Research on the gelling process of cement slurries for sealing boreholes drilling through shallow gas-bearing levels

Abstract

The article presents issues related to the sealing slurry technology concerning gelling processes (i.e., static built-up of gel strength of cement slurries). Based on research conducted around the world, it can be concluded that the rate of gelling of the cement slurry has an important role in the process of preventing possible gas exhalations from the annular space. After the cement slurry is pumped into the borehole (especially in zones with shallow gas horizons), the so-called migration (exhalation) of the formation medium (i.e. uncontrolled outflow of e.g. gas from the annular space) may occur. The most important caused of gas migration from the shallow horizons after casings cementation are the inability to maintain a certain overpressure by the column of the binding cement slurry and too long binding of the cement slurry after pumping into the borehole. The initially liquid cement slurry, when pumped out of the casing, acts as a liquid, creating a certain hydrostatic pressure on the deposit. e.g. gas. However, after some time, the period of building the static gel strength (SGS) starts until the cement sets. The SGS building process, i.e. gelling of the cement slurry, reduces the ability to transmit hydrostatic pressure to the reservoir. The Oil and Gas Institute – National Research Institute has tested a number of cement slurry formulations characterized by different gelling and bonding times. Slurries were made on the basis of three typed of latex with the symbols L1, L2, L3, two types of water glass with symbols S1, S2, amorphous silica with the symbol CB, nano-components based on n-SiO2 and n-Al2O3 with the symbols NS and NA as well as high-molecular weight polymer with the symbol GS. Different amounts of setting accelerator were used with the tested slurries. Tests were carried out for eighteen cement recipes, which made it possible to select the optimal compositions of slurries with short gelling and setting times. The samples containing one of the types of latex in the appropriate concentration, the GS polymer, as well as those containing n-SiO2 and n-Al2O3, showed a very advantageous course of the gelation plot (static build-up of gel strength). Their TT transition times, reflecting the course of gelation, ranged from several to several tens of minutes (which is a proof of high ability to prevent gas migration from shallow gas accumulations). The cement slurries developed at the Oil and Gas Institute – National Research Institute, due to their good technological parameters, could be used in the process of cementing casing strings.