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Analysis of gas flow yields recommendations for best cementing practices

Although flow after cementing is common, usually it occurs from the surface casing at shallow depths. However, a well control incident that occurred on a shallow-water platform demonstrates that flow after cementing can take place for deeper casing strings. In this case, the 95⁄8-in. casing had been set and cemented following the cement program typically used in the area. The well began flowing while the crew was installing the slips, 4 hr and 45 min. after cement displacement. The shut-in casing pressure (SICP) rapidly built above the maximum allowable annular shut-in pressure, prompting an extensive mitigation operation until the well was controlled.