Foamed cement is a specialized fluid consisting of cement slurry mixed with a course dispersion of gas, usually nitrogen, which is then pumped down an oil well in order to cement casing in place. The stable foam within the cement allows for the slurry to be mixed at densities as low as 4 lbm/gal (pounds per gallon), which is much lower than more conventional cements. At the same time, the discrete bubbles of gas give the set cement ideal characteristics of low permeability and relatively high compressive strength when compared to conventional cements mixed at the similar densities. Ideal for use on just about any type of cement job, foam cements are intended to be placed along weaker formations which are susceptible to damage from heavier conventional slurries.
To address the challenges of testing the properties of foamed cement in the laboratory, OFITE offers the Foamed Cement Expansion Tube.
