SPE

Society of Petroleum Engineers

SPE 20585

A New and Innovative Technology

for Cement Evaluation
E. L. Bigelow*, E. J. Domangue*, and R. A. Lester
Atlas Wireline Services, Western Atlas International, Inc.
Houston, Texas

*SPE Members

Copyright 1990, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 65th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers held in New Orleans, LA, September 23-26, 1990.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented,
have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are sUbject to correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the
Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom
the paper is presented. Write Publications Manager, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836. Telex, 730989 SPEDAL.

ABSTRACT tolerant of slight eccentering due to the pad configura-

tion, and because there is no mud path, the SBT is
The Segmented Bond Tool is a ne', innovative acoustic insensitive to borehole fluid content. The system is
logging device that utilizes six pads and twelve high- essentially independent of fast formation arrivals
frequency, steered transducers to accurately evaluate because of the short transducer spacing and early gate
cement integrity both longitudinally and radially around selection. A 5-ft (1.52-m) omnidirectional transmitter-
the entire casing periphery. Two comprehensive pre- receiver pair is also provided for full wave acoustic
sentations are available, both of which are easily Signature or Variable Density (VDL) presentation to
interpreted. Several examples from commercial and evaluate acoustic coupling to the formation, thus
test wells emphasize the versatility of this new high- providing a stand-alone system.
tech tool design.
Surface systems generate two comprehensive well-site
presentations. For the well-versed bond log analyst, a
INTRODUCTION Primary presentation is displayed in conventional
cement bond log (CBL) or Bond Attenuation Log (BAL)
The Segmented Bond Tool (SBTTM) is an acoustic log- format, with some added features. A new and innova-
ging device that employs six pads and twelve high- tive Segmented Array presentation displays a compre-
frequency, steered transducers to accurately evaluate hensive user-friendly cement map, attenuation rates
cement integrity. The high-tech tool design, innovative for each of the six segments, and an orientation trace
user-friendly presentation schemes, and example cases that identifies the low side of the instrument in a
will demonstrate the SBT's versatility. deviated borehole. The cement map is shaded in five
tones varying from black (excellent cement quality)
The fully compensated SBT attenuation measurements through three diminishing shades of gray to white
are made on the internal wall of the casing, essentially (essentially uncemented), and is presented and scaled
eliminating most centering problems associated with in a manner that quickly identifies the vertical and
other bond log devices. Tool design and surface instru- radial distribution of cement integrity.
mentation effectively segment the wellbore into six 60 0
segments providing complete 360 0 evaluation of the pipe Implementation of this new cement evaluation technol-
circumference. The SBT is capable of logging casing ogy will ultimately simplify many economic and tech-
sizes from 4.5 in. (114.3 mm) to 16 in. (406.4 mm), is nical decisions affected by well cementing conditions.
579

THE SBT MEASURING SYSTEM
The SBT tool design (Fig. 1) was developed to eliminate
many of the weaknesses found in earlier bond log
systems. Conventional cement bond logs, including the
compensated tool systems, are plagued with interpre-
tative ambiguities. It is difficult for devices with a
vertical array of omnidirectional transducers to dif-
ferentiate portions of a casing periphery that are well
bonded from other portions that are poorly bonded as
opposed to an adequate cement bond completely around
the circumference of the casing. Pulse-echo devices
attempt to resolve some of the radial ambiguities, but
also have limitations:
Less than total radial coverage
Centering problems
Lack of acoustic impedance contrasts in certain
conditions
Mud path limitations
Large casing sizes
Evaluating light weight foam or beaded cements
The SBT positions six pads and twelve high-frequency
transducers against the inner casing wall. As shown in
Fig. 2, the pads are arranged to create a six cycle com-
pensated wraparound array. As a transmitter fires in
each subcycle (Fig. 3), receivers on the next two adjacent
pads measure an acoustic amplitude, i.e., a near and far
reception. The transmitter on the bottom side of a
fourth pad then fires, and the receivers on the second
and third pads now become the far and near receivers,
respectively, thus providing a compensated measure-
ment. The loss of energy across the space between the
two receivers is directly related to attenuation and
indicates cement quality for a 60 segment of the pipe
periphery. These subcycles occur similarly over five
additional segments, providing complete 360 radial
coverage of the casing, while at the same time evaluat-
ing cement bond along a longitudinal axis. A 5-ft span
between two transducers provides a VDL or Signature
to evaluate cement condition with relation to the sur-
rounding formation. The waveform recording is digitized
downhole and enhanced by the use of steered trans-
ducers. Sound in the direction of the formation is
enhanced, while casing sound is diminished. These
conditions assist interpretation of the VDL adjacent to
soft rock formations.
Two downhole accelerometers are included in the in-
strument to determine the low side of the device in a
deviated well. If hole drift is > 1, the azimuth mea-
surement is accurate to within 5.
580
SPE 20585
Digital measurements are collected downhole and
transmitted to the surface via duplex telemetry. The
downhole equipment is self-diagnostic, self-calibrated,
and microprocessor controlled. Special methods are
implemented to reduce road noise and improve signal
levels. All aspects of the logging operation are remotely
controlled by the logging engineer.
SBT instrument specifications are given in Table 1. A
complete SBT tool string often includes gamma ray,
neutron, or both, a casing collar log (CCL), and cen-
tralizers. Slip-on centralizers are typically used in large
diameter casings, while in-line centralizers are often
used in smaller casing sizes. Gemoco centralizers can
be used when no change in casing internal diameter
is expected. Special centralizers and rollers have been
designed for highly deviated (> 50) and horizontal
wells.
PRESENTATION FORMATS FOR THE SBT
The Primary presentation (Fig. 4) is similar to the
Bond Attenuation Log (BAL), including attenuation and
amplitude traces, amplified amplitude trace, Signature
or Variable Density display, a CCL, a correlation curve
(gamma ray, neutron, or both), and line tension. The
two attenuation traces are: (1) an average of the six
segmented measurements and (2) a minimum atten-
uation trace representative of the 60 segment with
the least attenuation. Both attenuation traces are
presented side by side. A broad separation between the
two traces indicates a cement void on one side
of the casing; a continuing wide separation over a
considerable depth interval implies the presence of
channeling within the cement sheath. The amplitude
and X5 amplitude traces are calculated from the average
attenuation, and are similar to those observed on con-
ventional cement bond logs.
The Segmented Array (Fig. 5) displays all six segments
of compensated attenuation and the Variable Atten-
uation Log (VAL) or "cement map" of the casing
periphery vs. depth. The VAL is subdivided into five
tones, the darkest representative of > 80% Bond Rating,
diminishing toward white, which essentially represents
unsupported pipe. The three intermittent gray tones
represent the Bond Rating increments between the
two extremes.
Two accelerometers determine the low side of the in-
strument, and the orientation trace (Fig. 5 J overlays the
segment identified as being the segment located on the
low side of the casing. This measurement becomes
meaningless in a vertical borehole, but is accurate
when hole deviation is > 1.

LABORATORY AND TEST WELL DATA
Laboratory tests were performed extensively with a
number of controlled cement conditions to determine
the effects on attenuation rates (Fig. 6).2,6 A number of
test wells with known conditions of cement bond have
been logged several times with SBT instrumentation.
EPA Test Well
The Environmental Protection Agency of the u.s.
Department of Energy constructed two test wells with
differing conditions of pipe, cement integrity, and hole
size near Ada, Oklahoma.8 A portion of SBT test results
in one of the wells (Fig. 7) shows that the SBT recognizes
two of the implanted channels, which cover from 10
to 30 of the casing radius. From these tests, it was
found that the SBT tool can define a channel with great
clarity if the channel occurs completely within one
60 segment of tool measurement. Small channels are
probably magnified somewhat by the 60 resolution.
Amoco Test Well
A test well with varying cement conditions has also
been constructed by Amoco Production Company, and
is located near Amoco's Research Center in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Channels were artificially implanted by
strapping strips of wood to the outside of the casing
prior to cementing. Some of these artificially imposed
channels are recognized on an illustrated portion of
Segmented Bond Log (Fig. 8).
COMMERCIAL WELL EXAMPLES
Numerous commercial wells have been logged since the
early field tests conducted in 1987. Where resultant
tests have been made available, they confirmed SBT
analysis of cement integrity.
Channeled Cement, Canada
This SBT field example (Fig. 9) shows how the tool
identified a continuous channel in the cement sheath
from 900 m to 975 m. The Primary presentation indi-
cates a broad separation between average and minimum
attenuation over the specified depth interval. Examina-
tion of the Segmented Array presentation reveals that
essentially no tool rotation occurred across the interval.
The six attenuation segments always show one and
occasionally two segments with low attenuation. The
cement map boldly illustrates the interconnected chan-
nel within the cement sheath to spiral twice around
the pipe periphery.
581
SPE 20585
Horizontal Well, California
A Segmented Bond Log has been obtained successfully
in a horizontally drilled well. Pipe-conveyed methods
were used to push the tool to total depth. The well was
completed with 5.5-in., 17-lbm/ft casing, and logged
with lease water filling the hole. The borehole was
kicked off at 6600 ft and built to 90 deviation at
7700 ft, where it remained essentially horizontal from
that point to total depth at 9028 ft.
In the horizontal interval from 8600 to 8800 ft, a cement
packer was set (Fig. 10), and can be identified at mea-
sured depth 8696 to 8720 ft. Although isolation almost
certainly exists, the packer's rubber bladder serves as a
cement exclusion, giving the apparent result of no
cement. Over this depth interval, there are low atten-
uation rates as evidenced by both the Primary and
Segmented Array presentations. As the tool was pushed
into the hole on coiled tubing, little if any torque or
rotation occurred, and as a result, segment one is on the
low side 6f the horizontal hole.
Another cement packer was set in the horizontal interval
at measured depth of 8048 to 8084 ft. The low side of
the tool is again indicated by the identified segment
(Fig. 11), which also indicates poor quality to no cement.
The only cement observed in this interval is near the
high side of the hole.
A high build rate of deviation angle presents a difficult
situation for any logging instrument. In the measured
depth interval from 6770 to 6900 ft, a build rate of 15
per 100 ft was encountered. Under these conditions, the
SBT tends to remain in a straight line while the casing
is bending. In such a situation, it is conceivable that
one or more pads could be lifted from the pipe wall.
Two segments (Fig. 12) exhibit consistently low atten-
uation rates, and probably result from the intolerable
mechanical situation.
Brine Well, Canada
This well was drilled through a salt plug and cased with
9.625-in. (244.5-mm) pipe from the surface to 1853 m.
The hole was filled with saturated brine for logging. A
storage cavern will be leached out below the casing point.
A section of log (Fig. 13) graphically demonstrates the
ease with which the SBT can be interpreted. The inter-
val from 1085 m down exhibits good cement in all six
segments and on the cement map. A similar interpreta-
tion would result from correct observation of the Primary
presentation where average and minimum attenuation
are high and almost of equal value, i.e., the derived
amplitude curve is low, and the VDL indicates loss of
 SPE 20585

pipe arrival and replacement with formation character. owed Amoco Production Company and the U.S. Environ-
Most of the remainder of the displayed interval has low mental Protection Agency for permission to exhibit the
attenuation rates and obvious pipe information in the SBT data from their test well facilities, and the clients
VOL indicating a near complete lack of cement. who permitted use of their log data as field examples.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Segmented Bond Tool has proven itself to be a 1. Albert, 1. E., Standley, T. E., and Alford, G. T.: "A
most worthy cement evaluation system. Its accuracy Comparison of CBL, RET, and PET in a Test Well
in defining cement conditions both longitudinally and with Induced Channels," paper presented at the 1987
radially show it to be a technology that can ultimately SPE Annual Technical Conference, Dallas, Texas,
simplify many economic and technical decisions af- September 27-30.
fected by well cementing.
2. Cement Evaluation, Atlas Wireline Services Publica-
The SBT offers several advantages over conventional tion 9618, Houston, Texas (1990).
bond log systems and first generation radial systems,
some of which are: 3. Froelich, B., Pittman, D., and Seeman, B., "Cement
Evaluation Tool- A New Approach to Cement Eval-
Stand-alone cement evaluation service uation/' paper presented at the 1984 SPE Annual Tech-
Inferences of cement bond completely around the nical Conference, Houston Texas, September 16-19.
casing
4. Havira, R. M., "Ultrasonic Cement Bond Evaluation/'
A quantitative compensated attenuation measure- Trans. SPWLA (1982).
ment, which can detect channels as small as 15
radius 5. Leigh, C. A et al., "Results of Field Testing the
" Squeeze decisions" can be made with more Cement Evaluation Tool/' Trans. SPWLA (1984).
confidence
6. Lester, R. A, ' 'The Segmented Bond Tool: A Pad.:rype
Not affected by fast, high velocity formations Cement Bond Device/' Trans. Canadian Well Logging
When required, the SBT can resolve the ambiguity Symposium (1989).
of conventional or compensated CBL devices and
pulse-echo tools 7. Sabins, F. 1., "Problems in Cementing Horizontal
Wells," 1FT (April 1990).
Not affected by borehole fluid type
8. Thornhill, J. T. and Benefield, B. G.: "Injection Well
Available in common casing sizes from 4.5 in.
(114.3 mm) to 16.0 in. (406.4 mm) Mechanical Integrity," EPA Document 625/9-87/007
(September, 1987).
Tool eccentering can be tolerated, provided suf-
ficient pad contact is maintained
Not affected by pipe ovalness TABLE 1 - Instrument Specifications
Determination of cement bond to the formation is
Length (with G/R-CCL)
provided with VOL or Signature, and with in-line centralizers 53 ft (16.2 m)
Two presentations provide (1) a conventional bond with slip-on centralizers 45 ft (13.7 m)*
log display and (2) a very user friendly "cement Diameter w/gamma ray 3.625 in. (92 mm)
Temperature rating 350F (177C)
map" with individual 60 segments of compen- Pressure rating 20,000 psi (138 MPa)
sated attenuation and identification of the segment Minimum casing diameter 4.5 in. (114 mm)
located on the low side of a deviated borehole. Maximum casing diameter 16 in. (406.4 mm)
Maximum casing deviation from vertical 50 **
Dynamic range 25 dB/ft (82 dB/m)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Attenuation measurement accuracy 0.75 dB/ft (2.4 dB/m)
Azimuthal measurement accuracy at 1 dev. 5
The authors wish to thank Atlas Wireline Services for * For casing diameters greater than 4.5 in. (114 mm)
permission to publish this material. We also wish to ** High angle (>500) and horizontal wellbores can be logged
thank our many colleagues who offered advice, criti- with optional motorized roller centralizers
cism, and support in preparing this paper. Thanks is also
582
 SPE 20585

@
,
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Six Pads Unfolded

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Fig. 2 - SST acoustic pad array

20 Log
Attenuation 1 - - - -
D

20 Log
Attenuation 2 = - - - -

T
D
D

10 Log

1 Attenuation = - - -
D

Attenuation = -JAi,;

Fig. 3 - Each subcycle provides four amplitudes to derive

compensated attenuation data

Fig. 1 - Six separate compensated attenuation

measurements are provided
583
 CASING COLLAR MINIMUM ATTENUATION VARIABLE DENSITY ATTENUATION
_9000 1000 20 DB 0 200 1200
VARIABLE ATTENUATION cc DB

GAMMA RAY AMPLITUDE

CPS 300' 0 MV 100 5.0 11.7
o0 1---+--+-121 .0
r-_.-A~~L1;~~F~~5 _. _. _20
TOOL AZIMUTH
DEGREES 360

~
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iI!' !

:::: :::
illIJjj
I


.
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.
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.
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.

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Fig. 4 - Primary SST presentation Fig. 5 - Secondary SST presentation

CaSing~
Cement

~
1/8" Ethofoam
-0 I +0
0
-8 Casing
Profile

-10

-12 Measure
g t--+--+" Point
co
:s.
c::
-14
0
.~
:::l
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:i
-18

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Rotation Angle (degrees)

Measure Point

Fig. 6 - Laboratory measurements made with the SST transducer array

584
 PCV Pipe

PCV Pipes

101

Iron Pipe

251

151

360 Channel

201
Peru Sand

30 Channel

251

/
Channel Width
60 Channel

Fig. 7 - SST test results at EPA test well Fig. 8 - SST log at Amoco's test well

585
 SEGMENTED ARRAY

. .,
r~(te-"FTl

. .,
~)

. .,
ATe;) (08-'FT )
~

ATC2(I:lB/FTl

~l
LOG PRIMARY ATel (I:lB/FTl

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OEVHlECI)
I-~__-~

eeL
,~
~(~IJ CQ
-- ---------~ ~

f-

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f-- ..,

1-

Fig. 9 - Channeling in the cement sheatH is well defined on both SST presentations

586
 &P 20585
LOG PRIMARY
-500.00 CfllSING COLLM 50.00 20.00"IHIHUH ...TTEHlHlTION 0.001 200 VAAIMlL.E DENSITY 1200
DB US
SEGMENTED ARRAY
,IIIUIIIU oTTlIIUIITlIlIl CC IITTENUllTlIlIl
~R"Y 20.00ftVERfilCE ATTENtHilTIOH 0.00
100
DB
"'" DB

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NNtLITUDE '.0 1.1
0.00 100.00
MY
I
TDOl. OU"UTH
5.' 10. T
0 liD
0.00 ~ITUOE )( 5 20.00
DEGoEES
-'-'-'-'-'-'-'j:jy-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

y TS.4

'-:t r-- ..-+-

=.= -- 1-1-

='_."
- I- _.
- 2=
en
.....
CD
I
.~ .-

====
1<=
'= f=
= "r--

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8700
w,.lrp 8100
l -I -

"t

f:::
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-

t= l -I -
f= f=
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Fig. 10 - SST in a depth interval near where the whipstock was set
 20585

LOG PRIMARY

-500.00 CMIMG COLL,. SO.OO ZO.OO"INlttutt ATTENlHllTION 00001 200 YMIMIL[ DENSITY 1200
DB US
SEGMENTED ARRAY

o
...
GNtMft .1IlY
100 20.00fllVERMiE ATTENU#IITtDH
DB
0.00
,,,JAIL! Ane: ..... TJOtI CC RTlENUIlTJIlN

DI

D. D f--+--+--l21. D
MtPLITUOE '.D I
0.00 100.00
HY
TDDl. RZlIlUTH
5 ID.7
D 5ID
0.00 NtPLITUDE X 5 20.00 DEGREES
-'-'-'-'-'-'-'iiv-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

y T5.4

8000 8000

CJ1
CO
CO

8100 8100

Fig. 11 - SST over a selected depth interval in a horizontal well

 seE 20585

LOG PRIMARY

.500.00 (MilNe COl,.LM 50.00 20.00"INJHUH ATTENUATION 0.001200 VMIMK.E DENSITY

1200
DB us
SEGMENTED ARRAY

'''''JAIU ATTENUATION CC ATTENUATION

...,
C,""" Rf'Y
100 20.00'WERACE ATTENUATION
DB
0.00

Of

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I'lHPLITUDE ,.~ 8.1
0.00 100.00

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ID. '7
0 360
0.00 AMPLITUDE X 5 20.00 OEGAEE'
-------------'HY------------

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Fig. 12 - SST in another section of the horizontal well

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