Paper: Carbon Dioxide Corrosion Resistance In Cements

Carbon dioxide corrosion studies of oil-well portland cements were initiated using a new microsample technique to determine the effect of carbonic acid on portland cement slurry formulations and to develop a high carbonic acid corrosion-resistant cement for carbon dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery applications. Earlier results from studies using two-inch API cement cubes showed carbonic acid had essentially no effect on cement after relative short test periods at elevated temperatures. Similar results with two-inch API cement cubes also were reported in recent literature. Because carbonic acid corrosion in cements was difficult to observe and measure using two-inch API cement cubes, a new microsample technique was developed. Use of this new technique, which represents an accelerated testing method, showed oil-well cements undergo a rapid deterioration in a wet carbon dioxide environment. Similar tests with two-inch cubes showed essentially no cement deterioration under the same conditions. Experimental details of this new microsample technique are discussed. Data relating cement strength loss and carbon dioxide penetration depths to cement type and slurry formulation are reviewed. Included in the discussion is a new cementing formulation which shows significant promise as a high carbon-dioxide-resistant, oil-well cement.