Use of Nanomaterials in Cementing Applications

Abstract

The two principal functions of oilwell cementing are to restrict fluid movement between zones within the formation and to bond and support the casing. Apart from these, the cement sheath also protects casing from corroding, protects the casing from shock loads when drilling deeper, and plugs lost circulation or thief zones. Once cement is placed in the wellbore, initial setting occurs wherein development of compressive strength becomes more important for further drilling operations. Early strength development is important to help ensure structural support to the casing and hydraulic and mechanical isolation of downhole intervals. Delays in strength development cause significant amounts of lost time because of the need to wait on cement (WOC). Typically, an accelerator is often used to enable early strength development in cement. It is desired that an accelerator should improve overall compressive strength without causing excessive gelation. Nanomaterials (being smaller in size and higher in surface area) are used in several fields, including catalysis, polymers, electronics, and biomedicals. Because of a higher surface area, these materials can also be used in oilwell cementing to accelerate the cement hydration process. Moreover, they are often required in small quantities. This paper documents a case in which nanosilica was used in cement formulations to develop high early strength. Nanosilica also helps enhance final compressive strength and helps control fluid loss. Using the correct quantity of nanosilica, it is possible to design cement slurry with low rheology and good mechanical properties while controlling fluid loss.

Nanocząsteczki – nowa droga w kształtowaniu parametrów świeżych i stwardniałych zaczynów cementowych

“…Nanomateriałami nazywamy taki rodzaj materiałów, w któ-rych przynajmniej jeden z wymiarów przestrzennych jest mniejszy niż 100 nm [11]. Nanocząsteczki możemy podzielić ze względu na wymiar w skali nano na [4]:…”

“…Literatura [1, 3, 9-11] podaje przykłady zastosowania nanotlenku glinu, wpływającego w pewnej mierze na wzrost wytrzymałości na ściskanie, a także dodatków nano-SiO 2 i nano-Fe 2 O 3 -poprawiających wytrzymałość na ściskanie i zginanie matrycy cementowej. Zauważono, że dodatek nanokrzemionki poza poprawą właściwości mechanicznych kamieni cementowych wpływa także w pewnym stopniu na zmniejszenie filtracji [11].…”

“…Niektórzy autorzy prowadzili również badania nad wpływem nanorurek węglowych na parametry mechaniczne stwardniałego zaczynu cementowego. Jedni [12] sugerują, że dodatek nanorurek węglowych nie wpływa znacząco na wzrost wytrzymałości mechanicznej, natomiast inni [11], że dodatek nawet 0,05% nanorurek powoduje wzrost wytrzymałości na ściskanie stwardniałego zaczynu cementowego nawet do 70%. Rys.…”

Advances of Nanotechnologies in Oil and Gas Industries

“…Swelling performance, post-degraded gel viscosity, and long-term thermal resistance of nanocomposite gel is increased by several orders of magnitude compared to hydrogels with no nanomaterial (Tongwa and Bai, 2014). Environmentally acceptable conformance sealant that incorporates nanosilica and an activator was also developed (Patil and Deshpande, 2012). The system can effectively prevent water and gas flow in temperature up to 300 °F.…”

Utilization of Agarwood Distillation Waste in Oilwell Cement and Its Effect on Free Water and Porosity

“…A high quality of cement will ensure a lasting stability of the borehole [4]. The other functions of well cementing are to support the casing by protecting the casing from the shock loads when drilling deeper and also protects casing from corrosion [5]. The cement must be able to provide strength and reinforcement to the casing.…”