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

Fuller, George Allen; Edwards, Joseph

doi:10.4043/23663-ms

All Days 2012

DOI: 10.4043/23663-ms

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

George Allen Fuller

Joseph Edwards

Abstract: 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 importan… Show more

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Cited by 3 publications

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Prediction of Residual Cement in Drillpipe after Balanced-Plug Job Using Finite Difference 3D Displacement Simulator

et al. 2013

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Drillpipe (DP) work strings are used for continuous operations during the drilling phase and also for various cementing operations, such as running casing, liners, casing with inner string, squeeze jobs, and balanced-plug cementing. There are reported cases of residual cement adhering to the inside walls of the drillstrings after the cementing operation is completed, and the work string is pulled out of the hole (POOH). The residual cement ultimately hardens, and this hardened scale cracks and flakes off in various sizes because of vibrations and pipe flexing. There is a possibility that the larger sizes of scale may catch in the bottomhole assembly (BHA), plugging the measuring while drilling (MWD) tools, downhole motor, and even the bit. Cement scale may also plug work strings used in cementing plug and squeeze operations. In offshore deepwater operations, pulling out a plugged BHA or work string could cost USD millions in lost time, depending on the depth of the wellbore. During primary cementing, where the DP is used to run the casing, the cement scale from the reused DP could plug the float equipment, which may cause the premature release of the wiper plugs, packoff at tight restriction, or affect the hanger setting tools and may result in a major job failure. A primary cause for residual cement on the inside of DP is zero velocity at the wall-fluid interface caused by a no-slip condition. A 3D displacement simulator was used to perform post-job analysis for two balanced-plug jobs on a deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM) well to predict the residual cement. The simulator solves momentum conservation equations for the velocity field, and a convective-diffusion equation for the concentration field. The deepwater GOM well had a work string consisting of a tapered string of 6.625-in. DP (0 to 10,500 ft) followed by 5-in. DP (10,500 to 23,800 ft) and 3.5-in. DP (23,800 to 24,800 ft). The selection, provision, and proper preparation of the DPs is solely the responsibility of the operator. The effects of wiper darts and fluid volumes on the thickness of the residual cement layer were also simulated. This type of 3D displacement simulator can be extremely valuable as a prejob cementing design tool and for post-job analyses.

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Prediction of Residual Cement in Drillpipe after Balanced-Plug Job Using Finite Difference 3D Displacement Simulator

et al. 2013

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Planning for a Necessary Evil in Deepwater Operations: Remedial Cementing

Shine

2014

Day 1 Wed, September 10, 2014

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Drilling operations are presented with challenges for both normal and complex wellbore environments with a focus on minimizing nonproductive time while successfully achieving the well objectives. In some cases, it is likely to reach the well objectives and remedial cementing may play a significant part whether it is due to exploration or wildcat-type wells, complex well construction, or the geological uncertainties. As a necessary evil, being able to plan for contingencies and success when faced with remedial cementing applications can reduce the potential replication of treatments and improve the extent of nonproductive time. When these situations arise during deepwater operations, there are challenges beyond the traditional cementing scope of work such as multiple temperature and pressure gradients, subsea equipment, and large-bore tubulars. Drilling deeper these factors may also include lithology, wellhead clearances, stuck pipe, failure of barriers, and/or an unstable well. Furthermore, traditional service tools find limited success with remedial operations in large-bore casing/tubulars, often requiring alternative solutions, including pumping through bottom hole assemblies, using inflatable packers, and developing other non-traditional placement techniques. This paper will present methods to improve the success of cement placement while performing remedial cementing operations in an effort to reduce nonproductive time and execute common contingency planning. In addition, specific well situations and events executing these methods will demonstrate the impacts to remediate the necessary evil.

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Tailored and Reliable Method for Cement Plug Improves Times in Deep Water

Souza

Sasso

Muñoz

2017

Day 2 Wed, October 25, 2017

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End-of-well operations can improve drilling performance through selection of the proper tools to optimize rig time and tailoring solutions. For deepwater projects, it is necessary to optimize costs without compromising safety and quality while delivering maximum efficiency. An innovative technique is presented for placing a long cementing plug using sacrificial tubing and a special tool. This method also allowed checking the top of cement (TOC) after a short waiting on cement (WOC) period. Plugging and abandonment operations were performed in deepwater wells in the Caribbean Sea, saving up to two days of rig time by using a single intervention to isolate the openhole length from 600 to 1500 m and allowing continued, timely operations. A case study of this operation is presented that discusses the experience and lessons acquired, which should be beneficial for the industry. Conventional balanced plugs are not efficient in openhole lengths greater than 500 ft because of operational limitations and design considerations. In such scenarios, fit-for-purpose downhole tools can provide reliable solutions, such as using a release mechanism to safely place a cement plug of the necessary length with proper thickening time distributed along the volume pumped. This technique avoids the long WOC times necessary to achieve adequate compressive strength. The release tool enables running sacrificial pipe; placing cement through the sacrificial pipe; displacing cement slurry with a dart, which provides an indication of its latching at the surface; and disconnecting to retrieve the landing string. In the laboratory, a 500-psi slurry compressive strength was obtained after 6 hours and 15 minutes. This allowed the TOC to be tagged after 6 hours of WOC. Because this procedure does not require the 3 1/2-in. stinger to be pulled out of the plug, the risk of spacer contamination in the slurry was reduced. Based on laboratory results, three operations using the release tool and discussed design considerations were performed successfully for the first time in the Caribbean Sea, with no nonproductive time (NPT) or quality issues experienced, saving up to USD 500,000 for the operator. Laboratory tests, such as compressive strength, provided a good indication of the time necessary to tag the TOC, which met the operation objectives. The tool capabilities and operational and design considerations can be used as a reference for projects in similar environments that require alternatives with proven solutions. The main benefit was reduced operator costs for rig daily charges resulting from placing one plug rather than several balanced plugs. This was also beneficial for the mud company because a large spacer volume was not incorporated into the mud. Another benefit was allowing tagging of the plug in the same operation because of the short WOC.

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

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

Prediction of Residual Cement in Drillpipe after Balanced-Plug Job Using Finite Difference 3D Displacement Simulator

Prediction of Residual Cement in Drillpipe after Balanced-Plug Job Using Finite Difference 3D Displacement Simulator

Planning for a Necessary Evil in Deepwater Operations: Remedial Cementing

Tailored and Reliable Method for Cement Plug Improves Times in Deep Water

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