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The Relationship of Thickening Time, Gel Strength, and Compressive Strength of Oilwell Cements
The Relationship of Thickening Time, Gel Strength, and Compressive Strength of Oilwell Cements
The Relationship of Thickening Time, Gel Strength, and Compressive Strength of Oilwell Cements
Summary. A previous investigation I of the effect of thickening times on early compressive-strength and gel-
strength development has been expanded to include a wider range of well conditions, a greater variety of slurry
types, and a more thorough evaluation of static gel strength.
No positive relationship between thickening time and the onset or the rate of static-gel-strength development
could be found. With few exceptions, all slurries tested developed values greater than 48 Pa [100 Ibf/100 sq ft]
gel strength in less than 20 minutes. Data presented show that times needed to develop a specific static gel
strength are more closely related to the type of slurry than to thickening time. A calculation method is given for
estimating shutdown factor from static-gel-strength data.
New data confirm that 12- and 24-hour compressive strengths are not significantly reduced by reasonable
increases in thickening time. The maximum single-stage cement interval without an unreasonable waiting-on-
cement (WOC) time for specified compressive strength has been redefined in terms of interval temperature
differences.
Introduction
Many aspects of oilwell cementing are important enough variation is allowed for, a thickening time longer than the
to warrant study. One area that needs attention is the placement time allows for some margin of safety, but only
procedures used in designing cement to be placed in the for continuous pumping at a lower-than-predicted rate.
well and the specific physical requirement of the cement Thickening-time safety factors do not relate directly to
for adequate downhole performance. The cement formu- how long a slurry can remain static and still be moved
lation is one of the few items that can be changed easily after an inadvertent or intentional shutdown during
to suit existing well conditions, but only within limita- placement.
tions. Although the cement slurry is one of the mosttest- Sabins et al. 2 discussed the chan~es taking place dur-
ed items pumped into a well, it is still one of the most ing this time period. Tinsley et al. showed how these
variable. changes could contribute to annular gas flow. The physi-
The basic design of a cement slurry starts with the de- cal property measured for this transition from the fluid
termination of what general properties are needed for pre- to the solid phase was the static gel strength, and a static-
dicted well conditions. With the basic slurry formulation gel-strength device for its measurement under high-
established, two physical properties need to be consid- temperature/high-pressure (HTHP) conditions was de-
ered. The cement must remain fluid long enough to be scribed. Rao et al. 4 showed the development of an ultra-
pumped to its desired location downhole. Also, once the sonic test device that continuously measured compressive
cement is in place, it must set and develop an adequate strength from initial set to any time of interest on a single
compressive-strength value within a specific time peri- sample maintained at HTHP conditions.
od. Obviously, if a slurry cannot be pumped into place, For this investigation, these two new testing devices
its intended purpose would be, at most, academic. For were used in an extensive testing program to relate
this reason, the majority oflaboratory time spent on test- thickening-time length to static-gel-strength and early
ing oilwell cements is for testing thickening time to de- compressive-strength development. The objective was not
termine retarder concentration needed and to compare to present new devices for determining slurry properties
actual bulk-blend samples to laboratory blends. but to develop data with these devices that would enable
The thickening-time and compressive-strength tests ac- the development of simple, realistic guidelines for better
count for most tests conducted on cement in field labora- predictions of slurry performance with standard API test-
tories. Unfortunately, thickening-time and compressive- ing procedures. This paper will provide data that will an-
strength tests do not tell the whole story. The imperfect swer the following questions.
thickening-time test only simulates actual job conditions 1. How does thickening time relate to static time if shut-
up to the predicted placement time. After test accuracy down occurs during a cement job? What is the shutdown
Copyright t986 SOCiety of Petroleum Engineers safety time?
SPE Production Engineering, March 1986 143
TABLE 1-CEMENT COMPOSITIONS AND THICKENING TIMES
Application Thickening Fluid
Slurry Retarder Depth Casing (C) 8HCT Time Water Silica Loss Dispersant Gel
Number Cement (%) (m) or Liner (L) (0C) (hr:min) (%) (%) Additive (%) (0/0)
1A Class H 0 610 32 2:35 38 - - - -
18 Class H 0.1(1) 610 C 32 5:20 38 - - - -
1C Class H 0.2(1) 610 C 32 7:00 38 - - - -
2A Class H 0 1829 C 47 2:25 38 - - - -
3A Class H 0 1829 C 47 4:02 84 - - - 8
4A Trinity Lite
Wate
0 2438 C 52 2:30 88 - - - 0.5
o
SERVODYNE SPEED
CONTROL & TOROUE
READOUT
CORD PUlliNG SYSTEM
TO TURN MAGNETIC
DRIVE AT 0.2 TO 2"
PER MINUTE.
SERVODYNE
MOTOR
HEATER POWER
SUPPLY & TEMP.
CONTROLLER
aUICK OPENING
VALVE
WASTE
SLURRY
RECEIVER
strength, including initial set. (Initial set is defined as the pressure were increased according to aFl API schedule 6
point at which appreciable compressive strength begins (depending on the depth). The consistency was measured
to develop.) The test slurries were mixed according to continuously untilloo-Bc (Bearden units) consistency was
API specifications, were transferred to an atmospheric obtained. The time to reach 100 Bc is defined as the thick-
consistometer, and were brought to BHCT according to ening time.
API Schedules. Stirring was maintained for 1 hour. If
Gel-Strength Device. To determine the gel-strength de-
BHCT exceeded 82.2°C [180 0 P], the temperature was
velopment of cement under downhole conditions, it was
increased to and maintained at 82.2°C [180°F] for the
necessary to use the device shown in Fig. 2. This equip-
remainder of the stirring period. After the stirring times,
ment was designed specifically for measuring static gel
the test slurries were placed in the UCA cell preheated
strength after a stirring period that simulated slurry place-
to BHCT. Compressive-strength measurements were then
ment and to operate at a maximum temperature of 204 °C
initiated, and the temperature of the cells was increased
[400°F] at 69 MPa [10,000 psi]. The low-friction mag-
to test temperature according to API specifications. A con-
netic drive allowed the slurry to be stirred while consisten-
tinual history of compressive strengths was generated for
cy was monitored during the stirring time. After
24 hours. After the cement sample was cured for 24 hours,
simulating placement time, the motor was shut off and
the sample in the UCA cells was also crushed to deter-
a cord-pulling system was attached to the magnetic drive
mine conventional compressive-strength values.
head. Static gel strength was determined by a continuous
measurement of the torque required to rotate the paddle
Equipment at a very slow speed (0.5 to 2.0° /min). At such speeds,
IITHP Consistometer. A conventional HTHP consistom- a magnetic drive has very low friction, and very accurate
eter was used for thickening-time measurements. This ap- torque measurements can be made. The torque-measuring
paratus consisted essentially of a rotating cylindrical slurry system consisted of a cord-pulling capstan or drum ar-
container, equipped with a stationary paddle assembly, rangement drive by a variable-speed gear motor with the
enclosed in a pressure chamber capable of withstanding cord running through the pulley arrrangement to a load
pressures of 207 MPa [30,000 psi] and maximum tem- cell and then to the magnetic drive of the stirring au-
peratures to 204 °C [400°F]. A heating element was used toclave. This provided a method of accurate, continuous
to raise the temperature of the slurry by heating oil at a rotation and a means for continuously recording the
maximum rate of 2.8°C/min [5°F/min]. The thickness torque. The gel strength was then calculated from the
or consistency of the cement slurry was monitored by torque measurement and the paddle geometry. The slow
measurement of the torque on the stationary stirring movement of the paddle allowed static gel strength to be
paddle. measured but did not inhibit gel-strength development.
The cement slurry was mixed according to API speci- Gel-strength properties were measured from a minimum
fications (35 seconds in a blender on high speed) and was of 4.8 Pa [10 lbf/loo sq ft] to a maximum of 480 Pa [1,000
placed in the HTHP consistometer. The temperature and lbf/loo sq ft].
146 SPE Production Engineering, March 1986
PSI
TRIGGER
PULSE
HEATING/COOLING
JACKET
PRESSURE
VESSEL CEMENT
SLURRY
DISPLAY
Pressure Drop Test Model. To measure the pressure The static-gel-strength development of 17 different types
drop in a cement column, the test model shown in Fig. of slurries is shown in Table 2. Well-testing programs
1 was used. This cell was designed to operate at temper- from 610 to 5486 m [2,000 to 18,000 ft] were used. Four
atures of up to 88°C [190°F] and 6.9-MPa [l,OOO-psi] basic types of slurries were tested: light-weight filler-type
pressure. The model consisted of 1.2 m [4 ft] of3.81-cm cements, neat cement slurries with fresh and sea water,
[l.5-in.] -diameter pipe in a temperature-controlled water fly-ash/cement slurries, and silica-stabilized slurries with
jacket. fluid-loss additives and dispersants.
A constant nitrogen pressure source was used at the top In Table 2, two values of gel strength were reported:
of the test column to provide the 6.9-MPa [l,OOO-psi] test the time to reach 48 Pa [100 Ibf/100 sq ft] and the time
pressure. After pressurizing, a calibrated pressure-volume to reach 240 Pa [500 IbfllOO sq ft]. For some well condi-
pump was used to draw off microvolumes of water from tions, the initial gel-strength value (48 Pa [100 Ibf/100
the bottom of the cement column. A pressure transducer sq ft]) could be significant enough to cause job problems,
is attached to the top and bottom of the cement column while other severe well conditions may allow a much
to measure the established pressure differential. higher value. Although there were very large changes in
thickening times, the gel-strength development did not
Ultrasonic Cement Analyzer. The measurement of the change dramatically. For example, Slurry 9A had a thick-
set time of a cement slurry under downhole conditions ening time of 3 hours 7 minutes, while 9C had a thicken-
was made with an ultrasonic set-time device. 4 This ing time of 8 hours. The gel times of Slurries 9A and 9C
device, as shown in Fig. 3, is capable of determining the to 48 Pa [100 IbfllOO sq ft] were 10 minutes and 21
set time of a cement up to maximum conditions of 204 °C minutes, respectively. The gel time to higher values (240
[400°F] and 34.5 MPa [5,000 psi]. Pa [500 Ibf/100 sq ft]) showed a more significant change
The apparatus consisted of an HTHP autoclave, a heat- from 30 minutes for Slurry 9A to 1 hour:40 minutes for
ing jacket capable of heating rates up to 5.6°C/min Slurry 9C. Gel-strength development that will not allow
[lOaF/min], a pair of 400-kHz [400 X 10 3 -cycle/sec] slurry movement to be initiated after shutdowns during
ultrasonic transducers for measuring the transit time plus a cement job will depend on the amount of fill and the
associated hydraulic plumbing. Set time and compressive hole and pipe sizes. This information can allow a calcu-
strengths were calculated from measured transit time by lation of the pump pressure required to break circulation.
empirically developed equations. Gel strengths by themselves cannot allow a judgment
on what gel-strength values will be high enough to limit
Evaluation of Gel-Strength Data movement of the cement under downhole conditions. Eq.
From previous work 1 conducted on the gel-strength de- 2 can be used to generate pertinent data to a particular
velopment of cement slurries, it was observed that almost well. A pressure limitation of the job first must be set.
immediately after static conditions occur, static gel This value is generally the difference between the hydro-
strength starts to develop. This gel-strength development static pressure and the fracture pressure of the weakest
is important in two respects. First, after placement the formation. This pressure limit will set the amount of static
static-gel-strength development of a cement slurry deter- gel strength that can be developed given an amount of ce-
mines the gas flow potential. Second, static periods dur- ment fill and the hole and pipe sizes. Table 3 provides
ing placement may allow gel strengths to attain so high data that will enable these calculations to be made.
a value that the cement slurry cannot be moved without For example, a particular well had a 14-cm [5.5-in.]
subjecting some of the lower formations to excessive casing in a 20-cm [8-in.] hole with a fill-up of 914 m
pressure. [3,000 ft] (see Table 3). If the maximum break-circulation
SPE Production Engineering, March 1986 147
TABLE 2-GEL-STRENGTH DATA
Thickening Time to Time to
Slurry Depth Casing 8HCT Time 48 Pa 240 Pa
(0C)
Number ~ or Liner (hr:min) (hr:min) (hr:min)
1A 610 C 32 2:35 0:12 0:40
18 5:20 0:24 0:47
1C 7:00 0:40 2:23
3A 1829 C 47 4:02 0:10 0:20
4A 2438 C 52 2:30 0:05 0:13
5A 2438 C 52 1:30 0:05 0:10
58 4:20 0:10 0:16
5C 7:10 0:15 0:27
6A 2438 C 52 3:45 0:12 0:18
68 4:30 0:21 1:16
6C 5:53 0:32 1:30
60 10:40 1:10 3:00+
7A 2438 C 60 3:25 0:17 0:45
78 5:55 0:31 1:20
7C 10:35 1:10 3:00
8A 3048 C 61 3:35 0:27 2:45
88 5:20 0:37 2:01
8C 12:00+ 0:45 3:00+
9A 3048 C 75 3:37 0:10 0:25
98 5:22 0:12 0:37
9C 8:00 0:21 1:40
10A 3048 C 75 3:40 0:20 1:20
108 6:20 0:20 1:25
11A 3658 C 85 2:20 0:25 1:25
118 5:30 0:10 1:10
11C 8:05 0:15 1:23
12A 4267 L 76 3:04 0:10 1:00
128 7:25 0:25 1:10
12C 12:20 1:20 5:00
13A 4267 L 102 3:40 0:20 1:00
138 6:27 0:25 1:30
13C 10:03 0:40 1:48
14A 48n L 84 4:10 0:05 0:30
148 7:05 0:10 0:58
14C 11:40 0:15 0:53
15A 48n L 118 4:22 0:10 0:22
158 6:40 0:15 1:08
15C 10:17 0:35 1:48
16A 5486 L 93 4:03 0:18 1:00
168 6:36 0:30 1:48
16C 8:41 0:40 1:47
17A 5486 L 153 3:46 0:30 1:39
178 7:35 0:42 2:10
"These values are the average of the collected data. Series I and II had only limited data and could show slightly
higher or lower values.
minutes. The cement slurries with silica, fluid-loss addi- Series I test (Table 5) was cQnducted with a normal
tive, and dispersants had an average gel time to 48 and density-retarded cement (1980 Kg/m3 [16.5 Ibm/gal]).
240 Pa [100 and 500 Ibf/l00 sq ft] of 15 and 55 minutes, This cement slurry had a transition time of 90 minutes,
respectively. while a lightweight filler cement with a transition time
To verify the measurement of static gel strength and of 30 minutes (Class H + 12 % gel) was used in Series
to investigate static gel strength fully as it pertains to job II. Series I and II testing was conducted at three different
performance, a series of tests was conducted using the leakoff rates to simulate volume decreases. Series I indi-
pressure-drop test model, as shown in Fig. 1. These tests cated good correlation between actual pressure drop and
were performed to answer two questions: the calculated pressure drop at 0.0076- and 0.029-cmlmin
1. Can laboratory-measured static gel strength be veri- [0.003- and O.OII-in.!min] slurry movement rate. How-
fied by pressure-drop modeling with Eq. I? ever, at 0.046 cm/min [0.018 in.!min], the actual pres-
2. Can the rate of static gel strength of a cement slurry sure drop was far below the calculated value (12.4 kPa
be altered by physical means? [1.8 psi] calculated vs. 24.2 kPa [3.5 psi] actual). At this
Eq. 1 can be used not only to estimate the pressure re- simulated leakoff rate, the slurry movement in the pipe
quired to break circulation of a column of cement slurry was too fast and effectively slowed the slurry's gel de-
but also to calculate the potential pressure restriction in velopment. Even at the lowest simulated leakoff rate
a column of cement. I This potential pressure restriction (0.0076-cmlmin [0.003-in.!min] slurry movement or 0.1
can be realized only if sufficient volume decrease occurs. cm 3 /min [0.006 cu in.!min]), the total amount of pres-
So both gel strength and volume decrease must occur for sure reduction that theoretically could occur in a com-
a pressure drop to be observed, which was verified by pletely closed system is far in excess of what was observed
actual field measurements of annular pressure and tem- (assuming that the compressibility of the slurry is that of
perature during a primary cement job. I water).
Static-gel-strength development was measured simul- The results for the Series II test also indicated good
taneously with the static-gel-strength device and the correlation at 0.0170 cm/mL and 0.038-cm/min
pressure-drop test model. By use of Eq. 1 with the length [0.015-in.!min] slurry movement rate, while Test 3 at
and diameter of the cement column and static-gel-strength 0.051 cm/min [0.02 in.!min] showed very different re-
values, a pressure drop was calculated. This calculated sults. The slurry movement rate was high enough on Test
pressure then was compared to the measured value from III to slow the static gel strength of the slurry.
the pressure-drop model. Table 5 provides the results of Two observations can be made from the analysis of data
six tests. in Table 5.
1. Static-gel-strength measurement given by the static- This modified depth was calculated on a 2.7°C/l00 m
gel-strength device measured under downhole conditions [1.5°P/l00 ft] gradient so that some uniform basis could
is valid and can be used to calculate pressure to initiate be used for evaluation of temperature differentials. All
circulation ora cement slurry and maximum hydrostatic the depths corresponded to a standard depth (2.7°C/l00
pressure-drop calculations. m [1.5°P/l00 ftD even though the actual tests were con-
2. If a gelling cement can be moved at a sufficient rate ducted at higher or lower gradients. Temperature, not
(0.0229 to 0.051 cm/min [0.009 to 0.02 in.lmin] as con- depth, is the controlling factor on cement hydration.
ducted in this investigation), the rate of gelation can be The test temperature, corresponding depth, and feet
slowed significantly. above TD were also calculated. The difference of the stan-
Evaluation of Compressive-Strength Data dard bottomhole static temperature (BHST) (2.7°CIl00
Compressive-strength tests were conducted on all the slur- m [1.5°P/l00 ftD and test temperature was calculated for
ries in each well program, and a summary of these data each slurry and is reported as interval t:..T.
appears in Table 6. These compressive-strength data are The data showed that calculated interval t:..T was the
important when the ability of the cement to perform its major controlling factor in compressive-strength devel-
necessary functions downhole after placement is analyzed. opment and that interval t:..T of 33°C [60 P] or less had
0
However, only general ranges of compressive-strength no appreciable effect on compressive strength with thick-
values are required at time frames that meet job circum- ening times up to 10 hours. Por example, Slurry 12 had
stances. Por example, shallow production strings may re- thickening times of 3 hours:4 minutes, 7 hours:27
quire strength in 8 to 12 hours, while deep casing or liner minutes, and 12 hours:20 minutes, and at a test tempera-
may require strength in 24 hours. Higher compressive ture of 97°C [206°P], the corresponding compressive
strengths than what is required in this time period will strengths were 17, 19.2, and 19.6 MPa [2,480, 2,780,
mean little with respect to ultimate performance. The same and 2,840 psi], respectively. The interval t:..Tin this case
type of cement slurry with the same water requirement was 28°C [51°P]. Table 6 also indicates that at interval
but different retarder concentration should achieve the t:..Tof 33 to 50°C [60 to 90 0 P] there is a moderate differ-
same ultimate compressive strength. General industry ence in compressive-strength development. Again, Slur-
specifications state that 3.45 mPa [500 psi] compressive ry 12 at a test temperature of 77°C [170 0 P] showed
strength is required to hold the pipe in the hole and to 24-hour compressive strength of 12.6 and 14.3 MPa
provide enough resiliency for the shock load of drilling [1,830 and 2,080 psi] and a no-set at thickening times of
operations and that 13.8 MPa [2,000 psi] is needed for 3 hours:4 minutes, 7 hours:27 minutes, and 12 hours:20
good perforating qualities. minutes, respectively. This interval t:..T corresponds to
In casing jobs, the primary concern of compressive- 48°C [87°P]. At interval t:..T's greater than 50°C [90 0 P],
strength development is at TD. The liner job, however, compressive strength can be critical in respect to thick-
requires strength at the top ofliner as well as TD. Table ening time. Slurry 14 with thickening times of 4 hours:50
6 shows the results of simulated well conditions from 610 minutes, 7 hours:5 minutes, and 11 hours:40 minutes all
to 5547 m [2,000 to 18,200 ft]. Compressive strengths had no-set with an interval t:..Tof 57°C [102°P]. The slur-
were tested on the cement with thickening times from less ry did show very close results with interval t:..T of 47°C
than 2 hours to more than 12 hours. The range of [84°P] and had compressive strengths of 17.8,20.3, and
thickening-time values was tested to determine the point 14.8 MPa [2,590, 2,950, and 2,150 psi], respectively.
at which excess retardation affects strength development. The prediction of the overall development of compres-
These cement slurries were also tested at several differ- sive strengths can be inaccurate with only one strength
ent temperatures to provide a comparison of the cements' determination at one time. Table 7 shows a comparison
compressive strength through an entire proposed well in- of slurries with compressive strength generated in 8, 12,
terval. and 24 hours with the UCA.
Table 6 shows data that could be useful in prediction These data indicate a few conclusions.
of a cement's performance under job conditions. The cir- 1. Compressive-strength developments do not relate
culating temperature and the static temperature with a directly to thickening time.
2.7°C/l00 m [1.5°P/l00 ft] gradient is used to obtain a 2. Compressive-strength development can occur rapidly
modified depth. after initial set.
SPE Production Engineering, March 1986 151
3. Shorter thickening-time values may allow faster 24-hour strength development for conditions where the
strength development in short time periods but have little BHST minus the top-of-cement static temperature (I1T )
or no effect in 24 hours. is less than 33°C [60 0 P]. When this temperature differ-
Field Applications ence is greater than 33°C [60 o P], the length ofthicken-
Perhaps the most important item from this investigation ing time has substantially more effect on strength
that related to field operations was the rate at which stat- development.
ic gel strength develops. With a given cement slurry, data 2. Static-gel-strength development under HTHP con-
show that any temporary halt in cement-slurry movement ditions measured with the gel-strength device can be used
before the top plug has landed can be hazardous to a ce- to predict downhole behavior of a cement slurry when
ment job. Even with a thickening time of 6 hours, enough static conditions occur during unexpected job shutdown
static gel strength can develop within 15 minutes to add or after placement and before the set of the cement.
several hundred pounds per square inch to the BHP needed 3. Static gel strength is related more closely to the type
to break circulation. In a critical situation, this can be of slurry than the thickening time. Thickening-time length,
enough to fracture a weak formation and can result in the however, can greatly inhibit gel-strength development
loss of a large volume of slurry. Even a minor surface with thickening time in excess of 10 hours.
pressure surge and a partial loss of returns is a sure indi- 4. The DCA proved to be a very useful and effective
cation that the shutdown period was too long. Providing apparatus for providing a continuous measure of the com-
a quick top-plug-release procedure can be one of the most pressive strengths of a cement.
effective safety factors incorporated into a cement job.
Any procedure that will prevent or minimize delay if ce- Nomenclature
ment mixing or displacement is inadvertently interrupted d = diameter, cm [in.]
is worthy of consideration. This can mean anything from dh = diameter of the hole, cm [in.]
an active standby to checking the rig mud valve on the dp = diameter of the pipe, cm [in.]
injection line manifold. L = length, m [ft]
Prom previous work on compressive strengths 1 a p = pressure, kPa [psi]
general rule of thumb was developed to determine the S gs = static gel strength, Pa [lbf/l00 sq ft]
length of the cement column that could be tolerated and I1T = temperature difference, °c [OP]
still provide adequate strength development through the
entire cement interval. Acknowledgments
If static temperature at top of cement is greater than
the BHCT during the cement placement (and for the We express our appreciation to the management of Hal-
thickening-time test), good compressive strength will be liburton Services for permission to publish this paper. Ap-
attained with slurries with thickening time up to 9 hours. preciation is also extended to Halliburton personnel who
conducted the tests and recorded the data. A special thanks
This rule of thumb can be expanded to the following
situations. is also given to those who contributed valuable sug-
gestions.
1. If the top-of-cement temperature is 8.3°C [15°P] hot-
ter than BHCT, slurries with thickening times of up to References
8 hours will develop good compressive-strength values
1. Sabins, F.L., Sutton, D.L., and Cook, C. Jr.: "Effect of Excessive
in 24 hours. Strengths should, however, be evaluated if Retardation on the Physical Properties of Cement Slurries," 1. Pet.
shorter WOC times are desired. Tech. (Aug. 1984) 1357-65.
2. If top-of-cement temperature is ±8.3°C [± 15°P] 2. Sabins, F.L., Tinsley, J.M. and Sutton, D.L.: "Transition Time
from BHCT, the 24-hour strength may be marginal. of Cement Slurries Between the Fluid and the Set State, " Soc. Pet.
Eng. 1. (Dec. 1982) 875-82.
Compressive-strength tests are recommended, and shorter 3. Tinsley, J. et al.: "Study of Factors Causing Annular Gas Flow
thickening times (less than 4 hours) may be advantageous. Following Primary Cementing," 1. Pet. Tech. (Aug. 1980)
Iflong thickening times are required, longer WOC times 1427-37.
should be considered. 4. Rao, P.P. et al.: "An Ultrasonic Device for Non-Destructive Testing
3. If top-of-cement temperature is cooler than BHCT of Oil well Cements at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures," 1.
Pet. Tech. (Nov. 1982) 2611-16.
by more than 8.3°C [15°P], multiple compressive- 5. Moore, P.: Drilling Practices Manual, Petroleum Publishing Co.,
strength determinations are necessary to determine when Tulsa (1974).
a minimum specified strength will be reached. Minimum 6. "Recommended Practice for Testing Oil-Well Cements and Cement
thickening times are desirable, and modification of ce- Additives," API RP lOB, American Petroleum Institute (1979).
ment interval length should be considered if WOC times
are critical. SI Metric Conversion Factors
These generalized rules of thumb were developed from cu in. X 1.648 706 E+Ol = cm 3
the data in this paper. ft X 3.048* E-Ol = m
Once initial set is reached, the compressive strength in- 0p (OP-32)/1.8 °C =
creases very rapidly. Early-strength specifications should in. X 2.54* E+OO = cm
be set conservatively low with the underst!\nding that lbf/sq ft X 4.788 026 E-02 =kPa
strength-development rate is very rapid in early stages. psi X 6.894 757 E+OO = kPa
Pailure to reach a single empirically set early-strength
specification may not by itself justify rejection of a slurry . • Conversion factor is exact. SPEPE
Conclusions Original manuscript received in the Society of Petroleum Engineers office Aug. 27,
1983. Paper accepted for publication Jan. 15, 1985. Revised manuscript received Aug.
1. Por thickening times ranging from 3 to 8 hours, the 19,1985. Paper (SPE 11205) first presented at the 1982 SPE Annual Technical Con-
length of the thickening time has no significant effect on ference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, Sept. 26-29.