Development and Characterisation of a Smart Cement for CO2 Leakage Remediation at Wellbores

This paper presents the results of the experimental investigations into the effectiveness of latex based “smart cement” in remediating wellbore related CO2 leakage. Porosity, N2 and CO2 permeabilities, mechanical and elastic properties of the smart cement mixtures developed were determined using core samples. The effectiveness of the smart cement in reducing the cement permeability was assessed through a series of core flooding experiments and by comparing the results with those of Class G Portland cement. A full scale laboratory wellbore test rig was used to investigate the interactions between CO2 and latex-cement at realistic wellbore conditions. Permeability response of the “smart cement” and microannulus were measured with N2 and CO2 at flow rates representative of likely CO2 leakage rates at storage sites and the results are reported.