Correct - the water is coming up between the casing and drill stem.
This area is cemented when the casing is first run.
Technical on Cement. They call it cement - but it must be a flowable grout. These grouts can be resin based or cementitious (cement based) My experience with them is that a flowable grout can cost from $15 per 15kg bag to $200 per 15kg bag. The setting strength can range from 20mPA to 95mPA. I know a lot about cementitous crouts - but only a little about resin based.
SO - from that I would assume that when running casing you would use a standard flowable grout. It would work 99% of the time. Note- when they plugged above zone 1 /2 - they expected that the water would be contained. BUT- it didn't this time - so they then re-perforate the casing where they want to create a seal - then SQUEEZE better grout in and create a seal BETWEEN THE CASING AND DRILL STEM.
The better grout could be more flowable and stonger. The other issue would be bonding factors between casing and the rock.
I love talking about cement - it makes me sound so cool!
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