WI-LAB (NO3.10)

The Well Integrity laboratory is installed as part of the Reservoir flow laboratory, with additional facilities that share the flooding rig with several high-performance pumps of the SINTEF SCAL laboratory, as well as the soon to be installed advanced CT scanner. The laboratory consists of several pressure vessels of different diameter, mainly used to study well cement integrity, separately or as composite mini-wellbore assemblies of steal casing, cement sheath and formation rock. The laboratory is equipped with API standard cement and drilling fluid mixers and viscometers. Typical studies performed at the WI-Lab are damage studies, either of cement itself or cement bonding to steel or to rock. This damage occurs as a consequence of temperature or pressure cycles.  

ECCSEL infrastructure belonging to this laboratory is the S3 Well Integrity infrastructure. It consists of a large pressure vessel, also called mini-wellbore simulator. It allows placement of a steel casing, cement sheath and surrounding rock formation. Independent control of borehole, cement sheath and rock pore pressure is implemented, together with outside confining pressure. It is CT transparent and planned to be inserted in the ECCSEL industrial CT when it arrives. The cell accepts core samples of 290 mm length, outer diameter 90 mm, inner diameter 52 mm, with casing dimensions of 365 mm L, 40 mm OD, and 37 mm ID. Maximum confining pressure is 20 MPa, casing pressure 50 MPa and pore pressure 15 MPa.

The WI infrastructure is available for invited researchers, with possibility to use the facilities at SINTEF to prepare on site rock samples, mix cement and instrument the cell as required. Helpful, professional scientists and technicians are eager to assist visiting researchers.

SINTEF Industry has implemented and maintains a quality management system which fulfils the requirements of the standard NS-EN ISO 9001:2008 within research and development in materials technology, advanced materials and nanotechnology, applied chemistry and biotechnology, oil and gas, and green energy and process industry.

The mini wellbore simulator is a unique cell due to its large dimensions combined with excellent X-ray transparency from its hybrid outer shell of strong aluminium alloy and composite wrap. This allows for full-field imaging of steel-cement-rock assemblies with no distortions or beam-hardening. The state-of-the-art flow and pump system makes it possible to run complex tests inside the CT cabinet, with the option to follow in real time the placement of cement or remedial fluids or monitoring fracture network propagation.