Matt Spirek, Nick Stille, Oliver Obamekogho, Arturo Albarran and Kyle Arnold
American Cementing
The Resin-in-Cement (RIC) system is a hybrid technology that merges thermosetting epoxy resin emulsions with traditional Portland cement systems, creating a stable emulsion for superior wellbore sealing and bond-adhesion in oil and gas wells. It solves key integrity issues like micro-annuli , and debonding in harsh downhole conditions. Conventional resin-cement mixes often fail due to density-driven separation, causing incompatibility and a non-homogeneous slurry. RIC counters this with proprietary chemistry of dry and liquid additives, ensuring uniform resin dispersion, additive compatibility, and strong adhesion to casing and formations.
RIC excels over traditional cement in flexibility and durability. Portland cement is economical but rigid—high Young's modulus, low toughness, moderate bonds, and permeable set cement sheath—leading to stress-induced cracks. RIC cuts Young's modulus while boosting flexibility against temperature, pressure, and mechanical loads. The RIC system shows an increase in modulus of toughness against conventional cement blends, absorbing energy to resist fracture. In cyclic pressure wells such as injection wells, it adapts to expansions/contractions, preventing fatigue cracks and prolonging life. In mobile formations such as highly mobile salts, lower stiffness allows elastic deformation, easing shear stress and avoiding debonding or isolation failures. Shear bonding to casing and formation shows formidable adhesion, curbing migration; permeability falls, compressive strength rises, fluid loss drops, and free fluid is non-existent. Typical temperature profile of this system can range from Surface ambient to 200oF+, and density of the systems can be run from a conventional 10 ppg up to a heavyweight 18 ppg slurry.
Economically, RIC delivers resin's premium traits—impermeability, resilience—through bulk cement, using 15-30% resin to cut costs dramatically versus pure resin. This system is ideal for P&A, HPHT wells, and injection applications.
Ultimately, RIC transforms zonal isolation: cement strength plus resin agility, affordably, for enduring well integrity.