Abstract: Methods and systems that may be employed to dynamically test the effect of fluids (e.g., well treatment chemicals such as well stimulation treatment chemicals, enhanced oil recovery “EOR” chemicals, etc.) on hydrocarbon recovery from crushed reservoir formation materials under conditions of applied stress. The disclosed methods and systems may be used in one embodiment to dynamically test types of low permeability formations (e.g., such as shale, limestone, quarried rock, etc.). In one embodiment, a fluid flow apparatus may be provided that has a conductor segment that defines an internally-heterogeneous fluid flow space in the form of an internal slot. Such an internally-heterogeneous fluid flow space may include one or more fluid flow diversion features and/or have a varying or non-consistent cross-sectional flow area. Individual fluid flow apparatus may be configured for assembly and disassembly from each other, and/or may be configured to capture and contain contents for future testing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be used for laboratory evaluation of the effectiveness of fluids and/or proppants such as those for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells using a test system network. A test system network may include a reconfigurable network of conductor segments that may be arranged to simulate a fracture network matrix that exists downhole within an underground formation during a hydraulic fracturing treatment. Test fluids, including proppant-less as well as proppant-laden test fluids, may be flowed through the conductor segment network of a test system to measure, among other things, fluid and/or proppant distribution and proppant volume (or mass) during and after treatment within various parts of the test system network after the proppant is transported into the network by the introduced test fluid/s.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be used for laboratory evaluation of the effectiveness of fluids and/or proppants such as those for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells using a test system network. A test system network may include a reconfigurable network of conductor segments that may be arranged to simulate a fracture network matrix that exists downhole within an underground formation during a hydraulic fracturing treatment. Test fluids, including proppant-less as well as proppant-laden test fluids, may be flowed through the conductor segment network of a test system to measure, among other things, fluid and/or proppant distribution and proppant volume (or mass) during and after treatment within various parts of the test system network after the proppant is transported into the network by the introduced test fluid/s.

Abstract: Methods and systems that may be employed to dynamically test the effect of fluids (e.g., well treatment chemicals such as well stimulation treatment chemicals, enhanced oil recovery “EOR” chemicals, etc.) on hydrocarbon recovery from crushed reservoir formation materials under conditions of applied stress. The disclosed methods and systems may be used in one embodiment to dynamically test types of low permeability formations (e.g., such as shale, limestone, quarried rock, etc.). In one embodiment, a fluid flow apparatus may be provided that has a conductor segment that defines an internally-heterogeneous fluid flow space in the form of an internal slot. Such an internally-heterogeneous fluid flow space may include one or more fluid flow diversion features and/or have a varying or non-consistent cross-sectional flow area. Individual fluid flow apparatus may be configured for assembly and disassembly from each other, and/or may be configured to capture and contain contents for future testing.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus and method for testing a particulate material suitable for use as a proppant. According to one embodiment, a sample of the particulate material is captured in the cavity of a test vessel between a cavity wall and a piston sealed with the cavity wall. A fluid is flowed into the test vessel from a fluid inlet of the test vessel to wet the sample of particulate material. The fluid is pressurized to a target fluid pressure greater than ambient pressure and heated to a target temperature greater than ambient temperature. The piston is moved into direct contact with the particulate material with sufficient force to crush at least a portion of the particulate material while maintaining one or both of the target temperature and the target pressure for one or more test cycles. Each test cycle has a duration of at least about 120 seconds and as long as about 24 hours.

Abstract: Methods and systems useful for obtaining a representative sample of solid particles from a pneumatically conveyed stream of solid particles. One preferred method and system includes establishing a pneumatic flow of solid particles in a gas stream through a sampling conduit and diverting the steam through a second conduit; isolating an inlet of the sampling conduit from the second conduit substantially simultaneously with the step of diverting the entire stream through the second conduit and emptying material from the isolated sampling conduit, wherein the representative sample comprises the material emptied from the sampling conduit. The outlet end of the sampling conduit may be vented into the second conduit or the atmosphere. The system for accomplishing the method may include a controller for controlling, inter alia, a position of the means for diverting the stream through a second conduit, the means for isolating an inlet sampling conduit, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems useful for obtaining a representative sample of solid particles from a pneumatically conveyed stream of solid particles. One preferred method and system includes establishing a pneumatic flow of solid particles in a gas stream through a sampling conduit and diverting the steam through a second conduit; isolating an inlet of the sampling conduit from the second conduit substantially simultaneously with the step of diverting the entire stream through the second conduit and emptying material from the isolated sampling conduit, wherein the representative sample comprises the material emptied from the sampling conduit. The outlet end of the sampling conduit may be vented into the second conduit or the atmosphere. The system for accomplishing the method may include a controller for controlling, inter alia, a position of the means for diverting the stream through a second conduit, the means for isolating an inlet sampling conduit, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a representative sample of a stream of solids include positioning a sample collection orifice into the stream of solid particles so that the stream flows through the sample collection orifice. The sample collection orifice is moved out of the stream to capture the representative sample by pushing that portion of the stream of solids flowing through the orifice into the sample collection chamber. Concurrently, a bypass orifice moves into the stream as the sample collection orifice moves out of the stream so that the flow of solid particles is maintained and not interrupted. The solid particles captured within the sample collection orifice are collected and the sample collection orifice is returned into the stream to capture another representative sample. The sampling apparatus includes an extractor having the sample collection and bypass orifices therethrough and an actuator for moving the orifices into and out of the stream.