Cement Slurry Design

Schlumberger Private

Density
Thickening time
Fluid loss
Rheology
Slurry stability
Compressive Strength
Strength retrogression control
Special properties (Gas migration, Flexibility, Expansion)

Density
Driven by
Well security pore and frac pressures

Economics extended slurries can be cheaper

Well Objectives

Density Range

Ultra-lightweight (6 - 12 lb/gal)
Conventional lightweight (11 - 15 lb/gal)
Normal densities (14.8 - 16.4 lb/gal)
Weighted cement (17 - 19 lb/gal)
Ultra-heavyweight cement (18 - 23 lb/gal)

Schlumberger Private

Laboratory Testing Equipment

Pressurized Mud Balance - Density

Schlumberger Private

An absolute must at the rigsite and in the lab

Thickening Time
Allow time for placement of slurry and any other
movement of the cement or tools

Affected by temperature and pressure

Reported in Bearden units of consistency (Bc)

Upper fluid limit: 70 Bc to 100 BC

Schlumberger Private

Fluid Loss Control

Requirement depends on
Formation type and permeability

Annular restrictions

Presence of gas zones

Small annular gaps (liners)

Schlumberger Private

Fluid Loss Control

General Guidelines (Differential Pressure - 1000 psi)

Prevention of gas migration

Production liners
Production longstring
- Lead slurries
- Tail slurries
Routine (if required)
- Lead slurries
- Tail slurries
Horizontal wells

Neat cement slurry - fluid loss is 1000 to 1500 mL/30 min

< 250
< 150
< 300
< 200
< 50

Schlumberger Private

(mL/30 min, API)

30 to 50
< 50

Rheology
Altered by:
Dispersants (TIC, salt)
Viscosifiers (bentonite, FLAC*
additives)
Density (water/cement ratio,
weighting agents)
Temperature
Compatibility with other fluids

Schlumberger Private

Required to:
Assess slurry mixability (300 rpm <
200)
Determine slurry flow properties
Flow regime
Flow rates
Friction pressures
Thixotropic/gelation tendencies
Indicates stability problems

Slurry Rheology
Tested by:
Rotational viscometer

At ambient and BHCT after conditioning slurry

Curve fit is best but indices can be estimated:

PV = 1.5 x (Q300 - Q100)
Ty = Q300 - PV

Schlumberger Private

Slurry Stability
Measured by two properties:
Free fluid

Sedimentation or flotation of solids

Schlumberger Private

Compressive Strength

WOC times are based on strength

Affected by temperature and pressure

Destructive testing - Curing and breaking cubes

Non Destructive testing - Ultrasonic velocity (UCA)

Schlumberger Private

Measured by

Laboratory Testing Equipment

Compressive Strength

Schlumberger Private

11

BvV

Strength Development

Schlumberger Private

Strength Retrogression Control

Strength retrogression occurs > 230oF

Is due to changes in calcium silicate (set cement) forms created at

higher temperatures

Occurs over weeks, months, years

More rapid at higher temperature

Controlled by addition of silica

Normally 35% to 40%

Schlumberger Private

Strength Retrogression
Long Term High Temperature Stability on NON API Portland Cement (Project # 0527)
Slurry Design : Type I/II Cement + 0.0% Silica Flour mixed at 15.0 ppg
2000

2000
230F

1800

1800
1600

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (PSI)

280F
1400

1400
290F

1200

1200

1000

1000
310F

800

800

600

600

400

400

350F

200

200

0
0

7
Elapsed Time (DAYS)

10

12

14

Schlumberger Private

270F

1600