On May 29th, the Madain 1 Well of Iraq’s Block 8 Project successfully completed three 18-5/8" cementing operations. ZPEC’s cementing personnel and Manman Petroleum Corporation faced many difficulties and overcame many cementing problems with the large well hole, long open hole sections, and deep formation. In this well, twenty three 18-5/8" casings with open hole were used to drill to a depth of 1,888 meters with the approved cementing method.

The combination of the massiveness of the well size and such deep interpolated cementing, combined with the demand of getting the height to the well level, had never been successfully done in any other construction anywhere in the world.  According to the demand, the cement must be pumped up to the well level. That was about 300 squares of cement to be transported, which created a new record in ZPEC’s construction history.  With such a large amount of cement slurry, it was necessary to mix and match enough cement in advance. The project department paid great concern to this special project and organized many special meetings for professionals to analyze and discuss the construction plan, detail emergency plans, and formulate detailed countermeasures for all of the potential risks that might be encountered. 

In May, the temperature approached 50 degrees in Iraq.  Insects continually bit and stung the workers.  During the month of Ramadan, when Iraqi employees don't eat or drink during the day, and the ZPEC Chinese had to take on more heavier work.  In

the face of various adverse factors, ZPEC’s “Iron Army” did not become discouraged.  After more than a week of day and night fighting, finally on May 29th, the cementing began in the early morning hours, with the cementing staff working until dawn.  After more than five hours of continuous construction, the cementing staff worked closely with the well team and colleagues from other units, and finally completed the arduous task successfully.