Abstract: The present inventions include an insulating fluid comprising a non-particulate viscosifying polymer, a water or brine, a cross-linking agent, and insulating particulates. The insulating fluid may be produced by performing the following steps in any order: adding a non-particulate viscosifying polymer to a brine, adding a cross-linking agent, adding insulating particulates, and optionally adding a solvent. The insulating fluid may be injected into an annulus surrounding a pipe such as production tubing, casing, surface pipelines, subsea pipelines, or risers.

Abstract: A method for hydraulic fracturing subterranean formation whereby at least part of the fracture is propped with proppant material essentially in the form of elongated particles having a shape with a length-basis aspect ratio greater than 5, preferably such as metallic wire segment. The remaining part of the fracture may be propped with conventional non-metallic proppant. Fracture conductivity is optimized.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the art of hydraulic fracturing in subterranean formations and more particularly to a method and means for optimizing fracture conductivity. The proposed method involves propping part of the totality of a fracture in a subterranean formation with proppant essentially in the form of elongated particles having a shape with a length-basis aspect ratio greater than 5, preferably such as metallic wire segment. 1 Inventors: MATHEW J.