Innovative Computer Model Increases Success Rate When Placing Deep Kickoff Plugs in Southern Mexico

Diaz, Lenin Omar; Flores, Juan Carlos; Justus, Frederico; Pasteris, Mathieu; Flamant, Nicolas; Milne, Arthur William

doi:10.2118/119415-ms

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…16 With respect to performing an isolation or sidetrack plug, the same simulation programs using rheological properties of mud, spacer, and cement can be used to make predictions of fluid displacement for the placement of the plug to minimize contamination along with optimization of pump rates.…”

Section: Computerized Design and Job Simulationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

SS: Deepwater Cementing: Key Factors to Consider for Sidetrack Plug Success in Deepwater Cementing Operations Using Synthetic Based Muds

Fuller

Edwards

2012

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The industry is routinely tasked with setting plugs to redirect the drill bit away from the pilot hole to intersect reservoir targets through deviated to horizontal well paths. Well-bore data such as actual bore-hole size throughout length of plug to be set, accurate bottom-hole circulating temperature (BHCT), and drilling fluid properties must be modeled within a short turn-around along with correct bottom-hole assembly (BHA) for successful sidetrack operations. Formation characteristics also play an important role in the cement slurry makeup for placement stability, anchoring, and compressive strength development. Detrimental slippage effects or downward plug movement resulting from inclination angle, mud and cement density differential and rat-hole volume can lead to cement slurry contamination. These key factors are many times overlooked and lead to major slurry contamination of plug placement along with many hours of repetitive operations and costly rig time. Setting successful sidetrack plugs in Synthetic Based Mud (SBM) environments has also traditionally been more challenging. Special considerations for spacer/surfactant/mud testing are required to effectively "water-wet" the formation to provide a bondable surface. Technological improvements in the testing of spacer and surfactant package formulations provide a more qualitative method for optimum surfactant design to maximize mud removal and provide a bonding surface to formation. Shale sensitivity to fresh water fluids must also be considered in both spacer and cement designs to mitigate well-bore instability after drilling operations resume. Deepwater drilling with synthetic based mud projects are increasing globally along with associated rig costs. An unsuccessful "first attempt" to sidetrack can result in significant nonproductive time. Specific deepwater case histories will be presented to provide a qualitative feedback on these recognized key processes and how they are performing in deepwater GOM operations.

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Section: Computerized Design and Job Simulationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

SS: Deepwater Cementing: Key Factors to Consider for Sidetrack Plug Success in Deepwater Cementing Operations Using Synthetic Based Muds

Fuller

Edwards

2012

All Days

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“…The compressive strength can be easily affected by contamination from drilling fluids. Therefore, the cement slurry should be kept uncontaminated during the placement because any contamination, such as OBM, can have a detrimental effect on hydration of the cement slurry, increasing thickening times and decreasing the final compressive strength (Diaz et al 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Technique to Sidetrack Across Hard Formation in North Oman

Al-Salmi¹,

Al-Haji²,

Al-Hamhami³

et al. 2011

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In a north Oman field, it is common practice to cement vertical pilot holes up to the kickoff point. A cement plug is then used to initiate the sidetrack through extremely hard formations. Previously, it has taken several attempts to sidetrack these holes and, in some cases, a mechanical whipstock had to be used.There are challenges when trying to initiate the sidetrack because the formation hardness far exceeds that of the kickoff cement plug. As a result, the sidetracking assembly is repeatedly directed back into the relatively softer cement plug (i.e., vertically). Gravity also plays a role to some extent in bringing the sidetracking assembly back into the vertical hole, increasing the challenge.This paper documents successful implementation of modifications to the slurry design and cementing procedure, as well as the successful use of a side-tracking method/technique in North Oman.The compressive strength of cement has been increased from 5,000 to around 9,000 psi for standard, 17-lbm/gal, Class G cement.The effect of oil-based mud (OBM) contamination has been examined and spacer designs have been improved to help ensure good mud displacement while performing cementing operations.The sidetracking method and tools have also been improved with impressive results. This includes proper selection of the kickoff point based on the drill-speed log of the vertical pilot hole, selecting the correct combination and configuration (e.g., outside diameters of components and angle setting) for the bottomhole assembly (BHA), and using the correct application parameters and techniques while initiating the sidetrack, which is also called "time-drilling." This paper investigates the new techniques applied in detail and clearly illustrates their development. Some case histories are also presented.

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Successful Placement of Cement Plugs in HP/HT Wells Using an Innovative Computer-Aided Simulator

et al. 2014

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Placing cement plugs in high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) wells represents a big challenge, from the standpoint of both the chemistry and the placement techniques. Any failure to properly place a cement plug will lead to costly nonproductive time and will require repeating the job, which represents even more technical and operational challenges because of the downhole uncertainties. West China's Tarim basin experienced these challenges for HP/HT sidetrack, plugback, loss circulation, and abandonment cement plugs, with wellbore depth over 6500 m and bottomhole temperature over 160 °C. To improve the success rate of placing cement plugs, thorough analysis of well information was done, and novel placement software was implemented to help ensure a successful placement. The new computer-aided model is a risk-based model that takes into account the downhole well conditions to analyze and display the fluid interfaces of mixing, both while traveling inside the pipe and in the annulus. The result is the assessment of the possible contamination of the cement slurry after pulling the pipe out of the hole and a recommendation for the best fit to execute a successful cement plug. The results obtained with the new engineering tool and precise operational field executions allowed the operator to execute more than 80 cement plugs successfully from 2010 to 2013.

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Innovative Computer Model Increases Success Rate When Placing Deep Kickoff Plugs in Southern Mexico

Cited by 4 publications

References 6 publications

SS: Deepwater Cementing: Key Factors to Consider for Sidetrack Plug Success in Deepwater Cementing Operations Using Synthetic Based Muds

SS: Deepwater Cementing: Key Factors to Consider for Sidetrack Plug Success in Deepwater Cementing Operations Using Synthetic Based Muds

New Technique to Sidetrack Across Hard Formation in North Oman

Successful Placement of Cement Plugs in HP/HT Wells Using an Innovative Computer-Aided Simulator

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