Well Construction-2013

In 2012, the number of unconventional tight gas/shale and high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) papers continued to grow. This year, we had some very interesting developments in these and other areas of well construction.

Paper SPE/IADC 163544 demonstrates that there is still much we do not understand regarding HP/HT cement chemistry. This paper discusses how well-temperature increases and cement designs densified with various weighting materials can negatively affect cement strength stability and permeability. Surprisingly, the subject materials that have been employed have, for decades, generally been considered inert.  We see that the chemistry and even the particle size of these weighting materials can negatively affect cement strength stability and permeability as maximum well temperatures increase.

Paper SPE/IADC 163534 describes a new hydraulically set, permanent, openhole whipstock that has been field proved on multiple wells to provide a reliable, time-saving, single-trip solution in the Granite Wash formation. The Granite Wash formation in southwestern Oklahoma has been a directional-drilling nightmare. This is a hard, abrasive, multilayered formation generally requiring significant rig time and multiple trips to kick off successfully and build to horizontal. I appreciate the support of John Lofton, senior drilling consultant with Chevron Exploration and Technology Company, in recognizing the value of this paper.

Paper SPE 163842 relates the potential time saving available through the use of multiple sliding sleeves along a horizontal annulus. The sliding sleeves allowed for near-continuous pumping of 15 stimulation treatments in 24 hours rather than the 3-day average required to place similar stimulation treatments in other Eagle Ford wells by use of the plug-and-perforate process. The authors report similar productivity while providing less risk and execution time.

In addition to these selected papers, be sure to check out the papers listed under additional reading.

Additional Reading

SPE/IADC 163452 HP/HT Well Construction With Closed-Loop Cementing Technology by Don Hannegan, Weatherford, et al.

SPE 159589 New Pressure-Actuated Valve Allows for Interventionless Access to Formation in Cemented Applications by C. Christopher Johnson, Baker Hughes, et al.

SPE/IADC 163459 Dynamic Cementation: A Solution to Well-Integrity Problems by Calvin Holt, Tesco, et al.

Bob Carpenter, SPE, is a research consultant with Chevron Exploration and Technology Company’s Cement Team. He has 34 years of experience in field operations, technical support, and research and development (R&D). Previously, Carpenter was with Arco Exploration and Production Technology and BJ Services’ Technology Center. He has served on the SPE Drilling and Completions Advisory Committee and the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry Program Committee, along with other industry groups. Carpenter has authored or coauthored 15 SPE papers and several JPT articles and has been granted 23 US patents. His areas of expertise include technical support and R&D of all areas of primary and remedial cementing. Carpenter also has extensive expertise in coiled-tubing cementing, spacer-fluid development, and remediation of sustained casing pressure. He serves on the JPT Editorial Committee.