Effect of perlite particles on the properties of oil-well class G cement

Abstract

Cementing is a significant operation that has important functions for supporting the oil/gas wells life. Many additives had been added to enhance the cement layer properties towards promising to achieve its functions, especially for the high-temperature conditions. The purpose of this work is to investigate the prospect of utilizing perlite particles (PP) for the cementing process under high-temperature of 292 °F and high-pressure of 3000 psi. Four cement samples containing different concentrations of perlite particles (PP) (0, 1, 2, 3% By Weight of Cement - BWOC) were prepared and compared. The influences of perlite particles (PP) on the cement properties such as thermal conductivity, density variation rheological properties, failure parameters, elastic properties, and petrophysical properties were examined. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to evaluate the porosity distribution for the cement after adding PP. The results showed that the optimum concentration of the perlite particles was 3% BWOC. Perlite material was talented to stabilize the density distribution and significantly reduce the thermal conductivity of the cement layer by 40% compared with base cement (i.e., 0% PP). NMR measurements showed that the deviation in the cement porosity between different sections (top, middle, and bottom) can be effectively controlled by adding perlite particles. Moreover, adding PP to class G cement showed extreme improvement in its rheological properties. Other properties including, tensile strength, compressive strength, Young's modulus were also controlled using containing perlite cement.