How can you reduce greenhouse gas emissions during well cementing?

1 Source reduction

One way to reduce GHG emissions during well cementing is to minimize the amount of cement required for each well. This can be achieved by optimizing the well design, using thinner casings, applying advanced cementing techniques, and reusing or recycling cement. For example, you can use expandable tubulars, which allow for smaller hole sizes and less cement volume. You can also use foam cement, which reduces the slurry density and the pumping pressure, or self-healing cement, which can seal microannuli and prevent gas leakage. Moreover, you can reuse the excess cement from previous jobs or recycle the cement cuttings for other purposes.

4 Carbon capture and storage

A fourth way to reduce GHG emissions during well cementing is to capture and store the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is emitted from the cementing equipment and the cement production. This can be achieved by using carbon capture technologies, such as chemical absorption, membrane separation, or cryogenic distillation, to separate the CO2 from the exhaust gas. Then, the CO2 can be compressed and transported to a suitable storage site, such as a depleted oil or gas reservoir, a saline aquifer, or a coal seam. For example, you can use a mobile carbon capture unit, which can capture up to 90% of the CO2 from the cementing equipment and inject it into a nearby well. You can also use carbon-negative cement, which can capture and store more CO2 than it emits during its production and use.

5 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?