Cementing Geothermal Steam Wells

Abstract

Cementing deep, high-temperatw-e oil wehts where static tenzperatwes range from 350 to 400F hm become routine in the past decade. [n the United States there were 271 wells drilIed deeper than 15,000 ft during 1963. Many of these wells had stotic temperatures higiter than 400F, Bottom-?tole static temperatures near 700F are now realities in the, geothermal (steam producing) wells of California's Salton Sea area, The detailed planning initiated prior to drilling the wells is discussed together with the methods, materials and equipment used in solving the cementing problems which are encountered. Data are also presented that lead to developtnent oj cementing compositions that provide adequate thickening time, do not retrogress in strength, attd maintaPz low permeability under these extreme temperalgre conditions, Field data inchtde the cementing programs used on eight relatively trouble-free geothermal steam WWS in the Salton Sea urea.

Energy from the earth - Deep geothermal as a resource for the future?

“…The success of this step finally defines the lifetime of a well and the production rate. Both casing string and cement must withstand the mechanical (pressure, forces), thermal (linear thermal expansion and contraction) and chemical (brine, formation fluids, corrosive chemicals) impacts on the well (Edwards et al, 1982;Carson and Lin, 1981;Carson and Lin, 1982;Bottai and Cigni, 1985;Kalousek, 1979;Ostroot, 1964;Shryock and Smith, 1981;Sugama, 2006).…”