Cement Squeeze Operations

Weatherford offers a system for performing coiled tubing (CT)-conveyed cement squeezing in thru-tubing applications.

Weatherford’s inflatable cement retainer (ICR) system uses an inflatable retrievable production packer (IRPP) with a cement retainer conversion kit. The kit includes a mechanical disconnect that incorporates double-flapper check valves. The brass shear-release screws in the packer are changed to annealed steel, which requires greater force to release. The mechanical disconnect with flappers is pinned to release from the retainer at a force that is lower than the packer release force. The ICR system can be run with an optional shear-out ball seat or shear plug to temporarily plug the mandrel and inflate the element. Once inflated to the proper inflation pressure for the application, the ball seat or shear plug is expelled into a catcher. Cement is directed through the CT below the ICR. Upon completion of the cement job, tension (adjustable by application) is applied to shear-release the mechanical disconnect with flappers, leaving the dual flappers in place to hold pressure from below or from both directions.

This system is recommended for applications in which the ICR system runs through production tubing and sets in a larger-diameter casing, liner, or screen.