Methods and compositions for cementing pipe in well bores

• US 5,996,693 A
• Filed: 09/15/1998
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Heathman, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): SUCHFIELD, GEORGE A
• Application Number:
  US09/153,650
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 166/291, 166/292, 166/293, 166/309, 106/641, 106/642, 106/719, 106/725, 106/820, 106/823
• US Class Current: 166/291
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2103/48 Foam stabilisers
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 22/04 Metals, e.g. aluminium used as blowing agent
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 24/16 Sulfur-containing compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 24/32 Polyethers, e.g. alkylphenol polyglycolether
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 28/04 Portland cements
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 38/02 by adding chemical blowing agents
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/46 containing inorganic binders, e.g. Portland cement
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/473 Density reducing additives, e.g. for obtaining foamed cement compositions

Abstract

Methods and compositions for cementing pipe strings in well bores are provided. The compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, water, an in situ foam generating additive and a water-wetting foam stabilizing surfactant.

Claims

1. A method of cementing a pipe string in a well bore comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a cement composition comprised of hydraulic cement, water, an in situ foam generating additive and a water-wetting foam stabilizing surfactant;

(b) placing said cement composition in the annulus between the exterior surfaces of said pipe string and the walls of said well bore; and

(c) allowing said cement composition to foam and set in said annulus.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said cement is Portland cement.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said water is present in said cement composition in an amount in the range of from about 35% to about 55% by weight of hydraulic cement in said composition.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said in situ foam generating additive is aluminum powder.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said aluminum powder is present in said cement composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 1% by weight of hydraulic cement in said composition.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said water-wetting foam stabilizing surfactant is comprised of a sodium alkylpolyether sulfonate ethoxylated with an average of about 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said water-wetting foam stabilizing surfactant is present in said cement composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 7% by weight of hydraulic cement in said composition.

8. The method of claim 1 which further comprises the step of placing a drilling fluid-cement composition spacer in said annulus immediately preceding the placement of said cement composition therein in accordance with step (b).

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said well bore was drilled using an oil based drilling fluid and said spacer is comprised of an oil external-water internal emulsion.