) Multiple-Stage Cementer ....................................
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............ 10-19
External Sleeve Inflatable Packer Collar (ESIPC) .....................................
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.... 10-20
Unit D Quiz ...................................
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............ 10 21
Answers to Unit Quizzes....................................................................................................................10-22
10 • 1 Cementing 1
Introduction
Introduction
During the early stages of the drilling process, A. Guiding and Floating Equipment
the hole will be lined with steel casing to prepare
B. Casing Attachments
the well for production or deeper drilling. The
steel casing provides a smooth bore for the tools C. Primary Cementing Plugs
necessary to drill and complete the well. The
D. Multiple-Stage Cementing Tools
types of downhole equipment discussed in this
section contribute to a good cement job; they
help ensure a uniform cement sheath behind the Learning Objectives
casing.
As you learn more about downhole equipment, Upon completion of this section, you should be
keep in mind that any item that will be used familiar with:
inside the casing must be made of drillable
material. • Functions of downhole equipment
•
Descriptions
used downholeof the basic types of equipment
Topics
• Uses and applications of downhole
equipment
This chapter covers the following topics:
10 • 3 Cementing 1
10 • 4 Cementing 1
10 • 5 Cementing 1
the plastic
close. Thisorifice tube,operates
equipment which allows the valve
efficiently in to
mud systems containing high concentrations of
lost-circulation material.
The insert float valve is more economical than
standard floating equipment but should not be
used under any of the following circumstances:
• in wells over 7000 ft
• where pressures exceed the collapse
pressure of the lightest weight
weight range of
casing being used (for example, 17 in., 20
Figure 10.5 – Super Seal™ Float Collar
lb/ft J55)
•
when bottomhole temperature is more than
200°F .
10 • 6 Cementing 1
casing. Two common types of valves are the Automatic fill equipment is used to
flapper and poppet valves (Fig. 10.6).
• reduce rig time
The flapper valve uses a spring-loaded flapper
that has a rubber coating around a beveled edge,
• reduce fluid surge effects of running casing
which seals on a tapered seat. The spring is a • prevent the sticking of casing
casing
low force type (it requires only a small amount Flapper type equipment can be converted to
of pressure to open the valve).
automatic fill by installing a fill tube through the
When pumping stops, the spring pushes the middle of the tool. This holds the flapper off its
valve back against the seat, preventing fluid seat.
from entering the casing.
The diameter of the fill tube can be chosen to
The poppet valve uses a rubber-coated, spring- somewhat control the flow rate of fluid into the
loaded valve, which seals on a plastic seat. The casing. To stop the flow rate and convert from
poppet is pushed downward
downward by fluid pressure automatic fill to float valve, a ball must be
allowing the fluids to be pumped through the landed on a seat in the fill tube, pressure applied,
valve. Once the pumping has stopped, a shut off and sheared out of the valve.
is created when the poppet is pushed up against
the seat by a spring. To convert the poppet valve to automatic fill,
specially designed stand-off lugs are inserted
between the spring loaded valve and the seat.
This allows fluid flow to occur through the valve
from either direction. To cause the valve to act
as a backpressure valve, a specified pump rate
must be achieved that will open the valve
sufficiently to free the stand-off lugs. The lugs
then flow downward from the poppet, allowing
the valve to seat when pumping is stopped.
10 • 7 Cementing 1
Unit A Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress.
1. The purpose of guiding equipment is to help casing travel downhole without causing
________________________
_____________________________________
____________________.
_______.
3. A (an)______________________
(an)______________________ is run on the first joint of casing.
5. The main difference between a guide shoe and a float shoe is that a float shoe contains a
_____________________.
_____________________. Fluid can only
only flow ______________
______________ the casing.
casing.
6. A (an)____________________________
(an)___________________________________
_______ can sometimes be used instead
of standard float equipment in a well less than 7000 ft and at bottomhole
temperatures less than 200°F.
10 • 8 Cementing 1
10 • 9 Cementing 1
The dual-contact (double bow) welded Centralizers with turbofins attached to each bow
centralizer is designed for small-clearance spring are designed to create localized turbulent
casing-to-hole size applications. The centralizer fluid flow at the centralizer. The turbofins divert
will perform as a standard bow centralizer in the fluid flow, more evenly distributing cement
holes up to 1/2 in. smaller than the centralizer’s around the casing.
nominal OD.the
smaller than When
OD,run
theincenter
holesof
less
thethan 1/2 in.
centralizer All welded and nonwelded bow-spring
centralizers are available in most common
contacts the casing OD, performing as a rigid
hole/casing sizes.
centralizer. Because of its high restoring force
with very little spring deflection, the dual-
contact centralizer is excellent for deviated and
horizontal wellbores. The dual-contact
centralizer should only be installed between a
collar and stop ring— never over a casing collar.
10 • 10 Cementing 1
slurry at a rate high enough to create turbulent either rotation or reciprocation during the
flow. circulating and displacing operations.
Two common types of scratchers are rotation
and reciprocation. The rotation-type scratcher
Cement Baskets
(Fig. 10.12) cleans the formation when the
casing is rotated at about 15 to 20 rev/min. A
continuous length of scratchers is needed across Cement baskets are also installed on the outside
the zones to be cleaned. of casing. They help support some of the
hydrostatic pressure that the cement slurry
produces until it sets
sets and protect the producing
producing
formation against cement contamination. A
cement basket has a canvas or metal liner
supported by steel staves (Fig. 10.13).
This canvas liner filters out the cement solids,
Wire Type
which may form a bridge between the casing
and hole. The maximum amount of pressure that
any cement basket should ever be expected to
hold is approximately 50 psi. A cement basket
should be able to travel the full length of the
pipe joint.
Cable Type Cable-Type Wire-Type
Cable-Type
Unit B Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress.
1. If a casing attachment is not installed over a casing collar, then a (an) _____________ is used to
fasten the equipment to the casing.
2. If you’re working on a well that will likely have corrosion problems, you’ll want to avoid the use of
any clamp that could ____________ the casing, like a clamp which has ________________.
3. A uniform cement sheath around the casing largely determines the effectiveness of the
__________________
__________________ between the
the wellbore and casing.
4. The casing attachments used to center the casing in the hole are called
ca lled
________________________
_____________________________________
_______________.
__.
6. Rotation type scratchers clean the formation when the casing is___________.
is___________.
7. Reciprocation type scratchers clean the formation when the casing is
________________________
______________________________.
______.
8. In addition to using mechanical scratchers, mud displacement is also helped by the
___________________
___________________ of cement, and the _____________
_______________________
__________ of the casing
casing during a
cement job.
• Latchdown plugs
Boundary
Mud
The function of the bottom plug is to enter the Figure 10.15 – Top plug run without a
casing ahead of the cement slurry. It wipes mud
and solids from the casing wall and keeps those bottom plug.
solids ahead of the plug. Bottom plugs are
almost always used in primary cementing,
except when lost circulation materials are being
run with the cement.
When the bottom plug reaches the float collar or
float shoe, the differential pressure between the
inside of the casing and annulus ruptures the
diaphragm on top of the plug to allow the slurry
to flow out of the shoe and up the annulus. The
plug body is strong
strong enough to withstand
withstand the
forces of impact and the differential pressure to
rupture. Top Plugs
Top Plugs
10 • 13 Cementing 1
Top plugs have rubber wipers to wipe the casing The maximum pressure that the baffle will
and can withstand considerably more pressure. withstand is dependent upon the proper make-up
To help with easy identification, top plugs are of the casing joints and the weight range of the
black and bottom plugs are red. Top and bottom casing. A differential of 3,000 psi should not be
plugs have a solid core of plastic.
plastic. exceeded in any light weight casing. Higher
differential
weight casingpressures are allowable
with a maximum in heavier
of 5,000 psi in
Latch-down Plugs the heaviest weights.
10 • 15 Cementing 1
Unit C Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress.
2. These plugs serve as a (an) _____________ between fluids and cement.
3. A bottom plug enters the casing _______________ the cement slurry. The _________________
_________________
pressure between the inside
inside of the casing and the annul
annulus
us causes the plug(s) ________________
________________ to
to
rupture.
4. Bottom plugs are almost always used in primary cementing, except when
______________________
__________________________________
________________
____ is (are) being run.
5. A top plug enters the casing ______________________ the cement slurry. When it seats on/at the
_______________________
_______________________,, pressure will increase. This indicates
indicates that cement placement is
____________________.
____________________.
6. __________
_____________________
___________ are black and have a deep cup on top; ________________
______________________are
______are red
and shallow.
7. A (an)_______________________
(an)_______________________ plug functions in the same way as a top plug, but it has a
(an)______________________
(an)______________________,, which locks into a groove in its baffle.
8. To save rig time, you might use a latchdown plug in conjunction with a guide shoe instead of a (an)
_______________________.
_______________________.
10 • 16 Cementing 1
During multiple-stage cementing, cement slurry • heavy-duty seals and backup rings
rings that
is placed at predetermined points around the prevent seal damage during operations
operations
casing string in several cementing stages.
• compatibility with three-stage cementing
cementing
Multiple-stage cementing can be used for the
applications
following applications:
• cementing wells with low formation
pressures that will not withstand the Type-P External Sleeve (ES)
hydrostatic pressure of a full column of Cementer
cement
• cementing to isolate
isolate only certain sections Type-P external sleeve (ES) cementers can be
of the wellbore used in most vertical wells, regardless of depth,
pressure, or temperature. The Type-P cementer
cementer
• placing different blends
blends of cement in
in the
should not be used in wells deviated more than
wellbore 30° from vertical when using a free-fall opening
• cementing deep, hot holes where lim
limited
ited plug. Otherwise, the free-fall opening
opening plug will
cement pump times restrict full-bore not fall by its own weight through well casing.
cementing of the casing string in a single Type-P ES cementers are available in 4 1/2 to 20
stage in. casing sizes. The standard case material
grade is L-80 steel. Other casing grades can be
Halliburton manufactures two types of external
provided at the customer’s
customer’s request.
sleeve (ES) stage cementers: the Type-P ES
cementer, which is a plug-operated stage
cementer, and the Type-H ES cementer, which is
a hydraulically opened stage cementer. Both the
Type-P and the Type-H cementers have the
following features:
• short, single-piece
single-piece mandrel design without
without
threaded or welded segments
• field-adjustable opening and closing
pressures
• clear surface indications
indications of opening and
closing
• smooth bore after drillout with no exposed
sleeves to interfere with the operation of
workover tools on subsequent trips in and
out of the casing strings
• drillability with
with either PDC or roller-cone
rock bits
• plug
compatibility
sets with second-stage
second-stage bottom Figure 10.18 - Halliburton Type-P External
• external closing sleeve that is locked Sleeve (ES) Cementer
closed by the top cementing plug
10 • 17 Cementing 1
installed on
provides the float
a positive
positiv collar. which
e shutoff, This shutoff plugent
helps prevent
prev
cement over displacement around the shoe joint.
After the first-stage cementing operation is
completed, a free-fall opening plug is dropped
down the casing ID to land and seal in the
cementer. Pressure applied to the casing opens
the cementer, allowing wellbore fluid to be
pumped into the casing/wellbore
casing/wellbore annulus. Fluid
circulation to the surface is normally maintained
until the first-stage cement has set up in the
annulus. The second-stage cement is then
pumped through the open open cementer ports,
followed by a second-stage closing plug. The
closing plug seats in the cementer, and pressure
is applied to the casing to close the tool. After Figure 10.19 – Halliburton Type-H External
both stages are cemented, the cementer
cementer seats, Sleeve (ES) Cementer
and plugs are drilled out with a rock bit or a
PDC bit.
plug dropped through
through the casing ID. The Type-
H cementer can be used in highly deviated wells,
Type-H External Sleeve (ES) in horizontal wells, and above an openhole
Cementer completion or slotted liner. After the second-
stage cementing operation, a second-stage
The Type-H external sleeve (ES) cementer is a closing plug pumped behind the second-stage
hydraulically opened stage cementer that can be cement closes the cementer. Lock rings in the
used in most wells, regardless of depth, pressure, external closing sleeve lock the cementer in the
or temperature. Although the Type-H ES closed position. After both cementing stages, the
cementer operates much like a Type-P cementer, cementer seats, and plugs are drilled out with a
it can be opened with internal casing pressure in roller-cone rock bit or a PDC bit.
addition to the free-fall plug after the first-stage
Type-H ES cementers are available in 4 1/2 to 20
shutoff plug lands. This design feature saves
in. casing sizes. The standard material grade is
time by eliminating the need for dropping a free-
L-80 grade steel. Other grades can be provided
fall plug from the surface. A baffle adapter is
at the customer’s request.
recommended in the casing string above the
float collar to seat the first-stage shutoff plug.
When the first-stage cementing plug has seated, Stage Tool Plug Sets
casing pressure can be applied to hydraulically
open the Type-H ES cementer. Normally, the Plug sets for operating both Type-P and Type-H
cementer should be opened immediately after cementers must be ordered separately from the
the first-stage cement is pumped and the shutoff cementer. The individual components of each
plug has been bumped.
bumped. If the well is deviated plug set depend on the type
type of tool to be
less than 30° from vertical, the Type-H ES operated.
cementer can also be opened with a free-fall
10 • 18 Cementing 1
• as
Operators can open
many times and close thes
as necessary. thesee tools
10 • 19 Cementing 1
Unit D Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress.
1. Multiple stage cementing tools are used when you want to cement behind the same casing string in
___________
___________ stages.
2. The decision to cement in multiple stages would be made when high hydrostatic pressure might cause
the _________________
_________________ to break down.
4. During the second stage, cement is displaced through _______________ in the multiple stage tool.
_____________________
_____________________.. One sleeve moves to uncover the __________
__________ and the other moves
moves to
close the _____________________.
_____________________.
6. The first part of the plug set to enter the hole when the free fall method is used is the
_______________________.
_______________________.
7. Once the opening plug has landed, the Type-P ES cementer is opened by _______________
___________________.
____.
_____________________.
_____________________.
10 • 21 Cementing 1
Items from Unit A Quiz Refer to Items from Unit C Quiz Refer to
Page Page
1. damage to hole or casing 10-3 1. contamination, wiping 10-14
2. overweight 10-3 2. barrier 10-14
3. float shoe 10-4 3. ahead, differential, diaphram 10-14
4. wellbore cuttings, filter cake 10-4 4. lost circulation materials 10-14
5. backpressure valve, into 10-4 5. after, bottom plug, complete 10-14
6. insert flapper float valve 10-6 6. Top plugs, bottom plugs 10-15
7. flapper 10-7 7. latch-down, snap ring 10-15
8. collapse 10-7 8. float collar 10-15
Items from Unit B Quiz Refer to Items from Unit D Quiz Refer to
Page Page
1. clamp 10-10 1. several 10-17
2. scar, dogs (teeth) 10-10 2. formation 10-17
3. cement 10-10 3. hydraulic, free fall plug, 30° 10-17,
18
4. centralizers 10-10
4. ports 10-18
5. filter cake 10-12
5. Type-H ES Cementer, 10-18
6. rotated 10-12
hydraulically, ports, ports
7. picked up 10-12
6. shut off baffle 10-19
8. pumping rate, movement 10-11,12
7. pressure 10-18
9. hydrostatic pressure, canvas, 10-12
8. mechanically, as many times as 10-19
bridge necessary
10. weak zone 10-12
9. prevent, downward 10-20
10 • 22 Cementing 1
Section 11
Cement Mixing
Equipment and Pumping
Table of Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................11-3
Topic Areas ..................................
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.............. 11-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
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.................. 11-3
Unit A: Pumping and Mixing Equipment ...................................
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........ 11-3
RCM II .................................
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..... 11-3
®
Automatic Density Control (ADC ) ................... ............................
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..................11-4
.........11-4
Pumping Equipment.............................................................................................................................11-4
Quiz: Unit A.........................................................................................................................................11-6
Answers to Unit Quiz...............................................................................................................................11-7
11 • 1 Cementing 1
Introduction
The main purpose of any cement mixing system A. Pumping and Mixing Equipment
is to blend water and dry cement at a satisfactory
rate so that ideal weights, viscosities, and
densities can be maintained. In addition, recently Learning Objectives
developed mixing systems provide the capacity
for additive reactions and batch mixing. The end Upon completion of this section, you should be
result is cement that will set properly downhole. familiar with
• Cement mixer components
Topic Areas • General pump equipment
11 • 3 Cementing 1
11 • 4 Cementing 1
considerations. Most units are powered by requiring more than 1,000 sk, or where you
internal-combustion
internal-combustion engines or electric motors. expect high pressures.
Cementing units may be manifolded with two or Field slurries are usually mixed and pumped into
three pumps. For high-pressure systems, one the casing at the highest possible rate. This
pump mixes while the other
other displaces. Low- varies from 20 to 50 sk/min, depending on the
pressure systems use a centrifugal pump for capacity of each mixing unit. As a result, the
mixing and two positive displacement pumps for first sack of cement on a primary cement job
displacing. reaches bottom in a relatively short time.
Most cementing work involves a maximum
pressure of less than 5,000 psi,
psi, but you may
encounter operations demanding up to 20,000
psi. Since operating conditions
conditions vary widely, the
cementing pump and its powertrain were
designed to withstand maximum pressures.
For a given job, the number of trucks you will
need to mix the cement depends on cement
volume, well depth, and anticipated pressures.
For surface and conductor strings, one truck is
usually enough; on intermediate or production
casing, you may need one to three units. You
may also need several mixing trucks on jobs Figure 11.4 – Advantage Skid
Quiz: Unit A
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Section 11:
2. In an RCM II system, the mixing water passes through a system consisting of ____ jets.
6. For a given job, the number of trucks you will need to mix the cement depends on
____________________,
____________________, _________________
______________________,
_____, and ____________________
______________________________.
__________.
11 • 6 Cementing 1
Section 12
Table of Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................12-3
Topic Areas ..................................
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.............. 12-3
Learning Objectives ...................................
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.................. 12-3
Unit A: Bulk Material Plants .....................................
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..... 12-4
Pneumatic Plants ....................................
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..... 12-4
Unit A Quiz ...................................
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.............. 12-6
Unit B: Sampling of Field Blend ..................................
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..12-7
12-7
Manual Blend Sampling.......................................................................................................................12-7
Automatic Blend Sampling ..................................
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........ 12-7
Unit B Quiz ...................................
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.............. 12-8
Unit C: Bulk Transportation Equipment..................................................................................................12-9
400-ft3 Pneumatic Truck ....................................
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.......... 12-9
Model 660 Pneumatic Cementing Trailer .....................................
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................ 12-11
3
1410 ft Pneumatic Field Storage Trailer ....................................
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.................. 12-11
Offshore Operations ..................................
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.................. 12-12
General Safety Guidelines..................................................................................................................12-12
General Operator Maintenance ....................................
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............... 12-13
Unit C Quiz ...................................
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............ 12-15
Answers to Unit Quizzes ...................................
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............ 12-16
12 • 1 Cementing 1
Introduction
Bulk cement handling systems are used for most • Large cement jobs are more practical.
modern oilwell cementing. With these systems,
Before beginning any cement job, consider all
you can formulate compositions to suit any well
aspects of the job you are about to do.
condition. At bulk blending stations, cement is
Considerations range from a careful review of
handled by pneumatic systems operated under
the call sheet to ensure the correct equipment
30 to 40 psi air pressure. This cement is then
and bulk materials have been ordered to getting
transported to the job site in weather-tight bins
needed equipment and bulk materials ready for
or tanks.
transport to location.
For a specific cementing job, the dry ingredients
The bulk plant operation, bulk materials
are blended and loaded into bulk transport units
sampling, and bulk truck operation procedures
that can carry about 300 to 600 ft3 of Portland
are the topics presented in this section to provide
cement.
you with a basic understanding of the bulk
For high-volume jobs, you may need several materials operation.
field storage bins. These bins may be located at
the well and filled before the cement job.
Offshore, supplies and pumping equipment must Topic Areas
always be on hand for instant use in case of
emergency. Supply-service vessels using a Included in this section are the following units:
pneumatic system deliver
deliver bulk materials to
containers located on the rig. A. Bulk Material Plants
Bulk material handling involves the handling of B. Sampling of Field Blends
large unpackaged quantities of cements or other C. Bulk Transportation Equipment
dry materials. This eliminates the storage of dry
materials in sacks or other containers making the
cements easier and faster to use and transport. Learning Objectives
The handling of material in bulk form offers the
following advantages: Upon completion of this section, you should be
familiar with
• Cement is protected against weather while
being stored, transported,
transported, or unloaded. • The equipment designed to handle bulk
materials
• Additives can be more uniformly blended at
bulk cement plants. • The sampling procedures for evaluating the
blend of bulk materials
materials
• Cement mixing rates are faster and more
uniform.
12 • 3 Cementing 1
Pneumatic Plants
12 • 4 Cementing 1
• Scale Tank -
- cone-shaped pressurized tank 2. Cement is blown or vacuumed from
blending tank back to scale
scale tank.
into which bulk cement materials are blown
or vacuumed pneumatically and weighed. 3. Cement is blown or vacuumed from scale
tank back to cementing tank.
• Overhead Receiver/Blending Tank - - most
bulk plants are equipped
equipped with either a non- 4. Cement is blown from scale tank to blending
pressurized gravity feed overhead
overhead receiver tank (or from the scale tank directly to the
tank or a pressurized blending tank. These bulk truck).
tanks further mix the dry materials as well as
Additives that are not held in bulk form in the
temporarily hold the cement and additive
plant’s storage tanks must
must be added to the
materials prior to being discharged to the
cement through the admix hopper. These
bulk truck for transport.
transport.
additives must be carefully weighed prior to
• Waste Tank - - a storage-type tank with a being poured into the admix
admix hopper. Proper
dust collector into which other storage tanks weighing will ensure that the right percentage of
and trucks being pneumatically filled may additive will be added to the bulk cement. When
be vented. It may also store field returns
returns and only part of a sack is required, the additive
should be weighed on a set of scales accurate
12 • 5 Cementing 1
enough to read to the closest 0.5 lb, yet be plant is similar. The size and location
location of the field
capable of weighing as much as 50 lb. service center determines to a large degree the
size and type of bulk plant in operation at that
Although many types of pneumatic bulk plants
center.
are in use today, the basic operation of each
Unit A Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit A.
1. The handling of large quantities of cements and other dry materials in __________________
___________________
_ form
has greatly increased the ease with which cements can be handled.
2. The permanent and the portable ___________________ bulk materials plants are most commonly
used by Halliburton.
3. In the pneumatic bulk process, cements are mixed by transferring ________________ from tank to
tank.
5. Blended dry materials are usually blown to the bulk truck for transport to the location from the
_____________________
_____________________ or _______________
_________________
__ tank.
6. After the cement is transferred from the storage tank to the scale tank, ___________ pneumatic
transfers are required to ensure proper mixing.
7. The admix hopper is used for adding the chemical additives that are not stored in the plant in
___________________
___________________ form.
8. To ensure that the right percentage of additive will be added to the bulk cement, proper
__________________
__________________ is required. This
This involves the use of
of a scale capable of accuracy to
________________
________________ pound.
12 • 6 Cementing 1
Unit B Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit B.
1. Two methods are available for taking a sample of the blended cement mixture. Both the
__________________
__________________ and __________________
___________________
_ blend sampling methods
methods require at least
_____________________
________________________
___ of sample to be taken for proper analysis.
analysis.
2. Sampling of the blend in a manual fashion can occur __________________ in the bulk loading
process.
3. The automatic sampling method uses a probe for taking blend samples at regular intervals. This
device is installed in the ______________
_________________
___ ______________ between the blending plant and the
truck.
12 • 8 Cementing 1
The 400 ft3 Pneumatic Truck with Drum blower • two ASME-coded 200 ft3 pneumatic storage
(Fig. 12.5) is used for transporting bulk tanks
materials (cement blends and fracturing sand) • one ASME-coded 21 ft3 Steady Flow®
from service centers to job locations. This self- separator assembly with dust collector
contained truck can either pneumatically
discharge to bulk storage units or discharge • one power-takeoff (PTO) driven air blower
directly to pumping equipment during a job. In assembly rated at 270 scf/min at 29 psig
addition to interconnecting piping, fittings, and
Figure 12.
Figure 5- 400 ft 3 Pneumatic Truck with Drum Blower
12.5-
12 • 9 Cementing 1
Tank Openings
12 • 10 Cementing 1
Features
44,000
44,000 lb (19
tires, SAE 960 kg)
960
standard 2.0spring,
2.0 11 R 22.5
in. kingpin; or desert
service 30,000
30,000 lb (13 605
605 kg) axles with Figure 12.9 – Model 660 with long wheel
50,000 lb (22 260
50,000 260 kg) springs base.
• 330 ft3 (9.35
Pneumatic tanks- Two 330 (9.35 m3), 36
36
psi (248
(248 kPa) working pressure
Model 660- Approximate Discharge
• Discharge manifolding- A 5 5 in. (127
(127 mm) Rates
separator-to-RCM, 5
5 in. tank-to-separator
and tank-to-storage; 5
5 in. nominal drain and Sand to Mountain Mover 20 sk/min
cleanout Cement to field storage bin 35 sk/min
• Fill manifolding- A 4
4 in.(102
in.(102 mm) fill Sand to hopper 25 sk/min
manifold with 4
4 in.vent for loading tanks
pneumatically (includes
(includes bulk-plant dust Cement to hopper 80 sk/min
collector) Cement to RCM 50 sk/min
• Mileage totalizer- Engler Hubodometer
• Optional separator and dust collector-
21 ft3 (0.59
Constant-pressure 21 (0.59 m3) separator
1410 ft 3 Pneumatic Field
Storage Trailer
Benefits
wheels located
of the bogie up to 10 in. (35.24 cm) ahead
centerline.
•
Chassis- 22,000 lb (9977 kg) axle with
20,000 lb (9070 kg) spring, 11 R 22.5 tires,
• The Model 660 short-wheelbase trailer can kingpin SAE standard 2.0 in.
be used with tractors having
having fifth wheels up
12 • 11 Cementing 1
emergency.system
pneumatic Supply-service vessels
deliver bulk
deliver using to
materials a When you are working with any tank or vessel
containers located on the rig. that operates under pressure, be sure to follow
these safety procedures:
12 • 12 Cementing 1
• Before removing caps, hose connections, or • Never work under the vehicle
vehicle when the
opening valves to atmosphere, always engine is running. The vehicle could
completely vent possible trapped pressure in suddenly move or fingers, hair, or clothing
the discharge and vent lines. Caps and hoses could become caught in rotating shafts,
removed under pressure could become pulleys, and belts, resulting
resulting in serious inju
injury.
ry.
dangerous projectiles, resulting in serious
injury or damage.
General Operator Maintenance
• Prevent accidental discharge of air or
material in the direction of yourself or
others. Dry, abrasive material could be Pre-Operation Checks
forcefully blown into the face or eyes.
• Never pressurize tanks above
above maximum Before leaving the field camp, inspect the
allowable working pressure (MAWP). following:
Pressurizing above the MAWP could result
1. Check all belts for fraying and excessive
in violent tank rupture or a pressure
looseness.
explosion. If the safety relief valves allow
overpressure, replace them before any 2. Check the blower assembly for loose or
additional operation. missing parts. Tighten or replace parts as
necessary.
• Frequently monitor the tank pressure gauges
to prevent accidental overpressure. If the 3. Check the following pneumatic equipment:
MAWP is reached, close the tank air-supply a) Check the air and discharge manifold to
valve. Vent the tank if an extended delay is ensure that the unit is ready for
expected. operation.
• Do not operate the blower at maximum b) If they are not closed already, close the
pressure with its relief valve
valve venting for an pneumatic tank air-supply valves and
extended period. The blower and air piping the separator air-supply valve to prevent
will become extremely hot, possibly air from being supplied to the tanks
resulting in personal injury and possible prematurely.
damage to the blower and relief valve. In
addition, unnecessary energy is used c) Check the top of the pneumatic tanks to
because no aeration will occur
occur at maximum be sure that the manway hatches are
pressure. closed and latched.
• Do not touch the blower case or nearby 4. If the hatch will be opened, or if cam
piping during or
or soon after operation. These adjustments are necessary, open the air-vent
items can become hot enough to cause valve to relieve any pressure in the tank,
serious skin burns. regardless of the reading on the tank
pressure gauge.
• Always wear ear protection when working
near the blower. Prolonged exposure to Caution— Loosen
Loosen but do not swing the hatch
blower noise could result
result in hearing damage. cams off until you verify that pressure is not
trapped in the tank. If internal pressure exists in
• Never lubricate or work on the
the blower with
the tank, these cams will prevent the cover from
the engine running, even if the PTO is
being blown off.
disengaged. Someone might engage the PTO
or the PTO could accidentally engage and
catch fingers, hair, or clothing, resulting in hatch while If
Warning— Iyou
f airare
begins to escape
loosening from the
the hatch cams,
serious injury.
stop loosening the cams and immediately relieve
all pressure through the vent valves or pressure-
12 • 13 Cementing 1
relief valve on top of the tank. Excess pressure Pneumatic Tanks and Manifolding- Before
could result in equipment damage or personal each trip, inspect the structural supports for the
injury. tanks, separator, dust collector, ladder, platform,
manifolding, and fenders.
The tanks should always be cleaned before
Routine Operator Maintenance different materials are transported.
The best way to avoid costly breakdowns and • If the tanks will be loaded with a similar
time-consuming troubleshooting
troubleshooting is to keep the material, operators should blow the tanks
truck in good repair. This section discusses out with air and inspect them before loading
routine maintenance for the following major them again.
components:
• If the tanks will be loaded with a different
• air-supply system material (for example, tanks previously
• relief valves carrying cement will be loaded with frac
sand), remove and clean the air pads and
• pneumatic tanks and manifolding
manifolding wash out the tanks.
Air-Supply System- Frequently check the
Caution— Do Do not “blow down” the tanks and
drains on the underside of the air supply
manifold without connecting the discharge
manifold for condensation. If drain valves will manifold to a plant waste tank. Excessive and
not pass air while the manifold is under pressure,
potentially harmful dust
dust emissions would result.
result.
clean or replace the valves. Routinely pressurize
the air-supply system and operate all valves to
Important— Immediately
Immediately report pressure vessel
be sure they are working properly.
properly. Repair or
defects to a maintenance or safety supervisor.
replace any valves that are leaking. Look for
Never attempt unauthorized repair
repair or alteration
signs of cement backing up into the system. If
of ASME-coded pressure vessels. Coded vessels
check valves are not holding, cement may have
must adhere to strict qualification, procedural,
been forced into the air lines.
lines.
and reporting requirements. Repairs may only be
Relief Valves- Examine the relief valves for made by an ASME-authorized repair shop. If
clogged or plugged discharge openings and repairs or modifications are necessary, contact
cement buildup around the valve seat or valve the Duncan manufacturing organization for
spring. Verify that no parts are broken or assistance.
12 • 14 Cementing 1
Trucks with cyclone dust-collectors should be collection chamber. Cement tends to build up in
serviced after each job. Open the dump valve the throat and close off the flow area.
and empty the dust chamber. If necessary, “rod
out” the throat of the cyclone. The throat is the
small end of the top where dust enters the
Unit C Quiz
Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit C.
1. The 400 ft3 pneumatic truck can either _________________
_________________ discharge to bulk storage units or
discharge ____________
____________ to pumping equipment
equipment during a job.
3. How fast can the Model 660 pneumatic cementing trailer deliver cement to a field storage bin?
_______________
_______________
4. What is the maximum allowable tandem axle weight for trucks in most areas of the United States?
_______________
_______________
6. If you find a pressure vessel defect, what should you do?__________
do?_______________________
_________________________
____________
________________________
_____________________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_____________________
________
12 • 15 Cementing 1