CATHODIC PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR WELL

CASINGS

H.J. HEINRICHS W.O. INGRAM B.G. SCHELLENBERGER

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JCPT 78-03-04 JCPT-19 PRODUCTION OPERATIONS Cathodic protection requirements for well casings H. J. HEINRICHS, W. O. INGRAM and B. G. SCHELLENBERGER Amoco Canada Petroleum Company Ltd. ABSTRACT Failures of well casings with and without cathodic protec- tion in the South Swan Hills and Nipisi fields were in- vestigated. Surveys which were conducted to determine the adequacy of the existing or the need for cathodic protec- tion included casing potential profile (CPP) surveys, E log I tests, and remote off-wellhead potential surveys. The extent of the casing damage was confirmed with casing
inspection logs, internal casing calipers and visual inspec- tion of recovered casing. The depths protected by past and present current levels, as well as the depths that could he protected with additional current, are discussed. Results from the CPP surveys, E log I tests and remote off-well- head potential surveys are compared. A deep protection pilot project initiated in the South Swan Hilly field is described. Summary Well casing leaks in the South Swan Hills and Nipisi fields, caused by external corrosion, have been repaired by A L. SE@'r.4 i ri P, s@i BA..@L . L DA, IS.OOD SARR
LSAATER/DA, -rcHE' AN 150 P O.MING WELLs 545KA 5M F@@T C@L/A4&/.4 F S-OU H MAN HILLS BARREL OILM Y M,M 'ARRLSWATERI..Y 1.1 DMI@G.ELLS 810 IEET VCALGA@ U, .4, FIGURE 1. Location of the South Swan Hills and Nipisi fields in Alberta. 54 cement squeezes and casing replacement. Cathodic protec- tion of the well casings was initiated to prevent further external corrosion. This type of protection was selected as the best economic
alternative to prevent further failures and the resultant high repair costs. In the Sout@h Swan Hills field, five of the nine external failures were attributed to the use of a low-ph gyp starch mud when the wells were being drilled. The other four failures were due to a field-wide corros ive water zone about 1,000 feet above the 8,000-foot producing formation. The CPP surveys and E log I tests were used to deter- mine cathodic protection requirements. Casing potential profile (CPP) surveys showed that the thirty-one wells drilled with Ic)w-pH gyp starch mud could be cathodically
protected to their average calculated cement top with a 15-ampere current. However, the required level of protec- tion through the corrosive water zone could not be ob- tained using l 30-ampere current. A test program has been initiated to determine whether the well casing can be polarized with time to provide protection thr,ough the corrosive water zone. Five exterrial well casing failures have occurred in the Nipisi field. The depths of the leaks correlate to a water- bearing carbonate zone 1,000 feet above the average cal- culated cem(!nt top. Cathodic protection requirements
were determined using CPP surveys. A IO-ampere current was found to be sufficient to protect the