CHAPTER 8 SQUEEZE CEMENTING - REMEDIAL CEMENTING Introduction ‘The technique of squeeze cementing was developed before there was much knowledge of fracture mechanies of earth materials, oF much ability to adjust the properties of neat cement slurries. As a result misconceptions developed concerning where the cement goes on a squeeze job. what well conditions and cement slurry properties are required for effective squeezing, and ‘what ean be expected of a squeeze cementing operation. This being the case, itis well review the basics of squeeze or remedial cementing. Squeeze cementing isan operation where a cement slury is fored under pressure toa specific point in a well for remedial purposes. The objective isto seal all perforations, and to prevent ‘flow between zones through the annulus “To accomplish this objective requires only a relatively small volume of cement, but it must be placed atthe right point in the well, Sometimes a major difficulty is confining the cement io the {wellbore Cement placed ina vertial fracture, away from the wellbore, is of no value, Applications include: seal off undesired perforations; plug primary cement channels to exclue ‘water or gas from the oil zone; repair damaged essing, and supplement the original primary Cement job, An important point is that squeeze cementing can only be expected t0 solve problems of communication: 1. between permeable zones through passageways inte casing-borehoe annslus borehole 2 between permeable formation andthe casing interior through perforations or other holes in te casing. It annot solve a problem of vertical communication within the formation. ‘Two gereral techniques ate recognized for accomplishing the remedial cementing objective: + High pressure wehsique involves fracturing the formation and pumping cement slury into the facture until a paricular surface pressure is reached and “holds® without bleed ‘off, Normally, neat cement (very igh Mid loss) is used. This technique has inbereat fisadvantages, most of which are overcome by the low-pressure technique, + Low pressure technique, oF more descriptive, the “low-fuid-loss-cement” technique involves spotting cement over the perforated interval and applying pressure sufficient to form fier cake of dehydrated cement inthe perforations and in channels or fractures that may be open to the perforations. Low Auid-loss cement (50 to 125 ce APD and clean ‘workover fluids must be used, Ic is usually not necessary or desirable to hydraulically fracture the formation, stImproved knowledge in two areas has benefited our understanding of the squesze cementing process, and as directed us toward the low pressure technique: + The mechanics of fracturing rock and the resulting fracture orientation 1+ The filter cake buildup. or dehydration characterises of a cement slurry pressured against a permeable media. ‘Theoretical Considerations Fracture Mechanics Sedimentary rock is inherently «low tensile strength material primarily held together by the Weight or compressive forces of the overlying formations. The compressive forces actin all dlieetions to “hold” the rock together but do not usually have tke same magnitude in all iections, Figure 81 Figure 8-1 Tiaxal Loacing of Rooks When sufficient hydraulic pressure is applied through the wellbore aguinsta particular formation, the formation rock fractures along ® plane perpendicular to the diection of the least compressive stress. Usvally this plane is verial, and a vertical fracture results, often having a referred szimuth or direction. The geometry of tis facture depends on the rate of fluid Injection, the ui loss and viscous characteristics ofthe uid, and the volume of fluid injected. Based on tis view offs sure mechanics ‘+ Obviously a large verical fracture extending through gas or water contacts, and the natural baits fo verical flow, is undesirable when squeez wate fom anol zone. menting 1 exclude g38 OF 82.‘+The horizontal “pancake” of cement extending outward from the wellbore is usualy a misconception. +A. vertical fracture does not necessarily “find” a channel in the original primary cement jos. Injecting 100 sacks of cement into a formation might, depending on facture width and bares ones, cfeate afraetute along a vertical plane fanning out 40 to $0 fin the vertical direction and ‘similar distance inthe horizontal direction as shown in Figure 8-2 Figure 6-2 Probable Result of Fracture-Type Sqeeze-Cement Job Cement Dehydration Process CCement particles having a size range from about | - 100 microns ar too large to enter anormal formation pore structure, Thus, cement particles "plate out" on the face ofa formation having ‘ranolar permeability The mechanism of dehydration, when cement is placed against a permeable media and exposed to lferertil pressure, is exactly the same as occurs with a drilling uld. Water is forced from the cement slumy and a filter cake of cement is formed on the permeable media. Similar mud cake, the cement cake is relatively soft and can be removed by jetting but is not pumpable. Considerable pressure would be required wo force the cement cake through a restricted ares. “Thickness of the filter cake depends primarily up: + che permeability ofthe cake or formation (whichever is lower), 4+ the Hud loss characterises ofthe slurry, + the magnitude ofthe differential pressure and 83+ the length of ime the differential is maintained “The API file loss of neat cement ranges from 600 0 2500 ce in 30 mites in fet, dehydration ‘occurs so rapidly it is dificult 1o measure. Filter oss ean be reduced 10 relatively low values, 25 'o 100 ce in 30 minutes, by: 1. addition of bentonite 2. dispersing agents or 3. polymers Figure 83 shows a typical relation between Avid Joss and increasing amounts ofa polymer-ype Aud loss additive. Figure 6-9 Fluid Loss Reduction by Polymer Addltves. Permission to Putish by the Society of Petroleum Engineers “The relation of fui los characteristics, filter cake permeability and rate of filter eake buildup is shovin in Table 8-1, These data are based on surface measurements and probably should not be applied quantitatively to a downhole situation. The data reflect the correct trend of downbole events, however. ‘The differential pressure applied tothe srry dizecy affects te rate of filter cake buildup but dies not affect the permeability of the filter cake, Formation permeability also affects the rae of filter cake buildup. but noc on a directly proportionate basis. Surface tesis show tat it takes about twiee as Jong to form the sime thickness of filer eake agsinst a 30 md formation as it does against a 300 md formation. 4API Muid loss at Permeability of titer “Time to form 2-in cake 1,000 pst cake at 1,000 pst (min) (co/mi) (oma) 1200 50 02 600 16 os 300 oss 34 150 019 140 100 0.09 300 0 0.009 00.0 2 0.006 3000 Table 8-1 Fluid Loss vs, Fiter Gate Permeabity and Cake Buicup Rate Practical Considerations Normal Squeeze Cementing Situation Based on current knowledge of fracure mechanics, and the fluid loss properies of cement slurries, we are able to visualize what nus cccue downhole during a “normal” squeeze cement job, and use this visualization to develop a reasonable technique to accomplish our squeeze cementing objective, A normal squeeze cement job is defined as when cement is use to! 1. Repair primary cement channel, of 2. Close off the perforaions opposite a producing zone having reasonable matrix ¢ permeability. Elect of Fitration Rate on Cement Placoment High-fuid-loss cement pumped unéer packer to squesze a long perforated zone may (depending on the pumping rate) dehydrate £0 rapidly opposite the upper perforations that filter toke of dehydrated cement completly fills the easing and prevents application of cement of pressure to the lower perforations as shown in Figure 8-1. The same effect may occur in a channel, i. cement iter eake may quickly close the channel atone end and prevent fling the channel with cement, If the same tone is reperforated, the shattering effect of perforaing probably re-open the origina channel othe perforation. Cement with low fikration rte (30 ce in 30 minutes) forms a thin filter cake, which thickens slowly. Mast of te slur remains “ud” and pumpable, thus chances of filling a channel with cement or contacting each perforaioa with cement are very much improved, as shown in Figure8.5, Water filling the channel from the lower water zone, is forced back into the water zone by the ioe Aid oss cement. ‘A reasonable time period is required for this process. Thus, the Key fo effectively filling the ‘anne! is cement Fu oss conta}, oth co reduce the rate oF fier cake buildup and to preven, fn increase nf slurry viseosity though loss of water, and pumpability cme so that tbe operation ‘an be accomplished before the cement kes an initial set. When the cement reaches the lower fend a the channel opposite the water 2one the cement particles plate out, andthe filter cake built prncess hess, sealy filling the channel wih cemeat filter cake Figure &-4 Probable Result of High Fuié Loss Figure 8-5 Probable Fesuit of Low Fluid Loss Cement Sqoaze, Cament Saaeze. Basics of Lowe/luld-ioss Cement Squeezing Clean workover fluids are an essential roqirement of low-fluid-oss cement saueezing. Ifa perforation & completely plugged with mull s9 that no permesbilty remains, itis impossible > form a filter cake of cement in that perforaion, 2s shown in Figure 8-6. li perforations are plugged, more thar ore squeeze job may he required ssFigure 6.5 Muc-plugged perforations prevent cement fte-cake formation 1A squeeze packer is not necessary unless upper perferatons are open or casing is damages. ‘Cement slurry can be spotted over perforations prior 10 job and, if desired, can be washed out alter ob. With proper filter loss contol there i very litle danger of sticking vols inthe hole due to filter cake buildup inside the casing, ideally only a small cement node remains inside the casing opposite each perforation after washout. Volume of cement required for squeezing perforations is low (0.1 t0 02 cu ft per gerforation, plus the casing fil-up). Small low-volume, Tow-pressure pumping equipment can be used, Borrombole pressure should be kept below formation fracture pressure since facing is not necessary of desirable. Small fractures are probably not detrimental, but Jarge fractures may extend vertically into gas or water zones. Application of High-uid-loss Cement ‘There is almost no advantage to using high-uid-loss cement for emedial cementing. A squeeze poeker is required 1 protect upper casin? sections from pressure. Maximum surface pressure is ‘svally based on some “magic” formula, ie. (0.4 ” depth + 500 psi). Large volume of cement rust be used (100 to 200 sacks is episal). Cement must be drilled cut following job. venical fractures may be detrimental o contol of formation Mud,Special Squeeze Cementing Situations Special squeeze cementing situations are defined as those eases where formation permeability is very high or very low. Carbonate Formations Fractured carbonate formations (if fractures are open) present a somewhat different situation than sandstone, since the matrix permeability may be very low, and actual, or effective permeability, Consists of inter-connected Voids or fracture systems. In this case, cement panicles may move im the large voids or open fracture system. The problem then becomes one of confining the remedial cement sluery 1 the area of the wellbore 1k should be recognized that cement cannot solve 2 vertical communication problem in the formation back aay from the wellbore. It should also be recognized that allowing cement to ‘move info open fractures, vugs or voids in the carbonate productive zone may put the 2ones out ff reach of the perforating gun, All we can hope to do with squeeze cementing is to repair ‘communication along the original primary cemeat job inthe casing-barehole annulus. ‘Thus, i the permeability ofthe flow system (Formation) is quite high it may be necessary to use cone of several posible techniques to confine the cement to the welltore. Possibilities include a ttwostage job with the frst siage containing granular loss cieulaion material for bridging’, higher uid toss cement to form filter cake faster, a quicker seting slurry, a slur with thixottopie properies such that viscosity increases with lower Now velocity. or 2 material which forms a Sif gel in contoct with formation brine (sodium silicate). After the fist stage seals the formation face, a second siage of lower fuid loss cement can be used, if needed, to repair ‘communication along the orginal primary cement job ‘Shale Formations Shale formations have essentilly no mat permesility; thus, a cement filter eae does not build up om a shale zone, Squeeze cementing becomes a process of atempting to place cement in a channel or other mid-filled annular space and allowing itt setup. In perforating opposite a Sale section for "block squeeze" this lack ofa filter cake effect may make it difficult to close off the perforation. Planning a Squeeze Cement Job objective “The first step in planing a squeeze job is vo determine what the downhole problem really is and int the objective of the squeeze job really is. The basic objective is usually to get a litle cement to te right place inthe well LF the inent is to close off a channel in the primary cement providing unwanted communication with some permeable zone, thes we want fo put the cement through the producing perforations and into the channel. To give ourselves the best chance For doing this we shoul + Stay below fracture pressure so that we have some contol cver where the cement slurry goes 88“+ Keep the mix water withthe slurry so thatthe viscosity does not get so high that we can not move it, i, control the Mui loss ofthe slurry. + Keep the coment moving (at least siowly) downhole so thatthe gel stvength effect does + Have some step in our job procedure that leaves the perforations and channel filled with ‘Pua that ean be pushed (9 somewhere else by the cement slury (i. clean water that ‘ean be pushed info a permeable zone). In this manner, the cement slurry ends up in the ‘channel and perforations If the well was perforated in mud, oF if perforations were ever contacted by mud, some mud plugs will remain, and more than one squeeze job may be needed, even if e clean fuid is used Even if squeeze pressures suficient to fracture the formation re employed. there may still be perforations which do not accept cement, ate not sealed off, and thus may "breakdown" when differen pressute ino the wellbore is applied. ‘Artempts 10 clean perforations knovn to be plugged prior 10 a squeeze cement job usually involve use of aid-sirfaetant formulations, To be effective some technique of contacting each perforation withthe weating Auid must be used One technique involves injecting a clean fluid above frac pressure, and using ball sealers to successively close off perforations taking fuid, unt all perforations have been broken down, This is somewhat time-consuming and castly since a squeeze packer may be required. lk may well be fess costly 19 60 more than one squeeze cement job, particulatly if concentric tubing workover techniques are used Several methods have been wsed 10 clean out a channel and leave it filed with water. One ‘method, called a cireulaion |. Perforte the channel some distance above (or below) the producing one perforations. 2. Seta packer herween the two sets of perforations 3, Establish circulation through the channel frst with water 4. Circulate through channel with cement ‘This has the advantage of positively placing cement ia the channel, but itis an expensive technique. Also, is pul holes in the casing that we do noc want o produce through, an that may be aifficutt 0 seal off ater ‘A beer method iso: 1. Create sufficient drawdown on the producing zone perforations such that Aid from the unwanted zone moves though the channel, cleaning it out and leaving it filled with a relatively clean low solids ud, ‘The cement slurry can then push this clean uid back into the permeable zone it originally came from. “This results inthe channel being filed with cement and the only hoes inthe easing are the ones that we then want to produce through. Thus, we have a more effetive technique and one that 89usualy is much les expensive, because it can be accomplished in one trp (using coiled whing or Concentric tubing) in which the cement is spoted over the perforations and forced into the channel, with the excess reversed out Planning a squeeze job involves consideration ofthe following factors: 1. fluid in the wellbore, concition of perforations, squeeze tcols, type and quantity of c2ment, and 5. the selection of the squeeze pressure. ‘Type Workover Fluid Clean salt water is the preferred workover Muid for low (or high) pressure squezze jobs. ‘Considerations of formation damage often dictate the specific composition ofthe uid, Squeeze Packers, Squeeze packers ae not normally required for low pressure squeeze cementing. When there are fother sets of perforations in a wellbore in addition to these which ae to be squeezed or where Soicipated squeeze pressures exceed the casing burst pressure allowance, then sqoceze tools ‘ust be used For circulation pe squeeze jobs, a reirievable packer or a cement retainer set between upper and Tower sets of perforations is required to cirelate cement inthe annulus behind the casing [A drillable packer or cement retainer is used primarily to isolate lower perforations when upper perforations are o be cemented, orto cement lower perforations, which are to be abandoned. ‘A retvevable squeeze packer may be advantageous, in that resetting permits Nexibility (i... can locate casing eac and squeeze cement on same trip) Less rig time is required Coment Slurry Design Design of a suitable squeeze cementing slury is not complicated. Slurry density, volume, cost, and strength must be considered, (asin primary cementing; but pumpabilty time and filration rate are of primery importance. Uniformity ofthe cementing material i important in squeeze cementing; thus API Class G or H basic cements, which are manufactured to more rigid specifications, are often good choices. ‘Additives ae then used to provide desied pumpability time and filtradion rate Pumpabitity tine required for low pressure squeeze cementing depends on several factors, including well depth, tubular size and pumping rae, differential pressure applied and the filtration rate ofthe cement sluey. In other words, purmpability time must exceed, by 2 suitable safey factor, the time to get the cement slurry to Bottom, and to form the required cement fier cake. Two and one-half to four haurs are typical pumpability times #10‘The Amoco pressure-lemperatue thickening time tester shouldbe used to determine pumpability time for entical conditions or where routine squeeze cementing formulations have not been catablished. To be meaningful, (ests must be ron using the same cement, water, and additives ‘which wil actually be present on the job. ‘Table &2 shows the standard API squeeze cementing wellsimulation test schedules. Once the erfortions, but @ somewhat lover differential pressure than the final squeeze pressure. All ment can be washed out of perforated interval if desired. This isthe preferred technique in ‘most situations. See "Concentie Tubing Squeeze Practices" later in this chapter. Estimates formation Breakdown pressre “Fane pester aciegto Figure 8-7 Idealized recording pressure chart during squeeze ob using hesitation technique. woe Waiting n-cement time is governed by same factors atin primary cementing: well emmperaure, pressure, water-cement ratio, retarder, ete, Cement having a compressive sreagth of 200 to 250, si should effectively plug « perforation, Four to six hours WOC time is often sufficient before proceeding tothe next operation if reasonable cae is served to avoid excessive differential pressure into wellboreEvaluation “Test of squeeze job should be determined by requirements of subsequent well operations, Dost overdo, ‘Apply pressure into fornation at least as great as willbe exeried by subsequent frac jobs. It ‘Should be noted that pressuring up insiée casing alone is not a positive indication of @ ement-sealed perforation, since a mud-plugged perforation may also withstand considerable iferencial pressure. ‘Apply differential pressure into wellbore at least as great as will be encountered in producing. a squeeze cement job fils with differential pressure into tne wellbore, iti likely that mud plugs popped out of one or more perforations. The solution is meely to do another squeeze job "This should not be taken a5 an indication that the cement slurry or job technique was at fal. ‘With the low flui-toss cementing technique, the cost ofa second or thir jb is minimized. Other Operational Procedures Cireula Jn Squeeze Above Primary Cement Top COzeasionaly the cement evaluation log may clearly indicate that there is essentially no cement in the annulus through a putcular interval or perhaps thatthe 2one is above the top of the original ‘primary cement. This stuation is one where a cirulation-type squeeze, Figure 8-8, may be @ food solution or perhaps the only option, Basically, the vechnique requires perforating several foles atthe top and bettom of the interval where a cement seal i desired. If itis posible 0 Circulate through the annulus back to the surface, then the upper perforations are not needed. 10, lfet this operation cas be considered the second stage of a primary cement job rather than a squeeze cement jb. (lt also has al the problems of two-stage cementing.) “The Cement Evaluation Log usually is a reliable indiation of where perforations ean be placed with a rearonable chance of circulating between zones. A cement retainer is set between the perforations, cleen flue ip circulated to remove the gelled mud, cement is eieulaed behind the using with returns through the top perforation, and finally alow pressure squeeze is performed. Several advantages and limitations are apparent Advantages are: +A chance is provided to cleanout gelled mud through Mud eireuation, + Circulation usually permits placement ofa longer column of cement than could be placed by squeezing “Bind” from one set of perforations. a6Figure 8.9 Creulation squeeze situation Limitations ar Volume of cement required can only be estimated, Cement retums from the upper perforations ore desirable to obiain fall filup of the annulue, and to close off these perforations, ‘The upper perforations (and also lower perforations) may have to be re-squeezed 10 effectively seal them, and even then there is always a significant possibility thatthe perforations may lek at some future time. Since the casing eannot be “moved” to help break the gel of the annular mud, i is ‘ptimistc to think thatthe circulating wacer of cement will displace all of the mud. Mud Channels wil likely remain, bat hopeflly the mud will be sufiienly resistant to Now thatthe annals wil be effectively sealed. Fluid loss control and pumpabilt time are again important factors to job succes.Block Squeeze Block squeezing, Figure 8-9, is technique wherein ane or wo perforations ae pliced above and below a prospective producing zone. Squeeze jobs are then performed through each set of perforations in tin as a precaution agains possible channeling of water or gas into the 2one. This technique is a questionable practice. A primary disedvantage is that holes which may subsequently leak are placed inthe essing close to the undesired water or 205 2o0es. It may also be an unnecessary operaiicn, Beter practice is to perforate the desired producing zone, test ito Getermine ifthe primary cement job is, ia fac, defective. If tis defective, repair by squeezing those perforations. Figure 8-9 Block squeeze Concentric Tubing Squeeze Practices ‘Squeeze cementing can te carried out using a concentric wing werksting or clled tubing run through a preduction tabing string. This can be done below a packer in a cenventional completion or in a dual completion, either between packers, or below the bottom packer Suggested procedure fora ypicalstor-zone job through 2 3/8-in, tubing in 3 1/2in. casing|. Run the small diameter work string tothe lowest perforation to be squeezed Batch mix low-fid-os ment with retatder to provide mer an adequate purmpability 3, Pump in about 4 bb of fresh water, required cement usually about sand 2 BOI of fresh wat 3b For short zones, followed by appropriate displacing Muid usally saltwater |4. For short zones, pump cement to bottom of the work string, and eieulate cement around bottom until about 1/2 bbl of cement has been circulated above uppermost perforation The objective is t© spot about 50 ft of cemeat in the easing opposite and above perforations 5, Pall work sting abou: 15 ft above top perforations, with the hydraulically-operated “Scippertype blowout prevents elosed on pipe {6 Close BOPS and perform a low pressure squeeze job with maximum squeeze pressure, ‘usually 300 to $00 psi sbove anticipated reversing pressure 7. If 2 cement plug is desired opposite pesforations, reverse out excess cement above perforations, cuse pipe about 30 ft, keeping hydraulically operated stripper closed, and To remove all cement opposite squeezed perforations leaving only dehydrated nodes of cement inside perfortions, start reversing out cement with work tbing above perforations. Afer cement returns are obtained, continue reverse circulation while slowly Towering the tubing trough the perforated interval, Note shat with low deasity Quid in tnaulas, reversing along column of cement trough the tubing exerts significant collapse pressure onthe tubing. This must be checked. However, if isa problem, cement can be eversed out in short slugs, by starting a the 1p of te cement, lowering a few fet into the cement, and bringing that out before lowering further. It is usually preferable to reverse out cement to totiom because of difficulties in drilling cement from casing with 2 small diameter bi. In squeezing between packers in a dual completion, itis obviously ‘necessary 0 reverse out cement ‘Teehnigues similar to procedure 1-8 above have been very successfully applied to larger casing (hin linet using aceled tubing (1 1/2, | 3h4-in, O.D}), work sting. See reference 7, Hornbrook and Mason, Plugback Operations [A plughack operation is designed to completly fill some selected portion ofthe hole, usualy or abandonment. ris often asccised with opeahole, since bridge plugs can be used in ex ‘accomplish the same purpose. See Figure +10, Cement sluny 1pe is usually net good choice ital for & normal plugback, but densified cement is often 3Densified cement, mixed with a redveed water-cement rao, (34 gal per sack), and with sdspersant (0.7310 1 O% CFR-2) to contol viscosity, will tolerate more mud contaminator than normal cement Calcium chloride is sometimes used as accelerator in shallow wells. Cement slurry should be somewhat heaver than displacing fui, Densiied cement weighs about 17.5 Thal Cement placement can be best accomplished by circulation. The key isto place cement with as Tiwe mixing a: possible with weilbore Mids, Hydrostatic pressures must be balanced in the circulation meted, ke, length of cement column, spacer columa, and mud column inside pipe mist be matched by an equal length of each outside the pipe. Figure @-10 Plug-back cement job ‘A novel plughack technique has been developed in North Africa ro shut off totiom water in long zone openhok factureé vugular carbonate completions without the use of a rig. The method involves filic the plughock zone with sand, ‘opped witha short cement cap, a fllows s201. Locate hole bottom and tubing bottom with wireline, 2. Use cementing unit to load hole with water (or ol) and establish siabilized pomp-in rate (410 5 bblimin), 3, Ada sand o water (or ol through cement tub oF cane-ype hopper at concentration of 0.5 {0 1.0 veal, and pump inthe volume of sand required for desired fil-up less cement cap. Pump-in rate should be selected te sereen out sand atthe bottom of the hole (2 0 3 bliin) 4, Displace sand mixture with caleulsted volume of fuid to place top of sand at desired filup depth, When sand clears tubing, reduce displacement rate 100.910 1.0 Dolmin to avoid washing sand into vugs or fractures. 5. Check top of sand fll with wireline Place addtional sand if necessery. 6. Batch mix slury containing 80% neat cement and 20% frac sand. Slury should weigh 18 or 19 Tb/gal. Mix sufficient volume to provide @ 10- 0 20-R cement cap on top of sand fill-up. Use 100% excess slurry volume 7. Displace sand-cement slury with water (or ol) to place top of plug at desired depth. Use low displacement rate o avoid washing sand plug inc formation. 8. Check top of cement after WOC time of six hours. Add more sand-cement slutry if 19. Test well on small choke afer 48 hours WOC. If no water is produced, stimulate upper scotion with acid to increase the Production Index, Pl, and reduce danger of coning around plug, jines for Setting Cement Plugs (updated research report of Feb, Research conducted during 1999 developed speific guidelines for seting plugs in various hole conditions and inclination, from verical 0 horizontal. Table 8-4 and Table 8-5 provide puidance selecting the density difference between the mud and the cement, yield point forthe frvwt and 10 min. gl strength forthe mud,Fioieangiey | Sa"hale | Orhoe | 8M hole | IP hoe | 1" hoke Horizontal | L HL Ti | Hin | HIM = Hin wa Ml) wia WA oF HMM WoL Ua | voMiM | VOM =e | TL TMM | vot | Vow w To Ts | vomit | vit | Vs Verical Dam _|_ Ua THe Ua Ta Vie Very low: L = Low; M= Mediums M= High Table e-4 Guidelines for Setting Cement Pugs Ret Later Yield pain iWmin GS | Fesbyl00 sq. etb/100 59 ft TE. E E L. 35 35 w 360 320 H T 3155 2105 Vie Very low: = Low; Ma Medium; r= High Table @-5 Defining Values’ fr Fluid Properties, ‘Tose the above Table 8-4 and Table 85, wse the following procedure: 1 Went the hole diameter and angle where the plug wil beset 12, Using Figure 3-10, find the closest match forthe required plug, ound up, not down if hole diameter is more than $0% of the posible options. Round up for ole angle also, 3. After determining the lever code from Figure 3-10, apply these to Figure 3-11 to ‘eterminethe respective “density difference", “Yield point and "10 min Gel strength” 4, The leter code in table 3-10 is made up of a series of tee leter codes separated by slashes (iz. HALL) the cemen and the mud tobe displaced. "The second letter code refers to the Yield Point ofthe mut. The third leer code refers to the IO-min Gel Strength of the mu. For example, if he hole is inclined by 30 and is 6” in diameter, the letter code would be LAMM and the following would be the recommendation: density difference would be 2.6ppg (cement “The fir letter code refers to the difference in density the betweenrenter than mud), Yield poim would be >60, snd. the 10 min. Gel strength should be Discussion 1. Horizontal wells {> With 4.5" dia and 6.0" dia casing tests, a mud yield point of 30 Ib/1003q ft with an 8.7 ppg mud sufficiently prevented severe slumping of cement and had no channeling Deviated wellbores: “Test on models operated between 45 and 75° indicated that plug stability depends onthe {allowing > Reducing the density differential becween the driling Mid and the cement. A. density difference greater than 3 Ib/gal caused difficulty in spoting the plu regardless of the mud rheology. > Increase the yield point of the mud below the location of he plug. > Place a reactive spacer between the cement andthe mud, 3. Vertical wells: > Setlng solids are primarily controled by yield point and gel stength, density is less of an issue. Adding sand tothe slurry to make the plugs harder and therefore easier to “whip ‘fF from has not been confirmed, Is therefore a questionable benefit. Special Cement Systems ‘Thixotropie Cement “Tuizotropic cement is intended to contro loss of whole cement ino a fractured, vuggy or highly permesble zone, such that «seal eround the wellbore canbe obtained. It consists of mixture of API Class G eement modified with about 6 co 8% sulfate, which provides « pumpable slurry as fong at itis being moved but which develops high gel strength rapidly when not agitated. In fpplicason, itis usally spoted over the 2one to be sealed off, and a shortened "hesitation Squeeze" techaigue used to obtain a pressure buildup. A more recent thizolropic type cementing formulation contains about | Ibsk of guar gum crosslinked with an organic material, dry-blended with API Class G Cement, ‘Two-Stage Sodium Silicate-Cement System ‘A second technique designed to plug a fractured, vuggy or highly permeable zone involves a two-stage treatment. The frst stage i a sodium silicae-like polymer solotion containing fibrous ‘material and/or sand for bridging. This mixture forms a slff gel when it comes in contact with formation saltwater (or injected. saltwater). This, in effect, temporarily seals the formation £23permeability, such that the second stage, consisting of a normal squeeze cement slurry, is Contained inthe vicinity ofthe wellbare(o provide a permanent shut-off Diesel O11 Cement (control of formation water) “The purpose of diese oil cement is to control extraneous formation water. DOC consists of portend cement mixed in diese ol or kerasene (no water) with a surfoctant to improve weting ‘Of cement particles. The cement will not set up until it is contacted with wate, hopefully from the extraneous water 20ne. Successful application of DOC requires that it be propery placed in contact with te water zone and tht it not contact water from the producing zone. As a practical matter, this equirement limits the usefulness of diesel oil cement systems. Untrafine Cement Ultrafine cement (Micro Matix, Halliburton) has an average paticle sizeof about 45 microns, compared with about 100 mierons for normal Class A or G cement. In laboratory tests ultrafine ‘cement particles penetrate opening as small 3s 0.002 in, or clean sands a fine as 100 mesh. Ths, ‘theafine slurries may have possiblities for squeeze cementing small-opening casing leaks, stall channels or fnctures, and gravel packs. With greater particle surface area strength buildup is ‘more rapid thn normal cement slurries under similar curing conditions. i should be recognized that in formations having larger pore openings or fractures, the cement partes (not just the filtrate) may enter the pore channels to plug off some distance away from the wellbore. With a normal cement particle sie, the particles bridge of or form filter cake on the formation face. All that enters the formation pore system is the cement filtrate wich is ‘Usually considered to be non-damaging. This may not be true with ultafine cement sures 24References Howard, G. C. and Fast, C. R.: "Squeeze Cementing Operations," Trans, AIME (1950) 199 53-64, Huber, T. A. Tousch, G, H., end Dublin, J. R, I: “A Simplified Cementing Technique for Recompletion Operations,” JPT (Jan. 1954, Hook, F. E, and Emst, E, A: "The Ellect of Low-Water-Loss Additives, Squeeze Pressure, and Formation Permeability on the Dehydration Rate of a Squesze Cementing Slurry,” SPE 2455 (May 25, 1969). Goolsby, J. Li "A Proven Squeeze-Cementing Technique in « Dolomite Reserois,” JPT (Ocx 1965), Sikes, RL, and Logan, JL: "New Technology in Gas Migration Control,” SPE 16653, (Gept 1987), “Specification for Materials and Testing for Well Cements," API Spec 10, 4 Ed (Aug. 1, 1988) Hornbrook, P, R. and Mason, C. Mz "Improved Coiled-Tubing Squeeze-Cemeating at Prudhoe Bay," JPT (April 1991). Meck, J. W., and Harris, K.:"Repaiting Casing Leaks With Small Particle Size Cement,” SPE Prod. Facilities (Feb. 1993). Beirute, RM., Bugl, R, Harizon, M. and Rossignol, H.: "A Cost-Effective Technique for Squeezing Perlormations,” SPE EAP Exchange 28152, PT (Feb. 1994), Smith, M. V. and Pitura, J. Ms “CostEffecive Solutions to Well Plugging end "Abandonment," SPE 27864 (March 1994). Kirana, IN, Susanto, T and Mulyawaa, R: “Steam Zone Isolation Strategies inthe Duri Steamflood,” SPE 37543 (Feb, 1997). Farkas, R. F, England, K. W., Roy, M. L, Dickinson, M., Samuel, M. and Har, R “New Cementing Technology Cures 40_Year_Old Squeeze Problems,” SPE $6537 (Oct. 1999) Calvert, D, G., Heathman, J. F., Giff, J. E: “Study Reveals Variables That Affect Cemeat-Piug Stability” O&G (Feb 21, 2000), Fer}