Zichang Li, Ph.D., EIT. (Maryland) co-authored a paper that was published in the journal "Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Drilling & Completion" in the May 2018 issue.

The paper is entitled, "A Newly Developed Wellbore-Simulation Apparatus to Study Performance of Oilwell Cements." The paper examines the in-situ performance of cement slurries, which is highly variable and difficult to predict. A laboratory-scale wellbore-simulation chamber (WSC) has been developed to replicate hydrostatic-pressure reduction in the cemented annulus and evaluate the potential for gas invasion under a range of borehole conditions. Analysis of the results verifies the capability of the WSC in successfully recording the necessary parameters.

His co-authors were Julie M. Vandenbossche (University of Pittsburgh), Donald J. Janssen (University of Washington), and Anthony T. Iannacchione (University of Pittsburgh).

Zichang is a Staff Engineer who joined Geosyntec's Columbia, Maryland office in September 2015 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree of Ph.D. in geotechnical and pavement engineering. Since joining Geosyntec, he has served as team member and/or project assistant for a number of geotechnical and geoenvironmental projects. His professional consulting experience has involved: design and analysis of coal combustion residual impoundments; slope stability analysis; underground injection pressure and seepage analysis; finite element modeling for geotechnical structures on soil and rock; scheduling and budgeting for geotechnical investigation; site characterization and geotechnical investigation reporting; on-site construction quality assurance consulting; and permit application supporting.

As a part of his graduate education, Zichang participated in several geotechnical and structural research projects, involving laboratory-based studies, numerical simulation, and statistical and data analysis.

The journal SPE Drilling & Completion covers horizontal and directional drilling, drilling fluids, bit technology, sand control, perforating, cementing, well control, completions and drilling operations. SPE Drilling & Completion is the successor publication to SPE Drilling Engineering.

SPE's mission is to collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge concerning the exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources, and related technologies for the public benefit; and to provide opportunities for professionals to enhance their technical and professional competence. Their vision is to enable the global oil and gas E&P industry to share technical knowledge needed to meet the world's energy needs in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

Abstract

Research has been dedicated to the development of laboratory-scale simulation devices for studying mechanisms of gas migration. Cement-hydration analyzers (CHAs) are commercially available to assist industry in the design of gas-tight slurries. Although cement slurries under controlled conditions in the laboratory can be gas-tight, the in-situ performance of cement slurries is highly variable and difficult to predict. Therefore, a new approach has been designed to evaluate gas-migration potential under a range of representative borehole conditions. A laboratory-scale wellbore-simulation chamber (WSC) has been developed to replicate hydrostatic-pressure reduction in the cemented annulus and evaluate the potential for gas invasion under a range of borehole conditions. A discussion is presented on the development of the WSC that includes the details of the design and monitoring systems as well as the performance characteristics. Calibration-test results are examined to evaluate the performance of the WSC and the ability of the WSC to simulate in-situ wellbore conditions. Analysis of the results verifies the capability of the WSC in successfully recording the necessary parameters.

More Information

Learn more about the article: https://www.onepetro.org/journal-paper/SPE-191129-PA.
Learn more about the journal: https://bit.ly/2Gx0HKm.
For consultation regarding drilling or cement, contact Zichang Li at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Learn more about Zichang at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zichang-li-ph-d-eit-47613a5b/