Extended Abstract: The Feasibility of Using Geopolymer in Oil-Well Cementing: A Review

Over the years, various cementitious materials have been investigated as a substitute for conventional cement. One example of these materials is geopolymer, a binder developed when an alkaline solution is used to activate materials containing alumina and silica. The use of this material is well established in the construction industry. In oil-well cementing, its feasibility is currently being investigated. An extensive survey on the various geopolymer studies has been conducted. The goal is to present a manuscript containing a summary of these studies. This will help researchers merge the knowledge acquired going forward. The study showed that the application of geopolymer in acidic and saline conditions, and in well plugging and abandonment operations. Additionally, geopolymer-mud compatibility and the impact of temperature on geopolymer systems have also been studied. In general, geopolymer systems show better performance, overcoming the limitations of the OPC systems. For instance, the geopolymer is more suited for CO₂ sequestrations wells as it does not undergo a carbonation reaction which would result in degradation. Furthermore, geopolymers have superior performance in highly saline conditions and besides their compatibility with mud, a geopolymer-mud combination produces cementitious systems with enhanced properties.