An Integrated Approach to Cement Evaluation

Gunnar DeBruijn Cement sheath evaluation is enhanced when engineers consider cement evaluation
Sugar Land, Texas, USA
logs in the context of events that took place during drilling and subsequent cement
Anouar Elhancha slurry placement. Such an integrated approach helps engineers confirm the presence
Polina Khalilova
Pavel Shaposhnikov of zonal isolation or determine why isolation has not been achieved. In the latter
Gioconda Tovar
Houston, Texas case, a complete well history analysis offers operators valuable guidance for
improving future cementing operations.
Paul Sheperd
Denver, Colorado, USA

Oilfield Review 28, no. 1 (January 2016).

Copyright © 2016 Schlumberger.
For help in preparation of this article, thanks to Primary cementing operations rank among the prior to running casing. In the absence of a cali-
Eve Le Bastard, Grabels, France; and Chew Yeong Leong, more important events that occur during a well’s per measurement, the cement volume must be
Houston, Texas.
CemSTRESS, Invizion Evaluation, Isolation Scanner, Techlog
lifetime. The cement sheath plays a critical role estimated. When designing the cement job, engi-
and USI are marks of Schlumberger. in establishing and maintaining zonal isolation in neers may also be guided by other formation con-
the well, supporting the casing and preventing siderations, including pore pressures, fracture
1. Nelson EB: “Well Cementing Fundamentals,”
Oilfield Review 24, no. 2 (Summer 2012): 59–60.
external casing corrosion. gradients and the locations of potential lost cir-
2. Standoff is defined by the API as: Well cementing involves a myriad of geologic, culation zones.
w
standoffAPI = r – r
hole pipe
in which r hole is the hole diameter, chemical and mechanical parameters. The oper- As the casing is run in the hole, centralizers
r pipe is the casing diameter and w is the smallest annular ation may be divided into several principal activi- installed on the outside of the pipe establish a
gap. Guidelines concerning recommended standoff
values are also published by the API.
ties—drilling the wellbore, casing the wellbore, standoff between the casing and the wellbore
American Petroleum Institute: API Specification 10D: placing the cement slurry in the casing to well- that provides open flow paths in an annulus. The
Specification for Bow-String Casing Centralizers, bore annulus, allowing the cement to set and general guideline for centralization is to main-
Washington, DC: API (March 2002).
American Petroleum Institute: API Standard 65—Part 2:
then evaluating the quality of the resulting tain a casing standoff sufficient for effective mud
Isolating Potential Flow Zones During Well Construction, cement sheath.1 Secondary considerations may removal and cement sheath coverage.2 When the
Washington, DC: API (December 2010).
include remedial treatments to correct cement- casing is poorly centralized, annular constric-
3. Smith RC: “Successful Primary Cementing Can Be a
Reality,” Journal of Petroleum Technology 36, no. 11 ing problems and the long-term effects of produc- tions can trap drilling fluid between the casing
(November 1984): 1851–1858. tion on cement sheath integrity. and the wellbore, preventing complete cement
Crook RJ, Benge G, Faul R and Jones RR: “Eight Steps
Ensure Successful Cement Jobs,” Oil & Gas Journal 99,
Primary cementing requires the wellbore to coverage. This problem is exacerbated as a well’s
no. 27 (July 2, 2001). be in a condition that is conducive to successful deviation angle increases.
Bittleston S and Guillot D: “Mud Removal: Research cement slurry placement. For example, the bore- For many years, the industry has employed
Improves Traditional Cementing Guidelines,”
Oilfield Review 3, no. 2 (April 1991): 44–54. hole should be free of washed-out, out-of-gauge strategies to promote optimal cement placement
4. Free fluid is the volume of the particle-free liquid that zones. Caused either by soft or unconsolidated results. These strategies, collectively known in
separates from a stationary cement slurry. Free fluid is
measured by pouring a cement slurry into a graduated
formations or as a result of drilling practices, the industry as good cementing practices, dictate
cylinder and allowing the cylinder to remain undisturbed washouts create irregular and enlarged bore- that drilling fluid be conditioned prior to a
for 30 minutes. A technician measures the particle-free
liquid volume, which is expressed as a percentage of the
holes that are difficult to clean up and tend to cement job.3 Conditioning is a process of homog-
total slurry volume. Free fluid is minimized during cement hold gelled or dehydrated drilling fluid that can enization, cuttings removal, gelled mud dispersal
slurry design. For more on free fluid measurement:
American Petroleum Institute: API RP 10B–2:
contaminate the cement slurry. Because they and adjustment of rheological properties to facil-
Recommended Practice for Testing Well Cements, also create voids in the borehole wall that must itate cementing. Many cement placement simu-
Washington, DC: API (July 2005).
be filled with cement, washouts must be factored lators provide recommendations that address
5. For more on cement sheath evaluation: Allouche M,
Guillot D, Hayman AJ, Butsch RJ and Morris CW: into cement volume calculations. To determine drilling fluid conditioning. In the absence of
“Cement Job Evaluation,” in Nelson EB and Guillot D the location and volume of washouts, engineers cement placement simulators, cementing per-
(eds): Well Cementing–2nd ed. Houston: Schlumberger
(2006): 549–612. usually perform openhole caliper measurements sonnel commonly circulate at least one annular

10 Oilfield Review
volume of drilling fluid before pumping the
cement slurry. This precaution is carried out
after casing is run to remove entrained gas and
cuttings, break the fluid’s gel strength and lower
the fluid’s yield stress and plastic viscosity.
However, such broad measures may be question-
able in light of the highly diverse and increas-
ingly complex wells being drilled today.
Chemical washes and spacer fluids are
pumped ahead of the cement slurry to facilitate
removal of drilling fluid and prevent commin-
gling of the drilling fluid and the cement slurry.
The types and volumes of washes and spacers are
selected on the basis of the drilling fluid proper-
ties and hole geometry as well as the physical and
chemical environment downhole.
When feasible, casing movement—in the
form of reciprocation, rotation or both—is per-
formed while circulating drilling fluid and while
pumping preflushes and cement slurries. Casing
movement helps reduce drilling fluid viscosity
and dislodge gelled drilling fluid from annular
constrictions, thereby providing an improved
environment for cement placement.
The cement slurry is designed to perform
within the parameters of the anticipated well-
bore environment. Accurate temperature and
pressure data are essential inputs to the design
process. Cement parameters that must be opti-
mized include rheological properties, thickening
time, strength development, permeability, free
fluid and long-term durability.4
During job execution, care must be taken to
prepare the preflushes and cement slurries
according to the design and to pump these fluids
at the planned rates to ensure successful cement
placement. The wellhead pressure must also be
examined throughout the operation to verify that
the fluids are being placed properly and that the
well is under control. Modern cement mixing and
pumping equipment is fitted with sensors that
allow engineers to closely monitor and record
these parameters.
After the cement sheath has set and hard-
ened, logging helps engineers ascertain the qual-
ity of zonal isolation.5 Log interpretation can be
improved if logging personnel are informed of
previous drilling and cementing activities as well
as the physical properties of the cement.
Information about hole geometry, potential lost
circulation zones, mud type, spacer fluid and
cement properties, pressure testing and unusual
events that occurred during drilling and cement-
ing may help logging engineers properly calibrate
tools and ensure that sufficient logging data are
obtained for cement sheath evaluation. Building
on established cementing practices, a system for
January 2016
Drilling Cement Placement Cement Sheath Evaluation
Drilling fluid compositions Preflush, spacer and cement Cement bond log
slurry compositions
Drilling fluid rheological properties Variable density log
Preflush, spacer and cement slurry
Rate of penetration Acoustic impedance
rheological properties
Weight on bit Flexural attenuation
Circulating temperatures
Torque, shock and vibration data Third interface echo
Static temperatures
Lost circulation zone locations Solids presence map
Cement slurry thickening times
Washout locations
Cement strength development
Wellbore geometry
Centralizer program
Mechanical earth model
Casing movement during
(wellbore stability)
displacement
Lithology
Cement displacement simulation
Resistivity
Cement acoustic impedance
Casing plan simulation
Pressure and temperature
Figure 1. Well properties and measurements for the Invizion Evaluation service. Well integrity
engineers analyze many types of data to generate an Invizion Evaluation presentation that shows
drilling measurements, cement placement data and cement sheath evaluation logs.
rendering all relevant information into a compat- productivity. The engineers gather the data and
ible format allows a more efficient and thorough arrange the information in a workflow that
analysis of the principal parameters influencing allows offset well histories to be used during
primary cementing and zonal isolation. well planning.
Schlumberger engineers have developed a Within the PTECs, multidisciplinary teams of
technique by which logging personnel and opera- well integrity engineers (WIEs) collaboratively
tors may easily view and analyze previous well analyze many well parameters and arrange the
events, thereby improving log interpretation. information in a workflow that allows straightfor-
This article presents case histories from Alaska, ward visualization of the history and current sta-
Colorado and Texas, USA, and from the Gulf of tus of a well. At key junctures, the WIE teams are
Mexico. These cases illustrate how performing a also able to remotely monitor and analyze the
comprehensive examination of the entire well current status of a well. Because the datasets fre-
construction process can help engineers verify quently come from various sources in a variety of
primary cementing success or diagnose why formats, they must be normalized to allow a
cementing objectives have not been met. In the coherent examination. Engineers accomplish
latter case, the lessons learned can provide guid- this task by entering the data into the Techlog
ance for remediation and improving results in wellbore software platform.
future wells with similar parameters. The platform consists of a comprehensive set
of modules that accommodates the myriad types
Integrated Cement Evaluation of data acquired during a well’s lifetime. An inter-
In the context of well cementing, the concept of active graphical user interface allows engineers
following a cementing operation from the design to evaluate details throughout the entire well
stage through the execution stage and to the construction process.
evaluation stage has existed for some time. The WIEs use the software platform to collab-
Accordingly, Schlumberger has organized dedi- oratively examine formation geology and petro-
cated teams of drilling, geomechanical, logging physics, well geometry, drilling events, drilling
and cementing engineers that perform multidis- and cementing fluids, cement placement events
ciplinary analyses of virtually all parameters rel- and cement sheath evaluation logs (Figure 1).
evant to the lifetime of a well. A community of The information is arranged into a chronological
these engineers is located at Schlumberger account of well events that is used in the newly
PetroTechnical Engineering Centers (PTECs) developed Invizion Evaluation well integrity ser-
around the world. Their principal objective is to vice. Ancillary data such as laboratory test results
provide operators with information to safely and and modeling predictions may be displayed in
efficiently construct wells and maximize well separate windows on the presentation.
11
 The system’s capability to visualize and evalu- [1,200 m]—is 75°F [24°C]. A retarder was added would be discernable by most wireline logging
ate all of the available well data allows the WIEs to the cement slurry to prevent premature setting tools. The delay was expensive in terms of
to perform improved interpretations and deter- at the TD; however, the retarder also presented rig time.
mine why zonal isolation has or has not been risk of slurry overretardation at the TOC depth. To determine whether cementing and logging
achieved. Using the Invizion Evaluation service, Because of the narrow fracture pressure win- could proceed more efficiently while reducing
holistic assessments have been performed on dow, a low fluid density contrast was necessary the waiting-on-cement (WOC) time, the operator
more than 100 casing strings worldwide. to avoid well failure.6 The densities of the drilling elected to use the Invizion Evaluation service.
fluid, spacer fluid and cement slurry were 10.4, The engineers were provided with data gathered
Cementing Depleted Sands in Alaska 11, and 11.5 lbm/galUS [1,250, 1,320 and during drilling and cementing along with the
An operator in Alaska is producing from a reser- 1,380 kg/m3], respectively. State regulations compositions and rheological properties of the
voir characterized by depleted sands, potential require that, before continuing operations, engi- wellbore fluids.
lost circulation zones and a narrow fracture pres- neers must confirm the location of the top of The well deviation created a narrow side of
sure window. The wells have deviation angles up cement and verify the presence of competent the annulus, where cement contamination by
to 60° and the producing interval lies between cement around the circumference of the casing. mud would be more likely. Knowing the rheologi-
9,800 and 10,060 ft [2,990 and 3,070 m]. The bot- Because of the small density contrast between cal properties of the drilling fluid, spacer fluid
tomhole static temperature (BHST) is approxi- the wellbore fluids, the operator typically had to and cement slurry, the engineers performed
mately 150°F [66°C]; the temperature at the wait several days after the cement job for the set cement placement simulations to obtain guid-
anticipated top of cement (TOC)—about 4,000 ft cement to develop an acoustic signature that ance for preventing such cement slurry contami-

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Wellbore Quality Cement Design and Placement Simulation Cement Evaluation

Well Schematic Gamma Ray Deviation Resistivity Porosity Cement Annular Casing Standoff Cement Simulated Mud Displacement Acoustic Impedance Acoustic Impedance Flexural Attenuation Flexural Attenuation Solids, Liquids and
Density Coverage Simulation Map Map Gas Map

Maximum Maximum

Cement Evaluation Zones

0 Mrayl 10 0 dB/m 200
Bulk Density
Between Centralizers Minimum Minimum
1.95 g/cm3 2.95 Mud
0 % 100 –1 Mrayl 9 0 Mrayl 10 50 dB/m 155 0 dB/m 200
Thermal Neutron Cement Annular Tail slurry Gas
Depth, Well Schematic Gamma Ray Deviation A16H Porosity Density At Centralizers CEM_PERC_CEM_COV Lead slurry Image Orientation, ° Average Image Orientation, ° Average Solid
ft 0 gAPI 150 0 degree 90 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 45 % –15 1 g/cm 3
2 0 % 100 0 % 100 Spacer 0 90 180 270 360 0 Mrayl 10 0 90 180 270 360 0 dB/m 200 Liquid

1,000

Mud
2,000

3,000

Spacer
4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000 Lead

8,000

9,000
Tail

10,000

Figure 2. Alaska well presentation. Tracks 1 through 5 display well information tail slurry below 9,150 ft (Track 9, dark gray). Tracks 10 through 14 show
and measurements obtained before cement placement. Tracks 6 through 9 cement evaluation results. Acoustic and ultrasonic logs that were run 27 hrs
present cementing execution information. Track 9 predicted that some after cement placement confirmed adequate cement coverage and zonal
mud contamination (red) could be expected in the lead cement slurry to isolation across both the lead and tail portions of the cement sheath below
a depth of 9,200 ft. However, no contamination was predicted across the 4,000 ft (Track 14, predominantly brown).

12 Oilfield Review
 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Casing Standoff Cement Displacement Acoustic Impedance Acoustic Impedance Casing Standoff Cement Displacement Acoustic Impedance Acoustic Impedance Casing Standoff Cement Displacement Acoustic Impedance Acoustic Impedance
Simulation Map Simulation Map Simulation Map
Minimum Minimum Minimum
–1 Mrayl 9 –1 Mrayl 9 –1 Mrayl 9
At Centralizers Average At Centralizers Average At Centralizers Average
Mud Mud Mud
58 % 100 –1 Mrayl 9 –1 Mrayl 9 58 % 100 –1 Mrayl 9 –1 Mrayl 9 58 % 100 –1 Mrayl 9 –1 Mrayl 9
Lead slurry Lead slurry Lead slurry
Depth, Between Centralizers Tail slurry Image Orientation, ° Maximum Depth, Between Centralizers Tail slurry Image Orientation, ° Maximum Depth, Between Centralizers Tail slurry Image Orientation, ° Maximum
ft 0 % 100 Spacer 0 90 180 270 360 –1 Mrayl 9 ft 0 % 100 Spacer 0 90 180 270 360 –1 Mrayl 9 ft 0 % 100 Spacer 0 90 180 270 360 –1 Mrayl 9

500 500 500

1,000 1,000 1,000

1,500 1,500 1,500

2,000 2,000 2,000

2,500 2,500 2,500

3,000 3,000 3,000

3,500 3,500 3,500

4,000 4,000 4,000

4,500 4,500 4,500

5,000 5,000 5,000

5,500 5,500 5,500

6,000 6,000 6,000

6,500 6,500 6,500

Figure 3. Colorado well presentation. The first presentation (left) indicates displacement up to a depth of about 2,000 ft (Track 2, green). Although
numerous areas of poor casing standoff (Track 1, red). The cement cement did not reach the surface, no gas or pressure was observed.
displacement simulation predicted areas of poor mud displacement (Track 2, The third presentation (right ) shows the results of improved rheological
red). The acoustic impedance map also showed regions of poor cement properties of the cement slurry in addition to improved centralization. The
coverage (Track 3, blue) up to the surface—which explained the presence cement reached the surface and the acoustic impedance map shows
of sustained casing pressure at the surface after cementing. The second competent bonding with no contiguous channels (Track 3). Sustained casing
presentation (center) shows the results obtained by improving the casing pressure was not observed using this design.
centralization. The simulator indicated good mud removal and cement

nation and for estimating whether the cement that, despite the contamination, the cement slurry with the log information, illustrated the presence
would cover the entire interval of interest would set within 10 hours; however, the acoustic of good cement across all sections of the cement
(Figure 2).7 The results of the simulation indi- impedance differential was only 0.3 Mrayl—too sheath. The operator has continued to employ
cated a risk of incomplete mud removal and also small to be detected by conventional logging tools.8 this evaluation technique, lowering the WOC
provided an estimate of the volume of cement Three days of curing would be necessary for the time and reducing completion costs.
contaminated by mud. cement to develop a sufficiently high acoustic
In the laboratory, Schlumberger engineers pre- impedance contrast to permit evaluation by con- Solving Sustained Casing Pressure in Colorado
pared cement slurries whose compositions corre- ventional logging methods—confirming the opera- The Niobrara play in the Denver-Julesburg basin
sponded to the mud contamination estimate and tor’s previous experience. is located in a highly populated region along the
cured the samples in an ultrasonic cement ana- The WIEs recommended the use of the Front Range in Colorado, USA. This field pro-
lyzer (UCA) at the well’s BHST. The tests indicated Isolation Scanner cement evaluation service duces approximately 250,000 bbl/d [39,700 m3/d]
because of its ability to acquire more sensitive of oil from the Niobrara formation. One of the
6. A narrow fracture pressure window describes a
condition in which the mud weight required to drill an acoustic impedance measurements.9 The tool principal operators has more than 8,400 active
interval without fluid influx is close to that which would combines the classic pulse-echo techniques of wells in the region. Effective zonal isolation is of
cause the formation to fracture or fail.
7. For more on cement placement simulations: Piot B:
ultrasonic bond logging tools with a flexural particular importance because some wells are
“Primary Cement Job Design,” in Nelson EB and Guillot D imaging technique that provides more effective located immediately adjacent to residential
(eds): Well Cementing 2nd ed. Houston: Schlumberger
(2006): 435–458.
imaging of the annular fill, including reflection areas. Sustained casing pressure caused by gas
Abbas R, Cunningham E, Munk T, Bjelland B, echoes at the cement-formation interface—the migration through inadequate tail cement is a
Chukwueke V, Ferri A, Garrison G, Hollies D, Labat C and third interface echo (TIE). The TIE also allows cause for concern and has been confirmed by
Moussa O: “Solutions for Long-Term Zonal Isolation,”
Oilfield Review 14, no. 3 (Autumn 2002): 16–29. engineers to determine whether material behind cement bond log (CBL) and USI ultrasonic
8. The unit of acoustic impedance is the rayl, normally given the casing is solid, liquid or gas. Correlating data imager logs in certain cases. To mitigate
in Mrayl. One rayl = 1 kg/s/m2.
from the UCA to the capabilities of the gas migration, the operator elected to try the
9. For a description of the Isolation Scanner tool operation:
Bellabarba M, Bulte-Loyer H, Froelich B, Le Roy-Delage S, Isolation Scanner technology, the WIEs deter- Invizion Evaluation service. The operator pro-
van Kuijk R, Zeroug S, Guillot D, Moroni N, Pastor S and mined that logging could commence as early as vided the WIEs with pertinent well data, which
Zanchi A: “Ensuring Zonal Isolation Beyond the Life of the
Well,” Oilfield Review 20, no. 1 (Spring 2008): 18–31. 27 hours after cement placement. The cement were loaded into the Techlog platform to produce
execution data and laboratory data, combined a comprehensive presentation (Figure 3).

January 2016 13
 The analysis indicated that previous wells had ratio and cement compressive strength. The soft- to improve cement sheath flexibility. In addition,
poor casing centralization, resulting in poor mud ware evaluates cement sheath performance in the cement slurry contained an additive to cause
removal that allowed channels to form in the compression, tension or both; it can also identify slight cement sheath expansion after setting,
cement sheath and serve as conduits for annular both inner and outer microannuli and predict thereby improving the bond. The operator has
gas migration to the surface. Based on these find- their size and development over time.11 successfully applied the revised cementing strat-
ings, the operator increased the centralizer den- In wells that experienced gas leakage, egy in wells in the region.
sity by 50%, which led to better cement slurry CemSTRESS analysis showed that the Young’s
displacement and mud removal. Sustained casing modulus of the formation surrounding the tail Mitigating Gas Migration in South Texas
pressure was no longer observed. section of the cement sheath was too low to sup- An operator producing from the Eagle Ford Shale
The investigation also included using the port the mechanical properties of the cement in South Texas, encountered difficulties while
CemSTRESS cement sheath stress analysis soft- compositions that had been pumped. As a result, cementing surface casing.12 The 10 3/4-in. surface
ware to estimate the radial and tangential stresses the cement sheath simulation indicated failure casing was set inside 80 ft [24 m] of 16-in. con-
imposed on casing strings, cement sheaths and under traction, a possible explanation for the ductor pipe. The casing string extended vertically
formations during the life of a well.10 The input poor casing-cement bonding across that interval. from the surface through the conductor pipe and
parameters included Young’s modulus, Poisson’s Engineers altered the cement slurry composition inside a 131/2-in. open hole to 4,525 ft [1,379 m].

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Wellbore Quality Cement Design and Placement Cement Evaluation

Lithology Porosity Resistivity Caliper 3D Borehole Well Geometry Mud Contamination Cement Simulation Cement Bond Log Variable Density Log Acoustic Impedance Flexural Attenuation Solids, Liquids and
Risk Displacement Map Map Gas Map
90-in. Array
0.2 ohm.m 2,000
60-in. Array
0.2 ohm.m 2,000
30-in. Array Washout

–490.00

51.00
2.06
2.56
3.05
3.54
4.03
4.52
5.02
5.51
0.2 ohm.m 2,000 Undergauge Gas
Standoff Between
Spontaneous Potential Neutron Porosity 20-in. Array Centralizers Solid
High Mud
–240 mV 60 60 % 0 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 20 in. 0 0 % 100 Mrayl 50 dB/m 155 Liquid
Medium Tail slurry
Depth, Zonation Gamma Ray Bulk Density 10-in. Array Standoff at Centralizers Low Lead slurry Image Orientation, ° Image Orientation, ° Image Orientation, °
ft 0 gAPI 150 60 % 0 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 0 in. 20 0 %. 100 None Spacer 0 mV 100 45 135 225 315 45 45 135 225 315 45 45 135 225 315 45
Zone 5
Zone 4

1,000
Zone 3

2,000
Zone 2

3,000

4,000
Zone 1

Figure 4. Overview of an Invizion Evaluation service for an Eagle Ford well. surface during displacement, losses occurred thereafter and the top-of-solids
Engineers divided the Invizion Evaluation presentation into five zones (left). depth was 240 ft (Track 13). Liquid channels existed between 240 and 550 ft.
Key observations included that, although cement slurry had reached the Washouts occurred between 500 and 1,200 ft (Track 4).

14 Oilfield Review
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Wellbore Quality Cement Design and Placement Cement Evaluation

Lithology Porosity Resistivity Caliper 3D Borehole Well Geometry Mud Contamination Cement Simulation Cement Bond Log Variable Density Log Acoustic Impedance Flexural Attenuation Solids, Liquids and
Risk Displacement Map Map Gas Map
90-in. Array
0.2 ohm.m 2,000
60-in. Array
0.2 ohm.m 2,000
30-in. Array Washout

–490.00

51.00
2.06
2.56
3.05
3.54
4.03
4.52
5.02
5.51
0.2 ohm.m 2,000 Undergauge Gas
Standoff Between
Spontaneous Potential Neutron Porosity 20-in. Array Centralizers Solid
High Mud
–240 mV 60 60 % 0 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 20 in. 0 0 % 100 Mrayl 50 dB/m 155 Liquid
Medium Tail slurry
Depth, Zonation Gamma Ray Bulk Density 10-in. Array Standoff at Centralizers Low Lead slurry Image Orientation, ° Image Orientation, ° Image Orientation, °
ft 0 gAPI 150 60 % 0 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 0 in. 20 0 %. 100 None Spacer 0 mV 100 45 135 225 315 45 45 135 225 315 45 45 135 225 315 45

600

700

800
Zone 4

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

Figure 5. Invizion Evaluation service interpretation of Zone 4 of an Eagle Ford than 70 gAPI. The resistivity data (Track 3) do not indicate mud invasion
well. Zone 4 extends from 560 to 1,250 ft. The interpretation results indicate except at approximately 650 to 750 ft. Caliper values (Track 4) averaged
well-bonded casing (Track 3, brown) and some apparent liquid patches 16.5 in. [42 cm], indicating washout sections. Casing standoff (Track 6)
(blue), which are also predicted by the cement placement simulation averaged about 60%. The interpretation results indicate bonded solids
(Track 8). The gamma ray curve (Track 1) shows an average value of less around the casing and some liquid patches (Track 13).

The operator faced three principal cementing casing joint to 1,000 ft [305 m]. Then, at lower despite about 10% mud contamination. In Zone 2,
risks: lost circulation, hole washouts and gas depths, where the well was still vertical, every between 4,060 and 2,006 ft [611 m], evidence of
migration from shallow flow zones between fourth casing joint was fitted with a centralizer. mud invasion and lost circulation was apparent;
250 and 600 ft [76 and 183 m] measured depth. To further minimize the risk of gas migration, nevertheless, the interpretation indicated good
An offset well on the same pad developed gas the operator elected to install an external casing bonding within the interval. A discrepancy
migration outside the casing and required reme- packer (ECP) within the casing-conductor between the predicted and measured location of
dial cement squeezes and a casing patch to fix pipe annulus. the interface between the tail slurry and lead
the problem. The casing patch reduced the inner The cementing operation successfully slurry provided evidence that the lead and tail
diameter of the casing to an extent that inter- stopped gas migration; however, after the slurries were mixed during displacement.
fered with further well development plans. The cement slurry reached the surface, lost circula- In Zone 3, between 2,006 and 1,250 ft
operator sought advice from Schlumberger to tion difficulties were encountered, and the TOC [611 and 381 m], mud pockets were observed.
propose measures to improve cementing results fell back into the well before the top plug Log interpretation indicated bonded solids
in future wells. reached the bottom of the casing string. The around the casing and the development of liquid
Updated cementing practices were employed WIEs performed the Invizion Evaluation service channels. Similar results were seen in Zone 4
to prevent gas migration along the surface cas- to investigate these problems as well as verify between 1,250 and 560 ft [381 and 171 m]
ing string. Both the lead and tail cement slurry annular zonal isolation. (Figure 5). Zone 5 extended from 560 ft to the
incorporated a gas migration control additive. The overall presentation indicated that the
10. Bellabarba et al, reference 9.
The tail slurry was also designed to set quickly to TOC was at 240 ft [73 m]. Washouts and liquid 11. A microannulus is a small gap that can form between
further minimize the likelihood of gas migration. channels in the cement slurry were also observed. the casing and the cement sheath or between the
cement sheath and the formation.
The centralizer program was designed to provide To more thoroughly examine the data, the WIEs
12. Surface casing usually consists of a large-diameter pipe
maximum standoff across the shallow gas divided the well into five analysis zones (Figure 4). string to protect freshwater aquifers and provide
zones—engineers installed one centralizer per In Zone 1, extending from TD to 4,060 ft structural strength for additional casing strings,
including the final production casing string.
[1,237 m], good cement bonding was present

January 2016 15
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Wellbore Quality Cement Design and Placement Cement Evaluation

Lithology Porosity Resistivity Caliper 3D Borehole Well Geometry Mud Contamination Cement Simulation Cement Bond Log Variable Density Log Acoustic Impedance Flexural Attenuation Solids, Liquids and
Risk Displacement Map Map Gas Map
90-in. Array
0.2 ohm.m 2,000
60-in. Array
0.2 ohm.m 2,000
30-in. Array Washout

–490.00

51.00
2.06
2.56
3.05
3.54
4.03
4.52
5.02
5.51
Crossover 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 Undergauge Gas
Standoff Between
Spontaneous Potential Neutron Porosity 20-in. Array Centralizers Solid
High Mud
–240 mV 60 60 % 0 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 20 in. 0 0 % 100 Mrayl 50 dB/m 155 Liquid
Medium Tail slurry
Depth, Zonation Gamma Ray Bulk Density 10-in. Array Standoff at Centralizers Low Lead slurry Image Orientation, ° Image Orientation, ° Image Orientation, °
ft 0 gAPI 150 60 % 0 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 0 in. 20 0 %. 100 None Spacer 0 mV 100 45 135 225 315 45 45 135 225 315 45 45 135 225 315 45

100

200
Zone 5

300

400

500

Figure 6. Invizion Evaluation service interpretation of an Eagle Ford well, average standoff. Dynamic cementing pressures remained below the
Zone 5. Zone 5 extends from the surface to 560 ft. The interpretation results formation fracture pressure. The cement evaluation log shows the cement
indicate the top of solids were at 240 ft (Tracks 11 through 13) and the top at 240 ft. In the processed solids, liquids and gas (SLG) map (Track 13),
presence of a postcementing liquid channel (Track 13, blue). The gamma liquid channels occur from the top of solids to 560 ft in the wide side of the
ray values vary from 33 to 70 gAPI between 250 and 275 ft (Track 1). Some annulus. The tortuosity of the liquid channels suggests that the channels
mud invasion occurred at approximately 500 ft, where the washout area were formed after the cement was placed. An external casing packer is
was located. The average neutron porosity is 45%, and the density porosity also evident at 75 ft. An offset well required remedial cement squeezes
is 30%. Most of the zone contained washout areas based on the caliper between 500 and 800 ft. No gas was observed in this region of the well.
log (Track 4). One centralizer was installed per joint, resulting in a 65%
1 2 3
Acoustic Impedance Map Bond Index Variable Density Log
Bond Index Level for Zonal Isolation surface, and liquid channels were observed in the
0.000
0.500
1.500
2.500
3.500
4.500
5.500
6.500
7.500

100 % 0 Minimum Amplitude Maximum cement sheath (Figure 6). The presence of the
Bond Index from Discriminated Attenuation
Depth, inflated ECP was evident at 75 ft [23 m]. The tor-
ft Mrayl 100 % 0
tuosity of the channels and their position on the
wide side of the annulus suggested fluid flow into
the annulus after cement slurry placement.
The overall analysis indicated that, despite
the operational problems, the cementing opera-
tion achieved adequate zonal isolation. A possi-
ble explanation for the losses and lowered TOC is
18,700
that during displacement, the pumping pressure
may have initiated ECP inflation, thereby
reducing the effective annular size inside the
conductor pipe. The resulting pumping pressure
increase at shallow depths may have caused for-
mation breakdown. Furthermore, the formation
of channels was a possible result of inadequate
19,100 casing centralization below 1,000 ft [305 m].
Therefore, the recommendation for future offset
wells is to eliminate the ECP from the well design
and to install a centralizer on each casing joint.
Figure 7. Deepwater Gulf of Mexico exploration well log. Engineers relied mainly on the bond index (BI) 13. Bellabarba et al, reference 9.
data (Track 2) to estimate the TOC. The BI falls significantly at 18,640 ft (red line), and engineers chose
that depth as the TOC. This finding is not as evident in the acoustic impedance map (Track 1) or the
variable density log (Track 3).

16 Oilfield Review
 1 2 3 4 5
Wellbore Quality
Gamma Ray Drilling Parameters Deep Resistivity Lithology Well Geometry
Inclination
0 degree 20
Average Rate of Penetration Azimuth
0 ft/hr 50 Inclusions 0 degree 360
Depth, Gamma Ray Mud Weight In Inclusions Dogleg Severity
ft 0 gAPI 50 0 ppg 50 0.2 ohm.m 20,000 Salt 0 degree/100 ft 5

16,000

17,000

18,000

19,000

Figure 8. Openhole LWD measurements from a Gulf of Mexico exploration
well. Spikes on the gamma ray log (Track 1) indicate three zones in which
the salt contains inclusions of other minerals. The contamination is further
confirmed by the resistivity (Track 3) and lithology (Track 4) data. The
resistivity increases across the contaminated zones, and the lithology
presentation shows inclusions of foreign material (blue and tan) within the
salt (magenta). The three zones were identified as potential lost circulation
sites. Drilling dynamics (Track 2) and well geometry data (Track 5) are
also presented.

Well Planning in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
An operator developing a deepwater prospect in
the Mississippi Canyon in the Gulf of Mexico
encountered difficulties while completing an
exploration well drilled in about 4,059 ft
[1,237 m] of water. Previously, the operator
drilled to a depth exceeding 20,000 ft [6,100 m]
and cemented a 14-in. casing string inside a
16-in. liner. The length of the overlap between
the casing string and the liner was 8,940 ft
[2,725 m], and the annular clearance within the
liner lap was 0.425 in. [1.08 cm]. The casing
string was designed to isolate a zone composed
entirely of salt. Fluid losses during drilling and
cementing indicated the presence of lost circula-
tion zones.
After the cementing operation, a logging run
was performed to locate the TOC (Figure 7).
Relying mainly on CBL attenuation data and a
computed bond index (BI), the logging engineers
estimated the TOC was located at 18,640 ft
[5,680 m]—3,960 ft [1,210 m] lower than
expected—which meant that the upper portion
of the salt zone was uncemented.
The operator, who plans to drill a similar off-
set well in the future, approached Schlumberger
to provide an Invizion Evaluation service on the
exploratory well and help formulate strategies to
prevent difficulties that might impede successful
zonal isolation in the offset well. The operator
provided archival data from the earlier well. This
information—including openhole logging-while-
drilling (LWD) data; compositions and physical
properties of the drilling fluid, spacer fluid and
cement slurries; and analyses of well fluids that
returned to the surface—was integrated into the
Invizion Evaluation presentation. Engineers also
discovered that, during the previous logging run,
significantly more data were actually acquired
but never examined. The additional data included
flexural attenuation (FA), TIE and a solids, liq-
uids and gas (SLG) map.13
The openhole data revealed the presence of
three intervals along the salt zone that were
contaminated by other minerals (Figure 8).
Engineers had previously assumed that the salt

January 2016 17
 Casing Standoff Displacement Simulation Mud Contamination Risk zone was continuous. The contaminated inter-
vals were identified as possible sites where lost
At Centralizers
circulation took place, and their presence
0 % 100 Mud High
Tail Slurry Medium helped explain why the TOC was below the
Depth, Between Centralizers
Lead Slurry Low intended depth.
ft 0 % 100 Spacer None Equipped with the mud, spacer and cement
slurry property data as well as pressure charts
acquired during the cementing operation, the
WIEs performed fluid placement simulations. The
first simulations confirmed that the pressure
charts were consistent with the occurrence of lost
circulation when the float valves were converted
on the casing prior to cement job execution.14 In
addition, engineers noted that the fluid displace-
ment pressure exceeded the fracture pressure in
16,000
the interval. The elevated pressure likely resulted
from the constricted annular clearance between
the liner and the casing string.
The second set of simulations examined the
capability of the spacer fluid and cement slurry to
displace the drilling fluid (Figure 9). Engineers
noted that centralizers had been installed only at
the bottom of the casing string. Above the cen-
tralizers, the casing standoff was poor, and the
17,000 simulations indicated poor mud removal and a
sizeable channel above about 18,700 ft
[5,700 m]—a depth consistent with what had
been concluded to be the top of cement in the
earlier interpretation.
Integration of the additional logging data
with the previous findings was revelatory
(Figure 10). The acoustic impedance map, cou-
pled with the FA and SLG maps, showed the TOC
to be much higher than previously thought—at
18,000
about 16,000 ft [4,880 m]. Unfortunately, this
depth was still below that required to cover the
entire salt interval. Furthermore, WIEs con-
firmed that the cement sheath quality was good
in the centralized portions of the annulus around
the casing shoe, and the cement slurry that rose
to 16,000 ft had a clear placement channel con-
sistent with computer simulations performed
after the job execution.
19,000 The new information resulting from the
Invizion Evaluation service allowed the operator
to adjust the completion plan for the future. The
operator’s engineers formulated a plan to
improve centralization of tubulars in regions
14. Float equipment, installed near the bottom of a casing
string, comprises valves that allow drilling fluid to enter
the casing interior as the string is lowered into the well.
As a result, the casing is filled with drilling fluid before
Figure 9. Cement placement simulations for an exploratory well in the Gulf of Mexico. Centralizers the cement slurry is pumped. Before the cement job
were installed only in the lower part of the casing string. Above about 19,300 ft [5,880 m], the casing commences, a ball or other activation device is pumped
standoff was poor (Track 1). The displacement simulations (Track 2) predicted that full cement into the casing. When the ball reaches the float
coverage (gray) rose to a depth of about 18,700 ft [5,700 m]. Above, the annulus contained drilling equipment, the valves are converted such that they
permit only one-way flow out of the casing and into the
fluid (brown). The mud contamination risk simulation concurred. Mud contamination (Track 3, red) annulus, thereby preventing reverse circulation, or
began as the casing standoff decreased. Full cement coverage (Track 3, green) was predicted in the U-tubing, of the cement slurry.
centralized region.

18 Oilfield Review
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Cement Bond Log Variable Density Log Acoustic Impedance Acoustic Impedance Map Flexural Attenuation Flexural Attenuation Map Solids, Liquids and Gas Map

Values Greater Impedance Values Greater

than Free Pipe than Baseline Gas
Depth, Attenuation
Solid
ft 0 dB/ft 5 0 Mrayl 10 0 Mrayl 8 20 dB/m 70 20 dB/m 100 Liquid

16,000

17,000

18,000

19,000

Figure 10. Complete log information retrieved from an exploratory well in (Track 7) reveals a sharp interface between a contaminated cement sheath
the Gulf of Mexico. Examination of the acoustic impedance map (Track 4), below about 16,000 ft and spacer fluid at shallower depths.
the flexural attenuation map (Track 5) and the solids, liquids and gas map

above the casing shoe. To reduce friction pres-
sure during pumping and minimize lost circula-
tion, the operator decided to eliminate the 14-in.
casing string and extend the 16-in. liner through
the salt zone. Care will also be taken to ensure
that fluid placement pressures remain below for-
mation fracture pressures, further reducing the
probability of lost circulation while allowing the
cement slurry to reach the intended depth.
Expanding the Scope of Holistic Cement
Sheath Evaluations
Engineers and wellsite personnel have only one
chance to achieve a successful primary cement
job for each casing string. Remedial cementing
to solve problems associated with a faulty
cement sheath has a less than stellar success
rate and may even reduce a well’s productivity.
Improved understanding of primary cement-
ing operations can be gained by examining well
histories while performing comprehensive inter-
pretations of log data. Indeed, the added insight
provided by the Invizion Evaluation service can
further enhance the value of integrating all avail-
able information and allowing operators to make
better informed decisions concerning drilling
and cementing practices.
To date, the Invizion Evaluation service has
been aimed at examining current cementing prac-
tices and the objective is to improve them and
troubleshoot less than optimal outcomes. The
longer-term value of the service will be enhanced
as engineers and operators become more proac-
tive during the well cementing process, making
real-time cementing decisions that make use of
all borehole measurements and data obtained
during drilling. For example, the information may
be entered into the Techlog platform as it is
acquired, facilitating close collaboration among
personnel involved in the drilling and cementing
process. Ultimately, engineers may apply the
Invizion Evaluation service at the planning stage,
allowing geologists and geophysicists to collabo-
rate with the drilling and cementing engineers to
further ensure primary cementing success. —EBN

January 2016 19