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Cement Programme Preparation

The Cement Programme gives a brief explanation as to the objectives in setting casing, i.e.:

  • isolate hydrocarbons
  • isolate different pressure regimes
  • provide a pressure conduit of full integrity for drilling and completion
  • allow installation of BOP, completion etc.

General Preparation Guidelines

The following guidelines should be applied to the preparation of the Cement Programme:

  • The Drilling Supervisor shall prepare a call out fax seven days before the job.
  • The Cement Programme shall be sent to the Drilling Superintendent and Operations Engineer for verification.
  • The final version of the Cement Programme, including the final details, shall be sent to the Drilling Superintendent and the Operations Engineer.
  • No last minute changes to the Programme shall be made without the prior approval of the Drilling Manager.
  • A copy of the Programme shall be distributed to all rig personnel involved in the operation.

General responsibilities (execution and QA/QC) for cementing

Activity

Execution

Quality Control

Prepare the detailed Cement Programme

Cementing Contractor

Operations Engineer

Dispatch samples to laboratory

Cementing Contractor

Logistics / Materials Supervisor

Test samples and prepare recipe

Cementing Contractor

Operations Engineer

Verify Cement Programme complies with planned cement operations

Operations Engineer

Drilling Superintendent

Prepare well for cementing

Drilling Contractor

Drilling Supervisor

Mix, pump and displace cement

Cementing Contractor

Drilling Supervisor Operations Engineer

Conduct rig floor operations

Drilling Contractor

Drilling Supervisor   Tool Pusher

Prepare Job Report

Cement Contractor
Drilling Supervisor

Drilling Supervisor Operations Engineer

Programme Design Consideration

The design considerations given in the following table should be taken into account when preparing the Cement Programme:

Activity

Design Consideration

Check shoe track and accessory configuration.

-

Run and land casing as per programmed casing tally.

Proposed circulation test rates with corresponding annular velocities (assuming gauge hole).

Pressure test surface lines.

-

Mud Engineer checks all tank levels.

When possible, mud returns shall be diverted to a different pit to that used for suction during displacement.

Mud Logger

To adjust chart to monitor volume pumped and volume returned.

Batch mix cement

If feasible

Pump spacers ahead.

Calculate volume, fluid type, gradient, fluid loss

Drop first plug ahead of spacers.

-

Pump scavenger slurry.

Calculate volume, gradient, cement sx., mixwater volume

Drop bottom plug.

-

Pump lead slurry.

Calculate volume, gradient, fluid loss, cement type, cement sx., mixwater volume, recipe, excess (referred to basis of calculation).

Pump tail slurry.

Calculate volume gradient, cement type, cement sx., mixwater volume, recipe, excess (referred to basis of calculation).

Drop top plug.

-

Pump spacer behind

Calculate volume, fluid type, gradient, over/under balance

Mud engineer checks all tank levels.

-

Displace cement.
  • Calculate volume, fluid type, gradient, rate before and after catch up.
  • Calculate volume of mud pumped when cement starts to flow into annulus (pressure increase)
  • Total volume pumped when rate must be reduced for bump.
  • Total volume pumped at bump.
  • Bump pressure (casing pressure test) and duration.
  • Pump efficiency.
  • Maximum permissible “over displacement” past theoretical value to avoid physical over displacement of the slurry.
  • Annular velocity.
  • Flow regime of spacers and slurry.
  • Contact time for any critical point in the wellbore ‑ eg., across a particular gas sand.

Mud Engineer checks all tank levels.

-

Bleed off, check backflow.

Proposed course of action if backflow is observed.

Cut / Back out landing joint.

-