Methods and compositions of a storable relatively lightweight proppant slurry for hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing applications
First Claim
1. A storable aqueous pumpable suspension comprising:
- (a.) a relatively lightweight proppant; and
(b.) a carrier fluid wherein the relatively lightweight proppant is substantially neutrally buoyant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that utilize relatively lightweight and/or substantially neutrally buoyant particulates. Particles that may be employed include particulates of naturally occurring materials that may be optionally strengthened or hardened by exposure to a modifying agent; porous materials including selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials; and well treating aggregates composed of an organic lightweight material and a weight modifying agent. The relatively lightweight particulate may be suspended as a substantially neutral buoyant particulate and stored with a carrier fluid as a pumpable slurry.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A storable aqueous pumpable suspension comprising:
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(a.) a relatively lightweight proppant; and
(b.) a carrier fluid wherein the relatively lightweight proppant is substantially neutrally buoyant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A storable aqueous pumpable suspension comprising at least one ultra lightweight (ULW) proppant suspended in either
(i.) a weighted carrier fluid, wherein the apparent specific gravity of the ULW proppant is preferably the same as, but no greater than 0.25 higher than, the apparent specific gravity of the carrier fluid; - or
(ii.) a weakly gelled carrier fluid optionally containing a friction reducing agent, wherein the amount of friction reducing agent is between from about 0 to about 10 pounds per thousand gallons of carrier fluid and/or the weakly gelled carrier fluid has a viscosity of from about 1 to about 20 cps;
or(iii.) a combination of (i.) and (ii.). - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification