Analysis of a chemically-bonded phosphate ceramic as an alternative oilfield cementing system for Arctic regions

• Main Author: Limaye, Nilesh
• Other Authors: Patil, Shirish L., Chen, Gang, Khataniar, Santanu, Chukwu, Godwin A.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: Arctic; Fairbanks; Alaska North Slope; north slope; permafrost; Alaska
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11122/5845

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2007 Novel chemically bonded phosphate ceramic borehole sealant, i.e. Ceramicrete, has many advantages over conventionally used permafrost cement at Alaska North Slope (ANS). However, in normal field practices when Ceramicrete is mixed with water in blenders, it has a chance of being contaminated with leftover Portland cement. In order to identify the effect of Portland cement contamination, recent tests have been conducted at BJ services in Tomball, TX as well as at the University of Alaska Fairbanks with Ceramicrete formulations proposed by the Argonne National Laboratory. The tests conducted at BJ Services with proposed Ceramicrete formulations and Portland cement contamination have shown significant drawbacks which has caused these formulations to be rejected. However, the newly developed Ceramicrete formulation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has shown positive results with Portland cement contamination as well as without Portland cement contamination for its effective use in oil well cementing operations at ANS. 1. Introduction -- 1.1. Purpose of oil-well cementing -- 1.2. Permafrost cementing -- 1.3. Problems associated with convential cements -- 1.4. Ideal permafrost cement properties -- 1.5. Objective of the research -- 2. Literature review -- 2.1. Introduction -- 2.2. Cementing methodology -- 2.2.1. Primary cementing -- 2.2.2. Secondary or remedial cementing -- 2.3. Available permafrost cements -- 2.3.1. API class A, C, or G cement -- 2.3.2. High aluminate content cement -- 2.3.3. Blend of gypsum and Portland cement -- 2.4. Background information of Portland cement manufacturing -- 2.4.1. Clinker formation -- 2.5. Freeze temperature depressants -- 2.6. Cement temperature stability -- 2.7. Novel chemically bonded phosphate ceramic borehole sealant (Ceramicrete) -- 3. Determination of thawed permafrost zone around the well bore -- 3.1. Introduction -- 3.2. Numerical method of determination of thawed permafrost zone around the wellbore -- 3.2.1. ...