Effect of Cleaning the Annular Space on the Adhesion of the Cement Sheath to the Rock

Abstract

Drilling boreholes in gas zones and in zones with the possibility of migration or gas exhalation requires a high index of well tightness. An important parameter determining the effectiveness of sealing the annular space is the adhesion of the cement sheath to the rock formation. Low values of adhesion of the cement sheath to the rock formation and to the casing surface result in the formation of uncontrolled gas flows. The lack of adhesion also reduces the stabilization of the pipe column. To obtain the required adhesion, the annular space should be properly cleaned. Thorough removal of filter cake from the drilling fluid increases adhesion and reduces gas migration from the annular space. Therefore, in this work, the authors focus on determining the effect of cleaning the annular space on the adhesion of the cement sheath to the rock formation. The results of the research work allow for further research on the modification of spacers and cement slurries in order to obtain the required increase in adhesion. The article presents the issues related to the preparation of the borehole for cementing by appropriate cleaning of the rock formation from the residue of the mud cake. During the implementation of the works, tests of cleaning the rock surface are performed. The obtained results are correlated with the results of adhesion on the rock–cement sheath cleaned of the wash mud cake contact. When analyzing the obtained test results, a relationship is found between the cleaning of the rock surface and the adhesion of the cement sheath to it.