A new polymer nanocomposite repair material for restoring wellbore seal integrity. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Genedy, Moneeb; Kandil, Usama F.; Matteo, Edward N.; Stormont, John; Reda Taha, Mahmoud M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of greenhouse gas control. Volume 58(2017)
• Page Start: 290
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Seal -- Wellbore integrity -- Micro annulus -- Nanocomposites -- Nanoalumina; Greenhouse gases -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Air -- Purification -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Gaz à effet de serre -- Périodiques; Gaz à effet de serre -- Réduction -- Périodiques; Air -- Purification -- Technological innovations; Greenhouse gases -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; 363.73874605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2016.10.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-5836

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Novolac epoxy with aluminum nanoparticles can restore wellbore seal integrity. Epoxy nanocomposites bond strength is an order of magnitude higher than cement. Epoxy nanocomposites significantly improved cement-shale interface microstructure. Abstract: Seal integrity of functional oil wells and abandoned wellbores used for CO2 subsequent storage has become of significant interest with the oil and gas leaks worldwide. This is attributed to the fact that wellbores intersecting geographical formations contain potential leakage pathways. One of the critical leakage pathways is the cement-shale interface. In this paper, we examine the efficiency of a new polymer nanocomposite repair material that can be injected for sealing micro annulus in wellbores. The bond strength and microstructure of the interface of Type G oil well cement (reference), microfine cement, Novolac epoxy incorporating Neat, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0% Aluminum Nanoparticles (ANPs) with shale is investigated. Interfacial bond strength testing shows that injected microfine cement repair has considerably low bond strength, while ANPs-epoxy nanocomposites have a bond strength that is an order of magnitude higher than cement. Microscopic investigations of the interface show that micro annulus interfacial cracks with widths up to 40 μm were observed at the cement-shale interface while these cracks were absent at the cement-epoxy-shale interface. Fourier Transform Infrared and Dynamic mechanical analysis measurements showed that ANPs improve interfacial bond by limiting epoxy crosslinking, and therefore allowing epoxy to form robust bonds with cement and shale.