Recommended Practice: CTD Sidetrack Prep: Cement Plugging of Existing Perforations Page 1 of 6

Alaska Drilling and Wells

Recommended Practice: CTD Sidetrack Prep: Plugging
Existing Perforations

Authority: Drilling Manager Custodian: Drilling Representative

Document
Control ADW Document Control
Scope: ADW – CTD Operations
Administrator Specialist
:
Alaska Drilling and
Issue Date: December 1997 Issuing Dept:
Wells (ADW)
Revision Date: May 8, 2003 Control Tier: Tier 4
Next Review Date: May 8, 2005

1.0 Purpose/Scope
This section provides recommendations on preparations and procedures for cement squeezing
perforations after a whipstock has been set. The recommendations are applicable for service coil
and drilling coil CTD prep operations.

2.0 Definitions

3.0 General Requirements

4.0 Key Responsibilities

5.0 Procedure/Process

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Existing perforations are frequently isolated or plugged prior to a CTD sidetrack. This is a
“plugging” operation (20 AAC 25.107), not an “abandonment” operation (20 AAC 25.105).
Well Plugging Requirements (20 AAC 25.112) does not address the wide range of plugging
operations common in today’s CTD sidetracking program. However, the intent of State
regulations is clearly “to ensure that all hydrocarbons are confined to their indigenous strata”.
Plugging practices have evolved since the inception of CTD and State oversight has kept pace by
approving individual plugging requests rather than by adding detail to published AOGCC
regulations. An approved Sundry Notice (Form 10-403) is required prior to plugging
perforations. State witnessing of the perforation plugging operation is not required.

SCOPE AND BACKGROUND

Methods used to plug or isolate perforations vary with the intended casing exit technique, with
the location of existing perforations and with the sidetrack completion plan. Existing slotted
liners may be isolated or cemented off prior to or in conjunction with the sidetrack completion.
Common categories include:
 Mech. whipstock with existing perfs below, above or across the whipstock depth
 Mech. whipstock above or within a slotted liner

Control Tier: 4 – ADW Revision Date: 05/08/03

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00007-4 Print Date: 05/10/03
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
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Recommended Practice: CTD Sidetrack Prep: Cement Plugging of Existing Perforations Page 2 of 6

 Cement whipstock above, below or within existing perforations

 Multi-string windows with existing perfs behind a straddle

Cement blends and cement placement techniques vary somewhat with the conditions and both
solid and inflatable plugs are used in some applications. Standing valves are sometimes used to
isolate existing perforations from a shallower sidetrack while providing the means to produce
from existing perfs after completing the sidetrack.

For a typical CTD prep the well will have passed mechanical integrity testing. Gas lift mandrels
will have been dummied off and annuli liquid packed and pressure tested The flowline and the
gas lift line will have been isolated and bled down. At this point the well is typically killed to
facilitate running the whipstock on e-line, or coil. This is a good time to observe kill rates,
pressures and volumes to better estimate the volume and type of cement to be used in shutting
off perfs.

The volume of cement to use is dependent on specific well conditions including: injectivity,
rathole volume, frac history, suspected voids (solids production/ fill history), channels, etc. In
general cement volumes are liberal to improve the odds for a successful plug on the first attempt.

Common cement slurries include:

 15.8 ppg with fluid loss 80-120 cc/30 min.
 13.8 ppg , 4%-8% bentonite, very high fluid loss, 1000–1200 psi comp. strength.

The 15.8 ppg slurry with 80-120 cc/30 min. fluid loss is the most used slurry for plugging
perfs. The high fluid loss builds filter cake rapidly in perforations. When perf plugging is more
difficult, as with injection zones or fraced perfs, the addition of 15-18 ppb of Perfect Seal (20
mesh aggregate) has proven helpful in achieving squeeze pressure. The 15.8 ppg slurry is
usually batched mixed with a target TT of 3-4 hours. Some jobs are mixed continuously. The
standard TT and UCA schedules are as follows:

Batch Mix Job

Time (min.) Temp (deg. F) Pressure (psi)
0-60 90 500
60-90 90-170 5000
90- 170 5000

Continuous Job
Time (min.) Temp (deg. F) Pressure (psi)
0-30 80-170 5000
30- 170 5000

UCA Schedule
2.7 degrees F/min. to BHCT then 0.1 deg. F to BHST. Soak at BHST

When ordering out the job from the cementing service company it is important to discuss BHCT
and BHST for the specific job. Injectors will have BHST significantly below original BHST.
Wells freshly killed with cold fluids may have low BHST during the cement curing time.
Cements designed for unrealistically high BHCT and/or BHST may require excessive WOC
time. A realistic estimate of downhole temperatures is an essential element in pre-job planning.

The traditional 13.8 ppg slurry uses 8% bentonite and D-800 retarder to lower density and
compressive strength while improving plugging. This slurry has been used in lost circulation

Control Tier: 4 – ADW Revision Date: 05/08/03

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00007-4 Print Date: 05/10/03
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems
Recommended Practice: CTD Sidetrack Prep: Cement Plugging of Existing Perforations Page 3 of 6

applications as well as in plugging high perm perforations. Aggregate, 15-18 ppb, may be added
to the 13.8 ppg slurry to further improve shut-off. For CTD the TT of this slurry has been
targeted for the 2-3 hour range and results, with respect to plugging high perm perfs, have been
good. However, service coil typically requests a 6-7 hour TT, requiring more of the D-800
retarder, resulting in a thinner cement slurry. This thinner slurry cannot support as much
aggregate as the less retarded CTD slurry. To avoid aggregate fall out and coil plugging, limit
aggregate to 10 ppb when TT exceeds 4 hours.

A new retarder, B-155, is now being used with the 13.8 ppg slurry. This new retarder does not
thin the slurry like the D-800 retarder making it possible to reduce the bentonite concentration
from 8% to 4% without much change to the compressive strength. The increased viscosity of
the new slurry should improve suspension of aggregate. While this new design retains the low
compressive strength desired for a lost circulation pill it is not yet clear that the 4% bentonite
slurry with B-155 will have the superior bridging properties of the traditional 8% bentonite
slurry when used in a perf plugging operation. TT for the new 13.8 ppg, 4% bentonite, B-155
slurry is recommended to be 3-4 hours. The bentonite/cement slurry is mixed and pumped on-
the-fly, not batch mixed.

CEMENT PLUGGING OF EXISTING PERFS AFTER SETTING WHIPSTOCK

Typical Operation Summary

1. Kill well with seawater or non-slick 2% KCl. Note injectivity.

2. Set mechanical whipstock on e-line or coil. Tag lightly (1000 to confirm set.
3. RU either service coil or CTD coil for cementing.
4. Downsqueeze cement past whipstock and lay in cement above whipstock to
cover upper perfs, in any.
5. With coil at safety, squeeze to appropriate pressure.
6. RIH washing out cement to top of whipstock, chase excess out of hole.
7. Pressure test for information, not as a State requirement.

Typical Procedure

1. Confirm that IA is fluid packed. Shoot fluid level if needed. Do not allow differential
pressure across the production packer to exceed 2000 psi at any point in the job. Apply
pressure to the IA if needed to limit differential pressure across the packer.

2. Bullhead kill the well with seawater or non-slick 2% KCL using 1.5 displacement
volumes at a rate of at least 1 bpm per inch of tubing OD. Kill fluid temperature should
be between 90F and 150F. If injectivity is too low for a bullhead kill then gas will
have to be circulated out with the cementing BHA.

3. RIH with cementing assembly consisting of an appropriate OD nozzle(2 3/8” to 3”)

with a 1” hole, a 6 ft or 30 ft 2 3/8” PH-6 pup, CTC. A tapered combination nozzle or
Joust nozzle may also be used. Checks are usually omitted. A disconnect has little
value in the cementing BHA but can be run if desired. The 6 ft or 30 ft 2 3/8” PH-6
pup will help in getting the BHA through GLM’s or other changes in tubing ID.

4. Before mixing any cement, the whipstock should be lightly tagged to confirm depth.
As the CT is pulled up off bottom, a slight overpull may be seen as the nozzle comes
free of the pinch point. Position nozzle 10 ft above top of whipstock and flag pipe.

Control Tier: 4 – ADW Revision Date: 05/08/03

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00007-4 Print Date: 05/10/03
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems
Recommended Practice: CTD Sidetrack Prep: Cement Plugging of Existing Perforations Page 4 of 6

5. Ensure well is liquid packed. If positive WHP is desired throughout the operation then
the well kill fluid may have to be followed by crude or diesel.

6. Mix cement and send a sample to lab for UCA testing.

7. Bullhead cement down the CT at maximum rate until the lead slurry is about 5 bbls
above the perforations. The pump rate should then be lowered to about 1.5 bpm or
sufficient to stop free-fall inside the coil.

8. When the WHP increases (cement at perfs), the coil should be POOH at 1:1
displacement up to safety at 200 ft above calculated WCTOC. The pressure should be
increased in stages of 500 psi to desired final squeeze. There is no need to labor the
stages - a couple of minutes is all that is necessary before building to the next pressure
level. A high pressure squeeze is not needed. The final squeeze pressure should be
high enough to support the BHP required to contaminate and circulate out excess
cement. A final squeeze pressure of 800-1000 psi is usually sufficient.

9. Once the final squeeze pressure has been held for 30 minutes, the WHP can be dropped
to 100 - 500 psi and the excess cement can be contaminated (1.5 ppb biozan ) and
circulated out at maximum rate to the flag depth, about 10 ft above the top of the
whipstock. If squeeze pressure is not achieved see “contingency” below.

10. Pressure testing of the plugged perforations is not a State requirement. A jug tight test
is seldom required for CTD sidetracking operations. Exceptions must be clarified in the
CTD Prep Program.

Contingency
If desired squeeze cannot be reached after delayed hesitation, stop downsqueezing cement when
cement top is within about 100’ of the perfs, even if the whipstock is set below perfs. Reduce
WHP to near “0” and POOH circulating minimum rate.
If the job is being done pre-rig, postpone pressure testing until the following day. There is a
good chance that the well will hold a pressure test or have minimal leak off. Repeat the cement
job if leak-off rate is unacceptable.
If the job is performed by CTD, wait for cement sample on UCA to begin developing
compressive strength before pressure testing or milling.
The downside to this contingency is that cement will likely be left in the wellbore above the
whipstock. Experience has shown that this is not detrimental to the window milling or
subsequent drilling activities; however, a cement sheath left in the casing does introduce a slight
risk to drilling operations.

Additional Reference
Additional information is available in the Alaska Wells Group Rigless Operations Manual in the
sections for “Preparation for CTD Operations” and “Squeeze Cementing with Coiled Tubing”
and “Small Cement Plugs”. These can be found on the North Slope Wells Group web site under
PE Manual.

Control Tier: 4 – ADW Revision Date: 05/08/03

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00007-4 Print Date: 05/10/03
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems
 Recommended Practice: CTD Sidetrack Prep: Cement Plugging of Existing Perforations Page 5 of 6

BP CEMENT DESIGN FORM

Squeezing Perfs for CTD Prep

Date: Cement Type : 15.8 ppg

Class G
BHST : “NA”°F
BHCT : 170°F
Well: Volume :

Submitted By:

Thickening Time 3-4 hours Includes surface time

Filter cake Target NA NA
Acceptable Range NA NA
Fluid Loss Target 100 API, cc/30 min. at BHCT
Acceptable Range 80-120 cc API, cc/30 min at BHCT

Batch Mix Job: MINUTES TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE

0.60 90°F @ 500 psi

60-90 Increase pressure to 5000 psi. Increase

temp 90°- 170°

90-end of test Hold 5000 psi. Hold 170°F

Continuous Job:

0.30 80°-170°F at 5000 psi

30-end of test Hold 170°F and 5000 psi

Results: Please submit results to Company Man.

Date of Test:
Service Co. Engineer:
Lab API Fluid Loss:
Thickening Time (hrs):
Slurry Density (lb/gal):

Control Tier: 4 – ADW Revision Date: 05/08/03

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00007-4 Print Date: 05/10/03
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems
Recommended Practice: CTD Sidetrack Prep: Cement Plugging of Existing Perforations Page 6 of 6

6.0 Key Documents/Tools/References

to be completed when revised

Revision Log
Revision Date Approving Custodian/ Revision Details
Authority Author
December 1997 Original Issue

March 31, 1999 Drilling Manager John McMullen

May 8, 2003 Drilling Manager Ted Stagg

<<Revision Date>> <<Approving <<Author’s << Brief Description of Revision

Authority’s Name>> Name>> >>
(or, see attached e-mail )
Approving Authority signature Date

Control Tier: 4 – ADW Revision Date: 05/08/03

Document Number: UPS-US-AK-ADW-CTD-HSE-DOC-00007-4 Print Date: 05/10/03
PAPER COPIES ARE UNCONTROLLED. THIS COPY VALID ONLY AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. THE
CONTROLLED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT http://alaska.bpweb.bp.com/ems