cement replacement - long term zonal isolation packer

Cement replacement

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Life-of-the-well annular sealing in cementless completion

cement replacement - open hole packer

Challenges in Cementing Operations and the Need for Zonal Isolation Solutions

Cementing operations are widely used in the upstream oil and gas business to create a critical hydraulic barrier between the casing and formation. The primary objective is to isolate individual zones and prevent annular flow. However, cement is prone to failure, and it may not ensure the required zonal isolation throughout the life of the well. This creates challenges for operators, as well integrity can be compromised, leading to significant risks and costly repairs.

Cementing operations are the most commonly used technique in today’s upstream oil and gas business to ensure a critical hydraulic barrier between the casing and the formation. The goal is to isolate individual zones and prevent annular flow, which can cause issues such as wellbore instability, casing damage, and even production losses.

Annulus cementing is considered one of the essential operations during well construction. However, the cement is likely to fail and may not guarantee the requested downhole zonal isolation throughout the life of the well. This can lead to costly remedial operations and even abandonment of the well.

Solution: Openhole Annulus Packers for Critical Zonal Isolation

To address this challenge, openhole annulus packers are used by numerous oil and gas operators worldwide. These packers can reinforce or even replace the cement in critical external casing sections, providing the necessary zonal isolation required downhole.

Saltel Expandable Steel Packers are specifically designed to meet the requirements of the most challenging applications, such as cementless completions. Our Annular Zonal Isolation Packers (AZIP) provide a life-of-the-well annulus sealing solution that is both reliable and long-lasting. With our packers, operators can achieve optimal zonal isolation and maximize production while minimizing operational costs and risks.

Features/Xpandable Steel PackerXpandable steel AZIP-C 1-0Xpandable steel AZIP-C 1-1
MountingCrimpedCrimped
Valve systemLock valve closing permanently packer expansion port.
Annulus compensation valve (one side)
Lock valve closing permanently packer expansion port.
Dual Annulus compensation valve (both sides)
Sealing SystemDeformable corrosion-resistant alloy (CRA) sleeve with elastomer sealDeformable corrosion-resistant alloy (CRA) sleeve with elastomer seal
ReliabilityLife of well (Sweet and Sour environment)Life of well (Sweet and Sour environment)
PerformanceSelf energized high-pressure differential from one direction unaffected by temperature variationsSelf energized high-pressure differential from one direction unaffected by temperature variations
Max DeltaP
Compensated
Up to 3,000 psi depending on diameter and sleeve thicknessUp to 3,000 psi depending on diameter and sleeve thickness
Max DeltaP
Not Compensated
Up to 3,000 psi depending on diameter and sleeve thicknessUp to 3,000 psi depending on diameter and sleeve thickness
Max Temp.302 degF - 150 degC302 degF - 150 degC
QualificationAPI 19 OH V1API 19 OH V1