FAQ Series: Casing for drilling operations

Q. What is casing used for in drilling operations?

A. Casing refers to heavy-duty pipe that is lowered into a newly drilled borehole and cemented or mechanically secured into place.

Its primary functions are to structurally reinforce the wellbore wall to prevent cave-ins, isolate and protect shallow freshwater aquifers from subsurface fluid contamination, contain intense downhole pressures to prevent blowouts, and act as an isolated high-pressure channel for drawing up water, gas, or minerals.