Cement Bond Evaluation

Physics Of Measurement
&
Log Quality Control

Internal Use Only

Physics of Measurement

Internal Use Only

Knowledge Review

Internal Use Only

CBL-MSG Measurement Principle

Acoustic Signal
Amplitud
e

T0

Time
s
|--- Resulting Sound--|

- T0 : Firing Pulse
- Resulting Sound wave : as
recorded at the Receivers

Internal Use Only

Basic CBL Principle

Similar to a Ringing
Bell
When Fluid is behind
No
No
Cement
Cement

Casing, pipe is free

to

vibrate

loud

sound ]
When the casing is
bonded to hard
cement,casing
Good
Good
Bond
Bond

vibrations are
attenuated
proportionally to
bonded surface
Internal Use Only

CBL Measurement Principle

Tx

3 ft
R3
5 ft
R5

Basic Tool Configuration

1 Transmitter 2 Receivers
3 ft Receiver for Pipe Bond
Measurement
5 ft Receiver for MSG
Analysis
TOOL MUST BE
CENTRALIZED!

Internal Use Only

Cement Bond Evaluation

Pipe Bond

Internal Use Only

Pipe Signal
Defined as: The amplitude of the first arrival (E1) in mV.
Is a function of cement bond to casing
Measured at the three foot receiver
Amplitude inversely proportional to degree of cement bond to
casing

Provides means of calculating travel time

Selection of E1 is dependent upon user input and must
be established in software in order to be properly
analyzed!

Internal Use Only

Measurement Gates
To identify and analyze E1 and properly calculate
travel time the user must define two measurement
gates in the acquisition software.
Amplitude Gate
Travel Time Gate

Internal Use Only

Free Pipe Amplitude

5

When the casing is free of

cement then it is free to vibrate.
This is known as Free Pipe. The
amplitude of the first arrival is
known as Free Pipe Amplitude.

Measurement gates are set

according to free pipe values.
Travel Time

Amplitude

Internal Use Only

Waveform Time Analysis

CASING ARRIVALS
TRAVEL TIME
TTC = FLUID + CASING +
s/ft
=

3 in x 189 s/ft
12 in/ft

in/ft
=

265.5 s

Internal Use Only

T Casing = 57
sec/ft
T Cement = 75
sec/ft
T Formation

FLUID
100 sec/ft
T Fluid
189
sec/ft

3in x 189

+ 3 ft x 57 s/ft +

12

Amplitude Gate
The amplitude gate is setting according to free pipe
travel time values determined by casing size.
TT 10uS
Gate Width should be 32 40 uS wide.
Allows us to pinpoint and focus on the E1 Peak.

Internal Use Only

PIPE AMPLITUDE VS TRAVEL TIME

Casing size
4 1/2
5
5
7
9 5/8

Casing wt
9.5
11.6
15
18
17
20
23
26
53.5

Pipe amp
81 m.v
81 m.v
76 m.v
76 m.v
72 m.v
72 m.v
62 m.v
62 m.v
51 m.v

Travel time
254 usec
254 usec
258 usec
258 usec
269 usec
269 usec
289 usec
289 usec
332 usec

NOTE: WhileFree pipe amplitude is a fixed value

based on casing size, but, travel time is tool
dependent.
Internal Use Only

The travel time and amplitude gates are

independent of each other

E1

Travel
Time

Internal Use Only

Travel Time Gate

The travel time gate functions in the same manner as the
amplitude gate but adds an additional threshold control.

Travel Time Gate set at TT-10us

Gate Width 32 40 uS
Threshold Level 90% Bond or better.

Client may specify.

Travel time is then calculated by the software by recording the

time elapsed from firing to the time that the first peak crosses the
threshold within the specified interval.
Essential for determining proper Travel Time
Travel time is a LQA Curve

Can identify eccentralization

Indicator of good cement bond to casing

Internal Use Only

Incorrect travel time due to road

noise

E1
NOISE

TT LOG
CORRECT
TT

Internal Use Only

Pipe Amplitude Measurement

Pipe Amplitude Definition
Principle
Amplitude of First Arrival in mV

Tx

3 ft

Measured at 3 ft Receiver
It is a function of the CasingCement Bond

R3

R5

Travel Time Definition

Time elapsed from T0 to First
detected Arrival (above
threshold level)
T T is used as Log Quality
Control Indicator

Internal Use Only

Cement Bond Evaluation

Micro Seismogram (MSG)

Internal Use Only

Waveform Time Analysis

2

T Casing = 57
sec/ft
FORMATION ARRIVALS
T Cement = 75
TRAVEL TIME
sec/ft
T Formation

100 sec/ft
TTF = FLUID + CEMENT + FORMATION
+ CEMENT
T Fluid
189+ FLUID
sec/ft

s/ft

= 2x

3 in x 189 s/ft + 2 in x 75 s/ft

419.5 s

Internal Use Only

12 in/ft

+ 3 ft x 100

The MSG Signal

Tx

R3

MSG: MicroSeismoGram
5 ft Receiver for MSG Analysis
Allows
easy
differentiation
between
casing and formation arrivals

5 ft

R5

Internal Use Only

MSG Algorythm Principle

Recorded Waveform at one
depth (Total Energy)
Waveform is cut for only
Positive Peaks (Clipped X-Y)
Rotated 90 Degrees
Peaks are compared to a
Grey Scale
Peaks are shaded and
presented from Top View
Final Picture Vs Depth is
obtained

Internal Use Only

Essential Calculations

Operational Considerations
Travel Time Calculation
[(CSID-ToolOD) X T Fluid uS/In)] X 2 + (T Steel X Distance)
3 Amplitude and Threshold Gate Settings
Gate open = TT-10uS
Gate Width = 32-40us
Threshold set at 1mV
5 Gate settings
3TT + 114 uS
Threshold set at 1mV
Radial Mapping Receiver Amplitude and Threshold Gates
3TT 57uS
Threshold set a 1mV

Internal Use Only

Wellbore and Waveform Response

Transmitter

Transmitter

3 ft
Receiver

3 ft
Receiver

5 ft
Receiver

5 ft
Receiver

Transmitter

Transmitter

3 ft
Receiver

3 ft
Receiver

5 ft
Receiver

5 ft
Receiver

Internal Use Only

Cement Bond Evaluation

Log Outputs
&
Examples

Internal Use Only

CBL-MSG Standard Outputs

Presentation
Transit Time TT in micro-seconds [s]
Pipe Amplitude in millivolts

[mV ]

MSG Microseismogram
representation]

[wafeform visual

Gamma Ray

[GAPI]

Casing Collar Locator

Internal Use Only

CBL-MSG Standard Outputs

Transit Time TT in micro-seconds [ms]
Log Quality Control
Pipe Amplitude in millivolts [mV ]
Quantitative measurement of waveform energy
MSG Microseismogram [wafeform visual
representation]
Qualitative Analysis of sound
Qualitative indicator of the presence of solid
materials between the casing and the formation
Gamma Ray and CCL as auxiliary curves for Correlation

Internal Use Only

Free Pipe

Internal Use Only

Free Pipe
LQC

Chevron Effect visible in MSG

Free Pipe Amplitude corresponds with known values
Travel Time is correct for tool specifications
Pipe Amplitude decreases in collars
Travel Time increases in collars.
Depth matching between Chevrons, Pipe Amplitude, Collars
and Travel Time

Internal Use Only

Free Pipe
GAMMA RAY
0

AMPLITUDE
150

TRAVEL TIME
200

300

0
CCL

100
AMPLIFIED AMPLITUDE
0
10

CBL WAVEFORM
-20

20

Y50

Collar

TT

FP Amp

Y75
DEPTH
MATCH

Internal Use Only

Chevron

Good Bond
LQC
Low Pipe Amplitude
Travel Time

Stretching
Cycle Skipping

MSG

Missing Casing Line (Good Bond To Casing)

Presence of Shear and Formation Waves (Good Bond To
Formation)

Gamma Ray follows MSG

Depth Match

Internal Use Only

Cycle Skipping

Low Pipe Amplitude Shear Waves

Stonely Waves
Gamma Ray Depth Match

Internal Use Only

Cement Bond Evaluation

Practical Exercises
Take Warrior .db files (Provided By Instructor)

Set up service in recalculate

Set gates at proper values for casing size and tool
Adjust gates and playback logs to alter outputs

Internal Use Only

Cement Bond Evaluation

Factors Effecting The Log

Internal Use Only

Tool Eccentering

Internal Use Only

Tool Eccentering
5

Causes for Eccentralization

Improper Equipment Selection
Centralizers vs Casing Size

Missing or Broken
Centralizer(s)

Weak Centralizers in deviated

wells

Tool damaged and or bent

Damaged Casing

Internal Use Only

Eccentering

TOOL ECCENTRALIZATION CAUSES

SIGNAL AMPITUDE TO REDUCE DUE
TO DESTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE.
TRANSMITTER FIRING

3 FT

TIME AXIS

Internal Use Only

Eccentering Analysis
Resulting Waveform
T0

Threshold

Short Path
Waveform
Normal Waveform

TT

If the tool is eccentered

There will be destructive
interference from different
sound paths

Delayed Waveform

Result is a Bad
Waveform from close tool side to casing
Log
Waveform from far tool side to casing
not recoverable
Resulting waveform has lower amplitude
Resembling a zone of Good Cement in Recalculation
but with shorter Transit Time [ 4 s
less]
Internal Use Only

CBL Amplitude Vs Tool

Eccentering

Internal Use Only

Quality Checks for Travel Time Curve

Centralization is critical to proper tool performance.
of eccentralization can cause up to a 50% reduction
in signal of E1 due to destructive interference.
Eccentralized logs cannot be fixed by recalculation.
The Travel Time should not vary by more that +/- 4
microseconds from the free pipe travel time. It should be
fairly straight with little or no wobble and should Increase
in the collars.
The free pipe travel time for the log can be found in the
chart book inside the manual for the tool you are using.
Travel Time seen in free pipe should reflect the value
specified in the manual or calculated.

Internal Use Only

Effects Of Good Cement

Internal Use Only

Stretching
E1
T0

Threshold

Free Pipe Signal

Good Bond Signal

TT TT
T

In cases of Good
E1Cement
decreases and TT is detected on a non linear
portion of E1
Delta T STRETCHING is the TT increase from its value in
free pipe

Internal Use Only

TT Cycle Skipping
E1
T0

E3

Threshold
TT

TT

E2

In cases of very Good Cement

E1 could not reach Detection Threshold Level
T T skips to the end of the gate window........this is known
as CYCLE SKIPPING

Internal Use Only

Micro Annulus
&
Channeling

Internal Use Only

Micro Annulus
Definition: Is a gap a few thousandths of an inch wide between the
casing and cement often caused by shrinkage of casing after
cement sets
Often will provide hydraulic isolation. It will usually not pass any
substantial volume of liquid.
Casing can be pressured up while logging to expand the casing and
close the gap (typically 1000-2000 psi)
The 5 typical causes of a micro-annulus are:
Thermal Micro Annulus.
Produced Micro Annulus.
Induced Micro Annulus
Constraining Forces
Special Coatings on Casing

Internal Use Only

Micro Annulus
5

E1 amplitude resembles a poorer bond than

actual

Only a pressure pass can be done to

eliminate the micro annulus

Pipe Amplitude: Poor Bond

Internal Use Only

Channeling/Irregular Bond
5

If problems occur during the cementing

process or borehole conditions disturb
the cement during the cementing
process then portions of the casing may
become less bonded than the rest.

Pipe Amplitude: Poor Bond

Internal Use Only

Channeling
Causes
Problems encountered during the cementing process;

Equipment Failure
Cement Contamination
Loss of continuity while pumping

Infiltration of the cement by formation fluids or gasses.

Washouts
Poor Mudcake Removal
Casing Centralizers

Internal Use Only

Zero Pressure applied at surface

Internal Use Only

With 2000 psi surface pressure applied

Internal Use Only

Without Pressure

With Pressure

Internal Use Only

Fast Formation

Internal Use Only

Fast Formation
5

Fast Formation Arrivals

In cases of good cement and
formation

slowness

<

steel

slowness
3

formation
arrivessec/ft
first
T Dolomite arrival
= 43.5
2

T Limestone = 47.5 sec/ft

T Anhydrite = 50.0 sec/ft

The
T

transit

amplitude
will be affected
Internal Use Only

time

and

CBL

Fast Formation
5

In fast formation the Pipe Amplitude and

Travel Time will be the values of the
formation and not the casing.
In the presence of FF arrivals, CBL
Evaluation is possible, but, difficult. Since
the arrivals of E1 is that of the formation
and not from the casing special precautions
must be taken.
Know the environment you are
logging in!
In most cases the CBL tools used in these
type environments are modified to delay
the waveform by 130uS.

Internal Use Only

CBL Qualitative Interpretation

CONDITION

TRANSIT
TIME

PIPE
AMPLITUDE

MSG

Free Pipe

NORMAL

HIGH

Casing Arrivals
Usually No Formation
Arrivals

Good Bond to Casing &

Formation

NORMAL
to HIGH /
NOISY

LOW

No Casing Arrivals
Formation Arrivals

Good Bond to Casing

Not to Formation

NORMAL
to HIGH
CAN BE
NOISY

LOW

No Casing Arrivals
No Formation Arrivals

Poor Bond to Casing

NORMAL

MEDIUM to
HIGH

Strong Casing Arrivals

No Formation Arrivals

Microannulus

NORMAL

MEDIUM to
HIGH

Formation Arrivals
Casing Arrivals

Channeling

NORMAL

MEDIUM to
HIGH

Formation Arrivals
Casing Arrivals

Fast Formations

LOW

HIGH

Formation Arrivals
No Casing Arrivals

Eccentered Tool

LOW

LOW

DEPENDS

Internal Use Only

Cement Bond Evaluations

Quantitative Analysis

Internal Use Only

CBL Quantitative Interpretation

ATTENUATION (Mathematical)

Logarithm of E1 amplitude

Can be used to calculate values such as cement

compressive strength.

BOND INDEX

Attenuation in zone of interest [dB/ft]

BI =
Attenuation in best Cemented Section [dB/ft]

Internal Use Only

Bond Index

Internal Use Only

Zone Isolation Based on Bond Index

Bond Index = 60 %

30

I
n
t
e
r
v
a
l
[ft]

25

Bond Index = 70 %
20

15

Bond Index = 80 %

10

Casing O.D. [in]

Internal Use Only

10

CBL

M1 Chart

Quantitative
Interpretation

Casing Data
O.D. 7, 29 lbm/ft

70% Bond Index ?

Casing Thickness
[from tables]
.408 in
Cement

CBL value for 70% Bond

Compresive
CBL value for
100% Bond

Strength
3000 psi

[minimum
expected
amplitude]

Internal Use Only

CBL Calibrations
Prior to running the tool in to the well calibrations
must be performed!
Calibrations are divided into two major categories
Surface
Master Calibrations
Pre-Job
Post Job

In Hole
Normalization

A customers well should never be used to master

calibrate a tool unless no other option is available.

Internal Use Only

CBL Calibrations
Gamma Ray
Calibrate gamma ray using standard Thorium Blanket.

GR Calibrations should be;

Master calibrated in shop
Pre-Survey conducted on location prior to conducting log
Post-Survey conducted after log is complete

Acoustics
Each tool will have a series of calibrations that need to be performed
prior to use.
Some tools have more calibration sets than others
Minimum calibration should be;

Pipe Zero
Pipe Amplitude

Internal Use Only

CBL Calibrations
Acoustic Calibrations cont.
Calibrations should be performed in a calibration fixture or in
a test well.
Calibrations performed in a clients well are normalizations.
Perform CBL Air calibrations with suspended in air and not
making contact with any object.

Internal Use Only

Internal Use Only

Cement Bond Evaluation

Radial Cement Bond Tool

Internal Use Only

Radial Bond Log

CBL with sectored receivers
Provides Information on Radial Continuity of Bonding or
Channels.

Amount of receivers and spacing will be tool dependent.

Sectored receivers location (Distance from transmitter) will
also be tool dependent.

Internal Use Only

2 PROBE RADIAL CBL TOOL

TRANSMITTER

3 FT RECVR
5 FT RECVR
3 FT RECVR DIVIDED IN
TO 8 SEGMENTS
COVERING 45 DEG
SECTOR EACH.

CCL
GR

Internal Use Only

RCBL Receiver Placement

Radial Cement Bond Tools Receiver Configuration differs
between manufacturers.
Probe Tool- The segmented receivers are placed at the three
foot interval and the CBL Amplitude curve is a calculated
average of the segmented receivers.
CSS and Tekco Segmented Bond Tools have a separate
receiver portion of the sonde located 2 foot from the
transmitter that provides the radial image.

It is important to note that if the radial mapping

receivers exist as a separate portion of the sonde
then travel time for these receivers will be less
than the calculated 3 foot TT.

Internal Use Only

RCBL Gate Settings

The process of setting the gate for E1 of three foot receiver signal
remains the same as Dual Receiver Tools, however, the gates for the
individual segments must be set on appropriate E1 respectively.
Dependent on the tool the receiver placements will be a varying
distance from the transmitter. Therefore, gate placement will have to
be recalculated from the base TT measurement based on the distance
from Transmitter to Receivers.
Example: CSS 1 11/16 Bond Tools Radial Receivers are located 2
feet from the transmitter. Therefore, there is one foot less of steel
casing for the sound wave to travel before reaching the receivers.
Recalculation for appropriate gate settings would be:
3TT 57uS = Radial 3 Amplitude Gate Open
Gate width will remain the same as will the threshold level.

Internal Use Only

2 3/4 RCBL TOOL

What is the data collected by RCBL ?

3 ft waveform
5 ft waveform ( MSG waveform )
8 waveforms for 8 segment receivers
calibration waveform
Travel time and Pipe amplitude comes from 3 ft and MSG
comes from 5 ft signal

Internal Use Only

Standard CBL-MSG Presentation

Includes;
GR, CCL, 3FT Amplitude, Travel Time, MSG
Pipe Amplitude is driven by omni-directional receiver which only displays the sum of the
waveform energy received.

Internal Use Only

Radial Mapping Image

8 Radial Mapping Receivers

Allows for greater definition of pipe bond by directionally receiving
the pipe amplitude signal.

Internal Use Only

Comparison

Internal Use Only

Cement Bond Evaluation

Log Header

Internal Use Only

10/14/01 @ 03:30
Primary
2840

72
250 Sks
14.7
Class A
2 % Gel
Fresh
11.5 ppg

Internal Use Only

Company
Well Name

Date and Time Logged

Depth per Logger

Bottom Hole Temperature
Bit Sizes used
Internal Use Only

Sizes of casing run

Other Services Run when Bond Log generated

Type and density of fluid in Casing

Top of Cement
10/14/01 @ 03:30
Primary

Date & Time Cement Job

Quantity, weight, and type cement pumped
Type and weight of displacement fluid
Internal Use Only

250 Sks
Class
14.7
A
2%
Fresh
Gel 11.5 ppg

Header (Equipment & Logging)

Internal Use Only

Header (Equipment & Logging)

Was pressure applied while running the log?

Explanation of unusual events during logging

Internal Use Only

COMMON ACRONYMS
Travel Time.TTTT2TT3SRT..E1 TT
Collar Locator.CCL
Gamma Ray.. GR
Pipe AmplitudeSA2
Bond Index.BI
Micro-Seismogram VDLMSG..Spectrum
Casing Thickness.THAV
Maximum Impedance.ZMAX
Minimum Impedance.ZMIN
Average Impedance.ZAVG AVE Z
Deviation.INCL.. DEV
Relative Bearing.RB REL BEAR
Eccentricity.ECTY
Ovality.OVAL
Mud ImpedanceMUD IMPED
CaliperCALI
Borehole VolumeBHV
Annular Hole Volume.AHV

Internal Use Only