Annular Cement Testing Apparatus for Wellbore Mechanical Properties
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining mechanical properties of cement for well bore conditions require depressurization and laboratory correlations between static and dynamic measurements, which can be inefficient and inaccurate, especially for complex cement compositions like foam and gas evolving cements.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using an annular test chamber with a variable stress system to control temperature and pressure, allowing for in-situ testing of cement samples without depressurization, and sensors to measure stress, strain, and displacement, enabling determination of mechanical properties under simulated well bore conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory testing methods are used to determine mechanical properties of cement, then the testing process can be completed, but the sample must be depressurized and laboratory correlations between static and dynamic measurements are required, which increases complexity and reduces accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical testing systems with a system that uses acoustic wave propagation to determine mechanical properties. Instead of physically loading and unloading cement samples in a complex mechanical testing apparatus, the system uses acoustic velocities measured during a single static pressure condition to calculate mechanical properties through elastic theory correlations, thereby simplifying the testing process while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the testing parameter from mechanical loading/unloading cycles to acoustic wave propagation speed measurements. By measuring acoustic velocities at a single static pressure condition and using these velocities in elastic theory calculations, the system eliminates the need for complex cyclic loading and unloading procedures, reducing testing complexity while improving measurement precision
2Reliability
If traditional cyclic loading and unloading testing is performed on cement samples, then mechanical properties can be determined, but yield and cracking issues occur during unloading and reloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical cyclic loading and unloading with acoustic wave propagation measurements. Instead of subjecting the cement sample to repeated mechanical stress cycles that cause yield and cracking, the system measures acoustic velocities during a single static pressure condition, eliminating the harmful mechanical cycling that generates yield and cracking while maintaining reliable mechanical property determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of mechanical cycling into a benefit by using acoustic wave propagation, which allows measurement of mechanical properties without causing yield or cracking. The acoustic measurement method transforms what would be a harmful cyclic mechanical process into a beneficial single-condition measurement that preserves the cement sample and eliminates testing artifacts
3Productivity
If dynamic measurements at extremely high loading rates are performed, then acoustic velocities can be measured, but the data requires correction for lower loading rates expected under in situ conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement approach from high-rate dynamic testing to static pressure condition measurement. By measuring acoustic velocities during a single static pressure condition rather than through high-rate dynamic loading, the system eliminates the need for rate-correction calculations while maintaining the ability to determine mechanical properties accurate to in situ conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient determination of mechanical properties like Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio without laboratory correlations, allowing for a wider range of cement compositions to be tested, including foam and gas evolving cements, while avoiding yield and cracking issues from unloading and reloading.
Implementation Method 1
The variable stress system is operable to control at least one of temperature or pressure applied to a sample cement composition in the annular test chamber
Implementation Method 2
The variable stress system is operable to control at least one of temperature or pressure applied to a sample cement composition in the annular test chamber
Implementation Method 3
The one or more sensors are coupled to the annular chamber and operable to sense at least one of stress, strain or displacement from the sample cement composition
Implementation Method 4
The one or more sensors are coupled to the annular chamber and operable to sense at least one of stress, strain or displacement from the sample cement composition
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for testing mechanical properties of a sample cement composition. The apparatus includes an annular test chamber and a variable stress system. The variable stress system communicates with the annular test chamber. The variable stress system is operable to control at least one of temperature or pressure applied to the sample cement composition in the annular test chamber during and after curing of the sample cement composition. One or more sensors are coupled to the annular test chamber. The sensors are operable to sense at least one of stress, strain and displacement from the sample cement composition in response to one or more changes applied to the annular test chamber by the variable stress system for determination of at least one mechanical property of the sample cement composition.