Cementing a wellbore using cementing material encapsulated in a shell

US9416619B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US
• APACHE CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Roger D. Aines · Livermore, US
• William L. Bourcier · Livermore, US
• Eric B. Duoss · Danville, US
• William C. Floyd, III · Oakland, US
• Christopher M. Spadaccini · Oakland, US
• John J. Vericella · Oakland, US
• Kenneth M. Cowan · Sugar Land, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 16, 2013
• Grant date: Aug 16, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 17, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C04B2103/0062
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A system for cementing a wellbore penetrating an earth formation into which a pipe extends. A cement material is positioned in the space between the wellbore and the pipe by circulated capsules containing the cement material through the pipe into the space between the wellbore and the pipe. The capsules contain the cementing material encapsulated in a shell. The capsules are added to a fluid and the fluid with capsules is circulated through the pipe into the space between the wellbore and the pipe. The shell is breached once the capsules contain the cementing material are in position in the space between the wellbore and the pipe.