IPA16-679-SE

PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Fortieth Annual Convention & Exhibition, May 2016
LABORATORY STUDY: EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON PALM OIL SHELL CARBON
TO INCREASE STRENGTH DRILLING CEMENT
Sepria Catur Hadiguna*
Mursyidah*

ABSTRACT
Cementing operations are a critical component of
drilling operations in exploration and production of
oil and natural gas, because cement is the medium
to bind the casing to formation wall to protect the
well from formation pressures and unexpected
inflow to the well. Over the years, innovative
materials have been considered as additives to
drilling cement with expectations to optimize the
compressive strength, such as palm oil shell carbon.
Palm
oil
shell
is
activated
carbon
containingelements of silica that are pozzolan.
Pozzolan is a material consisting of silica mineral
and alumina that are largely reactive, when exposed
to calcium and water to form a solid mass, hard and
insoluble in water. In this study laboratory tests
were conducted to determine the optimum
compressive strength and shear bond strength of
cement by heating the palm oil shell carbon powder
at temperatures of 400C, 500C, 600C, 700C,
and 800C.
Compressive strength and shear bond strength
values were obtained from this testing are optimum
at temperature of 700C with carbon shell palm oil
composition 3% by weigth of cement. Supporting
1417.9 Psi of compressive strength and 200.942 of
shear bond strength. With this innovation, the
research is successful. Carbon shell from palm oil
heating has added value because it can reduce
environmental pollution and can save on cementing
costs.
Keywords: Temperature, palm oil shell carbon,
compressive strength and shear bond strength.
INTRODUCTION
Indonesia is the largest palm oil producer in the
world, with annual production of 22 million tons
every years (datacon.co.id, 2011)
*

Islamic University of RIau

Harvesting palm fruit produces a variety of products

used for household and industry. However, the
amount of palm oil production in indonesia is not
offset by the utilization of waste from palm oil that
impacts negatively on the enviroment.
That situation is changing, currently palm oil waste
is being used for a variety of useful purposes. One
is the use of palm shell carbon as an additive
material to increase the strength of cement.
Palm oil shell carbon contains silica oxide (SiO2),
iron oxide (Fe2O3) and aluminium oxide (Al2O3), it
is typical of pozzolan because the chemical content
of silica and aluminia in palm oil shell carbon when
met with calcium and water, forms a solid mass,
hard and insoluble in water.
According to ASTM C618-93 materials having a
chemical composition of silica oxide (SiO2), iron
oxide (Fe2O3), and aluminium oxide (Al2O3)higher
than 70% can be used as additive materials (Efrando
Siregar, 2012).
Carbon shell palm oil residual has a positive impact
in the process of cementingbecause that it is in basic
form, pozzolan, and islight weigth material that
lowers the density of cement suspension (Imam
Pranadipta, 2010).
Before cementing operation to the porous
formation, the first thing to do is determine the
density of cement that is suitable for the formation.
If the density of cement is too high, it will break the
formation and resulted in low cement sheath
quality, because of the turbulent flow of cement so
that the annulus between casing and formation takes
the low density cement.
In a hydrostatic pressure low, light weight cement is
needed to avoid problems such as loss of cement
into the formation. Pozolan additive can lower the
cost efficiency compared with classification API
cement class G which is heavier.

Palm oil shell carbon can be used as additives that

are very valuable economically.

(SG) from palm shells carbon is 1.23 as measured

by using picnometer tool.

Sysca L. P. (2014) used palm oil shell carbon as

additive materials to improve the strength of cement
in porous formations. It was concluded that the
composition of palm oil shell carbon that can
lowering density and increase strength in the
cement occurs with composition 3% BWOC.

Material for making cement suspension

According to L.P. Sysca (2014), palm oil shell

carbon has these advantages, (i) increase the
strength of the cement, (ii) lowers the density of
cement suspension, (iii) is more economical and
easily obtained, (iv) reduces the impact on
environmental damage.

CaCl2

What distinguishes this paper from previous studies

is the composition of palm shell carbon that have
been screened to 200 mesh and then heated at
several temperatures, 400 C, 500 C, 600 C, 700
C and 800 C by using the tool Furnace. Heating at
various temperature was done to determine optimal
cement strength from the different temperatures.

Standard cement clasiffication API type G

production by PT. Semen Padang. Tbk
Palm oil shell carbon

Fresh water
Polyprophyleneglycol 20%
Measuring Tools
Constant speed mixer for preparing sample.
Water bath to heat sample compressive strength
(CS) and shear bond strength (SBS).
Hydraulic pressure to measure CS & SBS

METHODS

Fann vg meter to measure the rheology

Procedural Steps in Laboratory Study:

Atmospheric
consistometer
thickening time

Heating palm oil shell carbon

Preparation of samples
Examination of samples
Palm oil shell was heated to become carbon,
smoothed by using sieve analysis till 200 mesh.
After it becomes powder, it was heated using
Furnace tool.
Heated Palm Shells Carbon
Preparing stainless tube-shaped measuring 4 in and
2 in, to the extent desired. And than pouring to
Furnace tool.
Turn on the Fournesh, than set the temperature (T1),
and a set few times to ensure tool working till
reaching temperature (1A), and than setting that
time for habitation heating (1B), in this experiment
it was one hour.
Palm oil shell cooked to become carbon is heated at
high temperature causing SiO2 content to be higher,
also astronger cement bond and a lighter density
than the basic cement grade G. Specific gravity

to

measure

Measuring glass 250 ml to measure free water

Filter press to measeure filtration loss.
Objective
Manufacture of cement slurry (suspension) for the
following testing:
Compressive strength and shear bond strength
Thickening time
Filtration loss
Free water
Cement rheology and density
On testing compressive strength, sample was
prepared in the form of cube measuring 2x2x2 in3 to
determine the strength of the cement to hold the
wall formation or from the horizontal direction.
Meanwhile, shear bond strength testing was
prepared in cylindric shape with diameter 1 in and

height 2 in to determine the strength of the cement

casing to withstand heavy pressure and pressure
from the vertical diection.
Thickening time measurement to determine
howmany hours required to harden the cement
slurry. Thickning time conducted to simulate in situ
well conditions; if not known, a cement slurry will
sooner or later harden before reaching its
destination.

of compressive strength and shear bond strength,

causing silica content too high in cement suspension
and not accompanied by high content of calcium.
So, some silica content in palm shells carbon
heating at temperature 800 C not reactive.
Excessive acid content at the silica reaction with
palm shells carbon affects the acid and water in the
cement. So during drying the cement bond can be
damaged.
Thickening Time

Filtration loss investigation to measure filtrate in

cement slurry and its entry into the formation.
Formation will collapse if too much filtrate is
missing from the cement suspension.
Free water measurementto learn content liberated in
measuring glass 250 ml for 2 hours. The amount of
free water shouldnt be more than 3.5 ml because if
more than 3.5 ml, the cement will make pores, and
the cement has high permeability value, its causes
the cement sheath to not have good quality.
Rheology
of
drill
cement
purposes
todetermineplasic viscosity and yield point from
cement slurry. High plastic viscousity and high
yield point causes higher friction in annulus.
Density test to knows density value. If density value
high it will be effect to slurry cement, because will
happen filtration loss.
Porosity test to knows how porosity value to
cement. In the cementing operation, porosity value
must less or nothing. Because if the porosity value
high, will effect to cement in the well. Example,
cement cant holding the casing at the well along
time and casing weak effect from pressure of wall
formation.
RESULTS
Compressive strength and shear bond strength
Figure-1 and Figure-2show a rise in the value of
compressing strength and shear bond strength with
addition of palm oil shells carbon at temperatures of
400 oC to 700 oC. It is influenced by the silica
(SiO2) content in activated carbon from palm shells
which increases with addition of temperature of
carbon to absorb calcium and the water liberated in
the cement will increase the holding capacity of
cement particles (Imam Pranadipa, 2009. Efrando
Siregar, 2012)
But, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, addition of palm oil
shell carbon at temperature 800 oC shows reduction

Figure 3 shows the thickening time value of a

sample vs. the temperature difference in the palm
shell carbon. However, no significant difference
occurred in all samples. This shows the difference
in temperature at the palm shell carbon has no effect
on the thickening time. Of all the thickening time
tests, the smallest occurred at 400C at 1 hour 33
minutes.
Filtration Loss
Figure 4 shows, the value of filtration loss to
temperature difference of palm oil shell carbon. The
effect if too much filtrate is lost from the cement
slurry is bad cement bonding to formation.
Of all the tests, the smallest filtration loss occurred
at carbon heating of 700C; equal to 179.35 ml.
However, all samples showed good filtration loss
characteristic and differences were not significant,
because the filtration loss allowed in primary
cementing operation is 150 ml - 250 ml (Rudi
Rubiandini, 2010).
Free Water
Figure 5 shows the amount of free water that
occurred in the suspension of cement to the
difference in temperature warming of palm oil shell
carbon. All samples have different free water
values, but none were significant. Maximum limit
of free water volume of the cement slurry of 3.5 ml
were allowed for 2 hours at room temperature.
When free water exceeds the maximum limit, that
cement bond quality is not good. Of all the free
water sample testing, the data showed that the value
of all the samples were not significant. In laboratory
testing, the smallest amount of free water in the
composition of palm shell carbon heating was
800C at 1.9 ml.
Density and Rheology
Figure 6 shows the density of cement to the
warming of palm oil shell carbon at several

temperatures. Of all samples were obtained density

of 12.8 PPG. Palm shell oil carbon heating has no
effect on the decrease or increase in the density of
cement, but the addition of palm shell carbon
additive can reduce the density of the cement
because carbon shell palm oil are lightweight
materials.
Figures 7 and 8 show the values of plastic viscosity
and yield point ofthe temperature differences.
Carbon shell palm oil as light weighting material is
an additive that can decrease density. When the
density is lower, then the plastic viscosity cement
will also be small. Yield point in all samples
showed small values, because palm oil shell carbon
can reduce friction on the cement.
Figures 7 and 8show the difference from plastic
viscosity and yield point is low but for many,
addition of palm shell carbon composition can
reduce the density and rheology.
CONCLUSIONS
From the investigation that has been done, it can be
concluded:

hand to increase the compressive and shear bond

strength of the cement sheath.
The temperature difference of palm shell carbon

has no effect on testing thickening time,

filtration loss, density and rheological, but the
addition of palm shell carbon composition can
influence it.
ACKNOWLDGEMENTS
The authors with to thank Dr. Mursyidah, MSc as
mentor studies in laboratory, and M. Bhakti Setia
who helped in preparation of this paper, then to
Petroleum Engineering Department UIR who have
facilitated the laboratory so that we can complete
the studies.
REFERENCES
American Petroleum Institiute. 2002. API
Specification 10A, Specification for Cement and
Materials for Well Cementing Twenty-Third
Edition, D.C., USA
Nelson, E rik B.. Well Cementing. Sclumberger
Educational Services. Houston, Texas.

Heating the palm oil shell carbon at several

temperatures can increase the strength of

cement.
In an earlier study Sysca L. P got a result of

compressive strength of 1090.507 Psi and Shear

bond strength of 154.48 Psi.
Heating of palm oil shell carbon at temperature

700C, achieved the result of compressive

strength of 1417.90 Psi and shearbond strength
of 200.94 Psi.
Heating palm oil shell carbon produces higher

silica content comparing with carbon palm shells

that are not reheated.
With the addition of palm shell carbon additive

is proven to reduce the density of the drilling

cement amounting to 12.8 PPG, on the other

Rubiandini, R., 2000, New Additive for improving

shearbond strength in High Temperature and
Pressure Cement: IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling
Technology 2000.
Pranadipa, I., 2010, Utilization of Oil Palm Shell
Charcoal as an Extender in Oil Well Cement: 34th
IPA Convention & Exhibition 2010.
Siregar, E., 2012. Utilization of Waste Rice Husk
Ash and Charcoal Palm Shells as a Light Weighting
Additive to Improve the Strength of Cement
Drilling. IATMI simposium national & congress
XII 2012.
Marhaendrajana, T., Wahyu.P.G., Siagian. U.W.,
2010, Development of Resin to Improve sand in
unconsolidated
reservoir
(unconsolidated
Reservoir). IATMI simposium national & congress
XII 2010.

Figure 1 - Compressive Strength vs Carbon Heating Temperature.

Figure 2 - Shearbond Strength vs Carbon Heating Temperature

Figure 3 - Thickening Time vs Carbon Heating Temperature

Figure 4 - Filtration Loss vs Carbon heating Temperature

Figure 5 - Free Water vs Carbon heating Temperature

DensityCurve
14

Density(PPG)

12

12,8

12,8

12,8

12,8

12,8

400C

500C

600C

700C

800C

10
8
6
4
2
0

Figure 6 - Density vs Carbon heating Temperature

Figure 7 - Plastic Viscosity vs Carbon heating Temperature

Figure 8 - Yield Point vs Carbon heating Temperature

Figure 9 - Porosity vs Carbon heating Temperature

Figure 10 - Scanning Electron Microscope of Standard Sampel

Figure 11 Scanning Electron Microscope of Carbon Heating Temperature Sample