Filter Cake Removal during the Cementing and Completion Stages in CO<sub>2</sub> Storage Wells: Current Developments, Challenges, and Prospects
Jin Li, Sheng Huang, Zaoyuan Li, Jian Liu, Xuning Wu, Donghua Su, Weitao Song
Abstract
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has become one of the most cost‐effective and promising ways to achieve global climate change mitigation goals. The CO 2 storage capacity in depleted oil and gas reservoirs is currently the safest and most economical option. The long‐term sealing of the cement–formation interface in CO 2 storage wells (CSW) is essential to avoid CO 2 leakage. The filter cake easily affects the interfacial sealing ability, which is a thin impermeable layer formed by drilling fluid residue or solid particles remaining on the borehole wall due to permeable formation. Filter cake removal is essential for favorable cementation and production efficiency. This study highlights the current developments and the main challenges for oil‐ and water‐based mud filter cake removal during the cementing and completion process. Moreover, research ideas and recommendations for various types of filter cake removal are proposed to provide a reference for future work. This information helps deepen understanding with respect to the different filter cake removal options available in the CCS industry and provides a knowledge base that can facilitate the improvement of the cementing quality and production efficiency of existing systems to combat battle CSW safety and production efficiency problems.