Managed pressure cementing pilot restores zonal isolation on brownfield well
A depleted reservoir with a 4.3 ppg mud-weight window received a compliant primary cement job on the first attempt using MPC techniques.
By Dr. Henrik Solberg, Well Engineering Lead
Macpex has completed a managed pressure cementing (MPC) pilot on a brownfield producer with a narrow 4.3 ppg mud-weight window, achieving a compliant primary cement job on the first attempt and restoring zonal isolation across the depleted target sand.
The challenge
The well had failed two prior conventional squeeze attempts, with losses averaging 180 bbl/hr during placement. Continued production would have required a costly sidetrack.
Approach
By coupling MPD backpressure control with a bespoke lightweight-to-conventional lead-tail slurry design, bottom-hole pressure was held within a 0.35 ppg envelope through the entire pump and displacement sequence. Post-job cement bond and ultrasonic logs confirmed a fully bonded interval across the pay zone.