Cement Slurry and Drilling Fluid Characteristics for Deviated and

Horizontal wells
M.Mostofi, M.Sc. Student in P.U.T, Masood_Mostofi@yahoo.com; M.Salehi
Kasayi, NISOC, Salehikasayaei.m@NISOC.ir

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Abstract
Deviated and horizontal wells have great application in petroleum industry all
over the world. Therefore cementing of these wells has great importance in field
operations. Cementing of prospective wells has some additional criteria that
vertical wells are not encountered with them. It is essential to consider these
criteria to have good cement operation in deviated and horizontal wells .These
criteria are discussed and some remedies are proposed to control or prevent
them.
Criteria for this purpose are classified in two categories. On one hand cement
slurry design must be in a form that prevents some problems that would be
involved in deviated and horizontal wells such as cement sheath deposition in
side the casings or liners and free water generation which is one of slurry
properties. Free water generation of cement could be stand for vertical wells but
it is highly harmful in deviated and horizontal wells. Some harmful
characteristics of cement slurry for prospective wells are determined and it is
estimated that how they could be controlled. On the other hand, drilling fluid
and spacer which are used before and while cementing operation must have
some characteristics to prevent problem called mud channels. These depositions
gathered at the lower side of casing or liner and produce a low strength zone
after the end of cementing. Therefore, it is discussed how to control and avoid
formation of mud channels in prospective wells.

1. Introduction
Cementing of deviated and horizontal wells is critical operation in drilling industry. If
cementing of these wells is not effective and successful then it might be impossible to
reach the goals supporting drilling these wells. Cementing of prospective wells needs
some considerations that are not involved in vertical wells. In this article, it is going to

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define the critical points of cementing of deviated and horizontal wells which warrant
successful cementing operations.
Firstly, drilling fluid which were used for drilling of open hole section must have
considered. It was seen that during circulation and drilling through the open hole
section, some materials settled down and formed a mud channel. Most of the times, it
is impossible to remove these mud channels during the cementing operations. Cement
slurry can not to remove them. As they formed and remained, they decrease the
ultimate strength of cement. Therefore drilling fluid and spacer must have some
characters to prevent formation of mud channels.
Secondly, cement slurry must have some characteristics for deviated and horizontal
conditions. One of these characteristics is its settling rate of cement sheaths inside the
casings and liners. These cement sheaths settled faster in inclined and horizontal
conditions. Therefore after cementing operations, inside of cemented casing or liner
needs reaming even mechanical treatments like wiper plugs were used. Other cement
characteristic is its free water generation. Free water generation of cement slurry in
these wells must be zero, otherwise they joint to gather and form continuous water
path. Cement slurry also needs to have restricted fluid loss value because if it is high
then other cement characteristics like solid liquid ratio would be changed and
therefore design of slurry cement altered too.

2. Mud Channel
First, mud channel must be defined. It is seen in the experimental devices which are
used to simulate the cementing operation of deviated and horizontal wells, that a
continuous mud channel remains within the cement sheets at the end of cementing
operation when the cement displace entire the drilling fluid in the annulus.
Several experimental studies have been done on the simulation of cementing
operation processes in deviated and horizontal wells in order to find the problems
associated with the cementing of prospective wells. Most of the tests were conducted
with the apparatus vertical or inclined at different deviation angle. In the most of the
cases the apparatus consists of an inner casing, a simulated borehole, and a
heating/filtration jacket. And after the end of cementing operation, the cemented
casing divided to several sections and each section could be used for other tests.[1]
The schematic of the cementing simulator is shown in the figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1 Schematic of Cement Simulator Apparatus Test [1]

One of the tests that perform of the divided sections is Hydraulic cement bond test.
The schematic of this laboratory instrument is shown in figure 1-2. In this test, the
pressure increased in tap point of instrument until the pressure overcomes the cement

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bond and leakage happened in the cemented annulus. This ultimate pressure is a
character of cement bond condition.

Figure 1-2 Schematic of Hydraulic Cement Bond [2]

In order to illustrate the problem associated with mud channel formation in the
annulus, Hydraulic cement bond test has been done on the sections of cemented
casing. The results indicate that the cement leaked with extremely lower pressure in
the points where mud channels are formed with respect to the points where are free of
it. Therefore it is clear that mud channel formation, is important problem in cementing
of inclined and horizontal cementing operation.
In order to solve this problem, first sources and reasons of formation of mud channel
must be determined.
2.1 Source of Mud Channel and Reasons of Formation
X-ray diffraction is used to determine the source of mud channels. The results show
that the weighting materials that are used for weighting drilling fluid and spacer are
the source of mud channel that are formed in the lower side of annulus. And it is clear
that cutting settling during the drilling would make the mud channel thicker and the
condition worse.
In the field, before the start of cementing operations, the well is in static condition for
logging operations. This static condition is also considered in the cement simulation
experiences. In this point, it had seemed that period of mud channel formation is
carried in static period of operation. Therefore the static part of cement simulation had
removed but the same mud channels formed in the annulus. So it got clear that the
settling of weighting materials in the lower side of the annulus happens in the
dynamic parts of cement operation. Therefore it is concluded that settling of materials
of drilling fluid is more related to yield point character of drilling fluid and spacers
because settling performs in the dynamic period of operation.
The mud channel formation is described as Boycott settling mechanism. In this
mechanism which happens in inclined well bores, particles settled three to five times
faster than in vertical one. The experimental studies show that this phenomenon is
more troublesome in the deviation angles of 40 to 60. In low flow rates this settling
accelerates and Boycott effect enhances. In order to reduce Boycott effect and
prevention of mud channel formation in lower side of annulus, several experiments
have been done. As result of these experiments some factors are determined that could
prevent or reduce prospective settling. These factors are listed as below.
2.2 Centralization and Centralizers
Centralization is essential to cementing operation especially in deviated and
horizontal conditions. Pipe eccentric causes different flow rates and velocities
(average) between the eccentric parts of casing. Different flow regimes might be
happened and it is possible to maintain mud trap on one side of casing. The frictional

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forces of displacing fluid are not adequate to overcome the yield point of the mud,
leaving static mud in the narrow part of the annulus. As result of these phenomena,
situations are ready for mud channels to be formed.
Therefore main consideration must be involved in centralization of pipes. As the
deviation angle increases the cartelization becomes more difficult to be achieved.
Centralization is achieved by use of proper number of centralizers. But centralizers
have other effect that enhances prevention of mud channel formation in addition to
achieving the centralization. It is seen that the mud channels around the centralizers
removed better. It is believed that centralizers make the flow patterned and mud
channels could be removed as result of this event, but again after this section again
mud channel formed. This is shown in the figure 1-3. It could be also concluded that
centralizers could act similar to mud cleaners and scratch the mud channels.

Figure 1-3 Centralizers Effect on Mud Channel Reduction [3]

2.3 Pipe Movement

Pipe movement during the mud circulations or displacement can enhance hole mud
removal from the annulus. Pipe movement contains two action, pipe rotation and pipe
reciprocation. Both rotation and reciprocation are preferred over either method alone.
Rotation is preferred in gauge holes because the rotational forces on the fluid cause it
to be swept entirely around the annulus. Reciprocation is an acceptable alternative
operation and should be used is washed out holes. Rotation is the preferred pipe
movement because the rotational forces exerted on the fluid will cause it to be
completely swept around the annulus. Pipe movement helps break the mud gel
strength and allows the displacing fluids to sweep away the mud. It also disturbs
cuttings which have settled, improving the chances of their removal during hole
conditioning.
Pipe movement should begin with the initial mud circulation and continue until the
plug is bumped. Pipe movement is much easier with an oil-base mud than with a
water-base mud, because the wall friction is about one-half because oil base mud have
a lubricant rule also in well.
Experimental studies also have been done on the effect of pipe movement in removing
mud channels, settled solids and mud cake. It has been determined from the results of
these studies that pipe movement alone does not significantly increase mud removal
during cementing across permeable zone. However, a dramatic improvement was
noticed in results obtained with the cable wall cleaners. In contrast, mud removal
efficiency in one test the with mechanical cleaners increases from 67% to 98%.[3]
2.4 Drilling Fluid Properties
It is proved that drilling fluid properties has great influence on mud channel
formation. Once the drilling fluid has been selected, its yield point and plastic

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viscosity must be optimized to control solids settling and to ensure complete mud
removal during the cementing operation. Therefore, the drilling fluid properties under
static and dynamic conditions must be considered. A series of mud yield point tests
was conducted to determine the effect of the drilling fluid rheology on the
displacement efficiency achieved in an impermeable annulus when mud was
displaced with only cement. The results of prospective experimental tests are
published in several editorials.
It was determined that no sedimentation happened when yield point increased more
than a threshold value. In each deviation angle, a specific threshold value exists. This
threshold value increased as the deviation angle increases. Therefore it is concluded
that there is a threshold yield-point value below which a continuous solids channel
will form on the low side of the borehole. But it must be mentioned that hole cleaning
is much difficult on a critical deviation range which is intermediate deviation as it is
illustrated in the figure 1-4. However, again by increasing the deviation angle, ease of
mud channel formation increases. And obviously hole cleaning and mud channel
formation are relevant but not equivalent. As it is said above, the most sever condition
for hole cleaning occurs at intermediate deviation while for mud channel formation
this happens in horizontal cases.

Range

Angle (degrees)

Near-vertical (I)

0-10

Low (II)

10-30

Intermediate (III)

30-60

High (IV)

60-90

Figure 1-4 Critical Inclination Angle Boundary for Hole Cleaning [4]
Table-2-2 Flow regime for different deviation angles [5]

Threshold angle(degree)
<45
45 to 55
>55

Flow regime
Laminar flow
Laminar or Turbulent flow
Turbulent flow(with pipe
movement)

Under static conditions over extended periods (e.g., prior to logging or running
casing), the settling of a weighting agent is minimized by maintaining this threshold

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yield value. However as it was mentioned above, main sedimentations of settling

materials happens in dynamic conditions.
For a given flow rate, the ability of a mud to prevent solid settling is related to its
yield point and gel strength. To enable turbulent flow at low rates, the yield point and
gel strength should be low. However, they should also be high enough to prevent
solids settling during static periods and to ensure cuttings transport if turbulent flow
cannot be achieved. So it is believed that the drilling yield point must be just greater
than threshold value to prevent the solid settling and to have the possibility of
turbulent flow in the annulus even thought it might be impossible.
The flow regime for optimum hole cleaning depends on the borehole inclination (see
Table 2-2).Laminar flow cleans the hole better for deviation angles less than 45 and
turbulent flow is more efficient when the deviation angle exceeds 55. Between 45
and 55, turbulent and laminar flow appear to be equally effective.[5]

3. Cement Sheath Deposition

In this part it is focused on cement slurry settling through the casing string or liners
before cement slurry enters the annulus in deviated or horizontal wells. The problem
is characterized by solid settling of slurry in dynamic condition while moving inside
of deviated or horizontal casing or liners. It was seen in field operations that although
wiper plugs were used to remove them, as result of these settling of cement sheaths,
inside volumes of casings or liners need reaming after the end of cementing operation.
Therefore large investigations have been done to find the solution of this problem.
3.1 Spacer and Mud Rheology
As it was explained above, yield point of drilling fluid and spacer must be greater than
a threshold value to prevent solid settling. This solid settling in lower part of annulus
produces a mud channel. This settling inside the casing provide a suitable bed for
settling of cement sheaths to a height that mechanical operators like wiper plugs could
not remove them.
Rheology of spacer and mud affects on cement sheath deposition, but they are not the
solution key of the problem. Cement sheath deposition would be happened even if
yield point of spacer and mud increased up to required amount. Solids settling of
spacers and mud deteriorate the problem.
3.2 Mechanical Treatment
Mechanical treatment could not stop solid deposition and cement sheath deposition
effectively. Wiper plugs and pipe movement are mechanical treatments. Once a solid
channel greater than 1/16 in. formed in the test model the plug could not remove it. It
is also theorized that a 5/16 in. cement sheath would erode the wiper plug and require
reaming under actual well conditions. Therefore mechanical treatments are not the
solution of cement sheath deposition.
3.3 Cement Rheology
According to experimental results, it is concluded that by increasing the cement yield
point cement sheath deposition could be controlled. But there was other problem too.
By increasing the temperature, the yield point of slurry decreases. As the slurry
prepared at the surface and pumps to the bottom of the hole, temperature of slurry
increased and would reach bottom hole circulating temperature. And there are some
limitations for increasing the yield point of slurry, so it is impossible to increase the
yield point of slurry upon an amount in which by decreasing of it (by temperature
increasing) still required yield point obtained. But this problem has been solved by
using Bentonite as an additive. This additive increases the yield point of the slurry and

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as the temperature increases the hydration of this additive becomes more completely
and therefore as temperature increased, the slurry yield point increased too. And this
also helps to have slurry with less yield point at the surface that help the pumping of
slurry and on the other hand as slurry pumped down hole and temperature increased,
the yield point increased and reach require amount.
But there is small and narrow point about amount of Bentonite added to cement
slurry. Bentonite decreases the compressive strength of cement. This is illustrated in
the figure 1-5.

Figure 1-5 Hour Strength of Cement Class A with Variation Percentages of Bentonite[6]

4. Stability
Slurry stability is defined by two slurry properties, free water and sedimentation.
Although free water and sedimentation can occur together, they are not necessary
connected and one can easily exist without the other. Laboratory testing should be
performed at the anticipated maximum deviation angle and the BHCT to ensure that
neither occurs.
4.1 Free Water Generation
When slurry is static for a period of time prior to it setting, water may separate from
the slurry (free water), migrate upward, and accumulate either in pockets or gathered
at the top of the column. This separation indicates slurry instability which can create
problems with thickening time, strength, and incomplete zonal isolation especially in
a highly deviated well bore.
The free-water test is designed to measure the separation tendency of water. A
standard free-water test is performed with the graduated cylinder resting on a solid
surface in the vertical position. To simulate deviated well bores, the graduated
cylinder is oriented at the angle of well deviation. But API provides no instruction for
free water. Some companies make some in house instruction for determining the free
water generation.
A cement slurry in horizontal wells or deviated wells, should produce no free water
because in these types of wells, generated free water coalesce together and they are
accumulated at the upper side of pipe(casing or liner) because cement is heavier than
water. By such movement, strength of cement decreases in upper side of pipe and
produce a suitable condition for leakage in cases, gas migration and zonal relation

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might be happened. And the worst conditioned is at 450 inclination. But in vertical
well some amount of free water generation could be happened without any problem.
It is recommended to use 2% by weight of cement of Bentonite with type F fly ash to
reduce the free water generation while hydration of cement. Anti settling additives
also provide similar results.

Figure 2-8 Free Water Generation in Incline Pipe [5]

4.2 Sedimentation
Another possible outcome of slurry under static conditions for a period of time prior
to the set is the suspended solids may tend to separate from the slurry and settle
toward the bottom of the cement column. Prospective sedimentation indicates slurry
instability and can produce a change in slurry density, leading to annular invasion and
possible loss of well control. During rheology testing and calculations, settling
tendencies are indicated by sediment left in test equipment and a negative yield-point
value. Sedimentation must be especially controlled or prevented in highly deviated
and horizontal wells and wells where gas migration anticipated a problem.
The larger and coarser particles in unstable slurry settle at a faster rate than smaller
particles. The finer particles at the top of the slurry column can remain in suspension a
long time and thus the slurry may not exhibit true free water.
Sedimentation of particles in slurry can be controlled by using anti settling agents as
additive. Anti settling additives are those additives in which restore some of yield
value, but at a level compatible with pumping conditions and friction pressure the
well formation can bear. Some anti settling additives are Bentonite, Hydro soluble
polymer. Sea water also could act as anti settling agents because of metallic salt
contents like NiCl2 which produces weak but extensive hydroxide structure through
the slurry.

5. Fluid Loss
Fluid-loss control is particularly important in horizontal wells because the slurry
exposure to long permeable sections than in vertical wells. Low fluid-loss rates are
necessary to preserve the slurry properties (primarily rheology) and therefore should
always be less than 50 mL/30 min.
If fluid loss of cement slurry increased more than allowance, then it could change the
solid to liquid ratio of slurry design. In order to have some design characteristics like
ultimate strength, that could be changed by high fluid loss.

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6. Conclusion
As it was discussed above, some points must be considered while cementing operation
of deviated and horizontal wells.
Firstly, solid settling which forms mud channels must be prevented. This could be
done by increasing yield point of fluid more than a threshold value which is relevant
to deviation angle as it was discussed. Also mud channels could be removed or reduce
by pipe movement while running cementing operation and centralization of casing or
liner in inclined or horizontal section.
Secondly, cement slurry must have some designed characteristics. It must have
enough yield point to prevent cement sheath deposition inside the casing or liner and
on the other hand its fluid loss, free water generation and sedimentation must be
controlled. Free water generation must be zero in deviated and horizontal wells. Fluid
loss of slurry must be low and sedimentation of particles in cement slurry must be
controlled.

Reference
(1) S.R. Keller, SPE, Exxon Production research Co.; R.J. Crook, SPE,
Halliburton Service research Center; R.C. Haut, SPE, Exxon Production
Research Co. and D.S. Kulakofsky, SPE, Halliburton Services Research
Center DeviatedWell bore Cementing: Part 1-Problems SPE paper 11979
SPE Formation Evaluation August 1987, Journal of Petroleum Technology,
August 1987.
(2) F.L. Sabins, SPE, Halliburton services; R.C Smith, SPE, Amoco; M.D.
Broussard, SPE, Amoco Norway Oil Co.; K.J.Talbot, Amoco and S.R.
Olaussen, SPE, Halliburton Energy services Factors Contributing to Cement
Sheath Deposition in Casing Under Highly Deviated Well Conditions Paper
SPE 19934 , SPE formation Evaluation December 1993, SPE Drilling &
Completion, December 1993.
(3) Erik B. Nelson Well Cementing Schlumberger Educational Services, 1990
(4) Joel Stein Drilling, The Manual of Methods, Applications and Management
Australian Drilling Industry, Training Committee Limited, CRC Press LLC,
1997.
(5) Cementing Engineering Manual Schlumberger and Dowell, January 1995.
(6) Oil Well Cementing Practices in the United States, American Petroleum
Institute, New York 1959.
(7) S.A. McPherson, SPE BJ Services Co. Ltd Cementation of Horizontal Well
Bores SPE Paper 62893, SPE Formation Evaluation October 2000, This paper
was prepared for presentation at the 2000 SPE Annual Technical Conference
and Exhibition held in Dallas, Texas., October 2000.

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