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6.1. Recommended Practices

 Spiral centralizers should ordinarily be installed 5' above the shoe, on the next coupling,
5' below the float collar and on the next 6 couplings (next 3 couplings if surface casing).
A centralizer schedule will generally be included in the drilling program.
 Reciprocate every casing string if possible.
 Reciprocate 20' for at least 10 minutes after cement has gone around the shoe.
 Limit the overpull while reciprocating. Drilling Foreman to guide driller.
 Cement using both top and bottom rubber plugs. Personally observe the loading of the
plugs in the head.
 Do not start running casing until the cementer and his equipment are on location.
 Make up the adapter for the cementing head on the landing joint before starting to run
casing.
 All cementing lines should be made up and laid back out of the way before starting to run
casing.
 Cement tests will be run on all slurries - using rig water if possible.
 Catch one dry and three wet samples of each slurry pumped.
 Have the mud engineer weigh the cement with a pressurised mud scale to make sure it is
the correct weight. Also have him check the PV and YP of the tail slurry.
 Do not permit the cementer to wash out the tub and pump the contents into the casing
ahead of the top plug.
 Drop the top plug before displacing the lines (except on production casing) and pump the
contents of the lines on top of the plug. This may stop the plug from rotating while drilling
out.
 Displace the cement at the highest rate possible. Consult cementing contractor for
displacement rates.
 It is preferable to bump the plug but never over-displace more than the entire shoe
volume without prior approval.
 Bleed off immediately if the floats hold.
 Do not drop the casing slips through the BOP unless a well control situation dictates this
is necessary.
 Do not unbolt the BOP's after cementing before making certain that the annulus is stable.
In any case minimize the time the annulus will be open.
 Report the approximate volume of cement returns.
 If returns are lost during the cement job, estimate and report how many barrels had been
pumped when this occurred.
 When drilling out the float collar and shoe, use caution to avoid backing off the casing.
Set the rotary limit switch to less than the casing make up torque on electric rigs and on
power rigs try to use high gear with the engines idling.

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6.2. Reciprocation and Circulation

1. Reciprocation is the key to successfully displacing mud with cement. All casing strings
will be reciprocated except for liners or very deep strings.
2. Make up the cementing head or adapter on the landing joint and set back on the rack
prior to running casing.
3. Have the cementing lines made up and set out of the way on the rig floor. The goal
should be to start circulating and working the pipe as soon as possible.
4. If the cementing head is not installed on the landing joint, then make up the head with the
casing 8 - 10' above the floor (prior to tagging bottom).
5. Once the cementing lines are connected, the casing may be stuck. Lower the casing
rapidly to break free.
6. Start pumping slowly (20 SPM). Work the pipe slowly (10 - 30' stroke) while gradually
increasing the pump speed.
7. Reciprocate the casing slowly while circulating (1 - 2 minutes per stroke) and continue for
at least 10 to I5 minutes while the cement is going around the shoe.

6.3. Blending and Transporting (To be advised by Cementing Contractor)

1. Do not blend CaCl2 in the cement.
2. The air system at the bulk plant should be equipped with a properly sized water-to-air
aftercooler (preferably refrigerated) with an oil and water separator, a small air receiver
tank and a good, dependable automatic condensation drain.
3. To prevent condensation in the tanks and lines, all tanks should be vented to the
atmosphere when empty and all valves on the tank and pipe lines closed. Be sure that all
valves are holding to prevent breathing which could lead to condensation
4. Tanks containing cement should always remain pressurized.
5. Pre-blending bentonite in the cement provides a better slurry than does prehydrating the
bentonite on the rig but at a higher cost. The decision to pre-hydrate or pre-blend must
also consider the logistics of handling two types of cement..
6. All transfer hoses should be stored with the ends capped or in vaults containing an
electric space heater.
7. Encourage the drilling contractor to color code the transfer lines.
8. Do not blend peptized bentonite in cement.

6.4. Rig Storage and Transfer

1. The rig air system should be equipped with a properly sized water-to-air after cooler
(preferably refrigerated) with an oil and water separator, a small air receiver tank and a
good, dependable automatic condensation drain.
2. Pressure should be maintained on the tanks and lines at all times to prevent
condensation in the system. This precludes breathing which could lead to condensation.
3. A good practice when unloading cement is to exhaust overboard the first few sacks of
cement blown through the lines in order to prevent moisture contaminated cement from
collecting in the tanks.

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4. Avoid storing cement for long periods if possible. Alternate tanks systematically. Cement
offloaded from a supply boat should be blown into empty, clean tanks.
5. Avoid transferring cement between tanks. Tank bottoms should be exhausted overboard
and the tank cleaned.
6. Cement will pack when stored for a long period and should be "fluffed-up" thoroughly
once each week.
7. The Drilling Foreman is directly responsible for the inventory of cement before starting
each job.
8. A determination of the salt content of the cement mix water should be made periodically
by the mud engineer. The mud engineer will also measure the temperature of the mix
water in the tank on the cementing unit and report on this in his mud report for that day.

6.5. Planning Cementing Operations

1. The drilling program will specify the type and amount of cement and additive, the
water/cement ratio plus the yield and weight.
2. Slurry thickening time tests should be performed by the cementing contractor using the
procedures established in API RP-IOB, Section 7. Testing should preferably be
performed on samples taken after the cement has blended. All tests should be made
with actual mix water. In the absence of test data, use the average Class G or Class H
data..
3. Always add 35% silica to the cement if the static bottom hole temperature exceeds
230°F.
4. Fluid loss control additives are not generally used unless there is some danger of bridging
across highly permeable sands in the lower portion of the annulus on a large volume job,
or on liners across over-pressured formations. If these additives are used, a water loss
of 150 to 200 cc at 1,000 psi and 180°F is generally acceptable.
5. A compressive strength of 200 to 500 psi is acceptable for filler cement. A minimum
compressive strength of 1,000 psi is considered desirable for zone isolation.
6. Unless dictated otherwise well conditions, the usual program will be to use a "filler slurry"
followed by 300 sacks of neat slurry.
7. Minimum Cement Tops:
CASING TYPE CEMENT TOP EXCESS
Conductor Surface 80%
Surface Surface 80%
Intermediate Review as per field practice and experience
Production
Liners
8. Never cement with a slurry density less than the mud density in use (prefer a cement at
least 1.0 ppg heavier than the mud unless formation fracturing is a potential problem).
Never permit formation fluid influx during or after cementing. Check for flow prior to
nippling down the BOP's.

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9. Spiral centralizers should be run 5' above the shoe, on the next coupling, 5' below the
float collar and on the next six couplings (next three couplings if surface casing). Stop
collars should be set screw type. Centralizers should be top quality "all welded" type.
10. Always use the two plug process on 13-3/8" and smaller casing sizes. The spacing
between the float collar and shoe should be determined on site (one joint between floats
on surface casing, two joints on intermediate and production strings).
11. The Drilling Foreman will personally witness loading of the plugs.
Cementing Company Color of Bottom Plug
Halliburton Red
Dowell Orange
BJ Red
Western Black
12. Cement slurries should be retarded to provide at least 50% more pumping time than
theoretically required. If a quick drill out is not anticipated, then provide 100% more
pumping time than necessary. A correct estimate of the circulating temperature is
fundamental to establishing the amount of retarder required.. Cement slurries with only a
50% safety factor in pump time should use fresh water for makeup.
13. The Drilling Foreman should always have a defoamer available
14. The cementing contractor will be required to record the displacement pressure.

6.6. Mixing and Pumping

1. Unless the cement has been tested locally by the cementing contractor, a pilot sample
will be mixed 24 hours before the cement job and checked for compressive strength by
the "finger test" after 12 hours.
2. The mud should be conditioned on the trip prior to running casing. The displacement
efficiency of the cement is a function of mud properties and the difference in the viscosity
of the cement and mud.
3. All casing strings should be circulated prior to cementing. Break circulation slowly. If the
casing was drifted at the well site, there should be no concern over debris in the pipe to
bridge at the float collar. The Drilling Foreman should decide how long to circulate based
on circumstances at the well site. Normally circulate 150% of casing content.
4. Fill the casing with mud prior to installing the cementing head (preferred but not critical).
5. Preliminary Cementing Meeting - The Drilling Foreman should communicate instructions
in writing to avoid communication errors. A preliminary meeting is generally in order
between the Drilling Foreman, cementer, toolpusher and Mud Engineer. Personnel
assignments should be made to ensure all "vital signs" are being monitored and everyone
understands their responsibilities. Everyone should understand the alternative course of
action should an emergency develop. A deadline should be set for mixing to be complete
and displacement started.
6. Use 30 barrels of spacer. Calculate the resulting hydrostatic pressure with the 30 barrels
spacer in the annulus to ensure that this will not create an under balanced condition.
7. Reciprocation of the casing is the best practical way to enhance complete displacement
of the mud by cement. Reciprocate pipe 20 - 30'.

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8. Turbulent flow is the next most effective means of improving displacement efficiency and
should be used where practical. The limiting constraints on turbulent flow are the fracture
gradient at the shoe of the last string of casing and the fracture gradient at the shoe of
the casing being cemented.
9. If hydrocarbon zones are exposed in the annulus below the last casing shoe, the mud
logger should record the gas readings while mixing and displacing cement. Do not start
mixing cement until all gas has been circulated out and the well is static.
10. Prior to mixing cement, the Drilling Foreman should ensure adequate displacement fluid
will be available at the rate required.
11. Prior to mixing cement, calculate the pump strokes needed for the cement to reach the
shoe and the theoretical differential pressure between the mud and cement just prior to
bumping the plug. Observe the pump pressure while displacing and compare with what
was expected.
12. Never permit the cementer to wash out the tub and pump the contents into the casing.
Ensure the last barrel of cement slurry pumped meets the weight specifications.
13. When mixing cement, one dry sample will be retained from each tank used and three wet
samples will be taken, the last from the final ten barrels of slurry. Surface casing
samples will be retained until the well reaches total depth. Production casing samples will
be retained until the well has been completed.
14. When cementing production casing, always flush the cement from the lines prior to
releasing the top plug.
15. On surface and intermediate casing jobs do not flush the cement from the lines prior to
releasing the top plug. Cement on top of the plug will prevent the plug from rotating while
drilling out.
16. The Drilling Foreman will personally witness the plug dropping process and check the
indicator on the cementing head when the plug has released.
17. Establish whether the rig can deliver 12 - 15 BPM to the cement pumps. If so, use the
cement pumps to displace.
18. If the rig pumps are to be used for displacement, pump efficiency should be checked on
the wiper trip prior to running casing: i.e., similar pumps at the same flow rates should
give the same pressures. Once this is established, do not change liners or work on the
pumps unless it is absolutely necessary.
19. The Drilling Foreman and cementer will measure the volume of the displacement fluid to
ensure against over-displacing. Never pump more than the volume of the casing to the
float collar plus 50% of the volume between the float collar and float shoe.
20. If the rig pump is used, the volumetric efficiency at the displacement rate should be
known.
21. If the rig pump is used, the pump stroke counters should be calibrated while running
casing.
22. Both the Drilling Foreman and cementer will make all cementing and displacement
calculations independently and agree that the results are correct.
23. Bump plug with 1,000 psi over final circulating pressure. If the float equipment holds, do
not leave pressure on the casing.

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24. Unless good cement returns were observed on the primary job, grout the top 100' of the
annulus using one-inch pipe prior to setting the slips. Use minimum rig time and be
prepared to set the slips immediately to preclude cement from setting up with the casing
off center. (Conductor and surface casing only.)
25. Prior to pumping the grout cement, wash out the drive pipe by easing annulus with water
until relatively clear. Do not accelerate the grout cement. If possible (casing stuck), pull
50,000 pounds on surface casing and 100,000 pounds on intermediate casing over the
buoyed weight prior to setting the slips. If the casing is free, hang the full buoyed weight
with pressure on the casing. Report the amount of weight landed on the slips in either
case.
26. On all strings, check for flow from the annulus before removing the BOP. Consult
management if any flow is observed.
27. The Drilling Foreman should complete the Cementing Report and report on the Morning
Report.
 Joints of Casing Run
 Casing Depth
 Centralizer Placement
 Lead Slurry - Sacks Pumped and Weight
 Tail Slurry - Sacks Pumped and Weight
 Volume of Cement Returns
 Volume of Mud Lost (if applicable)
 Grouting Details
 Time Plug Bumped
28. The reliability of cement bond logs to determine the quality of a cement job is
questionable. Cement bond logs should not be run unless required by government
regulations or by the operator. A temperature log may be requested after cementing any
casing job made questionable by any of the following:
 Loss of returns - partial or full.
 Premature bumping of plugs indicating a possible "flash- set".
 Premature cement returns.
 Any anomaly seen on the pressure gauge or weight indicator that suggests a
potential problem.

6.7. Remedial Cementing

6.7.1. General

In general, the objective of a squeeze job is to delicately force a small amount of

cement into the channels in the annulus where it is needed. Cement particles should
not enter a permeable zone unless the permeability exceeds 200 darcys. For cement
to enter the formation, the formation must be fractured.
The cement squeeze is intended to displace mobile fluid from the channel in the
annulus with partially dehydrated cement solids. Ideally, this should be done without
fracturing the formation. However, exerting a pressure sufficient to fracture may be
required in order to force the cement into channels. Fracturing to displace the
cement may also be necessary because of pumping time considerations.

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Fluid loss additives are sometimes necessary for a successful cement squeeze. The
fluid loss additives help prevent a false squeeze that occurs due to dehydration of the
cement because of filtration loss into permeable zones.

6.7.2. Shoe Squeezes

If the shoe has to be squeezed, the general procedure will be as follows:

Use a retrievable tool (Baker Retrievamatic or Halliburton RTTS) with no tail pipe and
subbed to drill pipe. Use a squeeze manifold and a tool man. Squeeze with neat
cement (retarded as necessary). Cement pumping time tests should be performed in
the laboratory prior to performing a squeeze through a tool. Use the API squeeze
schedule.
1. Run squeeze tool on drill pipe.
2. Set the packer 500' above the shoe.
3. Test all lines, manifold, drill pipe and connections to 500 psi above the expected
squeeze pressure. Always have a crown valve on top of the drill pipe and use a
squeeze manifold when squeezing through a packer.
4. Test the casing to 500 psi above the pressure scheduled to be trapped on the
casing.
5. Break down the formation with mud and establish a pump in rate and pressure.
Do not exceed the calculated squeeze pressure. 2 - 3 barrels should be enough
to establish a pump in rate.
6. Open the tool and pump 20 barrels of water into the drill pipe.
7. Mix the programmed slurry volume. Mix to within 0.2 ppg of the programmed
slurry weight.
8. Follow the slurry with 10 barrels of water and displace with mud. Use the cement
unit to displace and measure volumes carefully. Lighten the hydrostatic head
with 10 - 20 barrels of water (last into drill pipe).
9. Displace the slurry until the lead of the 20 barrel water spearhead is at the packer
(squeeze tool). Measure the displacement very closely with the cement unit and
hold enough back pressure on the annulus to keep the cement from falling and
'U' tubing around the packer.
10. Close the tool and commence squeezing. Back up the annulus with 1,000 psig.
The slurry volume should be such that mixing is complete and displacement has
started when it is time to close the tool. It is not a good practice to be mixing
after closing the tool. Otherwise, it may be best to bullhead the slurry rather than
spot as above. Discuss with the responsible supervisor.
11. If a surface pressure has not been obtained by the time the top of the slurry is
midway to squeeze point below the tool, then stage the job (hesitate) to obtain a
positive standing pressure.
12. If the squeeze pressure is not obtained, stop displacement when the top of the
slurry is 100' above the top of the squeeze point. Wait on cement 4 hours.
After 4 hours, bleed off the pressure in 1/2 barrel increments. If the pressure
does not bleed down, pump in the amount of fluid bled off and shut in for an

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additional four hours. Repeat if necessary. If there is no flow back, release the
tool and pull out of the hole.

6.7.3. Block Squeezes

Block squeezes are used for the prevention (or repair) of communication between
zones behind casing, to shut off unwanted production (water or gas) or to repair a
casing leak.
Squeezing is done below a tool which may either be retrievable or permanent
(drillable) depending upon the job. Cement volumes will be small (100 to 150 sacks)
and plans will be to squeeze to a predetermined pressure, running successive stages
until the pressure is obtained. Neat cement (retarded if necessary) will be used to
mix the squeeze slurry.
The general procedure is as follows:
1. Run a retrievable tool (no tail pipe) on tubing or drill pipe. Set the packer 50' (no
closer) above the zone to be squeezed. If a permanent retainer is to be run,
make a run with a wireline junk pusher to the intended setting depth of the
retainer. Run the retainer on wireline and set 5 to 15' above the zone to be
squeezed. Locate casing collars for depth reference.
2. Test all lines, manifold, drill pipe, tubing and connections to a test pressure of
1,000 psi above the predetermined squeeze pressure. Test the casing above the
packer to 2,000 psi.
3. Break down the formation with mud and establish a pump in rate and pressure.
Do not exceed the predetermined squeeze pressure. Two or three barrels
should be enough to establish a pump in rate.
4. Open the tool and pump in 20 barrels of water into the drill pipe or tubing.
5. Mix and displace the cement. Be sure to hold back pressure on the casing to
prevent the slurry from falling away ('U' tubing) around the packer or stinger.
6. Follow the cement slurry with 5 barrels of water.
7. Displace until five barrels of the 20 barrel water spearhead is around the packer
or stinger (when a drillable retainer is used).
8. Close the tool, pressure the annulus to 1,500 psi and commence squeezing
(Control collapse pressure on casing above packer). Displace using mud.
Obtain a running squeeze - do not hesitate. When the cement reaches the
formation, displace at a low rate (about 1/2 bpm). Use a recording pressure
gauge.
9. Once the squeeze pressure equals the predetermined squeeze pressure, stop
pumping and observe the final standing pressure. If this is the programmed
pressure then bleed off the pressure and check for flow back. Reapply the
squeeze pressure as many times as required to attain a "lock-up" squeeze
10. Release the tool, reverse out and pull out of the hole. Measure the volume of
cement reversed out. Continue reverse circulating for 20 to 30 barrels checking
for cement contamination that might indicate back flow of cement from the
perforations.

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11. If unable to reverse out after completing the squeeze, do not pump down the drill
pipe. Immediately pull out of the hole. If the tool starts to Ieak while pumping
cement or displacing, abort the job. Open the bypass and reverse out the
cement. If the squeeze is not obtained in the first stage, clear the perforations
(displace enough to put the five barrel water tail through the perforations), open
the tool, reverse out (reverse at least enough to bring bottoms up plus 10
barrels), close the tool and break down the zone.
12. Squeeze again as in the first stage. If a squeeze is not obtained after two
stages, wait on cement 6 hours prior to starting the third stage. Run subsequent
stages as needed to obtain the predetermined squeeze pressure.
13. The importance of thorough and detailed planning to running a trouble free
squeeze job cannot be over-emphasized. All contingencies must be covered
before the job. An explicit procedure must be established and discussed with the
toolpusher, cementer and tool operator. Displacement calculations and volumes
must be double checked by them to preclude errors.
14. Time and volume measurements are most critical to a squeeze. Know the
thickening time of the slurry and always allow enough time to reverse out if a
problem arises. Set a specific time for the job based upon the slurry thickening
time (excluding the time to open the bypass and reverse out the full column) and
stick to it throughout the job. If you do not have a squeeze or the tool cleared
within this time, then open the tool, reverse out and start over. Have volume and
displacement calculations organized so that at any time during the job the
position of the slurry in the string is known.

6.7.4. Squeeze Pressures

1. Shoe Squeezes
A shoe squeeze is a placement job, so there should be no real need to squeeze
for pressure..
The test on the shoe after drilling out should be to the specific mud weight
equivalent needed to safely drill the well. Avoid fracturing if possible when testing
following a shoe squeeze.
2. Block Squeezes
This squeeze is a high pressure placement job. Pressure may be required to
break down the formation and propagate a fracture to get the cement into the
channels in the primary job, perforations or holes in the casing.
The formation breakdown pressure at the surface can be estimated by
multiplying the difference between the overburden gradient (1.0 psi/ft) and the
gradient of the fluid in the hole by the depth of the squeeze point. That is, for a
6,000' squeeze with 10 ppg mud in the hole:
BDP = (1-0.52) x (6000) = 2886 psig (max)
In establishing a breakdown pressure, the maximum pressure applied should be
limited to this calculated breakdown pressure. This calculated pressure should
be used as the final squeeze pressure.

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The objective of a low pressure squeeze is to fill the channels in the cemented
annulus. Pump at a minimum pressure, never exceeding a fracture gradient of
0.70 psi/ft.
Staging is permissible in this type of squeeze in order to achieve an increase in
pressure indicating the channel is plugged.

6.7.5. Tests on Bentonite and Cement

1. See API RP-IOB
2. See API RP-13B
3. See Test Procedure for Bentonite Peptization

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