Cementation After running-in the casing string to the desired depth, it is cemented in place.

Cement is pumped down the casing and up around the outside of the casing in the annular space in the hole to the height desired and there the cement is allowed to set. Thus the wall of hard solid cement is formed between the outside of the casing and the wall of the hole To shut off high pressure zones, To water bearing formations, To mud - loss zones, etc. Prevent the caving in to wall

FUNCTION OF CEMENT IN OIL WELLS In well completion operations, cements are almost universally used to fill annular space between casing and open hole. Two principal functions of primary cement are (a) to restrict fluid movement between formations and (b) to support the casing.
Functions of cement

Restriction of fluid movement between permeable zones Provision of mechanical support of the casing string Protection of casing from corrosion Support of the well-bore walls to prevent collapse of formations

With the development of the offshore industry, different classes of cements have been developed in the recent years. These cements are called the basic oil-well cements. These have been developed in view of the following reasons. Greater uniformity Less confusion with classes More controlled physical and chemical properties Greater compatibility with additives Improved storage stability Cement fulfilling a wide range of well conditions

The manufacture and composition of cement Raw material from calcareous and argillaceous rocks (limestone, clay, shale and slag) Dry raw materials finely ground and mixed in correction proportions (kiln feed) Chemical compositions of dry mix determined and adjusted Kiln feed fed at a uniform rate in a sloping rotary kiln The mixture travels at the lower end Powdered coal, fuel oil or gas, fired into the kiln

Temperature reached to 2600-2800 F (1427-1538 C), calcined Chemical reactions of raw materials took place and a new material formed (clinker) The clinker varies in size from dust to particles of several inches in diameter The clinkers sent to air cooler, quenched and put into storage (storage time) The clinker ground with a controlled amount of gypsum (Portland cement) Cement packed and transported for customers Gypsum between 1 to 3% to control setting and hardening of cement METHOD OF CASING CEMENTING: There are several methods of casing string cementing which may be divided into two groups - primary cementing and secondary cementing (re-cementing or squeeze) methods. PRIMARY CEMENTATION: It is carried out after the drilling has been completed, whereas re-cementing is usually done after the well has been in operation for some time, and is also done, in case there are annular.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Two-plug cementing Single-plug cementing Cementing of liners and lower sections of casing string Cementing through perforations Two-stage cementing Cementing through the annular space (reserve cementing of wells)

SECONDARY CEMENTING METHODS (RE-CEMENTING OR SQUEEZE JOB): Squeeze cementing is used primarily to complete the shut off that may not have been entirely effected by the normal casing cementing job. Squeeze cementing may be used to shut off water around the shoe or may be used to seal off and separate undesirable gas or water sands from productive oil sands. It is used for the following: 1. To repair a primary cement job that failed due to channelling of cement slurry or insufficient fill up in the annuals. 2. To repair casing leaks due to split pipe, corrosion or joint leaks, etc. 3. To isolate a hydrocarbon zone from water intrusion from above or below. 4. To reduce gas-oil ratios by isolating gas zones adjacent to producing zones. 5. To plug all or part of one or more zones in multi-zone injection well. 6. To plug or abandon all or part of a depleted or water producing zone. 7. To temporarily plug a zone for protection 8. Squeeze cementing can be classified as a high-pressure squeeze or a low-pressure squeeze. The two main techniques are the braden head squeeze and the packer squeeze. There are variation of both these techniques.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CEMENT: a)Pozzolan cements: Pozzolans are siliceous materials which will react with calcium hydroxide form a cementing material. They may be used as an additive to ordinary cement or prepared as a lime pozzolan blend without Portland type cement. Lime pozzolan cement has proved to be satisfactory deep well cement. b)Diacel cement systems: Diacel cement systems have a larger range of densities and thickening times, which give them a wide scope of applicability. Fine sand (95% through 200 mesh) is sometimes added to increase early strength of the mixture. c) Latex cement: This is a special cement composed of latex , a surface active agent, and water. It has proved useful in such special applications as plug back jobs for water exclusion. It is especially resistant to contamination with oil and/or mud and exhibits a high strength bond with other materials (casing, rocks, etc.)

d) Diesel oil cement: Mixtures of Portland cement, diesel oil (or kerosene), and a chemical dispersant have been found useful in well repair (remedial) work to seal off water bearing strata. This material does not set until brought into contact with water and has therefore, an unlimited pumping time. It has also been used to prevent loss circulation.

Oil-in-water emulsion cement: Low water loss, low density cements of adequate strength and thickening time have been prepared from kerosene, water, cement, and 2 to 4% bentonite. Calcium lignosulfonate is used as emulsifying agent and retarder. Such cements have applicability in both primary and remedial cementing. f) Resin Cements: Proper combination of synthetic resins, water and Portland cement are often used to provide an improved formation cement bond in certain remedial operations. Cost prohibit use of this material for routine cementing of casing. g) Gypsum Cements: They are special mixtures which have high early strength and easily controlled setting times. Gypsum is the basic ingredient. Their principal use is to provide temporary plug during testing and remedial CEMENT ADDITIVES: The cementing composition is being designated today to meet the varied demands of the oil Industry. Some of these are listed below:

a) Low temperature additives to meet the demands of temperature as low as 32 F in the permafrost areas of Alaska and Canada. b) Temperature up to 50 F in deep oil wells. C) Temperature of 450 to 550 F in steam well

The use of additives has become more flexible recently and cement slurries can be tailored for specific well requirement. However, if necessary, most of the chemicals can also be dispersed in the mixing water at the job site. With the advent and increase of offshore operations, liquid additives are also now coming into the market, simplifying the process of modification of the cements. Depending upon the well conditions, the slurries can be modified in a variety of ways. Some of these are: a. Lower the slurry density, i.e. to make the slurry lighter. b. Increase the slurry density. c. Speed up the setting and thickening time of cement. d. Decrease or reduce the water loss / cement filtration e. Increase the strength in the final set product. f. Bridge to prevent the loss of circulation g. Increase durability h. Improve flow properties i. Control permeability and strength retrogression at high temperature j. Impart expanding properties to set cement k. Control heat of hydration. Accelerators Decrease the thickening time of cement for shallow, low temperature applications Accelerators are inorganic compounds Calcium Chloride, Sodium chloride and Gypsum Calcium chloride is the most common accelerator It is used in concentrations from 1 to 3% A little salt will accelerate

Retarders Increase the thickening time of cement for deeper, hotter applications Typically retarders are organic compounds Lignin, Sugar, Cellulose derivative CMHEC is a common retarder One of the most common retarders is calcium lignosufonate Sodium Chloride is a retarder at high concentrations As bottom hole temperatures change, the type of retarder will change

Friction loss additives are used to thin the cement slurry Organic acids

Lignosulfonate Alky aryl sulfonate Phosphate Salt

Classes of cement Nine API classes: Class A Depth surface 6000 ft (1830 m) No special properties Similar to ASTM C 150,Type I Class B Depth surface 6000 ft (1830 m) Moderate to high sulphate resistance Similar to ASTM C 150 Types II Class C Depth surface 6000 ft (1830 m) High early strength Moderate to high sulphate resistance Similar to ASTM C 150 Types III Class D Depth from 6000 ft 10,000 ft (1830 m - 3050 m) Moderate and high sulphate resistance Moderately high pressure and temperature Class E Depth from 10,000 ft 14,000 ft (3050 m - 4270 m) Moderate and high sulphate resistance High pressure and temperature Class F Depth from 10,000 ft 16,000 ft (3050 m - 4270 m) Moderate to high sulphate resistance Extremely high pressure and temperature Class G Depth surface 8000 ft (2440 m), as basic cement, fine Can be used with accelerators and retarders for other specifications Moderate to high sulphate resistance No addition other than calcium sulphate or water Class H Depth surface 8000 ft (2440 m), as basic cement, course

 Can be used with accelerators and retarders for other specifications Moderate to high sulphate resistance No addition other than calcium sulphate or water Class J Depth 12,000 16,000 ft (3660 m - 4880 m) Extremely high pressure and temperature Can be used with accelerators and retarders for other specifications Moderate to high sulphate resistance No addition other than calcium sulphate or water