Abstract: Methods and compositions regarding borate, cross-linking suspensions are disclosed that may include one or more non-clay suspending agents, at least 30 wt. % of one or more boron-containing minerals, and a water-based solvent. In additional embodiments, the suspensions may include one or more polyols, one or more additives, or both, wherein the additives, for example, may include stabilizing agents, dispersing agents, surfactants, wetting agents, anti-gelling agents, pour-point depressants, or combinations thereof. Turning to a different aspect of this disclosure are methods that may include mixing one or more non-clay suspending agents in a water-based solvent and adding, subsequent to this mixing, at least 30 wt. % of one or more boron-containing minerals. In other embodiments, example methods may also include adding one or more additives prior to adding at least 30 wt. % of one or more boron-containing minerals.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for a suspending-agent free suspension may include one or more solids having at least 30 wt % of the suspending-agent free suspension being suspended in one or more oils. The one or more solids may be, for example, proppants, oxidizers, reducers, gums, starches, minerals, resins, and/or polymers, and the foregoing one or more solids may exist in various forms, including, for example, gelatinous, encapsulated, powder, crystalline, fine, course, natural, flake, or combinations el thereof. The one or more oils may be natural, synthetic, or combinations of both natural and synthetic oils. The one or more oils may or be free from benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, i.e., BTEX-free. The one or more oils may also include one or more viscosified oils through the addition of comprise one or more polymers. The suspending-agent free suspension may include one or more surfactants.