Cement-Support Baskets for Weak and Lost-Circulation Formations

Description

Goldenman manufactures Oilfield Cement Baskets for supporting cement slurry in the annulus during primary cementing, stage cementing, liner cementing and surface-casing operations.

The basket is installed externally on casing, tubing or liner at the lower boundary of the cemented interval or immediately above a weak, porous, fractured or lost-circulation formation.

During cement placement, the overlapping petals or flexible fins deflect upward and allow drilling fluid, spacer and cement slurry to flow toward the surface.

After pumping stops, the petals return toward their supporting position and help:

• Support the hydrostatic weight of the cement column
• Reduce downward cement migration
• Reduce cement slumping into lower open-hole intervals
• Limit cement loss into weak formations
• Maintain the designed top and bottom of cement
• Separate cemented and intentionally uncemented intervals
• Improve cement placement in stage-cementing programs
• Reduce unnecessary cement volume
• Protect formations with limited fracture-pressure margin

Goldenman supplies hinged and slip-on Cement Baskets with overlapping metal petals or reinforced canvas fins.

Standard sizes cover common casing diameters from 4-1/2 to 20 inches. Smaller tubing sizes and larger conductor-casing sizes up to 30 inches are manufactured according to approved project drawings.

Product Short Description

Goldenman Cement Baskets use a circular array of flexible supporting ribs and overlapping petals to form a mechanical foundation beneath an annular cement column.

The overlapping design allows upward fluid passage during circulation and cement placement while helping restrict downward cement movement after pumping stops.

Available configurations include:

• Hinged Metal-Petal Cement Basket
• Slip-On Metal-Petal Cement Basket
• Hinged Canvas Cement Basket
• Slip-On Canvas Cement Basket
• Standard-Hole Cement Basket
• Enlarged-Hole Cement Basket
• High-Strength Reinforced Cement Basket
• Close-Clearance Cement Basket
• Stage-Cementing Basket
• Surface-Casing Cement Basket
• Liner Cement Basket
• Custom Cement Basket for washed-out or irregular holes

Each basket is selected according to casing OD, casing coupling OD, minimum restriction, actual hole diameter, expected washout, cement-column height, slurry density, weak-zone location and installation arrangement.

Product Highlights

• Supports annular cement columns
• Reduces downward cement migration
• Helps protect weak and fractured formations
• Suitable for single-stage and multistage cementing
• Suitable for casing, tubing and liner strings
• Hinged latch-on construction
• Slip-on one-piece construction
• Overlapping metal-petal configurations
• Reinforced canvas-fin configurations
• Standard sizes from 4-1/2 to 20 in
• Custom sizes from 2-3/8 to 30 in
• Large expanded OD for open-hole support
• Flexible passage through specified restrictions
• High-strength spring-steel supporting ribs
• Corrosion-protected carbon-steel end collars
• Overlapping petals reduce open flow gaps
• Large upward fluid-passage area
• Compatible with Stop Collars
• Open-hole and cased-hole applications
• Vertical and deviated well applications
• Washed-out-hole configurations
• Low-temperature and high-temperature material options
• Standard and corrosive-fluid configurations
• Field-installable hinged models
• Factory-assembled slip-on models
• Dimensional inspection
• Expansion and compression testing
• Petal-overlap inspection
• Stop Collar holding-force verification
• Material and batch traceability
• Custom private-label and export supply

General Technical Specifications

Parameter	Available Configuration
Product	Oilfield Cement Basket
Main function	Annular cement-column support
Installation strings	Casing, tubing and liner
Standard casing range	4-1/2–20 in
Extended size range	2-3/8–30 in by project
Installation types	Hinged latch-on or slip-on
Supporting surfaces	Metal petals or reinforced canvas fins
Rib material	High-strength spring steel
Petal material	Corrosion-protected spring or sheet steel
Canvas material	Reinforced temperature-resistant fabric
End-collar material	Carbon steel or low-alloy steel
Expanded OD	Designed for the specified open-hole diameter
Compressed OD	Designed for the minimum restriction
Installation location	Above weak zone or below planned cement column
Positioning	One or two Stop Collars
Main applications	Primary, stage, liner and surface cementing
Well profiles	Vertical and deviated wells
Casing movement	Configuration dependent
Surface treatment	Phosphate, paint, powder coating or zinc coating
Product basis	Manufacturer drawing and project specification
Inspection	Dimensional, visual, expansion and functional testing
Supply	Complete basket, Stop Collars and installation accessories

Standard Size Availability

Goldenman manufactures Cement Baskets for the following common casing sizes:

Nominal Casing Size	Metric Outside Diameter
4-1/2 in	114.3 mm
5 in	127.0 mm
5-1/2 in	139.7 mm
6-5/8 in	168.3 mm
7 in	177.8 mm
7-5/8 in	193.7 mm
8-5/8 in	219.1 mm
9-5/8 in	244.5 mm
10-3/4 in	273.1 mm
11-3/4 in	298.5 mm
13-3/8 in	339.7 mm
16 in	406.4 mm
18-5/8 in	473.1 mm
20 in	508.0 mm

Project-specific Cement Baskets are also available for:

• 2-3/8 in tubing
• 2-7/8 in tubing
• 3-1/2 in tubing or casing
• 24 in conductor casing
• 26 in conductor casing
• 30 in conductor casing

The basket cannot be selected from casing OD alone.

A complete size designation should include:

• Casing or tubing OD
• Casing coupling OD
• Minimum restriction ID
• Nominal hole diameter
• Maximum expected hole diameter
• Basket expanded OD
• Basket compressed OD
• Basket overall length
• Number of supporting ribs
• Metal-petal or canvas construction

What Is a Cement Basket?

A Cement Basket is a flexible external casing accessory that helps support cement slurry inside the annulus.

It is normally installed:

• Above a weak formation
• Above a porous or fractured interval
• Above a known lost-circulation zone
• At the bottom of a suspended cement interval
• Below a stage-cementing tool
• Below the planned cement column
• At the lower boundary of a surface-cementing interval
• Below a liner-overlap cement interval

The basket does not pump, mix or chemically modify the cement.

Its function is to provide a mechanical supporting foundation beneath the cement column.

Cement Basket Operating Principle

The basket contains overlapping petals or flexible fins arranged around the casing.

During circulation and cement placement:

1. Drilling fluid moves upward through the annulus.
2. The flexible petals deflect in the upward flow direction.
3. Spacer and cement slurry pass through and around the basket.
4. The cement column is placed above the basket.
5. Pumping is stopped after displacement.
6. The petals recover toward their expanded position.
7. Cement attempting to move downward is supported by the overlapping surfaces.
8. The mechanical load is transferred through the supporting ribs and end collar to the casing and Stop Collar.

The basket acts as a support device rather than a positive pressure seal.

Upward Flow and Downward Support

The basket is designed to provide different behavior in each flow direction.

During Upward Flow

The flexible petals:

• Deflect upward
• Open flow paths
• Allow drilling-fluid circulation
• Allow spacer passage
• Allow cement-slurry placement
• Reduce excessive flow restriction
• Limit local equivalent circulating density increase

After Pumping Stops

The overlapping petals:

• Return toward the annulus
• Bridge the space between casing and wellbore
• Support part of the cement-column weight
• Reduce downward cement fallback
• Reduce cement slumping
• Help retain cement above the intended lower boundary

A Cement Basket is not a check valve and should not be assigned a differential-pressure seal rating unless a model-specific test supports that claim.

Main Applications

Goldenman Cement Baskets are used in:

• Weak-formation cementing
• Lost-circulation-zone protection
• Stage cementing
• Multistage cementing
• Surface-casing cementing
• Conductor-casing cementing
• Liner cementing
• Selective annular cement placement
• Suspended cement intervals
• Water-well cementing
• Geothermal-well cementing
• Mining and exploration wells
• Onshore oil and gas wells
• Offshore well-construction programs

Weak-Formation Protection

Weak formations can fracture when exposed to the combined hydrostatic pressure of:

• Drilling fluid
• Spacer
• Cement slurry
• Displacement fluid
• Dynamic circulation pressure

A Cement Basket positioned above the weak zone helps support the cement column and reduce the effective downward load acting below the basket.

The cementing program should still evaluate:

• Formation fracture gradient
• Equivalent circulating density
• Cement density
• Cement-column height
• Spacer density
• Pumping rate
• Annular pressure loss
• Lost-circulation history
• Static and dynamic downhole temperature

A Cement Basket does not replace cement-slurry design or hydraulic analysis.

Lost-Circulation Applications

In formations containing natural fractures, vugs or highly permeable intervals, cement can migrate downward or be lost into the formation.

The basket can help:

• Create a mechanical foundation above the loss zone
• Reduce downward cement movement
• Reduce the volume of cement entering the lower interval
• Improve the probability of retaining cement at the planned depth
• Reduce excessive cement consumption
• Support lightweight or low-density cement systems

Severe or total losses can still require:

• Lost-circulation materials
• Lightweight cement
• Thixotropic cement
• Foamed cement
• Stage cementing
• External casing packers
• Formation treatment
• Reduced pump rate
• Managed pressure placement

Stage-Cementing Applications

In stage cementing, the casing string is cemented in two or more separate operations.

A Cement Basket can be positioned below the upper cementing stage to:

• Support the upper cement column
• Define the lower boundary of the second stage
• Reduce downward contamination
• Protect weak formations below the stage tool
• Reduce hydrostatic pressure below the basket
• Reduce unnecessary cement fill between separated stages

The basket is commonly used with:

• Stage Cementing Collar
• Mechanical Stage Collar
• Hydraulic Stage Collar
• External Casing Packer
• Inflatable Annular Packer
• Cementing Plugs
• Stop Collars
• Casing Centralizers

Surface-Casing Cementing

For surface casing, the basket can support cement placed from the surface into the annulus.

Applications include:

• Cementing the annulus from surface
• Supporting top-fill cement
• Repairing low top of cement
• Cementing conductor and surface casing
• Retaining cement above a shallow weak interval
• Providing a base for annular top jobs

The selected basket must have sufficient expanded diameter for the actual annulus.

Liner Cementing

Cement Baskets can be installed on liners where cement must be retained above a defined lower boundary.

Selection must account for:

• Liner OD
• Liner coupling OD
• Previous casing ID
• Liner-hanger restrictions
• Open-hole diameter
• Liner movement
• Rotation and reciprocation
• Centralizer placement
• Cementing-tool clearance

The basket must pass through all liner-running restrictions before expanding at the final setting depth.

Suspended Cement Intervals

Some well programs intentionally leave an uncemented interval beneath the cement column.

A Cement Basket can support the lower boundary of the cemented section and reduce cement from falling into the intentionally uncemented annulus.

This application requires accurate depth control and confirmed hole geometry.

Hinged Metal-Petal Cement Basket

The Hinged Metal-Petal Cement Basket uses:

• Two-piece hinged end collar
• Locking pin or latch
• High-strength supporting ribs
• Overlapping spring-steel petals
• Corrosion-resistant surface coating

The hinged construction allows the basket to be installed around casing without sliding it over the end of the casing joint.

It is suitable when:

• The casing connection has already been made up
• Other accessories prevent slip-on installation
• Field installation flexibility is required
• Replacement at the rig site may be necessary
• Large casing sizes make slip-on handling difficult

Hinged Basket Advantages

• Opens around the casing
• Rapid field installation
• Does not require access to the casing pin end
• Can be installed after other accessories
• Easy replacement
• Suitable for casing, tubing and liner
• Available for large casing sizes
• Compatible with hinged Stop Collars

The hinge and locking system must be fully secured before the basket is run.

Slip-On Metal-Petal Cement Basket

The Slip-On Metal-Petal Cement Basket uses a continuous end collar that slides over the casing pin before connection makeup.

The structure normally includes:

• Continuous or seamless end collar
• High-strength supporting ribs
• Overlapping metal petals
• Factory-controlled assembly
• Smooth internal bore

Advantages include:

• No external hinge
• No latch pin
• Continuous end-collar support
• Stable circumferential alignment
• Reduced risk of field assembly error
• Improved resistance to axial impact
• Lower number of loose components
• Compatibility with selected casing-movement programs

Slip-on models must be installed before the casing pin becomes inaccessible.

Hinged Canvas Cement Basket

The Hinged Canvas Cement Basket uses reinforced flexible fabric supported by spring-steel ribs and a hinged end collar.

Canvas construction provides:

• Low basket weight
• Broad annular coverage
• Flexibility in irregular holes
• Reduced metal-to-formation contact
• High overlap area
• Efficient support of lightweight cement
• Easier passage through selected restrictions

The fabric grade is selected for:

• Temperature
• Fluid type
• Hydrocarbon exposure
• Cement chemistry
• Storage duration
• Required support time

Slip-On Canvas Cement Basket

The Slip-On Canvas Basket combines a continuous end collar with reinforced canvas fins.

It provides:

• Simple integrated construction
• Low weight
• Flexible annular coverage
• No external hinge
• Controlled factory assembly
• Large supporting area
• Reduced component count

Canvas baskets should not be used beyond their verified temperature and chemical-compatibility range.

Metal Petals vs Canvas Fins

Selection Factor	Metal-Petal Basket	Canvas Basket
Supporting surface	Overlapping steel petals	Reinforced fabric fins
Temperature capability	Generally higher	Fabric dependent
Chemical resistance	Coating and metal dependent	Fabric and coating dependent
Abrasion resistance	Higher	Lower
Flexibility	High	Very high
Irregular-hole conformity	Good	Very good
Long-term storage	Strong with corrosion protection	Requires UV and moisture control
Mechanical durability	High	Application dependent
Main use	Conventional and demanding cementing	Flexible support and selected low-load applications

Metal-Petal Construction

Metal petals are manufactured from thin spring or sheet steel and arranged in an overlapping pattern.

The overlap provides:

• Broad annular coverage
• Reduced open gaps
• Flexible upward flow
• Downward cement support
• Adaptation to moderate hole-size variation
• Load distribution among adjacent petals
• Reduced dependence on one individual petal

Each petal is connected to or supported by a structural rib.

Reinforcing Ribs

The ribs provide the principal structural support.

They transfer cement load from the petals to the end collar.

Rib design controls:

• Expanded diameter
• Compressed diameter
• Basket stiffness
• Cement-support capacity
• Passage through restrictions
• Recovery after compression
• Overall basket length
• Resistance to permanent deformation

Ribs are manufactured from heat-treated spring steel or high-strength steel strip.

End Collar

The end collar:

• Fits around the casing
• Supports the ribs
• Maintains circumferential spacing
• Transfers load toward the Stop Collar
• Controls basket position
• Protects petal attachment points

Available end-collar types include:

• Hinged latch-on collar
• Continuous slip-on collar
• Seamless slip-on collar
• Welded slip-on collar
• Reinforced large-diameter collar

Basket Orientation

The basket must be installed in the correct direction.

The supporting surfaces should:

• Deflect upward during circulation and cement placement
• Present their supporting face toward downward cement movement
• Expand toward the wellbore at the planned setting depth

Incorrect orientation can:

• Restrict upward pumping
• Reduce cement-support capability
• Damage the petals
• Increase running drag
• Cause basket inversion
• Prevent proper deployment

The product marking should identify the upward direction.

Stop Collar Requirement

A Cement Basket should normally be installed over or immediately above a Stop Collar.

The Stop Collar prevents the basket from moving downward when it carries cement-column load.

Without adequate axial restraint, the basket can:

• Slide along the casing
• Move below the planned depth
• Lose its supporting position
• Damage adjacent casing accessories
• Fail to maintain the lower cement boundary

Stop Collar Configurations

Goldenman supplies:

• Hinged Set-Screw Stop Collar
• Slip-On Set-Screw Stop Collar
• Hinged Spiral-Nail Stop Collar
• Slip-On Spiral-Nail Stop Collar
• High-Holding-Force Stop Collar
• Non-Marking Stop Collar
• Large-Diameter Conductor Stop Collar
• Project-Specific Reinforced Stop Collar

Installation Over One Stop Collar

A common arrangement places the Cement Basket directly over a Stop Collar.

The lower end collar or support section rests against the Stop Collar when downward load is applied.

This arrangement provides:

• Simple installation
• Positive downward restraint
• Reduced accessory count
• Defined basket position

Installation Between Two Stop Collars

One Stop Collar can be installed below the basket and a second above it.

This arrangement:

• Limits movement in both directions
• Controls basket position during reciprocation
• Prevents upward movement during running
• Supports selected casing-movement procedures
• Protects against basket displacement through restrictions

The axial clearance between Stop Collars must allow the petals to move without being crushed.

Cement Basket vs Bow Spring Centralizer

Cement Basket	Bow Spring Centralizer
Supports cement in the annulus	Maintains casing standoff
Uses overlapping petals or fins	Uses spring bows
Installed above weak zone or below cement column	Installed at calculated intervals
Provides directional cement support	Provides lateral casing force
Not covered by API Spec 10D	Covered by API Spec 10D
Does not replace a centralizer	Does not support a cement column

Both products can be installed on the same casing string but perform different functions.

Cement Basket vs External Casing Packer

Cement Basket	External Casing Packer
Provides mechanical cement support	Provides an annular sealing element
Allows upward fluid passage	Can isolate the annulus after activation
Does not form a verified pressure seal	Can provide pressure isolation
Simple passive construction	Mechanically or hydraulically activated
Lower complexity	Higher complexity
Suitable for cement-column support	Suitable for defined annular isolation

A Cement Basket should not be presented as a full technical replacement for an External Casing Packer when pressure isolation is required.

Cement Basket vs Stage Cementing Collar

A Cement Basket supports cement externally in the annulus.

A Stage Cementing Collar opens and closes an internal casing flow path for pumping cement in multiple stages.

The products are often used together but are not interchangeable.

Cement Basket vs Formation Packer

A Formation Packer uses an expandable sealing element to create annular isolation.

A Cement Basket uses overlapping flexible petals to support cement and reduce downward movement.

The basket does not provide the same pressure-sealing function as a packer.

Cement Basket vs Cement Retainer

A Cement Retainer is installed inside casing for squeeze cementing or remedial isolation.

A Cement Basket is installed outside casing before the casing string is run.

Product Selection

Cement Basket selection requires:

• Casing or tubing OD
• Casing coupling OD
• Casing nominal weight
• Minimum restriction ID
• Nominal hole diameter
• Maximum caliper hole diameter
• Washed-out interval diameter
• Well inclination
• Planned basket setting depth
• Weak-zone top and bottom
• Cement-column height
• Cement-slurry density
• Expected cement-column weight
• Pumping rate
• Cementing method
• Casing movement plan
• Temperature
• Fluid chemistry

Hole Diameter Selection

The basket expanded OD must be large enough to contact or bridge the expected hole diameter.

Selection should use:

• Open-hole caliper data
• Bit diameter
• Underreamer diameter
• Washout estimate
• Previous casing ID
• Minimum casing-shoe ID
• Liner-hanger restriction
• Other downhole accessory restrictions

A basket designed only for nominal bit diameter may provide insufficient coverage in a large washout.

Minimum Restriction

The basket must pass through the smallest restriction above its setting depth.

Possible restrictions include:

• Previous casing drift ID
• Casing shoe
• Liner hanger
• Stage collar
• Wellhead equipment
• Open-hole ledge
• Collapsed casing
• Local under-gauge interval

The compressed basket OD must remain below the verified restriction ID with the required running clearance.

Expanded Diameter

The expanded diameter controls annular contact and supporting coverage.

An expanded OD that is too small can result in:

• Large uncovered annular gaps
• Cement bypass
• Downward cement slumping
• Inadequate support
• Uneven loading

An expanded OD that is too large can result in:

• Excessive compression
• High running resistance
• Petal damage
• Rib deformation
• Stop Collar overload
• Difficulty reaching setting depth

Cement-Column Load

The basket load depends on:

• Cement density
• Cement-column height
• Annular area
• Degree of cement support from the formation
• Basket contact area
• Cement gel development
• Downward fluid movement
• Hole inclination
• Cement losses

The complete cement column should not be treated as a simple unsupported vertical load without hydraulic and wellbore analysis.

Cement Density

Higher-density cement can increase the hydrostatic load above the basket.

The quotation should state:

• Lead slurry density
• Tail slurry density
• Cement-column height
• Spacer density
• Displacement-fluid density
• Static temperature
• Thickening time

Washed-Out and Irregular Holes

Washed-out formations can create annular diameters substantially larger than nominal bit size.

A large-hole basket can use:

• Longer ribs
• Increased petal width
• Increased petal overlap
• Additional petals
• Reinforced end collars
• Larger expanded OD
• High-recovery spring material

Caliper data should be used where available.

Vertical Wells

Cement Baskets are most predictable in vertical and moderately deviated wells because the cement load is distributed more evenly around the annulus.

Standard hinged and slip-on models can be used according to the installation sequence.

Deviated Wells

In deviated wells:

• Cement load can concentrate on the low side
• The casing can contact the wellbore
• Basket petals can experience uneven compression
• Cuttings beds can interfere with expansion
• Running drag can increase

Selection should account for:

• Inclination
• Dogleg severity
• Low-side clearance
• Casing centralization
• Basket orientation
• Centralizer placement near the basket

Horizontal Wells

Conventional Cement Baskets are not automatically suitable for long horizontal intervals.

Horizontal applications can create:

• High low-side friction
• Uneven petal deployment
• Cuttings-bed interference
• Large lateral loads
• Limited gravitational cement support
• Significant casing rotation and reciprocation

A horizontal application requires a project-specific design and installation review.

Casing Centralization Around the Basket

Casing Centralizers can be installed above and below the basket to improve annular geometry.

Improved centralization helps:

• Distribute cement load
• Prevent one-sided basket compression
• Improve upward fluid passage
• Reduce petal damage
• Improve cement placement
• Maintain basket contact around the circumference

The centralizers must not interfere with basket expansion.

Casing Rotation

Selected reinforced slip-on metal-petal baskets can permit limited casing rotation when specifically qualified.

Rotation assessment must include:

• Formation contact
• Petal wear
• Stop Collar arrangement
• Rotation speed
• Casing torque
• Basket axial movement
• Hole diameter
• Petal material

Standard hinged baskets should not be assumed suitable for continuous casing rotation.

Casing Reciprocation

Selected baskets can move with the casing during controlled reciprocation when installed with qualified Stop Collars.

The program must evaluate:

• Starting force
• Running resistance
• Stop Collar holding force
• Petal direction
• Reciprocation length
• Reciprocation speed
• Restriction passage
• Risk of basket inversion

Fluid-Passage Area

Overlapping petals must maintain enough open area for upward movement of:

• Drilling fluid
• Spacer
• Wash fluid
• Cement slurry
• Displaced solids

Insufficient passage area can cause:

• High local pressure loss
• Increased ECD
• Cement dehydration
• Solids accumulation
• Petal overload
• Premature formation breakdown

Cement Slurry Compatibility

Cement Basket materials can be selected for:

• Conventional Class G or H cement systems
• Lightweight cement
• Foamed cement
• Thixotropic cement
• Salt cement
• Latex cement
• Lost-circulation cement
• High-temperature cement
• Geothermal cement

The basket does not determine cement-system compatibility by itself; temperature, fluid chemistry and required support time must be included in the design.

Metal Materials

Metal components can include:

• Carbon-steel end collars
• Spring-steel ribs
• Spring-steel petals
• Low-alloy reinforcing members
• Stainless steel for project-specific corrosive service

Material selection considers:

• Formability
• Elastic recovery
• Yield strength
• Corrosion resistance
• Temperature
• Cement chemistry
• Storage environment

Canvas Materials

Canvas or fabric options can include reinforced materials selected for:

• Tensile strength
• Tear resistance
• Temperature resistance
• Cement compatibility
• Water resistance
• Oil resistance
• Flexibility
• Storage stability

Available project materials can include:

• Reinforced industrial canvas
• Nitrile-coated fabric
• Neoprene-coated fabric
• High-temperature synthetic fabric
• Project-specific elastomer-coated textile

Surface Protection

Metal baskets can be supplied with:

• Phosphate coating
• Black paint
• Epoxy paint
• Polyester powder coating
• Zinc plating
• Galvanizing
• Temporary rust-preventive oil
• Project-specific corrosion-resistant coating

The coating protects the product during transportation, storage and casing-running operations.

Temperature Selection

Maximum temperature influences:

• Canvas strength
• Fabric coating
• Adhesive systems
• Paint stability
• Metal spring properties
• Permanent petal deformation
• Required support duration

Metal-petal baskets are generally preferred for higher-temperature and more abrasive service.

Installation Planning

Before installation, confirm:

• Correct basket part number
• Correct casing size
• Correct expanded OD
• Correct compressed OD
• Correct orientation
• Correct Stop Collar
• Planned setting depth
• Minimum restriction
• Hole diameter
• Installation joint number
• Centralizer spacing
• Casing-movement program

Hinged Basket Installation

1. Confirm the casing OD and product size.
2. Identify the upward direction marking.
3. Install the lower Stop Collar at the planned position.
4. Open the hinged end collar.
5. Place the basket around the casing.
6. Close the end collar.
7. Install the locking pin or latch.
8. Verify that the hinge is fully closed.
9. Confirm that all petals overlap correctly.
10. Confirm that no petals are trapped or reversed.
11. Verify axial contact with the Stop Collar.
12. Install an upper Stop Collar where required.
13. Record the casing joint and setting depth.

Slip-On Basket Installation

1. Confirm the casing and basket size.
2. Remove the casing pin protector.
3. Slide the basket over the pin end.
4. Move it to the planned position.
5. Confirm the correct upward orientation.
6. Install the lower Stop Collar.
7. Install the upper Stop Collar where required.
8. Confirm free petal movement.
9. Make up the casing connection.
10. Record the installation depth.

Pre-Run Inspection

Inspect:

• Petal overlap
• Broken petals
• Bent ribs
• Permanent deformation
• Damaged canvas
• Loose fabric
• End-collar deformation
• Hinge operation
• Locking pin
• Sharp edges
• Coating damage
• Correct product marking
• Correct orientation
• Stop Collar fit

A basket with missing, torn or permanently flattened supporting elements should not be installed.

Running the Casing

During casing running:

• Control running speed
• Monitor hook load and drag
• Avoid uncontrolled impact
• Circulate through tight intervals when permitted
• Do not force the basket through an unknown restriction
• Record abnormal drag depths
• Confirm passage through the previous casing shoe
• Avoid excessive rotation unless qualified

Cementing Operation

During cementing:

1. Establish circulation.
2. Confirm stable pumping pressure.
3. Pump preflush or wash fluid.
4. Pump the designed spacer.
5. Pump cement slurry.
6. Displace cement at the approved rate.
7. Monitor pressure for unexpected basket restriction.
8. Complete plug bump or displacement.
9. Stop pumping according to the cementing program.
10. Allow the basket to support the cement column while the cement develops gel strength.

Common Failure Modes

Basket Slides Down the Casing

Possible causes include:

• Missing Stop Collar
• Incorrect Stop Collar size
• Insufficient holding force
• Incorrect set-screw torque
• Stop Collar installed on coating
• Excessive cement load
• High running impact

Basket Does Not Expand

Possible causes include:

• Permanent rib deformation
• Incorrect compressed condition
• Petals tied or trapped
• Wrong product size
• Cement or debris around the ribs
• Extended storage under compression
• Hole smaller than expected

Basket Does Not Contact the Hole

Possible causes include:

• Expanded OD too small
• Large washout
• Incorrect hole data
• Damaged ribs
• Wrong basket model
• Excessive casing eccentricity

Excessive Pumping Pressure

Possible causes include:

• Petals installed in the wrong direction
• Insufficient upward flow area
• Basket selected too large
• High-viscosity cement
• Lost-circulation material bridging
• Solids packed around the basket
• Deformed petals

Cement Falls Below the Basket

Possible causes include:

• Excessive hole diameter
• Insufficient petal overlap
• Basket not fully expanded
• Damaged petals
• Excessive cement-column load
• Severe losses
• Casing eccentricity
• Incorrect basket position

Petal or Rib Breakage

Possible causes include:

• Restriction below specified diameter
• Excessive running speed
• Impact with a ledge
• Improper heat treatment
• Corrosion
• Material defect
• Continuous unqualified casing rotation

Canvas Tearing

Possible causes include:

• Sharp formation
• Excessive temperature
• Chemical incompatibility
• Abrasive solids
• Improper storage
• Excessive pressure differential
• Contact with casing accessories

Hinged Collar Opens

Possible causes include:

• Missing lock pin
• Incomplete latch engagement
• Damaged hinge
• Excessive impact
• Incorrect installation
• Unqualified casing rotation

Manufacturing Process

Goldenman Cement Basket manufacturing includes:

1. End-collar material verification
2. Rib and petal material verification
3. Material batch assignment
4. End-collar cutting and forming
5. Hinge manufacturing where applicable
6. Slip-on collar forming where applicable
7. Rib cutting and forming
8. Rib heat treatment
9. Petal cutting
10. Petal edge finishing
11. Canvas cutting and reinforcement where applicable
12. Rib installation
13. Petal or canvas assembly
14. Overlap adjustment
15. Hinge and latch assembly
16. Expanded-OD inspection
17. Compressed-OD inspection
18. Overall-length inspection
19. Functional expansion testing
20. Surface preparation
21. Coating application
22. Product marking
23. Final inspection
24. Export packaging

Quality Control

Quality control includes:

• Material-certificate verification
• Rib material inspection
• Petal material inspection
• Canvas material inspection
• Rib thickness measurement
• Petal thickness measurement
• End-collar ID inspection
• End-collar width inspection
• Expanded-OD measurement
• Compressed-OD measurement
• Overall-length inspection
• Petal-count verification
• Rib-count verification
• Petal-overlap inspection
• Hinge inspection
• Locking-system inspection
• Expansion-and-recovery testing
• Coating inspection
• Stop Collar fit check
• Product-orientation verification
• Batch traceability
• Final visual inspection

Functional Testing

Available functional testing includes:

• Basket compression test
• Restriction-passage test
• Expansion-recovery test
• Repeated compression-cycle test
• Petal-overlap inspection
• Upward flow-function test
• Downward support test
• Static load test
• Stop Collar holding-force test
• High-temperature exposure test
• Canvas tear-resistance test

Test acceptance criteria follow the approved Goldenman drawing and purchaser specification.

Static Support Testing

A project-specific static support test can be used to evaluate:

• Petal deformation
• Rib deformation
• End-collar movement
• Stop Collar movement
• Basket inversion
• Permanent set
• Retained support after loading

The test arrangement should identify:

• Casing OD
• Simulated hole ID
• Basket model
• Applied load
• Load direction
• Hold time
• Temperature
• Acceptance criteria

A test performed on one size should not automatically be applied to every basket size.

Product Marking

Each Cement Basket or package can be marked with:

• Goldenman identification
• Product type
• Part number
• Casing size
• Nominal hole size
• Expanded OD
• Minimum restriction
• Metal-petal or canvas type
• Hinged or slip-on type
• Batch number
• Manufacturing date
• Upward installation direction

Product Documentation

Available documentation includes:

• Certificate of Conformity
• Product datasheet
• General assembly drawing
• Dimensional drawing
• Casing-and-hole-size chart
• Material certificate
• Rib material report
• Petal material report
• Canvas material report
• Heat-treatment record
• Hardness report
• Dimensional inspection report
• Expanded-OD report
• Compressed-OD report
• Expansion-and-recovery test report
• Restriction-passage report
• Static support test report
• Stop Collar holding-force report
• Coating inspection report
• Batch traceability list
• Installation instructions
• Packing list
• Third-party inspection report

Packaging and Storage

Packaging options include:

• Individual protective wrapping
• Steel-strapped bundles
• Wooden crates
• Export pallets
• Moisture-resistant wrapping
• Size-separated packaging
• Product labels
• Seaworthy export packaging

Storage requirements:

• Store in a dry covered area
• Protect from rain and direct sunlight
• Do not place heavy loads on the petals
• Do not store baskets in a permanently compressed condition
• Protect canvas from oil, solvents and UV exposure
• Separate products by size and orientation
• Inspect before rig-site installation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cement Basket?

A Cement Basket is an external casing accessory that supports cement in the annulus and helps reduce downward cement migration into a weak or intentionally uncemented interval.

Where is the basket installed?

It is normally installed above a weak or lost-circulation zone, or at the lower boundary of the planned cement column.

Does the basket prevent cement from flowing upward?

No.

The petals are arranged to permit upward flow during circulation and cement placement.

Does it act as a check valve?

No.

It is a flexible annular support device rather than a pressure-containing one-way valve.

Does it provide a pressure-tight annular seal?

No.

A Cement Basket does not provide the same pressure isolation as an External Casing Packer.

What types are available?

Goldenman supplies:

• Hinged Metal-Petal Cement Baskets
• Slip-On Metal-Petal Cement Baskets
• Hinged Canvas Cement Baskets
• Slip-On Canvas Cement Baskets

What sizes are available?

Standard sizes cover 4-1/2–20 in casing.

Custom tubing, casing and conductor sizes from 2-3/8 to 30 in are available according to approved drawings.

What is the difference between hinged and slip-on baskets?

A hinged basket opens around the casing and can be installed after the casing end is no longer accessible.

A slip-on basket slides over the casing pin before connection makeup and has no external hinge.

What is the difference between metal and canvas baskets?

Metal-petal baskets provide greater abrasion, temperature and mechanical resistance.

Canvas baskets provide lower weight and high flexibility in selected applications.

Is a Stop Collar required?

Yes.

A qualified Stop Collar is normally required to prevent the basket from sliding downward under cement load.

Can the basket be installed between two Stop Collars?

Yes.

Two Stop Collars can control movement in both axial directions.

Can the casing be rotated?

Selected reinforced slip-on metal-petal designs can permit controlled rotation when qualified for the application.

Standard hinged models should not automatically be used for continuous rotation.

Can the casing be reciprocated?

Selected models can move with the casing during controlled reciprocation when installed with the correct Stop Collar arrangement.

Can a Cement Basket replace an External Casing Packer?

It can provide cement-column support in selected applications, but it does not provide the same pressure-sealing capability as an External Casing Packer.

Is the Cement Basket covered by API Spec 10D?

No.

API Spec 10D applies to Bow Spring Casing Centralizers and specifically excludes Cement Baskets.

Is the product API certified?

The Cement Basket is manufactured and inspected according to approved manufacturer drawings and project requirements.

It should not be marketed as an API-certified or API-monogrammed product.

Can it be used in stage cementing?

Yes.

Cement Baskets are commonly installed below the upper cementing stage to support cement and protect lower weak formations.

Can it be used in a washed-out hole?

Yes.

A large-hole basket can be designed using caliper data and the expected maximum hole diameter.

Can it stop severe lost circulation?

It can help support cement above a loss zone, but severe losses can require additional lightweight cement, lost-circulation material, stage tools or annular packers.

What data is needed to select a basket?

Selection requires casing size, minimum restriction, actual hole diameter, cement-column height, cement density, weak-zone depth and installation method.

Information Required for Quotation

Please provide:

• Cement Basket type
• Hinged or slip-on construction
• Metal petals or canvas fins
• Casing, tubing or liner OD
• Casing nominal weight
• Casing coupling OD
• Casing grade
• Minimum restriction ID
• Previous casing ID
• Casing-shoe ID
• Nominal hole diameter
• Maximum caliper hole diameter
• Expected washout diameter
• Basket setting depth
• Weak-zone top and bottom
• Cement-column height
• Lead cement density
• Tail cement density
• Spacer density
• Maximum pumping rate
• Maximum anticipated ECD
• Single-stage or multistage cementing
• Stage-collar position
• Open-hole or cased-hole application
• Well inclination
• Maximum dogleg severity
• Casing rotation requirement
• Casing reciprocation requirement
• Maximum operating temperature
• Drilling-fluid type
• Cement-system type
• H₂S concentration
• CO₂ concentration
• Stop Collar type
• Required Stop Collar holding force
• Static support-test requirement
• Expansion-test requirement
• Third-party inspection
• Documentation requirements
• Required quantity
• Destination country
• Delivery schedule

Request a Technical Quotation

Goldenman supplies Cement Baskets for supporting cement columns above weak, fractured and lost-circulation formations.

The product range includes:

• Hinged Metal-Petal Cement Baskets
• Slip-On Metal-Petal Cement Baskets
• Hinged Canvas Cement Baskets
• Slip-On Canvas Cement Baskets
• Standard casing sizes from 4-1/2 to 20 in
• Custom sizes from 2-3/8 to 30 in
• Standard-hole and large-washout configurations
• Stage-cementing and surface-cementing models
• Matched Stop Collars
• Expansion and restriction-passage testing
• Project-specific static support testing
• Complete installation and inspection documentation

Complete orders can be supplied with material records, dimensional inspection, expanded- and compressed-diameter reports, functional test results, Stop Collar holding-force documentation and export packaging.

Email: info@goldenman.com