ISSN 1925-542X [Print]

Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development ISSN 1925-5438 [Online]

Vol. 12, No. 1, 2016, pp. 47-50 [Link]
DOI:10.3968/8596 [Link]

Shallow Gas Well Cementing and Channeling Prevention Technology

LI Yubin[a],*

[a]
International Division, Daqing Drilling Engineering Company, Daqing, is fast during the process of drilling and cementing.
China. The reaction of representation characteristic such as gas
*Corresponding author.
cutting, overflow and blowout are brief which lead to the
Received 30 June 2016; accepted 10 August 2016 ground can’t take measures in time. All of these factors
Published online 28 September 2016 are difficult to ensure the quality of cementing. So shallow
gas well channeling prevention and cementing are one
Abstract of the technical problems that have been studied in well-
Gas channeling has been a technical problem in the expert cementing operation both at home and abroad.
inside course of study at home and aboard which always
happened after shallow gas well cementing, as well as
1 . D I F F I C U LT I E S I N C E M E N T I N G
a research exploring topic. The effective shallow gas
well cementing technologies are analyzed, and a set of TECHNOLOGY
channeling prevention technical measures are summarized Shallow gas formation compressive strength is low and it
by taking the gas well cementing operation experiences always happens leakage on downhole. Due to the pressure
into consideration. of shallow gas is high and oil layer is undervoltage in
Key words: Shallow gas well cementing technology; some oil wells which contain shallow gas that have been
Channeling prevention; High strength low density cement mining for many years, so the density of drilling fluid can
slurry system; Expanding agent; Accelerator; Multi- only maintain in a range of small value. It require that we
purpose spacer fluid should ensure the pressure stability of shallow gas and
formation breakdown is prevented during the process of
Li, Y. B. (2016). Shallow gas well cementing and channeling cementing. If we can’t make sure the value of density, it
prevention technology. Advances in Petroleum Exploration will appear the phenomenon that diarrhea and vomiting.
and Development, 12(1), 47-50. Available from: URL: http:// However, the cementing fluid have to have an accurate
w w w. c s c a n a d a . n e t / i n d e x . p h p / a p e d / a r t i c l e / v i e w / 8 5 9 6 density value. For shallow gas cementing, we usually take
DOI: [Link]
step density or single low density cement slurry cementing
system[1]. No matter we take which kind of slurry system,
solid composition weight of low density cement slurry
is small, so the slurry is not stable. The space between
INTRODUCTION the solid phase particles is big, liquid-solid ratio is high,
The characteristics of shallow gas are shallow buried free water is more, it is difficult to control the loss of
depth, loose overlying formation, low formation water. The development of low density slurry’s intensity
pressurization, leakage; it is difficult to take measures such is slow, long weightlessness transition period during
as the downhole pressure balancing and the hydrocarbon the overexploitation, the ability of slurry channeling
reservoir stability. The gas channeling is fast when gas prevention is poor.
cutting happened, the measures of downhole pressure Due to the formation of shallow gas well is thin, so
stability, leaking prevention and channeling prevention are contact time between borehole wall and preflush as well as
limited. Due to oil and gas of shallow gas abnormal high slurry is short. The effective of flushing, entrainment and
pressure wells is animate, so the oil and gas channeling displacement is poor. Shallow gas formation compressive

47 Copyright © Canadian Research & Development Center of Sciences and Cultures

Shallow Gas Well Cementing and Channeling Prevention Technology

strength is low, so we will control the pressure and So in order to prevent gas channeling, we should adjust
discharge capacity in the process of cementing. In this the slurry to be the slurry which could realize RAS. Right
situation, it is difficult to form turbulent flow or effective angle stiffen effect of slurry is equal to shorten the stiffen
laminar for annular, the displacing efficiency is low, the transition, so we should ensure the slurry transition gel
ability of mud displacement and flushing of borehole wall period less than 15 minutes by improving the ability of
is poor, as well as the wellbore can’t get good cleansing, slurry channeling prevention.
annulus mud will retention and the borehole wall will be 2.1.4 Suspension Stability Performance
greasy. Mud cakes will affect the intensity of cement stone We can improve the stability of low density slurry by
and the quality of interface cementation, microclearance adding amount of suspending agents, improving the
will be formed at the outside of casing easily. Eventually viscosity of base fluid as well as stopping the floatation
it will form the gas channeling passageway, gas upward and precipitation of solid phase materials. Then viscous
from the gas migration and form annular gas channeling, force of free fluid between granules is enhanced, the
under pressure phenomenon will be appear at well head. migration resistance of gas between granules is increased,
For example, there have annular gas channeling in some gas channeling prevention ability of slurry is improved.
wells of Kazakhstan’s North Buzachi Oilfield, the annular
2.1.5 Microdilatancy Performance of Slurry After
under pressure phenomenon appear at well head[2].
Solidifying
Shallow gas well cementing, slurry interval isolation
Due to amount of suspending agents have been added to
is short. Cementing makes the efficiency advantage of
the slurry system, so after slurry solidified (the process
multi-density many clot pressure stability slurry system,
of cement stone formation), the volume of slurry will
well head pressure compensation and controlis not fully
not shrink, but expand. Well cementation interface
realized. If the annular gas channeling happened during the
can be formed and the phenomenon of gas channeling
process of cementing, control difficulty will be greatly, it
passageway which is caused by microclearance is reduced
is easy to cause the risk of annular overflow and blowout.
under the expansion state.
In North Buzachi Oilfield of Kazakhstan, there exist the
shallow gas and active surface water from 30 meters to 160 2.2 The Actual Application of Dilatancy Type Gas
meters. In gas cap area such as area 6 and 10, they have Channeling Prevention Slurry System
shallow gas from more than ten meters, especially in the The application of North Buzach Oilfield in Kazakhstan is
depth of 300 meters, there is high pressure gas formation, as follows.
the value of pressure is 3.9 MPa. The pressure of lower Double-condensation slurry system is adopted to the
reservoir fracture is low, equivalent fracture pressure is surface cementing slurry. In order to ensure hydrostatic
1.62 g/cm3. So it easily occur cementing quality problems column pressure stability formation could be given in
such as annular gas channeling at top high pressure gas upper low density slurry and gas pay can be sealed by
formation and poor lost-circulation bond quality. lower slurry firstly, we usually adopt 1.85 g/cm3 quick
setting slurry on the bottom and 1.56 g/cm3 high strength
low density slurry on the top[3-4].
2. GAS CHANNELING PREVENTION The formula of 1.85g/cm 3 slurry (22℃): Class
G cement, +5%PZW-A reinforcement, +1.8%G60S
CEMENTING SLURRY TECHNOLOGY
channeling prevention fluid loss, +3%CA903S coagulation
2.1 The Performance Requirements of Gas accelerator, +0.1%G603 antifoamer. Slurry free fluid is
Channeling Prevention Slurry System 0, API fluid loss is 29 mL, flow index is 0.66, thickening
time(22℃) is 114minutes, compressive resistance in 24
2.1.1 The Performances of Quick Setting and High
hours(22℃) is 13.9MPa.
Early Strength
The formula of 1.56g/cm 3 slurry (22℃): Class
The action of quick setting and high early strength
G cement +41%BXE600S, +2.4%G60S channeling
performances are though the hydration reaction of cement
prevention fluid loss, +3%CA909S coagulation
and reinforcing agent, minimize the chance of gas channeling
accelerator, +0.1%G603 antifoamer. Slurry free fluid is
in time by improving the early strength of cement.
0, API fluid loss is 20 mL, flow index is 0.70, thickening
2.1.2 Low Fluid Loss Performance time (22℃) is 152 minutes, compressive resistance in 24
We should control the fluid loss, in order to ensure the hours (22℃) is 12.5 MPa.
stability of slurry. The fluid loss should be controlled Low density slurry system was adopted to the
within 50 mL and trying to reduce the amount of free fluid reservoir cementing slurry, the density is 1.56 g/cm 3.
as far as possible. Formation breakdown was prevented by low density, the
2.1.3 Right Angle Stiffen Performance requirements of oilfield exploitation were meet by high
Gas channeling always occur in the transition gel period strength and the strong ability of gas channeling resistance
of slurry. The shorter transition gel period, the stronger could inhibit gas migration problems in the process of
controlling ability of oil, gas and water of slurry system. slurry throat effectively.

Copyright © Canadian Research & Development Center of Sciences and Cultures 48

 LI Yubin (2016).
Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development, 12 (1), 47-50

The formula of 1.56 g/cm 3 slurry (34 ℃): Class the downhole loading capacity of formation, we can take
G cement +41%BXE600S, +2.4%G60S channeling measures that wellhead annulus build the pressure waiting
prevention fluid loss, +3%CA909S coagulation on cement to offset pressure loss because of slurry weight
accelerator, +0.1%G603 antifoamer. Slurry free fluid is 0, loss, and reduce the chances of gas channeling.
API fluid loss is 16ml, flow index is 0.79, thickening time
3.3 The Well Cementation Technology of
(34 ℃) is 168 minutes, compressive resistance in 24 hours Conventional Cementing in Combination with
(22 ℃) is 17.2 MPa. Annulus Cementing
For well cementation of complex wells, which are
3. SUPPORT TECHNICAL MEASURES sprayed and leaked, conventional cementing can be
used, the cement slurry is returned to the leakage zone
3.1 Reasonable Designing Ahead Fluid System, firstly, and then immediately wellhead device is hung.
Improving Ahead Fluid Performance and Two pipelines of grouting are respectively connected
Displacement Efficiency with the casing head spool, and both sides of the pipe are
Designing cementing ahead fluid system reasonably simultaneously injected with the washing fluid from the
according to the depth of cementing, formation pore annulus space and rapid setting low density cement slurry
pressure, borehole status and drilling mud performance. with equivalent volume of casing annulus. The benefit of
Considering flush fluid and the density, type, quantity of the annular slip casting is that the friction and resistance
spacer fluid combined with a variety of factors. Forerunner is not acting on the leakage zone as the conventional
mud or leading slurry was adopted in order to reduce cementing, and the leakage loss of the layer is increased.
interval isolation slurry mixed up. We should segregate Because of lost circulation, the level of cement slurry will
drilling fluid and ahead fluid effectively, as well as avoid be down to a certain depth, after cement slurry thickening
contact pollution of residual drilling fluid and slurry, then from the first annulus space, rapid setting cement slurry
improving the displacement efficiency, in order to ensure is injected into annulus space once again, to achieve
cementing quality in sealing segment[5]. the requirements of the upper and lower butt seal to the
The effect of ahead fluid system which was applied wellhead. The technology of conventional cementing
in North Buzachi Oilfield of Kazakhstan is good. Ahead in combination with annulus cementing is effective and
fluid system is to avoid the happening of channeling complex cementing anti channeling measures with serious
and leakage. We develop BCS series multi-functional leakage of shallow gas well.
weighting spacer fluid which have both flushing and
3.4 The Construction Technology of Variable
segregation effect in order to support system slurry. Displacement Is Used in Cement Slurry System
This kind of spacer fluid is mainly consists of BCS020S With Multi-Coagulation Step Density
suspension agent, BCS021L desaturator and BCW600S According to the pore pressure of formation, the density
weighting agent. It also has the characteristics of good and thickening time of cement slurry in different sealing
thixotropy and suspension, adjustable density, as well section are established; based on the experimental data
as good compatibility of drilling fluid and slurry. The of formation fracture pressure and formation pressure,
spacer fluid have flushing function, it can flush hole simulated construction parameters of different stages
wall, casing wall and displace slurry, preventing magma is calculated, the maximum dynamic liquid column
between slurry and drilling fluid, improving displacement pressure of construction is less than the leakage pressure
efficiency and cemented performance of slurry. Special of formation and the minimum hydrostatic fluid column
weighting agent was adopted to weight up spacer fluid in pressure is more than the pore pressure of formation by
order to ensure the equalization of spacer fluid system and variable displacement for the construction work, it can
improve hydrostatic column pressure of fluid, as well as achieve the balance of downhole pressure and stable
prevent gas channeling. pressure of gas zone, in order to prevent circulation loss
3.2 Solving the Problems of Cementing Gas and gas channeling.
Channeling by Downhole Tools and Wellhead
Device
For special formation and shallow gas cementing, we CONCLUSION
can use the external casing packer at the top of high (a) We can select cementing slurry technologies
pressure gas reservoirs. The location of external casing which are apply to shallow gas channeling prevention by
packer should be chosen at stable borehole which analyzing the cementing technical difficulties. Supporting
above 3-5 meters on the top of gas reservoir, in the hole cementing technology measures taken as gas channeling
which hole diameter is regular, closing the up channel prevention measures and control methods can solve
of gas can solve the technical problems of shallow gas cementing technical difficulties of shallow gas channeling
channeling successfully. Under the allowing condition of prevention. Combined with field application analysis in

49 Copyright © Canadian Research & Development Center of Sciences and Cultures

Shallow Gas Well Cementing and Channeling Prevention Technology

cementing operation, good cementing effectiveness has REFERENCES

been obtained. It also has guidance significance for similar [1] Tang, X., Yang, Y. G., & Luo, Y. (2009). Ultralight gas
shallow gas well cementing practices. channeling prevention slurry: The most excellent solution to
(b) Good gas channeling slurry system and downhole gas wells. Foreign Oilfield Engineering, 25(7), 40-51.
tools as well as ground control measures are important [2] Wu, H. B., Liu, Z. T., & Zhou, J. (2012). Cementing
technological measures to prevent gas invasion and techiniques for gas well PATOLON-2 in Myanmar. Oil
gas channeling. It can improve the cementing quality Drilling & Production Technology, 34(1), 43-45.
effectively by reasonable selection and comprehensive [3] Liu, Z. T., Wu, H. B., & Song, Y. H. (2011). Cementing
application and achieve good gas reservoir cementing. technology in large casings of high pressure gas well
(c) “Pressure three-balance” is the basic principles Thingadong-1. Drilling Fluid & Completion Fluid, 28(4),
of shallow gas well cementing, it means the downhole 57-59.
pressure balance before cementing, construction and [4] Liu, Z. T., Huang, Z. G., & Li, D. (2009). Gas proof
slurry waiting on cement. Any link of downhole pressure cementing technology in low pressure mud loss layer
overbalance will lead gas channeling and blowout in Hade oilfield of Kazakhstan. Drilling & Production
accident. Improving the displacement efficiency and Technology, 31(S2), 23-26.
avoiding slurry of interval isolation channeling pollution [5] Dang, D. H., Gao, F., & Yuan, J. G. (2014). Study and
are the basic requirements of shallow gas well cementing application of low density cement slurry containing artificial
gas channeling prevention in order to achieve annulus net micro beads. Drilling Fluid & Completion Fluid, 31(3), 65-67.
densification. [6] Dang, D. H., Wu, H. B., & Liu, Z. T. (2013). Study and
application of packerliner hanger in Yagyi-1 well liner
cementing. Inner Mongolia Petrochemical, 21, 104-105.
[7] Liu, Z. T., Song, Y. H., & Sun, W. X. (2013). The exploration
of LG well overflow reasons during waiting on cement.
Technology and Industry Across the Strait, (9), 82-83.

Copyright © Canadian Research & Development Center of Sciences and Cultures 50