Abstract: A proppant particle comprising a sintered proppant composition that comprises a non-radioactive, detectable tracer uniformly distributed throughout a ceramic composition, wherein the tracer is one or more tracer metal oxides and the tracer metals are selected from a group consisting of lanthanides, strontium, barium, gallium, germanium, tantalum, vanadium, and manganese.

Abstract: A proppant composition comprises a non-radioactive, detectable tracer at least partially embedded in a ceramic composition. The composition may be prepared by agglomerating granules of the ceramic material and granules of the non-radioactive, detectable material to produce the particle by compression. Backflow of proppants in a fractured subterranean formation into which a plurality of particles of the proppant composition have been introduced may be tracked by analyzing a sample of the backflow by detecting for presence of the tracer in the sample.

Abstract: Methods for determining the locations/heights of fractures in a subterranean formation use a post-fracture log obtained with a compensated neutron or pulsed neutron logging tool. Utilizing predetermined relationships between tool count rates and associated near/far count rate ratios, the methods detect the presence of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross-section material, substantially eliminating proppant determination uncertainty resulting from changes in formation hydrogen index. In an interval of a well with given borehole and formation conditions, and not containing proppant, a relationship is developed between detector count rate and near/far ratio. This relationship is used to compute count rate from the ratio in intervals of the well possibly containing proppant and which have similar formation and borehole conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a material having a controlled microstructure, the method including providing particles of a ceramic mineral material, the particles having a metal oxide dopant therein. The particles of the ceramic mineral material are consolidated into larger aggregates of a size relevant to the desired application using standard industrial mixing and pelletizing technology. The aggregates are heated under reducing conditions so that at least part of the dopant is reduced to form a transient, metastable liquid phase among the particles. The liquid phase includes at least part of the reduced dopant and promotes sintering of the particles and forms islands of reduced metal within the material and on the surface of the aggregates.

Abstract: Sintered, spherical composite pellets or particles comprising alumina fines, at least one of clay and bauxite and optionally a sintering aid, are described, along with a process for their manufacture. The use of such pellets in hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations and in grinding is also described.

Abstract: Sintered, spherical composite pellets or particles comprising alumina fines, at least one of clay and bauxite and optionally a sintering aid, are described, along with a process for their manufacture. The use of such pellets in hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations and in grinding is also described.

Abstract: Methods of incorporating a chemical breaker onto a proppant that will permit release of the breaker after the proppant has been placed in a hydraulic fracture are provided. The methods utilize a chemical breaker coated on the surface of a non-porous proppant grain or placed in the pore space of a porous proppant grain and secondarily coated with an outer layer which can be tailored to delay the release of the breaker.

Abstract: Sintered, spherical composite pellets or particles comprising alumina fines, at least one of clay and bauxite and optionally a sintering aid, are described, along with a process for their manufacture. The use of such pellets in hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations and in grinding is also described.

Abstract: Methods for producing substantially round, spherical and sintered particles from a slurry of a calcined, uncalcined or partially calcined raw material having an alumina content of more than 55% by weight, and a mullite growth promoter in an amount of from about 2 to about 10% dry weight of the total solids in the slurry. Methods for using such substantially round, spherical and sintered particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: Methods for producing substantially round, spherical and sintered particles from a slurry of a calcined, uncalcined or partially calcined raw material having an alumina content of more than 55% by weight, and a mullite growth promoter in an amount of from about 2 to about 10% dry weight of the total solids in the slurry. Methods for using such substantially round, spherical and sintered particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the locations and heights of fractures in a subterranean formation using a neutron-emitting logging tool. Utilizing predetermined relationships (1) between logging tool count rates and associated apparent formation hydrogen index values and (2) between logging tool count rate ratios and associated apparent formation hydrogen index values, the methods detect the presence and heights in the formation of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross section material in a manner substantially eliminating proppant determination uncertainty resulting from a prior change in formation hydrogen index values. A second, associated, method employing logging tool count rates and count rate ratios to determine the presence of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross section absorbers utilizes a crossplot of count rate versus ratio.

Abstract: A method for determining the location and height of a fracture in a subterranean formation using a neutron emitting logging tool. The method includes obtaining a pre-fracture data set, fracturing the formation with a slurry that includes a proppant doped with a high thermal neutron capture cross-section material, obtaining a post-fracture data set, comparing the pre-fracture data set and the post-fracture data set to determine the location of the proppant, and correlating the location of the proppant to a depth measurement of the borehole to determine the location and height of the fracture. Using the PNC tool, it is also possible to determine whether the proppant is located in the fracture, in the borehole adjacent to the fracture, or in both. The method may also include a plurality of post-fracture logging procedures used to determine various fracture and production characteristics in the formation.

Abstract: A method for producing sintered pellets and sintered pellets produced therefrom including mixing a dopant with water and kaolin clay to form substantially round and spherical green pellets and sintering the pellets to form a proppant. The dopant is selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, mica, kalsilite, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods of incorporating a chemical breaker onto a proppant that will permit release of the breaker after the proppant has been placed in a hydraulic fracture are provided. The methods utilize a chemical breaker coated on the surface of a non-porous proppant grain or placed in the pore space of a porous proppant grain and secondarily coated with an outer layer which can be tailored to delay the release of the breaker.

Abstract: Methods for producing solid, substantially round, spherical and sintered particles from a slurry of a calcined, uncalcined or partially calcined raw material having an alumina content of greater than about 40 weight percent. The slurry is processed with spray drying methods into solid, substantially round, spherical and sintered particles having an average particle size greater than about 200 microns, a bulk density of greater than about 1.40 g/cc, and an apparent specific gravity of greater than about 2.60.

Abstract: Sintered, spherical composite pellets or particles comprising alumina fines, at least one of clay and bauxite and optionally a sintering aid, are described, along with a process for their manufacture. The use of such pellets in hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations and in grinding is also described.

Abstract: Methods for producing solid, substantially round, spherical and sintered particles from a slurry of a calcined, uncalcined or partially calcined raw material having an alumina content of greater than about 40 weight percent. The slurry is processed with spray drying methods into solid, substantially round, spherical and sintered particles having an average particle size greater than about 200 microns, a bulk density of greater than about 1.40 g/cc, and an apparent specific gravity of greater than about 2.60.

Abstract: Sintered, spherical composite pellets having high strength and low density, are described, along with processes for their manufacture. One method includes forming a green pellet from a mixture of clay, bauxite or a clay-bauxite mixture with a sacrificial phase such that upon sintering of the pellet, the sacrificial phase is removed from the pellet. The use of such sintered pellets in hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations is also described.

Abstract: Materials and Methods for making low bulk density proppant capable of providing permeability at subterranean pressures. The low bulk density proppant is made from kaolin clay and at least one of calcined diatomaceous earth and burned kaolin clay.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a material having a controlled microstructure, the method including providing particles of a ceramic mineral material, the particles having a metal oxide dopant therein. The particles of the ceramic mineral material are consolidated into larger aggregates of a size relevant to the desired application using standard industrial mixing and pelletizing technology. The aggregates are heated under reducing conditions so that at least part of the dopant is reduced to form a transient, metastable liquid phase among the particles. The liquid phase includes at least part of the reduced dopant and promotes sintering of the particles and forms islands of reduced metal within the material and on the surface of the aggregates.