Lab

Spinnaker offers a complete portfolio of API standard tests to study the key performance properties of oil well cement slurries delivered to our customers. Our in-house testing is conducted on API and ISO recommended laboratory instruments. The list of lab services provided are as follows:

The thickening time tests are conducted in Chandler Engineering HPHT consistometers according to the API standards to measure cement slurry pump time at downhole conditions.
Temperature range – (80^oF – 400^oF)
Pressure Range – (500 psi – 20,000 psi)

The Chandler Engineering UCA (Ultrasonic Cement Analyzer) tests the compressive strength of a slurry over a period of time under downhole conditions. This helps determine how a slurry develops strength over time during curing.
Temperature range – (80^oF – 400^oF)
Pressure Range – (500 psi – 20,000 psi)
The crush tester uses a heavy-duty press with an electronic gauge to measure the ultimate compressive strength of a cured cement sample.

One of the critical measurements required to evaluate the potential for fluid inflow migration problems is the determination of the static gel strength development of the cement slurry. The static gel strength test measures the real time static gel strength of a cement slurry as it is curing under down hold pressure and temperature
Temperature range – (80^oF – 400^oF)
Pressure Range – (500 psi – 20,000 psi)

Transition time is a measure of how long it takes to make the cement slurry impenetrable by gas or other fluid migration (time usually between 100–500 lb/100sqft). It is an intermediate period, during which the cement behaves neither as a fluid nor as a solid. The slurry loses its ability to transmit hydrostatic pressure.
Temperature range – (80^oF – 400^oF)
Pressure Range – (500 psi – 20,000 psi)

The loss of the liquid phase of the slurry, in static conditions (when the slurry is resting in place in the annulus and setting up), brings a loss of overbalance, further enhanced by a bridge-off by the solids left behind, making the slurry umpumpable. This phenomenon reduces the transmitability of hydrostatic pressure from the cement column to the rock pore throat and facilitates gas migration. Fluid loss value is measured over a 30-minute test period.
Temperature range – (up to 190^oF)
Pressure Range – (up to 1,000 psi)

Cement slurry placed in a graduated cylinder at a 45 degree angle is used to visually evaluate any water forming on the surface of the cement or streaking down the side of the glass cylinder.
Temperature range – (80^oF to 190^oF)

A 16 speed rotational viscometer is used to study the rheological behavior of the cement slurry. The shear stress and strain values obtained can be correlated to get apparent viscosities of cement.
Temperature range – (80^oF to 190^oF)

The bonding of oil-well cement to casing and well bore surfaces is critical to a successful well-completion. When using non-aqueous drilling fluids, such as oil-based and synthetic fluids, the ability of the spacer or pre-flush to water wet these surfaces becomes critical. Hence it is critical to evaluate the oil-based mud (OBM) being used on the drilling site and the spacer blend with surfactant to confirm that the formation is suitable for superior cement bonding.
Temperature range – (75^oF to 190^oF)

These tests are done to assess the variance in density of a cured cement sample in a vertical sedimentation tube. The cured sample is divided into 3-5 even slices and Archimedes principle is used to determine the density of each slice.
Temperature range – (75^oF to 190^oF)

Fully test water on the drilling location to ensure the water is compatible to mix with our cement powder blend. The five main tests include chlorides, sulfates, pH, tannins/lignins and temperature.

Other tests include…
• Acid Analysis
• Acid Coupon Testing
• Microbial testing using incubator