Abstract: Spherical and rod-shaped proppants and anti-flowback agents made from flash calcined clays, such as flash calcined kaolin, possess high strength and high conductivity. The starting material may optionally be milled to achieve better compacity and crush resistance in the final proppant or anti-flowback agent. A fracturing fluid may include the rods or spheres alone, or in combination with each other or other proppants or anti-flowback agents of different shapes.

Abstract: A method of making a sintered ceramic proppant may include providing a kaolin clay. The kaolin clay may include an Al2O3 content no greater than about 46% by weight, and a K2O content no greater than 0.1% by weight. The kaolin clay may have a particle size distribution such that greater than 70% of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter of less than 0.5 microns as measured by Sedigraph, and a shape factor less than about 18. The method may further include blunging the kaolin clay, agglomerating the kaolin clay, and sintering the agglomerated kaolin clay to produce a sintered ceramic proppant. The kaolin clay may have an A-bob Hercules viscosity of at least about 3,300 rpm at 18 kilodyne-cm and 70% solids.

Abstract: A granulated mica composition may include mica having an average particle size less than about 20 mesh, and 0.01% to about 1.0% of a water soluble binder. The granulated mica composition may have a granule size greater than about 20 mesh. A process for producing a granulated inorganic particulate composition for use in oilfield applications may include mixing at least one inorganic particulate having an average particle size of less than about 20 mesh with water and at least one binder, and agglomerating the resulting mixture to form a granulated inorganic particulate having an average particle size of greater than about 20 mesh. A method for treating a subterranean formation may include admixing a granulated inorganic particle composition into a fluid, such that the inorganic particulate is dispersed into the fluid as a suspended inorganic particulate, and injecting the fluid and suspended inorganic particulate into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A weighting agent for use in a wellbore fluid composition is provided. The weighting agent includes a ferrosilicon material, wherein iron is present in the ferrosilicon material in an amount equal to or greater than about 50% by weight of the ferrosilicon material. A composition including a wellbore fluid and a weighting agent, as well as methods for using and making a weighting agent, are also provided.