Introduction to the

Cementing lab
Module CMT 016
22-Jun-00

Laboratory Functions

Two types of Laboratory testing :

1. Performance Evaluation
Slurry Design Stage

Measurement of specific slurry properties under simulated

downhole conditions.

Execution Stage

Monitor preparation of blended materials

2. Chemical Characterisation
Quantitative or qualitative analysis of the slurry

components prior to mixing.

Cement
Additives
Mix Fluid

2
11/23/15

Performance EvaluationSlurries

Governed by the API committee

on Standardisation of Oilwell
Cements (10A & 10B)

Publication consists of;

Test specifications for neat

cement slurries
Operational testing
procedures for all slurries

Procedures designed to simulate

downhole conditions

Pressure

Temperature

3
11/23/15

Performance EvaluationSpacers/Washes
Evaluation of the cleaning effect
Compatibility with Cement
Thickening Time
Fluid Loss
Compressive Strength
Rheology
Effects on mud

4
11/23/15

Rheology

API Spec 10B

Fluid Compatibility
API Spec. 10 contains the procedures for

measuring the compatibility of fluids.

The effects of a spacer or chemical wash are

investigated.

Compatible fluids result in very equal sets of

Fann 35 readings.
Large difference between test results

indicates incompatibility.
5
11/23/15

Chemical Characterization
Four types of samples are examined
Cement Powder
C3A, C3S, C2S, C4AF and Gypsum

Dry Blended Cement

Consistency

Set Cement
Mix water

6
11/23/15

Slurry Design

Slurry Properties
Free Water & Slurry Sedimentation
Water separation from static slurry
Migrates upward, accumulates in pockets

or at top of cement column.

Results in incomplete zonal isolation

Density
Balance sub-surface pressures
Cement final strength

10
11/23/15

Slurry Properties - cont.

Pumpability (Slurry Consistency)
Length of time slurry remains in a pumpable

fluid state (Job Time + 1 Hour)

Fluid Loss
Slurry dehydration during placement phase

Rheology
Slurry flow modelling

11
11/23/15

Set Cement Properties

Bonding
Cement - Casing & Cement - Formation

Sulfate Resistance
Reaction to magnesium and sodium sulfates

Loss of compressive strength

Stress cracking

Strength Retrogression
Cement Shrinkage occurs at >230F (110C).

Permeability
Lightweight slurries

12
11/23/15

Testing Process
LAB ANALYSIS
REQUEST
SLURRY DENSITY
FREE WATER
TEST
CEMENT - SPACER - MUD
COMPATABILITY

RHEOLOGY
FLUID LOSS
TEST
THICKENING TIME
TEST

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
TEST

LABORATORY REPORT

13
11/23/15

Laboratory
Procedures
& Equipment

Lab Analysis Request (LAR)

Submit LAR to lab requesting a slurry formulation

Designate additives available for slurry design
Request specific performance parameters;
Density
Rheology ( PV, YP & Gel Strength)
Fluid Loss
Thickening Time
Free Water
Compressive Strength
Provide information on well parameters
Job Type, Depth (MD/TVD)
Temperatures (BHST/BHCT/maxHCT)
Pressure Profiles.

15
11/23/15

Laboratory Analysis Report

At the conclusion of Cement Slurry

formulation and subsequent testing a

report is produced outlining the following;
Part 1

Information requested
Summary of results
Conclusions and recommendations

Part 2
Laboratory Tests and Results
Part 3
Appendices as necessary

16
11/23/15

Slurry
Properties

LAR Number
Well Conditions

Slurry
Formulation

17
11/23/15

Typical LAR format

generated by LabDB*
software

Slurry Preparation -

API spec 10B

Section 5
Mixed with a high shear mixer (Waring Blender)
Water and Liquid Additives mixed first.
D20 and polymer need to pre-hydrate prior to

adding dispersant and retarder.

Add Cement /Solids & mix at 4000 rpm for 15

sec.

Continue mix at 12,000 rpm for 35 sec.

Mixing procedure not suitable for;
Microspheres (D124)
Foam slurries

19
11/23/15

20
11/23/15

Slurry Tests - Density & FW

Density Measurement (API Spec 10B Section 6)
Pressurized or Atmospheric Balance
Units are ppg, Kg/m3, SG

Free Water Test (API Spec 10 Section 6)

Slurry placed in 250ml graduated glass test

tube
Free water (ml) measured after 2 hours

21
11/23/15

Static Fluid Loss -

API Spec 10B

Section 10
Simulates amount of fluid loss under pressure
against a permeable formation
Use HPHT cell (simulates downhole conditions)

P = 1000psi, 93F>T > 194F (90C)

Formation simulated by 325 mesh screen

Backed up by a 60 mesh screen

Conditioning procedures as per Section 10.6 &

10.7
Testing procedure as per Section 10.11

22
11/23/15

Rheology -

API Spec 10B Section 12

Correlation between shear stress and

shear rate
Tested with Viscometer (FANN 35)
Rotational speed (Shear rate)

300 RPM
200 RPM
100 RPM
60 RPM
30 RPM

600 RPM not used.

24
11/23/15

Rheology
6 RPM and 3 RPM readings omitted.
3 RPM reading is used to determine

the fluid gel strength at;

10 seconds & 10 minutes

Rotational Sleeve

Slurry Cup

25
11/23/15

BOB (Stationary)

Slurry Tests - cont.

Thickening Time

Determine length of time a slurry remains

fluid
Pressurized consistometer simulates both;
Temperature
Pressure
Reported in Bearden units of consistency (BC)
Upper fluid limit (API) 100 BC
API spec 10 for P-T schedules (example Fig B-7 in Well
Cementing)
Casing,

26
11/23/15

Liners, Squeeze cementing

27
11/23/15

28
11/23/15

Thickening Time Test Curve

Temperature

Time (min)

0
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

100
200
deg.F

400

500

Bc

Temp.

Bc

29
11/23/15

300

50

100

API Schedules -

API Spec 10B

Section 9.5
Pressure and Temperature
schedules derived from field data
schedules available for casing, liner and
squeeze jobs
P-T effect on Thickening Time
continuous exposure to varying P-T profiles
max P-T not necessarily at same point
TOC will be exposed to max P-T while circulating
New Instrumentation & Refine Procedures
API schedules do not cover all factors
dynamic wellbore simulation tool

30
11/23/15

Solution - CemCADE

31
11/23/15

BHCT Prediction
degF ( * 100)
0.5

1.5

3.5

2.5

Formation
Annulus
Casing Fluids

Max
HCT
BHCT

Mud Temp. Profile At 180 min

32
11/23/15

Slurry Tests - Compressive

Strength
Set cement strength under downhole

conditions
Apparatus;
Curing Bath (ATM pressure & 82 oC)
Curing Chamber (3000 psi & 193 oC)
Procedure.
Measurement Unit
Other methods

33
11/23/15

34
11/23/15