SPE

Society of Petroleum Engineer'S

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SPE 11499

Problems in Squeeze Cementing

by I.A. Toor, Kuwait Oil Co. (KSC)

Copyright 1983, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was presented at the Middle East Oil Technical Conference of the Society of Petroleum Engineers held in Manama, Bahrain, March
14-17, 1983, The material is subject to correction by the author, Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words, Write
SPE, 6200 North Central Expressway, Drawer 64706, Dallas, Texas, 75206 USA, Telex 730989, •

ABSTRACT Plug and abandon a depleted or watered out

producing zone.
For the past half century, work has been
carried out to improve squeeze cementing. During A properly squeeze job will cause dehydrated
the course of time, new techniques, equipment, cement filter cake to fill the opening(s)
cement and cement additives were introduced. between the formation and the casing. After
Work is still undenJaY to improve squeeze curing, the dehydrated cement filter cake forms
cementing. Basic concept of squeeze cementing, a nearly impermeable solid.
understanding the problems, planning for a
squeeze job and then later testing of the job It is rather very difficult to establish a
help in achieving the goal. Solutions were reason that 'Vlhy some squeeze jobs remain
off ered to some common problems, 'Vlhereas many successful in the first attempt, whereas others
regional problems need time to time study and in the same field do not. Hence, there are many
effort. Squeezing long perforations in highly thoughts about the proper method of squeeze
permeable sand has always been a problem, for cementing.
which some techniques 'v,ere presented.
CONCEPT OF SQUEEZE CEMENTING
INTRODUCTION
Technique and technology of squeeze
Squeeze cement is the process of forcing a cementing have been developed over a period of
cement slurry into the perforations in the more than 40 years. Operations have proven that
caSing and behind the casing. It is commonly some early concepts were incorrect.
performed for one or more than one of the
following purposes : For example :
1. Cement squeezeo through holes (perforations)
Repair a primary cement job that failed due in casing under high pressure generally
to cement by-passing mud (channeling) or forms a "horizontal pancake" opposite the
insufficient height (fill up) in the annulus. holes, thereby developing a barrier to
vertical fluid movement.
Eliminate water intrusion from above, below
or within the hydrocar00n producing zone. 2. Injecting drilling mud into perforations at
high pressure opens all the perforations.
Reduce the producing gas-oil ratio by
isolating gas zones from adjacent oil 3. High final squeeze pressure is a positive
intervals. indication of a successful job.

Repair casing leaks due to corrosion or 4. Cement enters more permeable formations and
split pipe. cleaner perforations first and, during the
build up to the final squeeze pressure,
Plug all, or part, of one or more zones in a fractures occur at one or more perforations.
multi-zone injection well to direct
injection into desired intervals, and 5. In zone with good permeability, cement
penetrates the formation without fracturing.

'The fundamental concept of squeeze

References and illustrations at end of paper cementing is that the initial seal is formed by
the cement filter cake'.

477
2 PROBLEMS IN SQUEEZE CEMENTING
The cement slurry is the fine division of
solid particles dispersed in liquid. It requires
a permeability of 100+ Darcies to allow a normal
slurry to penetrate a sand formation without
fracturing. Therefore, these particles in the
slurry can not be displaced into normal
formation permeability. When a cement slurry is
pumped and forced against a permeable formation,
the solid particles filter out on the formation
face. It is the filtrate that is being forced
into the formation permeability.
As compared to the sand formations, the
filter cake has much lower permeability.
Therefore, as the cake is formed on part of
formation, cement is diverted to other exposed
formation perpeability.
JOB PLANNING AND DESIGN
To make a squeeze job successful, many
questions need to be answered before the job
begins. A job should be designed for worst
expected conditions. Alternatives may be
selected to meet the abnormal situations.
Following questions are important to consider
before the job :
1. What type of squeeze packer to be used?
2. Where should the squeeze packer be set?
3. What break d01lTn fluid to be used - mUd,
water, brine or some other fluid?
4. What type of cementing composition w~uld
best suited for the job?
5. What should the maximum squeeze pressure be ?
JOB EVALUATION
A successful squeeze cementing job
withstands differential pressure bet'Vleen casing
and formation. This differential pressure could
be either during production or injection after
the well is put back to operation. The best deal
is to test the squeeze job before the rig is
moved off.
A positive pressure test that does not
exceed the formation fracture pressure should be
conducted. It is better to perform this test
after the cement is drilled out. Though it is
not conclusive, pressure testing is relatively
quick and inexpensive to perform. In case of a
job failure less expense and effort are required
to redo the job at that time.
A negative test or differential pressure
into the well bore may be obtained either by
swabbing and lowering the fluid level or by
displacing workover fluid with some lighter
fluid. This test is more reliable as compared to
the positive pressure test. Experience has shown
that 9 times out of 10, the differential
SPE 11499
pressure test had failed where the positive
pressure test remained successful.
In those cement squeeze johs 'ltlhere cement is
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to be drilled out, the way the cement drills is
one of the indications of the success. If it
drills hard all the way, results may be good.
But even then it is not a reliable test.
TYPE OF SQUEEZE PACKER
Squeeze packer, now-a-days, is one of the
most important mechanical aspects of the squeeze
cementing. Basically two types of squeeze
packers are available i.e.
Retrievable and
Drillable
Retrievable packers are designed to be run
in the well, squeeze and then retrieve. These
packers have ~ number of applications. Moreover,
it has some advantages over drillable packers.
These can be set and released many times,
thereby providing a facility to squeeze a number
of holes in only one run. This type of packer is
less expensive. Also if the drilling of cement
is required, lesser rig time will be needed.
Drillable packers are provided with a back
pressure val vee Purpose of this val ve is to trap
cement once it is placed. It is best suited
where cement has a tendency to flow back after
the job while reverse circulating or pulling out
of hole. Squeezing with drillable packer is more
be common now-a-days as it maintains a full system
below it and in the void area being squeezed.
These have proven quite successful in squeezing
large volume jobs for repairing faulty primary
cementation and for water shut-off. These
packers are designed in such a way that there is
a provision to set it either on drill pipes or
on electric line. Therefore, they can be set
very close to the perforations. This reduces the
volume of break down fluid or fluid trapped
below the packer that has to be displaced into
the perforations before the actual cement
squeeze begins. Moreover, these packers can
easily be drilled out.
One of the major problems in using a
retrievable packer is to keep cement belo\-, it.
Another problem may arise while reverse
circulating excess cement down the casing,
around the tool through tubing or drill pipes.
The cement slurry if not dehydrated may be
disturbed during reverse circulation. Also
swabbing effect occurs while pulling out with
the packer and might flow the insufficient
dehydrated slurry back to the hole.
Selection of the packer depends upon well
conditions, squeeze pressures, regional
experience and company policy etc. In unfamiliar
areas, a drillable packer is safer to use.
478
SPE 11499 IMTIAZ AHMED TOOR
The squeezed formation will be fractured if
excessive pressures are exerted at the surface.
Therefore it is important to select the final
squeeze pressure prior to the job. This final
pressure will determine when the job is
completed. There are many ways to estimate final
pressures, but past experience of the field is
probably the best.
If the squeeze is successful and the
pressure applied is high for the depth, there is
a tendency to set this as a minimum final
pressure. However, a considerably lower final
pressure often can result in a successful
squeeze job.
A final squeeze pressure that is too high
for the depth also may result in the use of
excessive amounts of cement. The formation has
its own fracture gradient. Excessive pressure
will cause the formation to part and take cement
until the friction of the cement increases
causing pressure build up and additional
formation fracturing. Generally the final
squeeze pressure is based upon depth or initial
break down pressure.
For safety, it is necessary to assume that
any pressure exerted below the packer is applied
to the outside of the casing. If a channel
exists, it would allow the pressure to be
transmitted against the casing above the packer.
The maximum safe collapse pressure that the
casing "\t7ill withstand should be determined and
the difference between this pressure and the
maximum final squeeze pressure is the amount of
back up pressure required on the tubing-casing
annulus to protect the casing.
CEMENT COMPOSITION
Selection of cementing composition depends
upon certain factors. The following three fators
should be considered the maximum :
1. Thickening time of the slurry which depends
upon the well depth and temperature.
2. Slurry penetration - the slurry is no good
if it can not penetrate the place where
required, a good squeeze pressure might have
been observed though.
3. Effect of cement slurry on the formation -
this factor should be given a good
consideration. A satisfactory cement bond
with the formation is required after the
cement is dehydrated.
It is necessary to use a controlled fluid
loss slurry as well as retardation to obtain
adequate cement penetration. A variety of cement
additives is available in the market. These can
be used to obtain required properties of the
479
3
cement slurry. It is rather necessary to use a
controlled fluid loss slurry to obtain adequate
cement penetration. In case of low permeability
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formations, where a fracture is anticipated, a
fast setting and high water loss slurry may be
considered.
FACTORS AFFECTING SQUEEZE CEMENTING
There are a number of factors that contri-
bute in the success or failure of a cement
squeeze job. Some of the factors are discussed
below "Thich directly or indirectly affect a
cement squeeze.
Brine as a workover fluid :
Sodium Chloride brine is the cheapest
workover and completion fluid. Salt as a
cement additive accelerates the cement
setting (Fig-l). Salt strength raising to
15% accelerates the set of cement to a great
or less degree according to its concentra-
tion. At higher concentration, between 15%
and saturation strength, salt functions as a
retarder. If cement is mixed in sea water or
salty water, its rate of set is accelerated.
The degree of acceleration depends upon the
water salinity.
Brine circulation or loss during the
operations will saturate the well-bore with
it. So as soon as cement hits the brine in
the perforations or in the casing, its
chemical set starts. It is much more
difficult to squeeze partially set cement
into formation than unset cement slurry.
Moreover, if the cement is pumped with brine
ahead of it, its chemical set starts
occuring at the surface.By the time cement
reaches against perforations, it is hard
enough to squeeze in.
Filtration Rate Control
For a successful remedial cementing
operation, it is necessary to place the
cement slurry in the desired location when
it is still mobile - then immobilize it
while its chemical set occurs. Most squeeze
cementing operations depend upon the control
of the deposition of the filter cake in
order to immobilize the cement solids in the
desired location. In case of high rate of
water loss from slurry, the cement filter
cake will be formed in the casing. On the
surface an indication of the pressure build
will be observed. Final squeeze pressure
achievement would not mean that all the
perforations have been treated. On the other
hand, if the slurry has a very low
filtration rate, sufficient filter cake
will not be produced for immobilization of
cement solids in the desired location.
4 PROBLEMS IN SOUEEZE CEMENTING
Pressure Considerations :
The pressure applied from the surface during
squeeze cementing is one of the most
controllable aspects of the operation.
Prior to mixing the cement slurry,
injectivity in the formation be checked-
preferably with fresh water. At the same
time, the reversing pressure can be
measured. To perform the cement squeeze job,
slurry is placed across the perforations.
The pressure should slowly be increased to
pre-determined squeeze pressure, which is
more than reversing pressure, but less than
fracture pressure. When the squeeze pressure
is attained and held, removal of excess
cement slurry by reverse circulation can
then begin.
Slurry Mixing
Fluid properties of cement slurry are of
great concern. A poorly mixed slurry may
lead to the squeeze job failure. Therefore,
a high quality slurry should be mixed and
prepared. If possible, the slurry should be
batch mixed.
The batch mixed cement provides a very
uniform cement slurry. In case this method
is impractical the cement should be mixed at
a rate that will assure uniform slurry
density.
Location Of Squeeze Packer :
The location of packer relative to the
interval being squeezed has its own
importance. Interval from squeeze packer to
the zone will account for the volume of
fluid that has to be squeezed ahead of
cement slurry. Also it reflects the footage
of cement that has to be drilled after the
job is over. In case it is set too high
above the interval being squeezed, a large
volume of fluid will be confined. All of
this volume has to be then displaced into
the formation ahead of cement slurry.
Moreover, a good length of cement column has
to be drilled unnecessarily after the job.
On the other hand, if the packer is set too
close to perforations, there is always a
danger of its sticking, if the casing gets
collapsed due to pressure transmittal.
wai ting On Cement (t-mC) Time :
Before testing a squeeze job, sufficient
time should be given to cement to attain its
initial set. It is fact that the cement
filter cake has a high solid to liquid ratio
than bulk cement slurry. Therefore, the
cement filter cake shows a faster rate of
set and also develop higher ultimate
480
SPE 11499
strength than the bulk slurry. This is
illustrated in Table No.1.
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Vertical formation permeability, formation
porosity, shot density, cement slurry
filtration behaviour and well bore geometry
etc. are such things that play an important
role in the depth of penetration of cement
slurry into the formation. If the best
combination of the above factors is used,
filtrate penetration is only a few inches (5
inches in most cases). This depth of
penetration of the cement slurry filtrate is
less than the usual gun penetration, if the
same interval is reperforated.
WASHING OF PERFORATIONS
In the past decades, work has been done on
this subject and better squeeze results were
achieved.
Washing of perforations prior to squeeze
cementing helps in removing the contaminations
or blocking materials. Also, nearly all of the
perforations will take some fluid before the
cement. This will result in a better bond
bet'\l,een cement and formation.
Fresh water and acid are most common types
of washes. The type of wash to be used prior to
job depends upon the type of formation, type of
the drilling mud and type of the tool for
placement.
It is quite possible that some of the
perforations '\Ilould not accept cement during the
course of squeeze. This could be due to mud
cake, low permeability of the formation or
reduced effective permeabilities of the
perforations. When cement is washed or drilled,
these perforations would start producing.
Previous work has shown that the best bond
between cement and formation is attained against
a clean formation. It was observed when the mud
"Tas removed from the annulus during a primary
cement job.
An effective washing chemical solution
should have ability to penetrate in a producing
or non producing perforations.
The most efficient washes have a very low
surface tension. This will improve the
penetrating action. Also they are capable of
changing the properties of contaminating mud
and/or mud filter cake.
The active hydrogen of an acid reacts with
hydrated clays and causes flocculation and
particle size shrinkage. Therefore, acids are
being used as a better effective washing tool.
The clay blockage could be due to
SPE 11499 IMTIAZ AHMED TOOR
a) Deposits of drilling mud or
b) sediments native to the formation which
hydrate in the presence of filtrate from mud
or cement.
The chemical reaction of the acid results in
a lower volume hydrogen type clays when the acid
contacts . . lith either type of clay swelling.
Inhibited hydrochloric acid with some
percentage of surfactant is one of the most
efficient washes. It should not be allowed to
remain in contact with squeeze tool for a longer
period. It also causes the shrinkage of clay
particles. Inhibited acetic acid also behaves
like hydrochloric acid. But being a weak organic
acid, contact time exceeds than the stronger
hydrochloric acid.
Low filtration rate cement slurry is capable
of penetrating into the formation. Chances of a
good cement bond between cement and formation
and within the perforations are less. Inhibited
hydrochloric acid when spotted across the perfo-
rations and finally displaced into it gives
better penetration of cement into the perfora-
tions. It is slightly better than inhibited
acetic acid in cleaning out the plugged
perforations.
SQUEEZING PERFORATIONS
Laboratory experiments and field practices
have shown that better achievements were
obtained while squeezing with 10\11 filtration
loss cement slurries. Multiple perforati~
plugged with fresh water mud can better be
squeezed with an acid pre-flush. In limestone
formations where fractures exist or develop
during course of squeezing, bridging materials
like gilsonite may be used.
Perforations plugged with salt water mud
have less tendency to dehydrate cement in it.
The high filtration rate slurries dehydrate at
the face of the perforations. Therefore, no
cement slurry would penetrate the perforations.
Acid pre-flush with the combination of a low
filtration rate slurry allows to
a) Clear all the perforations and
b) slightly more cement to enter the perfora-
tions.
By dissolving the mud cake, cement would be
in contact with formation resulting in possibly
a successful, single stage squeeze cementing job.
LONG AND HIGHLY PERMEABLE SANDS
Squeezing long intervals (greater than 50
ft) of perforations has always created problems.
Difficulties were experienced in sealing all the
perforations in one operation. The problem
becomes worse if two or more zones are to be
squeezed.
481
5
In our fields on many occasions two zones to
be squeezed \-,ere more than 100 ft apart.
Moreover, one formation greatly differed from
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the other in reservoir characteristics. Also
there was a different objective for squeeze
cementing.
General completions are dual zone
completion. Problems in squeeze cementing become
worse when both the zones had to be squeezed off
for one reason or another. Each reservoir,
having its own characteristics, presented a
different problem. For example, if one reservoir
has high permeability, the other has a compara-
tively low permeability. If one has a high
bottom hole pressure, the other has such a low
bottom hole pressure that fresh water is enough
to kill the zone. Similarly if one zone was
squeezed for water shut off, the other had to be
squeezed for high GOR. In some cases, zones were
more than 100 ft apart and sands were also
thicker than 100 ft.
Mainly, it was observed that after the
squeeze job,
1. Cement remained medium hard or even soft
after longer WOC times and
2. Perforations had to be squeezed more than
one time before both the positive and
negative tests were found all right.
Efforts were made to improve squeeze
cementing and proved successful to some extent.
Still a lot of lab and field work is required to
overcome the problems.
THIXOTROPIC CEMENT AND SQUEEZING LONG INTERVALS
Use of thixotropic cement has proved
successful in squeezing long intervals in some
fields. The criteria set for improving squeeze
cementing in long intervals is as follows :
Squeeze long perforated intervals or more
than one set of perforations in the same
zone, with one squeeze cementing job.
When perforations are sealed, wash out
excess cement, thereby eliminating the
drilling of long sections of hard cement.
Thixotropic cement would allow a good filter
-cake build up and have enough gel strength to
help the cement from being washed away from the
perforations. It would also give enough fluid
loss control to allow excess cement to be
reversed out after the squeeze period.
Particularly in situations where neat cement
dehydrates in the pipe and low fluid loss cement
has an excessive HOC time, Thixotropic cement
may give better results.
6 PROBLEMS IN SQUEEZE CEMENTING
CONCLUSIONS
First phase in squeeze cementing is
recognition of problem and finding a possible
solution to it. Testing of the squeezed zone is
as necessary as squeeze cementing. It is better
to try new methods and cementing compositions
than to repeat a partially successful method.
Solutions offered in one particular area or
field might give partial success in other
places. With the selection of proper surface
pressures, cement slurries (for HOC times) and
squeeze equipment, a considerable rig time can
be saved.
Maximum informations about an individual
well and past history of the field will lead to
the best squeeze cementing operations.
Laboratory tests and field practices are
definitely helpful in improving the task.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based upon experience and laboratory test
resul ts, follo'Vling steps should be considered
prior to and during a squeeze job :
1. Make break down pressure and final pressure
calculations.
2. Flow back perforations for 2-4 hours for
clean up.
3. Check injectivity at a pressure not excee-
ding the frac pressure and if possible with
a 'Vlashing chemical (preferably an inhibited
acid) •
4. Use a low filtration rate slurry. A slurry
thickening time of 2 to 4 hours, with a
fluid loss of 100 to 150 cc/30 min. at 1000
psi differential pressure is considered a
good slurry.
482
SPE 11499
5. Use spacers of fresh water ahead and behind
cement to avoid cement slurry contamination.
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6. Batch mix cement to get a uniform slurry.
7. Use proper squeeze packer. In case of
retrievable packer, set it at 50-75 ft above
the perforations.
B. The maximum squeeze pressure should not
exceed the formation fracture pressure.
, ...
The author wishes to express his
appreciation to Kuwait Oil Company (KSC) for
permission to prepare and publish this paper.
Also to those who offered suggestions for the
preparation of this paper, and especially to MiS
A.K. Al-Khamees and C.G. Banerjee.
REFERENCES
1. 'Flow of fluids through Porous Media.' by
R.E. Collins.
2. KOC report RES/2/l971
3. 'Primary and Remedial Cementing' by EXXON
Production Research Company.
4. 'Thixotropic Cement Improves Squeeze Jobs'
by R.P. Hemphill and R.J. Crook.
5. 'Use of Chemical Wash and a Low Fluid Loss
Cement' by Francis Harris and Gregory Carter.
6. 'Problems Related to Squeeze Cementing' by
S.H. Shryock and K.A. Slagle.
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'1"ABLE - 1

COMPARATIVE STRENGTH OF SET CEMENTS

AND

CEMENT FILTER CAKE

Strength of Set Cement Strength of Cement Filter

24 hrs.at Cake After Curing 8 hrs.at

Fluid Loss

Agent (%)

API Class IG' Cement

0.0 2,085 4,545

0.8 980 3,515 2,400 12,400

1.0 800 3,440 2,080 12,200

1.2 580 3,525 400 12,100

Portland Cement With 2% Calcium Chloride

0.8 2,075 4,000+ 3,160 12,000+

1.0 1,975 4,000+ 3,400 12,000+

1.2 ~,920 4,000+ 3,280 12,000+

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Fig. 1

j} (/00
40

0).7
35

Fig. 1-Effect of salt on thickening time and strength of API Class G cement.
PERCENT SALT BY WEIGHT OF WATER
30
25
20
15
o10
5