Have failing cementing operations ever created frustrating and expensive down time for your rig? Or have you even been responsible for leading that failed cementing operation?
What if I told you that there was a simpler, yet cost effective and proven way to increase your success rates to over 97%?
This article ventures into the depths of the sea and equips you with the knowledge you need to do just that.
Save Time – Save Money
The answer is simple, cost. Rig costs can soar as high as $20 000 per hour. The waiting-on-cement (WOC) time, typically ranging from 12 to 24 hours for each placement attempt, only adds to these expenses. There are many examples of wells that have required multiple attempts, resulting in exorbitant costs.
By using the Cement Support Tool you eliminate the need for third-party personnel, and time stealing activities such as pulling out the entire pipe to install a mechanical plug or setting equipment.
Variations in regional requirements regarding cement plug placement further increase the difficulty of these operations, as the differing standards make it difficult to establish a global success rate.
Today we focus our attention on an innovative approach to plug cementing.
Innovative Solutions for Successful Cementing Operations
The use of the Cement Support Tool can revolutionize cement plug placement and dramatically increase success rates to over 97%.
One key insight comes from the behavior of cement flow. When pumping cement through an open-ended pipe, it quickly changes direction, flowing upwards due to the turbulence caused by the ejection of fluids. This phenomenon renders the use of a diverter tool, which directs cement slurry perpendicular out of a closed-ended pipe, redundant.
Furthermore, the concept of a balanced plug, initially described by Daccord et al. in 2006, is feasible. However, a high-density fluid above a lighter fluid is inherently unstable, known as the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Stability necessitates a horizontal interface, making it challenging to achieve in deviated well sections.
Observations have shown that modifying density differences, thickening time, and viscosity differences can improve success rates, with results ranging from 40 to 60%. Historically, industry averages have been lower, with an average of 2.4 attempts per successful plug.
Overcoming Placement Challenges
Cement plug placement remains a crucial aspect of ensuring well integrity in the oil and gas industry, due to your various challenges, from regional variations in requirements to the risk of costly failures.
However, innovative solutions, such as the Cement Support Tool used worldwide, have proven to be capable of increasing your success rates. By embracing these advancements, you can minimize the risks associated with cementing operations, and enhance the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your projects.
