Overview
Self-healing mineral barriers
By reacting with cement, formation and steel to form self-healing mineral barriers, VitriSeal delivers long-term remediation for compromised well sections, micro-annuli and failed cement jobs. It penetrates narrow voids (tested down to 11 µm) and self-heals after stress cycling — a step-change in remediation performance for barrier repair and enhancement.
Its performance has been tested across extensive laboratory studies and Joint Industry Projects, demonstrating strong potential for the long-term stability and durability required for barrier integrity.
Benefits
Why it matters
- Restores integrity in failed primary or secondary cement barriers
- Injectable into micro-annuli, mud channels and fractures
- Maintains sealing integrity after pressure loading and temperature cycling
- Self-healing capability proven after repeated stress fracturing
- Reduces the need for costly milling or section replacement
- Effective permeability reduction in micro-annuli from 4.8 mD to 0.01 mD
Key features
The specification
- Glass-based solution, density range 9.2–12.5 ppg (1.1–1.5 sg)
- Low (water-like) viscosity and fine particle size
- Available in high-density beaded form at 156 lb/ft³ (2.5 sg)
- Injects into and seals micro-annuli — tested down to 11 µm
- Forms strong chemical bonds with cement, steel and formation
- Demonstrated sealing and self-healing under pressure and thermal cycling
- Compatible with multiple deployment methods: perforation & wash, balanced plug, casing puncture and circulation tools, and injection or placement through topside wellhead valves
Applications
Where it is used
- Remediation of failed cement jobs (liners, casing, plugs) — even in highly contaminated and tight zones
- Curing of sustained annulus pressure
- CO₂ storage well barriers requiring integrity under temperature cycling and acid exposure
- P&A operations where zonal isolation is required with limited injectability
- Repairing failed casing-shoe LOT and FIT
- Replacing or complementing hesitation squeezes and other cement remedial techniques
Publications & case studies
The evidence base
SPE-205445The Use of Controlled Dissolution Glasses to Consolidate and Create Permeable or Impermeable Minerals in Formation
SPE-223669Assessing a Novel Glass-Based Fluid for Annular Barrier Remediation in Cemented Well Sections