Looking deeper for deepwater solutions

摘要

Over the course of a four-year period, during which approximately 42 wells were constructed by this operator, processes were developed to improve cement slurry design and reduce nonproductive time (NPT) during cementing operations on deepwater wells. Cementing best practices have been well documented for many years. However, not all of these practices are applicable to deep-water operations, especially for the riser-less sections. A systems approach to cover all cement design needs, from conductor to plugging, should be considered. Both conventional and foamed cement slurries can be used when properly designed and placed. Placement design should include a thorough understanding of the static gel development behavior of the drilling fluid.