Rotation of a Long Liner in a Shallow Long-Reach Well

Abstract

Adequate primary cement quality in horizontal wells is an industry concern. The authors identified two factors that limit primary cement quality success - free water cavities on the high side of the hole and an inadequately cleaned hole. Casing movement was considered necessary for the second problem. Reciprocation was quickly ruled out because slack-off drag would severely restrict casing return to bottom, and the risk of lost returns caused by surge pressures would be high. Alternatively, rotation was chosen. This paper discusses the design and rotation of a 3,409-ft (1039-m) -long liner run in an 81/sup 0/ well at Norman Wells, NWT. Differentiation between running string torque and liner torque was fundamental to the design of the liner and to the setting of rotary torque limits for the operation.