The Technology 

A new approach to cementing allows the design of high performance slurries at low as well as high densities. Using this technique new light weight cement slurries as low as 8.34 PPG can be designed for application such as completion in reservoirs with low fracture gradients, single slurry for both lead and tail and many more. The technology is based on the correct selection of components for the dry blend with compounds of proper specific gravity and in an optimum ratio.

The new LWC RIPI technology increases the solids contents of the slurry. Smaller particle size fill the void space between larger ones, Resulting in a slurry requiring less water during mixing and pumping(figure1).

Figure(1): Optimized Particle Size Distribution

Effective Set Cement Porosity  

• The shorter the thickening time
• The better stability 
• The higher compressive strength
• The lower the permeability   

The  The compressive strength results of cement slurries are strongly dependent on the water and cement content Slurry porosity of a standard 15.8 PPG slurry is around 58%. In the LWCRIPI, porosity is kept low around  38%.

Operational Procedure  

LWCRIPI are operationally simple, as no special mixing equipment is required. The dry blend is generally prepared at the base bulk- plant and sent to the location prior to the job.

Compatibility with Other Additive and Systems

LWCRIPI can be designed with all additives used in any other conventional systems.

Conclusions 

• Very high compressive strengths of 2000 PSI at 8.34 PPG and 4500 PSI at 12.03 PPG at low densities
• Very low permeability and porosity of set cement
• Improved stability, fluid-loss control and in most cases no free water compared to conventional systems
• Excellent perforatbility for the set cement
• The early compressive strengths
• The lower porosity, shorter the thickening time
•  Isolate all formation with good cement slurry Three million US dollars were saved due to applying this new technique