Cement sheath stress failure

Abstract

Observation of the sudden appearance of annular pressure in wells exposed to high temperature changes or excessive internal casing pressure prompted a laboratory investigation to simulate conditions under which cement sheath failure could occur and thereby define the causes, characteristics, and limits of the problem. Cement sheath failure is manifested by interzonal annular-fluid movement and abnormally high annular pressure at some point behind the casing up to and at the surface. Cement sheath failure can be observed in any producing area where excessive flowing temperatures at the surface or where excessive internal casing test pressures are used. The detrimental effects of cement sheath failure are numerous and may include lost revenue from lost production, potentially hazardous rig operations (especially when annular isolation loss creates shallow-water sands supercharged with gas), and potentially hazardous producing operations. Exposure of steel casing to excessive temperature increases or internal test pressures causes diametrical and circumferential casing expansion. This circumferential force creates a shearing force at the cement/casing interface, causing failure at the cement/casing interface or radial fracturing of the cement sheath from the inner casing surface to the outer casing (or borehole) surface.