Reverse Circulation Cementing Surface Casing Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cementing methods for subterranean formations face issues such as lost circulation, high pressure risks, excessive cement waste, and increased costs due to the need for complex and expensive diverters in reverse circulation cementing of surface casing, especially when dealing with weak formations and conductor casings.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for reverse circulation cementing that uses an isolation device coupled to the surface casing to isolate the annulus between the surface casing and the conductor casing, allowing cement to be pumped through a port in the conductor casing, thereby minimizing pressure and cement usage, and eliminating the need for diverters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional circulation methods are used to pump cement slurry down the casing and up the annulus, then cement can be placed in the annular space, but high delivery pressures cause lost circulation into weak formations and may float the casing string

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecement placementVSAvoidlost circulation and casing floating

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional cementing approach by introducing cement slurry directly into the annular space from the surface through a diverter, rather than pumping it down the casing and up the annulus. This reverse circulation method eliminates the need to overcome hydrostatic pressure of the cement column in the casing, thereby reducing delivery pressures and preventing lost circulation into weak formations and casing floating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a diverter as an intermediary device that enables direct introduction of cement slurry into the annular space. The diverter acts as a mediator between the cement pump and the annular space, allowing cement to be placed without requiring high pressures to lift it through the casing string

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If conventional circulation methods are used, then cement can be placed in the annulus, but the process requires much longer duration and additional set retarders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecement placementVSAvoidcementing job duration and set delay time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the cementing process to use reverse circulation, the patent eliminates the time-consuming step of pumping cement down the entire casing string and up the annulus. Cement is placed directly into the annular space, significantly reducing the cementing job duration and eliminating the need for additional set retarders to extend the setting time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If reverse circulation cementing is used with a diverter, then cement can be introduced directly into the annulus, but the diverter structures are complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect cement introduction into annulusVSAvoiddiverter complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable cement basket as a simple, inexpensive alternative to complex and expensive diverters. The cement basket is a one-time use device that can be easily installed and removed, providing the necessary function of directing cement into the annular space without the complexity and high cost of traditional diverter structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential function of the diverter (directing cement into the annulus) and implements it through a simplified device (cement basket) that can be coupled to the production casing. This extraction of the core function eliminates the need for complex, expensive, and difficult-to-acquire diverter structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces lost circulation, minimizes damage to formations, saves rig time and labor costs, and provides a cost-effective means for cementing surface casing without the need for expensive diverters, while ensuring efficient cement placement and reduced equivalent circulating density.

Implementation Method 1

an isolation device coupled to a surface casing string. The isolation device may be positioned in the well bore to isolate the annulus between the surface casing and the conductor casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic isolation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

flowing cement through a port in the conductor casing to cement the surface casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8162047B2Reverse-circulation cementing of surface casing

Publication Date: 2012.04.24 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An apparatus for reverse circulation cementing of surface casing in subterranean formations and associated methods are provided. One example of a method may involve a method of reverse circulation cementing a surface casing in a well bore with a conductor casing positioned therein comprising: providing a tool comprising at least one isolation device coupled to the surface casing; positioning the isolation device in the well bore to isolate an annulus between the surface casing and the conductor casing; flowing cement through a port in the conductor casing in a reverse circulation direction; and allowing the cement to set therein.