Technical difficulties in the cementing of horizontal shale gas wells in Weiyuan block and the countermeasures

When well cementing is conducted in horizontal shale gas wells in Weiyuan block of the Weiyuan-Changning State Shale Demonstration Area, Sichuan Basin, the oil-based drilling fluid is not compatible with cement slurry, is difficult to be displaced because of its high density, and cement sheath tends to be broken in the situations of large-scale stimulated reservoir volume fracturing. In view of these problems, a series of studies were carried out specifically on the theoretical basis of cement sheath sealing mechanical parameters, oil-displacement preflush improving the interface cementation quality, toughness set cement satisfying large-scale fracturing requirements and cementing technology conducive to the wellbore integrity. The following achievements were made. First, the theoretical model of cement sheath mechanical integrity taking into account the plastic characteristics and interface cementation strength of cement sheath is instructive to the mechanical design of set cement for horizontal shale gas wells, avoiding the micro-annulus as much as possible. Second, oil-displacement preflush is developed and it is well compatible with oil-based drilling fluids and cement slurry with the flushing efficiency on oil-based drilling fluids higher than 90%. Third, the tough set cement which is developed based on the theoretical model of cement sheath sealing integrity not only guarantees higher compressive strength, but decreases Young's modulus by 30%. Forth, it is confirmed that water displacement cementing technology suitable for shale gas wells is conducive to improving the wellbore seal integrity. These research findings were applied in 12 horizontal wells. It is indicated that the quality cementing ratio of horizontal segment reaches 92% and the post fracturing effect is very good, which guarantees the sealing integrity of wellbores and provides a technical support for the highly efficient development of shale gas reservoirs.