Recommendations for testing, evaluation and performance requirements for cement wiper plugs in deepwater
Michael Trogus A , Yves Daniel B , Doug Farley B and Gregory Gaspard BA Shell International Exploration and Production Inc.
B Weatherford.
The APPEA Journal 55(2) 488-488 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ14123
Published: 2015
Abstract
Well cementing is a crucial component of deepwater well construction and the key to its success is the performance of the cementing plug. Plug performance is primarily based on its mechanical wiping efficiency and wear resistance. Although, limited understanding of the performance has hindered the establishment of standards, while the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice for Performance Testing Cementing Float Equipment (API RP10F) provides recommended testing practices to evaluate the performance of cementing float equipment, however it does not include cementing plugs.
Cementing wiper plugs provides a physical barrier to cement contamination by separating displacement fluid and wiping residual mud film, and other materials, from the pipes’ inside surface. Separation and wiping efficiency are directly related to the plug’s wear resistance and the process of balancing design to achieve optimal stiffness and pressure containment. This design balance is achieved through rigorous material testing and design refinement. The analysis of wiper cuttings samples has provided a clear understanding of the plug’s ability to provide a physical barrier to separate fluids and to function downhole tools. This cuttings evaluation has provided information on material loss and positive fin interference. Results of the evaluation are corroborated by field performance achieved in cementing lengths of casing greater than 16,000 ft (4,876.8 m).
Plug wear is a particular concern in these long, high-volume deepwater casing strings where it can lead to displacement errors and the reliability problems for downhole pressure-actuated tools. These displacement errors are examined in field applications that locate the plug precisely at multiple points during the cementing process.
Michael Trogus is a new technical professional in the oil and gas industry. While studying at the University of Texas (Austin), he was hired as a well engineer intern at Shell Oil in the deepwater exploration group. Some of his work led to the partnership of co-authors who decided a new standard for deepwater cementing needed to be recommended. Michael graduated from the University of Texas with a BSc in petroleum engineering in May 2014 and now works full-time for Shell as a well engineer in the deepwater exploration group. Member: Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). |
Yves Daniel is the Asia-Pacific Regional Product Line Manager for cementing products at Weatherford International. Yves has more than 12 years of experience in zonal isolation technologies and well construction. During the past 12 years with Weatherford, he has been responsible in providing wellbore solutions involving primary cementing equipment, and inflatable and swellable packer systems. After graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Mechanical and Space Engineering degree, Yves began his career as an applications engineer in well construction technologies in 2002. |
Douglas Farley is the Global Product Line Manager for cementing products at Weatherford International. Douglas has more than 34 years of experience in completions and drilling. He graduated from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mechanical Design. He began his career in product engineering, designing completion equipment. Ten years later, Douglas joined the engineering department at Weatherford prior to becoming a regional product line manager in the Asia Pacific. Douglas later returned to Houston, Texas—his home town—where he has championed various technologies for Weatherford globally. |
Gregory Gaspard is a Technical Specialist for cementing products at Weatherford International. Gregory has more than 37 years of experience with Weatherford in drilling and cementing equipment. In those 37 years, Gregory has helped with the introduction and development of new technologies involving primary cementing equipment used both domestically and globally. Gregory graduated in petroleum technology from Louisiana Tech University. |
