This joint industry project (JIP) will establish a set of Best Practices for SAGD well construction covering the field activities that can impact casing and liner/screen integrity.  The objective is to assess the impact and effectiveness of the many different activities, procedures and equipment involved during SAGD well construction in an effort to help ensure that completed well installations actually meet the design intent.  First, a comprehensive assessment of the current practices and thinking of a number of operators and service companies involved in SAGD well construction will be completed from a well integrity perspective.   Then a set of Best Practice guidelines specific to SAGD wells will be developed and vetted by participants that cover the full range of equipment and well conditions of interest.  This includes the practices employed for pipe handling on the rig, connection make up, casing centralization and running (reciprocation and/or rotation), hole cleaning and cementing operations which ultimately can affect casing integrity under the thermal operating conditions.  The various practices and issues involved in liner/screen installation will also be addressed in the JIP.

The program offers a critical review of current in-house practices and failure experiences based on broad industry input and independent technical evaluations.  It will also serve to enhance the awareness of SAGD drilling crews regarding the importance and potential impacts of casing, cementing and liner installation practices on well integrity.

Contact: Peter Kis, Manager, Drilling & Completions