PORTLAND CEMENT CHEMISTRY&CLASSIFICATION
Most cements used in the oil industry are a type of Portland cement. The name Portland
was taken from an English Channel island with a limestone quarry that was used as the source
of stone for the progress of cement. Portland cement is produced from limestone and
either clay or shale by roasting at 2,600–3,000°F. High temperature fuses the mixture into a
material called clinker cement. After the roasting step, the rough clinker product is pulverized to
a size specified by the grade of the cement. The final size of the cement particles has a direct
relationship to how much water is required in order to make a slurry without producing an
excess of water at the top of the cement or in pockets as the cement hardens. The crystals
seen in set cement include tricalcium silicate (C3Si), dicalcium silicate (C2Si), tetracalcium
aluminoferrite (C4AlF), tricalcium aluminate (C3Al), periclase or magnesium oxide (MgO),
and free lime (CaO).
Figure: shows a flow diagram of the manufacturing process and the chemical composition of the clinker.
CALCAREOUS-2 parts ARGILLACEOUS- 1 part
• Limestone (CaCO3) • Clays
• Cement rocks • Shales
• Chalk • Slate and Mudstones
• Marl • Blast furnace slag
• Marine shells and coral • Ashes (fly ash)
• Alkali waste • Cement rock
Grind + Heat Treat in Kiln Temperature + 1500oC
CEMENT CLINKER
C3S : Tricalcium Silicate (Ca3SiO5):Major component
• C2S : Dicalcium Silicate
• C3A : Tricalcium Aluminate
• C4AF : Tetracalcium Aluminoferrite
• Ca + Mg Oxides, Ca (OH)2, CaCO3, Na2SO4, etc.
Controlled Cooling To second grinding mill
ADD 3 - 5% Gypsum (Ca.SO4. 2H2O), or Blend of Gypsum + Plaster
Pulverise mixture And Blend
PORTLAND CEMENT
Lists the API-designated classes of cements.
These classifications were fashioned in response to deeper and hotter downhole conditions.
• CLASS A: Intended for use from surface to a depth of 6,000 ft (1,830 m), when special
properties are not required.
• CLASS B: Intended for use from surface to a depth of 6,000 ft (1,830 m). Moderate to high
sulphate resistance. Has a lower C3A content than Class A.
• CLASS C: Intended for use from surface to a depth of 6,000 ft (1,830 m) when condi tions
require early strength , the C3S content and the surface area are relatively high.
• CLASS D: Intended for use from 6,000 ft (1,830 m) to 10,000 ft (3,050 m) under conditions of
moderately high temperatures and pressures.
• CLASS E: Intended for use from 10,000 ft (3,050 m) to 14,000 ft (4,270 m) under conditions
of high temperatures and pressures.
• CLASS F: Intended for use from 10,000 ft (3,050 m) to 16,000 ft (4,880 m) depth under
conditions of extremely high temperatures and pressures.
• CLASS G + CLASS H: Intended for use as a basic well cement from surface to 8,000 ft (2,440
m) as manufactured, or can be used with accelerators and retarders to cover a wide range of well
Depths and temperatures. No additions other than calcium sulphate or water, or both, shall be
Interground or blended with the clinker during manufacture of Class G and H well cements.
PROCESS OF WELL CEMENTING
The cement slurry is prepared vigorously mixing dry cement with a water jet. The resulting mixture is directed to a
tank, where it is tested for density and viscosity. The cement slurry is then picked up by a powerful triplex pump and
pumped at high pressure into the casing via cementing head. The cementing head shown in figure connects the top
of the casing with the pumping unit. It contains two retainer valves for retaining the bottom and top wiper plugs. It is
also equipped with a manifold that can be connected to the cement pumping unit or the rig pump. The cementing
head also contains a quick change cap that can be removed when it is desired to drop the wiper plugs by hand. The
cementing operation proceeds by opening the bottom wiper plug retainer valve and directing the cement slurry
through the top valve. The slurry will then push the bottom plug down the casing until the plug seats on the float
collar. Continued pumping ruptures the central diaphragm in the plug which allows the cement to pass through and
eventually be placed around the casing. After this top wiper plug is placed in the cementing head. Drilling mud is
then pumped through the top valve, which pushes the top wiper plug down the casing. When the top plug seats the
bottom plug the well is shut in and the cement slurry is left to set.
PROBLEMS IN WELL CEMENTING
There are dozens of major problems which may occur due to cementation. Some of them are listed below
Poor displacement of the drilling mud over the length of the hole that is being cemented.
Lost circulation during or after cementation.
Bridges composed of cement filter cake.
Swapping out of drilling mud left below the pipe and cement circulated around the pipe.
Flash setting of cement.
Shrinkage of cement.
Permeability after setting of cement.
Gas migration during setting of cement.
Perforation of cement.
Cement settling in high angles hole.
CEMENTING ADDITIVES
Additional chemicals are used to control slurry density, rheology, and fluid loss, or to
provide more specialized slurry properties. Additives modify the behavior of the cement slurry allowing cement
placement under a wide range of downhole conditions. There are many additives available for cement and these
Can be classified under one of the following categories:
Accelerators: chemicals which reduce the thickening time of a slurry and increase the rate
of early strength development. Calcium chloride (CaCl2), sodium chloride (NaCl) and sea
water are commonly used as accelerators.
Retarders: chemicals which retard the setting time (extend the thickening) of a slurry to aid
cement placement before it hardens. These additives are usually added to counter the effects
of high temperature. Typical retarders include sugar; lignosulphonates, hydroxycarboxylic acids,
inorganic compounds and cellulose derivatives.
Extenders: materials which lower the slurry density and increase the yield to allow weak
formations to be cemented without being fractured by the cement column. Examples of
extenders include: water, bentonite, sodium silicates, pozzlans, gilsonite.
Weighting Agents: materials which increase slurry density including barite and hematite.
Dispersants: chemicals which lower the slurry viscosity and may also increase free water by
dispersing the solids in the cement slurry.
Fluid-Loss Additives: Excessive fluid losses from the cement slurry to the formation can
Affect the correct setting of cement. Fluid loss additives are used to prevent slurry
dehydration and reduce fluid loss to the formation. Examples include: cationic polymer, nonionic
synthetic polymer, anionic synthetic polymer and cellulose derivative.
Lost Circulation Control Agents: materials which control the loss of cement slurry to weak
Or fractured formations.
Miscellaneous Agents: e.g. Anti-foam agents, fibers, latex.
