Smart Retarder for Cementing Systems with Accelerated Set and Gel Strength Properties with Potential for Improved Operational Safety
Abstract Cement retarders available in the market include the traditional lignosulfonates and synthetic copolymers. Commonly, lignosulfonates lack batch to batch reproducibility which hinders formulation consistency. Both lignosulfonates and synthetic polymers will retard the set of cement. However, their chemistry dictates that they also slow down setting time which increases waiting on cement time, thus increasing rig costs. This paper proposes a new smart cement retarder that overcomes these traditional negatives. A number of polymers were designed and synthesized aiming for a chemical able to retard the set of cement while also acting as an accelerator once the cement slurry was in place. These polymers were tested for cement retardation performance using a high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) consistometer. Static Gel Strength Analyzers (SGSA) measurements were used to determine compressive strength development as well as static gel strength development while curing under downhole temperature and pressure conditions. The new smart cement retarder delivers cement retardation in the 125 - 350°F temperature range and can be used at higher temperatures using a co-retarder. This unique material delivers an accelerated set and attains 500 psi compressive strength very quickly which minimizes waiting on cement time. In addition, this new retarder builds static gel strength rapidly and minimizes gel transition time. Upscaling to field application, the top of the cementing column takes the longest to set. By having this inbuilt accelerator into the system, it allows the top of the column to set as fast as possible gaining the needed compressive strength at the weakest point of the cement column. This should ensure the quality of the cement job in comparison with conventional retarders with significant operating cost savings. The new smart cement retarder will simplify cementing formulations due to its flexibility in dosage range of the retarder within the slurry and improve the quality of the cement jobs. As a result, the proposed smart cement retarder can help with minimizing risk of failures during production and possibly improving safety.