Micro annuli in cement are a constant problem in oilfield well cementing. In this article, I will look closer at the most common reasons and discuss how to deal with them.
It is one numerous well integrity problem that often results in production reduction and expensive remedial costs.
Photo by Oliver Paaske
We all know the consequences of a well not properly sealed off. As we speak, there are thousands of leaking wells on the planet, and they are a challenge in many aspects.
A significant number of these wells are shut off despite having years of production ahead of them.
In other words, instead of losing money, the owners of these wells would see a significant payback of their investment if they had a way to stop the leakage (other than shutting off the well completely).
What are micro-annuli?
Micro annuli are micro-separation between pipe and cement caused by a change in temperature or pressure during the cementing setting process, or after the cement is set.
Micro-annulus between cement and formation can also occur. Although less common, it can result in a lack of bonding to the casing/formation and a possible communication channel.
Read also: Free water in cement slurry: Why is ist critical?
How do micro-annuli occur?
It is during the setting phase of the cement job one needs to pay extra attention to the behavior of the cement. The slurry is constantly exposed to forces and obstructions of different character while being in the wet state. It is under these conditions that micro-annuli are most likely to occur.
These are the most common causes:
1. Cracks in the cement
Cracking under stress. The forces that occur during setting can not only lead to de-bonding, it may also create micro fractures in the cement. Shrinkage of cement over time can do the same.
2. Inadequate cleaning
Failure to remove layers of mud or other materials on the wall of formation or the annulus, resulting in weak bonding.
3. Expansion and contraction
Dynamics related to this can lead to debonding from the formation. It could be just gradual pressure reduction under construction of the well, following a decrease in reservoir pressure. It could also be a sudden change when displacing the well from mud to water or stresses seen during a frac job.
4. The hydrostatic head
When you set cement in a zone with less hydrostatic head on the formation, high gas pressure from the bottom may cause the gas to migrate during the setting process. The gas will find its way through the mud cake, which in turn will make a fluid column in the cement.
You may also like our blog article "Materials for plug and abandonment of oil and gas wells" and our case "Sustained casing pressure".
Dealing with micro-annuli
There are a few things you can do to prevent micro-annuli. But even the best preparations would not be enough to avoid the problem entirely. You must have a backup plan as well.
1. Preventive
- Good centralization of casing
- Clearance all around the pipe to place the cement properly
- Good hole-cleaning before cementing
- Chemicals to break the mud cakes and to separate cement from mud – spacers
- Correctly designed and executed displacement rates to replace the mud with cement efficiently.
2. Remedial
Once the damage is done - what do you do?
- Use small-particle cement
- Try to squeeze ultra-fine cement in
- Particles are very often too big to penetrate the annuli effectively
It happens all the time: On a given job a certain percentage of the gaps will be filled and sealed, but there will be quite a few that are not. Then you have an ongoing process in which you try to get to the problem areas and seal them off.
In many cases, it is simply impossible due to the particle size of the cement.
- Use low-viscosity resin material
- Particle free - you can get it in everywhere you can pump water. A more viable choice for sealing off micro-annuli
- Less prone to bridging off. It' s not going to block the entrance or access path.
Reading tip: Resin curing process.
Micro-annuli will be an ever-present issue in the cementing process. However, proper planning that involves process and material selections will minimize their occurrences. Proper contingencies should also be in place to deal with problems areas immediately if a micro-annuli is detected.
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