Cementing
A cementing operation is critical for ensuring complete zonal isolation, aquifer protection and the structural integrity of the wellbore. Without it, the well may never reach its full production potential and liquids from one zone could interfere with, or be lost to, another zone. After drilling a well, steel pipe called casing is inserted into the hole. Cement is then pumped down the pipe and circulated up the annulus to create a strong barrier of protection between the well and rock formations.
Our greatest strength as a leader in oil and gas cementing companies is our experience. We combine extensive technical and field knowledge with state-of-the-art tools, equipment, specifically designed formulations and ongoing research and development to generate the strength needed for zonal isolation and casing support. Our sustainable cement program ensures the cement sheath will maintain its integrity for the life of the well by combining mechanical property testing and cement sheath integrity modelling. This allows us to identify potential failure mechanisms in an existing design or to develop an economic cement system that meets your requirements. The cement blend will withstand all the life cycle stresses of the well, such as hydraulic fracturing and thermal cycling, to maintain zonal isolation or reduce surface casing vent flow frequency.
Cementing Solutions
Pre-Flushes and Spacers
For a cement slurry to create a proper and effective bond, the surface of the casing and formation must be clean of drilling fluids. A spacer is used to displace fluid from the annulus, while a pre-flush is used to thin and diffuse any leftover drilling fluid particles. Both pre-flushes and spacers play fundamental roles in effective cementing operations and successful zonal isolation. Our solutions include:
- Mud displacement pre-flushes and spacers
- Reactive pre-flushes and spacers
- Lost Circulation pre-flushes and spacers
- Pre-flush and spacer additives
Surface Cementing
Surface casing is positioned inside a drilled wellbore and cemented in place from the bottom to the surface. In so doing, freshwater aquifers are protected and isolated, an anchor is created for the blow out preventer (BOP) and other well control equipment, lost circulation is prevented, and structural integrity is created to support the remaining casings.
Intermediate Cementing
Intermediate casing involves installing casing inside a drilled well after the surface casing is cemented in place. This procedure provides isolation among formations with high differential pressures for greater wellbore stability. Our engineering team can recommend the right solution for your well from a wide range of options.
Production Cementing
Production casing is installed across the hydrocarbon-producing zone of a wellbore to isolate the zone containing oil and gas resources from other formations. This casing commonly runs the full length of the well and can be cemented in place all the way to the surface.
Liner Cementing
A liner is a casing string that hangs or extends from another casing string, rather than extending from the wellhead. Depending on the application, liners can save time and money while enhancing completion design.
Horizontal Cementing
It is becoming increasingly common for exploration and production operators to move from drilling vertical wells to drilling horizontal or directional wells to reach more of the reservoir. As a result, our team has developed innovative techniques and equipment, as well as specialty slurries and additives to ensure that zonal isolation and wellbore integrity are achieved in horizontal wellbores.
Cement Plugs
Cement plugs are used in various formations to create a permanent barrier in the wellbore. They can be placed in open hole wells when challenges are encountered while drilling, or in cased hole wells after the hydrocarbons have been extracted from the well. We can provide the most effective solution for your well from among both standard and specialty slurries for abandonment, whipstock, well stabilization, and lost circulation cement plug operations.
Remedial / Squeeze Cementing
Wellbore integrity is crucial. While the objective of primary cementing is to achieve zonal isolation and aquifer protection, remedial cementing often plays an important role in maintaining these benefits over the life of the well. Specifically designed equipment including low-rate squeeze pumps, combined with our specialty slurries and expert remedial cementing solutions will maintain this critically important wellbore integrity. Our specialized remedial techniques and solutions can address issues involving water shut off, low-rate squeeze applications for surface casing vent flow, and gas migration challenges.
Lost Circulation
Cement that is lost to the formation, known as lost circulation, can be an issue before, during and after cementing in the WCSB. Our technical team has developed several unique systems for resolving these issues and proprietary cement blends that reduce hydrostatic pressure to obtain the required annular wellbore height.
Cement Design
Our cementing experts use advanced simulation software and reliable technical design to create innovative and effective solutions. With advanced simulation software, we can model and predict cement sheath integrity, optimized centralizer design and placement, cement slurry placement, wellbore properties, temperature changes, and cement sheath integrity. Furthermore, our engineers will prepare cement programs containing all the requirements necessary to ensure effective coverage, bonding, and strength.
Laboratory Solutions
Our engineers and operational groups are backed by a team of qualified researchers and lab technicians. From within our R&D facilities and operational support laboratories, our advanced testing capabilities, combined with optimized cement blends and chemistry will provide innovative product and process solutions to generate maximum value for your well.
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