The occurrence of gas migration problems in several oilfieds in Brazil, motivated an experimental computational study conducted on PETROBRAS R&D Center. Lab and pilot scale equipments were used to define basic guidelines for the success of a cementing operation in front of gas zones. The necessity of a team work, involving lab, design and operation teams is emphasized. This joint effort aims the optimization of well conditioning, slurry design and displacement programs. Adequate evolution of gel strengths and consistency, pseudoplasticity and minimum fluid loss and free water are the main variables for optimum slurry design. Analysis of historic cases of cementing failures help in the establishment of operational guidelines for future jobs

Keywords:
slurry design, silva, drilling fluid property, casing and cementing, cement slurry, upstream oil & gas, society of petroleum engineers, spe 39008, gel strength, drilling fluid chemistry
Subjects:
Drilling Fluids and Materials, Casing and Cementing, Safety, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Operational safety
Copyright 1997, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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