Abstract: A transport system for carrying a proppant, the system comprising a loading tower, a first transfer tower, a second transfer tower and an unloading tower. The loading tower is located proximate a loading area while the unloading tower is located proximate an unloading area. The system also includes a first transfer tower and a second transfer tower. A first aerial cable conveys a transfer container from the loading tower to the first transfer tower, while a second aerial cable conveys the transfer container from the second transfer tower to the unloading tower. The transfer container is configured to be suspended from the first and second aerial cables en route from the loading tower to the unloading area. Sand or supplies from the transfer container is received at the unloading area for use in a wellbore operation. Methods of transporting sand for use in wellbore fracturing operations are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming rod-shaped particles includes reducing a length of rods derived from a slurry made up of particles and a reactant, wherein the rods are in a stabilized state in which the reactant has been at least partially reacted with a coagulant, but the rods have not been sintered, and subsequently sintering the reduced length stabilized rods. The reducing the length of the stabilized rods includes subjecting the stabilized rods to mechanical vibration applied by a device, or feeding the stabilized rods through a device having a rotating cutting mechanism.

Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a wellbore include introducing a first treatment fluid to a far-field area of a subterranean formation, the first treatment fluid comprising a first proppant, and introducing a second treatment fluid to a near wellbore area of the subterranean formation, the second treatment fluid comprising a second proppant different from the first proppant. The method includes reducing flowback of the first proppant into the wellbore while permitting liquid passage into the wellbore by forming a near wellbore barrier containing the second proppant.

Abstract: A transport system for carrying a proppant, the system comprising a loading tower, a first transfer tower, a second transfer tower and an unloading tower. The loading tower is located proximate a loading area while the unloading tower is located proximate an unloading area. The system also includes a first transfer tower and a second transfer tower. A first aerial cable conveys a transfer container from the loading tower to the first transfer tower, while a second aerial cable conveys the transfer container from the second transfer tower to the unloading tower. The transfer container is configured to be suspended from the first and second aerial cables en route from the loading tower to the unloading area. Sand or supplies from the transfer container is received at the unloading area for use in a wellbore operation. Methods of transporting sand for use in wellbore fracturing operations are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, by providing a treatment fluid comprising a blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 3 mm and 2 cm and a second amount of particulates having a second average size between about 1.6 and 20 times smaller than the first average particle size or a second amount of flakes having a second average size up to 10 times smaller than the first average particle size; by introducing the treatment fluid into the well bore; and by creating a plug with the treatment fluid.

Abstract: A method for forming rod-shaped particles includes reducing a length of rods derived from a slurry made up of particles and a reactant, wherein the rods are in a stabilized state in which the reactant has been at least partially reacted with a coagulant, but the rods have not been sintered, and subsequently sintering the reduced length stabilized rods. The reducing the length of the stabilized rods includes subjecting the stabilized rods to mechanical vibration applied by a device, or feeding the stabilized rods through a device having a rotating cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A method for forming rod-shaped particles includes reducing a length of rods derived from a slurry made up of particles and a reactant, wherein the rods are in a stabilized state in which the reactant has been at least partially reacted with a coagulant, but the rods have not been sintered, and subsequently sintering the reduced length stabilized rods. The reducing the length of the stabilized rods includes subjecting the stabilized rods to mechanical vibration applied by a device, or feeding the stabilized rods through a device having a rotating cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A method for forming a perforated membrane includes providing a mold having at least a first set of a plurality of rods extending to at least a first height from a base of the mold, introducing a curable material into the mold in an amount such that a height of the curable material from the base of the mold is less than or equal to the first height so that the first set of the plurality of rods are within the curable material and extend to or past the height of the curable material in the mold, curing the curable material, dissolving the first set of the plurality of rods to thereby form perforations in the cured material and removing the cured material having the perforations from the mold.

Abstract: A method for forming spheroidal particles including inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices, detaching an amount of the slurry from the slurry flow following exit from the one or more orifices, the detached amount forming a slurry body, forming the slurry body into a spheroidal shape, contacting the spheroidally shaped slurry body with a coagulation solution to form a stabilized spheroidal particle and drying and/or sintering the stabilized spheroidal particle.

Abstract: A method for forming particles having a ridge portion includes inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices, detaching an amount of the slurry from the slurry flow following exit from the one or more orifices, the detached amount forming a slurry body, forming the slurry body into a particle shape, contacting the particle shaped slurry body with a coagulation solution to form a stabilized particle having the ridge portion, and drying and/or sintering the particle having the ridge portion.

Abstract: A method for forming particles having a ridge portion includes inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices, detaching an amount of the slurry from the slurry flow following exit from the one or more orifices, the detached amount forming a slurry body, forming the slurry body into a particle shape, contacting the particle shaped slurry body with a coagulation solution to form a stabilized particle having the ridge portion, and drying and/or sintering the particle having the ridge portion.

Abstract: A method for forming rod-shaped particles includes inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices and into a coagulation solution, wherein the slurry exiting the one or more orifices is a continuous uninterrupted stream, coagulating the reactant in the coagulation solution to form stabilized rods, drying the stabilized rods and reducing a length of the dried stabilized rods.

Abstract: A method for forming a perforated membrane includes providing a mold having at least a first set of a plurality of rods extending to at least a first height from a base of the mold, introducing a curable material into the mold in an amount such that a height of the curable material from the base of the mold is less than or equal to the first height so that the first set of the plurality of rods are within the curable material and extend to or past the height of the curable material in the mold, curing the curable material, dissolving the first set of the plurality of rods to thereby form perforations in the cured material and removing the cured material having the perforations from the mold.

Abstract: A method for forming rod-shaped particles includes reducing a length of rods derived from a slurry made up of particles and a reactant, wherein the rods are in a stabilized state in which the reactant has been at least partially reacted with a coagulant, but the rods have not been sintered, and subsequently sintering the reduced length stabilized rods. The reducing the length of the stabilized rods includes subjecting the stabilized rods to mechanical vibration applied by a device, or feeding the stabilized rods through a device having a rotating cutting mechanism.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, by providing a treatment fluid comprising a blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 3 mm and 2 cm and a second amount of particulates having a second average size between about 1.6 and 20 times smaller than the first average particle size or a second amount of flakes having a second average size up to 10 times smaller than the first average particle size; by introducing the treatment fluid into the well bore; and by creating a plug with the treatment fluid.

Abstract: A method for forming rod-shaped particles includes inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices and into a coagulation solution, wherein the slurry exiting the one or more orifices is a continuous uninterrupted stream, coagulating the reactant in the coagulation solution to form stabilized rods, drying the stabilized rods and reducing a length of the dried stabilized rods.

Abstract: A method for forming particles having a ridge portion includes inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices, detaching an amount of the slurry from the slurry flow following exit from the one or more orifices, the detached amount forming a slurry body, forming the slurry body into a particle shape, contacting the particle shaped slurry body with a coagulation solution to form a stabilized particle having the ridge portion, and drying and/or sintering the particle having the ridge portion.

Abstract: A method for forming spheroidal particles including inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices, detaching an amount of the slurry from the slurry flow following exit from the one or more orifices, the detached amount forming a slurry body, forming the slurry body into a spheroidal shape, contacting the spheroidally shaped slurry body with a coagulation solution to form a stabilized spheroidal particle and drying and/or sintering the stabilized spheroidal particle.