| Authors |
Koji Takase, Japan CCS Co., Ltd; Yogesh Barhate and Hiroyuki Hashimoto, SPE,
Halliburton; and Siddhartha F. Lunkad, Formerly Halliburton
|
| Preview |
Abstract
It is critical that CO2 injection and storage wells have wellbore integrity to
help prevent leakage of CO2 during the injection period, as well as long-term
zonal isolation to sustain the loading conditions of pressure testing,
completions, injection, shut-in, and stimulation treatment. This paper
highlights the salient engineering design features of planning a successful
cementing-job operation for extended-reach drilled (ERD), carbon capture and
storage (CCS) wells.
Corrosion in Portland cement caused by carbonic acid is a well-documented
phenomenon. CO2 injected into geologic formations for underground storage
purposes can be converted into various concentrations of carbonic acid with
different levels of pH in the formation water surrounding the well, depending
on conditions such as temperature, pressure, and the formation rock chemical
components. The use of non-Portland cement is often recommended in harsh
environments (pH<4) to help avoid any negative impact on long-term well
integrity. In addition, the cement should have long-term mechanical resiliency
against the
anticipated future loading conditions of pressure testing, completions,
injection, shut-in, and stimulation treatment.
A detailed transient wellbore-temperature analysis was carried out for
estimating the wellbore and tubular fluid-temperature profiles during the
planned well operations. Based on the estimated temperature profiles,
wellbore-pressure conditions, and fluid properties, a rigorous cement-sheath
mechanical-integrity analysis was performed following a finite-element analysis
(FEA) approach. It was found that the use of non-Portland cement alone might
not be sufficient for long-term wellbore integrity.
Customized non-Portland cement systems were developed with modified mechanical
properties to help ensure appropriate mechanically resilient properties for the
long life of a CCS well. Comparative FEA with non-Portland cement and
mechanically modified non-Portland cement at the top of tail cement and casing
shoe for ERD CCS wells is detailed.
Introduction
Global warming and climate change is one of the biggest concerns in the world
today. The increased emission of greenhouse gases, like CO2, has been cited as
one of the causes of global warming. Among the various techniques to combat the
situation, capturing and geological sequestration of CO2 is believed to be one
of the most cost-effective and safest techniques (Santra et al. 2009). It
involves injection of CO2 in large quantities in the geological formations and
leak-proof retention for hundreds of years. Major companies in Japan have taken
a step forward and formed a consortium to research and demonstrate the
technologies required for capturing CO2 and its storage in reservoirs. The main
purpose of this incorporation is to achieve early massive reduction of CO2 by
CCS. Achieving complete zonal isolation in the CO2 environment is identified as
one of the important tasks for the overall success of a CCS project.
The main objective of a primary cementing job is to impart zonal isolation for
the life of the well. Complete zonal isolation with cement helps protect casing
from corrosion, helps prevent sustained casing pressure, helps reduce premature
water production, helps limit interzonal communication, and helps reduce the
need for remedial work on a well. For successful zonal isolation, the cement
slurry should be designed to maintain its chemical, mechanical, and thermal
integrity during the life of the well.
|