During a 13-well project, an operator set out to address ongoing cementing performance issues. The stakes were higher than usual: the operation required full cement returns to surface. A regulatory exception allowed a shorter surface string, on the condition that the production string would be cemented to surface.
The operator struggled to achieve consistent cement returns and reliable bonding across multiple wells.
The challenge
The operator planned for 20 barrels of cement returns to surface but was only achieving 5–10 barrels using a freshwater spacer. Most wells also experienced cement fallback of 80 to 100 feet, which required costly and time-consuming top-out jobs.
The inconsistent returns and weak bond logs raised concerns about well integrity and long-term performance.
Same spacer volume, different results
Switch between the two spacer systems to see what changed. The spacer volume stayed the same: 10 bbl.
CEMENT RETURNS TO SURFACE (BBL)
Target: 20 bbl
010203040
SPACER
CEMENT FALLBACK (FT)
Surface
Data from the Riteks case study. The well graphic is scaled to the top 120 ft of the annulus.
The solution
A service partner of Riteks introduced the combination of RadiLock 3mm Fibers and MaxGuard-X, a RiSeal™ sealing spacer, in place of the incumbent freshwater spacer. Only 10 bbl of MaxGuard-X with 1 lb/bbl RadiLock was used, the same volume as the freshwater predecessor.
The operator achieved 40 barrels of cement returns to surface, double the target goal, and fallback was only witnessed to be 5 ft.
Why the pairing works
RadiLock is a high fiber count lost circulation material that bridges gaps in naturally fractured or porous formations
It bonds within the cement matrix, improving bond logs and helping prevent cement shrinkage
Neutral buoyancy keeps fibers uniformly dispersed while mixing
RadiLock pairs with Riteks Sealing Spacers to heal and seal
The result
The results were immediate and measurable. Cement returns improved dramatically, and fallback was nearly eliminated. The resulting bond logs showed strong, consistent readings across all intervals.
The operator was highly satisfied with the performance gains and cost efficiency of the combination, demonstrating that a technically advanced sealing spacer and LCM package can deliver substantial results without increasing operational complexity or adding substantial expense.
Metric
Freshwater spacer
MaxGuard-X + RadiLock
Spacer volume
10 bbl
10 bbl, with 1 lb/bbl RadiLock
Cement returns to surface
5–10 bbl (target 20 bbl)
40 bbl, double the target
Cement fallback
80–100 ft on most wells
5 ft
Bond logs
Weak
Strong, consistent across all intervals
Frequently asked questions
What problem did the operator need to solve?
The operator needed full cement returns to surface on a 13-well project but was achieving only 5–10 bbl of a planned 20 bbl with a freshwater spacer, with 80–100 ft of fallback on most wells.
What did Riteks recommend?
A service partner of Riteks replaced the freshwater spacer with 10 bbl of MaxGuard-X, a RiSeal™ sealing spacer, carrying 1 lb/bbl of RadiLock 3mm Fibers.
What were the results?
The operator achieved 40 bbl of cement returns to surface, double the target, with only 5 ft of fallback and strong, consistent bond logs across all intervals.
Get these results on your next job
Talk to a Riteks engineer about pairing RadiLock with a RiSeal™ sealing spacer, or request a sample.
