Foamed Cement Compositions and Associated Methods of Use

Abstract

A method is provided for reducing the density of a well cement composition for cementing in a subterranean formation. The method comprises providing a cement composition that comprises water and a cement, and then adding an additive comprising an anionic foam stabilizer and an anionic foaming agent or a Zwitterionic foam booster. A gas is added to this mixture to reduce the density. Further, foamed cement compositions and additives for foaming and stabilizing a well cement composition are provided.

1 . An additive for foaming and stabilizing a well cement composition, comprising:
 an anionic foaming agent that is not amphoteric; and   an anionic foam stabilizer.   
   
   
       2 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the anionic foam stabilizer comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a fatty methyl ester surfactant, an aliphatic alkyl sulfonate surfactant having an alkyl chain length of from about 16 to about 22 carbons, an aliphatic alkyl sulfate surfactant having an alkyl chain length of from about 16 to about 22 carbons, and any combination thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the anionic foam stabilizer comprises a fatty methyl ester sulfonate surfactant. 
   
   
       4 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the anionic foam stabilizer is present in the additive for foaming and stabilizing the foamed cement additive in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 20% by weight of the additive. 
   
   
       5 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the anionic foaming agent comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a sulfate surfactant, a sulfonate surfactant, and any combination thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the anionic foaming agent comprises an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant. 
   
   
       7 . The additive of  claim 6  wherein the alkyl ether sulfate surfactant comprises an ethoxylated alcohol ether sulfate surfactant having the formula:
   H(CH 2 ) a (oC 2 H 4 ) b OSO 3   − X +     
     wherein a is an integer in the range of from about 6 to about 14, b is an integer in the range of from about 3 to about 10, and X is any compatible cation. 
   
   
       8 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the anionic foaming agent comprises an alpha-olefinic sulfonate surfactant. 
   
   
       9 . The additive of  claim 8  wherein the alpha-olefinic sulfonate surfactant has the formula:
   H(CH 2 ) n —CH═CH—(CH 2 ) m SO 3   − X +     
     wherein n is an integer in the range of from about 3 to about 12, m is an integer in the range of from about 3 to about 12, and X is any compatible cation. 
   
   
       10 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the anionic foaming agent is present in the additive for foaming and stabilizing the foamed cement additive in an amount in the range of from about 30% to about 70% by weight of the additive. 
   
   
       11 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the additive for foaming and stabilizing the foamed cement additive comprises a Zwitterionic foam booster. 
   
   
       12 . The additive of  claim 11  wherein the Zwitterionic foam booster comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a betaine surfactant, a sulfobetaine surfactant, an amphopropionate surfactant, a glycinate surfactant, and any combination thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The additive of  claim 11  wherein the Zwitterionic foam booster comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: an alkyl amidopropyl betaine surfactant, an alkene amidopropyl betaine surfactant, and any combination thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The additive of  claim 13  wherein the alkyl or alkene amidopropyl betaine surfactant has the formula:
   R—CONHCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 COO −     
     wherein R is an alkyl or alkene chain of from about 6 to about 18 carbons or a mixture thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The additive of  claim 1  wherein the additive for foaming and stabilizing the foamed cement additive comprises a Zwitterionic foam booster, wherein the anionic foam stabilizer comprises a fatty methyl ester surfactant and the anionic foaming agent comprises an alpha-olefinic surfactant. 
   
   
       16 . An additive for foaming and stabilizing a cement composition, comprising:
 a Zwitterionic foam booster; and   an anionic foam stabilizer comprising at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a fatty methyl ester sulfonate surfactant, an aliphatic alkyl sulfonate surfactant having an alkyl chain length of from about 16 to about 22 carbons, an aliphatic alkyl sulfate surfactant having an alkyl chain length of from about 16 to about 22 carbons, and any combination thereof.   
   
   
       17 . The additive of  claim 16  wherein the Zwitterionic foam booster comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a betaine surfactant, a sulfobetaine surfactant, an amphopropionate surfactant, a glycinate surfactant, and any combination thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The additive of  claim 16  wherein the additive comprises an anionic foaming agent. 
   
   
       19 . The additive of  claim 18  wherein the anionic foaming agent comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a sulfate surfactant, a sulfonate surfactant, and any combination thereof. 
   
   
       20 . An additive for foaming and stabilizing a cement composition, comprising:
 an anionic fatty methyl ester sulfonate surfactant;   an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant; and   a betaine surfactant.