Designing a cementing operation involves analyzing the specific conditions of each well and evaluating a range of parameters before the job begins. Engineering and laboratory teams provide technical support from the design stage through to the evaluation of results, while laboratory tests can simulate actual well conditions.

Some of the challenges faced by oil and service companies today include well fluid U-tubing, high equivalent circulating densities (ECD), lost circulation, excessive pumping pressures and temperature prediction, among others.

These challenges can be best assessed using computer-based models that allow engineers to visualize the effects of different design parameters before the operation is performed. This makes it possible to identify potential issues and adjust the cementing design before pumping begins.

The CEMPRO+ computer program enables cementing companies and operators to apply their technical expertise at every stage of the cementing process.

Effective Planning

The software allows engineers to visualize the overall picture during the design stage. It helps reduce drilling rig downtime by assessing pumping requirements based on the specific wellbore configuration, cement slurry properties and operating parameters.

Risk Reduction

CEMPRO software allows engineers to assess the effects of different cementing design parameters before the actual operation is performed. This makes it possible to identify many potential problems before pumping begins and make the necessary adjustments. Lost circulation, fluid migration, poor cement bonding and slurry contamination can be avoided or minimized.

Safer Operations

Using a standardized software application helps ensure consistency and reliability in the results and reduces unnecessary errors that could compromise cementing operations. The software tools help anticipate well behavior sufficiently in advance, allowing cementing teams to make well-informed technical decisions and carry out safer operations.

CemCADE (Cementing Computer Aided Design and Evaluation) is a software program developed by Schlumberger to optimize the design of cementing operations under a specific set of well conditions. Well parameters include casing diameters, wellbore geometry and trajectory, drilling fluid properties, formation lithology, formation pore pressure and fracture pressure.

Once the well parameters are known, the cementing operation parameters (including fluid densities, rheology, volumes and pumping rates) are optimized for a predefined objective. The software also verifies that the operation can be performed safely.

• Casing integrity - burst and collapse pressures
• Well integrity - formation pore and fracture pressures
• Casing buoyancy