Self-adaptive cements
First Claim
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1. A method for maintaining zonal isolation in a subterranean well in which a borehole penetrates one or more hydrocarbon-containing formations, comprising:
- (i) pumping a cement slurry into the well, the slurry comprising particles comprising one or more asphaltite minerals; and
(ii) allowing the cement slurry to set to form a cement sheath;
(iii) allowing microannuli, cracks or defects to occur in the cement sheath;
(iv) allowing hydrocarbons to contact the asphaltite-particle surfaces; and
(v) allowing the particles to swell, thereby enabling the cement sheath to self-repair.
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Abstract
A self-adaptive cement formulation includes cement, water and asphaltite-mineral particles. The set cement demonstrates self-healing properties when exposed to methane, and is particularly suited for well-cementing applications. After placement and curing, the self-healing properties help maintain zonal isolation should bonding be disrupted between the set cement and the formation or a casing string, should cracks or defects appear in the set-cement matrix, or both.
34 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for maintaining zonal isolation in a subterranean well in which a borehole penetrates one or more hydrocarbon-containing formations, comprising:
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(i) pumping a cement slurry into the well, the slurry comprising particles comprising one or more asphaltite minerals; and (ii) allowing the cement slurry to set to form a cement sheath; (iii) allowing microannuli, cracks or defects to occur in the cement sheath; (iv) allowing hydrocarbons to contact the asphaltite-particle surfaces; and (v) allowing the particles to swell, thereby enabling the cement sheath to self-repair. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of using an asphaltite-mineral particles to impart self-healing properties to a cement composition comprising:
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(i) forming a cement composition comprising an asphaltite-mineral; (ii) placing said cement composition in a subterranean well penetrating one or more hydrocarbon-containing formations; and (iii) allowing the cement composition to set and form a cement sheath wherein the asphaltite-mineral particle surfaces may contact hydrocarbons should microannuli, cracks or defects occur in the cement sheath. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of cementing a well in which a borehole penetrates one or more hydrocarbon-containing formations, comprising:
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(i) placing into the well a cement slurry comprising particles comprising one or more asphaltite minerals; (ii) allowing the cement slurry to set to form a cement sheath; wherein, should microannuli, cracks or defects occur in the cement sheath, allowing hydrocarbons from the formation to contact the particle surfaces, allowing the particles to swell, and enabling the cement sheath to self-repair. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification