Operators to investigate new cementing materials for HP/HT wells

Oct. 10, 2008
Petrobras, TOTAL, and Wellcem have awarded the International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS) a contract to verify high temperature LCM, cementing, and zonal isolation technology based on WellCem's HiTemp materials.

Offshore staff

PARIS -- Petrobras, TOTAL, and Wellcem have awarded the International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS) a contract to verify high temperature LCM, cementing, and zonal isolation technology based on WellCem's HiTemp materials. The objective is to approve use in wells up to + 200º C (390º F), the companies say.

"In order to explore new frontiers, Petrobras has been often challenged to overcome obstacles. We are pretty confident WellCem will help us to face high temperature environments with this brand new material," says Carlos Henrique M. de Sa, E&P technical advisor of Petrobras.

"By bringing Elgin/Franklin (UK sector) on stream in 2001, Total demonstrated the technical and economic viability of developing extreme HP/HT fields. On the Norwegian continental shelf, even more complex and challenging HP/HT subsea developments are currently being evaluated. WellCem's HiTemp material could be an important contribution to manage the future wellbore integrity and stability issues on such developments," says Stein Tjelta Håvardstein, R&D drilling and well technology, Total E&P Norge AS.

10/10/2008