The mechanisms, dynamics, and implications of self-sealing and CO2 resistance in wellbore cements
Abstract
Here, this study analyzes the dynamics and mechanisms of the interactions of carbonated brine with hydrated-Portland-cement; in particular, the study focuses on self-sealing, a process whereby hydrated-Portland cement reacts with carbonated brine to for silica and calcium carbonate in sufficient quantities to seal the flow pathway. The analysis is based on a comprehensive set of reactive-transport simulations that explore the complex coupled dynamics between the fluid flow and mineral reactions that underlie self-sealing, and it relies heavily on the synthesis of the extensive body of work on wellbore integrity that has been conducted over the past decade. The analysis explores a large chemical and mineralogical diversity and a wide range in physical conditions and flow regimes, attempting to assess the robustness of the analysis. Self-sealing conditions arise over a wide range in cement properties and reservoir conditions. Although some properties and conditions promote a stronger self-sealing response, self-sealing occurs for a wide range of Ca:Si ratios in cement and for various reservoir fluid compositions. Self-sealing conditions move along a wellbore proportional to the flux of the leaking carbonated brine, and the reaction zone spreads out proportional to the fluid velocity, where volumetric flux and velocity are related by porosity (fluxmore »
- Authors:
-
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE). Clean Coal (FE-20); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1483500
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1601502
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-17-29117
Journal ID: ISSN 1750-5836
- Grant/Contract Number:
- 89233218CNA000001; AC52-06NA25396
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 75; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 1750-5836
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 58 GEOSCIENCES; wellbore integrity; Portland cement; self-sealing; CO2 resistance
Citation Formats
Guthrie, George Drake Jr., Pawar, Rajesh J., Carey, James William, Karra, Satish, Harp, Dylan Robert, and Viswanathan, Hari S. The mechanisms, dynamics, and implications of self-sealing and CO2 resistance in wellbore cements. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.04.006.
Guthrie, George Drake Jr., Pawar, Rajesh J., Carey, James William, Karra, Satish, Harp, Dylan Robert, & Viswanathan, Hari S. The mechanisms, dynamics, and implications of self-sealing and CO2 resistance in wellbore cements. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.04.006
Guthrie, George Drake Jr., Pawar, Rajesh J., Carey, James William, Karra, Satish, Harp, Dylan Robert, and Viswanathan, Hari S. Thu .
"The mechanisms, dynamics, and implications of self-sealing and CO2 resistance in wellbore cements". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.04.006. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1483500.
@article{osti_1483500,
title = {The mechanisms, dynamics, and implications of self-sealing and CO2 resistance in wellbore cements},
author = {Guthrie, George Drake Jr. and Pawar, Rajesh J. and Carey, James William and Karra, Satish and Harp, Dylan Robert and Viswanathan, Hari S.},
abstractNote = {Here, this study analyzes the dynamics and mechanisms of the interactions of carbonated brine with hydrated-Portland-cement; in particular, the study focuses on self-sealing, a process whereby hydrated-Portland cement reacts with carbonated brine to for silica and calcium carbonate in sufficient quantities to seal the flow pathway. The analysis is based on a comprehensive set of reactive-transport simulations that explore the complex coupled dynamics between the fluid flow and mineral reactions that underlie self-sealing, and it relies heavily on the synthesis of the extensive body of work on wellbore integrity that has been conducted over the past decade. The analysis explores a large chemical and mineralogical diversity and a wide range in physical conditions and flow regimes, attempting to assess the robustness of the analysis. Self-sealing conditions arise over a wide range in cement properties and reservoir conditions. Although some properties and conditions promote a stronger self-sealing response, self-sealing occurs for a wide range of Ca:Si ratios in cement and for various reservoir fluid compositions. Self-sealing conditions move along a wellbore proportional to the flux of the leaking carbonated brine, and the reaction zone spreads out proportional to the fluid velocity, where volumetric flux and velocity are related by porosity (flux = velocity * porosity). However, self-sealing conditions can be maintained in a specific section of a wellbore by controlling the pressure drive and/or effective wellbore permeability, which in turn can limit the flux and velocity of any leaking fluid. Finally, the phases produced by hydrating Portland cement represent a carbonic cement that will react with a carbonated brine to produce end products (calcium carbonate and silica) that can maintain integrity in the presence of carbonic acid. Lastly, the attributes that make hydrated Portland cement phases a carbonic cement are required for self-sealing.},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.04.006},
journal = {International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control},
number = C,
volume = 75,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jun 14 00:00:00 EDT 2018},
month = {Thu Jun 14 00:00:00 EDT 2018}
}
Web of Science
Figures / Tables:
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Works referencing / citing this record:
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Figures / Tables found in this record: