Wellbore Cement Additive for Early Strength Without Gelation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The oil and gas industry faces challenges in enhancing the early strength of cement slurries without surface gelation, as existing accelerators often fail to significantly increase compressive strength within 24 hours at room temperature.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a liquid additive composition comprising metal gluconate, alkali or alkaline earth metal salt, alkanolamine, and dispersant, combined with a cement slurry, which increases the early compressive strength of cement by up to 30% without surface gelation, comprising specific weight percentages of these components based on the total weight of the additive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If existing accelerators are used to increase early strength of cement slurry, then compressive strength within 24 hours is improved, but surface gelation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidsurface gelation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the accelerator by using a specific composition of metal gluconate (0.1-10 wt%), alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt (2-20 wt%), and alkanolamine (0.1-10 wt%). This parameter change allows the cement to gain early strength without the harmful surface gelation effect that occurs with conventional accelerators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite accelerator system combining multiple chemical components (metal gluconate, alkali metal/alkaline earth metal salt, and alkanolamine) in specific proportions. This composite approach achieves the dual benefit of early strength development and prevention of surface gelation, which cannot be achieved with single-component accelerators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If conventional cementing methods are used, then wellbore cementing is achieved, but early compressive strength development is insufficient within 24 hours

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveearly compressive strengthVSAvoidtime to achieve sufficient strength
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the liquid additive composition into the cement slurry before placement. The additive components (metal gluconate, alkali metal salt, alkanolamine) are pre-positioned to accelerate the hydration reaction and strength development during the critical early period, ensuring sufficient strength is achieved within 24 hours.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the cement slurry by adding the liquid additive containing specific concentrations of metal gluconate (0.1-10 wt%), alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt (2-20 wt%), and alkanolamine (0.1-10 wt%). These parameter changes accelerate the cement hydration process and significantly improve early compressive strength development within the first 24 hours.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The described method effectively enhances the early compressive strength of cement slurries by 30% without surface gelation, making it suitable for wellbore cementing applications, particularly in increasing the strength of cement within 24 hours at room temperature.

Implementation Method 1

combining a liquid additive with a cement slurry... to form a cementing composition; allowing the cementing composition to set

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydration reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11597863B2Methods of cementing a wellbore
Publication Date: 2023.03.07 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method of cementing a wellbore comprises combining a liquid additive with a cement slurry, the liquid additive comprising a metal gluconate, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal salt, an alkanolamine, a dispersant, and water to form a cementing composition; injecting the cementing composition into the wellbore; and allowing the cementing composition to set.