Enhancing cement placement and zonal isolation in challenging wellbores using rotating cement head and circulating swedge

Title : Enhancing cement placement and zonal isolation in challenging wellbores using rotating cement head and circulating swedge

Abstract:

Achieving zonal isolation is crucial to long-term integrity and productivity of oil and gas wells, which is primarily provided by casing cementation. In complex wellbore geometries—such as extended reach wells, long lateral sections, depleted formations, and cement jobs where friction pressure gradient and casing stand-off cannot be achieved—cement placement becomes increasingly challenging. This study focuses on application of new technology to overcome these challenges and deliver long lasting wells.

Poor mud removal, channeling, or inconsistent cement bonding, can compromise well integrity and increase the risk of fluid migration, water incursion, sustained casing pressure etc., leading to loss of productivity and increase in workover costs. One method to overcome these challenges is casing movement during cementing, including rotation and reciprocation. Casing movement enhances mud displacement, promotes azimuthal cement distribution, and improves the cement bond through the “smear effect”.

Recent advancements in casing hardware and cementing technology—such as Rotating Cement Heads and Circulating Swedges— now enable safe and efficient casing movement during cementing operations. These tools allow for plug launching and cement pumping while maintaining casing rotation, protecting threads, and integrating seamlessly with top-drive systems.

This study reviews the field performance of Kuwait’s first application of this technology, where 9 5/8” rotating cement head was used to allow casing rotation while cementing. The results presented demonstrate the impact of casing movement on cement placement quality, with excellent cement evaluation logs despite challenging well conditions. These findings support the adoption of rotating casing while cementing technologies as a reliable solution for enhancing well integrity in complex and challenging wellbores.

Key Words:  Zonal Isolation, Cement Placement, Casing Movement, Rotating Cement Head, Casing rotation

Biography:

Aditya Chauhan is a Cementing Engineer currently working in Kuwait with NESR. With a strong technical background and hands-on experience in challenging environments, he specializes in designing and implementing cementing solutions that enhance drilling efficiency and ensure superior well construction quality. Aditya Chauhan is a Cementing Engineer currently working in Kuwait with NESR. With a strong technical background and hands-on experience in challenging environments, he specializes in designing and implementing cementing solutions that enhance drilling efficiency and ensure superior well construction quality.