Slide 3: Introduction – What is Well Completion?

 Definition: The process of making a well ready for production after drilling.
 When it Happens: After casing is run and cemented, before production starts.
 Why It’s Important:
o Ensures well integrity and zonal isolation
o Protects the formation and ensures safe hydrocarbon flow
o Enables controlled production and optimizes recovery
o Acts as the final phase that determines well performance
 Use bold graphics or visuals (optional): Before & After completion image

 What is Well Completion?

 Transforming a raw drilled wellbore into a safe, efficient, and productive hydrocarbon
conduit. It's where the engineering truly brings the well to life.

 When Does It Happen?

 Post-drilling operations. The drilling rig moves out, and the completion crew steps in to
prepare the well for its ultimate purpose: production.

 Why is Completion So Important?

 Safety: Ensuring well integrity, preventing uncontrolled flow, and protecting personnel
and the environment.
 Efficiency: Optimizing hydrocarbon flow rates and maximizing recovery from the
reservoir.
 Longevity: Designing for sustained production and long-term well integrity.
 Value Creation: Directly impacting the economic viability and success of the entire
drilling venture.
 A complex, meticulously planned sequence of operations that defines the well's destiny.

🔊 What is Amplitude (in CBL)?

 Amplitude is the height or strength of the sound wave signal received.

 In a CBL, it refers to how strong the acoustic signal is when it returns to the tool’s
receivers.

Think of it like how loud a sound is — higher amplitude = louder signal, lower amplitude =
quieter signal.
🧪 How Bonding Affects the Sound Wave and Amplitude

1. If Cement is Poorly Bonded or Absent (Free Pipe):

 The steel casing acts like a solid pipe, and the sound wave bounces inside it with little
resistance.
 Most of the energy stays within the casing and reaches the receiver directly.
 🔺 Result: High amplitude signal (strong wave = poor bond).

2. If Cement is Well Bonded to the Casing and Formation:

 The sound wave leaks out of the casing into the cement and formation.
 This energy disperses and doesn't reach the receiver as strongly.
 🔻 Result: Low amplitude signal (weaker wave = good bond).

What About Travel Time?

You're right to ask about timing — in theory:

 The first arrival is usually from the casing itself, and its travel time is consistent (since
steel has a known acoustic velocity).
 But amplitude is more important than travel time when it comes to evaluating
bonding.
 Travel time helps identify collars, pipe sections, or other events. Amplitude tells you
about bond quality.

🧠 In Simple Terms:

 Amplitude measures how strong the echo is.

 Good bond = soft echo (low amplitude) – energy goes into cement and formation.
 Poor bond = loud echo (high amplitude) – energy stays in the steel.

🔁 Analogy:

Imagine yelling into a metal pipe:

 If the pipe is empty → sound echoes loudly back (high amplitude).

 If the pipe is filled tightly with cement → the echo is muffled (low amplitude).
✅ Slide 1: Completion Brine – What & Why

Title: Completion Brine & Filtered Fluids – Reservoir-Friendly Replacement

Main Points to Say:

 Replaces drilling mud after bit & scraper run

 Purpose: Protect reservoir, avoid formation damage
 Key properties:
o Solids-free, chemically stable
o Carefully selected density (via NaCl, CaCl₂, ZnBr₂, etc.)
 Overbalance: Maintains control, but too much → fluid loss/skin damage
 Underbalance: Allows inflow, useful during perforation but risky
 Filter Solids = Enemy → plug pores, reduce productivity

✅ Slide 2: Brine Filtration & Quality Control

Title: Filtering Brine – How Clean is Clean Enough?

Main Points to Say:

 Brine filtered through:

o Cartridge filters
o Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filters
o Dual-media filters
 Goal: Remove solids to <5 microns (ideally <1 NTU turbidity)
 Measured with:
o Turbidity Meter / Nephelometer
o Filter Press – checks fluid loss rate
 Continuous quality checks on:
o Turbidity, density, solids, pH
 Why this matters: Prevents formation damage & equipment issues

✅ Slide 3: Displacing the Well – Final Fluid Swap

Title: Well Displacement – From Mud to Brine

Main Points to Say:

 Step-by-step:
1. Prepare filtered brine in surface tanks
2. Pump spacer between mud & brine to prevent mixing
 3. Pump brine down pipe, push mud up annulus
 Equipment:

o Mud/centrifugal pumps
o Tanks, hoses, manifolds
o Displacement plugs (optional)
 Challenges to Watch:
o Incomplete displacement → trapped mud pockets
o Fluid mixing → clogging/precipitation
o Excessive fluid loss → formation damage

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🔧 1. Logging Tool Assembly (Radial Bond Tool)

This is the downhole tool that is run into the well on a wireline. It is composed of several key
components:

a. Transmitter (Acoustic Source)

 This generates high-frequency acoustic pulses (sonic waves).

 The signal travels radially outward from the transmitter into the casing, cement, and
formation.

b. Receivers (Acoustic Receivers)

 Multiple receivers (usually 2 or more) are placed axially above the transmitter.
 They record the amplitude and arrival time of the acoustic signal after it has traveled
through the casing and cement.
 For CBL, the amplitude of the first arrival (first transit time) is what indicates cement
quality.
 For VDL, the full waveform is recorded to give a more detailed picture.

c. CCL Detector (Magnetic Device)

 The Casing Collar Locator is a magnetic sensor that detects changes in metal thickness
at casing joints.
  It produces a distinct spike when a collar is passed, helping to depth-correlate the log.

🧠 2. Surface Equipment

Once the tool is run in hole, it is connected to the surface via wireline, and data is recorded
using:

a. Wireline Unit

 This is the logging truck or skid housing the electronics and control system.
 It powers the tool, transmits commands, and receives signals from downhole.

b. Data Acquisition System (Computer System)

 Located inside the logging unit.

 Records:
o CBL waveform and amplitude
o VDL waveform (often shown as a "wiggle trace")
o CCL spikes
 Processes and converts raw signals into digital logs.
 The output is displayed and stored as digital log curves and waveforms, later interpreted
by petrophysicists.

🧾 Summary Table

Component Function

Transmitter Sends acoustic pulse into casing

Receivers Pick up wave amplitude and waveform

CCL Device Detects casing joints for depth matching

Wireline Cable Transmits data and power

Logging Truck Unit Surface system for control and recording

Computer/Data Logger Collects and stores CBL/VDL/CCL data

🔍 1. CBL (Cement Bond Log) – Interpreting Amplitude

 The CBL log primarily shows amplitude of the first arrival of the acoustic signal.
  This amplitude tells you whether the casing is bonded to the cement or free.

🔎 How to interpret:

 High amplitude (usually > 30 mV or high-scale value):

o Indicates free pipe (no cement bond).
o Sound travels easily along casing.
 Low amplitude (e.g., < 10 mV):
o Indicates good bond (cement is in place).
o The energy is absorbed into cement and formation, not ringing back.

📊 On the log:

 It's usually a single track (a curve).

 Flat high line = free pipe.
 Drop in amplitude = cement present.

Think of it like this: louder = hollow pipe; quiet = filled with cement.

🔍 2. VDL (Variable Density Log) – Interpreting Waveform

 VDL shows the entire waveform (not just amplitude).

 It’s often displayed as a wiggle trace or shade pattern (like a tree).

🌳 How to interpret:

 Clear, strong, early arrival pattern (vertical or slanted lines):

o Usually means free pipe — wave traveling fast in steel.
 Fuzzy, delayed, complex wave pattern (tree-like or chaotic branches):
o Indicates cement bond and possibly formation signal.
o Acoustic energy is moving through cement and formation, which distorts the
waveform.

👀 What to look for:

 A “tree pattern” usually starts appearing when cement is well bonded.

 A uniform straight pattern across depth is suspicious — likely free pipe.

🔍 3. CCL (Casing Collar Locator) – Interpreting Spikes

 CCL gives a magnetic response at each casing collar (joint).

 Used only for depth correlation.
🔎 How to interpret:

 You’ll see spikes (sharp peaks) on the CCL track.

 Each spike = one casing collar.
 If you match CCL spikes to casing tally, you know your log is accurately depth-
matched.

Used to “anchor” your depth — if the CCL spike doesn’t line up with known collar depth, your
log is off.

🔁 All Together (Quick Recap)

Tool What it shows Good Cement? Bad Cement?

CBL Amplitude curve Low amplitude (quiet) High amplitude (ringing steel)

VDL Full waveform (wiggles/tree) Chaotic tree-like wave Clean vertical lines

CCL Magnetic spikes — (not for cement) —

🧠 Final Tip:

A good log interpretation looks at CBL + VDL together, not just one. For example:

 If CBL says “free pipe”, but VDL shows tree-like waveforms, cement is probably
there, but not strongly bonded to casing (possible microannulus or partial bond).

Let me know if you want actual sample log images to learn with — or if you want to test your
understanding with scenarios.

✅ What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous Earth is a fine, white, powdery substance made from the fossilized remains of
microscopic aquatic organisms called diatoms. These diatoms have silica-rich skeletons,
which give DE its unique porous structure.

🧪 Why is DE used in brine filtration?

It acts as a filter aid — not a chemical additive in the sense of changing composition, but rather
to help remove suspended solids from the brine to meet the specification of clarity and
cleanliness needed before well completion.
🔍 Specific purposes:

 Pre-coat: DE is often added to a filter unit (like a cartridge or press filter) as a “precoat”
layer.
 Body feed: It can also be added continuously during filtration to maintain a porous filter
cake.

⚙️How it works:

 Because DE is highly porous, it creates a fine filtration layer that traps tiny particles
(solids, debris, rust, etc.) as the brine flows through.
 The result is a clean, solids-free brine that won’t damage downhole equipment or plug
perforations during completion.

💡 Why is this important?

Filtered brine must meet strict specifications for clarity and solids content because:

 Solids can plug formation pores.

 Can interfere with packer seals or other completion hardware.
 Ensures no damage to reservoir permeability.

⚠️Note:

 DE is not dissolved in the brine — it’s used in the filtration unit, and then removed
before the brine is pumped downhole.
 After filtration, the brine is clear and meets specs (e.g., < 2 NTU turbidity).

🧾 Summary
Term Full Meaning Function

DE Diatomaceous Earth Filtration aid for removing solids from completion brine

Let me know if you want to see how a brine filtration unit using DE looks, or how to describe
this step in your presentation/report.
🧪 Process Summary:

1. DE is mixed into the brine circuit at surface:

o Usually added to a filter unit to form a precoat layer on the filter elements.
o Sometimes also used as a body feed (continuously added in small doses to
maintain filter effectiveness).
2. Brine is circulated through this DE-coated filter:
o As brine passes through, suspended solids (like rust, debris, microgels, mud
residues) get trapped in the DE layer.
o The DE stays inside the filter housing — it does not pass into the brine.
3. Filtered brine comes out crystal clear:
o Meets turbidity specs (e.g., < 2 NTU).
o No solids, no DE particles.
o This clean brine is what is sent downhole.

🧼 Why DE Must Not Go Downhole

 DE is a solid, and even though it's natural and fine, it can:

o Plug formation pores (reduce permeability).
o Clog perforations or screens.
o Interfere with packer setting.
o Contaminate sensitive zones.

So all DE must be completely filtered out before the brine is used for well displacement,
packer setting, or completion operations.

🧾 Summary Table
Goes
Substance Used For Why/Why Not
Downhole?

Diatomaceous Earth Brine filtration Removed at surface by filters before brine is

❌ No
(DE) aid pumped

🔧 "Prepares a smooth surface for packers to seal properly" — Explained

Before setting packers, the casing wall must be clean and smooth. If it's covered with rust,
scale, cement residue, or mud cake, the packer’s rubber element won’t seal tightly, leading
to:

 Leaks between zones (no zonal isolation)

 Pressure communication
  Failed completions

So, during wellbore clean-up (e.g., with brushes, scrapers, filtered brine), the goal is to remove
all debris and leave a metal-to-rubber contact surface that’s clean, solid, and sealable.

✅ A clean, smooth casing ensures the packer grips firmly and seals effectively, preventing
fluid movement between zones.

(1.) Slurry Tank: serves as the injection point for

brine and agitation with water and DE.
(2.) Wooden Pump: for transportation.
(3.) Filter Press: for separation of solids from
completion brine.
(4.) Cartridge Pot: further separation before
passing it into the mud tanks.
(5.) Centrifugal Pump: serves as a backup for
wooden pump.
]

 This rig experience gave me direct exposure to key well completion steps.

 Watching CBL, brine filtering, and perforation improved my understanding of well integrity
and readiness.

 Though there were some challenges, it was a valuable and successful learning process.

"Loaded with shaped charges" means the perforation gun is equipped with explosive charges
that are specially designed (shaped) to focus their energy into a narrow, powerful jet.

Breakdown:

 Shaped charges: Cone-shaped explosives that direct energy in a focused stream.

 Purpose: To create clean, deep holes through casing, cement, and into the reservoir.
  Why “shaped” matters: The design makes the explosion more effective at penetrating
hard materials.

So, when we say a gun is "loaded with shaped charges," we mean it's armed with these powerful,
focused explosives ready to fire.

✅ Controlling Formation Fluid Pressure by Means of Hydrostatic Pressure

This method involves using a column of fluid (mud or brine) in the wellbore to exert
hydrostatic pressure that balances or overcomes the formation fluid pressure.

🧱 How It Works:

Hydrostatic pressure = fluid density × gravity × true vertical depth

By adjusting the density (mud weight) of the fluid in the well, you can control the pressure it
exerts. The goal is to keep the hydrostatic pressure equal to or slightly higher than the
formation pressure to:

 Prevent formation fluids from flowing into the well (a kick or blowout).
 Maintain wellbore stability.
 Avoid loss of circulation (if overbalanced too much).

🎯 Purpose:

To safely control the well during drilling, completion, and production operations by preventing
uncontrolled influx or loss.

Let me know if you want to see this in a slide format or with real values.

You said:
what exactly is that hydrostatic pressure

ChatGPT said:

🌊 What Exactly is Hydrostatic Pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid column due to its weight. In oil and
gas wells, it's the downward pressure applied by the drilling mud or completion brine inside the
wellbore.
🧮 Formula:

Hydrostatic Pressure (psi)=0.052×Mud Weight (ppg)×True Vertical Depth (ft)\text{Hydrostatic Pressure

(psi)} = 0.052 \times \text{Mud Weight (ppg)} \times \text{True Vertical Depth
(ft)}Hydrostatic Pressure (psi)=0.052×Mud Weight (ppg)×True Vertical Depth (ft)

 0.052 is a unit conversion factor (for psi when using ppg and feet)
 Mud weight = how dense the fluid is (in pounds per gallon)
 TVD = vertical depth of the fluid column (in feet)

🛢️Why It’s Important in Wells:

 Controls formation pressure

 Prevents kicks or blowouts
 Maintains wellbore stability

🔁 Simple Analogy:

Imagine a tall tank filled with water. The deeper you go, the more pressure you feel from the
water above you. That pressure is hydrostatic pressure — and in a well, we use that same
concept to balance the pressure from oil, gas, or water in the rock.

Let me know if you'd like a visual or example calculation.

✅ Why is the Wooden Pump used instead of the Centrifugal Pump?

In many field operations, especially during brine filtering, the wooden pump (often a type of
reciprocating piston pump) is used because of its better handling of slurry-like mixtures —
especially those containing Diatomaceous Earth (DE).

🔍 Key Reasons:

🧪 1. Handles High Solids Content Better

 The wooden pump can tolerate the thick, abrasive DE slurry better than centrifugal
pumps.
 Centrifugal pumps may clog or wear out quickly with high solid loading.
💧 2. Provides Steady, Controlled Flow

 Wooden pumps offer a more consistent pressure and flow rate, which is ideal for filter
press operations.
 Centrifugal pumps can create surges that disrupt filtration or damage filter media.

🛠️3. Simplicity & Field Repairability

 Wooden pumps are mechanically simple and easier to maintain or fix on-site.
 Especially useful in remote rig locations where replacements or spare parts are limited.

💰 4. Cost-Effective for the Task

 For brine prep systems, especially where fine control and rugged handling are needed,
wooden pumps are a cheap and effective choice