Novel Wellbore Strengthening Spacer and Managed Pressure Cementing Facilitates Cement Placement in Deep and Shallow Sections Under Narrow Operating Window and Partial Losses

Abstract Drilling hydrocarbon-producing wells frequently involves challenges such as narrow operating windows and lost circulation. This paper details the design, execution, and evaluation of primary cementing operations in two case studies of primary cementing operations for intermediate and production sections. This includes operations with complex conditions such as high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) conditions, narrow equivalent circulating density (ECD) operating windows due to narrow annular clearances, high pore pressure, and fragile carbonate formations that have a tendency for lost circulation scenarios. Managed pressure cementing (MPC) techniques have been implemented to allow faster operational response to formation fluids influx or fluid-loss scenarios, thus controlling drilling fluids in the well below the formation pressure by adding a surface annular pressure through a choke manifold. A novel wellbore strengthening spacer, coupled with an environmentally friendly lost circulation material, was successfully deployed, enabling the placement of cement slurries and ensuring wellbore isolation. In these case studies, the combination of the managed pressure system, wellbore strengthening spacer, and the lost circulation additive proved to be effective in addressing and preventing lost circulation scenarios under challenging conditions.