--Jc-PTbr'o - 03-03

Cementin~g Practices for Thermal Wells

By R W. POLLOCW', W. H BEECROFT* and L. G, CARTER*"

(17th Annual TechnicaL Meeting, The Pet'rn[eum SfJciety oj C.L.U_. Edmontoll, May, 19(6)

ABSTRACT
The introduction of steam as a means of stimulation
for oil production has presented many problems in oil
u ell cOffillletions. Some of the difficulties experienced
haH been casin~ failures. pipe growth, cement failure
and cement bond breakdown.
Data are presented on cementing compositions and casing cementin~ techniques which maJ help build a sound
steam injectIon well or one which can withstand the
stresses and strains of intermittent steam injection and
production.
INTRODUCTION

RODUCTION of low-gravity, high-viscosity c.rude

oil has been increa:;ed in recent years by down~
hole electric heaters, in-.':'itu combustion and steam stimulation (1). Of these methods, steam stimulation appears to be the most promising and is being used by
many producers in the oil field::; of \Vestern Canada.
Steam injection, b)! either of two systems, has become
a complex problem. The displacement or flood technique is considered to be less troublesome once the
field has been prepared for it, bu t the necessary flow
line!'; and permanent stearn generating equipment
makes the initial expem;e very high, Most of the Canadian pl'oducers have utilized the second steam stimulation tec.hnique, that of intermittent steam injection
,."ith portable equipment - or, as it is more commonly called, "Huff and Puff." Although this second
approach is less costly than the use of the permanent
generating station, most of the problems inherent
with steam stimulation still exist.
The most common problems em:ountered are those
of casing failure and/Ol- cement failure_ As long as
steam injection temperatures remain below 400 c F,
these problems seem to be at a minimum; however, as
injection pressure~ increase, ,,:ith the corresponding
increa~e in temperature, the quality of the casing,
cement and cement placement become important factors in the success or failure of the treatment.
1\iost of the Huff and Puff projects in Canada to
date have been in the temperature range of 550 c to
620 "F (1,200 to 1.800 psi), although equipment is
available to raise these conditions to 670 c F and 2,500
psi, respectively. Many treating failures have been
reported at the lo,... er treating levels and many more
failures are expected to occur when the equipment is
utilized to the maximum extent.
The four main causes of well treatment failure
have apparently been:
I.-Cement deterioration because of the strength retrogl'e8sioll and permeability increm;e of conventional cements used in the past.
:fHuU1'bu.l'tOfZ Oil Tf"ell Ceil/cnti11Y Co_ Ltd_. Edmon-

tun, Alta.
r.:':f[{alllfmrfoll COlnlJany, Duncan, Oklahoma.
130

2.-8I'eak-down of cement bond to formation and pipebecau::;e of pipe finish, lack of adequate mud l'emoval 01' surface ",..etability.
;3.-Poor placement techniques.
,L-Failure of casing and cement by overstre:;Hing
during high temperature and preHsure steaming,
In this paper. we will attempt to suggest placement
techniques and cementing materials which will tend
to minimize the chance of failure.
GENERAL PROPERTIES OF i\:IATERIALS

Laboratory illYestigations conducted thl'oughouL the

.rears have studied the effect of heat on cementing
compositions. It has been reported that, above 230 c F,
there i.s a pronounced decrease in compres~;i\'e strength
and increase in the pel'meabilit~r of man.\' commonly
llsed eementing m~lterja]s (2, 3). Additives which are
not chemically reactive with the cement and which require a high water to cement. ratio produce a cement
of POOl' temperature stability. Bentonite is probably
the worst offender and should not be u~ed in any
composition in excess of 4 per cent by weight of the
cement.
The limitation of Portland cements at ele"atec\
temperatures has been stressed in many previou~ papenL The advantages of silica flour as a .!-itabilizing
additive at these elevated temperatures have been
evaluated with a variety of cementIng compo~ition...
l2, 3, 4. 5, 6, 7, 8) _ The l'esLlltg of the tests indicate
that a maximum of 60 per cent or a minimum of 80
pel' cent gilica flour by weight of the cement was required t.o obtain temperature stability. The most common quantity being used at the present time hi 40
per cent_ Table I presents tht~ slurry properties of
compositions having application in thermal project~:
Table II indicates the effects of temperature upon the
compressive strength of the set materiaL
Cemellting blends being used in thermal projects,
where strength retrogression is critical, are discl1s.5iefl
in detail below_
L-Blends of API Class B eement with 30-40 PCI"
cent silica flour are designed to ha\'e a slurry densit.y
of 15.7 to 15_9 pounds per gallon and may be accelerateeL retarded or densified to achieve the desired placement and drill-out time. They develop excellent
strength.5i with respect to compression and shear bonding_ They can be anticipated 1.0 have good temperature stabilitJr to 460 c F or higher_
2.-Pozzolan cements, consisting of 0.5 cubic foot
of API Cla::;s B cement with 0.5 cubic foot of pozzolan.
30-40 per cent silica flour and 0-2 per cent bentonite
by weight of the pozzolan cement mixture, are used.
Pozzolan cements normally can be mixed at slurry
densities of 14.5 to 15.3 pounds per gallon and call
also be accelel'ated, retarded or densified aH the paL'ticular well condition8 require. Pozzolan cements deThe Journal of Canadian Pctralcum

TABLE I

SLURRY PROPERTIES OF SILICA FLOUR CEMENT

Cement

API Class B. .......

Per Cent
Silica Flour

Water Ratio

Slurr)' Volume

Slurry Wefght

gal./sack

cubic foot/sack

pounds/gallon

30
40
30
40
40

5.5
6.1
4.3
4.5
5.88

1.34
1.48

15.9
15.7
15.2
15.3
15.8

. .......

50-50 Class B - Pozzolan .. ... .. .

.1

Calcium Aluminate ......

...

1.16

1.23
1.45

-~

:..
II

TABLE

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENTING COMPOSITIONS

Strength -

psi
80'F -7 Days

Cured 1 Da~'
Cement

Then Heated 7 Days

PeT Cent
Silica Fluur

8O'F

WO'F

400'F

500'F

600'F

30
40
30
40
40

1400
1215
560
775
2900

1985

6600
6550
4200
3400
620

4450
6300
4850
4200
[230

2600
5020
6000
5850
1575

. ....
Class B .... .. . .......
.....
Class B........
1:1 Class B - Pozzolan .. .... ... _.
1:1 Class B - Pozwlan. .... . ....
Calcium Aluminate .. .....
.... . . .

velop excellent shear bond with the pipe. They are

slower than Class B silica flour cements in developing compressive strength, but are temperature stable

18W

1225
[240
3700

the miXing water, will produce a cement which exhibits a linear expansion of as much as 0.17 per cent.
In steam injection wells where high-level stresses are

to 600"F or higher.

built up in the pipe and the cement sheath, the high-

3.-Calcium Aluminate cement, a refractory cement

used with or without silica flour, is particularly suitable for use in wells where temperatures are expected
to exceed 700F. Its temperature stability is in excess
of 2,OOOF. Calcium Aluminate cement ,.. ., ith 30-50
per cent silica flour is mixed at slurry densities of
14.7 to 15.8 pounds per gallon and develops good compressive strength and bonding properties. It can be
accelerated or retarded, but is sometimes variable in
its performance and should be tested in the laboratory prior to use.
4.-Salt cements, containing 10 to 18 per cent salt
by weight of the mixing water to both Class Band
pozzolan cement mixtures, have been very successful
in increasing the expansion of the set cement to improve the bonding properties to the casing and for-

est pO::isible bond between the pipe and cement and

the cement and formation is necessary_ Failure of the
bond can allow fluid communication and possible pipe
grm\,th, the ultimate being pipe failure by buckling

mation both before and after steaming (0). Other

materials are available to increase the expansion of

the cement, but these show little advantage over salt
and are generally more expensive.
In addition to compressive strength and permeability, other factors attributing to the success or failure
of a thermal cement are the bonding properties of
the cement and a proper cementing technique. Cement slurries, when cured in a moist atmosphere, exhibit expansion upon setting. Under these curing conditions, pozzolan cements produce greater expansion
than do Class B cements. Further expansion is exhibited by the addition of salt to these fresh-water

slurries. This aids in the development of bonding

strength both to the pipe and to the formation. The

use of an expansive cement can intensify the initial

bonding strength of the set cement. Sodium chloride,
added to one of the basic cementing compositions in
concentrations of from 10 to 18 per cent by weight of
Technology, July-Sepf'en1ber, 1966, Montreal

or telescoping (10).

The pipe finish and surface condition of the pipe

and the formation have a profound effect on the deve[opment of bond strength (11). Fai[ure of the bond

can be minimized by proper mud removal with the

cement or preferably by a chemical wash ahead of the
cement slurry. The chemical washes should contain
a good mud thinner and a surfactant which is a ,vaterwetting agenL These washes, normally water based, are
easily put into turbulence and do an effective job of
sweeping the mud ahead of the cement slurry. Because of the variation in the mud systems which are
used, the best chemical wash should be selected for
the particular mud system.
Placement of the cement slurry in turbulence ,vill
further assist in mud removal, resulting in more complete filling of the annular space with cement and
better bonding of cement to formation and pipe. The
addition of a friction-reducing dispersant additive
assists in producing a slurry to achieve this condition at minimum pumping rates.

-.

ApPLICATION OF LABORATORY AND TEST WELL DATA

r-..

Laboratory studies have been conducted to better

understand the various physical properties of cementing slurries for these applications. The coefficient of
thermal expansion for cement containing 40 per cent
silica flour was found to be approximately 6.0 x 10-6
illches/inch/"F. The coefficient of thermal expansion
for steel will vary slightly over different temperature ranges for different grades of casing; however,
131

\.:,....

The effect of pressure and temperature has alfl'l

been evaluated in a well cemented to surface. This
showed that an increase in either pressure or temperature inside the casing resulted in a corresponding
increa~e in the radial and longitudinal expansion of
the casing. The amount of radial casing expansion
caused by an increase in either pressure (Equation 1)
or temperature (Equation 2) inside the casing for
5:,'S.-. 7- and 8r}~-in. casing weighing 15.5, 26.0 and
36.0 Ib:i./fL respectively, are shown in Figltre 2 and
Fi[lw'e ."l.
At the present time, the following equations appeal"
to be appropriate for calculating the radial casing
change created by temperature or pressure. However.
these calculations a!isume that the casing is not supported on the outside by cement.
.-'fl,,,,, ~

Pigu.l'e 1,

a value of 6.7 x 10'~ inches/inch/oF had been considered as an appropriate value to use in making caiculatioll~ of expansion due to temperature. The difference ill thermal expansion valueg, and the earl.}r temperature gradient across the cement sheath due to
relatively low heat conductivity, indicate 'I/hy longitudinal compressive stresses are created in the ca~ing
and buth radial and longitudinal tensile stresses in
the cement sheath during steaming.
The heat transfer across a cement sheath ha.::; been
determined while :;teaming through either casing or
tubing with the annulus filled with an inert gas. The
data indicate that it takes about 8 hours for the cement sheath to reach the casing temperature while
steaming down 5~!~-in. casing. This haE> been verified
in two test wells and is in agreement with the method
of calculation suggested by Ramey (13). FiguTe 1
depicts the temperature gradient atrog::; API Class G
cement I a basic Portland type) containing 40 per
cent silica flour while injecting 600F steam. On the
left is the condition for steaming down tubing where
the low heat transfer rate of the annulus reduces the
actual temperature at the casing to about 200F
below steam temperature in 1 hour - this gradually
increases to 100F after 24 hours. The curves on the
right indicate the temperature gradient after ~team
injectiun through the casing,

132

PE;,",',""- (1
- -'-2'-)
\

III

(2,

To calculate the preS~llre equivalent inside the casing to r:reate equal lateral ~tres.s due to a thermal
change, Equation 1 is equated to Equation 2 Lo derive Equation 3 when the ca:)ing is not supported all
the out!iide by cement.

Preliminary labol'atory cbta indicale that the UM~

of thick-shell stress equations foL' both the ca::;ing and
the cement sheath can be utilized to calculate stress
conditions in the cement due to differentials, or to
calculate: maximum pressure or temperature within
the limits of the strcs~ capability of the cement. Thi~
information. however, has not yet been fulb r developed
to de~ign statu:;, and there still remains the difficult
evaluation of the effect of Lhe formation a.s a supportilLg cement for the cement sheath.
Laboratory tests on casing supported by only ;l
sheath of cement sho\'\:ed good con'elation betwe~1I
the calculated and actual test temperature required
to crack the cement ~heath both radially and longitudinally. \Vhen a similar specimen was tested with
the cement being supported by steel ea."ing to simulate formation bac.k-up, the cement sheath did not
crack at higher temperature differentials, which wa~
in agreement with calculatioll~. Therefore., in cement-

The Journal of Canadion Petroleum

ing wells for steaming it is very important to remove

the drilling mud from the annulus so that the cement

tional multiple-stage collar placed at 150-300 ft_ off

can be supported by the formation to help prevent

fast-setting, temperature-stable cement. When this

damage to either the casing or cement.

Prior to cementing a well for thermal use, the borehole should be calipered to determine if the hole is in
gauge or if washouts exist. Thorough mud removal
from these areas is necessary to help prevent premature cement and casing failure. Where excessive
washed-out areas have been encountered during drilling, it is advisable to repair these zones by plugging
with a temperature-stable cement before further drilling. Once the cement has set, drilling can be resumed,
leading to improved support of the cement sheath in
a section of the hole where mud removal would have

cement has developed sufficient tensile strength to

restrain the casing while the pre-stl-essing is carried
out, the operator mechanically stresses the pipe in
tension until it has reached a condition calculated
to provide optimum protection for the anticipated
temperature and pressure conditions which will develop during steaming operations. Stress is held while
the second stage of cement is placed through the
stage collar. Tension is maintained until the cement
has set long enough to attain sufficient strength and

bottom. The lower stage of casing is cemented with a

bond to hold tbe pipe under the stressed condition

when forces are released at surface. In this case, the

upper stage is brought to surface using a temperature-

been difficult during the primary job.

stable cement. Table III indicates the elongation of

RECOMMENDATIONS

A typical new Canadian well should be cemented in

the following manner for use as a steam injection
well:
SU1'jace ca.sing - Either 9%-in_ casing in a 12IA,-in.
hole or 10~4-in. casing in a 151,1.i,-in. hole would be cemented with Class B cement containing 30-40 per
cent silica flour and 0-3 per cent calcium chloride.
P1odiwtion casing Either 5lf2-in. casing in a
7Vg-in. hole or 7-in. casing in a 9-in. hole would be
cemented with one of the following:

(l)

Class B

cement plus 40 per cent silica flour and 0.75 per cent
friction-reducing additive; (2) 1:1 Class B cement
- pozzolan plus 30-,10 per cent silica flour and 0.5
to 0.75 per cent friction reducer.
In order to minimize possible failure during steam-

tubing or casing due to temperature change. This

anticipated elongation is used in calculating the stress
applied to the casing prior to cementing the final
stage.
For reconditioning old wells in an existing steam
drive, additional considerations for cementing a fun
string inside the original string (the most common
method of repair) are: (1) to determine an accurate
bottom-hole temperature to attain sufficient slurry
pumping time; (2) sandblasting of the inner string
and scraping or scratching of the inner surface of the
outside string f01" better bond; and (3) selection of
the new casing size which will allow about %-in. or
more of cement sheath. The recommended cementing
materials would be similar to those used on the production casing of a new well.

ing, the well should be thoroughly circulated bl' the

well operator prior to cementing. A chemical wash,

tailored for the mud s:rstem in use, of at least 1,000
linear feet of annulus should precede the cementing
of the production casing.
Recently, a modification to the above cementing
program has been introduced to attempt to minimize
casing and cement failures by pre-stressing the production casing.
The primarJr casing, which might be 51J2-in. or 7in. N-80 Grade material, is equipped with a Conven-

Nm.IENCLATURE

.6.R dmr
P~i

r~m~
\'8

E8
td
lX,

~T

Change in mean radius of steel, inches.

Internal pressure at steel, psi.
I'vlean radius of steel. inches.
Poisson's Ratio for steel, 0.3
Tvlodulus of elasticity [or steel, psi.
Steel wall thickness, inches.
Coefficient of expansion for steel, inches/inchI"F.
Temperature change at steel mean radius, OF.

..
~

...
Tr'I.BLE

III

ELONGATION DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGE

Eloflga1ion oj Tubing or Casing due 10 Temperature Clra,lge in of.

Length of

50'

100

150"

200"

250

300"

...

2.07

4.14

6.21

8.28

10.35

12042

.. ..

-1.14

8.28

12..12

1656

20.70

24.84

...

6.21

12.42

18.63

24.84

31.05

37.26

. . .. ..

8.28

16.56

24.84

33.12

41.40

. . ....

1035

20.70

31.05

-lIAO

12.42

24.84

37.26

14.49

28.98

16.56

33.12

Pipe

400"

450 0

500"

14.19

16.56

18.63

2070

28.98

33.12

37.26

41.40

43.47

49.68

55.89

62.10

49.68

57.96

66.24

74.52

82.80

51.75

62.10

72.45

82.80

93.15

103.50

49.68

62.10

7<1.52

86.91

99.36

111.78

124.20

43.47

57.96

72.45

86.94

101.43

11592

130.41

144.90

49.68

66.24

82.80

99.36

11592

132.48

159.04

165.60

Feet
500 ........
1000. ..

1500.
2000 ..

2500 ...

3000 ... ..

,'.

3500 ..

.....

4000 ..

...

..

..... ""

350"

TechnDIDgYr July-Septemberr 19661 Montreal

I
Inches

---

133

..?'J .

:::,.'
;

..

CONCLUSIONS

There is more thought and planning being put into

drilling and completing an oil well which is a steam
injection candidate than there ,vas a year ago. Good
drilling and cementing practices. an anly.si!; of the
weight and grade of casing th~lt should be used, proper joint selection and the usage of new methods of
injecting steam into the wells is prevalent.
Propel' selection by the ..veil operator of a cementing compo~ition to perform suitably under the conditions anticipated is necessary. Don't expect the cement
to perform miracles. It has limitations, just as casing
has. and should be used ,..rithin its limitations. Laboratory work is currently being done to more thoroughly
define these limitations and to obtain more complete
data. thus permitting the better adaptation of cement
to its ta3k.
Employ the best po.ssible cementing practices. taking :ldvantage of additives and techniques which will
benefit the placemp.nt and distribution of the cement.
Bottom plugs, chemical ..... ashes. movement of the
casing. excess cement and good annular space clearance beh....een the casing and hole are factors which
should not be overlooked.

(7) Ostroot, G. lValTcn, and Shryodc, Stanlelf, "Cementing Geothermal Steam 'Wells," Jaw'. Pet. Tech.
(Dec_, 1964), p. 1425_
(S, lFalkc1', TVayne A . "Cementing Compositions for
Thermal Recovery Wells,!' Jaw'. Pet. Tech. (Feb..
1962), p_ 139_
(9) CU1tC1, L. G., H'ltgg01W/', H. F . and Gcorge, CIW-l'lC8.
"Expanding

(10)
(ll)

(12)

(13)

Cements

for

Primary

Cementing,"

Jour. Pet. Tech. (i.\by 1966).

Humphrey, H. C. "Casing L"ailures Caused by Thel'mal Expansion," World Oil (Nov., 1960), p, 105.
Cartel', L. G., and ElJall.<;.. G. W . "A Study of Ct!ment-Pipe Bonding;' ./010'. Pf't. TI'clt. (Feb, 19ljl) ,
p_ 157_
Caill, ./, E., Shryock. S., and Cal"lCl. L. G_, "Cc.
menting for Steam Injection \Vells in Cnlifamia."
JO/(I'. Pf:t Tech.
(April, HI6G).
Ramey, H . ./" ./1'. "Wellbore Heat Transmission."
.}ow_ Pet. Tech. (April. 1962), p. -127,

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors wish to express their appreciation tll

the Halliburton Company for granting permission to
prepare and publish this paper_ Special thank~ are
also extended to those in the laboratory and field whll
assi~ted in its prepi'l.ration.
REFERENCES

( I) OweHS, If'. D . and SutCI', YaHI'; E., "Steam Stimulation Newe~t Form of Secondary Petroleum
Recovery," The Oil & Gas Jonnral (4-26-65). p, 82_
(2) LHdwig, N. C_. and Pence, S. A . "Properties of
Portland Cement Pastes Cured at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures," Jou,rnal of American COHcrete Institute (Feb., 1956). V-27. No.6.
(3 ) Ca,.ter. G1'Cg. and SmitlL, D. Ie, "Propertie~ of Cementing COITIllOsitions at Elevated Temperatures and
Pressures," .}o/{I' Pet, Tcch. (Feb., 1957), p. 20.
(4) KaloHsck. G. L., "The Reac-tions of Cement Hydration at Elevated Temperatures." Paper No. 11,
Thh'd 11de1nati-rrllal Symposillm 01/ Chemistry of CI'-

1JIcnts, 1952.
(5) Patchen, P. D. "Reaction and Properties of Silic.a _
Portland Cement i\'1ixtures Cured at Elevated Tern.
pcratures," Jour. Pet. Tech. (Nov., 1960), p. 281.
(6) O,~t,.oot, G. Wancli. and Walker, Wayne A . hIm.
proved Compositions for Cementing \Vells with Ex~
treme Temperatures:' .low. P('t. Tl'ch. (Mar.,

BEECROFT

R. W. (job) Pollock attended the UniverSIty of Alberta.

graduating in 1959 with 0 B.Sc, in petroleum engineering. H~
wes employed by Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Ca. Ltd.
dUring the summers of 1956, 1957 and 1958, and began
permanent employmer:t with the Halliburton Compony in
1959 as district enginee,r in Estevan, Saskatchewan. In Octo~
ber, 1965, he was transferred to Edmonton as district engineer. Mr. Pollock is a member of A.I.M.E and the Association
of Professional Engineers of Alberta,
Williom (Bill) Harvey Beecroft graduated from the University of Alberta in 1947 with a B.Sc in Arts and SCIence. After
working for two years in Eastern Canadian Pharrnaceutical
Laboratories, he returned to Western Canada ond wos emplo~'ed for over five y~ars as a chemist with Chemical &
Geological Laboratories. In 1956, Mr. Beecroft Joined the
staff of the Holliburton Oil Weir Cementing Co. Ltd., and he
is presently employed by tho t Company a~ division chemi st.
Greg Corter received his B.Sc, degree In chemlslry and
mathematics from Southeostern State College In Durant, Okla
homo, in 1954. He held a teaching position for one year
prior to joining Halliburton Company in 1955. He now serves
as a senior chemist in the Research and DeveloDment group
of the Cement Section, Chemical Research and Development
Department, of Halliburton Company,

1961), p_ 1425_

134

The Journal of Canadian Petroleum