Section 9

Surface Cementing Equipment

Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................9-3
Topic Areas .................................................................................................................................9-3
Learning Objectives......................................................................................................................9-3
Unit A: Cementing Heads/Plug Containers........................................................................................9-3
Methods of Using Plug Containers ................................................................................................9-4
Commonly Used Halliburton Plug Containers ................................................................................9-5
Remote Control Plug Container System.........................................................................................9-6
Quick-Latch Coupler ....................................................................................................................9-7
Casing Swivels .............................................................................................................................9-7
Plug Container Lifting Devices .....................................................................................................9-8
Maintenance and Use of Plug Containers .......................................................................................9-8
Unit A Quiz ............................................................................................................................... 9-10
Unit B: Density Measurement......................................................................................................... 9-11
Radioactive Density Meters ........................................................................................................ 9-11
Pressure Balanced Mud Scale ...................................................................................................... 9-11
Unit B Quiz ............................................................................................................................... 9-12
Answers to Unit Quizzes................................................................................................................ 9-13

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Use for Section Notes…

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Introduction
The main purpose of any cement mixing system
is to blend water and dry cement at a satisfactory
rate so that ideal weights, viscosities, and
densities can be maintained. In addition, recently
developed mixing systems provide the capacity
for additive reactions and batch mixing. The end
result is cement that will set properly downhole.
Topic Areas
In this section, the following units are included:
Unit A: Cementing Heads/Plug Containers
Plug containers (cementing heads) are used in
most cementing jobs to adapt the casing to the
pump as well as release the cementing plugs at
the proper time. Cementing plugs are used to
separate wellbore fluids and cement slurry. The
plug containers are designed to hold one or two
plugs that you can load before mixing the
cement slurry.
Plug containers are installed on top of the casing
before cement jobs to allow operators to drop
the top cementing plug without opening the
casing. Since continuous circulation is not
required in most cementing situations, pumping
can be stopped long enough to insert the bottom
plug.
Continuous circulation may be required when
cementing if the casing could get stuck in the
hole. By stacking plug containers or using a
double plug container, you can maintain
continuous circula tion.
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Surface Cementing Equipment
A. Cementing Heads/Plug Conta iners
B. Density Measurements
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this section, you should be
familiar with
• Types of cementing heads
• Use of Densometers
Plug containers have advantages over the other
plug dropping methods:
• A plug may be loaded in a container before
the mixing of the cement slurry
• A plug may be released from the container
at any time without interrupting the pumping
operation
• No air enters the pipe (as would be the case
with a swage), so the movement of the
slurry does not stop
• A container eliminates time spent removing
a swage to drop a plug.
Plug containers are available in two types: free-
fall and manifold. Cementing plugs fit loosely in
the free-fall plug container and rely on gravity to
pull the plug down into the flow stream,
allowing the plug to be pumped downhole.
Manifold plug containers allow fluid to be
diverted above the plug for positive plug release.
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Jet-Hed III Jet-Hed II
Type N
Figure 9.1 – Various types of plug containers.
Methods of Using Plug
Containers
Non-Continuous Circulation
To use a plug container on non-continuous
pumping jobs, follow the guidelines below:
1. Stop circulating the well fluids and remove
the plug container cap.
2. Insert the bottom plug through the plug
container to a point just below the inlet port.
3. Move the plug-release plunger to the
extended position.
4. Place the top plug inside the plug container
so that it rests on top of the extended
plunger.
5. Reinstall the cap on the top of the plug
container and begin the cementing job. The
bottom plug will travel down the casing in
front of the cement to separate the cement
from the well fluid.
© 2002, Halliburton
Surface Cementing Equipment
SPCH SPL
LP Quick Change
6. Release the top plug at the proper time by
moving the plug release plunger into its
retracted position. The top plug then follows
the cement down the casing to separate the
cement from the displacing fluids.
Continuous Circulation
If well conditions dictate that continuous
circulation be used, you can use two plug
containers or a double plug container as
described below:
1. Load both plugs into the plug container
before circulating the well fluids so that both
plugs can be released without opening the
plug container.
2. Circulate the well fluids and prepare the
cement for pumping.
3. When the cement is introduced into the
casing, retract the bottom plug release
plunger for the bottom plug.
4. Open the middle Lo-Torc valve above the
bottom plug to allow the bottom plug to
enter the casing ahead of the cement.
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5. At the proper time, release the top plug by

retracting the top plug release plunger,
which is holding the plug inside the plug
container.
6. Open the top Lo-Torc valve above the top
plug. The top plug then follows the cement
and separates it from the displacement fluid.

Commonly Used Halliburton

Plug Containers

Jet-Hed™ III Plug Container

Halliburton’s Jet-Hed III plug container offers

significant advantages when compared to
conventional plug containers. Offset fluid entry
ports create a vortex inside the plug container to
pull the plugs into the fluid stream at the proper
time. A looser fit also helps ensure more reliable
release of the plug from the plug container. No
line pipe threads on the high-pressure manifold
connections, improved welds, and a one-piece
cap all contribute to the solid design and result
in more reliable operation.
• Single plug or two-plug container available
• High pressure design
• Standard plug release plunger/plungers
• Type-certified models available
• Single and double remote controlled plug
containers available
• Available with Quick-Latch™ couplers in
4 1/2 in. through 20 in. API casing sizes
Figure 9.2 – Jet Hed III plug container.
Jet-Hed Model III-A
The Jet-Hed III-A plug container was designed
to replace the Jet-Hed III. It features the
following improvements:
• no line pipe threads on high-pressure
manifold connections improve welds
• one-piece cap (no pressure-containing parts
are welded on the cap, only hammer lugs
and lifting lugs for the chain.)
Jet-Hed Model III-A plug containers can
withstand high pressure and require no manifold.
Two inlets allow high pumping rates with low
horsepower. A lever-type indicator shows
passage of the plug as it leaves the plug
container and enters the casing.

Jet-Hed Model A Double Plug

Containers

The Jet-Hed Model A is the manifold version of

Jet-Hed III-A. It uses the same cap, nipple, and
plug release plunger as the Jet-Hed III-A and has
the same pressure rating. It was designed to
replace the standard Jet-Hed double plug
container.

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Compact™ Plug Container
The Compact™ plug container has the following
design features:
• is approximately 33% shorter and lighter
than previous Halliburton plug containers.
• includes an integral quick-latch coupler
(QLC) that allows safe and quick
installation. The QLC also eliminates taper-
threaded connections from the PC assembly,
thereby eliminating the maintenance
associated with tapered threads.
Figure 9.3 – Front and side view of free fall type cementing plug.
Remote Control Plug Container
System
Halliburton’s remote control plug container
system helps promote safer working conditions,
provides cost-effective cementing and
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Surface Cementing Equipment
• uses a single manifold that fits 4 ½ to 13 3/8
in. plug containers. Two additional
manifolds are supplied for the 16, 18 5/8 and
20 in. plug containers.
• includes a plunger assembly that attaches to
the plug container body with a 3 in. 1502
union half, allowing easier removal and
maintenance.
• includes a new lifting swivel and has a
seamless, weldless cap with bar holes for
easy makeup.
circulating, and allows efficient, dependable
operation during the cement job. Using this
system, you can release plugs and actuate Lo-
Torc® valves on plug containers by remote
control. The system includes two pneumatically
operated plug release plungers, three Lo-Torc
valves, and a control console for operating either
single or double plug containers.
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The control console releases the plugs and opens
the valves in a controlled sequence, preventing
accidental release of the wrong plug or pumping
on top of a plug before the plug release plunger
is retracted. Because the plug release plungers
and Lo-Torc valves can be operated by remote
control, you can release plugs during pumping,
saving rig time and promoting rig safety.
The console has a sequencing system that can
prevent the operator from accidentally releasing
the top plug first or pumping on top of a plug
before retracting the plunger.
The release pins on the plunger lock
mechanically in the external position to help
prevent plugs from being released prematurely.
After the plugs are released, fluid flow through
the manifold forces them down the casing.
Because they operate by remote control, they
can be stationed a safe working distance from
the wellhead. These systems also have manual
override, so operators can run the release
plungers manually if air pressure is lost.
Figure 9.4 – Lo-Torc valve.
Quick-Latch Coupler
Premium and type-certified couplers are
available for NKK-3SB, Vam, Mannesmann,
API 8RD,and Buttress type threads.
Figure 9.5 – Quick-latch coupler
mechanism.
Casing Swivels
Casing swivels allow the casing to rotate during
cementing or circulating. Install swivels between
the top of the casing and the bottom nipple of
the plug container; latch elevators onto the
casing below the swivel.
IMPORTANT: Casing swivels are not
designed to lift or support casing weight.
When rotation is required, set the slips on the
casing and remove the elevators. A torque arm
or bar inserted into the side of the swivel should
be tied off to the rig to prevent the plug
container from rotating. The casing swivel also
has a safety clamp that mechanically locks the
casing coupling to the swivel to allow the casing
to rotate counter-clockwise. Before clamping
onto the casing coupling, position the safety
clamp in the recess slot provided on the swivel
body.

Halliburton’s Quick-Latch coupler provides

easier and faster attachment of the cementing
plug container to the casing string. It is
preinstalled in the plug container and simply
clamps on the casing coupling. This reduces
installation time and adds increased reliability
for both cementing and circulating operations.

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WARNING: Do not use the old style sling for a

larger size plug container. Switching slings
between plug containers could cause the sling to
be overloaded and break, possibly causing
injury.

Inspection Procedure

Visually inspect the slings for cracks before each

job. A magnetic particle inspection should also
Figure 9.6 – Casing swivel with casing be done periodically. Follow the procedure listed
clamp in either Halliburton specification 70.94158 or
ASTM Specification E709. Any sling with
cracked or stretched rings must be replaced.

Safety Concerns
Plug Container Lifting Devices
Older style slings use welded rings as part of the
Chain slings/hoist rings for Halliburton plug construction of the sling (Figure 9.8). In some
containers are used to lift the cap on and off the cases, these welded rings have broken at the
plug container during a job. They are also used weld, causing some safety concerns.
to lift the entire plug container onto the rig floor
and to lift the plug container while it is being
attached to the casing. Chain slings/hoist rings
are designed only to lift the weight of the plug
container and attached equipment. Never use
them for any other purpose.

Figure 9.8 - Old style sling with welded

rings.

Maintenance and Use of Plug

Figure 9.7 – New style chain sling.
Containers

Table 9.1 listed below lists the parts of the plug

containers that should be regularly inspected and
serviced before taking it to location and after the

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job. Since the free-fall plug container is
currently used in many locations, this table
provides information about these parts, their
functions, and how to properly maintain them.
However, this information also applies to the
manifold-type cementing head.
After all service checks, the plug container is
ready for the job. Although many things are
involved when dropping plugs, the general
Table 9.1 – Plug Container and Attachments
Item Function
Plug Release Plunger Supports and releases plugs
Indictor Flapper Informs operators that the plug has
passed through the cementing head and
into the casing
Top Cap Detaches to load plug and to stack heads
(free fall type only)
Adaptor (Sub) Simplifies ease of connecting cementing
head to casing (changed out to fit
customer’s casing threads)
Quick Latch Coupler Shortens and simplifies the connection
procedures when connecting the
cementing head to the casing collar
(omits need to screw heads on)
Casing Swivel Attaches to the base of the cementing
head and allows the casing to rotate
without rotating the cementing head (Not
to be used with the Quick-Latch Coupler.)
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Surface Cementing Equipment
procedure for operating a cementing head is:
screw in the pin, put the safety la tch on to
prevent the handle from turning, remove the cap,
load the plug, and put the cap back on tightly.
To drop the plug, first remove the safety. Screw
the pin to the left and it will back out allowing
the plug to fall. If the head has a manifold, first
drop the plug, then open the top valve and close
the lower valve.
Maintenance
• Remove plunger by rotating to the right
• Apply grease to grease fitting
• Inspect plunger screws
• Inspect O-rings
• Remove plug, install grease zerk and grease
• Remove the 2-inch bull plug and inspect
• Grease the O-rings on the shaft supporting the two
flags
• Clean and lightly oil the seals or O-rings before
replacing
• Upon removal, clean and lightly oil the seals or O-
rings before replacing
• Remove body from the adjusting nut
• Remove the coupling face seal, check O-ring seal for
cuts
• Cleaning should occur immediately after use to
prevent cement setting up in the swivel
• After cleaning, pump a few strokes of grease into the
swivel bearing.
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Unit A Quiz

Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit A.
1. Plug containers are used in most cementing jobs to adapt the ____________ to the pumping lines as
well as release the _________________________ at the proper time.

2. Plug containers are available in two types: _________________ and___________________.

3. The Jet-Hed Model A is the ___________________ version of Jet-Hed III-A.

4. The Compact™ plug container is approximately ______% shorter and lighter than previous
Halliburton plug containers

5. The Remote Control Plug Container System includes two ___________________ operated plug
release plungers.

6. Halliburton’s Quick-Latch coupler reduces ________________________________.

7. Casing swivels allow the casing to ____________ during cementing or circulating.

8. Chain slings/hoist rings for Halliburton plug containers are used to lift the ________ on and off the
________________________ during a job. They are also used to lift the entire plug container onto
the ___________________and to lift the plug container while it is being attached to the casing.

9. Switching slings between plug containers could cause the sling to be ________________________,
possibly causing injury.

10. Most of the parts of the plug container and its attachments need to be ________________ and
________________ thoroughly before and after their use.

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Unit B: Density Measurement

Density meters (or densometers) are used to
measure the weight of a fluid. These devices are
used on blenders where they measure the density
of sand in a fluid, and on pumping units where
the weight or density of the cement is measured.
When used in larger scale cementing or
fracturing operations they are portable units.
For the purpose of this unit, two types of density
meters will be discussed:
• Radioactive Density Meters
• Pressure Balanced Mud Scale
Radioactive Density Meters
Pressure Balanced Mud Scale
The Pressure Balanced Mud Scale is an
instrument for measuring the absolute density of
a fluid sample. The unit is similar in operation to
the conventional mud scales, the difference
being that the slurry sample can be placed in a
fixed volume sample cup under pressure.
A major problem found in the density
measurement of fluids, cement slurries, and mud
is that they often have a considerable amount of
air entrained with them. However, pressurizing
the sample cup can reduce the entrained air
volume to a negligible quantity.

The radioactive densometer described in this

unit (Figure 9.9) is an all-electric system
designed for skids, trailers, trucks, and portable
use. The system consists of a display and density
sensor. It is designed for battery operation.
A radioactive densometer differs from a
pneumatic densometer in that it
• Is calibrated using water
• Senses the magnitude of a radioactive
source’s rays as they pass through the Figure 9.10 – Pressurized mud balance
cement slurry and converts the value to scale.
slurry density.

Figure 9.9 – Radioactive density meter.

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Unit B Quiz

Fill in the blanks with one or more words to check your progress in Unit C.
1. A density meter is used to measure the ___________ of a fluid.

2. Of the two types of densometers discussed in this unit, the ____________ type is more accurate
because it is not affected by ___________ in the fluid being weighed.

3. A radioactive densometer is calibrated with __________, rather than _____________ like the
pneumatic densometer.

4. The ___________________________ is similar in operation to the conventional mud scales with the
difference being that the slurry sample can be placed in a fixed volume sample cup under pressure.

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Answers to Unit Quizzes

Items from Unit A Quiz Refer to
Page
1. casing, cementing plugs 9-3
2. free-fall, manifold 9-3
3. manifold 9-4
4. 33 9-4
5. pneumatically 9-6
6. installation time 9-7
7. rotate 9-7
8. cap, plug container, rig floor 9-7
9. overloaded and break 9-8
10. inspected, serviced 9-8

Items from Unit B Quiz Refer to

Page
1. weight 9-11
2. radioactive, air 9-11
3. air, water 9-11
4. pressure balanced mud scales 9-11

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