Cementing Best Practice Jorge Sierra

Table of
Contents
Introduction
Engineering
and Planning
Job
Procedures
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
Cementing Best Practices
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for Using This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time-Saving Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1
2
2
2
Introduction
Engineering and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Engineering
and Planning
Mud Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Drilling Fluid Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Pipe Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Pipe Centralization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Spacers and Flushes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Operational Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Job Volume Excess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Flow Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Downhole Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Centralizers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Wiper Plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Shoe Joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Considerations for Liner Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Cement Design Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Priority No. 1Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Priority No. 2Pump Time (Thickening Time) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Priority No. 3Mixability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Priority No. 4Rheology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Priority No. 5Fluid Loss Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Priority No. 6Compressive Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Priority No. 7Free Fluid and Settling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Cement Slurry Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Evaluation of Cementing Job Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Data Review and Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Review of Cement Job Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Interpretation of Pilot Test Results and Laboratory Reports . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Job
Procedures
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Job Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
14
15
15
15
16
17
17
17
18
19
21
Contractor
Requirements
Monitoring and Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prejob Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Design Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equipment / Materials Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wellbore Circulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pumping Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mixing and Pumping Cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shallow Water Flow Cementing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wait on Cement (WOC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ii
Table of Contents
Plug Cementing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
22
22
22
23
24
25
25
26
26
27
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Engineering and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plug Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Volumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Slurry Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spacers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Slurry Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mechanical Tools for Supporting Cement Plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waiting On Cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Job Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Squeeze Cementing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
29
29
30
30
32
32
34
34
35
Engineering
and Planning
Engineering and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Slurry Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washes and Spacers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prejob Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Job Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bradenhead Cement Squeeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bull Head Cement Squeeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Job
Procedures
Contractor Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
37
38
39
40
40
41
42
43
45
45
48
50
53
56
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Cement Job Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cement Job Mobilization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Job Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cementing Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Designs for Pilot Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laboratory Testing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On-Location Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Bulk Blending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Load-Out for Land Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cement Loadout for Offshore Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prejob Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Job Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contractor
Requirements
iiii
Introduction
Introduction
Promoting Best Practices is an ongoing effort throughout Unocal drilling

operations. Given the wide variety of cementing operations going on throughout the Unocal drilling world, it is hoped that a collective sharing of Best
Practices will help all areas obtain competent and economical cement jobs.
Visit the Casing, Liner Running and Cementing Network LiveLink site to
view the networks charter, goals, and members names and contact information. Access the Toolbox section for engineering tools, calculation worksheets, and detailed job examples.
Job
Procedures
Visit the Engineering

Network LiveLink site
now by clicking on
this text link.
Engineering
and Planning
This document is a guide for planning and executing cementing operations for
worldwide operations. It is realized that, in some well situations, the preferred
Best Practice may not achieve the best results. Every cement job should be
designed for the wellbore characteristics and the cementing objectives
desired.
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to teach and promote a Best Practices philosophy throughout the Unocal Global Drilling Community. Unocal spends
millions of dollars each year on cementing operations. Poor planning and
operational execution not only can lead to cement failure but can result in the
loss of hydrocarbon recovery from the wellbore.
Table of
Contents
Purpose
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
11
Introduction
Tips for Using This Document

This document is divided into seven main categories:
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Engineering
and Planning
Table of Contents
Introduction
Engineering and Planning
Job Procedures
Plug Cementing
Squeeze Cementing
Contractor Requirements
Engineering and Planning and Job Procedures cover all the basics
involved in planning and executing a primary cementing job. Plug Cementing and Squeeze Cementing, as the names suggest, contain information
specific to these techniques.Contractor Requirements provides information
about contractors responsibilities in ensuring the job is carried out as
planned.
Reminders
Job
Procedures
In many of the sections, you will find white text in the blue column at the left
of the page, topped with an orange bar. These comments are emphasized to
indicate their importance in the success of the job.
Time-Saving Navigation
Table of Contents
The Table of Contents allows you to view the subtopics discussed within each
major section. To navigate to a particular topic, just click on the entry.
The blue and orange tabs at the right of each page offer quick navigation to
any major section of the document, including the Table of Contents, from any
page in the document.
Contractor
Requirements
Where Am I?
The title of the section you are viewing is always located in the upper right
hand corner of the page, in the same color as its corresponding tab.
Squeeze
Cementing
Colored Tabs
Plug
Cementing
This document is easily navigated from either the Table of Contents or the
color tabs located at the right side of every page.
22

The first step in Engineering and Planning for cementing is to identify the
purpose of the cementing operation. Once the purpose is clearly defined, the
wellbore conditions and casing design must be evaluated to determine the
cement placement, hydrostatic constraints, and volumes. The cementing contractor must be involved in this stage, as detailed in the Contractor Requirements section of this document.
Engineering
and Planning
Application of the following guidelines for mud removal, cement and spacer
design, in conjunction with a cementing software program, will enhance the
displacement process and improve the probability of successful primary
cementing. Cementing software can be used to help determine the optimum
displacement parameters and safe operating equivalent circulating densities
(ECD).
Introduction
Primary cement job failures are predominately due to a breakdown in the

displacement process, which leads to channeling of the cement through the
drilling fluid.
Table of
Contents
The cementing
contractors role
begins with the Engineering and Planning
stage, and his work
will parallel that of the
Drilling Engineer. For
details, see the Contractor Requirements
section.
Mud removal is best achieved through proper drilling fluid conditioning, pipe
rotation or reciprocation, pipe centralization, and the use of properly designed
spacers and flushes.
Job
Procedures
Mud Removal
Drilling Fluid Conditioning
Pipe Movement
33
Contractor
Requirements
Pipe rotation or reciprocation before and during cementing helps break up

gelled, stationary pockets of drilling fluid and loosens cuttings trapped in the
gelled drilling fluid. Pipe movement allows high displacement efficiency at
lower pump rates because it helps to keep the drilling fluid flowing. If the
pipe is poorly centralized, pipe movement can compensate by changing the
flow path through the casing and allowing the slurry to circulate completely
around the casing. The industry does not specify a minimum requirement for
pipe movement, however it acknowledges that even a small amount of movement will enhance the displacement process.
Squeeze
Cementing
The condition of the drilling fluid is one of the most important variables in
achieving good displacement during a cement job. Regaining and maintaining
good mobility is the key. An easily displaced drilling fluid will have low gel
strengths and low fluid loss. Pockets of gelled fluid, which commonly exist
following the drilling of a wellbore, make displacement difficult and must be
broken apart.
Plug
Cementing
The condition of the

drilling fluid is one of
the most important
variables in achieving good displacement during a cement
job.
Table of
Contents
In some instances, pipe movement is not recommended. For example, when

equivalent circulating density and fracture pressure are very similar, or shallow gas or water influx is critical, moving the pipe can induce surge and swab
pressures that could promote pipe sticking and surface casing-head pressure.
The use of mechanical devices, such as some models of liner hangers, may
also prevent casing movement. All of these factors must be considered when
designing the displacement program.
Pipe Centralization
Drilling fluid displacement is best achieved when annular tolerances are
approximately 1.5 to 2 in. Centralization of very small annuli is very difficult,
and pipe movement and displacement rates may be severely restricted. Very
large annuli may require extreme displacement rates to generate enough flow
energy to remove the drilling fluid and cuttings.
To improve centralization of the casing, adhere to the following guidelines:
Run a centralizer calculation program and reference well deviation surveys to determine the number of centralizers necessary to achieve the recommended standoff and their ideal placement.
For liner jobs, include centralizers in the lap area to aid in the displacement of cement all around the casing perimeter either in the primary
cement job or subsequent squeeze job.
For highly deviated wells in which cuttings beds are likely, place the centralizer on the lower joints to hold the landing shoe off of the bottom of
the wellbore. This design will allow cuttings to pass underneath and help
eliminate any snowplowing effect.
44
Contractor
Requirements
Use cementing simulator runs to determine the standoff necessary to

achieve complete flow around the casing.
Squeeze
Cementing
Plug
Cementing
Good pipe standoff ensures uniform flow around the casing and helps equalize the force that the flowing spacer and cement exerts around the casing,
increasing drilling fluid removal. In a deviated wellbore, standoff is even
more critical to prevent a solids bed from accumulating on the low side of the
annulus. The industry benchmark for standoff is approximately 70%, however the preferred standoff for a given well should be developed from computer modeling and will vary with well conditions.
Job
Procedures
The industry benchmark for standoff is

approximately 70%.
Engineering
and Planning
Centralizing the casing by placing mechanical centralizers across the intervals

to be isolated is critical for effectively displacing the drilling fluid and placing
cement all around the casing. In poorly centralized casing, cement will bypass
the drilling fluid by following the path of least resistance; as a result, the
cement travels down the wide side of the annulus, leaving drilling fluid in the
narrow side.
Introduction
Drilling fluid displacement is best achieved

when annular tolerances are approximately 1.5 to 2 in.

Spacers and Flushes
Parameters governing a spacers effectiveness include flow rate, contact time,

and fluid properties. To achieve maximum drilling fluid displacement, adhere
to the following guidelines:
Engineering
and Planning
Density
Set spacer density 0.5 to 1.0 ppg above the drilling fluid weight and at least
0.5 ppg less than the cement slurry density. In situations that require the difference between cement weight and drilling fluid weight to be less than 1.0
ppg, design the spacer density to be mid-way between the two densities.
Job
Procedures
Provide a contact
time and volume of
spacer that will provide optimum amount
of drilling fluid
removal.
Introduction
Spacers and flushes are effective displacement aids because they separate
unlike fluids such as cement and drilling fluid, and enhance the removal of
gelled drilling fluid, allowing a better cement bond. Spacers can be designed
to serve various needs. For example, weighted spacers can help with well
control, and reactive spacers can provide increased drilling fluid-removal
benefits. Compatibility of the drilling fluid/spacer as well as the compatibility
of the spacer/cement slurry is of prime importance. Application of the compatibility procedures as outlined in the API SPEC RP10B, 22nd Edition,
December 1997 is highly recommended.
Table of
Contents
Compatibility of the
drilling fluid/spacer
as well as the
compatibility of the
spacer/cement slurry
is of prime
importance.
Contact Time
Provide a contact time and volume of spacer that will provide optimum
amount of drilling fluid removal. Typically 8 to 10 minutes contact time or
1,000 feet of annular space are adequate.
Rheology
Spacer must be fully compatible with drilling fluid and cement. Contact with
drilling fluid must not result in flocculation, settling, or excessive rheology.
Contact with cement must not decrease pump time.
Stability
Spacer must remain stable with no excessive settling or separation. For all
liner and tieback jobs, the spacer must be tested by hot-rolling at circulating
temperature.
Wettability
When an oil-based or synthetic-based drilling fluid is in the hole, the spacer

must also be capable of converting the pipe and hole to a water wet condition.
55
Contractor
Requirements
For all liner and tieback jobs, the spacer

must be tested by
hot-rolling at circulating temperature.
Compatibility
Squeeze
Cementing
Spacer must be fully

compatible with
drilling fluid and
cement.
Plug
Cementing
Design spacer rheology that will provide turbulent flow where hole geometry
allows. Turbulent flow of spacer is required on all liner jobs.
Operational Priorities
Job Volume Excess
Introduction
Unless caliper data is available or excess volume is otherwise specified, use

the recommended percentages in the following table to calculate cement
slurry volume requirements across an open hole.
Calculations of Volume Excess
Depth (ft)
% Excess with
Oil-Based Mud
0 to 4,000
100
50
4,000 to 8,000
75
25
8,000 to 10,000
50
15
10,000 to 18,000
35
15
Greater than 18,000
25
15
Engineering
and Planning
% Excess with
Water-Based Mud
Design spacer to be in turbulent flow as it rounds the shoe and passes the
sections to be isolated.
Mix and pump cement as fast as density control, pumping equipment,

material supply, and wellbore conditions allow.
66
Contractor
Requirements
To maximize displacement, adhere to the following guidelines:
Squeeze
Cementing
Cement flow is characterized by three flow rate regimes: turbulent flow, laminar flow, and plug flow. High-energy displacement rates are most effective in
ensuring good displacement. Turbulent flow conditions are desirable, but are
not required. When turbulent flow is not a viable option for a formation, use
the highest pump rate that is feasible for the wellbore conditions. The best
results are obtained when the spacer and/or cement is pumped at maximum
energy, the spacer or flush is appropriately designed to remove the drilling
fluid, and a good competent cement is used.
Plug
Cementing
Flow Rate
Job
Procedures
For cementing operations on offshore wells that use subsea housing, try to
plan the wells programs so that cement returns are not transported through
the subsea housing. In such cases, the surface casing is usually cemented only
to 500 ft above the conductor shoe. The presence of cement in the recesses of
subsea housing can cause great difficulty in setting subsequent hangers or
packoffs.
High-energy displacement rates are most

effective in ensuring
good displacement.
Table of
Contents
Determining how the cement will be placed in the hole is as important as the
design of the cement itself. This section discusses the operational factors that
should be determined in planning a successful job.
Displace at high rates (8 bbl/min and higher) without exceeding the formation breakdown pressure.
Choose all downhole

equipment for fit,
operation, and proper
installation.
Table of
Contents
Downhole Equipment
Choose all downhole equipment (float collars, shoes, guide shoes, centralizers, liner hanger systems, and wiper plugs) for fit, operation, and proper
installation.
Determine which type of centralizer is best for a particular application by

evaluating the centralizers suitability for the specific application, its ability to mitigate exposure for problems in the running of casing due to its
design, and to provide centralization cost-effectively.
Select appropriate centralizer types, stop rings, and casing connections to

minimize the risk of centralizers sliding and stacking-out.
Bowspring-type centralizers provide an acceptable balance between cost
and standoff for most standard cementing operations.
For highly deviated wellbores, evaluate the use of double bowspring or

solid body centralizers to centralize the casing and to maintain or improve
running force requirements. Tight clearances and holes drilled with bicenter bits may require the use of bow spring centralizer subs.
Wiper Plugs
Top and bottom cement plugs are recommended for every primary cementing
job, when possible. The bottom plug minimizes contamination of the cement
as it is pumped. The top plug prevents contamination of the cement slurry by
the displacement fluid and provides a positive indication that the cement has
been displaced. Use composite body plugs that are easy to drill out with PDC
bits.
Squeeze
Cementing
Top and bottom

cement plugs are recommended for every
primary cementing
job, when possible.
Plug
Cementing
If centralizers are at risk of becoming smashed when running through

existing liner tops or downhole components such as wellhead housings,
choose a durable centralizer such as solid integral centralizer subs that can
withstand these conditions.
Job
Procedures
Engineering
and Planning
Bowspring-type
centralizers provide
an acceptable
balance between cost
and standoff for most
standard cementing
operations.
Introduction
Centralizers
Contractor
Requirements
77

Shoe Joint
A shoe joint is recommended for all primary casing/liner jobs. The length of
the shoe joint will vary. The absolute minimum length is one joint of pipe. If a
bottom plug is not required, a minimum of two joints are required.
Recommended Shoe Joint Lengths
No. of Pipe Joints
> 18 5/8
Tag in
> 13 3/8
2 joints
> 9 5/8
3 joints
> 7 5/8
6 joints
Introduction
Casing Size (in.)
Table of
Contents
A shoe joint is
recommended for all
primary casing/liner
jobs.
Considerations for Liner Jobs
On all liner float shoes, verify that holes exist on the side of the float shoe,
allowing circulation and preventing a hydraulic lockup in the event that
the liner hanger fails and the liner lands on the bottom of the hole.
Use or design autofill float equipment that can be activated without setting the liner hanger, should a well control condition arise while going in
hole.
Design liner hanger systems with a tieback sleeve length that allows the
bottom of the tieback stem to be partially stung into the tieback sleeve
when cementing the tieback casing. This will enhance the process of
slacking off the tieback casing after the cement job has been completed.
Buckling of the lower portion of the tieback casing after cementing can
make it difficult to stab the tieback stem into place.
For ultradeep liners on directional wells with relatively high torque and
drag, use a pressure-indicating method to verify that a liner is released
from the running tool. The actual liner weight may be small in comparison to the drag forces, making it difficult to determine if the liner is actually released.
Plug
Cementing
Ensure that the liner hanger set pressures are well above the circulation
pressures that could be required while running the liner to prevent premature setting of the liner hanger.
Job
Procedures
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
Engineering
and Planning
A liner hanger must be designed for the combined loading of the liner weight
to be hung off and the mud weight differential on the slip area to avoid
exceeding the elastic limit on the ID of the casing in which the slips are
engaged.
88
Cement Design Priorities
Cement slurry density must be within range to maintain well control. If hole
conditions allow, cement slurry density should be a minimum of 1.0 ppg
greater than drilling fluid weight and 0.5 ppg greater than the spacer weight.
Priority No. 2Pump Time (Thickening Time)

The pump time should include the estimated job time plus a safety factor. The
safety factor must be based on wellbore parameters, operational objectives
and limitations, and the accuracy of expected temperatures to which the
cement slurry will be exposed during the cementing process as compared to
the laboratory testing conditions.
Keep the following in mind when specifying and evaluating thickening time:
The first sack or leading edge of the cement is exposed to different temperature conditions and will require a different placement time than the
last sack of cement.
Consider the total placement time for the lead slurry (mixing and pumping
of lead + mixing and pumping of tail + displacement).
For surface and intermediate strings where cement placement is relatively

easy and minimal WOC is the objective, allow a 1-hr safety factor.
For HPHT liner cementing where cement placement is critical, allow a

minimum safety factor of 2 hours or 50% of the calculated job time,
whichever is greater.
Priority No. 3Mixability
Priority No. 4Rheology

The cement slurry must be pumpable, and the cement slurry rheological properties must allow effective placement, with a PV and YP as low as possible,
but higher than that of spacer or drilling fluid.
99
Contractor
Requirements
Cement must be easy to mix at the cementing unit in order to achieve density
control at a mixing rate that allows cement slurry placement within the available pump time.
Squeeze
Cementing
Plug
Cementing
Recommended Safety Factors
Job
Procedures
Engineering
and Planning
The pump time

should include the
estimated job time
plus a safety factor.
Priority No. 1Density
Introduction
Cement slurry density

must be within range
to maintain well
control.
Table of
Contents
A slurry design must address a broad assortment of well conditions and wellcontrol parameters. To maximize the performance of a slurry, adhere to these
seven guidelines, listed in the order of importance:

Priority No. 5Fluid Loss Control
Design fluid loss control to specification. Excessive loss of fluid from the
cement slurry has negative impact on other slurry properties.
Priority No. 6Compressive Strength
Priority No. 7Free Fluid and Settling

Cement slurry must remain stable (free water within specification and no significant settling or separation) while fluid. Design and test for given hole conditions, i.e. for directional well test at appropriate angle.
Engineering
and Planning
Cement Slurry Specifications

Slurry
Properties
Conductor
and Surface
Casings
Intermediate
Casings and
Drilling
Liners
Production
Deep
Casings and
Production
Liners
Liners and for
Gas Control
Job
Procedures
+ 1 ppg > drilling fluid density
Density
< Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) to fracture formation

Thickening
Time
Job time plus at least one hour for safety factor

For production casings or for gas control, the TT chart should
display a right angle set (transition from 40 to 100 Bc in less
than 15 minutes)
< 0.5 %
0%
0%
Fluid Loss
NA
< 250
< 100
< 50
Rheol. (PV)
< 150
< 150
< 100
< 100
Rheol. (YP)
< 50
< 40
< 25
< 20
Comp.
Strength
WOC
(hr to 500 psi)
< 12
<8
<8
<8
24-hr Comp.
Strength (psi)
1,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
Contractor
Requirements
< 1.0%
Squeeze
Cementing
Free Water
Plug
Cementing
Introduction
The goal is to achieve rapid compressive strength development after placement. The minimum requirement is a WOC time (time to achieve 500 psi) of
less than 12 hours and 24-hr strength greater than 1,000 psi.
Table of
Contents
The minimum requirement is a WOC time of

less than 12 hours.
1010
Evaluation of Cementing Job Proposal
Data Review and Verification
hole and pipe sizes

hole and pipe weights
annular, hole, and pipe volumes
CautionDo not proceed unless these data are confirmed.

2. Review the BHST and BHCT; if any deviation or uncertainty exists,
investigate further.
3. Review the Cement Slurry Formulation to verify that it matches the slurries tested in the laboratory.
a. Check inputted values.
Plug
Cementing
Mix WaterUse this value to calculate the volume of water needed

for the job.
DensityMix the cement slurry to this value
YieldUse this value to calculate the number of sacks required for
the job.
5. Review the Cement Job Simulation as follows:
Job
Procedures
4. Read the Density, Yield and Mix Water requirement.
Engineering
and Planning
Do not proceed until

well data have been
confirmed.
Introduction
1. Check the accuracy of Subject, Field, Well and Rig entries. Well data
include the following:
Table of
Contents
Evaluation and quality control of the service companys job plan, simulator
runs, slurry design, and laboratory test results is necessary to ensure that the
cement slurry design fits the planned operation.
b. Review the following data output against the job plan.

Squeeze
Cementing
pumping rates
ECDs
placement pressure at the pump
spacer contact time
c. Change planned pumping rates as necessary.
Contractor
Requirements
6. Review the centralization program, taking note of
centralizer placement and type

minimum standoff across zones of interest
1111

Review of Cement Job Simulation
Although gas flow may not be apparent at the surface, it may occur between
zones, damaging the cement job and eventually leading to casing pressure at
the surface. A cementing simulator program can be used to determine the gas
flow potential for any primary cement job, and to identify possible solutions
that are tailored to the severity of the possible gas flow.
Table of
Contents
Run the simulator to test equivalent circulating densities (ECD), flow regime
of the different fluids, required rheological properties of the fluids, maximum
pumping rates, centralizer standoff requirement, displacement efficiency,
anticipated pumping pressures at surface, pressure to shear or bump plugs,
BHCT, etc. Using this tool will aid in job design and will help identify any
potential problems with the design.
Introduction
1. Check cement slurry formulation for the following information:
Job
Procedures
Cement type
Additive types and concentrations
Water source and concentration
2. Check cement slurry pilot test results against specifications as listed in
the following table.
Engineering
and Planning
Interpretation of Pilot Test Results and Laboratory

Reports
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
1212
Slurry Property
Task
Check test value.
Thickening Time
Check times and test

temperature.
Table of
Contents
Density
Notes
Test temperature must be
at BHCT.
Check time reported vs.

times read from chart.
Fluid Loss
Check value and test

temperature.

at BHCT.
Rheology
Check PV, YP and test

temperature.
PV and YP must be
reported.
Engineering
and Planning
Attach strip chart for the

thickening time test.
Introduction
Time must be within the

specified range.
Use 70 Bc for liner and
narrow clearance jobs.
Use 100 Bc for surface
and intermediate jobs.
Compressive
Strength
Check the time for WOC Test temperature must be

(500-psi) and check 24-hr at the requested value.
strength.
Free Water
Check value and test

temperature.
Job
Procedures

at BHCT, 194F maximum.

at BHCT.
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
1313
Job Procedures
Job Procedures
Use the following checklist to ensure that all pertinent job data is captured at
the appropriate time as each job is executed.
Prejob Preparations
Loading of wiper plugs or darts

All volume calculations
Circulation of hole till clean
Engineering
and Planning
Pumping Operations
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
Pressure testing
Start and stop of each fluid pumped
Pumping rates for each fluid
Any pumping rate changes
Any pressure changes
Volume of spacer pumped
Dropping any plug, dart or ball
Start of cement slurry mixing
Cement slurry density
Mix water volume
Start of displacement
Surface pressures
Displacement rate
Landing of plugs
Pressure to release liner wiper plugs
Pressure to bump top plug
Reverse circulation
Total displacement
Job time
Returns
Any shutdown
Safety issues or incidents
Job
Procedures
Introduction
Monitoring and Recording
Table of
Contents
This section contains basic procedures for every step of a job, from prejob
preparations to pumping and displacement. Throughout each phase, it is very
important to monitor and record various measurements, times, and events.
This information allows the job to be tracked as it is carried out, and is invaluable in troubleshooting an unexpected problem.
1414
Job Procedures
Prejob Preparations
Cement Design Verification
Table of
Contents
1. Verify that the following cement design and test conditions coincide with
current well conditions.
a. BHCT and BHST
b. Thickening time and job time
Introduction
c. WOC time
2. Verify the following calculations.
a. Volumes for all fluids to be pumped
Engineering
and Planning
b. Hole and pipe volumes

c. Total displacement volume to bump plugs and correction factor as
applicable
d. Pressure to bump plug
3. Review the cement job simulator.

4. Review pumping rates for wash/spacer, cement slurry and displacement.
Job
Procedures
e. Volume to catch liner wiper plugs, and displacement volume from that
point
5. Review pumping pressures expected during the job.

Plug
Cementing
6. Review ECDs at shoe and zones of interest.

7. Review the returns expected during the job.
Equipment / Materials Verification

1. Check the bulk tanks for proper contents.
3. Check operational features, ensure that the float backpressure valve is

operational, and that the plugs are of the correct type and fit.
Contractor
Requirements
4. Check wiper plugs, the bottom plug (hollow), and the top plug (solid).
5. Witness the loading of plugs.
6. Confirm the delivery rates for water and mud.
7. Confirm what type of displacement fluid will be used and the parties
responsible for routing and pumping downhole.
Squeeze
Cementing
2. Confirm that all equipment (include a complete list) is on location and in

good working condition.
1515
Job Procedures
8. Confirm that all density devices have been calibrated properly with fresh
water.
1. Clean and stabilize the wellbore by circulating during wiper trips, before
and after logging.
Table of
Contents
Wellbore Circulation
2. Run the casing at a controlled rate, and circulate drilling fluid at intervals.
3. Condition the drilling fluid until drilling fluid properties are optimized
(PV < 15; YP < 10).
Introduction
If there is known potential for lost circulation, run the casing at less than 1
minute per stand.
4. Move the pipe via reciprocation or rotation during conditioning.
Total conditioning time is determined by drilling fluid properties and the

circulatable hole volume.
Engineering
and Planning
5. Circulate the wellbore until clean, using a minimum of two bottoms-up.
Job
Procedures
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
1616
Job Procedures
Pumping Operations
Pressure Testing
2. If running two bottom plugs, load the first bottom plug into the casing at
this time.
Introduction
3. Connect (reconnect) the cement head. The bottom and top plugs should
have already been loaded during prejob preparations.
Table of
Contents
1. Pump wash or spacer to the cement head.
4. Clear the rig floor and the area surrounding the lines.
5. Pressure-test the lines as follows:
a. Increase pressure to a predetermined level.
Engineering
and Planning
b. Hold the pressure for 5 min.

c. Release the pressure.
Mixing and Pumping Cement
Job
Procedures
1. Drop the bottom plug (the first one, if using two).

2. Pump the wash or spacer. Standard pumping rates are 6 to 8 bbl/min.
CautionNever open the cement head once pumping has begun.
3. Drop the second bottom plug (if running two bottom plugs).
5. Measure the mix water for the cement slurry through the displacement
tanks and record the measurement.
Plug
Cementing
4. Start to mix and pump the cement slurry. The standard pump rate is 5 to 8
bbl/min, depending upon the specific job.
6. Control the density within 0.2 lb/gal accuracy throughout the job.
8. Confirm slurry density by monitoring the pressure (downhole) readings of

the densitometer.
Contractor
Requirements
9. Continue to mix and pump cement.

ImportantNever compromise slurry density to maintain the scheduled
pump rate.
Squeeze
Cementing
7. Check the cement slurry density with a pressurized balance to calibrate

the densitometer.
1717
Job Procedures
CautionNear the end of the job, bulk delivery may decline. Never sacrifice
density control to use up the cement. If the designed density cannot be maintained, discontinue cement slurry mixing.
11.Displace the top plug out of the cementing head with minimal down time.
Table of
Contents
10.After the cement is pumped, drop the top plug.
12.Do not open the cementing head to drop the top plug.
Introduction
13.Begin displacement.
Displacement
Measure the displacement volume with the cementing unit displacement
tanks or rig pumps. DO NOT use a barrel counter.
Engineering
and Planning
1. Maximize displacement with a pump rate of 8 to 12 bbl/min. Limit the

rate only if necessary to prevent excessive ECDs.
2. Maximize the pump rate as spacer passes zones of interest.
3. Begin decreasing the pump rate as the final displacement volume nears.
Job
Procedures
4. Displace to bump the top plug at 1 to 2 bbl/min. Never overdisplace.

5. After displacement is completed and the plug has been bumped, relieve
surface pressure and check for flowback.
ImportantDo not hold pressure inside the pipe unless operations will be
compromised by flowback.
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
1818
Job Procedures
Shallow Water Flow Cementing
a stab-in float shoe
one joint with two bow-spring centralizers
one bow-spring centralizer per joint to the drive pipe
one centralizer per joint between casing and casing
To cement casing in a shallow-water-flow formation, use the following procedure.
Engineering
and Planning
1. Drill the conductor hole section with MWD so that sand depths are
known.
Introduction
Table of
Contents
Consider the following standard shoe track, centralizer, and wiper plug
requirements for use in shallow water flow cementing:
2. Set the conductor casing above potentially flowing sands.

3. Cement the conductor pipe, using centralizers, etc. to achieve complete
coverage.
5. Once the casing point is reached, pump out of hole with kill-weight mud
that has low gel strength (i.e. yield point of 8 to 10 lbf/100 ft2, 10 ft, 10 in.
and 30 in. gels flat and < 25 lbf/100 ft2).
Job
Procedures
4. Drill with controlled drilling fluid.
6. After pulling out of hole before running casing, observe for flow.
Plug
Cementing
If flowing, increase the mud weight in the hole.

CautionConducting a cement job with the well in flowing condition will
most likely result in channeling, causing the job to be unsuccessful.
7. Run the casing, maintaining kill-weight mud in the hole at all times.
9. Before running in hole, displace the drillpipe and casing below with the
same mud weight as that in the hole.
11.Pump the required spacer system weighted to a density between that of

the mud in the hole and that of the lead cement slurry.
1919
Contractor
Requirements
10.Circulate in hole and fill the drillpipe with the same mud weight as that in
the hole.
Squeeze
Cementing
8. Design a program to eliminate seawater in the drillpipe and casing below

the stinger.
Job Procedures
12.Run the designated cement system with a foamed lead slurry (1.0 ppg
heavier than the drilling mud) and a non-foamed tail slurry.
Table of
Contents
13.Pump the cement and allow it to set to 500-psi compressive strength

before drilling out.
See API RP 65 for further recommendations.
Introduction
Engineering
and Planning
Job
Procedures
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
2020
Job Procedures
Wait on Cement (WOC)
To maximize the efficiency of WOC, adhere to the following guidelines.

Know the well conditions before, during, and after the cement job.
Know the WOC (500-psi time) for the cement slurries pumped.
Never allow the well to be underbalanced during WOC.
Minimize WOC by using the correct cement systems that develop

strength quickly after placement.
WOC cannot be accurately determined from thickening time alone.
In some areas, regulations specify minimum WOC times that may exceed,
and thus supercede, these guidelines.
During the WOC period, perform operations that can help minimize the
time and cost of WOC, such as
Plug
Cementing
Pick up drillpipe for the next hole section.

Run any required surveys.
Clean up the mud by circulating it over shakers.
Rigup equipment that may be required for the next hole section.
Job
Procedures
Engineering
and Planning
Know the WOC

(500-psi time) for the
cement slurries
pumped.
Introduction
For a cement slurry, WOC is the time necessary for the cement to solidify and
attain a compressive strength of 500 psi. This is most effiiciently determined
through laboratory testing with a UCA, which plots strength development vs.
time.
Table of
Contents
For operations, waiting on cement (WOC) is the waiting time required after
cementing in order to safely remove well control equipment or to allow the
well to be underbalanced.
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
2121
Plug Cementing
Plug Cementing
Placement
Use a small workstring to balance cement plugs for optimal displacement.
The length of the tail pipe must be at least equal to the plug length with tubing
in place.
Tubing vs. Drillpipe
Plug Length
Assume that the top and bottom 100 ft of cement will be contaminated with
spacer.
2222
Contractor
Requirements
A diverter sub can improve the success of cement plug setting by directing the
flow and preventing the jetting of cement downhole. Use a distribution
(diverter) tool to direct flow up the annulus, such as a bull plug with four to
eight small (approximately 1-in.) horizontal side holes greater than the flow
area of tailpipe and at 90-degree phasing. If a wiper plug catcher is used,
place it below the holes.
Squeeze
Cementing
Diverter Sub
Plug
Cementing
Run the tail pipe to the planned bottom of plug depth. Tubing diameters of
2 7/8 in. should be used in slim holes of 8 1/2 in. or less; 3 1/2-in. tubing
should be used for larger hole sizes. Tubing is preferred over drillpipe in plug
jobs because the displacement of the tubing reduces swabbing and reduces the
weight of pipe to be pulled. For 17 -in. or larger open plugs, this is not critical and thus, they can be set using drillpipe. Coupling ODs of the tubing
should be minimized. If no tubing is available, 3 -in. drillpipe may be used.
If a stinger is to be run through open hole or in casing after a milling operation, break circulation every 5 to 10 stands to prevent plugging of the stinger.
Job
Procedures
Tubing diameters of
2 7/8 in. should be
used in slim holes of
8 1/2 in. or less; 3 1/2in. tubing should be
used for larger hole
sizes.
Engineering
and Planning
Plan a plug job based on hole conditions to pull out of cement. Many methods
are available and consideration should be given to prevention of contamination, risk exposure, environmental spill considerations, etc. The well depth,
the mud type, and many other factors will determine which procedure should
be used.
Introduction
Table of
Contents
Plug cementing is the process of placing a column of cement in casing or an

openhole to isolate or plug a section of the wellbore. This best practice provides important guidelines that must be considered when designing a plug
job, as well as a detailed procedure for carrying out a plug cementing operation to ensure proper placement of the plug and adequate zonal isolation.
Plug Cementing
Cement plugs set across perforations should be set from 100 ft below the perforations to 200 feet above the perforations.
Table of
Contents
If large quantities of cement are observed above the top of cement when circulating the well clean, channeling has likely occurred, and the area contaminated by the spacer will be larger than normal. This will increase the risk for
failing to tag the plug and/or for obtaining a pressure test.
Recommended plug lengths are as follows:
For recovery of oil-based and synthetic-based mud, 1,500-ft abandonment

plugs have been set in 12 -in. open holes with thickening times exceeding 10 hr.
In 8 1/2-in. and smaller open holes, plugs of up to 800 ft have been set and
successfully tagged to ensure a minimum volume criterion is met.
Plugs in extended reach wells are special cases and where plug setting
depth exceeds 14,500 feet and hole angle exceeds 45, plug length should
be 600 to 750 ft, with 300 ft of contamination allowance on top of the
plug.
Plug
Cementing
CautionMinimize your risk by making sure plug lengths are adequate.

Drilling out excess cement is normally far less expensive than setting a second balance plug to accomplish required objectives. No cement plug of less
than 20 bbl should be set through drillpipe for a 6-in. or larger open hole.
CautionIf there is a risk of lost circulation, do not place more than two
plugs in a row without waiting the time required for the first plug to attain
500-psi compressive strength.
Whenever possible, use a caliper log to determine the cement volumes and to
help determine where to set a plug. Setting a plug in a section of the hole that
is near gauge will increase the chances for success.
Contractor
Requirements
If no caliper is available, refer to the following table for recommended percentages of excess volume.
Squeeze
Cementing
Cement Volumes
Job
Procedures
Engineering
and Planning
Plugs of 300 to 600 ft have been used for 8 -in. to 36-in. open holes for
abandonment, suspension and sidetracking in wells that are less than
14,500 ft deep and have less than a 45 inclination.
Introduction
Minimize your risk by

making sure plug
lengths are adequate.
Never use a cement
plug of less than 20
bbl set through a drillpipe for a 6-in. or
larger open hole.
2323
Plug Cementing
Calculation of Volume Excess
% Excess
(Water-Based Mud)
% Excess
(Synthetic-Based Mud)
30 to 36
200
24 to 30
100
14 3/4 to 17 1/2
50
20
12 1/4
30
20
6 to 8 1/2
30
20
Table of
Contents
Hole Size (in.)
Introduction
Always consider the particular area and hole conditions such as sloughing
shales or losses when determining the actual excess to be used.
Cement Slurry Design
Engineering
and Planning
Temperature
Make sure the
BHST and BHCT are
accurate for proper
job design.
Make sure the BHST and BHCT are accurate for proper job design.
Select the temperature for your design on the basis of deviation, operation,
and local experience.
Job
Procedures
Wherever hole angle exceeds 60, perform a temperature simulation.

In water depths exceeding 1,500 ft, predict cooling in the riser.
Allow some safety margin for slurry test temperatures; if no local expertise is
available, allow a 10F margin.
Plug
Cementing
Slurry Properties
For kick-off plugs, the density of the slurry is important for rapid, high
strength development.
For Class H cement,

use 17.0 to 17.2 ppg
densities.
For Class G cement, use 16.2 to 16.5 ppg densities.
For Class H cement, use 17.0 to 17.2 ppg densities.
Add a dispersant and/or retarder as needed to densify and to provide the

required pump time.
Plug and abandonment plugs and squeeze plugs are generally designed at normal density for the cement available, but may be adjusted for specific well
conditions. Dispersants and retarders are the most common additives used. A
fluid loss control additive may also be required for some open hole and
squeeze operations.
2424
Contractor
Requirements
Squeeze
Cementing
For Class G cement,

use 16.2 to 16.5 ppg
densities.
Plug Cementing
Fluid loss is required in plugs set across permeable formations; a fluid loss
less than 150 ml is adequate for abandonment / suspension plugs. However,
squeeze slurries should have less than 75 ml.
For all cement plugs that are to be spotted and balanced, the required thickening time is based on the calculation:
40 Bc time (in the lab report) must be greater than or equal to
job pump time + time to pull out of plug + 1 hr (safety factor).
Introduction
40 Bc time (in the lab

report) must be
greater than or equal
to job pump time +
time to pull out of
plug + 1 hr (safety
factor).
Calculated pump time is based on time cement is moving, and does not
include static time.
The recommended pulling rate is 30 to 50 ft/min.
Engineering
and Planning
Spacers
Separate mud and cement with adequate spacer/wash.
For sea-water mud, pump water as a spacer/wash.
For synthetic-based mud, pump a weighted chemical wash system or

spacer system to displace mud and provide a water-wet surface for bonding.
The volume of spacer/wash ahead of the cement should equal 500 ft of

annular fill.
The volume of spacer/wash behind the cement should be calculated to

balance.
Always calculate the loss in hydrostatic pressure ahead of a cement plug.
Plug
Cementing
Job
Procedures
Calculate the volumes of spacer/wash as follows.
Squeeze
Cementing
Cement Slurry Displacement

Use a cement unit to displace the cement slurry to ensure accurate control
over displacement volume.
When an indicator sub is not used, a slight under-displacement, typically 1 to

3 bbl, is recommended in order to pull dry. For deep plugs, the average pipe
ID should be determined to ensure a correct displacement volume.
2525
Contractor
Requirements
The displacement can be accurately determined with an indicator sub, usually

positioned in the drillpipe above the balance point. The tool used will provide
a positive indication of displacement volume when it makes contact with the
plug catcher sub.
Table of
Contents
Thickening Time
Plug Cementing
Mechanical Tools for Supporting Cement Plugs
Introduction
Inflatable packers and mechanical bridge plugs are not suitable for use in
open holes.
Waiting On Cement
Engineering
and Planning
Plugs should not be tagged until they have at least 1,000-psi compressive
strength. A total of 1,500-psi compressive strength is required for pressuretesting the plug.
Kick-off plugs require
a compressive
strength of 3,000 psi.
Table of
Contents
Mechanical tools should be used only where necessary. Setting a reactive pill
may be more economical and easier, if support is necessary. The simplest tool
is a small sub run on the end of the tubing stinger that holds a short
umbrella like tool. When a ball is dropped, the umbrella extrudes and then
springs open to an approximate 20-in.diameter. This tool can be run in open
hole and casing. In casing, inflatable packers or mechanical bridge plugs set
on wireline can be used.
Kick-off plugs require a compressive strength of 3,000 psi. Deep kick-off

plugs (placed at depths of 10,000 ft or more) across hard formations will
require 4,000-psi compressive strength.
Job
Procedures
Compressive strength should be determined at a temperature mid-way

between static temperature and the temperature used for designing the pumping time, unless more precise values are available.
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
2626
Plug Cementing
Job Procedure
1. Make sure the stinger is run at least 300 feet below the plug-setting depth.
Table of
Contents
NoteIn an openhole situation, consider jetting across the interval.

2. Pull back to plug-setting depth, condition the mud, and circulate the annulus clean a minimum of one bottoms-up while moving pipe.
4. Pump cement.
Engineering
and Planning
a. Check the density using a pressurized mud balance.
Introduction
3. Pump 500 ft (up to 50 bbl) of spacer/wash ahead of cement. As in primary

cementing, the weight of the spacer/wash should be halfway between mud
weight and cement weight.
b. Control the mixing rate at 2 to 4 bbl/min.

c. If the cement is mixed with a jet mixer, dump the first quantities of
cement overboard until a consistent slurry is obtained.
d. If a batch mixer is used, disregard Step 4c.
8. Pull out of the plug at a controlled rate (approximately 25 stands/hour) to

prevent swabbing and contamination.
2727
Contractor
Requirements
NoteFor ultradeep jobs, a ball catcher sub and wiper plugs may be required
to effectively verify displacement.
Squeeze
Cementing
For hole sizes less than 12 1/4-in, pump at 2 bbl/min for the last 20
bbl.
For hole sizes greater than 12 1/4-in, pump at 3 bbl/min for the last 40
bbl.
7. Under-displace by 1 to 3 bbl, excluding the volume of surface lines,
unless using a latchdown sub, to ensure the plug is not contaminated and
that the pipe pulls dry.
Plug
Cementing
6. Displace at a maximum rate (limited by ECD) to improve gelled mud

removal; then reduce the displacement rate according to the following
guidelines:
Job
Procedures
5. Pump a volume of spacer/wash behind the cement to balance the spacer

ahead of cement. Rotate pipe (approximately 20 rpm) to improve cement
displacement into the annulus in deviated wells.
Plug Cementing
NoteStep 9 below does not pertain to intermediate plugs set in series.

9. If ECDs allow reverse circulation, pull back to approximately 500 ft
above the top of any cement plug that is not to be tagged, otherwise go to
the TOC; then, reverse circulate clean.
CautionReverse circulation can only take place if the ECD would not
induce losses.
a. Flush the pipe clean.

b. Displace 150% of the pipes contents at maximum rate.
10.When going in hole to tag a cement plug, start washing down and rotating
pipe at the previous depth of last bottoms-up circulation or 500 to 1,000 ft
above the calculated top of cement.
CautionDo not run back into a cement plug with the stinger until the
cement has set. When the plug has been tagged, do not run back into the
cement without circulation.
Squeeze
Cementing
Do not run back into a

cement plug with the
stinger until the
cement has set. When
the plug has been
tagged, do not run
back into the cement
without circulation.
Plug
Cementing
Where a plug is being tagged with a kick-off assembly, use minimum flow
rates.
Job
Procedures
c. Drop a dart or pump 50 bbl of 50 pp. Nutplug in active mud to clean

pipe of cement rings. In the latter case, the size of openings in diverter
tool needs to be considered.
Engineering
and Planning
If reverse circulation is not possible due to losses or differential sticking,

perform the following steps before POOH:
Introduction
Reverse circulation
can only take place if
the ECD would not
induce losses.
CautionMinimize any unnecessary time from shutdown to pullout. The

thickening time estimate is based on moving cement; once the cement is
static, this time allowance is reduced.
Table of
Contents
Minimize any unnecessary time from

shutdown to pullout.
The thickening time
estimate is based on
moving cement. Once
the cement is static,
this time allowance is
reduced.
Contractor
Requirements
2828
Squeeze Cementing
Squeeze Cementing
Before a squeeze cement job is designed, it is important to identify the objectives to be met and to perform a risk analysis.
Introduction
Table of
Contents
Squeeze cementing is the process of placing cement into a confined area with
hydraulic pressure. Often this cementing process does not attempt to
squeeze or dehydrate the slurry at all but to place high quality, noncontaminated cement in the proper location to provide isolation or achieve other
objectives.
Some of the more common objectives include:
Add to the height of the cement column in place to produce upper zones.
Eliminate water from above, below, or within the hydrocarbon zone.
Reduce the producing gas:oil ratio.
Repair a casing leak.
Seal the annulus of a liner top or casing shoe.
Plug all, or part, of one or more zones in a multi-zone injector or production well.
Plug
Cementing
A risk analysis should include:
Pore, fracture and planned squeeze pressures.
Work-string and displacement accuracies.
U-tube effect, hydrostatic pressure, and location of cement.
Casing condition, especially for old wells.
Ability to contend with unexpected events.
Worst-case pressures for circulating out.
Contractor
Requirements
Well control considerations.
Squeeze
Cementing
Placement
There are two basic squeezing techniques: the Bradenhead squeeze and the
Bull Head squeeze.
Job
Procedures
Repair a failed primary cement job.
Engineering
and Planning
2929
Squeeze Cementing
For squeeze jobs in which the operator plans to squeeze away the cement
into the formation, the total slurry volume should equal the amount to be
squeezed, so that only a minimal volume of excess cement will have to be circulated out.
The properties of the cement slurry must be tailored according to the characteristics of the formation to be squeezed and the technique that will be used.
Low-pressure squeezes do not exceed formation fracture pressures. They are
recommended for depleted wells with low bottomhole pressures and for
squeezing existing voids in any well where cement is not desired within the
formation.
High-pressure squeezes have no pressure limitations other than that of the
casing or tubing. Final squeeze pressure is either the maximum that can be
3030
Contractor
Requirements
The properties of the

cement slurry must
be tailored according
to the characteristics
of the formation to be
squeezed and the
technique that will be
used.
Squeeze
Cementing
Slurry Design
Plug
Cementing
For squeeze cement jobs in which the cement is to be held in place, a total
slurry volume of approximately four times the volume of casing below the
work string is recommended. This should represent 60 to 80% of the work
string volume.
Job
Procedures
The volume of slurry depends on the length of interval to be cemented, the

pipe size, placement technique, formation characteristics, and the amount of
excess slurry desired. Formation characteristics are especially important. To
accurately calculate the cement slurry volume required, the job designer must
know the fracture pressure of the formation, the permeability of the selected
zone, and whether or not the zone(s) are fractured.
Engineering
and Planning
Cement Volume
Introduction
Bull Head or Non-Bradenhead is the technique whereby the cement is

pumped down tubing or drillpipe and the wellhead annulus simultaneously.
The preferred method is to design a placement schedule that allows at least
half of the slurry to be pumped into the formation and leaves the remainder of
the slurry in the tubing or casing. When the Bull Head technique is used with
a packer, slurry can be placed with greater precision and higher injection pressures can be run.
Table of
Contents
Bradenhead is the technique whereby the cement slurry is pumped down

tubing or drillpipe and circulated to the surface. Once the cement is spotted or
balanced, the tubing is pulled above the cement, the blowout preventers are
closed, and the slurry is pumped into the target zone. No packer is required,
and the hesitation squeeze method is often used. The Bradenhead squeeze is
recommended when the casing can withstand the pressure and the target zone
is effectively isolated.
Squeeze Cementing
obtained or a predetermined value based on experience and calculations.
Depending on the type of squeeze job performed and operational objectives,
the formation fracture pressure may or may not be exceeded.
Fluid loss is extremely important when a low-pressure squeeze is used against

high-permeability zones. If fluid loss is too low, it will leave non-dehydrated
cement in the perforations, which could be removed during reversing or when
a negative differential pressure is created. Excess fluid loss could allow premature dehydration of a slurry to the extent that a zone is not completely covered. Optimum fluid loss varies with the permeability of the zones.
For a low-pressure squeeze in a high-permeability formation, use a slurry

with fluid loss of 50 to 100 ml/30 min.
For a high-pressure squeeze, use a slurry with fluid loss of 200 to 500 ml/
30 min.
Use a slurry with high fluid loss for fast cake buildup in a fracture. A fluid
loss of 300 to 800 ml/30min at 1,000-psi differential pressure is recommended.
In a fractured limestone or dolomite, the addition of a lost circulation

material may help form a bridge on the formation to prevent cement dehydration.
Slurries with a low yield point, or thin slurries, are preferred for most squeeze
jobs. Thin slurries can flow into narrow cracks or channels. Thick slurries are
more useful when cementing large voids.
Plug
Cementing
Dispersion
Job
Procedures
For a low-pressure squeeze in a low-permeability formation, use a slurry

with fluid loss of 100 to 200 ml/30 min.
Engineering
and Planning
Introduction
Fluid loss is
extremely important
when a low-pressure
squeeze is used
against highpermeability zones.
Table of
Contents
Fluid Loss Control
Thickening Time
Cements with high compressive strength may be desirable, but compressive

strength should not be the primary concern. Normally, the dehydrated cake of
slurries made with cements of moderate compressive strength will attain the
compressive strength necessary to accomplish the job and in a shorter time
than that required for cements with high compressive strengths.
3131
Contractor
Requirements
Compressive Strength
Squeeze
Cementing
Accelerators and retarders are used as necessary to overcome the effects of

depth, temperature, and squeeze technique on the slurrys thickening time.
The thickening time must be sufficient to mix the slurry, pump the slurry, pull
the workstring, reverse any excess slurry, and squeeze the slurry away.
Squeeze Cementing
Washes and Spacers
As in primary cementing, washes and spacers are normally recommended for
two reasons:
to clean the perforation and surrounding voids of mud so that the cement
can get to the formation face and dehydrate properly
to prevent contamination of the cement slurry

Introduction
Prejob Considerations
Plan a pump-in test to determine the injection rate.
Reduce the risk for cement contamination by using spacers, plugs, excess
cement or other tools.
Estimate the fracture gradient at depth.
Estimate the pressure differential between the fracture gradient and the
mud weight at depth.
Help prevent flowback due to the U-tube effect by planning procedures to

hold the cement in place and eliminate the risk of cement being where it is
not wanted.
Calculate what the hydrostatic pressures will be once cement is in place

and determine whether or not over-displacement will occur. A water column may need to be included in displacement pumping schedule for well
to remain static once cement is in place. (This is especially important if
squeezing is being performed due to the loss of returns or when the liner
laps right at the fracture gradient.)
Plan displacement procedures to help compensate for the U-tube effect

that can occur when mixing heavy cements slurries relative to light mud
weights. For example, when mixing 300 sk (63 bbl) of 15.6 ppg cement
slurry on a well with 12.0 ppg mud and a 5-in. drillpipe, the level in the
drillpipe will fall 18.8 bbl. You will recover 18.8 bbl more volume from
the annulus while mixing cement since it is being slugged. The cement is
18.8 bbl ahead of surface displacement volumes in the drillpipe.
Make calculations to set the bottom of the drillpipe or work string off bottom by 15 to 20% of work string volume below the drillpipe.
3232
Contractor
Requirements
Always perform a preliminary prejob analysis and calculations to assure

the planned procedure fits actual hole conditions. All pressures, volumes,
pumping times, injection rates, and fracture gradients must be within
acceptable limits.
Squeeze
Cementing
Plug
Cementing
Plan the job in detail with the service contractor to define the objectives
and operational procedures and pressures.
Job
Procedures
Help prevent flowback

due to the U-tube
effect by planning
procedures to hold
the cement in place
and eliminate the risk
of cement being
where it is not
wanted.
Engineering
and Planning
Always perform a preliminary prejob analysis and calculations

to assure the planned
procedure fits actual
hole conditions.
Table of
Contents
Squeeze Cementing
Determine the expected worst-case pressure to reverse out.
Plan to test the casing with worst-case pressure to reverse out excess
cement or develop a contingency plan that can be used if reversing out is
not practical.
Establish a plan for circulating out cement. Never circulate out cement the
long way if it cannot be reversed. Leaving cement on the inside of a work
string is not advised, but a cemented-up work string on the rigs pipe rack
is better than cementing up a drillstring in an active well thats being
drilled.
When unexpected problems arise in performing a squeeze cementing job

(mechanical failure of equipment, losing track of cement displacement,
pressure loss indicating a possible washout, etc.), reverse out the cement
and start over.
Job
Procedures
In planning cement squeeze jobs, always allow for a 10% error in displacements based on the volume of the work string, unless some mechanical devices are used to calculate displacements more accurately.
Engineering
and Planning
When unexpected
problems arise in
performing a squeeze
cementing job,
reverse out the
cement and start over.
Introduction
Never circulate out

cement the long way
if it cannot be
reversed.
Plan the displacement volumes necessary to under-displace the leading

edge of the cement slurry by 20% and over-displace the tail edge of
cement slurry by 10 to 15%.
Table of
Contents
Allow for a 10% error

in displacements
based on the volume
of the work string,
unless some mechanical devices are used
to calculate displacements more accurately.
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
3333
Squeeze Cementing
Job Procedures
Bradenhead Cement Squeeze
2. Use a cement stinger to place the abandonment plug were possible.
Introduction
3. Place a minimum of 300 to 500 ft of cement slurry on bottom, ensuring

that the slurry has a greater density than the mud weight.
Table of
Contents
1. Pump 300 ft (up to 30 bbl) of spacer/wash ahead of cement. Pump spacer/

wash behind the cement at a volume calculated to balance.
4. Pull two to three stands above the plug and reverse out the excess.
5. Pump away 1/3 of the cement volume while monitoring for pressure
increase as the cement feeds into the formation.
Engineering
and Planning
6. Wait for 15 minutes and pump 1/6 of the cement volume again while
monitoring for pressure increase.
7. Again, wait for 15 minutes and then pump 1/6 of the cement volume
while monitoring for pressure increase.
8. Let the well remain static until the cement sets up.
Job
Procedures
Hesitation Squeeze Technique
Hesitation Cycle
When stabilized pressure does not increase, lengthen the hesitation cycle.
When stabilized pressure increases, the hesitation cycle can be shortened.

Plug
Cementing
Pump Cycle
Pump at the slowest rate possible.
Never pump a predetermined volume of fluid.
As pressure increases, continue to pump.
When pressure breaks back, drops, or shows any indication of pumping

into formation (including gut feeling), STOP pumping.
Squeeze
Cementing
Potential Squeeze Endpoint
When the cement volume in the casing is used, STOP. This is all the
squeezing possible for the volume of cement selected. NEVER overflush
perforations.
3434
Contractor
Requirements
When the cement

volume in the casing
is used, STOP pumping.
Squeeze Cementing
Table of
Contents
When maximum
allowable pressure is
attained without significant leak-off,
STOP.
When maximum allowable pressure is attained without significant leakoff, STOP. This is all the squeezing possible within the preset pressure
limit.
Bull Head Cement Squeeze

For best results, use a slurry design with a fluid loss of less than 100 cc/30
min, and perform the following steps:
2. Mix enough cement so that you can squeeze the volume into the formation on the first squeeze. Use excess.
3. Stop and wait 15 minutes; then, pump the remaining volume in the tubing and/or drillpipe while monitoring for a pressure increase.
Engineering
and Planning
4. Let the well remain static until the cement sets up.
5. Pull two to three stands above the plug and reverse out the excess.
Cement Retainer
Job
Procedures
The decision of whether to use a squeeze tool or cement retainer is usually

determined by wellbore integrity, as defined by the answers to these questions:
Is the well relatively old or new?
How recently was the casing tested?
Do we know where we are pumping in?
What are the wellbore conditions (mud weights and fracture gradients)?
Contractor
Requirements
3535
Squeeze
Cementing
To use a cement retainer for a squeeze job, set the cement retainer close to the
squeeze interval (40 to 60 ft above the interval) to minimize cement contamination. A lesser volume of cement slurry can be used since less contamination
will take place below the work string (usually 40 to 50% of the work string
volume). The pumping schedule should allow the cement slurry to be underdisplaced by 10% of the work string volume to avoid over-displacement with
the excess cement slurry reversed out.
Plug
Cementing
Squeezing a deep intermediate casing shoe with a low mud-weight may

require a very high injection pressure. Very high pressures may also be
required to reverse out with a particular work string in certain conditions,
which could junk the well}.
Introduction
1. Pump adequate wash ahead of the cement to remove mud cake.
Included in this section are:
instructions for preparing a cementing recommendation
procedures for pilot-testing cement designs
laboratory test requirements
on-location procedures for cement bulk blendng and loadout
prejob and job procedures
Engineering
and Planning
flowcharts illustrating the roles and responsibilities of various parties during the job planning, mobilization, and implentation
Introduction
Table of
Contents
The following information is provided to ensure a thorough understanding of

the job process as it pertains to both Unocal staff and contractors.
Job
Procedures
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
3636
Cement Job Planning
OFFICE
Cement contractor and

Unocal Drilling Engineer
check if cement job
specifications are covered
in the Engineering and
Planning section of this
Best Practices document.
Yes
Job
Procedures
Cementing
contractor
conducts "new"
slurry design
pilot testing
using lab
materials.
Plug
Cementing
Need a new
cement slurry
design?
Engineering
and Planning
Unocal Drilling
Engineer reviews
output, verifies input
data and updates
cementing contractor
as appropriate.
LAB
Introduction
Cementing
contractor conducts
cement job
simulation,
centralizer
placement, etc.
Cementing
contractor receives
and reviews cement
job data.
Table of
Contents
Unocal Drilling Engineer defines

cement job well data and
applicable well conditions.
FAIL
Simulation
OK?
No
Pilot test
design check.
Squeeze
Cementing
No
PASS
Yes
Contractor
Requirements
Unocal Drilling
Engineer approves
simulation output.

approves selected
cement slurry design.
3737
Cement Job Mobilization

Table of
Contents

orders materials / authorizes
materials movement.
Introduction
Cementing contractor prepares

blending facility and determines
volume of bulk blends.
Cementing contractor
conducts lab pilot test
using actual materials to
be used for the job.
Engineering
and Planning
Unocal Drilling Engineer and/or Drilling

Supervisor checks and approves blending
volume.
Pilot test
results
acceptable?
No
Adjust slurry
design.
Job
Procedures
Cementing contractor blends dry materials.

Unocal Drilling Engineer or Supervisor
witnesses.
Yes
Unocal Drilling
Engineer issues
bulk blending order.
Plug
Cementing
Cementing contractor samples blend

and conducts confirmation test to
QC blend.
REBLEND
Confirmation
test check
FAIL
Squeeze
Cementing
Unocal Drilling Engineer approves

completion of bulk blending and load out.
Contractor
Requirements
Unocal Drilling Engineer or Supervisor

provides final well data.
3838
Cement Job Implementation

Table of
Contents
A
Introduction
Cementing
contractor performs
final job calculations.
Engineering
and Planning
Unocal Drilling
Engineer or
Supervisor approves
job calculations.
Job
Procedures
conducts all tasks on
prejob checklist.
Plug
Cementing
Cement job
performed.
Squeeze
Cementing
completes post job lab
test and job report.
Contractor
Requirements
Unocal Drilling
Engineer approves
job report.
3939
Cementing Recommendation
Contents
The Cementing Recommendation should contain the following:
cementing operation issues and detailed solutions
thickening time requirement for the cement slurry(s)
detail of well geometry, including hole, casing, and annular volumes, and
pore and fracture pressures
required cement slurry volumes
BHST and detail on the method of calculation
proposed cement and spacer formulations with details as to how they meet
the job objectives; this proposal should include the following
ImportantAlways use the standard UNOCAL laboratory report form for

submitting laboratory reports.
operational details, pump rates for each fluid and shear or bumping pressures for wiper plugs
a computer-generated simulation of the cement job(s) that is based on the

proposed cement slurries, well information and geometries, with clear and
accurate inputs. The output shall include:
centralization (centralizer spacing for inputted stand-off, and stand-off

for inputted spacing, both in tables and graphs)
flow regime of each fluid (for each wellbore geometry based on inputted pump rate and rates for achieving turbulent flow for each fluid
4040
Contractor
Requirements
Squeeze
Cementing
Always use the

standard UNOCAL
laboratory report form
for submitting laboratory reports.
densities, yield and material requirements of the proposed slurries and

spacers
pilot laboratory test results for the cement slurry formulation(s)
Plug
Cementing
Job
Procedures
detailed objectives of the cement job(s)
Engineering
and Planning
Introduction
The Cementing Coordinator be fully capable of running the simulator, analyzing the output data and making the appropriate job recommendations, and
must use standardized software for generating this recommendation.
Table of
Contents
The Cementing Coordinator is responsible for preparing a Cementing Recommendation as requested for upcoming wells, and communicating with the
UNOCAL Engineer as required to obtain all necessary information for preparation of this document.
ImportantWell control exceptions must be clearly highlighted and brought

to UNOCAL Engineers attention.
displacement volumes
tabular and graph of fluids fill level and placement
cost estimates for service and materials
Reporting Responsibilities
Prior to each cementing job the Cementing Coordinator shall update the
respective portion of the recommendation. Updates must be referenced to initial recommendation and pertinent lab testing.
Job
Procedures
Presentation of this report must include a hard copy and an electronic file in
either Microsoft Word or Excel format. Graphs may be generated to supplement the reports.
Engineering
and Planning
Introduction
Well control
exceptions must be
clearly highlighted and
brought to
UNOCAL Engineers
attention.
Table of
Contents
U-tube simulation for the cement job under dynamic conditions

(tables and graphs of free-fall vs. time)
temperature simulation profile of cement slurry temperatures, bottomhole circulating temperatures (BHCT) and a graph of particle temperature profile at depth
well security and control (equivalent circulating densities at total
depth and at other selected points, graphed against pore and fracture
pressures)
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
4141
Cement Designs for Pilot Testing
Conduct all laboratory testing in a timely and accurate manner.
Incorporate sufficient lead-time into the testing program so that the

designs are ready well in advance.
Conduct testing with the representative samples of materials that will be

used on the job (bulk plant or rig samples) as appropriate.
For liner jobs, isolate critical additives such as retarders.
Conduct all laboratory testing in accordance with UNOCAL-designated

procedures and report the required test results.
Incorporate contingency planning into the testing program, taking into

account variations in well parameters that may require adjustments in
density or thickening time.
Perform compatibility tests between the cement and spacer and between
the spacer and drilling fluid for all jobs in which oil-based or syntheticbased drilling fluids are in the hole.
For all liner and tieback jobs, test the spacer for stability by hot-rolling
at circulating temperature.
Whenever possible, design the cement job to achieve turbulent flow of the
spacer in the open hole.
4242
Contractor
Requirements
ImportantNo cement slurry is considered approved and finalized until the

UNOCAL Drilling Superintendent or Engineer signs off on it. No slurry
design will be sent to the rig without this approval.
Squeeze
Cementing
Plug
Cementing
Use the standard Unocal laboratory report form when submitting laboratory reports.
Job
Procedures
Engineering
and Planning
Clearly reference all pilot testing data to the appropriate cementing recommendation with a unique project or job number.
Introduction
No slurry design will

be sent to the rig without signoff by the
UNOCAL Drilling
Superintendent or
Engineer.
Table of
Contents
Pilot testing (laboratory testing to develop cement designs that meet the
required criteria for the given well parameters) is required for all cementing
operations and shall include thickening time, rheologies, free fluid, fluid loss
(when fluid loss additive is included in formulation), 24-hour compressive
strength and WOC (time to 500 psi) by UCA for tail slurries and kick-off
plugs.
Laboratory Testing Requirements

Table of
Contents
Unless otherwise specified, all laboratory testing of cement slurries for UNOCAL operations must be performed in accordance with the latest revision of
API RP10B. The following are the required minimum laboratory testing procedures for cement slurry designs, as applicable.
Mixing
Introduction
Mix slurry as per standard API procedure (4000 rpm for 15 seconds and
12000 rpm for 35 seconds). If the slurry contains microspheres, the 12000
rpm requirement may be replaced by 4000 rpm.
Density
Measure density with a pressurized mud balance.

Engineering
and Planning
Free Fluid Test
Follow API RP10B Section 15, with the following exceptions:
Conditioning in an atmospheric consistometer is acceptable.
Timeto-temperature of 6 minutes is not required.

Job
Procedures
Conduct tests with a heated static period at BHCT or 194F, whichever is

lowest. Place the graduated cylinder at an inclination of 45.
API Static Fluid Loss at BHCTs less than 193F
API Static Fluid Loss at BHCTs 194F or Greater
Condition the slurry in a pressurized consistometer at BHCT and pressure.

Follow API procedures for heating the fluid loss cell to BHCT and for testing.
Squeeze
Cementing
Rheology at 80F and the lessor of BHCT or 194F
According to API RP 10B method, include 10-second and 10-minute gel

strength values.
Thickening Time at BHCT and BHP
4343
Contractor
Requirements
Test as per the appropriate API RP 10 B Schedule or as per a calculated temperature and pressure schedule using the equations in sections 9.5.3.2 and
9.5.3.4 through 9.5.3.7 of the API RP 10B. Report the time required to reach
40 Bc, 70 Bc, and 100 Bc.
Plug
Cementing
Use an atmospheric consistometer for conditioning, and test at BHCT and

1000 psi.
Compressive Strength at BHST and 3000 psi
Table of
Contents
Attach documented results of UCA testing required for WOC 500-psi values
and UCA charts to the slurry test result sheets. A crush test is required for 12hr or 24-hr compressive strength. Cure and test according to API RP 10B,
excluding section 7.6.
Introduction
Engineering
and Planning
Job
Procedures
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
4444
On-Location Procedures
Cement Bulk Blending

The following procedure is required for all blended cements containing fluid
loss, retarder or silica additives.
Engineering
and Planning
Validating Materials
Verify that the following criteria are met for all materials to be blended:
Lot numbers of bulk cement and all additives are recorded on the blend
sheet.
Only one batch number of cement is used per job.
This batch number coincides with that used in laboratory testing.
Additives are of the same lot or batch number used in laboratory tests.
Only one lot number is used per each critical additive, i.e., fluid loss additives, retarders.
Job
Procedures
CautionDiscard any substandard or suspect material (chunks, lumps, rocks,

wet).
Calculating Blend Volumes
The UNOCAL Drilling Engineer and Foreman will approve the volume of
cement to be blended for the job.
4545
Contractor
Requirements
If a UNOCAL representative cannot be present for the blending operation, the

bulk plant operator with primary responsibility for the blending operation
must verify the blend volumes with the UNOCAL drilling office.
Squeeze
Cementing
Discard any substandard or suspect

material (chunks,
lumps, rocks, wet).
CautionNever use previously opened sacks.
Plug
Cementing
ImportantNO exceptions are permitted.

Never use
previously opened
sacks.
Introduction
For smaller jobs (400 sk or less), consider the use of 220-ft3 portable tanks for
loading, transporting and pumping the job. This will place the final quality
control point at the bulk plant, eliminating the need for quality control checks
between the bulk plant and the rig and consequently, the lead time required
for those checks.
Table of
Contents
The cement bulk blending and loadout procedures that are performed on location are an integral part of quality control, and must be
ImportantThe bulk volume of each batch of cement and additives must not
exceed 60% of scale tank capacity.
To determine the total volume of cement and additives required:
Table of
Contents
The bulk volume of

each batch of cement
and additives must
not exceed 60% of
scale tank capacity.
1. Based on total volume of cement blend required, bulk load factor, and
blending capacity, determine the batch size and quantity.
Preparing Equipment
1. Verify that the additive scale is clean and operating properly.

2. Check the scale tank balance for proper operation.
4. Check air compressor and/or vacuum system for proper operation, and
drain of any moisture.
Engineering
and Planning
3. Verify that the scales have been calibrated and certified within the past six
months. A certification stamp must be on the scale.
Introduction
2. Use the cement blend formulation to calculate total cement and additives
required.
5. Record lot numbers of bulk cement and all additives to be used.
1. Empty, clean, and inspect all blending equipment, including cutting pods,
scale tanks, boxing tanks, silos and sampling devices.
Job
Procedures
Preparation for Liner Job Blends
2. Open and visually inspect all tanks immediately prior to the job to ensure
that they are empty and clean.
4. Follow all appropriate regulations and requirements prior to entry into a

tank.
Plug
Cementing
3. In addition to blowing down, sweep down and clean out tanks.
5. Check aeration pads for moisture; if wet, blow air through until dry.
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Cementing
6. Inspect air-jets for build-up. Clean or replace jets and rubbers as necessary.
7. Purge, empty, and clean all transfer lines.
8. Clean or replace dust sacks.
Contractor
Requirements
Weighing
1. Make sure calibration and certification records for all weighing devices
are available.
2. Zero the scale tank prior to the blending operation.
4646
3. Once the scale is zeroed, this same zero point MUST be maintained during the entire blending operation.
1/3 of the cement

1/2 of the additives
1/3 of the cement
1/2 of the additives
1/3 of the cement
Introduction
5. DO NOT exceed 60% capacity of the scale tank.
Engineering
and Planning
6. Calculate weights of cement and additives for each step. Double check
calculations.
7. Weigh all additives into the bulk tank.
Weigh all additives
into the bulk tank.
Never use the weight
indicated on the bag
for calculations.
Table of
Contents
4. Cement and additives are to be layered into the scale tank in the following
order:
CautionNEVER use the weight indicated on the bag for calculations.
9. Calculate target cumulative weight of scale tank at each step.
Job
Procedures
8. Take into account bag weight or weight of any other weighing container.
Example: For small amounts of additives, the material should be weighed
using a clean plastic or steel container (bucket, garbage can, etc.) after
adjusting (tarring) the scale for the weight of the container.
10.Record scale tank readings after each step, actual cumulative weight.
13.Shake dust socks regularly during the blending operation to minimize

accumulation of materials in them.
Contractor
Requirements
14.Purge the lines of all material after each transfer of material (cement or
additives). Repeat this purging procedure if it is suspected that some of
the material is remaining in the line.
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Cementing
12.For large volume additives such as silica sand, the weigh tank scale may
be used to measure the weight of the material. Example: 3700 lbs. silica
flour, record current scale tank weight, add 36 sacks of 100 lbs. net
(labeled) each, check scale tank weight, weigh out and add any additional
silica flour to bring weight added up to 3700 lbs.
Plug
Cementing
11.During the weighing process, document and compare the target and
actual cumulative weights after each addition of additives or cement to
the blend.
4747
Blending
ImportantFive complete pneumatic bulk plant transfers are required on all

blends. Percolating air through the blend WILL NOT be accepted as a
replacement method.
2. Box a minimum of five times. Example:

a. scale tank to blend tank
Engineering
and Planning
b. blend tank to scale tank

c. scale tank to blend tank
d. blend tank to scale tank
e. scale tank to holding tank, truck or portable tank.
4. Check and record weight of blend each time it comes back into the scale
tank.
Plug
Cementing
ImportantThe weight of the material remaining in the scale tank after the
transfer must be recorded. This weight will be added to the cumulative
weights of the next batch of blended material.
Job
Procedures
3. During the last transfer, take bulk blend samples as detailed in the following section on sampling.
The weight of the

material remaining in
the scale tank after
the transfer must be
recorded. This weight
will be added to the
cumulative weights of
the next batch of
blended material.
Introduction
1. After all cement and additives have been placed in the scale tank, use
approximately 30 psi to transfer the material to the blend tank. If
extremely light additives are being used (microspheres, silica fume, etc.)
the transfer pressure should be reduced to 6 to 8 psi to minimize segregation and losses of these light additives through the vents.
Table of
Contents
Five complete pneumatic bulk plant

transfers are required
on all blends.
Cement Load-Out for Land Operations

The bulk plant operator is responsible for visually inspecting through open
hatches all transport pods to ensure that they are clean and dry.
Squeeze
Cementing
For intermediate and deeper casings, a UNOCAL representative or designated

third party inspector is required to inspect tanks prior to loading.
1. Blow or sweep down any residual cement in the pods as necessary.
Contractor
Requirements
2. Blow clean all transfer lines.

3. Check the air system and drain any water from the traps.
4. Transfer cement through a weigh tank to determine an accurate weight
and volume.
4848
Sampling
Always take samples for lab analysis and confirmation testing. A sample
MUST be taken for each batch blend when it is transferred from the scale tank
to the holding tank prior to load-out.
An automatic or manual sampling valve may be used. A pneumatic inline
sampler is operated through the complete transfer. A manual 1- or 2-in. valve
sampler located on the discharge line, should be opened intermittently
throughout the transfer.
Table of
Contents
Always take samples

for lab analysis and
confirmation testing.
Introduction
The minimum total sample quantity is three gallons (three plastic sample
bags)two to send to the lab and one to keep at the bulk plant.
To take a sample, perform the following steps:
Engineering
and Planning
1. Purge the sample line/valve.

2. Take a sample in a new plastic bag.
3. Force out any excess air.
4. Seal the bag with a wire tie.
5. Label the sample containers and storage tanks with the following information:
Job
Procedures
ImportantThe minimum volume for any single bag is 1 gal.
a. date
Plug
Cementing
b. formulation
c. quantity
d. batch number
e. bulk plant operator
g. cementing job
In some cases sampling should be witnessed by a UNOCAL representative or
designated third party inspector.
Bulk blend testing is required for application of dry-blended bulk blends for
all casing strings.
Bulk blend testing is to include the following, as a minimum:
4949
Contractor
Requirements
Bulk Blend Testing
Squeeze
Cementing
f. well number
thickening time test at BHCT
compressive strength test, 24 hr (WOC, if specified) at BHST (and TOL if

requested)
rheologies at 80oF and BHCT
free fluid and solids settling, at temperature
fluid loss at BHCT
Table of
Contents
The Cementing Contractor must not load out a dry cement blend until
approved by a UNOCAL representative.
Documentation
Job
Procedures
The Cementing
Contractor must not
load out a dry cement
blend until approved
by a UNOCAL
representative.
The following documentation must be provided directly to the UNOCAL

office after completion of every bulk blending operation.
quantities and batch/lot numbers of cement and additives
copy of laboratory cement slurry formulation sheet
weight calculation and recording sheets
final quantity and the number of the storage tank into which it was loaded
Preloading
1. Prepare a load ticket detailing type, content, volume, and weight and bulk
load factor of each cement or blend to be loaded.
5050
Contractor
Requirements
In the event bulk trucks are used to transport the cement blend to the boat
dock, a bulk plant operator shall accompany the trucks and uphold responsibilities.
Squeeze
Cementing
The bulk plant operator is responsible for loading out cement and must ensure
that cement quality is not diminished during or because of this operation. On
the rig, the cementer is responsible for the preparation and execution of
cement offloading procedures from the boat onto the rig. They must promptly
report any problems to UNOCAL.
Plug
Cementing
Cement Loadout for Offshore Operations
Engineering
and Planning
Contractors Cementing Supervisor shall monitor bulk blending and coordinate the lab testing.
Introduction
The Cementing Contractor shall ensure that there is sufficient time between
field blending and the actual cement job to allow for blending, testing, and
when necessary, modifications, re-blending, and re-testing, without jeopardizing the execution of the cement job itself.
2. Prior to loading or inspecting tanks, present a copy of the load ticket to
boat captain and discuss which tanks are to be loaded.
4. Verify hose hookup and valve alignment with boat captain or designated
representative.
Table of
Contents
3. Verify tank volumes and calculate cement volume to be loaded into each
tank.
5. Install a rock catcher between bulk facility and boat.

Introduction
Boat / Tank Inspection
The bulk plant operator or other approved service company representative

must visually inspect all tanks that are to be loaded.
Follow all appropriate regulations and requirements prior to entry into a tank.
1. In addition to blowing down the tanks, any tanks containing barite, bentonite, or cement must be swept down and cleaned out.
Tanks containing any other type of material require steam or pressure
cleaning.
3. Inspect air-jets for cement or other buildup; if found, clean or replace the
jets and their rubbers.
Job
Procedures
2. Check aeration pads for moisture; if they are wet, blow air through them
until they are dry.
Engineering
and Planning
The bulk plant

operator or other
approved service
company representative must visually
inspect all tanks that
are to be loaded.
4. Drain water and moisture from bulk air systems.
6. Pressurize tanks that are to be loaded to 10 psi and check for leaks.
7. Blow down tanks through discharge and hoses that will be used at the rig.
Plug
Cementing
5. Blow air through all purge lines until they are dry.
8. Install and seal hatch covers after inspection is completed.

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Cementing
Loading Cement
1. Monitor vent line for overfilling of tanks.

ImportantDo not change tanks without verifying hose hookup and valve
alignment with the boat captain or the designated representative.
5151
Contractor
Requirements
2. After loading, request the boat crew to open hatches and verify the
amount of cement in each tank, reseal hatch covers, pressure check seal,
and then vent pressure.
CautionLeave pressure off tanks until preparing to off-load cement at the
rig.
Table of
Contents
3. Verify that the boat crew caps and stows the cement discharge hoses
before getting underway.
Offloading Cement at Rig
1. Calculate available rig tank capacities based on bulk load factor of cement
to be loaded.
3. Conduct a visual inspection of the rig tanks prior to loading. and make
sure that any necessary cleanup or repair operations are witnessed.
4. For a liner job, sweep down the rig tank and completely clean it out prior
to loading. Inspect all air pads and jets and replace them as necessary.
6. Install a rock catcher in-line between the boat and the rig tank. The rock
catcher should be positioned on the rig.
During the loading, catch two sets of samples by taking two 1-gal samples at
the beginning, middle, and end of each tank load for a total of six samples.
Plug
Cementing
Rigsite Sampling
Job
Procedures
5. Go on board the boat to inspect the air system and to verify the location
and type of cement or blend in each tank. Check the hose hookups, valve
alignment, and hoses and capped hoses and lines.
Engineering
and Planning
2. Meet with the company man to discuss volume calculations for the
cement and verify the rig tanks into which cement is to be loaded.
Introduction
The cementer is responsible for overseeing offloading of cement blends onto

the rig, including tank inspection, rigging up, volume calculations, and sampling.
Cement Sampling Equipment

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Cementing
For critical jobs, a Gustafson inline sampler is required.

If an inline sampler is not available, use a portable cement tank to collect
samples as follows:
b. Open the access hatch on the top and open the lower feed line from the
bottom of the tank; take three 1-gal samples from each, labeling them
as top and bottom.
5252
Contractor
Requirements
a. Transfer the loaded cement from the rig tank to a portable cement tank
(pod).
Labeling Samples
3. Send one set of samples (three cement samples, one mix-water sample,
and one drilling fluid sample) to the laboratory and retain the other set on
the rig.
Introduction
2. Take two 5-gal samples of mix water and two 2-gal samples of drilling
fluid in clean, sealable containers that are labeled with date, rig, and
source.
Table of
Contents
1. Place the samples of cement blend in the standard sample bags that are
prelabeled with the date, job type, formulation, amount, rig tank number,
and at what interval the sample was taken during the loading process
beginning, middle, or end.
Prejob Procedures
hole size with caliper data or required excess factor

casing length, size, and weight
drill pipe length, size, and weight
shoe track dimensions
required length of tail cement
desired top of cement
liner hanger configuration
any other pertinent information
Plug
Cementing
Job
Procedures
1. Prior to the cement job, obtain up-to-date well information and cementing
objectives from the UNOCAL Drilling Supervisor. This information
should include
Engineering
and Planning
The cementer is responsible for execution of all on-location procedures, as

described below and in the following Job Procedures section.
3. Verify equipment and material requirements and confirm that they will be
on location for the job.
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Cementing
2. Conduct a prejob meeting for all service personnel (mud loggers, etc.) to
provide information or add value to the process.
4. Review cement and spacer formulations with the cementing coordinator.
5353
Contractor
Requirements
5. Review laboratory test results from the rig samples with the cementing
coordinator, paying special attention to the thickening time (available
pumping time) and the required WOC (wait on cement time, time to 500psi).
6. Calculate cement volumes in barrels, in cubic feet, and in sacks of cement
required for the lead and tail formulations. Include a breakdown of these
volumes showing cased hole, open hole, and shoe track volumes.
8. Calculate spacer volumes and material requirements, taking into account

available mixing space.
10.Verify that the suction rates required for the job can be achieved with both
drilling fluid and water.
12.Develop a pumping schedule based on the cement job simulator output.

13.Determine whether the available pumping time as indicated by the laboratory thickening time test result is sufficient for the planned job.
14.Prepare a job plan that includes the following.
5454
Contractor
Requirements
Squeeze
Cementing
rig-up procedure
safety concerns
pressure testing procedure
spacer type, density, and volumes to be pumped
wiper plugs, dart- or ball-dropping sequence and procedure
cement slurry formulation(s) densities and volumes
conversion factors for calculating sacks per barrel of slurry and barrels
of slurry per barrel of mix water
pumping schedule indicating rates, volumes, and times for pumping
and displacing each fluid
total job time including time to drop plugs and flush lines
anticipated job pressures during pumping, shearing or bumping of
plugs and darts
in-hole hydrostatic pressures of each fluid after placement
personnel requirements for the job
Plug
Cementing
Job
Procedures
NoteThe cementing contractors equipment will be used for all mixing and
pumping.
Engineering
and Planning
11.Calculate displacement volumes for the casing or liner and drillpipe as

required.
Introduction
9. Check the available water supply and verify that sufficient quantities of
water will be available for the job.
Table of
Contents
7. Calculate the mix water requirement, additive requirements, and the

resultant mix fluid volume for both lead and tail cement slurries.
contingency plans for the unexpected: liner top packer fails, float
equipment fails, loss of returns while going in the hole, etc.
WOC criteria prior to rigging down any well-control devices
16.Load the wiper plugs in the presence of the UNOCAL Drilling Supervisor.
17.Review checklists, laboratory test results (available pumping time and
WOC time), and job plan with the UNOCAL Drilling Supervisor.
18.Prepare spacer as required and check the weight with a pressurized drilling fluid balance.
Introduction
Load the wiper plugs

in the presence of the
UNOCAL Drilling
Supervisor.
Table of
Contents
15.If supplying the wiper plugs and cementing head, verify that the correct
equipment is on location and that the cementing head and associated connections have been tested.
Engineering
and Planning
Job
Procedures
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
5555
Job Procedure
Maintain an open line

of communication to
rig floor at all times.
Table of
Contents
1. Hold a safety meeting on the rig floor to review the job procedure and
address safety concerns.
NoteMaintain an open line of communication to rig floor at all times.
2. Pump spacer to break circulation.
Introduction
3. Pressure test the lines and the operating system to a pressure above that
expected during the cementing operation.
4. Pressure up the bulk tanks.
5. Pump the job according to the job plan.
NoteThe cementer is responsible for seeing that wiper plugs darts or balls
are released at appropriate times.
6. Use a data acquisition system to record pressure, rate, density and volumes pumped during job.
Job
Procedures
7. Manually record the following events during the job.

pressure test, psi and time
start time for job
dropping of any plug, darts or ball
start and stop time for each fluid pumped
start of displacement
landing or shearing of any plug or dart and the observed pressure
any unexpected pressure changes and any unscheduled shutdowns
top plug bumping pressure and whether or not floats held
cement in place
Plug
Cementing
8. Count and record the volume of mix water by the number of displacement
tank volumes used.
10.Take cement slurry cup samples throughout the job.

11.Take three separate one-gallon mix water samples from the displacement
tank and three separate one-gallon dry cement samples from the surge can
or a transfer line after the job.
5656
Contractor
Requirements
9. Measure the cement slurry density with a pressurized drilling fluid balance.
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Cementing
Engineering
and Planning
The cementer is
responsible for
seeing that wiper
plugs darts or balls
are released at
appropriate times.
12.Label and retain samples for possible laboratory testing until the well is
completed.
CautionDo not pump any fluids lighter in weight than the drilling fluid in
the hole, unless previously agreed upon by respective parties that a lighterweight spacer or flush is to be used.
Do not open the cement head after a cementing fluid (spacer or slurry) has
been pumped downhole, until after the job is completed.
Introduction
Do not sacrifice cement slurry density for pump rate.

Do not over-displace past the calculated displacement plus 50% of the shoe
track volume.
13.Prepare a job ticket, a printout of the data acquisition output and chart,
and any incident reports, and present them to the UNOCAL Drilling
Supervisor.
Engineering
and Planning
Do not open the

cement head after a
cementing fluid has
been pumped downhole, until after the
job is completed.
Table of
Contents
Do not pump any

fluids lighter in weight
than the drilling fluid
in the hole, unless
previously agreed
upon by respective
parties that a lighterweight spacer or flush
is to be used.
Do not sacrifice
cement slurry
density for pump rate.
Job
Procedures
Plug
Cementing
Squeeze
Cementing
Contractor
Requirements
5757

Cementing Best Practice Jorge Sierra

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Table of

Cementing Best Practices

Engineering and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Cementing Best Practices

Monitoring and Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Engineering and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Engineering and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cement Job Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cementing Best Practices

Promoting Best Practices is an ongoing effort throughout Unocal drilling

Visit the Engineering

Cementing Best Practices

Tips for Using This Document

Cementing Best Practices

Engineering and Planning

Engineering and Planning

Primary cement job failures are predominately due to a breakdown in the

Drilling Fluid Conditioning

Cementing Best Practices

Pipe rotation or reciprocation before and during cementing helps break up

The condition of the

Engineering and Planning

In some instances, pipe movement is not recommended. For example, when

To improve centralization of the casing, adhere to the following guidelines:

Use cementing simulator runs to determine the standoff necessary to

Cementing Best Practices

The industry benchmark for standoff is

Centralizing the casing by placing mechanical centralizers across the intervals

Drilling fluid displacement is best achieved

Engineering and Planning

Parameters governing a spacers effectiveness include flow rate, contact time,

When an oil-based or synthetic-based drilling fluid is in the hole, the spacer

Cementing Best Practices

For all liner and tieback jobs, the spacer

Spacer must be fully

Engineering and Planning

Job Volume Excess

Unless caliper data is available or excess volume is otherwise specified, use

Greater than 18,000

Cementing Best Practices

Mix and pump cement as fast as density control, pumping equipment,

To maximize displacement, adhere to the following guidelines:

High-energy displacement rates are most

Engineering and Planning

Choose all downhole

Determine which type of centralizer is best for a particular application by

Select appropriate centralizer types, stop rings, and casing connections to

For highly deviated wellbores, evaluate the use of double bowspring or

Top and bottom

If centralizers are at risk of becoming smashed when running through

Cementing Best Practices

Engineering and Planning

Casing Size (in.)

Considerations for Liner Jobs

Cementing Best Practices

Engineering and Planning

Cement Design Priorities

Priority No. 2Pump Time (Thickening Time)

For surface and intermediate strings where cement placement is relatively

For HPHT liner cementing where cement placement is critical, allow a

Priority No. 3Mixability

Priority No. 4Rheology

Cementing Best Practices