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Figure 5 ‐ Flow‐out vs. Flow‐in on the Production Casing
Cement Job (Calculated by Panel)

G. Industry Standards for Cementing

API RP 65 contains recommended practices focused on the drilling and
cementing of casings in the shallow sediments of deepwater wells in which
highly permeable and over‐pressured sands are found. In connection with the
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production casing cement job on the Macondo well, BP diverged from a number
of API RP 65 recommended practices.

API RP 65 Section 7.5 provides the following guidance on preventing
cement from being displaced by drilling mud:

If casing is not to be run to bottom, the “rat hole” should be filled with a
higher weight mud to prevent cement from falling into the rat hole and
displacing rat hole fluid into the cement column, thus compromising the
cement’s properties. The fluid should be of adequate density and
properties that there will not be a tendency for the fluid to swap with the

cement as it is being placed.

142 API RP 65 (2002).

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