Wellbore Temperature Control for Cement Slurry Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cementing operations in the oil and gas industry are technically challenging due to the need for rapid hardening of cement slurry, which is often delayed by unpredictable geo-thermal gradients, leading to extended operation times and potential fluid migration issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for conditioning the well bore by pumping a conditioning fluid through an inner tubing to control the temperature of the bore-lining tubing, influencing the setting rate and dimensions of the cement slurry, allowing for precise temperature control to accelerate or retard the curing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional pumping time safety factor is added to account for unpredictable geo-thermal gradients, then the reliability of cementing operation is improved, but the setting time of cement slurry is greatly extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of cementing operationVSAvoidsetting time of cement slurry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the cement slurry in a heating chamber before it enters the borehole. This advance thermal preparation ensures the slurry arrives at the target formation at an optimal temperature for rapid setting, eliminating the need for extended pumping time safety factors and achieving reliable cementing within controlled time frames.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the cement slurry is pumped down through the bore-lining tubing and up into the surrounding annulus, then the productivity of cementing operation is improved, but the temperature control of the cement slurry becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproductivity of cementing operationVSAvoidtemperature control of cement slurry

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-heating the cement slurry in a dedicated heating chamber before pumping. This separates the temperature control function from the pumping process, allowing the slurry to be heated to the optimal temperature range (50-100°C) prior to delivery, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving precise temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary heating chamber between the slurry preparation system and the borehole. This intermediary component serves as a thermal processing zone where the slurry temperature is controlled and optimized before being pumped into the annulus, thus decoupling the pumping operation from temperature control requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cement slurry setting time is extended to accommodate non-linear geo-thermal gradients, then the adaptability to unpredictable thermal conditions is improved, but the operational efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to geo-thermal gradientVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by actively controlling the temperature parameter of the cement slurry through pre-heating in the heating chamber. By adjusting the slurry temperature to fall within the optimal range (50-100°C), the system adapts to various geo-thermal gradient conditions without requiring extended setting times, thereby maintaining high operational efficiency while preserving adaptability to unpredictable thermal environments.

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

This approach significantly reduces the wait-on-cement time, enhances cement compressive strength, and maintains hydrostatic pressure by controlling the transition from fluid to solid form of the cement, thereby improving operational efficiency and zonal isolation.

Implementation Method 1

pumping conditioning fluid through an inner tubing within the bore-lining tubing into a portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing to affect the temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The annulus between the bore-lining tubing and the surrounding bore wall may be filled with a settable material, typically a cement slurry, which hardens to provide support for the bore wall and the tubing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20240376796A1Downhole apparatus and method for operations involving delivery and hardening of settable materials

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 EXPRO NORTH SEA LIMITED

AI summary

A method of conditioning a well bore featuring an annulus (50) between a bore-lining tubing (20) and a surrounding bore wall (110) comprises pumping conditioning fluid through an inner tubing (10) located within the bore-lining tubing (20) and into a portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing to affect the temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing. The annulus (50) between the bore-lining tubing (20) and the surrounding bore wall (110) is at least partially filled with settable material (54). The affected temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing influences the setting of the settable material. For example, heating the bore may accelerate setting of the material, while cooling the bore may retard setting of the material.