Method to classify and select proppants

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9714929-B2
Application number	US-201414228275-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 28, 2014
Priority date	Apr 2, 2013
Publication date	Jul 25, 2017
Grant date	Jul 25, 2017

Abstract

Methods to classify a proppant with respect to functional performance is described and includes measuring a coefficient of restitution for the proppant. Methods to select a proppant, methods to design a proppant, methods to predict proppant performance in a subterranean formation, and methods for providing product specifications for proppants are also described as well as other uses.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method to classify a proppant with respect to functional performance in a subterranean formation, said method comprising:
providing the proppant, wherein the proppant comprise a sintered metal oxide coating on a ceramic core,
dropping the proppant on a surface; and
sorting particles of the proppant based upon a rebound distance of the proppant.

2. A method to select a proppant for use in a subterranean formation, said method comprising:
providing the proppant, wherein the proppant comprise a sintered metal oxide coating on a ceramic core;
determining a coefficient of restitution for the proppant, the determining comprising dropping the proppant on a surface, measuring a rebound height, and calculating the coefficient using the rebound height;
comparing the coefficient of restitution of the proppant to a coefficient of restitution of a control proppant; and
selecting the proppant if the coefficient of restitution of the proppant is at least 10% greater than the coefficient of restitution of the control proppant.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of dropping is performed on a horizontal surface.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of dropping is performed on a surface slanted at 25 degrees to 45 degrees.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of dropping is performed on a glass surface.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the proppant comprises proppant from a single production batch.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of dropping is performed on a horizontal surface.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of dropping is performed on a surface slanted at 25 degrees to 45 degrees.

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of dropping is performed on a glass surface.

10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the control proppant is 20/40 mesh Ottawa sand.

11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of determining comprises dropping the proppant from more than one height.

12. The method of claim 2 , wherein the height is from 4 inches to 12 inches.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Florio Steven
• Coker Christopher E

Classifications

• B07C5/34

  Sorting according to other particular properties {(material testing per se G01N; quality control G07C3/14)} · CPC title

• G01N33/24 Primary

  Earth materials (G01N33/42 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B43/267

  reinforcing fractures by propping · CPC title