Composite Well Cement With Delayed Swelling for Zonal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cement compositions used in wells drilled with water-based drilling fluids face challenges in maintaining zonal isolation and resisting crack formation under changing stress conditions, such as pressure testing and temperature increases, leading to potential loss of fluid isolation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of water swellable particulates derived from an elastomeric material with superabsorbent moieties into cement compositions, which provide a delay swelling mechanism to prevent swelling during mixing and pumping, ensuring effective zonal isolation and crack resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water swellable particulates are added to cement compositions, then zonal isolation and crack resistance are improved, but swelling during mixing and pumping may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezonal isolationVSAvoidswelling stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric material is pre-modified with superabsorbent moieties before being incorporated into the cement composition. This preliminary modification enables the material to absorb water slowly and controlledly during the setting process rather than swelling rapidly during mixing and pumping, thus maintaining composition stability while achieving reliable zonal isolation later.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the water swellable particulates by using elastomeric material with superabsorbent moieties. This modification alters the swelling kinetics, transforming the material from one that swells rapidly to one that swells slowly and controlledly, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving zonal isolation and maintaining composition stability during processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If superabsorbent moieties are incorporated into elastomeric material, then water absorption capability is improved, but swelling control during mixing and pumping is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater absorption capabilityVSAvoidswelling time control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric material serves as an intermediary carrier for the superabsorbent moieties. This intermediary structure moderates the water absorption process, allowing the superabsorbent moieties to absorb water gradually over an extended period rather than causing rapid swelling during mixing and pumping, thus achieving both high water absorption capability and controlled swelling timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If cement compositions are used in wells drilled with water-based drilling fluids, then well treatment is achieved, but crack formation under stress conditions occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell treatment effectivenessVSAvoidcrack resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite cement material combining traditional cement with elastomeric water swellable particulates containing superabsorbent moieties. This composite structure provides both the effectiveness needed for well treatment and enhanced crack resistance, as the elastomeric components accommodate stress through controlled swelling and absorption, preventing crack formation under varying stress conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 cement compositions maintain zonal isolation and resist crack formation, providing long-term physical stability and integrity in wells under varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

water swellable particulates derived from an elastomeric material with superabsorbent moieties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

delay swelling mechanism provided by the elastomeric material that comprises at least one superabsorbent component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwelling:

Data Source

PatentUS12384952B2Composite cement compositions and methods of cementing and/or treating wells drilled with water-based drilling fluids

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Composite cement compositions and slurries for treating a well following a water-based wellbore operation are provided and comprise cement comprising at least one of cement particles and cementitious material, water, and water swellable particulates that are embedded in the cement, derived from an elastomeric material, and present at a concentration of at least about 2% by weight of the cement but no more than about 30% by weight of the cement. Methods for treating a well drilled with a water-based drilling mud are provided and comprise pumping the composite cement compositions and slurries into the well and treating the well by allowing the composite cement compositions and slurries to set or cure after being pumped into the well.