Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Simple Classification of Wellbore Integrity Problems Related to Fluids Migration

  • Review--Petroleum Engineering
  • Published:
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This work classifies in a simple form the wellbore integrity problems that cause fluids migration in oil and gas wells. This paper updates the categorization provided by Santos (Technology focus: well integrity. Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2015. https://doi.org/10.2118/0115-0100-JPT), which classifies the wellbore integrity problems based on the time of manifestation. Santos (Technology focus: well integrity. Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2015. https://doi.org/10.2118/0115-0100-JPT; Wilkins and Free A new approach to the prediction of gas flow after cementing. Society of Petroleum Engineers, 1989. https://doi.org/10.2118/18622-MS; Bois et al. How to prevent loss of zonal isolation through a comprehensive analysis of microannulus formation. Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2011. https://doi.org/10.2118/124719-P), and other researchers categorized the problems related to wellbore integrity similarly. These categorizations are found in multiple publications and are representative of most cements’ failures that may lead to fluids migration. However, the majority of these categorizations are too broad and do not clearly state and describe the wellbore failures. In addition, categorizing the failures based on the time of their appearance may not be enough to realize, recognize, and understand how connected the failures are. Well-integrity failures are continuously occurring and represent major issues in the oil and gas wells. Therefore, a new and simple classification that accounts for the potential locations of each failure, the causes of the failures, and methods to stop the failures is necessary. This paper aims to classify the failures that may occur in the wellbore into four main failures: (1) micro-annuli that form between the cement and its surroundings, (2) channels that create pathways through the body of the cement, (3) fractures/cracks in the cement sheath, and (4) cement chemical and mechanical degradation. Definition of these problems, causes of these problems, and solutions for those failures are summarized in this paper to clarify, understand, and provide a guideline to prevent and avoid such problems. Along with the classification, general considerations for the cement-testing methodologies against these failures are listed. This work also provides the oil and gas industry with some of the technologies that have been used to avoid oil cements failures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Reference

  1. Santos, O.L.A.: Technology Focus: Well Integrity (January 2015). Society of Petroleum Engineers (2015). https://doi.org/10.2118/0115-0100-JPT

  2. Bachu, S.; Bennion, D.B.: Experimental assessment of brine and/or CO2 leakage through well cements at reservoir conditions. Int. J. Greenhouse Gas Control 3, 494–501 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. NORSOK D-010. NOSOK D-010 Rev.4.: Well Integrity in Drilling and Well operations. Standard Norway (2013)

  4. Sauer, C.W.: Mud Displacement During Cementing State of the Art. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1987). https://doi.org/10.2118/14197-PA

  5. Hakiki, F.; Shidqi. M.: Revisiting fracture gradient: comments on a new approaching method to estimate fracture gradient by correcting Matthew–Kelly and Eaton's stress ratio. Petroleum 4(1), 1–6 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petlm.2017.07.001

  6. Thiercelin, M.J.; Dargaud, B.; Baret, J.F.; Rodriquez, W.J.: Cement Design Based on Cement Mechanical Response. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1998). https://doi.org/10.2118/52890-PA

  7. Alkhamis, M.; Imqam, A.: New Cement Formulations Utilizing Graphene Nano Platelets to Improve Cement Properties and Long-Term Reliability in Oil Wells. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2018). https://doi.org/10.2118/192342-MS

  8. Wilkins, R. P.; Free, D.: A New Approach to the Prediction of Gas Flow After Cementing. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1989). https://doi.org/10.2118/18622-MS

  9. Bois, A.-P.; Garnier, A.; Rodot, F.; Sain-Marc, J., Aimard, N.: How to Prevent Loss of Zonal Isolation Through a Comprehensive Analysis of Microannulus Formation. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2011). https://doi.org/10.2118/124719-PA

  10. Rusch, D.W.: Subsea Leaks Cured with Pressure-Activated Sealant. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2004). https://doi.org/10.2118/88566-MS

  11. Kupresan, D.; Heathman, J.; Radonjic, M.: Casing Expansion as a Promising Solution for Microannular Gas Migration. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2014). https://doi.org/10.2118/168056-PA

  12. Tahmourpour, F.; Hashki, K.; El Hassan, H.I.: Different Methods to Avoid Annular Pressure Buildup by Appropriate Engineered Sealant and Applying Best Practices (Cementing and Drilling). Society of Petroleum Engineers (2010). https://doi.org/10.2118/110040-PA

  13. Alkhamis, M.; Imqam, A.; Milad, M.: Evaluation of an Ultra-High Performance Epoxy Resin Sealant for Wellbore Integrity Applications (2019). Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/199184-MS

  14. Liu, X.; Nair, S.D.; Cowan, M.; van Oort, E.: A Novel Method to Evaluate Cement-Shale Bond Strength. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2015).https://doi.org/10.2118/173802-MS

  15. Oyarhossein, M.; Dusseault, M.B.: Wellbore Stress Changes and Microannulus Development Because of Cement Shrinkage. American Rock Mechanics Association (2015)

  16. Reddy, B.R.; Xu, Y.; Ravi, K.; Gray, D.W.; Pattillo, P.: Cement Shrinkage Measurement in Oilwell Cementing—A Comparative Study of Laboratory Methods and Procedures. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2009).https://doi.org/10.2118/103610-PA

  17. Jones, P.H.; Berdine, D.: Oil-Well Cementing. American Petroleum Institute (1940)

  18. Brice, J.W.; Holmes, B.C.: Engineered Casing Cementing Programs Using Turbulent Flow Techniques. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1964).https://doi.org/10.2118/742-PA

  19. Carter, L.G.; Evans, G.W.: A Study of Cement-Pipe Bonding. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1964). https://doi.org/10.2118/764-PA

  20. Haut, R.C.; Crook, R.J.: Primary Cementing: The Mud Displacement Process. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1979). https://doi.org/10.2118/8253-MS

  21. Kelessidis, V.C.; Guillot, D.J.; Rafferty, R.; Borriello, G.; Merlo, A.: Field Data Demonstrate Improved Mud Removal Techniques Lead to Successful Cement Jobs. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1996).https://doi.org/10.2118/26982-PA

  22. Frigaard, I.A.; Allouche, M.; Gabard-Cuoq, C.: Setting Rheological Targets for Chemical Solutions in Mud Removal and Cement Slurry Design. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2001).https://doi.org/10.2118/64998-MS

  23. Foroushan, H.K.; Ozbayoglu, E.M.; Miska, S.Z.; Yu, M.; Gomes, P.J.: On the Instability of the Cement/Fluid Interface and Fluid Mixing. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2018).https://doi.org/10.2118/180322-PA

  24. Griffith, J.; Osisanya, S.O.: Effect of Drilling Fluid Filter Cake Thickness and Permeability on Cement Slurry Fluid Loss. Petroleum Society of Canada (1999).https://doi.org/10.2118/99-13-15

  25. Yong, M.; Rong, C.M.; Yang, G.; Qing, S.; Li, L.: How to Evaluate the Effect of Mud Cake on Cement Bond Quality of Second Interface? Society of Petroleum Engineers (2007). https://doi.org/10.2118/108240-MS

  26. Carrasquilla, J.; Guillot, D.J.; Ali, S. A.; Nguyen, C.: Microemulsion Technology for Synthetic-Based Mud Removal in Well Cementing Operations. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2012). https://doi.org/10.2118/156313-MS

  27. Alsaihati, Z. A.; Al-Yami, A.S.; Wagle, V.; BinAli, A.; Mukherjee, T.S.; Al-Kubaisi, A.; Alsafran, A.: An Overview of Polymer Resin Systems Deployed for Remedial Operations in Saudi Arabia. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2017). https://doi.org/10.2118/188122-MS

  28. Shakirah, S.: A New Approach for Optimizing Cement Design to Eliminate Microannulus in Steam Injection Wells. In: International Petroleum Technology Conference (2008). https://doi.org/10.2523/IPTC-12407-MS

  29. Boukhelifa, L.; Moroni, N.; James, S.; Le Roy-Delage, S.; Thiercelin, M.J.; Lemaire, G.: Evaluation of Cement Systems for Oil and Gas Well Zonal Isolation in a Full-Scale Annular Geometry. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2005). https://doi.org/10.2118/87195-PA

  30. Beirute, R.; Tragesser, A.: Expansive and Shrinkage Characteristics of Cements Under Actual Well Conditions. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1973). https://doi.org/10.2118/4091-PA

  31. Backe, K.R.; Lile, O.B.; Lyomov, S.K.; Elvebakk, H.; Skalle, P.: Characterizing Curing-Cement Slurries by Permeability, Tensile Strength, and Shrinkage. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1999). https://doi.org/10.2118/57712-PA

  32. Chenevert, M.E.; Shrestha, B.K.: Chemical Shrinkage Properties of Oilfield Cements (includes associated paper 23477). Society of Petroleum Engineers (1991). https://doi.org/10.2118/16654-PA

  33. Jafariesfad, N.; Geiker, M.R.; Skalle, P.: Nanosized Magnesium Oxide with Engineered Expansive Property for Enhanced Cement-System Performance. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2017). https://doi.org/10.2118/180038-PA

  34. Sabins, F.L.; Tinsley, J.M.; Sutton, D.L.: Transition Time of Cement Slurries Between the Fluid and Set States. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1982). https://doi.org/10.2118/9285-PA

  35. Goboncan, V.C.; Dillenbeck, R.L.: Real-Time Cement Expansion/Shrinkage Testing Under Downhole Conditions for Enhanced Annular Isolation. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2003). https://doi.org/10.2118/79911-MS

  36. Stormont, J.C.; Ahmad, R.; Ellison, J.; Reda Taha, M.M.; Matteo, E.N.: Laboratory Measurements of flow Through Wellbore Cement-Casing Microannuli. American Rock Mechanics Association (2015)

  37. Wilcox, B.; Oyeneyin, B.; Islam, S.: HPHT Well Integrity and Cement Failure. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2016). https://doi.org/10.2118/184254-MS

  38. Al-Yami, A.S.: An Innovative Cement Formula to Mitigate Gas Migration Problems in Deep Gas Wells: Lab Studies and Field Cases. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2015). https://doi.org/10.2118/175194-MS

  39. Thomas, J.; Musso, S.; Catheline, S.; Chougnet-Sirapian, A.; Allouche, M.: Expanding Cement for Improved Wellbore Sealing: Prestress Development, Physical Properties, and Logging Response. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2014). https://doi.org/10.2118/170306-MS

  40. Drecq, P.; Parcevaux, P.A.: A Single Technique Solves Gas Migration Problems Across a Wide Range of Conditions. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1988). https://doi.org/10.2118/17629-MS

  41. Christian, W.W.; Chatterji, J.; Ostroot, G.W.: Gas Leakage in Primary Cementing—A Field Study and Laboratory Investigation. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1976). https://doi.org/10.2118/5517-PA

  42. Baret, J.-F.: Why Cement Fluid Loss Additives Are Necessary. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1988). https://doi.org/10.2118/17630-MS

  43. Cheung, P.R.; Beirute, R.M.: Gas Flow in Cements. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1985). https://doi.org/10.2118/11207-PA

  44. Pavlich, J.P.; Wahl, W.W.: Field Results of Cementing Operations Using Slurries Containing a Fluid-Loss Additive for Cement. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1962). https://doi.org/10.2118/133-PA

  45. Webster, W.W.; Eikerts, J.V.: Flow After Cementing : A Field and Laboratory Study. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1979). https://doi.org/10.2118/8259-MS

  46. Jimenez, W.C.; Urdaneta, J.A.; Pang, X.; Garzon, J.R.; Nucci, G.; Arias, H.: Innovation of Annular Sealants During the Past Decades and Their Direct Relationship with On/Offshore Wellbore Economics. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2016). https://doi.org/10.2118/180041-MS

  47. Ravi, K.; Bosma, M.; Gastebled, O.: Improve the Economics of Oil and Gas Wells by Reducing the Risk of Cement Failure. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2002). https://doi.org/10.2118/74497-MS

  48. Goodwin, K.J.; Crook, R.J.: Cement Sheath Stress Failure. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1992). https://doi.org/10.2118/20453-PA

  49. Brandl, A.; Cutler, J.; Seholm, A.; Sansil, M.; Braun, G.: Cementing Solutions for Corrosive Well Environments. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2011). https://doi.org/10.2118/132228-PA

  50. Jackson, P.B.; Murphey, C.E.: Effect of Casing Pressure on Gas Flow Through a Sheath of Set Cement. Society of Petroleum Engineers (1993). https://doi.org/10.2118/25698-MS

  51. Bois, A.-P.; Garnier, A.; Galdiolo, G.; Laudet, J.-B.: Use of a Mechanistic Model to Forecast Cement-Sheath Integrity. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2012). https://doi.org/10.2118/139668-PA

  52. De Andrade, J.; Sangesland, S.; Skorpa, R.; Todorovic, J.; Vrålstad, T.: Experimental Laboratory Setup for Visualization and Quantification of Cement-Sheath Integrity. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2016). https://doi.org/10.2118/173871-PA

  53. Saint-Marc, J.; Garnier, A.; Bois, A.-P.: Initial State of Stress: The Key to Achieving Long-Term Cement-Sheath Integrity. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2008). https://doi.org/10.2118/116651-MS

  54. Giron Rojas, R.; Millan, A.; Gonzalez, S.E.; Torres Hernandez, J.; Salas Pando, F.: An Engineered Approach to Address the Need for Long Term Integrity in Cement Subject to Critical Stress Cycles in Deepwater Production Fields. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2014). https://doi.org/10.2118/170461-MS

  55. Lécolier, E.; Rivereau, A.; Ferrer, N.; Audibert, A.; Longaygue, X.: Durability of Oilwell Cement Formulations Aged in H2S-Containing Fluids. Society of Petroleum Engineers (2010). https://doi.org/10.2118/99105-PA

  56. Benge, O.G., Spangle, L.B., Jr. Sauer, C.W.: In: Foamed cement—solving old problems with a new technique. Soc. Petrol. Eng., paper number 11204 (1982)

  57. Clement, C.C.: A scientific approach to the use of thixotropic cement. J Petrol Technol 1979;344–46

  58. “30 CFR § 250.1609 - Pressure Testing of Casing.” Legal Information Institute, Legal Information Institute, www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/30/250.1609

  59. Hou, M.; Xie, H.; Yoon, J.: Underground Storage of CO2. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group (2010)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  60. “Isolation Scanner.” Isolation Scanner Cement Evaluation Service | Schlumberger, www.slb.com/drilling/drilling-fluids-and-well-cementing/well-cementing/cement-evaluation/isolation-scanner-cement-evaluation-service

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, USA

    Mohammed Alkhamis & Abdulmohsin Imqam

Authors
  1. Mohammed Alkhamis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abdulmohsin Imqam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdulmohsin Imqam.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alkhamis, M., Imqam, A. A Simple Classification of Wellbore Integrity Problems Related to Fluids Migration. Arab J Sci Eng 46, 6131–6141 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05359-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05359-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation