Technology Focus This year, most of the well-construction papers focused on long-term durability in high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT), tight gas/-shale, steamflood, and carbon-capture and -storage (CCS) environments, a shift toward nonconventional wells. Previously, we discussed the growing awareness of the value of measuring cement mechanical properties and modeling mechanical stresses imposed upon the cemented annulus in HP/HT, deepwater, and steamflood applications. Recognition of the technology’s value has now expanded into CCS and tight gas applications. Paper SPE 139668 discusses the many aspects and value of modeling cement-placement mechanics, cement mechanical properties, and imposed stresses. It also provides excellent tutorial insight into the complexity of modeling cement behavior in fluid and solid states. As discussed last year, lost circulation and narrow pore-/fracture-pressure windows remain key challenges in achieving casing points and targeted cement coverage. Paper SPE 130319 details field results for drilling a liner to setting depth and cementing it with a new automated managed-pressure-drilling system while providing a nearly constant bottomhole pressure, a very promising technology. Traditionally, casing- and tubing-design engineers have used a deterministic stress-limits approach that uses the API Bulletin 5C3 and the von Mises criterion. However, depending upon which of the different empirical equations and safety factors are used, the resulting tubular design may be significantly over- or underdesigned. Paper SPE 134550 details a new design methodology that uses a 3D finite-element model, variation in tubular dimensions, sensitivity modeling, and stochastic study to develop a better design specification. Manny Gonzalez, SPE, Alliance Manager for Chevron ETC, noted that when applying new metallurgies, such as titanium and high-end corrosion-resistant alloys, this statistical approach becomes critical because there is no single guide for use of the current API formulas. Well Construction additional reading available at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org SPE 142150 • “Ongoing Development of Cementing Practices and Technologies for Kuwait Oil Company’s Deep HP/HT Exploration and Gas Wells—Case History” by M.J. Al-Saeedi, SPE, Kuwait Oil Company, et al. SPE 132541 • “Determining Production-Casing and -Tubing Size by Satisfying Completion, Stimulation, and Production Requirements for Tight-Gas-Sand Reservoirs” by Y. Wei, SPE, C&C Reservoirs, et al. SPE 131489 • “Solid-Expandable Tubular Combined With Swellable Elastomers Facilitates Multizonal Isolation and Fracturing, With Nothing Left in the Wellbore To Drill, for Efficient Development of Tight Gas Reservoirs in Cost-Effective Way” by M. Ghufran Anjum, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan, et al.