TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

Cementing/Zonal Isolation
Gunnar DeBruijn, SPE, Principal Instructor, Schlumberger

The terms cement and isolation are Enhancing performance
used interchangeably in the oil field. Stat-
ing the obvious, cement is a material in cementing is a necessary
that is mixed as a slurry, pumped into component of challenging,
place, and then predictably turns into
an impermeable (very low permeability)
and improving, the costs
solid. Despite cements remarkable prop- ofdrilling a well.
erties, the search continues for enhance-
ments in the areas of cost and isolation
performance. Several themes are evi- especially related to strength and flex-
dent throughout the sessions and papers ibility. However, we have yet to find a sys-
that were presented at SPE events this tem that exceeds both the economic and
year. Efficiencies and enhancements have the technical performance of cement in
been explored even to the point of replac- todays wells for zonal isolation. As we
ing cement with other materials. Along continue to search for new isolation sys-
with each improvement, verification of tems, we also continue to enhance our
zonal isolation has been investigated. existing processes and materials.
Replacements for cement systems, Enhancing performance in cementing
such as geopolymers and resins, are inves- is a necessary component of challeng-
tigated in a number of papers. Geopoly- ing, and improving, the costs of drill-
mers have promising long-term strength ing a well. New components, updates
and bonding properties. Resins also have to additives, and specifically designed
desirable performance characteristics, cement systems are enablers to provid-
Gunnar DeBruijn, SPE, is a principal instructor for Schlumberger
Well Integrity (Cementing). He has 27 years of experience work-
ing in the oil industry, mostly in cementing. DeBruijn has worked
across North America and in deep water around the world, sup-
porting cementing and well-integrity initiatives. His current
focus is on training and competency development for the world-
wide cementing population. DeBruijn also regularly contributes
to industry standards. He holds a BS degree in mechanical engi-
neering from the University of Alberta. DeBruijn serves on the JPT Editorial
Committee and can be reached at gunnar1@slb.com.
ing zonal isolation in increasingly chal-
lenging environments, including deeper
water, long-reach wells, and wells sub-
jected to large temperature and pres-
sure cycles throughout the life of the
well. Every geographic location presents
unique challenges.
As engineers in the drilling industry,
we also continue to look for verifica-
tion that isolation has been achieved.
Programs, laboratory tests, real-time
monitoring, and post-job documentation
all contribute to a holistic approach to
cementing and barrier verification. The
featured papers, along with the addi-
tional reading, explore new materials,
improved techniques, and optimized
performance for zonal isolation.JPT
Recommended additional reading
at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.
SPE/IADC 184672 High Assurance
on Barrier Placement and Evaluation for
Deepwater Wells in Brazil by V. Reveth,
Schlumberger, et al.
SPE 180344 Relating Cement-Additive
Performance to Mix-Water Composition
forDeepwater and Salt-Zone Applications
by B.R. Reddy, Aramco, et al.
SPE/IADC 184675 True Self-Healing
Geopolymer Cements for Improved
Zonal Isolation and Well Abandonment
by Xiangyu Liu, The University of Texas at
Austin, et al.

78 JPT MAY 2017