Engineering Evolution for an Effective Zonal-Isolation Process in Production Casings for the Antonio J. Bermúdez Basin in South Mexico

摘要

Oil reservoir depletion resulting from commercial exploitation of mature fields has increased the frequency of special drilling conditions caused by low formation pressures that can lead to massive drilling fluid losses. Several of these challenges have been addressed by cementation engineering, specifically applied to the production casing. Because of these conditions, the Antonio J. Bermúdez basin has been constantly evolving with regard to cementing technology as well as drilling fluids concerns in an effort to effectively obtain long term zonal isolation. Application of cementation engineering for production casing in development fields has resulted in the need for lowdensity slurries that can rapidly develop compressive strength. Furthermore, improvement in rock mechanics understanding using formation-evaluation technologies, has positioned cementation engineering as a technical discipline focused on application of solutions encompassing the entire life of the well. As a result, for example, the concepts of elasticity and durability have become important for cementation engineering, which is now moving far beyond the traditional application of hydraulic principles for slurry design. This paper describes the evolution and maturing of the Antonio J. Bermúdez Basin during the past ten years and the changes in design and execution of cementing operations as a result of new challenges in oil-based and water-based mud environments as well as the introduction of under-balanced drilling methods.