Experimental investigation of the impact of modified nano clay on the rheology of oil well cement slurry

In cementing operations of deep oil and gas wells, long term integrity of the well is highly dependent on the cement sheath. Obtaining success rate in cementing operations has been subjected to a myriad of challenges, as drilling into deeper, high pressure/high temperature horizons is done. To gain long term integrity of cement sheath, a successful placement of cement slurry plays a pivotal role. So, the design of suitable rheological properties helps characterize the cement pumpability, mixability, and displacement rates for adequate removal of mud. So, the design of cement slurry for HPHT and deviated wells has become a complex task. Recently employing nano-materials in improved oil recovery, designing of drilling fluids as well as hydrocarbon well cementing has been the focus of many studies. The intrinsic characteristics of being smaller in size, while at the same time providing a larger surface area, nanomaterials can prove to be a game-changer for the challenges faced in HPHT cementing. This paper reproduces the outcomes of an investigational study conducted to determine the effect of nanoclay as an additive on rheological properties of Type-G cement slurry under various temperature conditions. Nano-clay with Class G cement in two different concentrations 1% and 2% by weight of cement, mixed and tested under different temperature conditions (37°C, 50°C, 60°C & 80 °C). Additionally, nano-clay based cement mixtures were prepared by substituting cement with 1%, 2% and 3% of nano-clay by weight of cement(BWOC), and admixed with silica flour, along with various chemical admixtures. American Petroleum Institute (API) standard-10B was followed to condition the slurry at predetermined temperature, while the slurry was under atmospheric pressure. This conditioning was followed by the measurement of rheological properties. Results of this investigation demonstrate that incorporation of nano-clay advances the rheology of prepared cement slurry that could aid in mud-displacement and anti-settling as per the requirements.