Gas / Fluid Migration

2
Causes of Gas Migration
Mud channel
Free fluid channel
Gas invasion of cement
Microannulus
Stress cracking of set cement
3
Mud Removal
Poor mud removal leaves channels
Failure to provide isolation allows fluid/gas
flow to lower pressured formations or to
surface
Flow may occur shortly after cementing or
days/weeks later
4
Mud Channels
Mud Channel
Mud Cake
Dehydrated,
cracked cake
5
Free Fluid
Free fluid migrates up
In deviated well, can
cause continuous
channel
Can result in pressure
loss in any well
Free fluid channel
6
Invasion of Liquid Cement
If overbalance is not
maintained, gas can
invade the unset
cement
Gas
7
Depressurization
Caused by combination of phenomena:
Volume losses:
Fluid loss
Hydration volume reduction
Gel strength development self-
supporting a natural result of cement
hydration
8
Onset of Gas Flow
Age at which balance reached is critical
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

Pore Pressure
Hydrostatic Pressure
Balance point
Cement Set: No
Gas can Invade
Overbalance Pressure
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

Cement Hydration
9
Paths Created After Setting
Microannulus
Stress cracking of the cement
10
Microannulus
Good Seal Failed Seal
Flow normally low volume but could be high pressure
From disturbance of cement prior to setting or
casing shrinkage after setting.
11
Stress Cracking of Set Cement
Cracks from stresses caused by expansion/contraction
of casing due to temperature and pressure changes
12
Preventing Gas / Fluid Migration
All paths and mechanisms must be addressed
Mud removal
Free fluid control
Pressure maintenance
Maximum overbalance
Delayed gel strength development
Use of special slurries
Low permeability
High durability
Controlling stresses after setting or using more durable
cement

13
Good Mud Removal Practices
Requires engineered flow regimes
Proper cementing practices:
Pipe movement
Centralization
Fluids designed for mud removal
Conditioned mud and wellbore before cementing
Good wellbore for cementing (minimum
washout)
14
Slurry Design
Free fluid control
Rheology for mud removal and minimized
gelation tendencies
Fluid loss control < 50 mL/30 min
Rapid setting
Minimized thickening time (reduced
opportunity for gas to invade)
Special slurries
15
Special Slurries
Low permeability
Latex
Microsilica
Controlled gel strength
Compressible cement (foamed)
Durable cement
16
Calculating Risk
Several methods have been developed to
determine risk
GFP
CWSS
Level of risk used to determine slurry
requirements
17
CWSS
CWSS = 0.25 [S(r
x
gL
x
cosQ) - P
f
] [D
h
- D
c
] / L
cmt
where:
r = fluid density
g = gravity
L = length of column
Q = angle of inclination
P
f
= pore pressure
D
h
= hole diameter
D
c
= casing diameter
1
10
100
1000
10000
Time

G
e
l

S
t
r
e
n
g
t
h

(
l
b
f
/
1
0
0

s
q
f
t
)

CWSS
Tf Tc
Impermeable
Matrix
Gas
L
D
c

D
h

Stiles, OTC 8305, May 1997
18
Critical Wall Shear Stress
Indicates degree of hazard of gas flow
Is a measure of the degree of hydrostatic
pressure decay which will allow gas entry
Is dependent on well geometry and
pressures
Lower CWSS indicates higher hazard
19
Gas Flow Potential
GFP = MPR / OBP

GFP = Gas flow potential (dimensionless)
MPR = Maximum pressure restriction (psi)
OBP = Overbalance pressure (psi)
MPR = 1.67 x L/D

1.67 = conversion factor
L = Length of cement column (ft)
D = Effective diameter (in) (hole casing diameter)
For condition where static gel strength of
500 lbf/100 ft
2
controls gas
20
Gas Flow Potential Factor
1 2 3 4 5 10 6 7 8 9

Flow Condition 1
Minor
Flow Condition 2
Moderate
Flow Condition 3
Severe
Sutton, Sabins, Faul, New Evaluation for Annular Gas-flow Potential,
Oil and Gas Journal, 17 Dec, 1984.
21
Model 7150 Fluid Migration Analyzer
Purpose
The Chandler Engineering Model 7150 Fluid Migration Analyzer (FMA) is a bench-top
laboratory device to realistically test cement recipes for use in controlling formation flow
(gas/brine) invasion after the cement job. The apparatus realistically simulates
parameters such as temperature, hydrostatic pressure, fluid formation pressures, and
pressure gradients driving the flow through a cement column.
Description
The FMA test cell has the same internal diameter as an API fluid loss cell. A hollow
hydraulic piston at the top of the cell is pressurized with water to simulate the effect of the
hydrostatic pressure on the cement. Filtrate from the cement slurry can be collected from
the bottom of the cell through standard fluid loss screens (325 mesh) or other desired
mesh size screens. The formation pore pressure and fluid inflow is simulated at the
bottom of the cell. Fluid migration through the cement is monitored using pressure
transducers and flow meters. All pressures, filtrate volumes, temperatures, and
formation fluid inflow rate are automatically measured, logged, and displayed on a
continuous basis.
22
The Model 7150 FMA is designed to perform the scale-down method
testing described by Beirute and Cheung (SPE 19522) and provides
flexibility for custom procedures.
1
The scale-down method is designed
to study migration through the cement column before the cement sets
(short-term migration studies).


1
Beirute, R.M. and Cheung, P.R.: "A Scale-Down Laboratory Test Procedure
for Tailoring to Specific Well Conditions, the Selection of Cement Recipes to
Control Formation Fluids Migration After Cementing," SPE 19522, 64
th
SPE
Annual Technical Conference, San Antonio, Texas, October 8-11, 1989.

Theory
23
Scale-down Test Method
The Scale-down method tailors the test schedule to the
specific well conditions using the properties of the specific
cement slurry to be tested. The procedure addresses a
"worst case" scenario. The method assumes that the
offending gas zone (source of the invading gas) has
enough permeability, thickness, and gas volume to fully
invade the cemented annulus (cement column), if
conditions allow it. In the laboratory procedure, the gel
strength development of the slurry (using SGSA) is used to
estimate the maximum potential pressure decline in the
cement column. The maximum possible hydrostatic
pressure decline with time due to gel strength development
is normally calculated using the equation for hydrostatic
pressure decline.

24
Hydrostatic Pressure Decline
DP = (GS/300) x (L/D)
Where:
GS = Gel strength vs. time in lbf/100 ft
2

DP = Hydrostatic pressure decline in psi
L = Length of the cement column in feet
D = Mean diameter of annulus (hole-casing) in inches.
300 = Conversion factor

The calculated pressure decline schedule is then used to allow dehydration from the
cement into the simulated gas formation and to predict when a pressure differential
needs to be applied across the slurry to potentially drive gas through the sample.
The magnitude of the pressure differential placed across the cement specimen is
calculated using Darcy's Law, assuming that equal "bulk permeabilities" exist in the
well and in the test cell. The gas influx into the cement is measured. At the end of
the test, it is possible to tell if the proposed slurry formulation will control the gas
migration problem in the given well across the zone of interest.
25
Cement Slurry Gel Strength Measurements
In order to perform the needed calculations for the test, a measure of the gel
strength development versus time at realistic down hole conditions should to be
made prior to the scale-down test.
State-of-the-art acoustic technology allows measurement of the gel strength
development of cement slurry at down-hole conditions using Chandler Engineering
Model 5265 Static Gel Strength Analyzer (SGSA). Moon and Wang (SPE Paper
#55650) describe this methodology. A copy of this paper is located in the Reference
Materials section of this manual.
Fluid Migration Test Design
Table 1 shows an example of an FMA test designed using the scale-down method.
The assumed well conditions are also given in the table. As indicated before, the
test schedule calculated using the scale-down method is different for each set of well
conditions and for different slurries with different gel strength development
characteristics. In order to prepare the table below for a particular set of well
conditions, it is critical to understand the path of migration that the invading fluid or
gas will take.
Test Design
26
Example Well Conditions
Measured depth, high pressure zone: 14800 ft
Pore pressure, high pressure zone: 10900 psi
Measured depth, thief (lower pressure) zone: 13000ft
Pore pressure, thief zone: 8800 psi
Measured top of the cement: 8000 ft
Pipe OD: 7 in
Equivalent mud density (from fluid column lengths): 14.8
lb/gal
Cement density: 15.8 lb/gal
27
Simulated gas zone pressure to be used in the test, PSI: 300 (This is the
backpressure bottom during the fluid loss portion of the test. During the
fluid/gas migration portion of the test, this is the base inject pressure.) See
Table 1 sections A and B below.
Table 1 Pressure Schedule
Fluid/Gas Migration Test Designed Using the Scale-Down Method

A. Fluid Loss Portion of the Test

Time
(min)

Slurry Gel
Strength (lb/100
ft
2
)

Cement pore
pressure (PSI)


Gas Zone
Pressure (back
pressure bottom)

0

1.4

1128

300

6

8.3

1050

300

10

14

985

300

15

21

906

300

20

28

826

300

25

33

770

300

30

42

668

300

35

49

588

300

40

56

509

300

45

63

430

300

50

69

362

300

28

B. Fluid/Gas Migration Portion of the Test

Time
(min)

Slurry Gel
Strength (lb/100
ft
2
)

Cement pore
pressure (PSI)


Gas Zone
Pressure
(Injection
Pressure)

Back Pressure
Top

55

75

300

300

288

57

98

300

300

286

59

113

300

300

285

60

128

300

300

284

63

166

300

300

281

65

181

300

300

280

68

265

300

300

280

To end of
test

394

300

300

280

29
Best features of the industry standard gas migration
device developed by Dr. Robert Beirute.
Accurate temperature control to 400
o
F (205
o
C).
Accurate pressure control to 2000 PSI (14 MPa).
Deviated wellbore simulation.
Ability to test with standard fluid loss screens.
Removable top and bottom of the test cell to simplify
sample removal and clean up.
Both liquid and gas flow monitored and recorded.
Multichannel data acquisition by PC for real-time display.
Features and Benefits
30
All pressures, temperatures, linear displacement
transducer position, and filtrate volumes are recorded
and displayed using the computer that comes with the
instrument. The provided software continuously
displays the data and is very flexible, allowing the
display of all desired information at any time during
the test.
Data Acquisition
31
Operating Conditions: 24C - 204C (75F - 400F )
Maximum Temperature: 204C (400F)
Maximum Pressure: 14 MPa (2000 psi )

Input Voltage: 200-240 VAC; 50/60 Hz
Power: 1000 Watts

Dimensions: 114cm (45) high x 160cm (63) wide x 61cm
(24) deep
Shipping Dimensions: 119cm (47) high x 145cm (57) wide x 122cm
(48) deep

Net Weight: 93 kg (205 lb )
Shipping Weight: 206 kg (455 lb)
Specifications
32
The Chandler Engineering Model 7150 Fluid Migration
Analyzer is designed for operator safety. Any instrument
that is capable of high temperatures and pressures should
always be operated with CAUTION!!
Safety Requirements
33
7150 Schematic
Model 7150 FMA
34
Instrument: SGSA/UCA R&D Prototype 100 Test Start: 9/17/01 1:37:39 PM T & P Schedule:
Instrument Type: SGSA/UCA Test Stop: 9/21/01 2:03:00 PM Sampling Period: 30 seconds
Initial Strength: 50 psi @ 6:09:30 Initial SGS: 75 lb/100ft^2 @ 3:29:00
Strength 1: 500 psi @ 16:11:30 Final SGS: 1200 lb/100ft^2 @ 4:06:30
Final Strength: 1352 psi @ 96:25:21
Comments:
CHANDLER
Test File Name: carHtest2sgs Page 1
E N G I N E E R I N G
0:00 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00
Time(HH:MM)
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e
(

F
)

0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
v
e
S
t
r
e
n
g
t
h
(
p
s
i
)

0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
S
t
a
t
i
c
G
e
l
S
t
r
e
n
g
t
h
(
l b
/
1
0
0
f
t
2
)

Static Gel Strength Analyzer Data
(lower temperature)
35
Instrument: SGSA/UCA R&D Prototype 100 Test Start: 9/24/01 10:15:24 AM T & P Schedule:
Instrument Type: SGSA/UCA Test Stop: 9/28/01 10:25:07 AM Sampling Period: 30 seconds
Initial Strength: 50 psi @ 2:29:30 Initial SGS: 75 lb/100ft^2 @ 1:14:30
Strength 1: 500 psi @ 3:50:00 Final SGS: 1200 lb/100ft^2 @ 1:43:30
Final Strength: 3278 psi @ 96:09:43
Comments:
CHANDLER Test File Name: capHtest3sgs Page 1
E N G I N E E R I N G Printed: 2/18/03 10:23:03 AM
0:00 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00
Time(HH:MM)
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e
(

F
)

0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
v
e
S
t
r
e
n
g
t
h
(
p
s
i
)

0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
S
t
a
t
i
c
G
e
l
S
t
r
e
n
g
t
h
(
l b
/
1
0
0
f
t
2
)

Static Gel Strength Analyzer Data
(higher temperature)
36
Pressure Data
Pressure is gradually
decreased to simulate
loss of hydrostatic
pressure due to gel
strength development.
The pressure vs. time
profile is determined
from the Static Gel
Strength Analyzer
(SGSA) data.

37
0
20
40
60
80
100
C
e
m
e
n
t

F
l
u
i
d

L
o
s
s

(
S
c
a
l
e

B
)

(
m
l
)
0
20
40
60
80
100
F
l
u
i
d

M
i
g
r
a
t
i
o
n

V
o
l
u
m
e

(
S
c
a
l
e

A
)

(
A
t
m
-
m
l
)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
P
i
s
t
o
n

D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t

(
i
n
c
h
e
s
)
0
2
4
6
8
10
F
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

F
l
u
i
d

I
n
f
l
o
w

R
a
t
e

(
N
2
)

(
S
t
a
n
d
a
r
d

m
l
/
m
i
n
)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
C
e
m
e
n
t

P
o
r
e

P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
p
s
i
g
)
0:00 0:30 1:00 1:30 2:00
Time (HH:MM)
Flow and Volume Data
Fluid loss is through the
standard screen during the
first phase of the test. The
blue line is the cumulative
fluid loss. Gas inflow then
occurs as gas is diverted to
the base of the cell at the
fluid loss screen. Gas flow
into the cell is shown with
the red line. This is not a
gas tight slurry.

38
Treatment Design
Pumping schedule to meet mud removal
requirements
Annular pressure
Hydrostatics design by adjusting fluid densities
Slurry height reduction to reduce rate of
depressurization
Slurry coverage above and below gas zones
Lead slurries must be considered as well
39
Operational Procedures
Well is static before cementing
Density control for hydrostatics and slurry
consistency
Maintain overbalance
Stage collars
Annular pressure maintenance
Special packers (use with care)