Primary Cementing

Module CMT101
June 2000

Primary Cementing
The placement of a cementicious material into the annulus
between casing and open hole to :

Provide zonal isolation

Support axial load of casing strings and strings

to be run later
Provide casing support and protection
Support the borehole

Types of Casings
Conductor
Surface
Intermediate
Production
Liner

Conductor
Purpose

Prevents washing out under the rig

Provides elevation for flow nipple

Common sizes and depths:

30 - 20 Welded

20 - 16 Threaded

30 - 200 (< 100 common)

Conductor
Other Remarks:
Plugs not used
Careful pumping practices
Large excess required
Thru-drill pipe cementing common
BOPs not unusually connected
Common Cements

Accelerated Neat

Thru-Drill Pipe Cementing

Key Points:
Cement contamination
Channelling
Displacement
Pump until cement to surface

Outside Cementing
Purpose

Bring cement to surface

Macaroni tubing used

Max. depth 250-300 ft
High friction pressures
Non-standard connections

Tubing moved
during job

Surface
Purposes:
Protects surface fresh water formations
Cases off unconsolidated or lost circulation areas
Supports subsequent casing strings
Provides primary pressure control (BOP support)
Common sizes and depths:

20 - 9 5/8 threaded

100 - 3000 (or more)

Surface Cementing
Excess of 100% plus not uncommon
Recommend thru-drill pipe method to save

Cement

Rig time

Common cements:

Lead light weight slurries with high yields

Neat tail slurries with good compressive strength

Reduce WOC to a minimum with accelerators

Intermediate
Purposes:
Separates hole into workable sections

Lost Circulation

Salt Section

Overpressured Zones

Heaving Shales

Common sizes and depths:

11

13 3/8, 10 3/4, 9 5/8

3000 to 10,000

Intermediate Casings
Cemented to surface or to previous casing shoe
Two stage jobs common
Plugs, casing equipment, casing accessories usual
Good cementing practices are required
Large cement volumes
Common Cements:
Typically

filler slurries followed by high

compressive tail
Specialised (light, heavy, salt - saturated, etc)

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Two Stage Cementing

Key Points:
Separation and

isolation of zones

2nd
Stage

Stage
Collar

Reduces

hydrostatic
Can leave zone in

the annulus
uncemented
(cement at TD and
surface)
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1st Stage

Production
Purposes:
Isolates the pay zone from other formations and the fluids in them.
Protective housing for production equipment.

Subsurface artificial lift

Multiple zone completion

Screens for sand control

Covers worn or damaged intermediate string.
Common sizes:

14

4 1/2, 5, 7, & 9 5/8

Key Points:

Liners

Requires less casing

Deeper wells

Drill pipe
Wiper Plug

Small annular clearance

Specialized equipment
Running
Tool
Shear
Pin

15

Liner
Hanger
Liner Wiper
Plug

Job Procedures
Pre Job:
Check
Rig

calculations with co-man

up
Stem 1 on equipment
Check materials
Safety and organization meeting
Prepare mix fluids, spacers and washes

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Job Procedures
The Job:
Test

lines
Load plugs
Pump Washes / Spacers
Drop bottom plug
Mix and pump cement
Drop top plug
Displace
Bump plug and check returns
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Job Procedures
Post Job:
Wash

up
Rig down
Stem equipment
Paper work

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