Passivated cement accelerator
Cement compositions for primary cementing of well bores where a liquid mixture of pre-hydrated cementitious particles are combined with cement particles to form a cement composition. The pre-hydrated cementitious particles are encapsulated with the hydration product and are capable of being stored in a liquid for one day or longer
1. A method of cementing comprising:
providing a liquid additive comprising a passivated cement accelerator, the passivated cement accelerator comprising particles of a cementitious material and, comprising a passivating layer said passivating layer comprising of a hydration reaction product formed by adding the particles to water that encapsulates the particles of the cementitious material, the passivated cement accelerator being prepared a process comprising:
mixing the particles of the cementitious material with an amount of water such that the particles of the cementitious material do not agglomerate; and
agitating the particles of the cementitious material and water at a rate such that the particles of the cementitious material do not settle in the water;
storing the liquid additive in a pumpable fluid state for at least one day;
after storing the liquid additive, combining the liquid additive comprising the passivated cement accelerator with at least a cement and water to prepare a cement composition, wherein the passivated cement accelerator includes the passivating layer when combined with the water, and wherein the passivating layer at least partially dissolves in an alkaline environment formed by the water and the cement; and
allowing the cement composition to set.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cement composition further comprises at least one set retarder selected from the group consisting of a phosphonic acid, a phosphonic acid derivative, a lignosulfonate, a salt, an organic acid, a carboxymethylated hydroxyethylated cellulose, a synthetic co- or ter-polymer comprising sulfonate and carboxylic acid groups, a borate compound, and any mixture thereof.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cement composition further comprises at least one cement set activator selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, triethanolamine, sodium silicate, zinc formate, calcium acetate, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, nanosilica, sodium hexametaphosphate, and any combination thereof.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cement composition further comprises at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of a sulfonated-formaldehyde-based dispersant, a polycarboxylated ether dispersant, and any combination thereof.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the passivated cement accelerator is selected from the group consisting of passivated Portland cement, passivated pozzolana cement, passivated gypsum cement, passivated high alumina content cement, passivated silica cement, passivated slag cement, any combination thereof.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cement is selected from the group consisting of a Portland cement, a pozzolana cement, a gypsum cement, analumina cement, a silica cement, a slag cement, and any combination thereof.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the liquid additive further comprises a viscosifier.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the passivated cement accelerator comprises passivated Portland cement, wherein the cement comprise pumice, and wherein the cement composition further comprises hydrated lime, a lignosulfonate, and calcium chloride.
9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising introducing the cement composition into a subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition sets in the subterranean formation.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cement composition is used in a primary cementing operation.