Is zonal isolation provided by cement? Cementing is central to the discussion of zonal isolation and well integrity because cement typically provides at least one barrier in a well and is a component of the barrier envelope or barrier system during well construction and the operational phases of the well. Cement parameters are typically included in regulations and included as part of the permanent-abandonment requirements for oil and gas wells.
As an industry, installing and maintaining the cement barrier and well integrity are part of our social license to operate. Since the first use of cement in oil wells in 1906, we as an industry have been proud that we have established and continuously improved cementing practices.
There is a long history of industry standards for cementing, with the American Petroleum Institute establishing the first cementing standard in 1948. SPE has also included cementing sessions at technical conferences for the last half-century. A quick search on the word “cement” in the SPE OnePetro database yields 21,133 results, dating back to 1945.
In the last several years, regulations have been updated and rewritten worldwide. In every jurisdiction, we can point to a regulation or industry standard that affects drilling and cementing operations. This regulatory attention compels us to double-check our practices, continue effective techniques, and develop technology where improvements are needed.
Technology is also focused on improving verification of cement placement and barrier achievement. Cement evaluation, including wellsite observations during cement placement, pressure tests, and logging techniques, are part of the well-integrity equation. These enhanced evaluation methods provide confidence that zonal isolation and well integrity are achieved.
As an industry and as SPE professionals, we work to provide energy from wells that use cement as a key component in providing zonal isolation and well integrity. We comply with regulations, industry standards, and industry best practices and continually update technology that instills confidence in zonal isolation and well integrity for our industry, stakeholders, and society.
This Month's Technical Papers
New Approach Tests Cement-Sheath Integrity During Thermal Cycling
An Integrated Approach to Solving Sustained Casing Pressure in the Cana-Woodford Shale
Design Procedure for Cementing Intercalated Salt Zones
Recommended Additional Reading
SPE 172937 Achieving Cementing Improvement in Horizontal Tight-Gasfield Development by Pungki Ariyanto, BP, et al.
SPE/IADC 167922 Intermixing of Cementing Fluids: Understanding Mud Displacement and Cement Placement by Zhongming Chen, Baker Hughes, et al.
SPE 175237 A Decade of Self-Sealing-Cement Technology Application To Ensure Long-Term Well Integrity by Arash Shadravan, ReservoirFocus, et al.
Gunnar DeBruijn, SPE, is standards and knowledge development manager for Schlumberger, well integrity (cementing). He holds a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta and has 26 years of experience working in the oil industry, mostly in cementing. DeBruijn has worked in North America and in deep water around the world supporting cementing and well-integrity initiatives. His current focus is on training and competency development for the worldwide cementing population. DeBruijn serves on the JPT Editorial Committee. He can be reached at gunnar1@slb.com.
