12.

CEMENT BOND EVALUATION

The successful cementation of casing is a difficult operation which requires proper planning
of the job.

12.1. Cement Bond Logging (CBL)

After running the casing, CBL log is recorded to check wheather there is a hydraulic isolation
between the pay zone and underlying aquifer. In other word, CBL is recorded to evaluate
cement quality behind the casing.

To understand cement quality or percentage of bonded circumference for hydraulic isolation,

we should examine cement bond in three steps.

1. Cement bond between casing and cement

2. Cement bond between formation and cement
3. Thickness of the cement bond behind the casing.

12.1.1. Principle of CBL Log

The principle of the measurement is to record the transit time and attenuation of a 20 kHz
acoustic wave after propagation through the borehole fluid and casing wall.

Acoustic wave will propagate through;

1. Borehole fluid
2. Casing
3. Cement behind the casing
4. Formation

The acoustic wave passing through these media reaches first to the nearest receiver-R1 (3 ft
receiver) then to the other (R2) one (5-ft receiver).

The amplitude of the first signal received in R1 is recorded as amplitude in the second track.
If there is cement behind the casing there will be a decrease in amplitude of the signals (or
acoustic energy)

The waveform reaching R2 is recorded as Variable Density Log. The signals coming from the
casing, cement and formation are drawn as a seismic spectrum.

CBL log also records the “ travel time” of acoustic wave. Travel time is recorded in μsec, and
it is the time required for the acoustic wave to reach to the receiven after emitted from the
transmitter.

GR and CCL (casig collar log) are also recorded with CBL .

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The acoustic wave has the highest velocity in the casing. Then the signals from cement and
the formation reach to the receiver. And lastly, signals passing through the mud reach to the
receiver.

- E1: the first signal reaching to the receiver after propagating from the transmitter (It is
a measure of the quality of cement bond behind the casing).

- VDL: used to understand the quality of the sealing between cement and the formation.

- Shape of the acoustic signals coming from different medium is different.

- No cement behind the casing – free pipe (E1 signal has the highest amplitude)

For 5 ½ “ casing E1= 72 mV

For 13 3/8” casing E1= 42mV

- Factors influencing the amplitude of acoustic waves:

1. Amplitude of the waves coming from the transmitter.

2. Internal diameter of the casing
3. Type of mud inside the casing
4. The thickness of casing
5. The thickness of cement behind the casing
6. Compressive strength of the cement

12.1.2. Methods to Evaluate Cement Bond Behind the Casing

1- Bond Index Method

BI= Attenuation in the zone of interest (db/ft)

Attenuation in 100 % cemented zone (db/ft)

It is proven that 0.6 Bond Index, shows a good cement boud behind the casing.

2- Compressive Strength Method

The attenuation of CBL signals is a function of compressive strength of cement and the
thickness of the casing.

Compressive Strength > 1000 psi → Good bond

12.2. Variable Density Log (VDL)

Up to now, we discussed 1 inch thickness behind the casing. For the bond between the cement
and the formation, VDL is used.

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 12.2.1. Principle of VDL Log

Waveforms of acoustic signals passing through different media are different from each other.
All the signals attenuate with the time. The first signals are from the casing, then from the
formation and then from the mud in the hole.

12.2.2. Interpretation of VDL log

Casing signals are flat and vertical lines. In the connection points of casings, zig-zag or W
forms. These occur, due to the reflection o the signals in the junction points.

Fluid signals arrive late, like casing signals, they are flat lines. These are usually masked by
the formation signals.

Formation signals ( nonhomogenous, wavy, thick and dark signals) are only recorded if there
is a good bond between cement and the formation.

Cement top – above that only casing signals, at the junction points, W pattern.

Special Cases in CBL – VDL Interpretation

1- Hard Formations

If sonic velocity is 60 μsec/ft or less, those formations are hard rocks or fast
formations. In these formations the signals from casings and the formations are mixed,
and give some unreliable results.

2- Micro Annulus

It means the micro channels between the casings and the cement bond. This is caused
by the changes in temperature and pressure during cementing operation. These small
channels or cavities cause high amplitude values as if it is a free pipe.

Actually these cavities are not so large that will need a cement repair job. Usually 500-
1000 psi pressure is applied to the casings to enlarge them.

3- Bore Hole Enlargements

Large cavings in the walls of the borehole effects especially the bond between cement and
the formation. Since the cement slurry cannot completely fill these cavities, it takes a long
time for the acoustic waves to travel through these cavities and formation and reach to the
receiver. Formation signals can never be recorded. If the cement bond behind the casing
is good, there will be no casing signals. These zones are interpreted with the caliper log
and usually cement repair job is done.

4- Cement Signals

It usually occurs in large diameter holes. If the cement between the casing and the
formation is thick, cement signals will reach to the receiver with the casing signals and
look like casing signals.

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5- Recording the CBL-VDL Log Before the Cement is Firmly Set

If the log is recorded before the cement slurry is firmly set, it seems like there is no
cement bond. So it requires to record the CBL-VDL log after thickening of the casing.

6- Packers

If there is a packer within the hole, it is hard to interpret, because rubber packers are not
good conductors for acoustic waves, and they attennuate the waves.