Ensuring Zonal Isolation

Beyond the Life of the Well

When zonal isolation fails, production or injection efficiency is severely degraded.

In some cases, the well is lost entirely. No less significantly, such failures present
environmental and safety implications since hydrocarbons or previously injected
fluids may flow to the surface or into nearby aquifers. Therefore, it is not sufficient
to obtain good zonal isolation; the resulting seal must last many years beyond the life
of the well.

Mario Bellabarba Placed between casing and wellbore, a cement evaluation because drilling a well disturbs long-
Hélène Bulte-Loyer sheath is expected to provide zonal isolation settled and precariously balanced stresses.
Benoit Froelich throughout the life of a well. But its ability to do so Drillers must compensate for this disturbance, to
Sylvaine Le Roy-Delage depends on the proper placement of the cement, the degree that it is possible, by using drilling
Robert van Kuijk the mechanical behavior of the cement and the fluids to exert hydrostatic pressure on the
Smaine Zeroug stress conditions in the wellbore. Even if the formation. However, this pressure may be
Clamart, France
slurry was properly placed, changes in downhole insufficient to maintain equilibrium with the far-
conditions can induce sufficient stresses to field stresses, and the formation surrounding the
Dominique Guillot
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA destroy the integrity of the cement sheath. Over removed volume will deform.3
time, stresses are imposed on the cement by Draining fluids from a formation during pro-
Nevio Moroni pressure integrity tests, increased mud weight, duction may also change formation pore pressure
Eni S.p.A casing perforation, stimulation, gas production or and related stresses. Within the rock, the result-
Milan, Italy a large increase in wellbore temperature.1 Any of ing increased loading leads to varying degrees of
these events can damage the sheath. deformation or failure that can cause cement to
Slavo Pastor Often, damage to the cement sheath resulting break or debond at the formation interface.
Tyumen, Russia from these forces manifests as microannuli so Production-induced stresses can also result in
small as to be nearly impossible to pinpoint and reservoir compaction, which may lead to tubular
Augusto Zanchi
even harder to repair. Even the smallest micro- shearing and buckling of completion components.4
Stogit
annulus can be large enough to provide a An obvious key to long-term zonal isolation is
Crema, Italy
pathway for fluid migration. Remedial work obtaining a good seal in the first place. To
For help in preparation of this article, thanks to Matthew for such cement failures has been estimated to determine whether that objective has been
Andruchow, Clamart, France; and Martin Isaacs and Ali Mazen, cost more than $50 million annually in the achieved, standard sonic and ultrasonic logging
Sugar Land, Texas, USA.
CemCRETE, CemSTONE, CemSTRESS, FlexSTONE, FUTUR,
United States.2 tools have been developed and improved over time
Isolation Scanner, LiteCRETE, PS Platform, SCMT (Slim Despite changes in downhole conditions over in an effort to quantify the cement-to-casing bond.
Cement Mapping Tool), SlimXtreme, SlurryDesigner and USI
(UltraSonic Imager) are marks of Schlumberger.
time—both predictable and unexpected— Recent versions of ultrasonic tools can now detect
Fann is a trademark of Fann Instrument Company. obtaining long-term zonal isolation is not only the presence of channels within the cement
possible, in today’s fiscally and environmentally sheath through which hydrocarbons can flow.
sensitive oil industry, it is mandatory. To do so In this article, we will highlight the most
requires the right technology, processes and recent development of these ultrasonic tools that

18 Oilfield Review
can also indicate casing eccentricity, evaluate
the material in the casing annulus and
distinguish between new lightweight cements
and drilling fluids of similar acoustic impedance.
Case histories will also demonstrate the new
ultrasonic logging tool’s ability to offer improved
characterizations of cement-to-casing bonds and
Oil and Gas
annular fill.
This article also examines industry efforts to
achieve long-term zonal isolation using specially
formulated cements as annular sealing material.
Of primary interest is a new, long-life, self-
healing cement. Developed in response to what
has been called the weak link in zonal
isolation—the inability to correct defects after
the cement has set—the new sealant swells in
the presence of hydrocarbons to close cracks and
Surface Sediments
microannuli that may form in cement sheaths as Surface Casing Fresh Water
a result of changing downhole conditions. We
also present laboratory tests and case histories Shale Intermediate Casing
that demonstrate the success of this develop-
ment effort. Salty Water and Sandstone

Preparing the Ground

Shale
Obtaining a good cement sheath demands
adherence to well-established operating practices
of hole preparation, casing centralization and Hole Cement Sheath
casing rotation and reciprocation.5 Successful
zonal isolation first requires removing
contaminants—principally drilling mud—from Production Casing Limestone
the wellbore. Since formation pressure must be
contained during this hole-cleaning operation, the
Production Tubing
drilling fluids being removed must be displaced
with a fluid of higher density—a spacer—pumped
Annulus
behind the mud and ahead of the cement.

1. Le Roy-Delage S, Baumgarte C, Thiercelin M and Sandstone

Vidick B: “New Cement Systems for Durable Zonal
Isolation,” paper IADC/SPE 59132, presented at the
IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, New Orleans,
February 23–25, 2000.
2. Cavanagh P, Johnson CR, Le Roy-Delage S, DeBruijn G, Dolomite
Cooper I, Guillot D, Bulte H and Dargaud B: “Self-Healing
Cement—Novel Technology to Achieve Leak-Free Wells,”
paper IADC/SPE 105781, presented at the IADC/SPE
Drilling Conference, Amsterdam, February 20–22, 2007.
3. Gray KE, Podnos E and Becker E: “Finite Element Studies
Shale
of Near-Wellbore Region During Cementing Operations:
Part I,” paper SPE 106998, presented at the SPE
Production and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, USA, March 31–April 3, 2007. Limestone
4. For more on formation stresses: Cook J, Frederiksen RA,
Hasbo K, Green S, Judzis A, Martin JW, Suarez-Rivera R,
Herwanger J, Hooyman P, Lee D, Noeth S, Sayers C,
Packer
Koutsabeloulis N, Marsden R, Stage MG and Tan CP:
“Rocks Matter: Ground Truth in Geomechanics,”
Oilfield Review 19, no. 3 (Autumn 2007): 36–55.
For more on reservoir compaction: Doornhof D,
Kristiansen TG, Nagel NB, Pattillo PD and Sayers C: Productive Formation
“Compaction and Subsidence,” Oilfield Review 18, no. 3 Productive Formation
(Autumn 2006): 50–68.
5. Casing rotation and reciprocation refer to any movement
of the casing to help remove drilling fluids from the
annulus while cement is being pumped downhole. Shale

Spring 2008 19
 liquid state, they are liable to form channels of least one borehole volume and, when possible,
communication between zones along the should be performed before removing the
Centralizer
borehole or casing (left).6 drillpipe to prevent mud from gelling while it is
Efficient borehole cleaning is not the only static during pipe-pulling operations.
requirement for good zonal isolation. A poorly Mechanical steps are also recommended to
Casing
drilled hole, for example, may have washed-out help remove contaminating fluids prior to
areas that are difficult to clean and that may cementing. Moving the casing frees mud trapped
Good cementing
where casing contain pockets of gelled drilling fluids. These in narrow sections of the annulus. Attaching
is centered gelled fluids can be pulled into and contaminate scratchers, scrapers and wipers to the casing
the passing cement slurry. Poor casing centrali- also helps remove gelled and dehydrated mud as
B
zation can contribute to a poorly placed cement the casing is rotated and reciprocated.
since it can be difficult to remove fluids from the The optimum wellbore for cementing
side that is closest to the borehole wall in purposes, then, is one with controlled subsurface
eccentrically positioned casing. Since the 1940s, pressures and minimum doglegs, is in-gauge,
A
research and development efforts have gone into stabilized and free of drill cuttings, and has a
developing recommended standards for thin dynamic filtercake across permeable zones.8
centralizer placement along the casing string to
be cemented. Those practices are now being Sound Technologies
tested by new cement evaluation tools that Following industry best practices does not
provide casing eccentricity measurements. These guarantee that the resulting cement sheath will
C measurements can be compared with traditional be up to the tasks—casing support, corrosion
calculated standoff values that rely on protection and, most critically, zonal isolation—
unlikely assumptions such as a perfectly for which it was designed. Determining
> Failed isolation. Problems that occur while in-gauge wellbore.7 contamination, continuity and bonding quality of
running casing and cementing can create To avoid leaving behind a heavy filtercake the cement behind the pipe is therefore
conditions that may lead to loss of zonal
that is impossible to remove, the properties of tantamount to protecting the asset and the
isolation. Among the most common of these is
casing eccentricity from poor centralizer the drilling fluid must be altered to match those environment by recognizing the need for
positioning. Cement, like all fluids, seeks the path more suited to hole cleaning. For best results, remedial operations before the well is brought
of least resistance and so flows to the more open the mud density, yield stress, plastic viscosity and on production.
side of the casing, creating a narrow space
between the casing and the formation that can gel strength should all be reduced. Finding the top of the cement behind pipe
become fluid-migration paths (A). Inadequate Mud rheology may be reduced by adding where expected is a reasonable indication that
slurry density can also allow formation gas (red) water or dispersants to the system and the volumes displaced match those calculated
to enter the wellbore (B) and create weak points circulating the fluid until its properties reach the and that the annulus is filled with the correct
or gaps within the cement that fail when stresses
are imposed on the cement sheath by changing desired range. This requires circulation of at amount of cement. Since cement hydration is an
downhole temperatures and pressures. The
geometry of washed-out areas (C) often results
in inefficient flow rates during wellbore cleaning
operations that leave drilling fluids behind. These
contaminants also lead to weak spots in the
cement sheath and, if large or numerous, can
create channels through which formation fluids Microannuli
may flow. Tangential
stress Tensile
failure

The spacer is designed to keep the drilling

fluids and cement apart while the cement is
being pumped through the casing and into the
annulus, and is generally formulated with a
viscosity close to or greater than that of the Radial
stress Compressional
drilling fluid. Besides maintaining well control,
failure
the spacer also serves as a chemical wash to
clean leftover drilling mud from the casing-
casing and casing-wellbore annuli. If the spacer > Cracks and microannuli. Over time, as downhole stress conditions change, primarily in response to
leaves drilling fluids behind, or if it allows them temperature and pressure changes, even a successful cementing operation can fail. Large increases
in wellbore pressure or temperature and tectonic stresses can crack the sheath and even reduce it to
to mix with the cement, then good bonding rubble. The interplay of tangential and radial stress changes may be caused by displacement of
between cement and formation or casing is casing as a result of cement bulk shrinkage or temperature or pressure decreases (left). These stress
unlikely. Since these contaminants remain in a changes can cause the cement to fail in tension or compression, or to debond from the casing or
formation, creating microannuli (right).

20 Oilfield Review
exothermic reaction, this can be done using a
temperature survey. This method, however,
reveals little else about the results of the
cementing operation.
Hydraulic testing—a common test of zonal
isolation—applies internal pressure along the
entire casing string. But pressure can expand the
casing, causing the cement sheath to experience
tensile failure. This may lead to radial cracks and
local debonding of the cement and casing in
areas where the cracks are near the casing wall
(previous page, bottom).
Because of the limitations of the other
techniques, acoustic logging has become the
industry’s tool of choice for detecting cement
behind casing and assessing the quality of the
bonds between casing, cement and formation.
Acoustic logs help indicate nonintrusively the
depth interval at which cement has been placed
around the casing, measure acoustic impedance
of the cement bonded to the casing, and quantify
the percentage of pipe circumference bonded to
the cement.
These characteristics inform the operator of
faults in the cement sheath that may require
remedial measures—commonly a squeeze
operation in which cement is pushed through
perforations into the annulus to fill gaps along
interfaces at the casing, formation or within the
annular material itself.
Cement bond logs (CBLs) and variable density
logs (VDLs) are acquired using a sonic logging tool
(right). Standard CBL tools, which comprise those
DSLT
that measure signal amplitude or attenuation, have
a common theory of measurement and
interpretation. The principle behind them is to
measure the amplitude of a sonic signal produced
by a transmitter emitting a 10- to 20-kHz acoustic SSLT SlimXtreme
tool SCMT
wave after it has traveled through a section of the tool
casing as an extensional mode.9
Measurements are displayed on the CBL log
in millivolts (mV) or decibel (dB) attenuation, or HSLT
both. Increased attenuation indicates better
quality bonding of the cement to the outer casing
> Traditional sonic cement bond log tools. The slim array sonic tool (SSLT) is
6. For more on hole cleaning: Abbas R, Cunningham E,
Munk T, Bjelland B, Chukwueke V, Ferri A, Garrison G, a digital sonic tool that provides conventional openhole sonic measurements,
Hollies D, Labat C and Moussa O: “Solutions for standard cement bond log (CBL) amplitude and a variable density log (VDL).
Long-Term Zonal Isolation,” Oilfield Review 14, no. 3 The SlimXtreme slimhole well logging platform provides the same
(Autumn 2002): 16–29. measurements as the SSLT for evaluation of the cement bond quality in high-
7. Guillot DJ, Froelich B, Caceres E and Verbakel R: pressure and high-temperature environments. The digital sonic logging tool
“Are Current Casing Centralization Calculations Really (DSLT) uses the sonic logging sonde to measure the cement bond amplitude
Conservative?” paper IADC/SPE 112725, presented at the
IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, and provide a VDL display for evaluation of the cement bond quality. The
March 4–6, 2008. hostile environment sonic logging tool (HSLT) provides the same
8. Nelson EB and Guillot D: Well Cementing, 2nd ed. measurements of the cement bond amplitude and the same variable density
Sugar Land, Texas: Schlumberger, 2006. display as the SSLT in standard wellbore sizes. The SCMT Slim Cement
9. Morris C, Sabbagh L, Wydrinski R, Hupp J, van Kuijk R Mapping Tool is a through-tubing cement evaluation tool combinable with
and Froelich B: “Application of Enhanced Ultrasonic the PS Platform new-generation production services tool. It is sized so that it
Measurements for Cement and Casing Evaluation,” may be used to evaluate the cement behind casing in workover operations
paper SPE/IADC 105648, presented at the SPE/IADC without having to first pull the tubing.
Drilling Conference, Amsterdam, February 20–22, 2007.

Spring 2008 21
 dependent on casing thickness and with an
amplitude decay dependent on the acoustic
impedances of the media on either side of the
Casing
casing. The cement acoustic impedance is then
classified as gas, liquid or cement based on the
Bonded cement sheath
thresholds set for acoustic impedance
boundaries between these materials.

Transmitter Sonic pulse path Strengths and Weaknesses

These sonic and ultrasonic logging tools have
Early Signal Arrival had shortcomings. The traditional sonic CBL-VDL

Amplitude, mV
tool does not provide radial or azimuthal
Detection level information to differentiate among channels,
3-ft receiver
gives CBL E1 contaminated cement, microannuli and tool
Transmitter
firing eccentricity; this makes confident data interpre-
Time
Transit time tation difficult.11
5-ft receiver
gives VDL
Ultrasonic imaging tools that are based on the
Partially Cemented Pipe pulse-echo technique are limited when logging in
Amplitude, mV

highly attenuative muds because of low signal-to-

Casing Formation Mud noise ratios. Their radial probing power is limited
arrival arrival arrival to the cement region adjacent to the casing.12
E1 Because of the high acoustic impedance
Transmitter
firing Time
contrast between steel and the surrounding
material—mud inside the casing and cement
outside—the signal dies away so rapidly that
echoes arising from acoustic contrasts outside of
the casing are typically undetectable unless they
> Sonic logging tools. Cement bond logs (CBLs) and variable density logs are very close to the casing and strongly
(VDLs) are acquired using a sonic logging tool with a monopole transducer reflective surfaces.
and two monopole receivers placed at 3 and 5 feet [0.9 and 1.5 m] from the Additionally, the pulse-echo technique has
transmitter (left). The monopole sonic transmitter sends an omnidirectional difficulty differentiating between a drilling fluid
pulse at relatively low frequency (10 to 20 kHz) that induces a longitudinal and a lightweight or mud-contaminated cement of
vibration of the casing. The recorded amplitude of the first positive peak
(E1) of the sonic waveform received at 3 ft and the full waveform received similar acoustic impedance. Even under favorable
at 5 ft represent the average values over the circumference of the casing conditions, the acoustic impedance contrast
(top right). In well-cemented pipe, the sonic signal in the casing is attenuated, between drilling fluid and cement typically must
and the CBL E1 amplitude is small. In free pipe, the casing arrivals are strong.
be larger than 0.5 Mrayl for the pulse-echo
The transit time is the time it takes the wave to travel from transmitter to
receiver. It is used for quality control of the tool centralization and to set technique to distinguish between them.
parameters for material detection. In partially cemented pipe (bottom right), To overcome tool limitations, and depending on
casing, formation and mud arrivals may be present and can occur in the well conditions, an utrasonic and standard CBL-
presence of a microannulus at the casing/cement interface. The VDL (bottom
VDL tool may be run together. But even then,
inset) provides visualization of arrivals that propagate in the casing as
extensional waves and in the formation as refracted waves. experience from various wells around the world
has shown that an unambiguous conclusion about
the quality of the cement bond may be elusive. This
wall. In simple cases, the interpreted log ultrasonic imaging tools, such as the is particularly true in the case of lightweight and
response can provide good information about Schlumberger USI UltraSonic Imager, use a contaminated cements.
cement quality (above). rotating transducer that emits a broadband This issue has become increasingly urgent
About 25 years ago, engineers developed ultrasonic wave perpendicular to the casing wall with the proliferation of lightweight cements in
cased-hole ultrasonic imaging tools that used a with a frequency that can be adjusted between deepwater wells and in sealing across formations
high-frequency pulse-echo technique (next page, 250 and 700 kHz (next page, right). The effect is to with low pore pressure. To deal with this
top left).10 More recent versions of these excite a casing resonance mode at a frequency problem, Schlumberger has developed a
measurement technique that is the basis of the
10. Sheives TC, Tello LN, Maki VE Jr, Standley TE and presented at the SPE Latin American and Caribbean Isolation Scanner cement evaluation service. The
Blankinship TJ: “A Comparison of New Ultrasonic Petroleum Engineering Conference and Exhibition,
Cement and Casing Evaluation Logs with Standard Rio de Janeiro, August 30–September 3, 1997. tool combines the classic pulse-echo technique
Cement Bond Logs,” paper SPE 15436, presented at the 12. Van Kuijk R, Zeroug S, Froelich B, Allouche M, Bose S, with an ultrasonic imaging technique that
SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Miller D, le Calvez J-L, Schoepf V and Pagnin A:
New Orleans, October 5–8, 1986. “A Novel Ultrasonic Cased-Hole Imager for Enhanced provides more effective imaging of the annular
11. Coelho de Souza Padilha ST and Gomes da Silva Araujo R: Cement Evaluation,” paper IPTC 10546, presented at the fill including reflection echoes at the
“New Approach on Cement Evaluation for Oil and Gas International Petroleum Technology Conference, Doha,
Reservoirs Using Ultrasonic Images,” paper SPE 38981, Qatar, November 21–23, 2005. cement/formation interface.

22 Oilfield Review
 Tranducer Mud Casing Cement Formation

Echo amplitude Transit time Resonance frequency Resonance decay

Internal casing Internal radius Casing Cement acoustic

condition thickness impedance

Formation Acoustic
Casing resonance Casing beam
Cement

Time

ion
tat
Ro

Resonance
decay Transducer Metal plate

> Cased-hole ultrasonic tool basics. An ultrasonic tool’s transducer sends a

slightly divergent beam—an acoustic wave generated by a transducer when
electrical power is applied to it—toward the casing to excite the casing into
its thickness resonance mode. The USI UltraSonic Imager tool scans the
casing at 7½ revolutions per second to render an azimuthal resolution of 5 or
10 degrees. This yields 36 or 72 separate waveforms at each depth. These are
processed to yield the casing thickness, internal radius and inner wall
smoothness—from the initial echo—as well as an azimuthal image of the
cement acoustic impedance—from the signal resonance decay (top). The
acoustic impedance of the cement (essentially the quality of the cement
sheath) can be derived from the resonance decay (bottom). A good casing-
cement bond results in immediate resonance decay, while free pipe rings
(generates echoes) for an extended period.

A
C
D

B > USI tool. The Schlumberger USI tool improved

on earlier versions of the ultrasonic imaging tool
by using a single rotating transducer mounted on
the bottom of the tool (A).

Sounds of Success
The Isolation Scanner tool includes a rotating
subassembly supporting four transducers (left).
A A normally aligned transducer for generating
and detecting the pulse echo is positioned on
one side of the tool. The other three transducers
are on the opposite side of the tool and are
> Isolation Scanner subassembly. The Isolation Scanner sub combines the
aligned obliquely. One of these transducers
traditional pulse-echo technique using an acoustic transmitter and receiver
normal to the casing (A), while adding flexural-wave imaging with one transmits a high-frequency pulsed beam of about
transmitter (B) and two receivers (C) aligned obliquely. This configuration 250 kHz to excite a flexural mode in the casing.
excites the casing flexural mode (D). The subassembly, mounted on the same
platform as the USI tool and with updated signal generation and acquisition
software, is the basis for Isolation Scanner tool.

Spring 2008 23
 SLG Flexural
Annulus Measured Attenuation, Impedance, Channel Channel
CBL Sonic VDL map
R depth, m L dB/cm Mrayl map width, %

–5,000 0 5,000 0 0.5 1 0 1 2 3 4

S G
0 50 100 0 180 0 180 0 180 0 180 0 50100
X,440

USI X,450
Formation
tool

X,460

X,470

T Casing
X,480

Casing arrival TIE

X,490

X,500

X,510

80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170

Time, µs X,520
Isolation Scanner tool flexural-wave imaging
USI tool pulse-echo imaging
X,530
> Geometrical interpretation of USI measurements
and Isolation Scanner flexural-wave imaging.
Shown here is a geometrical ray interpretation of
the propagation of the signal for the pulse-echo X,540
(top, red) and from the transmitter (T) to a
receiver (R) for the flexural-wave pitch-catch > Isolation Scanner and CBL-VDL measurements. In 2003, the Isolation
techniques (top, blue). A typical waveform from Scanner prototype was tested in an In-Salah Gas vertical well. The 95⁄8-in.
the latter technique comprises an early echo, casing was cemented in a 12¼-in. hole using the low-density (low-
called casing arrival, and third-interface echoes impedance) LiteCRETE slurry system. The CBL (Track 1) and VDL (Track 2)
(TIEs) (bottom, blue). The attenuation of the show a nearly free-pipe response with strong casing arrivals in the VDL. The
casing arrival amplitude is used to complement pulse-echo impedance map (Track 5) shows fluid with patches of solid.
the pulse-echo measurement (bottom, red) in Obtaining an adequate interpretation from both measurements was made
distinguishing unambiguously between fluid and difficult by the low-impedance LiteCRETE cement. The flexural-wave
solid behind the casing. The properties of the TIE attenuation map (Track 4), on the other hand, provides a correct diagnosis of
provide an enhanced characterization of the the solid behind casing. It also reveals the existence of a fluid-filled channel
cased-hole environment, indicating the acoustic between X,465 and X,485 m. The solid-liquid-gas (SLG) map (Track 3) supports
properties of the material filling the annulus, the and simplifies this information. The azimuthal and axial extent of the channel
position of the casing within the hole and the is reported automatically in Tracks 6 and 7.
geometrical shape of the hole.

As it propogates, this mode radiates acoustic This new technique is termed pitch-catch.
energy into the annulus; this energy reflects at Processing of the resulting signals provides
interfaces that present an acoustic contrast, information about the nature and acoustic
such as the cement/formation interface, and velocity of the material filling the annulus, the
propagates back through the casing predomi- position of the casing in the hole and the
nantly as a flexural wave to reradiate energy into geometrical shape of the hole.
the casing fluid. The two receiving transducers The first aim of processing Isolation Scanner
are placed to allow optimal acquisition of these logs is to obtain a robust interpretation of the
signals (above left). material immediately behind the casing. The
inputs to this processing sequence are the

24 Oilfield Review
 150 Casing
1.8 Gas
Liquid
1.6 Solid 100

1.4
50

Flexural-wave attenuation, dB/cm

1.2

Time, µs
0
1.0

0.8 –50
Channel
0.6
–100
0.4 Formation reflection
within channel
–150
0.2 –150 –100 –50 0 50 100 150
Time, µs
0
> Waveform polar plot across the fluid-filled
–0.2
–0.2 0 2 4 6 8 10 channel at a depth of X,477 m on the Isolation
Scanner log (previous page, top right). The
Pulse-echo impedance, Mrayl curvature of the annulus-formation echo reveals
that the casing is slightly eccentered in the
> Solid-liquid-gas mapping of the measurement plane for a Class G cement. borehole and that the channel is located on the
Once the expected impedance values are defined for the cement, liquid and narrow side (direction of blue arrows). The
gas through a laboratory-measured database and the material selection is absence of a third-interface echo across the
converted into acoustic properties, the next step is to predict the cement azimuth may be due to a low acoustic
measurements from the expected acoustic material properties. Then, multiple contrast between the cement and formation.
realizations of the measurement noise are added to generate three clouds of
points (solid, liquid and gas) in the bidimensional measurements plane.

cement impedance, as delivered by the pulse- The white-colored areas in the SLG map displayed as an annulus-velocity map or cement
echo measurement, and the flexural-wave correspond to locations with nonsolvable azimuthal thickness.
attenuation computed from the amplitude of the inconsistencies between measurements, such as A polar plot of the flexural waveforms from
casing arrivals on the obliquely aligned receivers. might appear at the casing collars. the variable density log provides a picture of the
These two inputs are independent measure- In addition to evaluating the material behind geometry of the casing within the borehole
ments linked through an invertible relation to the casing, a second objective of processing is to (above right).
the properties of the fluids inside both the extract relevant information from the annulus-
casing and annular fill. The inputs are first formation reflection echo or echoes and further New Cements
combined to eliminate the effect of the inside characterize the annulus between the casing Even the most sophisticated logs present only a
fluid, thus obviating the need for specific and formation. snapshot of the cement condition and its ability
hardware for fluid-property measurements First, the software detects the echoes on the to provide zonal isolation. Over the long life span
required by the USI tool. waveform envelope following the casing arrival of a well, changing downhole conditions remain
The output of the Isolation Scanner service is and then measures their time of arrival and the enemy of cement sheaths and may cause
a solid-liquid-gas (SLG) map displaying the most amplitude. From the time differences between even well-placed sheaths to fail over time.
likely material state behind the casing. The state the reflection echoes and the casing arrival— Throughout the industry’s long history of
is obtained for each azimuth by locating the two provided enough echo azimuthal presence is using cement in well construction, addressing
measurements, corrected for the effects due to available in the data—it is straightforward to these failures first focused on placement of the
the inside fluid, on a crossplot of attentuation determine how well the casing is centered within slurry and later on its chemical makeup. During
and acoustic impedance, giving the area the borehole. This is presented as a percentage the 1980s, engineers and scientists began to
encompassed by each state (above left). The in which 100% represents perfect centering, and consider ways to deliver specific set-cement
measurement plane can be mapped out in 0% is casing in contact with the formation wall. properties with the aim of increasing the
different regions with three colors corresponding Additionally, if the borehole diameter is known,
to the different states (previous page, top right). the time-difference processing can be further
converted into a material-wave velocity and

Spring 2008 25
 likelihood of attaining good zonal isolation. From
Old wells New wells this strategy came the idea of reducing cement
density through the injection of nitrogen into the
slurry while pumping, and of introducing ceramic
Pressure and Formation and Pressure and microspheres into the cement blend. The latter
temperature history casing properties temperature prediction design was the precursor to the Schlumberger
CemCRETE concrete-based oilwell cementing
technology, including the LiteCRETE slurry
Pressure uncertainties
system, and CemSTONE advanced cement
technology. These innovations allowed engineers
to increase or decrease slurry density without
Cement properties Cement properties
significantly affecting the permeability of the
Laboratory tests set cement.
Laboratory tests
The new cement systems were accompanied by
CemSTRESS Database of properties
development and deployment of software to
software
analyze and improve fluid displacement behind
casing and simulate stresses on the cement over
the life of the well (left). Beginning in 2000,
Predicts Young’s
modulus of new continual improvements to cementing software
cement system provided engineers with a tool to tailor slurries
for input to based on gas-migration risks and wellbore stresses.
CemSTRESS
software In 2002, Schlumberger introduced FlexSTONE
advanced flexible cement technology to handle
SlurryDesigner changing stresses imposed on cement sheaths
software
over time. Expected stress changes from drilling,
Robustness criteria
production and abandonment activities are
predicted by numerical modeling. The system’s
mechanical properties are customized using
FlexSTONE trimodal particle-size distribution
technology. The resulting mechanical flexibility
Appropriate? Appropriate? allows these cement systems to resist failure
through a variety of changes that may occur
Yes No Yes No during the drilling, production and abandonment
cycles of a well.13
While such methods increase the resistance of
the cement matrix to physical stresses, they are
ineffectual once the cement sheath fails. Even if
the sheath is intact during the well’s lifetime, the
increased emphasis on environmental
responsibility dictates that hydrocarbon-
Continue to operate Mitigate bearing formations remain sealed for many years
Blend, test and
well within safe consequences of
pump cement after the asset has been plugged and abandoned.
stress limits failed cement sheath
This extended period of service significantly
increases the chances that even the most
appropriate and resilient cement sheath may fail.
> Designing cement systems. Cementing experts can use the CemSTRESS cement sheath stress
In response to these concerns, Schlumberger
analysis software to analyze the radial and tangential stresses imposed on each casing string during
events such as treating and pressure testing. In addition to indicating cement sheath performance in engineers have taken another step in the
compression, tension, or both, the software has the ability to establish parameters, including set- evolution of zonal isolation systems with the
cement flexibility, support and standoff. It can also be used to identify both inner and outer microannuli introduction of self-healing cement (SHC). As
and show their size and development over time. CemSTRESS software uses a three-stage the name implies, when cracks or microannuli
methodology to aid in selecting and designing a cement system that can extend well life. In the first
stage of the method, a cement expert determines whether the well requires a conventional cement occur at the interface between the cement
system or a specialized system. This provides direction for the next two stages. The second stage of sheath and the casing or formation, self-healing
the methodology analyzes scenarios to design a cement system whose Young’s modulus is below the components within the set-cement matrix swell
stress level that the software predicted would induce failure. In the third stage, Schlumberger
cementing engineers use proprietary software, such as SlurryDesigner cement blend and slurry
design software, to optimize the cement slurry design.

26 Oilfield Review
to close the gaps without any outside inter-
Formulation and Properties Design 1 Design 2 Design 3
vention. This FUTUR active set-cement
BHCT, °C [°F] 60 [140] 25 [77] 60 [140]
technology reacts specifically to the presence of
Density, kg/m3 [lbm/galUS] 1,870 [15.8] 1,700 [14.2] 1,400 [11.7]
hydrocarbons. When the integrity of the cement
Antifoam, L/t [gal/sk]* 2.66 [0.03] 0.2% BWOB 4.2 [0.05]
sheath is compromised and zonal isolation is
Dispersant, L/t [gal/sk] 6.22 [0.07] 4.2 [0.05]
breached, the cement reacts to the presence of
Retarder, L/t [gal/sk] 2.66 [0.03] 0.5% BWOB
hydrocarbons by swelling. This effectively closes
Gas-migration control additive, %BWOC*** 0.77
the gap and shuts off formation fluid movement.
Fluid-loss control agent, %BWOB** 0.7
Except for its self-healing abilities, FUTUR
Gelling control agent, %BWOB 0.5
cement is similar to traditional cement.
Successful placement requires adherence to the
same best practices as any oilfield cementing
Mixing Rheology
operation, and the cement itself requires no
special mixing or pumping equipment. FUTUR Ty, Pa [lbf/ft2] 1.9 [4.0] 11.4 [23.9] 5.9 [12.3]

slurries are compatible with all standard PV, MPa [thousand psi] 237 [34.3] 202.7 [29.4] 55 [8.0]

additives and spacers. Standard mixing and

slurry tests of rheological properties, free fluid,
API Rheology
sedimentation, fluid-loss control, thickening
time and development of compressive strength Ty, Pa [lbf/ft2] 5.7 [11.8] 9.0 [11.9] 7.8 [16.3]
all apply. PV, MPa [thousand psi] 151 [21.9] 148.7 [21.6] 60 [8.7]
Once placed in the well, FUTUR cement 10-s gel, Pa [lbf/100 ft2] 5.1 [10.7] 18.2 [38] 7.4 [15.4]
behaves in the same way as classic cements when 10-min gel, Pa [lbf/100 ft2] 13.7 [28.5] 10.8 [22.6] 10.2 [21.4]
not in the presence of hydrocarbon, and its set- 1-min stirring gel, Pa [lbf/100 ft2] 11.4 [23.7]
cement properties are equivalent to those of API free fluid at 60°C [140°F], mL Traces 58
traditional cements (right). API free fluid at 25°C [77°F], mL 0.5
API fluid loss at 25°C [77°F], mL 30
Laboratory Work API sedimentation test, lbm/galUS 0.2 – 0.2 – 0.15
FUTUR cement technology is designed to provide
well integrity for the very long term. Therefore,
laboratory testing to replicate downhole sheath Thickening Time

failure was critical in proving that the cement At BHCT, h:min 6:16 8:05 6:33
would indeed heal itself and that it would Time 30 to 100 Bc****, h:min 0:54 1:09 4:13
continue do so for years after placement. The
cement also had to be checked for any problems
its self-healing characteristic might create. Compressive Strength Development
To test swelling properties, the cement was Time to reach 50 psi at BHST, h:min 9:23 6:00
placed in an annular expansion mold. These tests Time to reach 500 psi at BHST, h:min 35:44 11:16
simulate normal setting of the cement matrix in 24-h compressive strength, MPa [psi] 2.5 [363] 4 [637]
the well, followed by an invasion of hydrocarbon
such as would be expected when cracks or
creation of a microannulus causes a loss of zonal Mechanical Properties of SHC Matrix After 7 Days Curing in Water at Atmospheric Pressure
isolation. The FUTUR cement was cured in water Temperature, °C [°F] 60 [140] 25 [75] 25 [75]
for seven days prior to immersion in oil, and Compressive strength, MPa [thousand psi] 20 ± 5 [2.9 ± 0.7] 10 ± 0.8 [1.5 ± 0.1] 4.5 ± 0.5 [0.65 ± 0.07]
identical temperatures and pressures were Young’s modulus, MPa [thousand psi] 6,500 ± 500 [940 ± 73] 2,800 ± 400 [400 ± 60] 1,300 ± 300 [190 ± 44]
used in water and oil. Results showed that the
linear swelling increased with temperature at
*gal/sk = gallon of additive per sack of cement **%BWOB = by weight of blend
constant pressure. ***%BWOC = by weight of cement ****Bc = Bearden’s unit of consistency
To evaluate the FUTUR system’s self-healing
> Slurry designs. Laboratory tests determined the properties of three FUTUR slurry designs. Designs 1
properties, engineers at the Schlumberger
and 3 were tested at 60°C, and Design 2 was tested at 25°C. All designs used Class G cement and
Riboud Product Center in Clamart, France, were prepared with fresh water. The slurry rheologies were measured with a Fann 35 viscometer
developed a flow loop to simulate downhole after mixing at ambient conditions and after 20 minutes of conditioning at the bottomhole circulating
conditions and installed an SHC cell designed to temperature (BHCT). The plastic viscosity (PV) and the yield value (Ty) were calculated using the
Bingham plastic model. Thickening times of these systems were controllable, and no free water was
observed. For all three designs, a compressive strength of 3.44 MPa [500 psi] was achieved in less
13. For more on new cements: Abbas et al, reference 6.
than 48 hours, as measured using an ultrasonic cement analyzer. The compressive strengths of the
designs ranged from 4.5 to 20 MPa.

Spring 2008 27
 100

Microannulus width, µm
80

60
Cement
40

Outer ring 20

0
Inner ring 0 1 2 3
Time, days

100
Expandable and
retractable
center assembly 80

Normalized flow rate, %

60

40

> Healing check. An SHC cell with two concentric cylinders simulates an 20
annular volume. The outer cylinder, or ring, is a thin, steel sleeve (green). The
inner cylinder (purple) is made of a deformable elastic material into which a 0
radially expandable core assembly (gray) is inserted, allowing expansion of 0 0.5 1.0 1.5
the inner sleeve in a controlled manner. Top and bottom plugs sealing the Time, days
annular volume are equipped with fittings that allow fluid to enter and to Neat system
escape the cell. With the inner cylinder expanded by a core assembly, the Self-healing cement
cement is injected into the annular space. Once the cement has set, the
inner-cylinder expansion is released. The inner cylinder shrinks back to its
original shape, generating a microannulus of a controlled size. Radial cracks > Test cell results. The SHC cell was installed in
within the cement are created by expanding the inner core assembly after a flow loop to investigate FUTUR self-healing
the cement has set. efficiency. Oil was injected through samples in
the SHC cell at pressures up to 0.4 MPa [58 psi],
corresponding to a differential pressure of
5.3 MPa/m [234 psi/ft] across the sample. In one
test, a microannulus of 100 microns was created
between the casing and the cement inside the
SHC cell. The neat cement system (green)
evaluate self-healing capability in an annular capabilities of the system, which maintained allowed oil to flow through the sample, whereas
configuration (above). Oil was injected through integrity and continued to block the flow of oil at the SHC system (blue) responded to oil invasion
samples to test both cracks and microannuli. In high pressure. The tests were repeated with with an efficient closure of the microannulus in
less than 6 hours.
one test, a microannulus of 100 microns was differential pressures up to 5.3 MPa/m, and the
created between the casing and cement inside cement’s self-healing property was confirmed in
the SHC cell. While a conventional cement system every test.
tested in this apparatus allowed oil to flow A specialized testing system was devised to
through the sample, the FUTUR system reacted to study self-healing properties in dynamic Swelling tests performed after prolonged
oil invasion with an efficient closure of the conditions with dry gas under realistic reservoir immersion of FUTUR cement in water confirmed
microannulus in less than six hours (above right). conditions. Test results highlighted the efficiency that the self-healing properties were maintained.
The self-healing system has also been tested of the FUTUR system when exposed to natural In this test, cement placed in an expansion cell
in a cyclic failure scenario. Successive micro- gas under dynamic conditions. In less than one was cured in water for several months, then
annuli were created and repaired with the SHC hour, the self-healing cement caused a immersed in oil at 60°C. Results showed that the
at a differential pressure of 1.4 MPa/m significant decrease of flow rate from reactivity of the self-healing matrix remained
[62 psi/ft]. Using the same flow loop, the flow of 425 mL/min [26 in.3/min] to 0.52 mL/min effective even after resting dormant for a year.
oil through successively generated cracks was [0.03 in.3/min] (next page, top right). Testing of the matrix integrity, after one year of
repeatedly shut off by the SHC. The same test Finally, researchers investigated the exposure in oil, also showed no indication that
using a conventional neat cement system did not durability of the self-healing cement. The the integrity of the matrix was deteriorating. The
show any decrease in flow (next page, top left). durability—or aging—test consisted of two mechanical properties remained within the same
FUTUR cement also can handle oil flows at parts. The first part, using a swelling test, was to range even after immersion in oil for a year.
higher pressure. A pressure increase to 3 MPa/m check that the self-healing property is
[133 psi/ft] did not diminish the self-healing maintained over time. The second was to
evaluate whether matrix integrity is maintained
when the cement is immersed in oil for a long
period of time.

28 Oilfield Review
 Flow rate of nitrogen through cement
60
Microannulus width, µm Flow rate of natural gas through cement
50
1,000
40
30
20 100

Flow rate, mL/min

10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 10
Time, min
120
1
100
Crack width, mm

80 Self-healing cement Neat cement

60
> Testing SHC with gas flow. SHC seals in the same way for hydrocarbon gas
40 as it does for oil. A test cell containing cement was cured in such a way that
20
a microannulus of an arbitrary size was present. With SHC in the holder, the
flow rate through the cement drops significantly in less than one hour from
0 the time the fluid was switched from inert nitrogen to natural gas (left).
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Traditional cement tested in the same fashion experienced almost no loss
Time, min of flow rate in that time (right). The specialized testing system is based on a
Neat system
Hassler sleeve-type core holder to prevent gas passing around the outside
Self-healing cement
of the core.

> Repeated healing. The self-healing systems

were also tested in a cyclic failure scenario. Remediation of SCVF on these wells costs from area typically occurs within days or weeks of the
Successive microannuli were created and
US $250,000 to $1 million per well—a figure that cementing operation.
repaired with the SHC system (top). At a
differential pressure of 1.4 MPa/m, the flow of oil does not include the loss in production or During completion and production, the two
through successively generated cracks was potential loss of the well.14 wells were subjected to various downhole stresses,
repeatedly shut off by the SHC system, while the To address the problem, the operator of a including downhole pressure of 64 MPa [9,282 psi]
same test using a conventional system did not
show any decrease in flow. At increased
deep gas field in the west-central Alberta Grande applied to test the completion and stresses
pressure, the FUTUR slurry design reacted to Cache area turned to FUTUR cement technology related to cyclical temperature changes caused by
stop the invasion of oil through a 100-micron for zonal isolation in two new wells. The self- a heater string in the top 600 m [1,968 ft] of the
crack in less than 20 minutes (bottom). healing system was chosen to complement well. Throughout and after these events, no
cementing practices implemented to reduce the surface casing vent flows were detected.
risk of SCVF, which occurs in approximately 10% Elsewhere in central Alberta, another field
of Grande Cache area wells. was also plagued by SCVF from zones above
Both Well 1 and Well 2 required cement to the the target formation. To complement other
Surface Solutions surface. The operator had a particular concern cementing technologies already in use, the
The self-healing nature of FUTUR cement over about Well 1; a similar well located about 500 m operator selected FUTUR self-healing cement for
time, as demonstrated in the laboratory, makes it [1,640 ft] away had experienced SCVF. Losses use in two wells. In the first, cement density was
particularly well-suited for long-term zonal encountered while drilling Well 2 required the constrained to a maximum 1,380 kg/m3
isolation. That same ability also means SHC is a use of a stage tool to ensure cement placement to [11.5 lbm/galUS] because fluid losses had been
good solution for immediate or chronic gas- the surface across known nuisance gas zones.15 observed during drilling. With a nearly opposite
migration problems. The SHC slurries were mixed and pumped using problem on the second well—nuisance gas
For instance, because of highly varied geology standard oilfield equipment, easily achieving detected by mud loggers during drilling—drilling
and several shallow, gas-bearing coal seams, continuous mixing rates of up to 0.95 m3/min fluid density was increased to 1,470 kg/m3
wells in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains of [6 bbl/min].
Alberta, Canada, present a particular set of Immediately after cementing of Well 1, some 14. Roth J, Reeves C, Johnson CR, De Bruijn G, Bellabarba M,
Le Roy-Delage S and Bulte-Loyer H: “Innovative
cementing challenges. The coal seams may emit gas pressure was observed in the intermediate Hydraulic Isolation Material Preserves Well Integrity,”
gas that eventually migrates through the casing casing annulus. However, gas pressure was not paper IADC/SPE 112715, presented at the IADC/SPE
Drilling Conference, Orlando, Florida, March 4–6, 2008.
annulus and manifests as surface casing vent evident after the well’s completion, suggesting 15. Cementing stage tools allow slurry to be placed at
flows (SCVF). Depending on the extent of the that the SHC had activated to contain a leak. specific depths along the casing through sliding sleeves.
They are used when the hydrostatic pressure of the full
leak, operators may be required to shut in, repair Well 2 displayed no leaks in the 12 months column of cement threatens to overcome the wellbore
or even abandon their afflicted wells. following cementing operations. While that may fracture gradient beneath the stage tool.
seem a short observation period, SCVF in this

Spring 2008 29
 Acoustic
L
Impedance Flexural Casing and Casing and
SLG Min Amplitude Max
Cement Attenuation Casing Third-Interface Third-Interface
Map
Map Map Centering Long Axis Short Axis CBL
Measured S G Variable Density
Depth, m 0 180 01234 0 0.5 1 0 % 100 5 in. 2.5 5 in. 2.5 0 mV 50 200 1,200
X,650

X,675

X,700

X,725

> Analysis of cement evaluation logs in the Cortemaggiore 155dir underground gas-storage (UGS) well. The brown color of the
SLG map (Track 1) of the ultrasonic flexural attenuation logging tool indicates solid (cement), resulting from a measured
acoustic impedance (Track 2) of about 5 Mrayl (close to the expected cement value) and high flexural attenuation. The CBL
(Track 7) is in agreement, showing 100% casing to cement bonding (average CBL value of 5 mV) and strong formation arrivals
on the VDL (Track 8), which is an indication of excellent cement-to-formation bonding. The optimal cement bonding is also
related to the fact that the liner is fairly well-centralized, as shown by casing centering (Track 4) and third interface short- and
long-axis outputs (Tracks 5 and 6). The casing centering curve is above 80% for most of the interval shown except near a depth
of X,720 m, where the casing nearly touches the formation. This is also indicated in the vanishingly small cement thickness
along the short axis. The horizontal features visible on the SLG map, cement map and flexural attenuation map (Track 3) are the
casing joints about every 14 m [45 ft] and two casing centralizers per joint. Together the logs show optimal cement bonding to
the casing and to the formation, providing assurance of effective hydraulic isolation across the permeable injection zones of
the UGS well.

30 Oilfield Review
[12.25 lbm/galUS]. This meant cement density Isolation Scanner logging tools to evaluate the casing at the surface. The company then added
for that well had to be increased to 1,550 kg/m3 cement bond. FUTUR cement to its drilling and completion
[12.9 lbm/galUS] to meet the requirements of the The solution to persistent problems of program. Of the 13 area wells drilled and
mud-removal plan.16 sustained casing pressure in UGS wells drilled in completed since then, only two wells had
Zonal isolation was achieved with the new this area involved a multipronged approach: detectable leaks; one was due to an operational
cementing system in both wells despite difficult • more centralizers to improve standoff failure unrelated to the SHC and a second was
conditions—a low-pore-pressure zone in Well A, • a liner across the zone of interest to facilitate barely detectable.
and a narrow pore-pressure-fracture window casing rotation during cementing
across a gas-influx zone in Well B. Cement • use of a software advisor tool for gas-migration Time Will Tell
returns to the surface in Well A also prediction and prevention during cement Long-term performance of its self-healing
demonstrated that SHC can be applied in a hydration characteristics is key to the success of FUTUR
single-stage cement job in wells prone to lost • software to tailor the cement system to associ- cement. Laboratory work shows that this SHC
circulation. During and after subsequent drilling, ated risk will continue to close the pathways through
stimulation and completion operations, there • use of FUTUR SHC which gas migrates without intervention
was no indication of annular gas flow. • a full suite of postcementing logging tools that throughout the life of the well and beyond. In
included all ultrasonic and flexural- time, operators pressured by environmental
Gas Storage wave measurements. regulators—internal and external—will insist
Sustaining self-healing characteristics over time In 2007, the SHC cementing operation was that the cement sheaths in their wells prevent
holds special attraction for engineers charged performed on the Cortemaggiore 155dir UGS hydrocarbons from escaping formations long
with sealing underground gas-storage (UGS) well. The team used a computer-aided design and after the well has been plugged and abandoned.
wells. Because these wells are used to both inject evaluation software program that optimized mud The ability of FUTUR cement to react to and
and produce, the wellbores are repeatedly removal and standoff, and fine-tuned the spacer repair the channels through which formation
subjected to considerable temperature and and slurry characteristics. A separate software fluids travel to the surface makes it an ideal
pressure changes—often in short cycles—that program was used to evaluate the risk of the answer to such demands.
can induce stress-load changes on the casing severity of gas migration based on the pressure- Operators, especially those in gas-migration
and cement. decay limit—a measurement of how far the prone areas, will also come to expect an improved
Additionally, in contrast to producing wells hydrostatic pressure of the slurry will fall during view behind casing to eliminate other costly zonal
that have a life expectancy of perhaps 20 years, hydration before it is below the pore pressure isolation tests in the face of conflicting or
UGS well plans are likely to include a production- and might allow gas migration into the annulus. ambiguous CBL-VDL logs. In drilling environ-
injection life span of 80 years or more. As a Finally, a mechanical-stress modeling ments with proximate pore pressures and
consequence, zonal isolation failure in software tool that simulated pressure and fracture gradients, lightweight cements that pose
underground gas storage wells is a significant temperature variations during the life of the well a significant challenge to traditional sonic logging
and ongoing operator concern (see “Intelligent was used to evaluate cement sheath integrity tools are required. The Isolation Scanner tool
Well Technology in Underground Gas Storage,” over time. The software modeled the three offers a clear solution to these and other current
page 4). In many UGS facilities, poor hydraulic mechanisms of cement sheath failure—traction, zonal isolation challenges. —RvF
isolation is caused by drilling fluid channeling as compressional failure and both internal and
a result of eccentric casing or through the external microannulus development.
development of a dry microannulus.17 Once the cement was placed, CBL-VDL and
A combination of these factors had Isolation Scanner tool analyses all indicated
historically resulted in poor zonal isolation in optimal cement bonding at the casing and
UGS wells in an Eni S.p.A.-operated, depleted gas formation interfaces (previous page). The
field in northern Italy. The challenges facing Eni ultimate success of the SHC system is being
and Schlumberger engineers included obtaining monitored over time as gas is cyclically injected
seals across gas-injection zones and gas-tight into and produced from the well.
cement sheaths across deviated (49°), washed- In another recent FUTUR cement appli-
out sections. cation, the technology was applied in
For a new well in this field, Eni subsidiary environmentally sensitive areas of the Canadian
Stogit chose to cement the production casing Rocky Mountains. Following the suspension of
with FUTUR self-healing cement. The plan also drilling because of surface casing leaks and
included proper placement of centralizers, a gas- resulting environmental concerns, one US
migration analysis software package and operator reevaluated its well construction
procedures in the area and then resumed
16. Cavanagh et al, reference 2. operations. Despite the revised strategy, three of
17. Moroni N, Panciera N, Zanchi A, Johnson CR,
LeRoy-Delage S, Bulte-Loyer H, Cantini S, Belleggia E seven wells drilled had obvious gas leaks while
and Illuminati R: “Overcoming the Weak Link in Cemented the other four were suspect; possible leaks were
Hydraulic Isolation,” paper SPE 110523, presented at the
SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, masked by heavy cement poured around the
Anaheim, California, USA, November 11–14, 2007.

Spring 2008 31