This workshop has been jointly developed by both the GRC and SPE. The most important aspect of a good well completion is a good cement job. Both oil and gas wells and geothermal wells need a unique blend of cement for the well to properly be completed to be able to function as a production or injection well. Each industry has specific needs of the cement to perform. In the oil and gas industry cement is basically needed to provide isolation outside the casing across the production zones so that these zones can be perforated and produced into the wellbore and prevent commingling of resources during production. This is important as different zones may have different composition and pressures. In geothermal resources, unlike oil and gas, we require that each casing string be cemented completely from the total depth of the casing back up to its top, that is, the surface or to the top of a liner. Casing requires continuous cement due to the temperature changes in the producing resource. Taking casing from a setting temperature to several hundred degrees higher during production can cause the casing to expand, therefore the casing must be completely cemented to prevent this constant movement. Cement is an important factor for good completion in both oil and gas wells and geothermal wells but for completely different reasons.
This workshop will try to explain the differences and how together we can develop the best cement for each of our needs. We will hear presentations that will present solutions as well as problems. Clearly open discussion will help us to define our unique problems and hopefully help us see ways to achieve our goals.
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