SPE 20451 SPE ‘Society of Petroteum Enginwers Interrelationship Between Critical Cement Properties and Volume Changes During Cement Setting D.L. Sutton and F.L. Sabins,* Halliburton Services A Cont 1990, Sacay of Pealoun Engineers Ie. “Tose wa propa presentation fe 6S aml TetclCnfroca ae Exton otha Soy of atu ErlnershaldnNow Gien,LA, Sapte 23-28, 180 “Ton paper was saci fr oreeartaton by an SPE Program Canes folowing raw of fran cofane in an aac submited bythe autor). Content he pace {Eeesttad, have ot ben rovewsd 9 he Sosy Eoeleum Engesre nd ar nto srecron bythe aun) The mara a rae. coe nat necosany ee {nyponton tne Socey of Peloum Engineers sews, ormemams Popes presets SPE medings re stor! o pusican rove by Earl Cormtas oe Socey ‘TPeraiun Engrewrs Pemisson‘o copy srearind an tact net rhe 90 ware: lugrars may non cane Te sera sharin opepcinusoenlegret ‘anes ara Oy nom he pape povrieg Vie bless Manager SPE" P.O Sox 0at0, Returaon, TX 75083 Sate Tee, 750509 SPEDAL ABSTRACT This paper provides a survey of pertinent cementing terminology for clarifying conent setting and its capability to control interzoml fluid flow. Tt also denonstrates the results of several Gifferent test procedures designed to measure 70 or more catent properties simltancously under conditions which similate job applications, These Procedures test the validity of theories and Procedures for controlling ennular gas flow, cement bonding, interzonal channeling, and intrazone isolation. From these results, guidelines may be developed for using laboratory data to determine tines for temperature logs, perforating, and stimilation treatnents. Adaptations to existing lab equipment were made and nev equipment was designed to measure the interrelationships between static gel strength development, _volune reductions, hydration ‘temperatures, changes in permeability, not plastic state shrinkage, and compressive strength. ‘Test results indicated that (1) hydration ‘volume reduction (HVR) during the transition period is relatively small and shows a general correlation to unit volume cawnt content; (2) terperature increases from hydration show a’ rough correlation to static gel strength development; (3) permeability during static gel strength development. decreases rapidly and shows a dofinite correlation to fluid loss test values; (4) plastic state shrinkage is only a very swill part of the total hydration volure reduction; “(5) a general correlation exists between compressive strength, hydration volure reduction, and heat of hydration (6) the hydration volume reduction for an expansive cenent was greater than that of a nonexpansive ccenent, but the plastic state shrinkage was less. "ENIRODUCTION only a cursory review of current gas migration ‘and cenent honding theories is needed to discover a serious lack of standardization of tems and Gefinitions used for cenent properties. This is, especially true for changes cocurring during the fluid to solid transition period and early strength development periods. Even when there is sone consensus _on definitions there 1s often no clear understanding Of hw one specific property relates to another. Many gas migration _and__interzonal cawunications control methods and materials are based on assumptions that changes in certain physical are somehow directly responsible. With Little consideration for other properties and events concurrent with the measured Properties, theories have been expanded which often give major credit to minor items. Notably, those include gas pomeability of the canent matrix, mixing-water ‘density, inflow restrictions fron filter cake, and to some extent, gs dispersion (foaming) properties of the cenent. Cement ond improvement theories suffer a similar malady. ‘Theories which concentrate on one property while neglecting changes in other Properties often do nore ‘ham than good. Por example, cement expansion is often overemphasized while neglecting the influence of hydration volume reduction, plastic state shrinkage, Fluid loss, and Fluid inflow. Most of the common tems have been used for years and only need to be clarified to firmly Gstablish their definitions and to discourage. changing their meaning to conveniently explain a new theory. Such tems include plastic state shrinkage, ‘initial set, final set, bulk volune, total solids volume, hydration volume reduction, a2 INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRITICAL CEMENT PROPERTIES AND VOLUME CHANGES DURING CEMENT SETTING SPE 20451 porosity, permeability, heat of hydration, and expansion, “Definitions’ for these tems are mostly borrawed from concrete technology, but to apply to deep well cementing, specifications regarding ‘application temperature and pressure mist. be included. ‘The tems used to describe the chronology of deep well cementing are more esoteric and include: mixing, fluid, placement, domant transition, and hardening periods. Comon to the transition period are such tems as static tine, zero gel tine, thixotropic gel period, nominal transition pericd, and hydration gellation period. The bardening Period (as applied to deep well cementing) is from the first solid properties, to initial set, final set, and ultinate strength. ‘This paper clarifies the nore accepted defini- ‘tions for general cementing tems. ‘The proposed definitions of the chronological terms are based on typical usage in published papers and internal company reports and bulletins. The "specialized" terms also include tems originating in published works, but axe in a largely based on the authors’ Personal experiences with scale model carent tests fand the development of laboratory testing equipment. ‘The intercorrelation between gelation period (plastic state) permeability and static gel strength was discussed in length by Sutton and Ravi,” and the results are also reviewed in this, paper. Correlations between static gel strength, hydration volume reduction, and hydration temperatures have been cbserved for several years. ‘Tho tenperature increase during the pump off of a thickening time test was probably first observed Guring the late 1940's during the dovelogrent of the original MPH? consistometer. However, hard Gata on these and other inter-property correlations were mostly unpublished. During the last 20 years, an ever increasing List of specialized tems has evolved to provide explanation of deep well cementing _ phenorona evident fran both field experience and laboratory testing. Properties such as slurry coupressibility, plastic state expansion, chanical (Post set) expansion, static gel strength, relative porosity increase, ‘and high pressure "hydration volume reduction have been measured for years. However, data pertaining to correlations between these properties was at best sketchy and subject to much personal interpretation, DISCUSSION OF GENERAL TERAS Plastic state refers to the overall vols Gestne WHat cerats jose, before. initial set while the conent is still in a relatively low-strength plastic ‘state. For deep well ‘comonting, plastic state shrinkage is basically due to occurrence of hydration volune reduction while the cenent is still capable of being defomed by the relatively lov forces of interparticle attraction and" hydromechanical (effective @iaphragn) restraint. ‘The total hydration volume reduction for high “cement content slurries (90 Ib/ft3) can exceed 7¢. With unrealistic (even though autogenous) restraint applied with an inpemecble diaphragm, plagtig state shrinkages of ‘over 6& have been measured.”? Curing a cement slurry in a sealed (impermeable) “flexible container under 5,000 psi hydraulic pressure results in a maximum hydromechanical restraint of 5,000 psi as hydration voluve reduction occurs. "This means that. essentially all the hydration volure reduction translates to plastic state shrinkage until such exceeds 5,000 conditions, @iaphragn to apply hydronechanical restraint. ‘The maximum diaphragn effect that is possible domfole is a result of the pressure drop fron Darcy flow through the pemeability of the filtercake. For radial restraint to be activated, the coment pressure mist first fall belo the adjacent formation pressure. Radial restraint for 2 0.100 in, filter cake with 0,001 md pemeability would result in a reasonable maximum restraint pressure of only 1.6 pai. Appendix 1 shows the calculation of this pressure. Diapheagn restraint along the axis of the well is Limited by the static gel strength development in addition to the Darcy flow pressure drop through the plastic state permeability of the comnts. This, coupled with ‘the fact that the effective Giaphragn itself is coment, indicates that axial, hydromechanical restraint ‘is of no practical ccansequence. Although not directly noted as such, some investigators have given credit to the function of plastic state shrinkage in respec to gas migration and cenent bonding mechanisns.°'7 “In isolated anuli, plastic state shrinkage can contribute to oor bond interpretations, even though good annular Sealing was acheived. A review of published information shows no previous attempt to measure Plastic. state shrinkage at low hydronechanical restraint under high base pressures. Concrete references often use the tem. "plastic deformation" in respect to relatively igh-stress, low-rate creep. This phenomenon has no connection to the plastic period for deep well cements. Initial Set is a term defined by ASML (C2660) {a5 the tine when punch penetration strength reaches 50 psi (equivalent to 15 to 20 psi compressive). ‘There was never any intention by ASTM to infer that the initial set was the exact start of chemical hydration. Tt is based on a measurenent of mechanical strength which is high enough to be easily duplicated with simple test procedures. The amount of chemical hydration occuring before initial set has been referred to as insignificant for construction concrete. However, for deep well cementing technology, the hydration before initial set becomes very significant. Yost events ‘which influence gas migration and oenent bonding are related to the results of hydration occurring before initial set. mSPE 20451 DAVID L. SUTTON AND FRED L. SABINS or deep well cementing, punch penetration strength measurements are hot practical for specimens cured under high tenperatures and pressures. Indirect methods mist be used, such as Reasurenent of ultrasonic velocity and hydration ‘temperature, both of which can be continuously monitored. Final Set is another ASTM (C266) term and is defined as the time required to obtain a punch indentation strength of 733 psi. This measureneat, was originally included asa guide for renoving concrete retaining forms, No reference to maxim hydration tenperature or to final strength was specified or intended. Final Set as defined has Little application to deep well cementing. By this definition, mary Light weight cements would never reach final set. Final st y or ultinate strength, is the point at which (under application conditions) the strength of a cement ceases to change significantly. In the case of high temperature retrogression, final strength is not always the highest strength. VOUME TERNS ‘here are several comon volume tems used in deep well cementing which did not evolve from concrete tecmology: Absolute Formulation Volure is the sane as the mixing water volume plus the absolute volume of all ‘the cementing materials. Except for high pressure foam cerent, entrained air or gas is not counted as part of the formation volure. ‘The formation volume is decreased by hydration volume reduction as the corent sets. Balk Volume is synonymous to absolute formulation volune until the cement begins to set. For deep well cenenting, bulk volure is the volume cooupied by the cenenting composition and includes the porosity, whether filled with original mixing water or fluia (or gas) entering the cenent. from an ‘outside source. ‘Total Solids Volume is the total, initial, absolute volume plus a volume increase ‘due to the hydration water, The amount of water converted to solids ranges from 15 to 30% by weight Of dry coment in the composition. dration Volume Reduction —(HVR) is csectlally the GlHeracs ty te volume of solid water and the liquid equivalent before being coerted to solid or crystalline water. Crystalline water is always more dense than Liquid water and has about one-hal® the heat capacity. While HVR provides the opportunity for plastic state shrinkage, a high IVR value does. not. translate to high plastic state shrinkage. Mechanical strength increase is directly HVR and effectively Limits Plastic state shrinkage. Porosity is that part of the bulk volume not occupied by solids. Under domhole conditions the porosity is filled with the remaining unreacted mixing water and any fluid or gas which flows into the ‘coment matrix from an uteide source, Exceptions are foamed cement where part of the porosity is entrained high pressure gas and “corpressible" cement where high pressure gas is generated in situ. Both are capable of expanding with small losses in pressure to make up for hydration volume reduction occuring during the plastic state. ‘The porosity of a cement never increases, The tem “relative porosity increase" was originally Antended to equate to the difference in porosity hhad the hydration water volume renained constant as At was converted to a solid form. MISCELLANEOUS TERNS is the heat generated from Heat of hydration chenidal ytration of be corente elon ature increases with the mass of cement per unit thermal rass of slurry and the hnoat of hydration per unit mass of cement, It is decreased by the conductivity of the set slurry and the enviroment, bat it is an increasing parabolic function of effective mass diameter. for smller diaeters, the hydration reaction rate also affects tthe hydration temperature increase. Adiabatic ature increase is the temperature increase during ‘il the hydration heat remains within the mass where it was generated. Because heat is conducted away fran the cenent by its surroundings, the actual, maxi temperature increase varies from a stall ‘percentage of the adiabatic increase for sell, equivalent mass diameters (typically 2.0 in.), to gssentially 1008 of adiabatic for large diameters” (greater ‘than or equal to 30 in. tal Or chemical expansion, refers to unrestrained Linear expansion after initial set. To be germane to deep well cenenting, expansion should “be measured on specimens cured at. application tenperatures and preferably application pressure. Eqansive additives are often very sensitive to temperature. ‘this type of expansion does not produce an absolute volume increase. Expansion results from crystal grovth between solid, cement particles which wadge then apart and result in a balk volune increase. ‘the expansive forces. are small and seldom exceed 500 psi even when completely restrained. Plastic state ion is a relatively new tem "aap aT Seaeating, "ls yes oF expansion occurs before initial set while the cement is still in a lowstrength, plastic state. Plastic state expansion additives generate, high-pressure gas in sita and do result in an absolute volune increase. Pemoability of the set cenent is similar in nature to the permeability of ary porous material, ‘he principal difference is that dying can pemunontly alter the pore structure, therefore, gas pemeabilities can be misleading. Pemeability Of coment during the transition period is a nore complex property and is further discussed . under Static Gel Strength. a34 INTERRELATIONSHIP_BETWEEN CRITICAL CEMENT PROPERTIES AND VOLUME CHANGES DURING CEMENT SETTING SPE 20451 CHRONOLOSICHE, TERS ‘Terms such as mixing, placement, and fluid periods are essentially self-explanatory. Other Chronological tems that are nore specialized need ‘fixed definitions and explanations. ‘the domant period is the tine after placenent until the start Gf a measurable increase in static gel strength, and is synonymous with zero gel tine. ‘The transition period covers the time from the end of the fluid oF donment period tthe point ‘where the cament is no longer subject to plastic deformation under domhole conditions. The three Givisiors of the transition period are as follows: 1. mh ic_gel_period refers to the period’ of significant static gel strength Gevelogment not. accenpaniead by cement hydration. A thixotropic gel period is the essential characteristic of a thixotropic cenent. 2, Nominal transition poriod refers to the time for the first significant static gol strength increase dus to cement hydration to the time when static gel strength reaches 500 1b/100 ft*. 3. Plastic period is the period whan the ‘sirat. static gol serength increases unti the. tine plastic defommtion is no lower possible under Gomtole contiticas. ‘The initial cott “iod is the period just before Gitta sot aibasta ined bp a raga increase in temperature, ultrasonic velocity, and strength, he hardening period is esventially fron the initial set until ultimate or final strength. Maximm, ature tine is simply the tine at which naximm temperature at the thermal nass Genter occurs, Reaching maximm tenperature doss not mean that the hydration is complete. ‘the naximm tonperature tine is strongly influenced by the eat~insulating properties of the material surrounding the cement and the effective nass radius of the cement. The time for maximum temperature is not an independent intrinsic canent. property and its relationship to hydration volune reduction and strength development varies with specific equipment design, “Chly under true adiabatic conditions does maximum temperature occur ‘at completion of hydxation. STATIC GEL STRENGTH AND PERMEABLLITY Static gel st (S68) is basically a shear bond strength measurenent derived from the pressure required to move a gelled fluid through a pipe or amulus at a micro rate, ‘The unit compatible ‘equation, BOA APO/E) eee ee eg ee (or aP S08 x 41/0) is in fact a definition of static gel strength, as well as an application equation. The mits of 565 in USA engineering units are Ib/100ft? when derived ‘from the equation S65 = 300 AP x D/L where Papsi, Drin,, and Inft, ‘the static gel strength equivalent of initial set is estinated at 72,000 Ib/100ft?, Appendix 2 shows the calculation of this value. liben measuring SS fron AP drop in a pipe, a low rate range where AP is a Linear function of rate is sometimes cbserved, especially with slurries containing no fllid loss control. additives. ‘Sone investigators have taken this as, ‘an indication that SGS sas somehow shear-rate dependent. However, close observation during such ‘tests showed the bulk volume of ment slurry to be essentially stationary. ‘This phenomenon indicated water was flowing through the cement matrix by Darcy flow, provided a means to measure plastic static permeability, and illustrated a relationship between maxirun Darcy flow rate and static gel strength. Sutton and Ravi> showed maximm flow rate to be a simple equation: (rac = $68 (x) (A) (4/u) where: Q = cc/sec, 865 = Atm/cn?, K = Darcy, A= ant, u'= ops, and D =a, Fron this equation the initial maximm velocity Unrough 100 md with SCS = 300 1b/100 fe would be only 0.089 in./min for 5.5 in. casing in an Sin. hole. “Bweriental results based on this equation indicated a definite correlation between API fluid loss and pemeability measured during the ‘transition period: 2 mime set 80 mvs ee do mnity miele 1.708 EXPERIMENTAL SCOPE) AND PROCEDURE Jo provide meaningful and_—_accurate correlations anong the most influential properties, @ research project was recently ‘completed. Specialized equimment was developed and used t detemine the intercorrelations among: 1, Compressive strength, hydration volume reduction, and hydration temperature, 2, Plastic state shrinkage, hydronechanical, restraint, internal volume reduction, and hydration ‘temperature, 3, Static gel strength, hydration volume reduction, and hydration temperature. In pursuit of these three objectives, slurries were selected for testing: 7SPE 20451 DAVID L. SUTTON AND FRED L.SABINS 1, Neat retarded cement. 2) Retarded, low fluid loss coment. 3. High-density retarded, low fluid loss cement. 4, Bagmnsive cement with low fluid loss cerent. 5. lew fluid loss cenent without retarder. 6. Low fluid loss cement with plastic state expansion. 7, Salt-Saturated, low fluid loss cement. SQUID Phase 1: Compressive strength, hydration volume reduction, and hydration temperature tests. ‘The eguigment used for this phase was an ultrasonic cement analyzer (UCA) pressurized through a measuring manoncter and provided with a small diameter thermoouple to measure the center ass tenperature (Figure 1). Phase 2: Plastic state shrinkage, hydronechanical, restraint, internal volume reduction, and hydration ‘tenperature tests. ‘The equipment for this phase was basically a lng, “high-pressure fluid ‘loss cell with an impermeable diaphragn at the botton end, a fluid loss screen plate, and a differential’ pressure ‘transducer with a bypass valve at the top (Figure 2). Tho high-pressure measuring mancneters were used to measure volune at the bottom and at the ‘top. The effective restraint pressure was masured by the AP transducer, and controlled by the height differences between the botton and top mancneters. A themmoouple extended through the top cap to measure the hydration temperature incease at the center point of the slurry. During the actual operation of the equipment, a hydration reduction in the slurry commences, and water is drawn into the bottan of the chanber under the impermeable diephragn. ‘This is allowed to occur until the pore pressure in the cement drops. to the reference pressure in the top manometer as measured with the AP transducer, ‘the transducer bypass is then opened to allow fluid to enter the slurry fron the top manareter and prevent any, further increase in hydronechanical restraint applied to the slurry. For the job-similated tests, the maximum ‘hydronochanical restraint was 3.4 pel. ‘Theoretical analysis indicates this to be higher than what is reasonably expected under dosnbole conditions. For the purpose of illustrating its influence on plastic state shrinkage, the _hydrorechanical restraint was increased to 90 pei for PSS Test No. 2. ‘The volum entering under the impermeable Gigphragn was equated to plastic state shrinkage and the volume entering from the top enameter was, equated to internal volume reduction, Phase 3: Static gel strength, hydration volume, reduction, and hydration tenperature increase. ‘This phase used a magnetic drive consistoneter device pressurized through a measuring manoneter to measure fluid entry or exit (Figure 3). The temperature control system was fine-tuned to give a relative temperature control of better than 40,10°F. A cage-type, static gel strength bob was used to retain maximm teqperature increase from hyGration heat as measured by a thermocouple at the centerpoint of the cage which was referenced to a ‘themocouple in the chanber wall. General Procedure. For all thee phases of this “Investigation, the test chamber of the eguiprent used was preheated to _bottonhole circulating tenperature (BCT). The test slurxy ‘was preconditioned by stirring on an atmosphere Consistoneter for 20 minutes at BACT. The slurry was placed on the test chamber and pressurized to test pressure. The recorder and data acquisitions: were started. The heat for the UCA and plastic state shrinkage devices was then ramped from HAC to arrive at bottonbole static tenperature (BIST) over a period of 4 to 5 hours, The magnetic drive consistometer device was maintained at BACT throughout the static gel strength test. OCA tests were continued until the strength increase was less than 5t per day. The plastic state shrinkage tests were continued until well past the end of plastic state shrinkage. Static gel strength tests were continued to a value of greater than or equal to 700 Ib/100 £t*, Data from all the tests were digitized and stored in a personal computer, converted to appropriate units, and plotted as ‘shown in Pigures 4 through 24. the tems and abbreviations used in the plots are given in Table 1. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS Ultrasonic cement. analyzer teats, preduminant observations resulted fran Of test iis group 1, Avery close correlation between the integrated tenperature increases, hydration volume reduction, and compressive strength. 2. For retarded neat coment Slurry No. 1 (highest cement content by weight), initial sot vas 1:10 hremin before the maximm temperature point. For other slurries, maximm temperature minis initial set tine Varied from 19 minutes for expansive cement Slurry No. 4 to <9 minutes for the low fluid loss Slurries No. 2, No. 5, and the high density Slurry No. 3. As previously discussed, the naximm tarperature tine is strongly influenced by the chanber diameter. Thus, the only positive (<2 1/2 in diameter), initial set occurs at or shortly before the tine for maximm tenperature increase. In general, the maller the percent of adiabatic increase attained, the muller the Gifference “between initial’ set and maximam temperature tine, 3, The maximm hydration volume reduction (iva) Varied fron slightly less than 38 for the high density slurry to almost 58 for the slurry with expanding additive added (Table 3). For all slurries, IVR vas still increasing when the test was terminated. a6 INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRITICAL CEMENT PROPERTIES AND VOLUME CHANGES DURING CEMENT SETTING SPE 20451 Plastic State Shri Tests. Plastic state he Jobs ‘Tests varied fron a net expansion (negative shrinkage) to a mximn of 0.14 (Pigures 10 to 16). Plastic state Shrinkage, when it occurred, appeared to be a Girect function of hydronechanical restraint. For Slurry No. 2, plastic state shrinkage was: increased from 0.028 at 3.4 psi HMR to 0.12% with 90 psi. A plot of PSS vs IMR indicated that higher HMR would produce little additional PSs (Figue 15). This is for single-ended loading and is apparently due to the accmulative action of shear bond (er 965) to the chanber wall as well as the rapidly developing collapse strength. slurries which ‘reached initial set during the temperature ranp period from BACT to BHST showed Little or no plastic state shrinkage. As in the UCA tests, the total HVR showed a strong correlation to the relative hydration heat (integrated tenperature) . Static Gel Strength Tests, Except for the salt~saturated slurry, a stall but definite hydration temperature increase was discernable for all the slurries. Values ranged fron less than 0.2% for the high density slurry to 1.4°F for the slurry with ewanding additives. This Snell amount Of temperature increase is rot of major intrinsic significance. It simply reinforces the 1IVR as an indication that chemical hydration was responsible for the static gel strength developrent for slurries tested. All slurries shoved a stall ancunt of HR Guring the transition period (up to S65 = 700 bs/100 £4). Values ranged from 0.038 for the low fluid loss Slurry to 0.148 for the slurry with expanding additives, with 0.05% being a typical valve over a transition time from 1 to 4 hours. This magnitule of volume reduction is relatively lov in comparison to the potential fluid oss volune during the same period. To illustrate, for 50 ft of low pressure zones in a 500 ft total effective interval with S-in. casing in a Tein. bo! Anmulus volume for 500 = 500 x (72-52) 65.4 fe (0.10 oc/min) /116.4 = 0.00086 in. /min 2-houe volume = 91.62 x (0,00086/12) x 2 x 60 0.787 £¢? ‘Total volume loss = (0.787/65.4) x 10¢ 1.28 Tt is apparent that this volume loss is far ‘than that dus to hydration (0,03 to 0.148). An attempt to determine hydration volume reduction and strength (OCA test) for Slurry No. 6 resulted in a surge of expansion and plugged Plunbing. The volumetric expansion of this slurry was beyond the design capability of the test equipment. Further tests with Slurry No, 6 were Groped from the project. coNCWISIONS Although sone results from the laboratory Investigations may appear to be acadenic, there are several very practical applications: 1, More than 958 of the hydration volume reduction occurs well after initial set, and up to 908 cccurs after reaching a strength equivalent. of ASIM final set for normal water ratio cements. Any theory that assumes the existance of large HVR while the ment is in the plastic state is apparently invalid. Under dorshole conditions, the najority of plastic state volume losses are because Of fluid loss, not hydration. 2. Maximm plastic state shrinkage | is relatively stall (less than 0,158) when measured under realistic conditions of dawhole hydromechanical restraint, Whatever the plastic state shrinkage percentage, it can be minimized by avoiding exess thickening time and achieving initial set before the cnont reaches bottonhole Static temperature. Plastic state shrinkage is also reduced by crystal growth expansion if the expansion reaction is already in progress at initial set time, 3. When using precision “ (differential temperature) detection and precision temperature cmtrol, the first detectable slurry temperature increase is synonoyous with static gel strength development. This ‘can be used £0 provide a simple economical method of measuring the approxinate tine for the transitional period. This, method would be especially useful for comparing changes in zero gel tine and relative SoS increase rates. 4, For smll test chambers, <2.5 in diameter precision recording of maximm Slurry temperature Can be used to establish an approximate initial set tine. 5, ‘The hydration volume reduction occurring before reaching 700 1b/100 ft? static gel strength is comparatively mall compared to fluid loss values ‘cocurring in the same time frame. This is a strong Indication that theories and test devices to measure gas migration which operate only by hydration Yolune reduction can not reliably evaluate cenent slurries for realistic domhole conditions. 6. Flow rate through permeability uring transition is limited by static gel strength, and ‘transition period permeability is directly related £0 API fluid loss and filter cake permeability. ACRNONLEDGRENTS ‘The authors wish to express their appreciation to all technical personnel involved in gathering Laboratory data, We wish to thank the menagenent of Halliborton Services for pemission to publish 6SPE 20451 DAVID L. SUTTON AND FRED L. SABINS 2 REFERENCES. 1. levine, D.C. et “annular Gas Plow Aftor Canenting: A Look at Practical Solutions," paper Bguation (a): 1,05-06 = 0, 4418-06 x 0.254/P ‘SPE/AIME 8255, presented at the 1978 SP= annual Solving for Pm 0.11 Atm ‘Technical Conference and Exhibition, Las Vegas, Converting to psi: P= 0.11 x 14.7 = 1.62 psi Sept. 23-26. 2. Paxceau, P, and Sault, P.H: "Canent Shwinkage and’ Blasticity: A New Approach for Good Zonal Isolation," paper. SPE 13176 presented at the 1984 SPE Anmwal ‘Technical Conference and. Exhibition, Houston, Sept. 16-19. 3. Steward, R.B, and Schorter, F.C,: "Gas Tivasion and’ Migration in Canented Annuli; "Causes and Cures," peper TAIC/SPE 14779 presented at the 1986 IADC/SeE Drilling Conference, Dallas, Feb. 10-12. 4, Sutton, D.L., Sabins, Fite, and Faul, “Annular Gas Flow Theory ‘and’ Prevention Methods Described; New Evaluations for Annular Gas-Flow Potential," Oil & Gas J., (Dec. 10 and 17, 1984), Vol. 82, tos, 7 BP. 84-92 and pp, 109-112, 5, Sutton, D.L. and Ravi, K.M.: "New Method for Determining’ Dowihole Properties that Affect Gas Migration and Anular Sealing," paper SPE 19520, presented at the 1989 SPE’ Annual ‘Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Oct. 8-11, 6. Chenevert, M.E. and Jin, Le: "Model for Predicting Wellhore Pressures in Canent Colums," Paper SPE 19521 presented at the 1989 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Hhibition, San Antonio, cee. Sil. 7. Chenevert, M.E. and Shrestha, B.: "Shrinkage Properties of Cement," paper SPE 16654 presented at the SPE 1967 Annual Tecmnical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Sept. 27-30. 8. Intra-company Research Report CRD C47-0002-74, Sap. No. 1, 1974. APPENDIX 1 Effective Restraint for Plastic state shrinkage Reduced restraint from fomation pressure = Filtercake permeability: 1,08-06 Darcy (0.001 rd) Hydration volume reduced during plastic state: 0,258 in 4 hours 100 in. 0210 in. (0,254 cm) viscosity (1.0ps) , Lom length (cake width), A'= aréa (cn*) , Be (atmospheres), V = velocity’ (an/sec) (a/ay Velocity resulting from HVR (0.25% in 4 hours): (0.0025 x 1.0 in, x 2.54 an/in./(4 x 3600) 0.4418-06 c/sec (velocity through filter cake resulting from HVR) ‘This is based on the assumption that: (2) filtercake does not rupture from inflow pressure and (2) coment Krcake K ratio is high, greater than 50,000 (50 mei/0,00ind = 50,000). For early plastic state, 50 mi is typical for ‘a low permeability slurry. APPENDIX 2 Static Gel Strength Byuivalent of Initial set. A punch penetration strength of 50 psi is estinated to be equivalent to 15 psi compressive strength. Compressive strength of 15 psi is equivalent to approximately 5 psi shear bond. SGS = 5 Ibs/in? x 144 int/Ee? x 100 £t2/100 ft? ‘8G8 = 72,000 1bs/100 ft? equivalent static gel strength at initial set APPIRDIX 3 Maximum Flow Rate Limitation from ScS rom Darcy's Bquation: APG = QU. ee eee fad ‘where Peatnospheres, Q-oc/sec, uops, Ison, KeDarcy, Aan* | Fron the SS Bquation: AP, = 505 x 41/0, where SG and P are in the sane dinensions, e.g., Atm. or Kg/en?. BE Ome! UL/WA = 865 x 4 L/D, Solving for maximum rate gives Ay = 4585 WD. ee‘ome and Rceviations ae in Figune 1 ch 24 Noe slur temperate Sscreae do to cone t= stun tmparscure ~ etabilisa contsol tepertare oe pacts after raeching EP. ‘= sunry temperauice ~ trent ie taperate for Proeeae sharcy hasty Seem WCE co SE, CGapensivestrngth as calculatad By the UA, ‘eta hyation volte secticn, ; Symmons with, elative at of Iya Sntagation of 8 vs tia. Plastic eate strinkage (in § volume). Imaenal volume cette (0 # elim). seathe get etrengn (i 18/10 £82), ‘Pescigtion anf fomlation (arts by weit of een) Plasic-Seats Shintag Teste ‘tarde cant, 20 M450 ose ative, mary ri as a eer Seat “inlay 0917 ab amuse, 2.05 20/0 Sane a2 plas 0,38 senwewtacing Sagara [oo eee Se gouomasecesses« 1» 216 ak 120 Si ea ee a $0002 Pla acpi camesee, 1.28 Soyo % 50.0 on Bien om wth oy fd tone ant ‘ 380 oy ‘ow hamacite weaghting material s 2.50 9.08 320 rte IE Nears, stot star isco abla SSipclmnesees, 1.71 se9/ ists 13RD ease, 1.29 tere ise X cant, 008 foyer laid owe ait ive, Dele 16.0 abe Vieidi 13:7 1B comnts, 1.42 t/a iy Did owe omer with plasetonetata eqnoaicn ‘ita lee aie, 0-38 plstiouene cp ISR eee aide, "0 lanioncnt gion eS bret “Weide 70" cme, 2 sie Gas thts ani, ot Ritromperntace 1003 Vieids 78:6 1b Semnt/ees, 2.20 £e¥/akseate cat strength Tet Melee rate ot Semen Infiamee of Preanure stacy Stary atic Got Strnges wien ee sine 00 sao 0.08? enamine Statie Gel Sees me no nm oa Se" mame hen 0 om oie aka FIGURE Siwsces EQUIPMENT SCHEMATIC PHASE UCASt Hydration Temperature Hydration Volume Reduction FIGURE 3 HYDRAULIC SCHEMATIC Static Gel Strength Hydration Volume Reduction ration Temperature Increase eo) SAYRE FIGURE 2 HYDRAULIC SCHEMATIC PHASE 2 A iydration Temperature Increase S Figure 4 UCA Delta T,fc and HVR Treats i ie 5 o ee or ‘Sener Sy a2Figure 5: UCA Delta T,fc and HVR etsy " iain - ape =f = eT] -| Lf] iy Sa et Lmnoutm a cITogT AN oe eta Figure 7 UGCA. Detta T,fc and HVR: os sont) Semone CAE Ari ~ tea mt roy Esa Comet ‘ter Sry S8oaa Figure 9 UCA Delta T,fe and HVR pee eg) Figure 6: UCA Delta T,fc and HVR hese g omnes Compete eng) i E ee «2 @ 8 ‘rect ato LE WLSDeF me STD 4 HRS Vee te tm2Dep% aL RDDegF-ba NR Vue ee DL rssie Vian 4 HOR pe ‘iSinee Ortnth toy Lae Reed eatin Deena Noon Fain ‘eer tor aSsansa @ ‘SCANT © son HATS atin o (20 a0nmaue ans usr: eGexULYS e1eIg ONSeId EL eNBLY (en ssa es as uve) vara (988 Goee Caonswunser one ma eBexUUUS a12Ig ONSeId GLL euNBi4 Muon ova tanoscoanses @ teal (uno amu ous ‘x)yousnany ae o youyvouy SOWRGANGO po nouanaau anon z a2zerauon SON ABUNIS €-ON ISL SOVINIHS SVS OUSW Id zt aunDia wamaaaNcaRe © SON AYUMI. = ‘ON 1SaL SDWININHS Alvis SV Id Tau (0 uo areasleon aa st, ob ame LH PUR HAH'SOS 81 enBi4 ees (omen 0 yas aus US Serna 0} O86 (aus einbia) 92 1801 Sec 205 ANIVELSSH WOINVHOSMOWGAH SA BOWINHS Alvis OUSV Id st aunoid ramumto “save He ‘seo wove aivis Susy “nmin Aiur (evamiouns LON AMUNTS 1°ON 15a JOVINIUHS ALVIS DLSV Id ‘9 aun eBexUUUS e1BIS ONSeId py} euNBi4 Gainunaane me @Figure 19 SGS, HVR, HTI ‘ete Sur #0 Figure 20 SGS, HVA, and HT! Tene a : ” : e de oa i 6 “ : 1 : i. : pn | =" e fo : ile : Sst: fea a feel gear F 7 o ~ ay 10 me ~™e 1” aaron 100 0 fee ee amegrese Figure 21 SGS,HVR, and HT! Figure 22 SGS, HVR, and HTI . Sos.nvn . . a5, T I T oo as - T 7 os PS A. Em { ue Bo = a e oat 7 olf 02 * face Bootie? > eee Se Sy imeem Leyden ee Figure 23 SGS, HVR and HTI emis or em an feocharen ir ] e { fw Wh } i z i. ia | See) 4 SoS 2 HV Vaud. TLD? ieee Sgt ope vn &IE-Der