Abstract: A method of forming a kickoff plug in a borehole is disclosed. The method includes a first phase in which the interval to be cemented is treated to remove gelled mud and mud cake from the walls of the borehole and in which drilling fluid is conditioned for subsequent cementing operations. The method includes a second phase in which a hydrostatically balanced plug of a hydraulic cement slurry is placed in the interval to be cemented and then permitted to harden to form the kickoff plug. Each phase of the method features the injection of high velocity streams of fluid, e.g. drilling fluid and cement slurry, into the borehole in a plane or planes which are substantially parallel to the cross section of the borehole and at linear velocities sufficient to cause circulation of gelled mud, mud cake, and drilling cutting from the borehole.