Well Design
PE 413
Introduction
History and Overview
The basic principle of oil well cementing involves displacing cement slurry down
the casing to a predetermined point in the well. The slurry is formed by mixing
water with Portland cement, or with cement blended with additives. This
procedure controls gas/oil and water/oil ratios, and is used in various types of
liner jobs and remedial work. The casing must be cemented to exclude water
and other unwanted fluids. Cement slurry is forced into the annular space
between the casing and the wall of the hole, where the cement can set and form
a permanent barrier against water and other fluids.
Introduction
History and Overview
Cement that is pumped down into the annulus is used as a sealant to help protect:
1. Casing and wellbore from external pressure that could collapse the pipe or cause
a blowout
3. Casing from possible corrosion and electrolysis caused by formation waters and
physical contact with various strata
Introduction
History and Overview
The cement composition and placement technique for each job must be chosen
so that the cement will achieve an adequate strength soon after being placed in
the desired location. This minimizes the waiting period after cementing.
However, the cement must remain pumpable along enough to allow placement
to the desired location. The main ingredient in almost all drilling cements is
Portland cement, artificial cement made by burning a blend of limestone and
clay. This is the same basic type of cement used in making concrete.
Introduction
Hydration of Cement
5. 5% other oxides
Oxide
Lime (CaO or C)
Silica (SiO2 or S)
Alumina (Al2O3 or A)
Ferric Oxide (Fe2O3 or F)
Magnesia (MgO)
Sulfur Trioxide (SO3)
Ignition loss
API uses the following equations for calculating the weight percent of the crystalline
compounds from the weight percent of the oxides present.
C4AF = 3.04F
These equations are valid as long as the weight ratio of Al2O3 to Fe2O3 present is
greater than 0.64
Example
Example: Calculate the percentages of C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF from the
following oxide analysis of a standard Portland cement.
Example
C4AF = 3.04F
5. Specimen molds and strength testing machines for determining the tensile and
compressive strength of the cement
The test consists essentially of filling the cup with a mud sample and determining
the rider position required for balance. Water is usually used for the calibration fluid.
The density of fresh water is 8.33 lbm/gal.
The mud is sheared at a constant rate between an inner bob and an outer rotating
sleeve. Six standard speeds plus a variable speed setting are available with the
rotational viscometer.
Newtonian fluids:
Bingham fluids: y p
Herschel-Bulkley
(Yield power law fluids) y K n
A device used to determine the thickening time of cement slurries under simulated
downhole pressure and temperature conditions. The thickening time is a
measurement of the time during which cement slurry remain in a fluid state and is
capable of being pumped. Thickening time is assessed under simulated downhole
conditions using a consistometer that plots the consistency of a slurry over time at
the anticipated temperature and pressure conditions. The end of the thickening
time is considered to be 50 or 70 Bc for most applications.
T 78.2
Bc
20.02
T is the torque on the paddle in g-cm and Bc is the slurry consistency in API
consistency units designated by Bc. The thickening time of the slurry is defined as
the time required to reach a consistency of 100 Bc. This value is felt to be
representative of the upper limit of pumpability.
Typical
thickening time
test output
qL
K 14,700
ADP
Where K(mD) is the permeability, q(mL/s) is the flow rate, (cp) is the water
viscosity, L(cm) is the sample length, A(cm2) is the sample cross-sectional area,
and DP(psi) is the differential pressure.
qL
K 14,700
ADP
K 1 14,700
0.03451.02.54 10 mD
2.8652 20
4
K 2 14,700
0.003451.02.54 1 mD
2.8652 200
4