Abstract: Controlling a well injection operation, such as a well fracturing operation, includes identifying a flow characteristic of a fracturing fluid, identifying a flow characteristic of a base fluid used for forming the fracturing fluid, determining an amount of friction reduction change of the fracturing fluid, and adjusting the amount of friction reduction of the fracturing fluid to coincide with a selected friction reduction amount. Identifying a flow characteristic may be performed by a rheology measuring device including a measurement tube, a first pressure sensor disposed at a first position on the measurement tube, a second pressure sensor disposed at a second position on the measurement tube, a flow meter disposed at a third position along the measurement tube, a temperature sensor disposed at a fourth location along the measurement tube, and a control unit interconnected to the first and second pressure sensors, the flow meter, and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Controlling a well injection operation, such as a well fracturing operation, includes identifying a flow characteristic of a fracturing fluid, identifying a flow characteristic of a base fluid used for forming the fracturing fluid, determining an amount of friction reduction change of the fracturing fluid, and adjusting the amount of friction reduction of the fracturing fluid to coincide with a selected friction reduction amount. Identifying a flow characteristic may be performed by a rheology measuring device including a measurement tube, a first pressure sensor disposed at a first position on the measurement tube, a second pressure sensor disposed at a second position on the measurement tube, a flow meter disposed at a third position along the measurement tube, a temperature sensor disposed at a fourth location along the measurement tube, and a control unit interconnected to the first and second pressure sensors, the flow meter, and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for blending a dry material with a fluid in a closed environment are disclosed. A liquid component is supplied from a liquid delivery system to a mixing chamber. A dry component or a high solid content slurry is then supplied from a dry material tank or an external proppant storage to the mixing chamber. The dry component or high solid content slurry is then mixed with the liquid component in a closed system to prepare a desired mixture.

Abstract: A method for determining solid content concentration in a fluid flow includes measuring a noise signal generated by a fluid flow and correlating the noise signal to the solid content. The noise signal may be correlated to represent the solid content concentration such as by applying one or more filters to the noise signal or applying one or more physical or numerical methods to the noise signal. For example, the fluid flow may be pressurized to a selected level to collapse gas bubbled entrained in the fluid flow, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing a component of the noise signal unrelated to the solid content.

Abstract: Controlling a well injection operation, such as a well fracturing operation, includes identifying a flow characteristic of a fracturing fluid, identifying a flow characteristic of a base fluid used for forming the fracturing fluid, determining an amount of friction reduction change of the fracturing fluid, and adjusting the amount of friction reduction of the fracturing fluid to coincide with a selected friction reduction amount. Identifying a flow characteristic may be performed by a rheology measuring device including a measurement tube, a first pressure sensor disposed at a first position on the measurement tube, a second pressure sensor disposed at a second position on the measurement tube, a flow meter disposed at a third position along the measurement tube, a temperature sensor disposed at a fourth location along the measurement tube, and a control unit interconnected to the first and second pressure sensors, the flow meter, and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A process of increasing the viscosity of a gel, or the yield of a hydratable material includes heating a hydratable material, an aqueous component or both, prior to mixing the hydratable material with the aqueous component. In certain instances, the aqueous component is heated to a temperature of at least about 100° F., and the hydratable material component and the heated aqueous component are mixed together to form a gel in certain instances, the hydratable material component is heated to a temperature of at least about 100° F., and the heated hydratable material component and the aqueous component are mixed together to form a gel.