Abstract: Methods for cementing a subterranean well and maintaining zonal isolation involve preparing a cement slurry that contains water, an inorganic cement and an expanding agent. The slurry is placed in the annular region between casing and the formation or between two casing strings. After the cement sets, the expanding agent reacts and causes the set cement to be in a state of compression within the annular region. The casing dimensions may fluctuate in response to a temperature change, a pressure change, a mechanical disturbance resulting from a well intervention, or mud contamination or a combination thereof. The expanding agent may further react and maintain a state of compression within the annular region. The state of compression in the annular region may be monitored by acoustic impedance measurements.

Abstract: The service life of a packer element, an annular BOP, is estimated using one pressure sensor below the elastomer seal or two pressure sensors positioned above and below the elastomer seal. The pressure variations below the elastomer are monitored versus piston position and used to detect elastomer wear with time/pressure cycles. The pressure variations above the elastomer can be used to detect potential leakage, as well as leak characteristics such as leaking rate or leak geometry.

Abstract: A method for evaluating cement in a cased wellbore in a geological formation includes placing a downhole tool into the cased wellbore, where the cased wellbore has been cased using a cement that contains a particular material. The method includes emitting neutrons using the downhole tool, wherein the neutrons interact with the particular material via inelastic scattering or capture of neutrons and cause the material to emit an energy spectrum of the gamma rays associated with the material or wherein the time-based measurement of gamma rays or neutrons is influenced by the presence of the material. The method includes using the downhole tool to detect radiation radiation, such as the energy spectrum of the gamma rays, or a die-away pattern of the gamma rays or neutrons that indicates a presence of the particular material and enable to estimate a parameter of the cement.

Abstract: A dried latex emulsion coating on a surface of a metal member is used as a thin bond layer on well tubular joints, on tubular strings in wells, and on other metal members. The bond layer promotes adhesion to cement members formed from hardening a cement slurry in contact with the bond layer. The bond layer can be used in bonded cement structures, on well tubular joints, on tubular strings in a well, on tubular strings cemented in a well, in methods of making the cement structures and the tubular strings, and in methods of placing and cementing a tubular string in a well.

Abstract: The service life of a packer element, an annular BOP, is estimated using one pressure sensor below the elastomer seal or two pressure sensors positioned above and below the elastomer seal. The pressure variations below the elastomer are monitored versus piston position and used to detect elastomer wear with time/pressure cycles. The pressure variations above the elastomer can be used to detect potential leakage, as well as leak characteristics such as leaking rate or leak geometry.

Abstract: A dried latex emulsion coating on a surface of a metal member is used as a thin bond layer on well tubular joints, on tubular strings in wells, and on other metal members. The bond layer promotes adhesion to cement members formed from hardening a cement slurry in contact with the bond layer. The bond layer can be used in bonded cement structures, on well tubular joints, on tubular strings in a well, on tubular strings cemented in a well, in methods of making the cement structures and the tubular strings, and in methods of placing and cementing a tubular string in a well.

Abstract: A method for evaluating cement in a cased wellbore in a geological formation includes placing a downhole tool into the cased wellbore, where the cased wellbore has been cased using a cement that contains a particular material. The method includes emitting neutrons using the downhole tool, wherein the neutrons interact with the particular material via inelastic scattering or capture of neutrons and cause the material to emit an energy spectrum of the gamma rays associated with the material or wherein the time-based measurement of gamma rays or neutrons is influenced by the presence of the material. The method includes using the downhole tool to detect radiation radiation, such as the energy spectrum of the gamma rays, or a die-away pattern of the gamma rays or neutrons that indicates a presence of the particular material and enable to estimate a parameter of the cement.

Abstract: Methods for cementing a subterranean well and maintaining zonal isolation involve preparing a cement slurry that contains water, an inorganic cement and an expanding agent. The slurry is placed in the annular region between casing and the formation or between two casing strings. After the cement sets, the expanding agent reacts and causes the set cement to be in a state of compression within the annular region. The casing dimensions may fluctuate in response to a temperature change, a pressure change, a mechanical disturbance resulting from a well intervention, or mud contamination or a combination thereof. The expanding agent may further react and maintain a state of compression within the annular region. The state of compression in the annular region may be monitored by acoustic impedance measurements.

Abstract: Incorporation of carbonaceous materials in a cement slurry increases the linear thermal-expansion coefficient of the set cement. When placed in a subterranean well having at least one casing string, cement sheaths with linear thermal-expansion coefficients similar to that of the casing will be subjected to lower compressive and tensile stresses during downhole-temperature changes. Such cement slurries are particularly advantageous in the context of thermal-recovery wells.

Abstract: An apparatus may be used to test the ability of a first fluid to remove a second fluid from a surface. The apparatus comprises a reservoir that contains the first fluid and a testing cell that contains the second fluid. The testing cell also contains a rotor within. The first fluid is pumped into the testing cell, thereby displacing the second fluid. The displaced second fluid flows to a collection vessel. The apparatus is particularly useful for determining the ability of a chemical wash or a spacer fluid to remove non-aqueous drilling fluids from a metallic surface.

Abstract: Methods for servicing subterranean wells are disclosed. Particularly, the use of a fiber-laden fluid to separate and prevent the commingling of two stationary process fluids after placement in the borehole of a subterranean well, or in a tubular body installed in a subterranean well. The fiber-laden fluids prevent the cement plug from descending through drilling fluid to the bottom of the well. It obviates the need for mechanical devices such as packers, or special adjustment of the process fluids' rheological properties.

Abstract: Thermal recovery wells, geothermal wells and deep hot wells may involve the application of heat to the cement sheath and well casing at some time after the cement has set. Such heating may subject the cement sheath to mechanical burdens that may lead to failure. Such burdens may be lessened if the linear thermal coefficient of expansion is variable and approximates that of the well casing. A variable linear thermal coefficient of expansion may be achieved by incorporating blast furnace slag, silica fume, fly ash or a combination thereof in the cement blend.

Abstract: An apparatus may be used to test the ability of a first fluid to remove a second fluid from a surface. The apparatus comprises a reservoir that contains the first fluid and a testing cell that contains the second fluid. The testing cell also contains a rotor within. The first fluid is pumped into the testing cell, thereby displacing the second fluid. The displaced second fluid flows to a collection vessel. The apparatus is particularly useful for determining the ability of a chemical wash or a spacer fluid to remove non-aqueous drilling fluids from a metallic surface.

Abstract: Methods for improving the bonding of a cement sheath to a tubular body in a subterranean well involve anchoring elements mounted on the outside surface of the tubular body—in the annular space between the tubular body and the borehole wall. The cement contains an expansive agent that causes the cement to expand after it sets. The anchoring elements are mounted such that an angle exists between the elements and the tubular-body surface, thereby providing resistance to cement sheath movement away from the tubular-body surface.

Abstract: Incorporation of carbonaceous materials in a cement slurry increases the linear thermal-expansion coefficient of the set cement. When placed in a subterranean well having at least one casing string, cement sheaths with linear thermal-expansion coefficients similar to that of the casing will be subjected to lower compressive and tensile stresses during downhole-temperature changes. Such cement slurries are particularly advantageous in the context of thermal-recovery wells.

Abstract: Methods for servicing subterranean wells are disclosed. Particularly, the use of a fiber-laden fluid to separate and prevent the commingling of two stationary process fluids after placement in the borehole of a subterranean well, or in a tubular body installed in a subterranean well. Embodiments relate to the prevention of a cement plug from descending through drilling fluid to the bottom of the well. It obviates the need for mechanical devices such as packers, or special adjustment of the process fluids' rheological properties.