Abstract:
To meet the demand for precise prediction of wellbore pressure during waiting on cement setting stage in managed pressure cementing in ultra-deep wells with narrow density windows, based on cement hydration kinetics (K−D model), wellbore heat transfer theory, and Terzaghi consolidation theory, the performance differences between the lead and trailing slurries in dual-setting cement slurry systems were considered, and a wellbore temperature and pressure field prediction model for waiting on cement setting stage in managed pressure cementing was established. A design method for staged pressure-holding schemes was then formed. The laboratory weight loss experiment of waiting on cement setting was carried out to verify the established wellbore temperature-pressure prediction model. The error between the predicted and measured pressure was less than 6%, indicating remarkable reliability. Taking Well A as an example, the analysis of predicted key parameters reveled that formation temperature and hydration heat release affect the temperature distribution in annular space, with formation temperature playing a dominant role in the change of temperature in annular space when the hydration rate is low, and hydration heat release plays a dominant role when the hydration rate is high. For a dual-setting cement slurry system, the hydration degree of the tail slurry is larger than that of the lead slurry because the tail slurry is a quick-setting cement slurry, and the temperature at the tail slurry is higher. After waiting for a period of time, the bottomhole pressure falls below the formation pore pressure, and the designed wellhead pressure-holding value is increased by 3 MPa increments for 5 stages. The bottomhole pressure after each increase remaining below the formation fracture pressure. If the conventional pressure-holding method is used, it is prone to cause leakage in the formation. The results of the study can provide theoretical support for the accurate prediction and fine control of wellbore pressure during waiting on cement setting stage in managed pressure cementing.