The Relationship of Thickening

Time, Gel Strength, and

Compressive Strength
of Oilwell Cements
Fred L. Sabins, SPE, Halliburton Services
David L. Sutton, Halliburton Services

Summary. A previous investigation I of the effect of thickening times on early compressive-strength and gel-
strength development has been expanded to include a wider range of well conditions, a greater variety of slurry
types, and a more thorough evaluation of static gel strength.
No positive relationship between thickening time and the onset or the rate of static-gel-strength development
could be found. With few exceptions, all slurries tested developed values greater than 48 Pa [100 Ibf/100 sq ft]
gel strength in less than 20 minutes. Data presented show that times needed to develop a specific static gel
strength are more closely related to the type of slurry than to thickening time. A calculation method is given for
estimating shutdown factor from static-gel-strength data.
New data confirm that 12- and 24-hour compressive strengths are not significantly reduced by reasonable
increases in thickening time. The maximum single-stage cement interval without an unreasonable waiting-on-
cement (WOC) time for specified compressive strength has been redefined in terms of interval temperature
differences.

Introduction
Many aspects of oilwell cementing are important enough
to warrant study. One area that needs attention is the
procedures used in designing cement to be placed in the
well and the specific physical requirement of the cement
for adequate downhole performance. The cement formu-
lation is one of the few items that can be changed easily
to suit existing well conditions, but only within limita-
tions. Although the cement slurry is one of the mosttest-
ed items pumped into a well, it is still one of the most
variable.
The basic design of a cement slurry starts with the de-
termination of what general properties are needed for pre-
dicted well conditions. With the basic slurry formulation
established, two physical properties need to be consid-
ered. The cement must remain fluid long enough to be
pumped to its desired location downhole. Also, once the
cement is in place, it must set and develop an adequate
compressive-strength value within a specific time peri-
od. Obviously, if a slurry cannot be pumped into place,
its intended purpose would be, at most, academic. For
this reason, the majority oflaboratory time spent on test-
ing oilwell cements is for testing thickening time to de-
termine retarder concentration needed and to compare
actual bulk-blend samples to laboratory blends.
The thickening-time and compressive-strength tests ac-
count for most tests conducted on cement in field labora-
tories. Unfortunately, thickening-time and compressive-
strength tests do not tell the whole story. The imperfect
thickening-time test only simulates actual job conditions
up to the predicted placement time. After test accuracy
Copyright t986 SOCiety of Petroleum Engineers
SPE Production Engineering, March 1986
variation is allowed for, a thickening time longer than the
placement time allows for some margin of safety, but only
for continuous pumping at a lower-than-predicted rate.
Thickening-time safety factors do not relate directly to
how long a slurry can remain static and still be moved
after an inadvertent or intentional shutdown during
placement.
Sabins et al. 2 discussed the chan~es taking place dur-
ing this time period. Tinsley et al. showed how these
changes could contribute to annular gas flow. The physi-
cal property measured for this transition from the fluid
to the solid phase was the static gel strength, and a static-
gel-strength device for its measurement under high-
temperature/high-pressure (HTHP) conditions was de-
scribed. Rao et al. 4 showed the development of an ultra-
sonic test device that continuously measured compressive
strength from initial set to any time of interest on a single
sample maintained at HTHP conditions.
For this investigation, these two new testing devices
were used in an extensive testing program to relate
thickening-time length to static-gel-strength and early
compressive-strength development. The objective was not
to present new devices for determining slurry properties
but to develop data with these devices that would enable
the development of simple, realistic guidelines for better
predictions of slurry performance with standard API test-
ing procedures. This paper will provide data that will an-
swer the following questions.
1. How does thickening time relate to static time if shut-
down occurs during a cement job? What is the shutdown
safety time?
143
 TABLE 1-CEMENT COMPOSITIONS AND THICKENING TIMES
Application Thickening Fluid
Slurry Retarder Depth Casing (C) 8HCT Time Water Silica Loss Dispersant Gel
Number Cement (%) (m) or Liner (L) (0C) (hr:min) (%) (%) Additive (%) (0/0)
1A Class H 0 610 32 2:35 38 - - - -
18 Class H 0.1(1) 610 C 32 5:20 38 - - - -
1C Class H 0.2(1) 610 C 32 7:00 38 - - - -
2A Class H 0 1829 C 47 2:25 38 - - - -
3A Class H 0 1829 C 47 4:02 84 - - - 8
4A Trinity Lite
Wate
0 2438 C 52 2:30 88 - - - 0.5

5A Class H 0.3(2) 2438 C 52 1:30 38 - - - -

58 Class H 0.35(2) 2438 C 52 4:20 38 - - - -
5C Class H 0.4(2) 2438 C 52 7:10 38 - - - -2
6A 50-50 Class 0
H-Flyash
2438 C 52 3:45 51 - - -
68 50-50 Class 0.1(1) 2438 C 52 4:30 51 - - - 2
H-Flyash
6C 50-50 Class 0.2(1) 2438 C 52 5:53 51 - - - 2
H-Flyash
60 50-50 Class 0.3(1) 2438 C 52 10:40 51 - - - 2
H-Flyash
7A 50-50 Class 0.1(1) 2438 C 60 3:25 51 - - - 2
H-Flyash
78 50-50 Class 0:2(1) 2438 C 60 5:55 51 - - - 2
H-Flyash
7C 50-50 Class 0.3(1) 2438 C 60 10:35 51 - - - 2
H-Flyash
8A Class H 0 3048 C 61 3:35 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
88 Class H 0.1(1) 3048 C 61 5:20 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
8C Class H 0.2(1) 3048 C 61 12:00+ 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
9A Class H 0 3048 C 75 3:37 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
98 Class H 0.1(1) 3048 C 75 5:22 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
9C Class H 0.2(1) 3048 C 75 8:00 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
10A Class H 0 3048 C 75 3:40 46 35 (F) 0.2 (2) 0.5 -
108 Class H 0 3048 C 75 6:20 46 35 (F) 0.3 (2) 0.5 -
11A Class H 0 3658 L 85 2:20 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
118 Class H 0.25(1) 3658 L 85 5:30 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
11C Class H 0.3(1) 3658 L 85 8:05 46 35 (F) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
12A Class H 0 4267 L 76 3:04 38 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
128 Class H 0.1(1) 4267 L 76 7:25 38 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
12C
13A
Class H 0.2(1) 4267 L 76 12:20 38 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
Class H 0.2(1) 4267 L 102 3:40 38 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
138 Class H 0.4(1) 4267 L 102 6:27 38 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
13C Class H 0.6(1) 4267 L 102 10:03 38 35 (C) 0.6(3) 0.5 -
14A Class H 0.1(1) 4877 L 84 4:10 38 35 (C) 0.6(3) 0.5 -
148 Class H 0.15(1) 4877 L 84 7:05 38 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
14C Class H 0.2(1) 4877 L 84 11:40 38 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
15A Class H 0.6(3) 4877 L 118 4:22 38 35 (C) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
158 Class H 0.8(3) 4877 L 118 6:40 38 35 (C) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
15C Class H 1.0(3) 4877 L 118 10:17 38 35 (C) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
16A Class H 0.2(1) 5486 L 93 4:03 38 35 (C) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
168 Class H 0.3(1) 5486 L 93 6:36 38 35 (C) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
16C Class H 0.4(1) 5486 L 93 8:41 38 35 (C) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
17A Class H 1.2(3) 5486 L 153 3:46 38 35 (C) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
17C Class H 2.0(3) 5486 L 153 7:35 38 35 (C) 0.6 (1) 0.5 -
18A Class H '0 3048 C 62 3:25 42 - 0.4 (1) 0.5 -
188 Class H 0 3048 C 62 7:30 42 - 0.4 (1) 0.5 -
18C Class H 0 3048 C 62 8:40 42 - 0.4(3) 0.5 -
19A Class H 0" 3962 C 87 3:35 42 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
198 Class H 0.1(1) 3962 C 87 5:28 42 35 (C) 0.6 (3) 0.5 -
19C Class H 0.1(1) 3962 C 87 7:05 42 35 (C) 0.6 (2) 0.5 -
20A
208
Class H 0.1(1) 4420 C 102 3:15 46 35 (C) 0.8 (1) 0.75 -
Class H 0.3(1) 4420 C 102 5:32 46 35(C) 0.8 (1) 0.75 -
20C Class H 0.5(1) 4420 C 102 9:28 46 35 (C) 0.8 (1) 0.75 -
21A Class H 0.4(3) 4877 L 120 3:45 46 35 (C) 0.8 (1) 0.75 -
218 Class H 0.6(3) 4877 L 120 6:45 46 35 (C) 0.8 (1) 0.75 -
21C Class H 0.8(3) 4877 L 120 7:55 46 35 (C) 0.8 (1) 0.75 -
.( ) parentheses F and C indicate fine Or coarse silica; numbers indicate different types of retarders or fluid·loss additives.
··1 % CaCI. was added as an accelerator.

144 SPE Production Engineering, March 1986

 2. Can the thixotropic properties (gel-strength devel-
opment) of a cement be measured in static condition? Can
static-gel-strength development be modified by admixes,
and is it related to thickening-time values?
3. How long can thickening times be before compres-
sive strength development is affected?
4. Does compressive strength vary significantly through
an entire cement column? How much difference in tem-
perature can be tolerated without an excessive delay in
compressive-strength development?
A previous investigation I found that static-gel-strength
development starts shortly after placement, regardless of
the thickening-time length. This paper expands the previ-
ous investigation to include a wider range of additives and
to cover well conditions from 6IO-m [2,OOO-ft] casing to
5486-m [I8,000-ft] liners. This increased scope was used.
to determine whether any possible correlation could be
found between thickening time and the start and rate of
static-gel-strength development.
Ref. 1 also showed several relationships between thick-
ening time and compressive-strength development at in-
tervals above total depth (TD). In this investigation,
ultrasonic compressive strengths were conducted on all
r
the slurries included in the testin program to determine
whether the previous conclusions could be expanded and
defined more accurately.
To predict the effects of static time on cement perform-
ance so that the static gel strength could be related to ac-
tual job procedures, Eq. 1 was used to calculate the
pressure required to break circulation 5 :
p=S gs x4L1d, ............................ (1)
where p = pressure to overcome static gel strength,
S gs = static gel strength,
L = length of column, and
d = diameter [hole diameter (d h ) minus pipe
diameter (dp )]
For pressure (psi), static gel strength (lbf/iOO sq ft),
length (ft), and diameter (in),
p=sgslp=sgsI300XLld . .................... (2)
Not only can Eqs. 1 and 2 be used to calculate pres-
sure to initiate flow of a cement column, but these equa-
tions also can be used to calculate a potential pressure
restriction in the cement column.
Ref. 1 found good correlation between actual measured
pressure potential in a cement column and the pressure
calculated from measured static gel strength. A number
of tests were included in this investigation to reaffirm the
relationship between pressure required to initiate move-
ment and measured static gel strength.
Testing Procedures. One isolated batch of cement was
used in all tests. The cement was tested to ensure that it
met API specifications for oilwell cement. In all tests, the
slurries were mixed according to procedures outlined in
API RP lOB 6 (35 seconds in a blender) except for the
pressure-droplgel-strength comparative tests.
Conventional HTHP thickening-time tests were first
conducted to develop three or four slurries in each test
series with thickening times ranging from less than 3 hours
to more than 8 hours. These thickening times were de-
veloped by modification of the base slurry composition
SPE Production Engineering, March 1986
CONSTANT PRESSURE
SOURCE 6.9 MPa (1000 PSI)
3.8 em (1 'Ii') DIA. TEST COLUMN
TEMPERATURE
- CONTROL
WATER JACKET
TO TEMPERATl,!RE
RECORDER
Fig. 1- Pressure-drop test model.
with retarder to provide the desired thickening time. The
slurry compositions and well conditions simulated for each
series are given in Table 1.
After the thickening times were developed for each test
series, gel-strength-development tests that simulated ac-
tual job conditions were conducted. Temperature and pres-
sure were increased from atmospheric temperature and
pressure to bottornhole circulation temperature (BHCT)
and bottornhole pressure (BHP) according to API sched-
ules while the cement was stirred at 100 rev/min in a
static-gel-strength device to simulate actual job placement.
The slurry was then stopped and allowed to remain quies-
cent, and static-gel-strength measurements were initiat-
ed. The gel strength was continually measured at BHCT
and BHP until a value of 240 Pa [500 Ibf/iOO sq ft] was
achieved. This value previously2 was found to be suffi-
cient gel strength to prevent gas percolation through a ce-
ment column.
The pressure-drop/static-gel-strength device (Fig. 1)
was used to test the validity .of the static-gel-strength meas-
urement given by the gel-strength device. The test slurry
was mixed with an orbital mixer that would provide
enough volume for conducting tests in the pressure-drop
cell and the gel-strength device simultaneously. The test
slurry was brought from room temperature to test tem-
perature according to API schedules by a temperature-
control bath. After it was stirred for 1 hour, the slurry
was transferred to the preheated pressure-drop column and
gel-strength device. Pressure was applied (6.9 MPa [1 ,000
psi]) to both apparatus. Then pressure drop and static gel
strengths were measured simultaneously. By use of the
measured static gel strength, a theoretical pressure drop
was calculated by Eq. 1, and the theoretical pressure was
compared with the actual pressure.
The ultrasonic cement analyzer (UCA) was used to
generate a continuous measurement of compressive
145

cp
o
SERVODYNE SPEED
CONTROL & TOROUE
READOUT
SERVODYNE
MOTOR
HEATER POWER
SUPPLY & TEMP.
CONTROLLER
aUICK OPENING
VALVE
WASTE
SLURRY
RECEIVER
Fig. 2-Statlc-gel-strength device.
strength, including initial set. (Initial set is defined as the
point at which appreciable compressive strength begins
to develop.) The test slurries were mixed according to
API specifications, were transferred to an atmospheric
consistometer, and were brought to BHCT according to
API Schedules. Stirring was maintained for 1 hour. If
BHCT exceeded 82.2°C [180 0 P], the temperature was
increased to and maintained at 82.2°C [180°F] for the
remainder of the stirring period. After the stirring times,
the test slurries were placed in the UCA cell preheated
to BHCT. Compressive-strength measurements were then
initiated, and the temperature of the cells was increased
to test temperature according to API specifications. A con-
tinual history of compressive strengths was generated for
24 hours. After the cement sample was cured for 24 hours,
the sample in the UCA cells was also crushed to deter-
mine conventional compressive-strength values.
Equipment
IITHP Consistometer. A conventional HTHP consistom-
eter was used for thickening-time measurements. This ap-
paratus consisted essentially of a rotating cylindrical slurry
container, equipped with a stationary paddle assembly,
enclosed in a pressure chamber capable of withstanding
pressures of 207 MPa [30,000 psi] and maximum tem-
peratures to 204 °C [400°F]. A heating element was used
to raise the temperature of the slurry by heating oil at a
maximum rate of 2.8°C/min [5°F/min]. The thickness
or consistency of the cement slurry was monitored by
measurement of the torque on the stationary stirring
paddle.
The cement slurry was mixed according to API speci-
fications (35 seconds in a blender on high speed) and was
placed in the HTHP consistometer. The temperature and
146
RECORDER
LOAD CELL BRIDGE
& PCWER SUPPLY
CORD PUlliNG SYSTEM
TO TURN MAGNETIC
DRIVE AT 0.2 TO 2"
PER MINUTE.
pressure were increased according to aFl API schedule 6
(depending on the depth). The consistency was measured
continuously untilloo-Bc (Bearden units) consistency was
obtained. The time to reach 100 Bc is defined as the thick-
ening time.
Gel-Strength Device. To determine the gel-strength de-
velopment of cement under downhole conditions, it was
necessary to use the device shown in Fig. 2. This equip-
ment was designed specifically for measuring static gel
strength after a stirring period that simulated slurry place-
ment and to operate at a maximum temperature of 204 °C
[400°F] at 69 MPa [10,000 psi]. The low-friction mag-
netic drive allowed the slurry to be stirred while consisten-
cy was monitored during the stirring time. After
simulating placement time, the motor was shut off and
a cord-pulling system was attached to the magnetic drive
head. Static gel strength was determined by a continuous
measurement of the torque required to rotate the paddle
at a very slow speed (0.5 to 2.0° /min). At such speeds,
a magnetic drive has very low friction, and very accurate
torque measurements can be made. The torque-measuring
system consisted of a cord-pulling capstan or drum ar-
rangement drive by a variable-speed gear motor with the
cord running through the pulley arrrangement to a load
cell and then to the magnetic drive of the stirring au-
toclave. This provided a method of accurate, continuous
rotation and a means for continuously recording the
torque. The gel strength was then calculated from the
torque measurement and the paddle geometry. The slow
movement of the paddle allowed static gel strength to be
measured but did not inhibit gel-strength development.
Gel-strength properties were measured from a minimum
of 4.8 Pa [10 lbf/loo sq ft] to a maximum of 480 Pa [1,000
lbf/loo sq ft].
SPE Production Engineering, March 1986
 PSI
HEATING/COOLING
JACKET
PRESSURE
VESSEL CEMENT
SLURRY
SET-TIME CHAMBER
Fig. 3-Ultrasonic cement analyzer.
Pressure Drop Test Model. To measure the pressure
drop in a cement column, the test model shown in Fig.
1 was used. This cell was designed to operate at temper-
atures of up to 88°C [190°F] and 6.9-MPa [l,OOO-psi]
pressure. The model consisted of 1.2 m [4 ft] of3.81-cm
[l.5-in.] -diameter pipe in a temperature-controlled water
jacket.
A constant nitrogen pressure source was used at the top
of the test column to provide the 6.9-MPa [l,OOO-psi] test
pressure. After pressurizing, a calibrated pressure-volume
pump was used to draw off microvolumes of water from
the bottom of the cement column. A pressure transducer
is attached to the top and bottom of the cement column
to measure the established pressure differential.
Ultrasonic Cement Analyzer. The measurement of the
set time of a cement slurry under downhole conditions
was made with an ultrasonic set-time device. 4 This
device, as shown in Fig. 3, is capable of determining the
set time of a cement up to maximum conditions of 204 °C
[400°F] and 34.5 MPa [5,000 psi].
The apparatus consisted of an HTHP autoclave, a heat-
ing jacket capable of heating rates up to 5.6°C/min
[lOaF/min], a pair of 400-kHz [400 X 10 3 -cycle/sec]
ultrasonic transducers for measuring the transit time plus
associated hydraulic plumbing. Set time and compressive
strengths were calculated from measured transit time by
empirically developed equations.
Evaluation of Gel-Strength Data
From previous work 1 conducted on the gel-strength de-
velopment of cement slurries, it was observed that almost
immediately after static conditions occur, static gel
strength starts to develop. This gel-strength development
is important in two respects. First, after placement the
static-gel-strength development of a cement slurry deter-
mines the gas flow potential. Second, static periods dur-
ing placement may allow gel strengths to attain so high
a value that the cement slurry cannot be moved without
subjecting some of the lower formations to excessive
pressure.
SPE Production Engineering, March 1986
TRIGGER
PULSE
DISPLAY
ELECTRONICS
The static-gel-strength development of 17 different types
of slurries is shown in Table 2. Well-testing programs
from 610 to 5486 m [2,000 to 18,000 ft] were used. Four
basic types of slurries were tested: light-weight filler-type
cements, neat cement slurries with fresh and sea water,
fly-ash/cement slurries, and silica-stabilized slurries with
fluid-loss additives and dispersants.
In Table 2, two values of gel strength were reported:
the time to reach 48 Pa [100 Ibf/100 sq ft] and the time
to reach 240 Pa [500 IbfllOO sq ft]. For some well condi-
tions, the initial gel-strength value (48 Pa [100 Ibf/100
sq ft]) could be significant enough to cause job problems,
while other severe well conditions may allow a much
higher value. Although there were very large changes in
thickening times, the gel-strength development did not
change dramatically. For example, Slurry 9A had a thick-
ening time of 3 hours 7 minutes, while 9C had a thicken-
ing time of 8 hours. The gel times of Slurries 9A and 9C
to 48 Pa [100 IbfllOO sq ft] were 10 minutes and 21
minutes, respectively. The gel time to higher values (240
Pa [500 Ibf/100 sq ft]) showed a more significant change
from 30 minutes for Slurry 9A to 1 hour:40 minutes for
Slurry 9C. Gel-strength development that will not allow
slurry movement to be initiated after shutdowns during
a cement job will depend on the amount of fill and the
hole and pipe sizes. This information can allow a calcu-
lation of the pump pressure required to break circulation.
Gel strengths by themselves cannot allow a judgment
on what gel-strength values will be high enough to limit
movement of the cement under downhole conditions. Eq.
2 can be used to generate pertinent data to a particular
well. A pressure limitation of the job first must be set.
This value is generally the difference between the hydro-
static pressure and the fracture pressure of the weakest
formation. This pressure limit will set the amount of static
gel strength that can be developed given an amount of ce-
ment fill and the hole and pipe sizes. Table 3 provides
data that will enable these calculations to be made.
For example, a particular well had a 14-cm [5.5-in.]
casing in a 20-cm [8-in.] hole with a fill-up of 914 m
[3,000 ft] (see Table 3). If the maximum break-circulation
147
 TABLE 2-GEL-STRENGTH DATA
Thickening Time to Time to
Slurry Depth Casing 8HCT Time 48 Pa 240 Pa
(0C)
Number ~ or Liner (hr:min) (hr:min) (hr:min)
1A 610 C 32 2:35 0:12 0:40
18 5:20 0:24 0:47
1C 7:00 0:40 2:23
3A 1829 C 47 4:02 0:10 0:20
4A 2438 C 52 2:30 0:05 0:13
5A 2438 C 52 1:30 0:05 0:10
58 4:20 0:10 0:16
5C 7:10 0:15 0:27
6A 2438 C 52 3:45 0:12 0:18
68 4:30 0:21 1:16
6C 5:53 0:32 1:30
60 10:40 1:10 3:00+
7A 2438 C 60 3:25 0:17 0:45
78 5:55 0:31 1:20
7C 10:35 1:10 3:00
8A 3048 C 61 3:35 0:27 2:45
88 5:20 0:37 2:01
8C 12:00+ 0:45 3:00+
9A 3048 C 75 3:37 0:10 0:25
98 5:22 0:12 0:37
9C 8:00 0:21 1:40
10A 3048 C 75 3:40 0:20 1:20
108 6:20 0:20 1:25
11A 3658 C 85 2:20 0:25 1:25
118 5:30 0:10 1:10
11C 8:05 0:15 1:23
12A 4267 L 76 3:04 0:10 1:00
128 7:25 0:25 1:10
12C 12:20 1:20 5:00
13A 4267 L 102 3:40 0:20 1:00
138 6:27 0:25 1:30
13C 10:03 0:40 1:48
14A 48n L 84 4:10 0:05 0:30
148 7:05 0:10 0:58
14C 11:40 0:15 0:53
15A 48n L 118 4:22 0:10 0:22
158 6:40 0:15 1:08
15C 10:17 0:35 1:48
16A 5486 L 93 4:03 0:18 1:00
168 6:36 0:30 1:48
16C 8:41 0:40 1:47
17A 5486 L 153 3:46 0:30 1:39
178 7:35 0:42 2:10

to reach 72 Pa [150 Ibf/l00 sq ft] by interpolation was

TABLE 3-STATIC SAFETY FACTOR· 15 minutes. The thickening time for Slurry 9A was 3
Pressure to hours:37 minutes, while the thickening time for Slurry
Move Cement 9B was 5 hours:22 minutes.
Fill Hole Size Pipe Size 48 Pa 240 Pa The use of static-gel-strength measurement on every ce-
(m) (cm) (cm) (MPa) (MPa) ment job conducted in the field is unrealistic. It would
152 40.6 34.0 0.62 3.10 be useful, however, to have some average static-gel-
610 30.5 24.4 2.76 13.79 strength values that would allow an estimation of safety
914 20.3 14.0 4.48 22.41 factor on a cement job. Table 4 provides a summary of
914 11.4 8.9 12.41 62.06
"These calculations are based on published equations and on the
the static safety factors calculated from the data conduct-
pressure required to initiate mud circulation. ed in this investigation. These static gel factors are based
on cements with thickening times ranging from 3 to 6
hours. This range of thickening times covers more than
pressure limitation is 6.9 MPa [1,000 psi], interpolation 90% of all cement jobs conducted. For filler-type light-
from Table 3 shows that the gel strength required to reach weight cement, the average time for the gel strength to
this pressure would be approximately 72 Pa [150 Ibf/lOO reach 48 Pa [100 Ibf/l00 sq ft] was 7Y2 minutes, while
sq ft]. In Table 2, if Slurry 9A, with gel strengths of 48 the average time to 240 Pa [500 Ibf/l00 sq ft] was 16
Pa [100 Ibf/l00 sq ft] in 10 minutes and 240 Pa [500 minutes. For neat cements mixed with fresh and sea water,
Ibf/l00 sq ft] in 25 minutes, were used in the example, the average time to 48 Pa [100 Ibf/l00 sq ft] was 17 min-
the static time to reach 72 Pa [150 Ibf/l00 sq ft] by inter- tues, while the time to 240 Pa [500 Ibf/l00 sq ft] was 32
polation would be 12 minutes. With Slurry 9B having gel minutes. Fly-ash/cement slurries showed an average time
strengths of 48 Pa [100 Ibf/l00 sq ft] in 12 minutes and to gel to 48 Pa [100 Ibf/l00 sq ft] of 20 minutes, while
240 Pa [500 Ibf/l00 sq ft] in 37 minutes, the static time the average time to 240 Pa [500 Ibf/l00 sq ft] was 55
148 SPE Production Engineering, March 1986
 TABLE 4-SUMMARY STATIC SAFETY FACTOR"
(Thickening Time 3 to 6 Hours)
Temperature Average Time Average Time
Application to 48 Pa to 240 Pa
Type of Slurry (0C) (min) (min)
Lightweight filler
cements 32 to 52 71f2 16
Neat with fresh
and sea water 32 to 52 17 32
Pozzolan
cements 52 to 60 20 55
Cements with
silica and
fluid-loss
dispersants 60 to 153 15 55

"These values are the average of the collected data. Series I and II had only limited data and could show slightly
higher or lower values.

minutes. The cement slurries with silica, fluid-loss addi-
tive, and dispersants had an average gel time to 48 and
240 Pa [100 and 500 Ibf/l00 sq ft] of 15 and 55 minutes,
respectively.
To verify the measurement of static gel strength and
to investigate static gel strength fully as it pertains to job
performance, a series of tests was conducted using the
pressure-drop test model, as shown in Fig. 1. These tests
were performed to answer two questions:
1. Can laboratory-measured static gel strength be veri-
fied by pressure-drop modeling with Eq. I?
2. Can the rate of static gel strength of a cement slurry
be altered by physical means?
Eq. 1 can be used not only to estimate the pressure re-
quired to break circulation of a column of cement slurry
but also to calculate the potential pressure restriction in
a column of cement. I This potential pressure restriction
can be realized only if sufficient volume decrease occurs.
So both gel strength and volume decrease must occur for
a pressure drop to be observed, which was verified by
actual field measurements of annular pressure and tem-
perature during a primary cement job. I
Static-gel-strength development was measured simul-
taneously with the static-gel-strength device and the
pressure-drop test model. By use of Eq. 1 with the length
and diameter of the cement column and static-gel-strength
values, a pressure drop was calculated. This calculated
pressure then was compared to the measured value from
the pressure-drop model. Table 5 provides the results of
six tests.
Series I test (Table 5) was cQnducted with a normal
density-retarded cement (1980 Kg/m3 [16.5 Ibm/gal]).
This cement slurry had a transition time of 90 minutes,
while a lightweight filler cement with a transition time
of 30 minutes (Class H + 12 % gel) was used in Series
II. Series I and II testing was conducted at three different
leakoff rates to simulate volume decreases. Series I indi-
cated good correlation between actual pressure drop and
the calculated pressure drop at 0.0076- and 0.029-cmlmin
[0.003- and O.OII-in.!min] slurry movement rate. How-
ever, at 0.046 cm/min [0.018 in.!min], the actual pres-
sure drop was far below the calculated value (12.4 kPa
[1.8 psi] calculated vs. 24.2 kPa [3.5 psi] actual). At this
simulated leakoff rate, the slurry movement in the pipe
was too fast and effectively slowed the slurry's gel de-
velopment. Even at the lowest simulated leakoff rate
(0.0076-cmlmin [0.003-in.!min] slurry movement or 0.1
cm 3 /min [0.006 cu in.!min]), the total amount of pres-
sure reduction that theoretically could occur in a com-
pletely closed system is far in excess of what was observed
(assuming that the compressibility of the slurry is that of
water).
The results for the Series II test also indicated good
correlation at 0.0170 cm/mL and 0.038-cm/min
[0.015-in.!min] slurry movement rate, while Test 3 at
0.051 cm/min [0.02 in.!min] showed very different re-
sults. The slurry movement rate was high enough on Test
III to slow the static gel strength of the slurry.
Two observations can be made from the analysis of data
in Table 5.

TABLE 5-PRESSURE-DROP MODEL COMPARISON OF

ACTUAL/CALCULATED PRESSURE DROP (kPa)
Series I: 32°C. 6.9 MPa
Class H Cement + Retarder + 38% Water
Time Test 1 Test 2 Test 3
(min) (0.0076 cm/min) (0.0229 em/min) (0.046 cm/min)
10 1.1210.80 0.70/0.84 0.00/1.63
30 4.19/3.91 6.90/10.58 1.19/10.48
60 27.59/21.65 21.65/22.35 12.40/24.20

Series II: 32°C. 6.9 MPa

Class H Cement + 12% Gel + 102% Water
Time Test 1 Test 2 Test 3
(min) (0.019 em/min) (0.038 cm/min) (0.051 cm/min)
10 3.45/4.69 2.07/6.14 1.3814.83
20 6.90/8.48 4.62/12.41 5.52110.34
30 29.30/29.79 33.65/34.20 13.10/33.10

SPE Production Engineering, March 1986 149

 TABLE 6-COMPRESSIVE STRENGTHS

Schedule for 24-Hour Compressive

Thickening Strength (MPa) for Slurry
Times Strength Curing Conditions With Thickening Time Interval
Series Depth BHCT" Depth Meters Temperature"" Shown ,1t
Number (m) BHST ~ Above TO (OC) (hrs:min)
~
2:35 5:20 7:00
610 34 527 79 41 15.5 14.4 16.3 2
43 o 610 27 8.6 7.2 7.3 17
4:20 7:10
5 2438 52 1920 518 79 13.2 20.0 14
93 1372 975 67 11.8 13.8 27
936 1503 52 7.2 17.2 41
3:45 4:30 10:40
6 2438 52 1463 975 67 12.4 13.7 5.5 27
93 1097 1341 77 5.0 4.6 3.1 37
3:25 5:55 10:35
7 2996 60 2438 457 93 12.4 13.7 9.7 13
106 1219 1676 60 9.7 3.8 3.4 43
914 1981 52 6.6 4.8 3.9 54
3:35 5:20 12:00+
8 2926 61 2234 691 88 15.2 15.2 12.4 19
107 2012 914 82 13.9 13.1 9.9 25
1564 1344 69 16.8 N.S.H N.S. 37
3:25 7:30 8:40
18 3048 62 3048 o 110 19.4 24.9 22.7 o
110 1829 1219 77 19.6 18.0 16.9 33
914 2134 52 11.4 N.S. N.S. 58
3:37 5:22 8:00
9 3566 75 3048 518 110. 20.0 17.4 16.5 14
124 2134 1433 85 13.8 13.6 8.6 39
1829 1737 77 2.8 N.S. N.S. 48
3:40 6:20
10 3566 75 3048 518 110 17.2 12.4 14
124 2134 1432 83 12.4 10.3 39
3:04 7:25 12:20
12 3597 76 2560 1036 97 17.1 19.1 19.6 28
125 1829 1768 77 12.6 14.3 N.S. 48
1463 2134 67 7.0 11.1 N.S. 58
4:10 7:05 11:40
14 3901 84 2926 975 107 20.1 17.2 19.9 27
133 2195 1707 87 17.6 20.3 14.8 47
1829 2073 77 N.S. N.S. N.S. 57
2:20 5:30 8:05
11 3871 85 3170 701 113 25.2 24.5 19
133 2377 1494 92 13.9 7.8 41
2112 1759 85 12.3 11.3 N.S. 48
3:35 5:28 7:05
19 3962 87 3962 o 136 12.1 16.5 15.6 0
136 2743 1219 102 23.2 17.4 17.9 34
2438 1524 93 18.3 17.5 14.5 42
1829 2134 77 20.9 N.S. N.S. 59
4:03 6:36 8:41
16 4176 93 3292 884 117 21.8 22.1 23.2 44
141 2560 1615 97 18.3 18.7 18.6 44
3: 15 5:32 9:28
20 4426 102 4420 o 148 13.9 15.7 16.9 0
148 3810 610 131 21.6 21.0 22.3 17
3200 1219 114 23.9 22.8 23.1 33
2591 1829 98 N.S. N.S. N.S. 50
3:40 6:27 10:03
13 4450 102 3697 753 128 17.2 15.2 15.2 21
149 2643 1777 99 28.1 19.2 19.3 49
2112 2338 84 28.1 20.8 12.3 64
4:22 6:40 10: 17
15 118 4167 649 142 19.0 15.2 13.0 18
160 3170 1707 113 15.2 19.5 7.2 47
2905 1972 106 N.S. N.S. 54
3:45 6:45 7:55
12 4879 120 4877 o 160 14.1 11.9 15.7 0
160 4267 610 143 20.9 16.5 17.5 17
3658 1219 127 22.3 14.7 16.0 33
3048 1829 110 N.S. N.S. N.S. 50
3:46 7:35
17 5547 153 5486 61 177 26.1 15.7 2
178 4572 975 152 13.8 7.2 27
4267 1280 143 N.S. 35

.. For casing or liner schedules with O.0217°C/h to.015°F/ft) gradient.

... For O.0712°C/m IO.01s o FIn).
t Interval.1.1 equals BHST.test temperature.
* Not set.

150 SPE Production Engineering, March 1986

 TABLE 7-COMPRESSIVE-STRENGTH COMPARISON TEST

Temperature Compressive Strengths

Slurry BHCT Thickening Time of Test (MPa)
Number (0C) (hr:min) (0C) 8 Hours 12 Hours 24 Hours
14A 84 4:10 107 13.8 18.6 20.1
87 N.S. 4.1 17.9
14B 84 7:05 107 N.S.' 8.3 20.3
87 N.S. 5.5 17.1
13A 102 3:40 99 17.9 20.0 28.1
84 N.S. 4.1 28.0
13B 102 6:27 99 13.8 20.4 26.1
84 N.S. N.S. 20.7
10A 75 3:40 110 13.1 16.2 17.2
85 2.8 9.7 12.4
10B 75 6:20 110 6.2 13.8 15.5
85 N.S. 7.2 10.3
• N.S.-not set.

1. Static-gel-strength measurement given by the static-
gel-strength device measured under downhole conditions
is valid and can be used to calculate pressure to initiate
circulation ora cement slurry and maximum hydrostatic
pressure-drop calculations.
2. If a gelling cement can be moved at a sufficient rate
(0.0229 to 0.051 cm/min [0.009 to 0.02 in.lmin] as con-
ducted in this investigation), the rate of gelation can be
slowed significantly.
Evaluation of Compressive-Strength Data
Compressive-strength tests were conducted on all the slur-
ries in each well program, and a summary of these data
appears in Table 6. These compressive-strength data are
important when the ability of the cement to perform its
necessary functions downhole after placement is analyzed.
This modified depth was calculated on a 2.7°C/l00 m
[1.5°P/l00 ft] gradient so that some uniform basis could
be used for evaluation of temperature differentials. All
the depths corresponded to a standard depth (2.7°C/l00
m [1.5°P/l00 ftD even though the actual tests were con-
ducted at higher or lower gradients. Temperature, not
depth, is the controlling factor on cement hydration.
The test temperature, corresponding depth, and feet
above TD were also calculated. The difference of the stan-
dard bottomhole static temperature (BHST) (2.7°CIl00
m [1.5°P/l00 ftD and test temperature was calculated for
each slurry and is reported as interval t:..T.
The data showed that calculated interval t:..T was the
major controlling factor in compressive-strength devel-
opment and that interval t:..T of 33°C [60 P] or less had
0

However, only general ranges of compressive-strength
values are required at time frames that meet job circum-
stances. Por example, shallow production strings may re-
quire strength in 8 to 12 hours, while deep casing or liner
may require strength in 24 hours. Higher compressive
strengths than what is required in this time period will
mean little with respect to ultimate performance. The same
type of cement slurry with the same water requirement
but different retarder concentration should achieve the
same ultimate compressive strength. General industry
specifications state that 3.45 mPa [500 psi] compressive
strength is required to hold the pipe in the hole and to
provide enough resiliency for the shock load of drilling
operations and that 13.8 MPa [2,000 psi] is needed for
good perforating qualities.
In casing jobs, the primary concern of compressive-
strength development is at TD. The liner job, however,
requires strength at the top ofliner as well as TD. Table
6 shows the results of simulated well conditions from 610
to 5547 m [2,000 to 18,200 ft]. Compressive strengths
were tested on the cement with thickening times from less
than 2 hours to more than 12 hours. The range of
thickening-time values was tested to determine the point
at which excess retardation affects strength development.
These cement slurries were also tested at several differ-
ent temperatures to provide a comparison of the cements'
compressive strength through an entire proposed well in-
terval.
Table 6 shows data that could be useful in prediction
of a cement's performance under job conditions. The cir-
culating temperature and the static temperature with a
2.7°C/l00 m [1.5°P/l00 ft] gradient is used to obtain a
modified depth.
SPE Production Engineering, March 1986
no appreciable effect on compressive strength with thick-
ening times up to 10 hours. Por example, Slurry 12 had
thickening times of 3 hours:4 minutes, 7 hours:27
minutes, and 12 hours:20 minutes, and at a test tempera-
ture of 97°C [206°P], the corresponding compressive
strengths were 17, 19.2, and 19.6 MPa [2,480, 2,780,
and 2,840 psi], respectively. The interval t:..Tin this case
was 28°C [51°P]. Table 6 also indicates that at interval
t:..Tof 33 to 50°C [60 to 90 0 P] there is a moderate differ-
ence in compressive-strength development. Again, Slur-
ry 12 at a test temperature of 77°C [170 0 P] showed
24-hour compressive strength of 12.6 and 14.3 MPa
[1,830 and 2,080 psi] and a no-set at thickening times of
3 hours:4 minutes, 7 hours:27 minutes, and 12 hours:20
minutes, respectively. This interval t:..T corresponds to
48°C [87°P]. At interval t:..T's greater than 50°C [90 0 P],
compressive strength can be critical in respect to thick-
ening time. Slurry 14 with thickening times of 4 hours:50
minutes, 7 hours:5 minutes, and 11 hours:40 minutes all
had no-set with an interval t:..Tof 57°C [102°P]. The slur-
ry did show very close results with interval t:..T of 47°C
[84°P] and had compressive strengths of 17.8,20.3, and
14.8 MPa [2,590, 2,950, and 2,150 psi], respectively.
The prediction of the overall development of compres-
sive strengths can be inaccurate with only one strength
determination at one time. Table 7 shows a comparison
of slurries with compressive strength generated in 8, 12,
and 24 hours with the UCA.
These data indicate a few conclusions.
1. Compressive-strength developments do not relate
directly to thickening time.
2. Compressive-strength development can occur rapidly
after initial set.
151
 3. Shorter thickening-time values may allow faster 24-hour strength development for conditions where the
strength development in short time periods but have little BHST minus the top-of-cement static temperature (I1T )
or no effect in 24 hours. is less than 33°C [60 0 P]. When this temperature differ-
Field Applications ence is greater than 33°C [60 o P], the length ofthicken-
Perhaps the most important item from this investigation ing time has substantially more effect on strength
that related to field operations was the rate at which stat- development.
ic gel strength develops. With a given cement slurry, data 2. Static-gel-strength development under HTHP con-
show that any temporary halt in cement-slurry movement ditions measured with the gel-strength device can be used
before the top plug has landed can be hazardous to a ce- to predict downhole behavior of a cement slurry when
ment job. Even with a thickening time of 6 hours, enough static conditions occur during unexpected job shutdown
static gel strength can develop within 15 minutes to add or after placement and before the set of the cement.
several hundred pounds per square inch to the BHP needed 3. Static gel strength is related more closely to the type
to break circulation. In a critical situation, this can be of slurry than the thickening time. Thickening-time length,
enough to fracture a weak formation and can result in the however, can greatly inhibit gel-strength development
loss of a large volume of slurry. Even a minor surface with thickening time in excess of 10 hours.
pressure surge and a partial loss of returns is a sure indi- 4. The DCA proved to be a very useful and effective
cation that the shutdown period was too long. Providing apparatus for providing a continuous measure of the com-
a quick top-plug-release procedure can be one of the most pressive strengths of a cement.
effective safety factors incorporated into a cement job.
Any procedure that will prevent or minimize delay if ce- Nomenclature
ment mixing or displacement is inadvertently interrupted d = diameter, cm [in.]
is worthy of consideration. This can mean anything from dh = diameter of the hole, cm [in.]
an active standby to checking the rig mud valve on the dp = diameter of the pipe, cm [in.]
injection line manifold. L = length, m [ft]
Prom previous work on compressive strengths 1 a p = pressure, kPa [psi]
general rule of thumb was developed to determine the S gs = static gel strength, Pa [lbf/l00 sq ft]
length of the cement column that could be tolerated and I1T = temperature difference, °c [OP]
still provide adequate strength development through the
entire cement interval. Acknowledgments
If static temperature at top of cement is greater than
the BHCT during the cement placement (and for the We express our appreciation to the management of Hal-
thickening-time test), good compressive strength will be liburton Services for permission to publish this paper. Ap-
attained with slurries with thickening time up to 9 hours. preciation is also extended to Halliburton personnel who
conducted the tests and recorded the data. A special thanks
This rule of thumb can be expanded to the following
situations. is also given to those who contributed valuable sug-
gestions.
1. If the top-of-cement temperature is 8.3°C [15°P] hot-
ter than BHCT, slurries with thickening times of up to References
8 hours will develop good compressive-strength values
1. Sabins, F.L., Sutton, D.L., and Cook, C. Jr.: "Effect of Excessive
in 24 hours. Strengths should, however, be evaluated if Retardation on the Physical Properties of Cement Slurries," 1. Pet.
shorter WOC times are desired. Tech. (Aug. 1984) 1357-65.
2. If top-of-cement temperature is ±8.3°C [± 15°P] 2. Sabins, F.L., Tinsley, J.M. and Sutton, D.L.: "Transition Time
from BHCT, the 24-hour strength may be marginal. of Cement Slurries Between the Fluid and the Set State, " Soc. Pet.
Eng. 1. (Dec. 1982) 875-82.
Compressive-strength tests are recommended, and shorter 3. Tinsley, J. et al.: "Study of Factors Causing Annular Gas Flow
thickening times (less than 4 hours) may be advantageous. Following Primary Cementing," 1. Pet. Tech. (Aug. 1980)
Iflong thickening times are required, longer WOC times 1427-37.
should be considered. 4. Rao, P.P. et al.: "An Ultrasonic Device for Non-Destructive Testing
3. If top-of-cement temperature is cooler than BHCT of Oil well Cements at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures," 1.
Pet. Tech. (Nov. 1982) 2611-16.
by more than 8.3°C [15°P], multiple compressive- 5. Moore, P.: Drilling Practices Manual, Petroleum Publishing Co.,
strength determinations are necessary to determine when Tulsa (1974).
a minimum specified strength will be reached. Minimum 6. "Recommended Practice for Testing Oil-Well Cements and Cement
thickening times are desirable, and modification of ce- Additives," API RP lOB, American Petroleum Institute (1979).
ment interval length should be considered if WOC times
are critical. SI Metric Conversion Factors
These generalized rules of thumb were developed from cu in. X 1.648 706 E+Ol = cm 3
the data in this paper. ft X 3.048* E-Ol = m
Once initial set is reached, the compressive strength in- 0p (OP-32)/1.8 °C =
creases very rapidly. Early-strength specifications should in. X 2.54* E+OO = cm
be set conservatively low with the underst!\nding that lbf/sq ft X 4.788 026 E-02 =kPa
strength-development rate is very rapid in early stages. psi X 6.894 757 E+OO = kPa
Pailure to reach a single empirically set early-strength
specification may not by itself justify rejection of a slurry . • Conversion factor is exact. SPEPE
Conclusions Original manuscript received in the Society of Petroleum Engineers office Aug. 27,
1983. Paper accepted for publication Jan. 15, 1985. Revised manuscript received Aug.
1. Por thickening times ranging from 3 to 8 hours, the 19,1985. Paper (SPE 11205) first presented at the 1982 SPE Annual Technical Con-
length of the thickening time has no significant effect on ference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, Sept. 26-29.

152 SPE Production Engineering, March 1986