Enhancing the Cement Quality Using Polypropylene Fibers

Abstract

With the high global demand of oil and gas, oilfield companies are seeking resources in the unexplored areas by drilling wells to explore the potential reserves of oil and gas. The drilling process has become more challenging in these unexplored areas, especially at the high pressure and high temperature conditions (HPHT). A strong cement sheath is highly desired to ensure the durability and integrity of the wells to overcome these challenges. The cement slurry design and cementing job become more challenging especially when the process is carried out at the high pressure and high temperature conditions. Industry is always looking for the new material which can be stable at these extreme conditions and meet the requirement effectively and economically. Polymer fibers are being used in the petroleum industry lately to assist in meeting these tough requirements. In this research, the usage of polypropylene fibers (PPF) on enhancing the oilwell cements properties at high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) were evaluated. The polypropylene fibers were added into cement admixture with discrete amount to evaluate its influence on enhancing the performance of cements especially those relate to the toughness. Experiments were performed using distinct cement slurry characteristics such as rheological properties, thickening time, compressive strength, density, porosity and permeability. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was also performed for analyzing the microstructure of the cement. The experimental tests showed that addition of fibers improves the mechanical properties, accelerates the thickening time, reduces the porosity and permeability and helps in designing a new cement slurry which withstands the HPHT conditions. Polypropylene fiber has a significant effect on reducing the porosity and the permeability of the base cement. Microstructural analysis showed that polypropylene fiber particles block the capillaries by filling the pores in the cement, so a dense cement structure is achieved.

Improving the Iraqi Oil Well Cement Properties Using Barolift: an Experimental Investigation

“…It was found that PPF acts as an accelerator by reducing cement thickening time, enhancing cement compressive strength, decreasing cement porosity and permeability, and blocking the capillaries, as indicated by microstructural analysis. Furthermore, PPF does not alter the density and rheological properties of oil well cement [5].…”

“…This improvement in compressive strength is due to the ability of barolift to control micro cracking growth by making strong cross links between cement particles at high temperature. The main mechanism of the fiber is creating a mesh network which might enhance the strength of the cement as well as providing additional control of circulation losses [5]. In addition, barolift can accelerate the pozzolanic reaction and form more C-S-H products, as indicated by the microstructural analysis.…”

An Experimental Study to Demonstrate the Effect of Alumina Nanoparticles and Synthetic Fibers on Oil Well Cement Class G

“…This increase in compressive strength results from barolift's capability to limit the emergence of micro-cracks by forming strong cross-links between cement particles at high temperatures. The fibre's principal mechanism is forming a mesh network that may improve the cement's strength and provide further control of lost circulation [20]. It is compatible with all types of liquids without significantly changing their flow characteristics.…”

Investigation of the Deformation Stability of Cement Stone With the Addition of Basalt Fiber

“…Агзамовтың еңбектерінде терең қарастырылған [12]. Сонымен бірге органи-БУРЕНИЕ калық негіздегі, кремнийден тұратын және полипропилендік фибралар шет елдік көптеген ғалымдарменде зерттелген [13][14][15][16][17][18]. Жоғардағы аталған мәселелердің негізінде бұл жұмыстың мақсаты құрамында базальттық фибралардың тампонаждық тастың дефорамциясына әсерін зерттеу болып табылды.…”