Investigation of nano-silica solution flow through cement cracks

Title : Investigation of nano-silica solution flow through cement cracks

Abstract:

Cement cracks are one of the most common failures in oil and gas wells. Cracks can reduce cement strength, resulting in a loss of zonal isolation and fluid leak. Placement of gels of nanoparticles (NPs) in the cracks is considered as a promising solution to solve the problem. It is highly desirable to know if the flow behavior of the NPs solutions is predictable when they are squeezed into the cracks. Experimental tests were performed in this study to investigate the flow behavior of nano-silica solutions in ducts of cross-sections of rectangular shape. The linear relationship between flow rate and pressure gradient and the calculated Reynolds number values suggests laminar flow in the ducts. However, the Hagen–Poiseuille correlation for laminar flow does not describe the flow behavior of the nano-silica solution. The classic hydraulic model with hydraulic diameter describes the nano-silica flow behavior with an average error of 12.38%. The cause of discrepancies between the flow models and the measured data is not known. It can be attributed to the NPs–NPs frictions and NPs–wall frictions in the rough ducts that were not considered in the flow models.

 Audience Take Away:

• The flow behavior
• The potential solutions for well remediation
• The reasonability for the method

Biography:

Mr. Nguyen is a doctoral candidate at Petroleum Engineering Department at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He received my bachelor’s degree at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Viet Nam and Master’s Degree at the University of Florida, USA. They were both in Chemical Engineering. His currently research focus on investigating the nano silica gel for oil and gas wells remediation. He has several published papers for the subject. Also, he is working on the Carbon Capture Sequestration topic with my colleagues from University Arab Emirates University (UAEU). The research group is working to find the solution how to transport the Carbon Dioxide and how to maintain the Carbon Dioxide in the supercritical condition at specific pressure and temperature to storage. Besides research, he like to work with student by teaching the classes. His favorite teaching classes are Reservoir Mechanic Laboratory, Oil Field Chemistry, Reservoir Simulation. His plan for future career is to become a professor.