Petrophysical Properties of Casing Cement While Curing

Abstract

For geothermal as a well as hydrocarbon wells the casing is cemented to ensure a good contact between casing and the rock mass and, more importantly, for preventing the contamination of water resources. Cement shall thus have sufficient strength to prevent collapse of unstable formations and sufficient little permeability to prevent movement of undesired fluids along the well. The ultimate goal is the long-term integrity of the casing and the well. In a series of experiments, we conduct tests on various cements (with some bentonite content) for strength (uniaxial and triaxial), static elastic properties (Young's Modulus and Poisson's ratio), permeability, compressional wave velocities and dynamic elastic properties of the cement while curing. With this set of data the qualitative insight from cement bond logs may be enhanced by quantitative mechanical properties.