Integration of New Open Hole Zonal Isolation Technology Contributes to Improved Reserve Recovery and Revision in Industry Best Practices

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Herman Henriksen ◽  
Jody R. Augustine ◽  
Edward T. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Zonal Isolation

Case Studies and Best Practices for Installation of Open Hole Multistage Completion Systems in Wells Drilled Underbalanced

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Bonar ◽  
D.J. Snyder ◽  
Brittany Dale Miller ◽  
Lonnie Jeffers
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Open Hole

Obtaining Zonal Isolation in Geothermal Wells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allam Putra Rachimillah ◽  
Cinto Azwar ◽  
Ambuj Johri ◽  
Ahmed Osman ◽  
Eric Tanoto
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Free Fluid ◽  
High Heating Rate ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Geothermal Well ◽  
Geothermal Wells ◽  
Zonal Isolation ◽  
Primary Cementing

Abstract Cementing is one of the sequences in the drilling operations to isolate different geological zones and provide integrity for the life of the well. As compared with oil and gas wells, geothermal wells have unique challenges for cementing operations. Robust cementing design and appropriate best practices during the cementing operations are needed to achieve cementing objectives in geothermal wells. Primary cementing in geothermal wells generally relies on a few conventional methods: long string, liner-tieback, and two-stage methods. Each has challenges for primary cementing that will be analyzed, compared, and discussed in detail. Geothermal wells pose challenges of low fracture gradients and massive lost circulation due to numerous fractures, which often lead to a need for remedial cementing jobs such as squeeze cementing and lost circulation plugs. Special considerations for remedial cementing in geothermal wells are also discussed here. Primary cement design is critical to ensure long-term integrity of a geothermal well. The cement sheath must be able to withstand pressure and temperature cycles when steam is produced and resist corrosive reservoir fluids due to the presence of H2S and CO2. Any fluid trapped within the casing-casing annulus poses a risk of casing collapse due to expansion under high temperatures encountered during the production phase. With the high heating rate of the geothermal well, temperature prediction plays an important part in cement design. Free fluid sensitivity test and centralizer selection also play an important role in avoiding mud channeling as well as preventing the development of fluid pockets. Analysis and comparison of every method is described in detail to enable readers to choose the best approach. Massive lost circulation is very common in surface and intermediate sections of geothermal wells. On numerous occasions, treatment with conventional lost-circulation material (LCM) was unable to cure the losses, resulting in the placement of multiple cement plugs. An improved lost circulation plug design and execution method are introduced to control massive losses in a geothermal environment. In addition, the paper will present operational best practices and lessons learned from the authors’ experience with cementing in geothermal wells in Indonesia. Geothermal wells can be constructed in different ways by different operators. In light of this, an analysis of different cementing approaches has been conducted to ensure robust cement design and a fit-for-purpose cementing method. This paper will discuss the cementing design, equipment, recommendations, and best available practices for excellence in operational execution to achieve optimal long-life zonal isolation for a geothermal well.

Successful Single-Stage Cementing in a Weak Formation: A Case History in Spain

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.. Bottiglieri ◽  
A.. Brandl ◽  
R.S.. S. Martin ◽  
R.. Nieto Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Case History ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Formation Damage ◽  
Cement Slurry ◽  
Integrity Test ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Zonal Isolation ◽  
Horizontal Wellbore

Abstract Cementing in wellbores with low fracture gradients can be challenging due to the risk of formation breakdowns when exceeding maximum allowable equivalent circulation densities (ECDs). Consequences include severe losses and formation damage, and insufficient placement of the cement slurry that necessitates time-consuming and costly remedial cementing to ensure zonal isolation. In recent cementing operations in Spain, the formation integrity test (FIT) of the open hole section indicated that the formation would have been broken down and losses occurred based on calculated equivalent circulating densities (ECDs) if the cement slurry had been pumped in a single-stage to achieve the operator's top-of-cement goal. As a solution to this problem, cementing was performed in stages, using specialty tools. However, during these operations, the stage tool did not work properly, wasting rig time and resulting in unsuccessful cement placement. To overcome this issue, the operator decided to cement the section in a single stage, preceded by a novel aqueous spacer system that aids in strengthening weak formations and controlling circulation losses. Before the operation, laboratory testing was conducted to ensure the spacer system's performance in weak, porous formations and better understand its mechanism. This paper will outline the laboratory testing, modeling and engineering design that preceded this successful single stage cementing job in a horizontal wellbore, with a final ECD calculated to be 0.12 g/cm3 (1.00 lb/gal) higher than the FIT-estimated figure.

Improved Zonal Isolation in Open Hole Applications

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Bardsen ◽  
Paul Hazel ◽  
Ricardo R. Reves Vasques ◽  
Oyvind Hjorteland ◽  
Oystein Eikeskog
Keyword(s):  
Open Hole ◽  
Zonal Isolation

Double Casing Exit for Side-Track to Commingle Two Borehole Sizes Based Sections in One Slim Shot to Well TD

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meshal Al-Khaldi ◽  
Dhari Al-Saadi ◽  
Mohammad Al-Ajmi ◽  
Abhijit Dutta ◽  
Ibrahim Elafify ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Drilling Parameters ◽  
Wellbore Pressure ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Zonal Isolation ◽  
Side Track ◽  
First Time

Abstract This project began when a 9-5/8" in 43.5 ppf production casing became inaccessible due to the existing cemented pipe inside, preventing further reservoir section exposure and necessitating a mechanical side-track meanwhile introducing the challenge of loosing one section and imposimg slim hole challenges. The size and weight of the double-casing made for challenging drilling, as did the eight very different formations, which were drilled. The side-track was accomplished in two steps, an 8½ in hole followed by a single long 6⅛ in section, rather than the three steps (16 in, 12¼ in, 8½ in) that are typically required. The optimal kick off point carfully located across the dual casing by running electromagnetic diagnostics, the casing collar locator, and the cement bond log. The double casing mill was carefully tailored to successfully accomplish the exit in one run. Moreover, an extra 26 ft. MD rathole was drilled, which helped to eliminate the mud motor elongation run. A rotary steerable system was utilized directly in a directional BHA to drill an 8½ in open hole building section from vertical to a 30⁰ inclination. A 7.0 in liner was then set to isolate weak zones at the equivalent depth of the outer casing (13-3/8"). Subsequently, a single 6⅛ in section was drilled to the well TD through the lower eight formations. Drilling a 6⅛ in section through eight formations came with a variety of challenges. These formations have different challenging behaviors relative to the wellbore pressure that typically leads to the drilling being done in two sections. Modeling the geo-mechanical characteristics of each formation allowed the determination of a mud weight range and rheology that would stabilize the wellbore through all eight formations. The slim, 6⅛ in, hole was stabilized with higher equivalent circulating density (ECD) values than is typically used in larger boreholes. Optimizing mud weight and drilling parameters, while managing differential sticking with close monitoring of real-time ECD, helped to stabilize the high-pressurized zones to deliver the well to the desired TD with a single borehole. This project represents the first time in Kuwait that double casings in such large sizes have been cut and sidetracked. It is also the first time these eight formations have been cut across such a smaller hole size, slim hole (6⅛ in) in a single shot. Geo-mechanical modeling allowed us to stabilize the pressurized formations and to control the ECD. The well also deployed the longest production liner in the field commingling multiple reservoirs with differnt pore pressure ramps, with excellent cement quality providing optimal zonal isolation.

Reclaiming the Operating Window: A Managed Pressure Cementing Workflow to Achieve Zonal Isolation Success in a Mature Field

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Smith ◽  
Lucas Rossi ◽  
Christopher Mehler ◽  
Jon Todd Eberhardt ◽  
Christopher Scarborough ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Stability Control ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Optimized Design ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Fracture Pressure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Zonal Isolation ◽  
Operating Window

Abstract Successfully cementing production casing strings is one of the main challenges of well construction in mature fields. The implementation of cementing best practices can be difficult in the narrow pore pressure-fracture pressure (PPFG) window associated with reservoir depletion and complex well architecture. The increased risk of losses can lead operating teams to compromise on these best practices, often jeopardizing the zonal isolation objectives. This can result in significant additional time, cost, and production deferral/loss. Managed pressure cementing (MPC) is a viable technique to address these challenges. Using the managed pressure drilling (MPD) system's capability to precisely control bottomhole pressure, coupled with the use of mud weights that are lower than conventionally needed can expand the PPFG window; enabling operating teams to achieve a higher success rate in meeting the zonal isolation objectives. This paper will offer an optimized design methodology and critical considerations and parameters for MPC operations. It will also briefly describe the primary applications of MPC and specific, unique design considerations associated with each, namely, (1) mud weight less than pore pressure (PP), (2) losses prevention, and (3) wellbore stability control. Lastly, it will provide a case history illustrating how MPC was used in one of the operator's mature fields, by giving an overview of the job engineering design process, the operational planning (inclusive of contingencies), and the key highlights and learnings observed during execution.

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