Abstract: A high strength composite particle comprised of a series of incrementally applied resin microlayer coatings such that each of the microlayer partial coatings are interleaved with each other is described. Methods of making the composite particles, as well as methods of using such particles as a proppant in oil and gas well hydraulic fracturing are also described.

Abstract: Described is an oil-degradable ball sealer for use in the oil and gas industry. The ball seal comprises a particular composition including ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins, prepared by an injection molding technique to provide a ball sealer which will dissolve in stimulation or wellbore fluids after stimulation operations are complete. The composition, when dissolved into wellbore fluids, does not pose a hazard or problem to aqueous wellbore fluids or further wellbore stimulations.

Abstract: A new proppant comprises a proppant particle substrate, a water-soluble external coating on the proppant particle substrate and a microparticulate reinforcing and spacing agent at least partially embedded in the water-soluble external coating in a manner such that the microparticulate reinforcing agent is substantially released from the proppant particle substrate when the water-soluble coating dissolves or degrades.

Abstract: A new proppant comprises a proppant particle substrate, a water-soluble external coating on the proppant particle substrate and a microparticulate reinforcing and spacing agent at least partially embedded in the water-soluble external coating in a manner such that the microparticulate reinforcing agent is substantially released from the proppant particle substrate when the water-soluble coating dissolves or degrades.

Abstract: Coated particle substrates having a coating of resin and/or water soluble polymers and soluble, fibrous material are provided for use in subterranean formations. The coated particle substrate particles are typically proppants used to prop open subterranean hydrocarbon formations during recovery processes, such as after a hydraulic fracture, and provide both improved settling characteristics and improved hydrocarbon flow characteristics due to the conductive channels formed by the soluble fibers downhole. Methods of making the coated particles are also described.

Abstract: A high strength composite particle comprised of a series of incrementally applied resin microlayer coatings such that each of the microlayer partial coatings are interleaved with each other is described. Methods of making the composite particles, as well as methods of using such particles as a proppant in oil and gas well hydraulic fracturing are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating of a well, a formation, or both, with the solids, liquids, or apparatuses, by 1) encasing said solids, liquids, or apparatuses in a water-soluble shell, 2) conveying said encased solids, liquids, or apparatuses to a predetermined location in the well, and then 3) allowing the water-soluble shell to dissolve in the aqueous phase in the wellbore. The shell is preferably made of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol copolymers and a waterproofing agent. The shell encases a variety of solids, liquids, or combinations thereof, where said solids or liquids are useful in the treatment of the well or of the producing formation. Illustrative encased material includes soap, acid, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, scale inhibitors, mutual solvents, paraffin inhibitors, paraffin dissolvers, clay stabilizers, and tracer materials. The encased materials may also be apparatuses, such as a prefabricated screen completion or a prefabricated sand-pack.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating of a well, a formation, or both, with the solids, liquids, or apparatuses, by 1) encasing said solids, liquids, or apparatuses in a water-soluble shell, 2) conveying said encased solids, liquids, or apparatuses to a predetermined location in the well, and then 3) allowing the water-soluble shell to dissolve in the aqueous phase in the wellbore. The shell is preferably made of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol copolymers and a waterproofing agent. The shell encases a variety of solids, liquids, or combinations thereof, where said solids or liquids are useful in the treatment of the well or of the producing formation. Illustrative encased material includes soap, acid, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, scale inhibitors, mutual solvents, paraffin inhibitors, paraffin dissolvers, clay stabilizers, and tracer materials. The encased materials may also be apparatuses, such as a prefabricated screen completion or a prefabricated sand-pack.

Abstract: A degradable compound, which may be used as a ball sealer and as an fluid loss additive for use in the oil and gas industry is disclosed. The compound comprises a particular composition of matter and injection molding technique that provides a ball sealer which will dissolve in stimulation or wellbore fluids after stimulation operations are complete. In a similar manner the compound may be used as a fluid loss additive which enhances the fracture filter cake and will dissolve completely after use in fracturing operations. Used as a ball sealer, the surface of the ball sealer softens slightly assuring a solid seal between the ball and the casing perforation. The pure composition when dissolved into wellbore fluids does not pose a hazard and has excellent dispersion in aqueous based wellbore fluids. The same composition, may be combined with fiber-glass to manufacture a high temperature ball sealer.

Abstract: The invention is the method of treating of a well, a formation, or both, with the solids, liquids, or apparatuses, by 1) encasing the solids, liquids, or apparatuses in a water-soluble shell, 2) conveying the encased solids, liquids, or gases to the predetermined location in the well, and then 3) allowing the water-soluble shell to dissolve in the aqueous phase in the wellbore. The shell is preferably made of water-soluble polymers such as collagen, a crosslinking agent such as zolidine, optionally a hydrophobic compound such as a processed oil, and water used in processing. Other modifying or conditioning compounds, for example glycerin and other polymeric additives, may be incorporated to extend the strength or temperature range of the shell. The shell encases a variety of solids, liquids, or combinations thereof, where the solids or liquids are useful in the treatment of the well or of the producing formation.

Abstract: An improved resin coated particle comprises a particulate substrate, an inner coating of a curable resin and an outer coating of a substantially cured resin. These improved resin coated particles are produced by first coating the substrate with a reactive resin. A second or outer coating of a resin is then coated over the inner curable resin coating and subjected to conditions of time and temperature sufficient to substantially cure said outer coating while the inner coating remains curable. The particles can be used in a method for treating subterranean formations, which comprises placing in or adjacent to the formation a quantity of the resin coated particle and allowing them to cure into a high strength permeable mass in the formation.

Abstract: An improved resin coated particle comprises a particulate substrate, an inner coating of a curable resin and an outer coating of a substantially cured resin. These improved resin coated particles are produced by first coating the substrate with a reactive resin. A second or outer coating of a resin is then coated over the inner curable resin coating and subjected to conditions of time and temperature sufficient to substantially cure said outer coating while the inner coating remains curable. The particles can be used in a method for treating subterranean formations, which comprises placing in or adjacent to the formation a quantity of the resin coated particle and allowing them to cure into a high strength permeable mass in the formation.

Abstract: An improved resin coated particle comprises a particulate substrate, an inner coating of a curable resin and an outer coating of a substantially cured resin. These improved resin coated particles are produced by first coating the substrate with a reactive resin. A second or outer coating of a resin is then coated over the inner curable resin coating and subjected to conditions of time and temperature sufficient to substantially cure said outer coating while the inner coating remains curable. The particles can be used in a method for treating subterranean formations, which comprises placing in or adjacent to the formation a quantity of the resin coated particle and allowing them to cure into a high strength permeable mass in the formation.

Abstract: A high strength particle comprised of a particulate substrate, a substantially cured inner resin coating, an outer resin coating, and a reinforcing agent interspersed at the inner coating/outer coating boundary, which is used in the propping of a fracture in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A high strength particle comprised of a particulate substrate, a substantially cured inner resin coating, an outer resin coating, and a reinforcing agent interspersed at the inner coating/outer coating boundary.

Abstract: A high strength self-consolidating particle comprised of a particulate substrate, a substantially cured inner resin coating and a fusible curable outer resin coating.

Abstract: An improved particulate material for use in treating subterranean formations as a proppant and/or as a fluid loss agent in hydraulic fracturing and as a screening material in gravel packing comprised of heat curable particles capable of forming a cohesive mass, said particles comprised of a high strength center, a coupling agent chemically bound to the center with a heat curable resin coated over the center.

Abstract: A high strength self-consolidating particle comprised of a particulate substrate, a substantially cured inner resin coating and a fusible curable outer resin coating.

Abstract: A method for producing an improved particulate material for use in treating subterranean formations as a proppant and/or as a fluid loss agent in hydraulic fracturing and as a screening material in gravel packing comprised of heat curable particles capable of forming a cohesive mass, said particles comprised of a high strength center, a coupling agent chemically bound to the center with a heat curable resin coated over the center.

Abstract: A high strength self-consolidating particle comprised of a particulate substrate, a substantially cured inner resin coating and a fusible curable outer resin coating.