Title:
Evaluating Cement Performance Over Time: Effects of Extended Curing and CO₂ Exposure
Author(s):
Khizar Abid, Julio C. Rojas Meza, Andrés Felipe Baena Velásquez, Catalin Teodoriu
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
370
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
185-198
Keywords:
Well integrity, Long-term curing and testing, cement carbonation, Hydration kinetics, Thermal degradation, Microstructure evolution, Mechanical durability, Porosity evolution
DOI:
10.14359/51751777
Date:
5/1/2026
Abstract:
Long-term testing of the cement is essential to evaluate the well integrity of oil, gas, geothermal, hydrogen storage, or carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). While most studies on cement testing focus on short-term curing, typically 28 days, this paper presents the mechanical and thermal testing results of neat Class G cement that has been cured for more than 300 and 750 days, respectively. Moreover, to analyze the effect of the curing days on the cement carbonation, two samples of Class G were used; the first sample was cured for 2,246 Days (6.15 Years), and the second was cured for 7 days before exposure to a CO₂ environment. The samples were placed in CO₂-saturated fresh water for 1,115 Days (3.05 years). After the exposure time, compressive strength, porosity, and phenolphthalein tests were performed. The long-cured sample showed less carbonation front and retained compressive strength, while the 7-day sample showed a deeper carbonation front, temporary and localized compressive strength, and higher porosity. The result of this study highlights the importance of long-term testing for a better understanding of cement behavior in a CO₂ environment.
Related References:
1. NORSOK, “Well Integrity in Drilling and Well Operations,” NORSOK, 2013.
2. Teodoriu, C. and Abid, K., “Well integrity and future construction of geothermal wells. In: Geothermal Energy Engineering,” Elsevier, 2025, pp. 105-127.
3. Kutchko, B.G., Starzisar, B.R., Dzombak, D.A., Lowry, G.V., and Thaulow, N., “Degradation of Well Cement by CO2 under Geologic Sequestration Conditions,” Environmental Science & Technology, 2007
4. Kutchko, B.G., Starzisar, B.R., Lowry, G.V., Dzombak, D.A., and Thaulow, N., “Rate of CO2 Attack on Hydrated Class H Well Cement under Geologic Sequestration Conditions,” Environmental Science & Technology, 2008.
5. Barlet-Gouédard, V., Rimmelé, G., Goffé, B., and Porcherie, O., “Mitigation Strategies for the Risk of CO2 Migration Through Wellbores,” Miami, SPE, 2006.
6. Barlet-Gouédard, V., Rimmelé, G., Goffé, B., and Porcherie, O., “Well Technologies for CO2 Geological Storage: CO2-Resistant Cement,” Oil & Gas Science and Technology, 2007, pp. 325-334.
7. Abid, K., Baena Velásquez, A. F., and Teodoriu, C., “Comprehensive Comparative Review of the Cement Experimental Testing Under CO2 Conditions,” Energies, 2024.
8. Plank, J., “Cements for CO2 Capture and Storage Wells,” in Energy Transition: Climate Action and Circularity.” ACS Publications, 2002.
9. Albawi, A., “Influence of Thermal Cycling on Cement Sheath Integrity,” NTNU, 2013.
10. Ichim, A., and Teodoriu, C., “Investigations on the surface well cement integrity induced by thermal cycles considering an improved overall transfer coefficient,” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2017, pp. 479-487.
11. Roy, P. et al., “Effect of thermal stress on wellbore integrity during CO2 injection.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2018, pp. 14-26.
12. De Andrade, J., Sangesland, S., Todorovic, J., and Vrålstad, T., “Cement Sheath Integrity During Thermal Cycling: A Novel Approach for Experimental Tests of Cement Systems,” Bergen, SPE, 2015.
13. Wolterbeek, T., and Hangx, S., “The thermal properties of set Portland cements – a literature review in the context of CO2 injection well integrity,” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2023.
14. Bosma, M., Ravi, K., Driel, W. C., and Schreppers, G. J., “Design Approach to Sealant Selection for the Life of the Well,” Houston, SPE, 1999.
15. Rincon, F., Abid, K., and Teodoriu, C., “ Effect of gilsonite on mechanical and thermal properties of class H cement,” Gas Science and Engineering, 2023.
16. Lasance, C. J. M., The thermal conductivity of unfilled plastics. Online, 2001. Available at: https://www.electronicscooling.com/2001/05/the-thermal-conductivity-of-unfilled-plastics/ (Accessed 14 07 2025)
17. Ichim, A., and Teodoriu, C., “Development of a Cement Repository to Improve the Understanding of Well Integrity Behavior with Time,” Presented at the SPE Oklahoma City Oil and Gas Symposium, 2017.
18. Abid, K., Sanni, K., and Teodoriu, C., “Long-term experimental study of thermal conductivity and machine learning analysis of various cement mixtures for geothermal wells,” Renewable Energy, 2025.
19. Chinchón-Payá, S., Andrade, C., and Chinchón, S., “Indicator of carbonation front in concrete as substitute to phenolphthalein,” Cement and Concrete Research, 2016, Volume 82, pp. 87-91.
20. TineEye. Online. 2025. Available at: https://labs.tineye.com/color/59e037a29d4defb7a7a2bb4b688edaf3c12a34f2?ignore_background=True&color_format=hex&ignore_interior_background=True (Accessed 16 07 2025)
21. Abid, K., Gholami, R., and Mutadir, G., “A Pozzolanic-Based Methodology to Reinforce Portland Cement used for CO2 Storage Sites,” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2020.