To keep the hole open and to provide support for weak, vulnerable or

fractured formations.

To isolate porous media with different fluid/pressure regimes

from contaminating the payzone.

To prevent contamination of near-surface fresh water zones.

To provide a passage for hydrocarbon fluids.

To provide a suitable connection for the wellhead equipment and later

the christmas tree.

To provide a hole of known diameter and depth to facilitate the running

of testing and completion equipment.
STOVE PIPE

CONDUCTOR CASING

SURFACE CASING

INTERMEDIATE CASING

PRODUCTION CASING
STOVE PIPE (Marine Conductor or
foundation pile for
offshore rigs
• To prevent washouts of near-surface unconsolidated
formations.
• To provide a circulation system for the drilling mud
• To ensure the stability of the ground under the rig
• Can be driven into ground with a pile driver
• SIZE: 26 in. to 42 in.
CONDUCTOR CASING

• Run from surface to some shallow depth to protect near

surface unconsolidated formation.
• Seal off shallow-water zones, provide protection
against shallow gas flows
• It may be connected to BOP or cut at surface or connected
to diverter.
• It is always cemented to surface.
• It is used to support subsequent casing strings and wellhead
equipment
• Sizes: 18 5/8 in. to 20 in.
 SURFACE CASING

• Run to prevent caving of weak formations that are

encountered at shallow depths.
• Should be set in competent rock like limestone to ensure
that the formation will not fracture at the casing shoe by
high mud weight used later in the next hole.
• Provide protection against shallow blowouts, hence BOPs
are connected to the top of this string.
• Sizes: l3 3/8 in.
INTERMEDIATE CASING

• Usually set in the transition zone below or above an over

pressured formation.(salt and/or caving shale)
• Good cementation of this casing must be ensured to
prevent communication behind the casing .
• Multistage cementing may be used to cement this string of
casing in order to prevent weak formations from being
subjected to high hydrostatic pressure from a continuous,
long column of cement.
• Sizes: 9 5/8 or 10 ¾ in.
PRODUCTION CASING

• It is the last casing string.

• It is run to isolate producing zones, to provide reservoir fluid
control and to permit selective production in multi- zone
production.
• Sizes: 4 1/2, 5 and 7 in
LINERS

• A liner is a string of casing that does not reach the surface.

• Liners are hung on the intermediate casing by use of a liner-
hanger.
• The major design criterion for a liner is usually the ability to
withstand the maximum expected collapse pressure
 TYPES OF LINERS
• Drilling liners are used to isolate lost circulation or abnormally
pressured zones to permit deeper drilling.
• Production liners are run instead of a full casing to provide isolation
across the production or injection zones.
• The tie-back liner is a section of casing extending upwards from the
top of an existing liner to the surface. It may or may not, be
cemented in place.
• The scab liner is a section of casing that does not reach the surface.
It is used to repair existing damaged casing. It is normally sealed with
packers at top and bottom and, in some cases, is also cemented.
• The scab tie-back liner is a section of casing extending from the top
of an existing liner but does reach the surface. The scab tie-back liner
is normally cemented in place.
 MAIN ADVANTAGES
• The total costs of the production string are reduced, and running
and cementing times are reduced.
• Complete wells with less weight landed on wellheads and surface
pipe
• A scab liner tie-back provides heavy wall cemented section
through
salt sections.
• Where rig capacity cannot handle full string; when running heavy 9
5/8" casing.
• Improved completion flexibility.
DISADVANTAGES

• Possible leak across a liner hanger.

• Difficulty in obtaining a good primary cementation due to
the narrow annulus between the liner and the hole.