Casing cementation across depleted reservoirs can be challenging because conventionally weighted cement slurries can induce losses and damage the permeability of formations caused by the higher associated hydrostatic pressure they exert on the wellbore. Therefore, when such pressure-related concerns exist, lighter-weight cement slurries are often preferred. For an offshore Malaysia operator, a lightweight cement slurry was proposed to reduce hydrostatic pressure and prevent losses and formation damage. However, instead of a water-extended lightweight cement slurry, a high-performance, lightweight (HPLW) cement slurry consisting of high-strength, hollow microspheres was designed. Special bulk blending and transportation are normally required for these HPLW slurries because of the large bulk volume and low specific gravity (SG) of high-strength, hollow microspheres. In this case, because of limitations related to the rig’s storage capacity, the microspheres could not be stored conventionally and used as a dry additive to the slurry during mixing. Instead, an alternative solution involving prehydrating the high-strength microspheres with liquid additives and mix water in the mixing pits was implemented. This paper discusses the procedures used during cementing operations and details the value of using this mixing method.

Well cementing operations in south Texas tend to present a number of challenges to those responsible for constructing oil and gas wells. For instance, the temperatures and pressures at which the cement needs to be placed can be extreme, routinely exceeding bottomhole static temperatures of 300°F and pore pressures requiring fluid densities of 17 lbm/gal or greater to maintain well control. These extreme conditions can present challenges not only during placement of the cement slurry in the wellbore, but also later to the set cement sheath during the life of the well.To effectively meet these challenges, well operators in south Texas have been using high-density cements that have been mechanically modified so the set cement will be more elastic and resilient. Advanced diagnostic software is used to predict well situations where these cements are required.Currently, high-density elastic cements (HDEC) have been placed in more than 40 wells in southern Texas and the use of these sealants combined with diagnostic software has become routine.This paper discusses the challenges presented when cementing high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) wells in south Texas, then details the successful best practice life-of-the-well solutions that have been applied by highlighting two representative examples.The purpose of this paper is to help assist those tasked with the construction of HTHP wells to achieve their objectives safely and reliably and deliver zonal isolation that can be expected to last for the life of the well.

Sustained casing pressure, otherwise known as casing-casing annulus (CCA) pressure, is a common problem encountered in the deep, high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) gas fields of Saudi Arabia, and in many other locations globally. Although many solutions have been tried in these fields over the years, none of the existing solutions have proven to be 100% effective. A new solution has recently been implemented in Saudi Arabian gas fields that features a combination of heavy-weight cement blends greater than 21ppg and a polymer resin to improve the mechanical properties of the cement, especially the shear bond, to prevent the CCA pressure. Polymer resin is also resistant to hydrocarbons, acids, and salts, enabling the cement-resin system to be placed in harsh environments. This resistance will help to maintain a dependable barrier throughout the life of the well. This paper presents a case history of the application of this heavy-weight cement-resin (HWCR) system in the Saudi Arabia Harradh field where the failure of a differential valve (DV)packer meant that there would be no redundancy backup should the cement fail to provide a full barrier in the annulus. The paper describes the process used to design the HWCR system and how its application is critical to the success of the job.

Pillars of the Industry - How knowledge management enhances technical training programs. World demand for oil is at an all-time high, and the oil industry is riding one of its busiest cycles in history. This creates a wonderful market in which current college graduates and young professionals can get involved. Positions are open across the industry for almost any type of technical degree. While this is great for the young professionals of the world, it creates many challenges for the industry. Issues arise regarding how to train and mentor these new employees as they progress into productive positions as quickly as possible. If it isn't enough to provide training on oilfield practices and technology; we are also facing what many in the industry are referring to as "the great crew change." In the next 5–10 years, a large majority of employees who hired on in the boom of the 1970s and early 1980s will be retiring. These employees are commonly referred to as the "knowledge base" for the industry. This means that in addition to training young professionals on general oilfield material, we must also pass along or otherwise retain as much of this knowledge as possible. Halliburton has taken a somewhat blended approach to this problem involving a tailored Technical Training Program (TTP) and what we refer to as Knowledge Management (KM) communities for collaborating on and cataloging solutions to issues. This article will address each one of these separately to point out their unique benefits, but also explain how they complement each other to create a complete training and development environment. First look at the TTP.

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