Abstract: A construction material, a hydrophobic, optionally multi-cellular, inorganic particulate material for use in the construction material, for example, to improve the crush strength and/or stability of the construction material, a method of making the construction material, constructions comprising the construction material, and a method of improving the stability of a construction material.

Abstract: A construction material, a hydrophobic, optionally multi-cellular, inorganic particulate material for use in the construction material, for example, to improve the crush strength and/or stability of the construction material, a method of making the construction material, constructions comprising the construction material, and a method of improving the stability of a construction material.

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: 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 grinding a particulate material, comprising grinding said material in a stirred mill in the presence of a grinding media comprising rod-shaped particles, wherein said rod-shaped particles have an aspect ratio of equal to or greater than about 2:1.

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.

Abstract: A method of grinding a particulate material, comprising grinding said material in a stirred mill in the presence of a grinding media comprising rod-shaped particles, wherein said rod-shaped particles have an aspect ratio of equal to or greater than about 2:1.

Abstract: Spherical and rod-shaped proppants and anti-flowback agents made from sillimanite minerals possess high strength and high conductivity. The sillimanite minerals may be selected from the group consisting of kyanite, sillimanite, and andalusite and may be used alone or in combination with other materials, such as bauxite, kaolin, meta-kaolin, pure or technical grade alumina (about 98%-99.9% alumina by weight), alumina-containing slag, zirconia, silica, iron, alkali elements (such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium), and virtually any other mineral containing alumina. 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 comprise the rods or spheres alone, or in combination with each other or other proppants or anti-flowback agents of different shapes.

Abstract: Spherical and rod-shaped proppants and anti-flowback agents made from sillimanite minerals possess high strength and high conductivity. The sillimanite minerals may be selected from the group consisting of kyanite, sillimanite, and andalusite and may be used alone or in combination with other materials, such as bauxite, kaolin, meta-kaolin, pure or technical grade alumina (about 98%-99.9% alumina by weight), alumina-containing slag, zirconia, silica, iron, alkali elements (such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium), and virtually any other mineral containing alumina. 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 comprise the rods or spheres alone, or in combination with each other or other proppants or anti-flowback agents of different shapes.

Abstract: Spherical and rod-shaped proppants and anti-flowback agents made from sillimanite minerals possess high strength and high conductivity. The sillimanite minerals may be selected from the group consisting of kyanite, sillimanite, and andalusite and may be used alone or in combination with other materials, such as bauxite, kaolin, meta-kaolin, pure or technical grade alumina (about 98%-99.9% alumina by weight), alumina-containing slag, zirconia, silica, iron, alkali elements (such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium), and virtually any other mineral containing alumina. 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 comprise the rods or spheres alone, or in combination with each other or other proppants or anti-flowback agents of different shapes.

Abstract: Spherical and rod-shaped proppants and anti-flowback agents made from sillimanite minerals possess high strength and high conductivity. The sillimanite minerals may be selected from the group consisting of kyanite, sillimanite, and andalusite and may be used alone or in combination with other materials, such as bauxite, kaolin, meta-kaolin, pure or technical grade alumina (about 98%-99.9% alumina by weight), alumina-containing slag, zirconia, silica, iron, alkali elements (such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium), and virtually any other mineral containing alumina. 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 comprise the rods or spheres alone, or in combination with each other or other proppants or anti-flowback agents of different shapes.