Extended-Life Settable Compositions Comprising Red Mud

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017369762-A1
Application number	US-201515540554-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 29, 2015
Priority date	Jan 29, 2015
Publication date	Dec 28, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for using an extended-life settable composition is disclosed. The method includes providing an extended-life settable composition comprising red mud, calcium hydroxide, water, and a cement set retarder. The method further includes activating the extended-life settable composition. The method additionally includes introducing the extended-life settable composition into a subterranean formation and allowing the extended-life settable composition to set in the subterranean formation.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method comprising:
providing an extended-life settable composition comprising red mud, calcium hydroxide, water, and a cement set retarder; activating the extended-life settable composition; introducing the extended-life settable composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the extended-life settable composition to set in the subterranean formation.

2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the red mud is an insoluble residue from extraction of alumina from bauxite ore.

3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the water is present in the extended-life settable composition in an amount of at least 40% by weight of the red mud, and wherein the calcium hydroxide is present in the extended-life settable composition in an amount of at least 10% by weight of the red mud.

4 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the red mud is provided from a red mud source having a water content up to 25% by weight of the red mud.

5 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the red mud comprises at least 20% calcite.

6 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the cement set retarder is selected from the group consisting of a phosphonic acid, a phosphonic acid derivative, a lignosulfonate, a salt, an organic acid, a cellulose derivative, a synthetic co- or ter-polymer comprising sulfonate and carboxylic acid groups, a borate compound, and any combination thereof.

7 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the extended-life settable composition further comprises a dispersant.

8 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the cement set retarder comprises a phosphonic acid derivative, and wherein the extended-life settable composition further comprises a polycarboxylated ether dispersant.

9 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising storing the extended-life settable composition for a period of about 1 day or longer prior to the step of introducing the cement composition into the subterranean formation.

10 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of activating the extended-life settable composition comprises adding a cement set activator to the extended-life settable composition.

11 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of introducing the extended-life settable composition comprises pumping the extended-life settable composition through a feed pipe and into a wellbore annulus.

12 . An extended-life settable composition comprising:
red mud; calcium hydroxide; water; and a cement set retarder, wherein the extended-life settable composition is capable of remaining in a pumpable fluid state for about 1 day or longer at 80° F.

13 . A composition according to claim 12 , wherein the red mud is an insoluble residue from extraction of alumina from bauxite ore.

14 . A composition according to claim 12 , wherein the water is present in the extend-life settable composition in an amount of at least 40% by weight of the red mud, and wherein the calcium hydroxide is present in the extend-life settable composition in an amount of at least 10% by weight of the red mud.

15 . A composition according to claim 12 , wherein the red mud comprises at least 20% calcite.

16 . A cement composition according to claim 12 , wherein the cement set retarder comprises a phosphonic acid derivative, and wherein the extended-life settable composition further comprises a polycarboxylated ether dispersant.

17 . A system comprising:
an extended-life settable composition that is capable of remaining in a pumpable fluid state for about 1 day or longer at 80° F.; wherein the extended-life settable composition comprises red mud, calcium hydroxide, water, and a cement set retarder; and a cement set activator for activating and/or accelerating the extended-life settable composition.

18 . A system according to claim 17 , further comprising a vessel containing the extended-life settable composition and a pump coupled to the vessel for delivering the extended-life settable composition into a wellbore.

19 . A system according to claim 17 , wherein the cement set retarder is selected from the group consisting of a phosphonic acid, a phosphonic acid derivative, a lignosulfonate, a salt, an organic acid, a cellulose derivative, a synthetic co- or ter-polymer comprising sulfonate and carboxylic acid groups, a borate compound, and any combination thereof.

20 . A system according to claim 17 , wherein the cement set retarder comprises a phosphonic acid derivative, and wherein the extended-life settable composition further comprises a polycarboxylated ether dispersant.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Martinez Juan Humberto
• Pisklak Thomas Jason
• Chatterji Jiten
• Brenneis Darrell Chad

Classifications

• C09K8/467 Primary

  containing additives for specific purposes · CPC title

• C04B28/18

  containing mixtures of the silica-lime type · CPC title

• E21B33/14 Primary

  for cementing casings into boreholes · CPC title

• C04B24/003

  Phosphorus-containing compounds · CPC title

• C04B2103/22

  Set retarders · CPC title