Location: Southeast New Mexico
Challenge:
An operator in Southeast New Mexico faced a dual challenge: meeting Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cementing requirements and addressing complex well conditions. The task involved cementing an 8 5/8” intermediate casing string through salt sections to the surface, with the casing set at approximately 11,000 feet. The key challenge was to achieve cement returns to the surface without using DV (diverter) tools, simultaneously ensuring the slurry developed at least 500 psi compressive strength to comply with regulatory standards.
Spinnaker Solution:
Spinnaker Cementing Solutions engineered a custom solution using its Beadlite 9.0 slurry. This lightweight blend, incorporating glass beads, was specifically designed to address the unique well conditions and regulatory demands. This slurry was pumped at 9.0 ppg and successfully achieved the required compressive strength.
Execution:
The job was executed with precision, leveraging advanced simulation software to meticulously optimize slurry volumes, pump rates, and density control. This thorough planning ensured the correct amount of slurry was delivered at the optimal rate to achieve returns to surface and meet compressive strength requirements without the need for DV tools.
Results:
The result was a highly successful cement job, with approximately 50 barrels of cement returned to the surface. The elimination of DV tools preserved casing integrity and avoiding a top-out job translated into significant time and cost savings for the operator.
