The cementing fluid mechanics group at UBC has been studying cementing operations for more than 10 years. We propose to move research significantly closer to industry, using our unrivalled knowledge of fluid displacement fundamentals to address recent operational concerns.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Dr. Mariana Carrasco-Teja, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering Lead faculty member: Dr. Ian Frigaard, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering
Cementing operations are carried out on oil and gas wells at various stages. Primary cementing encases the well in a layer of cement. The purpose is to both seal the outside of the well and provide structural integrity. The impact of poor primary cementing is felt both economically (reduced production rates) and environmentally (leakage to surface). In extreme cases poor cement can be a contributing cause of a blowout, (e.g. BP’s Deepwater Horizon incident). However, significant percentages of less challenging cemented wells are found to have annular pressure at surface – indicating potential leakage. The cementing fluid mechanics group at UBC has been studying cementing operations for more than 10 years. We propose to move research significantly closer to industry, using our unrivalled knowledge of fluid displacement fundamentals to address recent operational concerns:
a) Cementing oversize oilsand wells
b) Gas migration and well control during primary cementing
c) Horizontal cementing applications