Evaluation of common cementing practices affecting primary cementing quality

Abstract The quality of cement placement in primary cementing depends on many facets of the cementing procedure. In this paper, we simulate the fluid displacement process of a typical horizontal well in Northern British Columbia. We analyze how variations in some of the common cementing practices may improve the displacement efficiency. By using excess cement volume, the residual mud can be gradually removed as long as there is a sufficient pressure gradient to yield the mud. Increasing the centralizer usage is demonstrably effective in removing residual mud in the deviated section, and the eccentricity is significantly improved. Performing staged cement allows improvement in displacement by allowing flexibility in frictional pressure loss management (often crucial in long horizontal wells). Targeting different strategies for vertical and deviated sections results in improved efficiencies.