How do you test cement performance?

1 Lab tests

Before placing cement in the well, you need to conduct lab tests to evaluate the properties and behavior of the cement slurry and set cement under simulated downhole conditions. Lab tests can measure parameters such as rheology, thickening time, fluid loss, free water, compressive strength, permeability, and bond strength. Lab tests can help you optimize the cement formulation, design the cementing job, and anticipate potential challenges or risks.

2 Pressure tests

During cement placement, you need to monitor the pressure changes in the wellbore to ensure proper displacement, circulation, and isolation of the cement. Pressure tests can detect anomalies such as lost circulation, formation breakdown, channeling, or incomplete fill-up. Pressure tests can also help you verify the cement volume, pump rate, and displacement efficiency. Pressure tests can be performed using surface or downhole pressure gauges, sensors, or transducers.

3 Temperature tests

During and after cement placement, you need to track the temperature changes in the wellbore to understand the thermal effects on the cement hydration and setting process. Temperature tests can indicate the heat of hydration, curing time, and thermal expansion or contraction of the cement. Temperature tests can also help you adjust the cement additives, spacers, or spurt loss to account for the temperature variations. Temperature tests can be performed using surface or downhole temperature gauges, sensors, or logs.

4 Acoustic logs

After cement placement, you need to evaluate the quality and integrity of the cement bond between the casing and the formation. Acoustic logs can measure the acoustic impedance, amplitude, and travel time of sound waves transmitted through the cement, casing, and formation. Acoustic logs can identify areas of poor or good bond, cement top, channels, cracks, or voids. Acoustic logs can be performed using various tools such as cement bond logs (CBL), variable density logs (VDL), ultrasonic logs (USI), or sonic scanners.

5 Mechanical tests

After cement placement, you may also need to perform mechanical tests to verify the strength and durability of the cement under applied loads or stresses. Mechanical tests can simulate the effects of well operations such as drilling, completion, stimulation, or production on the cement. Mechanical tests can measure parameters such as shear bond, tensile bond, radial bond, casing expansion, or cement integrity. Mechanical tests can be performed using tools such as mechanical bond logs (MBL), radial bond tools (RBT), or expandable casing systems.

6 Performance analysis

After testing cement performance, you need to analyze the results and compare them with the design objectives and criteria. Performance analysis can help you assess the effectiveness, reliability, and safety of the cement job. Performance analysis can also help you identify any issues, gaps, or improvements that need to be addressed or implemented. Performance analysis can be performed using software, models, or charts that can integrate, visualize, and interpret the data from different tests.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?