Experimental Investigations on the Effect of Mixing Procedures on the Rheological Properties of Oilwell Cement Slurries

Abstract

Abstract Well cementing is an essential operation in the oil and gas industry, and it is a key material to ensure wellbore integrity through the life of the well. Improper cement design can trigger well construction risks such as de-bonding and leakage pathways near-wellbore and through the annulus. Mixing non-Newtonian fluids is one of the most challenging tasks, especially for pseudoplastic fluids exhibiting yield stress, such as wellbore cement slurry. Mixing conditions for cement slurries and their effect on rheological properties and thickening time have been debated through the literature. In this study, based on laboratory-scale experiments, we provide testing results for rheological properties and thickening time by changing mixing conditions. Our results show that slurries mixed under similar mixing energy do not necessarily result in similar rheological properties. Comparing rheological measurements from lower mixing energy to higher mixing energy, plastic viscosity decreases; however, yield point increases. This implies the dual opposite effect of mixing time on rheological properties. This may have severe implications for field operations where mixing must be improved to enable successful cement operation.