Systems and Methods for In Situ Monitoring of Cement Slurry Locations and Setting Processes Thereof

Abstract

Optical analysis systems may be useful in monitoring fluids relating to cementing operations in or near real-time, e.g., for location and / or the status of a cement setting process. For example, method may involve containing a cement slurry within a flow path, the cement slurry having a chemical reaction occurring therein; and optically interacting the cement slurry with an integrated computational element, thereby generating an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the chemical reaction.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention relates to optical analysis systems and methods for analyzing fluids and, in particular, to systems and methods for monitoring fluids relating to cementing operations in or near real-time.[0002]Cementing operations are often used in wellbores for, inter alia, supporting casings and liners, providing zonal isolation, and protecting the casing from corrosive formation fluids. In such operations, it is often important to precisely know the location, characteristics, and setting status of cement slurries as they circulate and set in wellbores or other annuli therein. In situ analysis of cement slurries during cementing operations is often not achievable with conventional monitoring systems, which are incapable of operation in extreme environments such as downhole applications. Accordingly, the location, characteristics, and setting status of cement slurries are often required to be extrapolated from laboratory data, calculations of volumes to be fil...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is related to optical analysis systems and methods for analyzing fluids in real-time. It provides a method for monitoring cement slurry in a flow path by optically interacting it with an integrated computational element and detecting the characteristic of the chemical reaction. The invention also provides a system with multiple optical computing devices that independently monitor the cement slurry by optically interacting it and generating an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of it. These technical effects enable quick and accurate analysis of cement slurry during cementing operations.

Problems solved by technology

In situ analysis of cement slurries during cementing operations is often not achievable with conventional monitoring systems, which are incapable of operation in extreme environments such as downhole applications.

After the cementing operation has completed, the location, characteristics, and setting status of cement slurry (or set cement) can be analyzed via logging techniques, which are time-consuming and costly.

However, if an aspect of the cementing operation was incorrect, remedial operations are often necessary.

For example, if the cement is not sufficiently set, the operator allows for additional setting time and then runs another logging operation, which further contributes to costs and nonproductive time.

These issues can be especially complex in normal primary cementing operations where the cement slurry is pumped down the casing and up the annulus.

Pumping calculated volumes is often insufficient to assure operation efficacy, which can lead to additional remedial operations and the use of high volumes of expensive fluids.

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