Date: Sep 99

PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110

Page: 1

PLUG CEMENTING
CONSIDERATIONS

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 Date: Sep 99
PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110
Page: 2

Job Design Considerations

z Why is the cement plug being set?
z At what depth will the plug be set?
z Across which formations is the plug going to be set?
z At what density should the slurry be mixed?
z What is the BHT?
z What volume should be pumped?
z What is the required thickening time?
z How to insure the cement will not be contaminated by mud?
z Are pipe centralization and rotation necessary?
z Waiting on cement time?

• Job Design Considerations:

- The design of the job starts with the definition of the objective. Setting a plug for lost circulation is
quite different from setting a plug to abandon a depleted zone or plug back a well.

- Key questions to consider in design:

- At what depth will the plug be set?
- Across which formation is the plug going to be set?
- At what density should the slurry be mixed?
- What is the BHT?
- What volume should be pumped?
- What are the appropriate slurry properties?
- What is the appropriate thickening time?
- How does one insure that the cement will not be contaminated with the mud?
- Are pipe centralization and rotation necessary?
- Waiting on cement time?

• Cement Volume:
- Abandonment plugs' lengths and depths are usually stated by government regulations.

- Whipstock plugs must be of considerable length to provide for a gradual deviation of the bit.
Cement excess and reversing might be necessary in the case of exact depth for whipstocking.
Care must be taken to avoid excessive hydrostatic pressure on lower, depleted or weak zones,
otherwise the plug will not be placed at the desired depth.

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 Date: Sep 99
PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110
Page: 3

Slurry Properties
zDensity - lighter for Lost Circulation
zDensity - heavier for Sidetracking
zDensity - homogeneous - batch mixing
zRheology - higher for Lost Circulation
zRheology - lower for placement with Coiled Tubing
zCompressive Strength - higher for Sidetracking
zCompressive Strength - less important for Lost Circulation
zCompressvie Strength - minimum 500 psi for drill out
zThickening Time - enough for placement - 1.5 to 2 hours

•Cement Slurry , Density, and Compressive Strength:

- Lighter slurries are usually used for lost circulation control to avoid the loss of the
cement into the formation.
- For sidetracking purposes, the ideal is to get a set cement with a compressive strength
higher than that of the formation. This can often be achieved by having a reduced water
or higher density slurry. On average, a 15.8 ppg slurry develops a final compressive
strength of at least 5,000 psi. A reduced water slurry of 17.5 ppg develops a final
compressive strength of at least 8,500 psi. When the difference between cement
density and hole fluid density is high, the cement will tend to fall through the lighter fluid.
Addition of sand or any other weighting agent will not improve the compressive strength
of a lower water content slurry.
- For better control of the slurry density, the batch-mixing technique is preferable. Slurry
densities usually range from 15.6 ppg to 17.5 ppg to insure good compressive strength
development.
- Viscous slurries with high gel strength are needed for lost circulation plugs to restrict
flow into voids or fractures.
- When placing the cement using coiled tubing, the slurry rheology needs to be lower to
avoid high friction pressures.
• Thickening Time and WOC Time:
- Early compressive strength depends heavily on the thickening time. Rig time can be
saved with a proper slurry design. The slurries must be designed for a thickening time
in accordance with well conditions and job procedures, plus a reasonable safety factor.
Recommended time for WOC should be 12 to 24 hours. Since the well temperature for
a cement plug job is difficult to know accurately, a common practice is to allow for
longer WOC times. A minimum of 500 psi compressive strength is normally
recommended for drilling out cement.

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 Date: Sep 99
PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110
Page: 4

Reasons for Cement Plug Failures

z Lack of hardness (sidetracking).

z Poor isolation (plugback, abandonment).

z Wrong Depth (all plugs).

z Not in place due to sinking to the bottom (all plugs).

z Not in place due to loss to thief zone (lost circulation).

• Evaluation of the Job, Reason for Failures:

- After the WOC time has elapsed, the job results are evaluated. This is normally done
by tagging the cement. Depth of top of the plug and hardness of the cement are the
key indicators to measure the success of failure. Whenever a cement plug has failed to
meet the objectives of the job, the reason(s) for the failure should be carefully
investigated to modify and improve the design of the repeated attempt and to be
successful the next time.

- Cement plug failures can occur for the following reasons:

- Lack of hardness (sidetracking)
- Poor isolation (plugback, abandonment)
- Wrong depth (all plugs)
- Not in place due to sinking to the bottom (all plugs)
- Not in place due to loss to thief zone (lost circulation)

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 Date: Sep 99
PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110
Page: 5

Reasons for Failure Can be Traced to the Following

z Slurry not designed for enough compressive strength.
z Not enough WOC time.
z Inaccurate BHST.
z Cement contamination during displacement and POH.
z Slurry not designed for the specific problem (lost circulation).
z Not enough cement volume.
z Difference between cement and hole fluids' densities too
high, causing the plug to sink.

• Reasons for failure can be traced to the following:

1. Slurry not designed for enough compressive strength.
2. Not enough WOC time.
3. Inaccurate BHST.
4. Cement contamination during displacement and POH.
- Contamination in annulus
- Overbalanced displacement
5. Slurry not designed for the specific problem (lost circulation).
6. Not enough cement volume.
7. Difference between cement and hole fluids' densities too high, causing the
plug to sink

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 Date: Sep 99
PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110
Page: 6

Plug Cementing - Conclusions

z Place the plug in a competent formation (i.e., a hard formation).
z Use ample cement.
z Use a tailpipe through plugback intervals.

z Use centralizers on the tailpipe where the hole is not excessively washed
out.
z Use a drill pipe plug and a plug catcher.

z Condition the well before running the job, using low YP and PV mud, but of
sufficient weight to control the well.
z Ahead of the cement, run a high-vis pill that is compatible with the mud and
will prevent the cement from sliding down the hole.
z Use spacers and washes to combat the effects of mud contamination.
Densified cements with a dispersant are also useful.
z Allow ample time for the cement to set.

•Plug Cementing - Conclusions

1. Place the plug in a competent formation (i.e., a hard formation) to avoid losses.

2. Use ample cement, especially for sidetracking purposes.

3. Use a tailpipe through plugback intervals.

4. Use centralizers on the tailpipe where the hole is not excessively washed out.

5. Use a drill pipe plug and a plug catcher for positive indication of slurry depths.

6. Circulate the hole sufficiently before running the job. Use a mud of low yield point
and low plastic viscosity, but of sufficient weight to control the well.

7. Ahead of the cement, run a high vis pill that is compatible with the mud and will
prevent the cement from sliding down from the hole.

8. Use spacers and washes to combat the effects of mud contamination during
placement of the slurry. Densified cement with a dispersant are also useful.

9. Allow ample time for the cement to set.

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 Date: Sep 99
PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110
Page: 7

Drill Pipe Centralization & Diverter Tool

9.0 lb/gal MUD

SPACER
DRILLPIPE
CENTRALIZED

16.0 lb/gal
CEMENT

DIVERTER TOOL

9.1 lb/gal VISCOUS BENTONITE PILL

9.0 lb/gal MUD

•DP Centralization to ensure homogeneous positive mud removal

•Viscous pill placed below cement slurry to avoid “sinking” cement slurry through light 9.0
lb/gal mud.
•Diverter tool used, to make sure that there is no downwards jetting action that might
break/penetrate the pill

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 Date: Sep 99
PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110
Page: 8

Bad Cement Placement Technique

9.0 lb/gal MUD

SPACER

Contaminated
CEMENT

BENTONITE PILL

9.0 lb/gal MUD

•No diverter tool is being used - jetting action of cement breaks the viscous pill and cement
slurry “Falls” down to the bottom leaving no cement.
•Bad centralization/standoff causes bad mud removal, some mud behind DP is not removed,
resulting in bad cement, mud contamination up to POH workstring.

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 Date: Sep 99
PLUG CEMENTING Module: CF110
Page: 9

Horizontal Well
z Bad Placement Technique can have dramatic effects as there
are just few inches of travel between the bottom and the top of
the pipe.

MUD

CEMENT SLURRY