Lightweight and Ultra-Lightweight Cements for Well Cementing - A Review

Abstract

Abstract Lost circulation is a very common and expensive problem during drilling and cementing operations in the oil and gas industry. The lost circulation problems encountered during drilling or cementing are a result of one of two factors. These factors are the presence of zones of weak fracture gradients and the presence of high permeability or thief zones downhole. Light weight cements are an effective solution for curbing lost circulation caused by the breakdown of weak zones by conventional cement slurries. This paper presents a discussion of the different methods, additives and technologies that have been and are currently employed in the formulation of lightweight and ultra-lightweight cement slurries for cementing oil wells as well as recent developments based on an extensive literature review. This paper also discusses the mechanical performance, cost effectiveness and field logistical considerations of lightweight slurries formulated using different methods as these are important factors that impact decision making on what slurry extension method to choose for any given scenario. The information presented in this paper is derived from an extensive review of information contained in papers, journals and books spanning the last 50 years of well cementing and is summarized in such a way that the paper serves as a quick guide to cement slurry extension technology and techniques. An extensive review of the literature regarding lightweight cements showed that there are three general methods of obtaining lightweight cement slurries. These methods include increasing cement slurry water content (water extension) with the aid of viscocifying agents such as bentonite and sodium metasilicate, adding lightweight materials like glass microspheres and incorporating foam into slurries. Reported test data shows that apart from cement slurries containing glass microspheres and foamed cements, lightweight slurries exhibit lower compressive strength and slower compressive strength development than heavy slurries. Foamed cements pose the greatest design and field logistics challenge while cement slurries with glass microspheres have gained more popularity due to the excellent compressive strength values achievable at ultra-low densities despite their higher cost compared to water-extended slurries and lightweight slurries containing other lightweight additives like fly ash. The literature review presented also indicates a need for more research into improving lab mixing and testing methods that replicate field applications of foam cement. There is also a need for research into more cost-effective slurry extension additives and technology that exhibit acceptable mechanical performance for well integrity assurance and rheological properties favorable to proper cement placement in the annulus.