Advanced well cementing materials for improved life and environmental impact

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Sanjel is a Canadian owned company that largely competes against multi-national foreign owned companies to service oil and gas wells in the Alberta oil sands region. Oil wells, such as Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) wells or Cyclic Steam Stimulations (CSS) wells, are subjected to steam stimulation. During this process, well materials are highly stressed; the initial steam cycle stresses the cement sheath located between the metal casing and the formation rock. Furthermore, during its life, the well temperature and pressure levels cycle numerous times as a result of pumping steam in the wellbore, which leads to cyclic thermal and mechanical stresses. Current cementing technology tends to lack the integrity required to confidently ensure complete well reliability over the entire life span (10-15 years) of the well, which, due to the potential for ground water contamination, has both environmental and health impacts in addition to the financial implications. The objectives of this project are to (i) develop new internal expansion, digital image correlation-based testing equipment, (ii) investigate cement failure mechanisms, and (iii) develop models to understand and investigate low modulus of elasticity, low cost, and high temperature resistant materials for wells. Better well integrity will help satisfy operators, regulators and the public, who tightly scrutinize the heavy oil industry with respect to health, safety and the environment. This project will greatly benefit Canada by providing Sanjel, a Canadian company, with a competitive advantage and increased cementing revenue in Western Canada, Sanjel's largest base of operations. It will also provide industry relevant training for at least eight highly qualified personnel. A further benefit, outside of Sanjel, is that operating companies will gain greater confidence in their well integrity, as they will extract Canadian heavy oil using in-situ techniques developed and proven in Canada. This will also greatly minimize the health and environmental impact of Alberta's oil sands wells.