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Examining the Effect of Fundamental Properties of Cement Hydration on Hydrostatic Pressure Reduction to Better Understand Stray Gas Migration

Vuotto, Alexander (2016) Examining the Effect of Fundamental Properties of Cement Hydration on Hydrostatic Pressure Reduction to Better Understand Stray Gas Migration. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

During wellbore cementing, stray gas migration may occur when a pressure imbalance exists within the hydrating cement slurry, where the pore pressure is less than that of the surrounding formation gas pressure. A fluid column of hydrating cement slurry with appropriate density will provide sufficient hydrostatic pressure to prevent formation gas from invading and migrating through the cemented column. As cement hydration progresses, slurry behavior gradually shifts from that of a liquid to an impermeable solid. This transition is associated with a reduction in hydrostatic pressure, potentially leaving the annulus susceptible to the invasion and migration of untargeted formation gas. The current industry approach relies on measurements of static gel strength of the hydrating cement slurry to define the period of gas migration susceptibility, which is referred to as transition time. The transition time is minimized to reduce gas migration potential; however, many limitations exist with this approach. In order to improve the understanding of gas migration susceptibility, a study was performed to accurately characterize hydrostatic pressure reduction within a cemented annulus using fundamental parameters, such as degree of hydration and capillary porosity. Laboratory tests were conducted using the University of Pittsburgh’s wellbore simulation chamber to simulate various depths of interest. By using fundamental parameters, microstructural development and cement material properties may be predicted at any time and depth along the wellbore and related to the occurrence of gas migration. This study shows that the development of hydration can be predicted as a function of the curing conditions, the mixture design, and the cement composition. Hydration can also be directly linked to strength and constitutive properties of the hydrating cement slurry.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Vuotto, Alexandera.vuotto1225@gmail.com0000-0002-4377-4140
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Thesis AdvisorVandenbossche, Juliejmv7@pitt.eduJMV70000-0002-3297-0672
Committee MemberBrigham, Johnbrigham@pitt.eduBRIGHAM
Committee MemberIannacchione, Anthonyati2@pitt.eduATI20000-0001-9188-5331
Committee MemberKutchko, BarbaraBarbara.Kutchko@netl.doe.gov
Date: 25 January 2016
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 24 November 2015
Approval Date: 25 January 2016
Submission Date: 2 December 2015
Access Restriction: 5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years.
Number of Pages: 141
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Swanson School of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering
Degree: MS - Master of Science
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: cement hydration gas migration fundamental parameter isothermal calorimetry hydrostatic pressure reduction microstructural development
Date Deposited: 25 Jan 2016 15:42
Last Modified: 25 Jan 2021 06:15
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/26556

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