Abstract: Diversion material is particulate material used during wellbore treatment to temporarily seal a wellbore fluid passage such as a fracture. A method and apparatus for diversion material testing permits simulation of wellbore fracture parameters and testing thereof against a selected diversion material. The apparatus comprises: a fluid piping system including a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end; a fracture simulator chamber including a fracture-simulating outlet slot through a wall of the chamber, the fracture simulator chamber being releasably connectable to the fluid outlet end; a pump to pump fluid through the fluid piping system from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet end and into the fracture simulator chamber; a diversion material launch system connected in communication with the fluid piping system between the fluid inlet end and the fluid outlet line; and a pressure transducer in the fluid piping system to measure pressure in the fluid piping system.

Abstract: A proppant composition includes: a volume of water; a self-suspending proppant, including a plurality of proppant granules each with a hydrophilic polymer coating, the hydrophilic polymer coatings of the self-suspending proppant together defining a total polymer volume; and an untreated proppant, where a concentration of the self-suspending proppant in the water is sufficient (i) to reduce the water to an unabsorbed volume of less than 25% of the volume of water and (ii) to hydrate at least 75% of the total polymer volume.

Abstract: A proppant composition includes: a volume of water; a self-suspending proppant, including a plurality of proppant granules each with a hydrophilic polymer coating, the hydrophilic polymer coatings of the self-suspending proppant together defining a total polymer volume; and an untreated proppant, where a concentration of the self-suspending proppant in the water is sufficient (i) to reduce the water to an unabsorbed volume of less than 25% of the volume of water and (ii) to hydrate at least 75% of the total polymer volume.

Abstract: Diversion material is particulate material used during wellbore treatment to temporarily seal a wellbore fluid passage such as a fracture. A method and apparatus for diversion material testing permits simulation of wellbore fracture parameters and testing thereof against a selected diversion material. The apparatus comprises: a fluid piping system including a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end; a fracture simulator chamber including a fracture-simulating outlet slot through a wall of the chamber, the fracture simulator chamber being releasably connectable to the fluid outlet end; a pump to pump fluid through the fluid piping system from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet end and into the fracture simulator chamber; a diversion material launch system connected in communication with the fluid piping system between the fluid inlet end and the fluid outlet line; and a pressure transducer in the fluid piping system to measure pressure in the fluid piping system.