Primary Cementing

Primary Cementing
Sealing the Annular space between
Casing and the wellbore:
to isolate and contain productive, problematic
or weak intervals
to support & protect Casing Strings
to insulate Geothermal & Thermal wells

Core Process used throughout the world

Primary Cementing Evaluation

Primary Cementing - Casing

Conductor
Surface
Intermediate
Production
Liners
Tie-back

Conductor Casing

Conductor Casing
Purpose:
Confines circulating fluids
Prevents washing out under rig
Provides elevation for flow
nipple and bell nipple
BOP are usually not attached to
conductor casings.

Conductor Casing
Characteristics:
Set from 40 to 1500 feet
Casing is large; 16-in to
36-in diameter
Hole may be eroded
severely
Casing can be pumped
out easily and must be
tied down

Conductor Casing

100 to 200% excess

cement is common
Low mud density
May require a low
density cement
Cool temperatures
Centralization?

Surface Casing

Fresh Water Sand

Surface Casing
Purpose:
Protect water sands
Case unconsolidated formations
Provides primary pressure
control (BOP usually nippled up
on surface casing)
Supports subsequent casings
Case off loss circulation zones

Surface Casing
Characteristics:
Set from 40 to 4500 feet
Casing may stick easily in
unconsolidated formations
Loss of circulation may be a
problem
Most areas require that cement
be circulated
Guide shoe, or float shoe, and
float collar commonly used

Surface Casing

Common sizes: 20-in to 8 5/8-in

100 to 150% excess cement
Usually a lightweight filler cement
followed by a tail cement (20% of
casing length or 300 ft minimum)
WOC time, cement performance
and centralization requirements
are regulated in many areas

Surface Casing
Remarks:
Often cemented through drill
pipe with sealing sleeve (stab-in)
Top and Bottom plugs should be
used because of high mud
viscosities
Bottom joints should be
centralized and thread locked to
prevent loss down hole

Stage Cementing

Stage Tool

Fresh Water Sand

Multiple Stage
Cementing Tool
(DV)

Stage Cementing
Why?
Potential casing collapse due to hydrostatic
pressure of a full column of cement
Cover weak zones on first stage to insure
cement returns to surface
Large volumes of cement
Deep holes that require cement to surface

Intermediate Casing

Intermediate Casing
Purpose:
Cases off loss circulation zones, water
flows, etc.
Isolates salt sections
Protects open hole from increase in
mud weight
Prevents flow from high-pressure zones
if mud weight must be reduced
Basic pressure control casing BOP
always installed
Supports subsequent casings

Intermediate Casing
Common sizes: 16-in to 7-in
25 to 100% excess cement
Cement coverage is generally back to
surface
Usually a lead and tail cement
Cement density depends on frac
pressure limitations
WOC time, cement performance and
centralization requirements are
regulated in many areas

Production Casing

Productive
Interval

Production Casing
Purpose:
Conduit for Completion String
Provides pressure control
Cover worn or damaged
intermediate casing

Liners - Cementing Methods

Single stage:
Circulate cement to top of liner - reverse
excess

Single stage:
Circulate excess cement 10-12 joints above
liner- drilled cement after setting

Planned squeeze (Tack and Squeeze):

Lower part cemented - Top part squeezed later

Drilling Liner

Liner Overlap

Weak Zone

Production Liner

Production
Interval

Production
Interval

Tie-Back Casing
Production
Tie-Back

Production
Liner
Production
Interval

Tie Back Casing

Purpose:
To extend Production casing to surface for
maximum pressure control
Serves as production casing
Covers worn or damaged intermediate
casing
Permits testing well before installing final
casing
Cases off exposed liner tops

Horizontal Wellbore

Productive Interval

Well Types

Oil & Gas Producers

Injection Wells
Gas Storage Wells
Salt Water Disposal Wells
Hazardous Waste Disposal Wells
Fresh Water Wells
Geothermal Wells
Mine Shafts

GAS Migration

Prevention of Annular Gas Migration

Types of Gas Migration

Under-balanced annular fluids:
Influx not controlled prior to or during cementing
Influx is generally right away

Cement volume shrinkage during initial setting phase:

Influx is generally seen in four (4) to twelve (12) hours after
cementing
Problem may be solved if the casing annulus is shut-in,
pressure is applied to the annulus, or other techniques are
applied

Types of Gas Migration (cont.)

Micro-Annulus:
Pressure is normally seen 12-36 hours after cementing

High Permeability Cement:

Pressure is usually seen in a few days to weeks
It may take a long time for gas to reach the surface

Stress cracking of the cement sheath:

Pressure may occur over a long time period (months - years)
Considerable testing is ongoing

Test Procedures
Regular Fluid Loss Cell
Modified Fluid Loss Cell
Transition Time
Gel Strength Development
0 gel strength
Transition Time (100 to 500 lbs. Per 100 sq. ft.)

Test Procedures (cont.)

Various Gas Flow Models:

BJs Gas Flow

Dowells Gas Flow
Halliburtons Gas Flow
Elfs Gas Flow
Shells Gas Flow