Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Jay K Turner

James Randolph Lovorn

Ryan G Ezell

Emad Bakri

Emad Barki

A method of segregating flowable materials in conjunction with a subterranean well can include segregating flowable cement from a fluid by placing a flowable barrier substance between the cement and the fluid, and the barrier substance substantially preventing displacement of the cement by force of gravity through the barrier substance and into the fluid. Another method of segregating flowable materials can include flowing a barrier substance into a wellbore above a fluid already in the wellbore, and then flowing cement into the wellbore above the barrier substance. A system for use in conjunction with a subterranean well can include a flowable cement isolated from a fluid by a flowable barrier substance positioned between the cement and the fluid, whereby the barrier substance substantially prevents displacement of the cement by force of gravity through the barrier substance and into the fluid.

Segregating flowable materials in a well

A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include placing a barrier substance in the wellbore while a fluid is present in the wellbore, and flowing another fluid into the wellbore while the first fluid and the barrier substance are in the wellbore. The first and second fluids may have different densities. Another method can include circulating a fluid through a tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore, then placing a barrier substance in the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore and then flowing another fluid into the wellbore. A well system can include at least two fluids in a wellbore, the fluids having different densities, and a barrier substance separating the fluids.

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Humble, TX, United States of America

Jay K Turner