Abstract: Proppant particulates like sand are commonly used in hydraulic fracturing operations to maintain one or more fractures in an opened state following the release of hydraulic pressure. Fracturing fluids and methods of hydraulic fracturing may also use proppant particulates composed of petroleum coke material. Such proppant particulates may have improved transport into fractures because of lower density than traditional proppants like sand and may produce fewer fines that reduce fluid flow through proppant packs. The proppant particulates of the present disclosure are composed of thermally post-treated delayed coke and exhibit mechanical properties comparable to fluid coke and flexicoke petroleum coke materials for use as proppant particulates.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid comprises a carrier fluid and thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles, comprising fluid coke and/or flexicoke particles, respectively, that have been thermally post-treated to a temperature in a range from 400° C. to 1200° C. for a predetermined duration. A method of utilizing such fracturing fluid comprises introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation. A method of making such fracturing fluid comprises producing the thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles by thermally post-treating the fluid coke and/or flexicoke particles, respectively, to the temperature in the range from 400° C. to 1200° C. for the predetermined duration and mixing the thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles with the carrier fluid, optionally along with one or more other types of proppant particles and/or one or more additives.

Abstract: A method comprises providing feed petroleum coke particles comprising particles larger than a predetermined threshold size, particles smaller than the threshold size, and optionally petroleum coke microproppant particles, where the predetermined threshold size is greater than 105 ?m, and sieving the particles to obtain a first fraction of petroleum coke particles and a second fraction of petroleum coke particles, where at least 75 vol % of the first fraction has particle sizes no smaller than the predetermined threshold size, and substantially all of the second fraction has particle sizes no larger than the threshold particle size, and the second fraction comprises no more than 25 vol % of petroleum coke microproppant particles having sizes no greater than 74 ?m. The method comprises size-classifying the second fraction to obtain a petroleum coke proppant particle fraction comprising no more than 10 vol % of petroleum coke microproppant particles having sizes no greater than 74 ?m.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid comprises a carrier fluid and thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles, comprising fluid coke and/or flexicoke particles, respectively, that have been thermally post-treated to a temperature in a range from 400° C. to 1200° C. for a predetermined duration. A method of utilizing such fracturing fluid comprises introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation. A method of making such fracturing fluid comprises producing the thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles by thermally post-treating the fluid coke and/or flexicoke particles, respectively, to the temperature in the range from 400° C. to 1200° C. for the predetermined duration and mixing the thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles with the carrier fluid, optionally along with one or more other types of proppant particles and/or one or more additives.

Abstract: A method comprises providing feed petroleum coke particles comprising particles larger than a predetermined threshold size, particles smaller than the threshold size, and optionally petroleum coke microproppant particles, where the predetermined threshold size is greater than 105 ?m, and sieving the particles to obtain a first fraction of petroleum coke particles and a second fraction of petroleum coke particles, where at least 75 vol % of the first fraction has particle sizes no smaller than the predetermined threshold size, and substantially all of the second fraction has particle sizes no larger than the threshold particle size, and the second fraction comprises no more than 25 vol % of petroleum coke microproppant particles having sizes no greater than 74 ?m. The method comprises size-classifying the second fraction to obtain a petroleum coke proppant particle fraction comprising no more than 10 vol % of petroleum coke microproppant particles having sizes no greater than 74 ?m.

Abstract: A method comprises providing feed petroleum coke particles comprising particles larger than a predetermined threshold size, particles smaller than the threshold size, and optionally petroleum coke microproppant particles, where the predetermined threshold size is greater than 105 ?m, and sieving the particles to obtain a first fraction of petroleum coke particles and a second fraction of petroleum coke particles, where at least 75 vol % of the first fraction has particle sizes no smaller than the predetermined threshold size, and substantially all of the second fraction has particle sizes no larger than the threshold particle size, and the second fraction comprises no more than 25 vol % of petroleum coke microproppant particles having sizes no greater than 74 ?m. The method comprises size-classifying the second fraction to obtain a petroleum coke proppant particle fraction comprising no more than 10 vol % of petroleum coke microproppant particles having sizes no greater than 74 ?m.

Abstract: A variety of methods are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of making crosslinked aromatic resin beads comprising: contacting a linker agent and a catalyst with an aromatic feedstock at a first temperature effective to react the linker agent with molecules in the aromatic feedstock to form a pre-polymer mixture; combining the pre-polymer mixture with an antisolvent; agitating the pre-polymer mixture and the antisolvent; and heating the pre-polymer mixture and antisolvent to a second temperature to react the pre-polymer mixture to form crosslinked aromatic resin beads, wherein the pre-polymer mixture is dispersed as droplets in the antisolvent.

Abstract: A variety of methods are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of making crosslinked aromatic resin beads comprising: contacting a linker agent and a catalyst with an aromatic feedstock at a first temperature effective to react the linker agent with molecules in the aromatic feedstock to form a pre-polymer mixture; combining the pre-polymer mixture with an antisolvent; agitating the pre-polymer mixture and the antisolvent; and heating the pre-polymer mixture and antisolvent to a second temperature to react the pre-polymer mixture to form crosslinked aromatic resin beads, wherein the pre-polymer mixture is dispersed as droplets in the antisolvent.

Abstract: Compositions for pyrolysis coke particles are provided. The pyrolysis coke particles can have at least an outer shell of pyrolysis coke. In some aspects, the pyrolysis coke particles can be based on a homogeneous seed, so that the entire particle corresponds to pyrolysis coke. In other aspects, the particle can be based on a heterogeneous seed, so that a different type of carbon-containing material serves as the core of a particle. Systems and methods for forming such particles are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions for pyrolysis coke particles are provided. The pyrolysis coke particles can have at least an outer shell of pyrolysis coke. In some aspects, the pyrolysis coke particles can be based on a homogeneous seed, so that the entire particle corresponds to pyrolysis coke and/or the particle consists essentially of pyrolysis coke. In other aspects, the particle can be based on a heterogeneous seed, so that a different type of carbon-containing material serves as the core of a particle. Systems and methods for forming such particles are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions for pyrolysis coke particles are provided. The pyrolysis coke particles can have at least an outer shell of pyrolysis coke. In some aspects, the pyrolysis coke particles can be based on a homogeneous seed, so that the entire particle corresponds to pyrolysis coke and/or the particle consists essentially of pyrolysis coke. In other aspects, the particle can be based on a heterogeneous seed, so that a different type of carbon-containing material serves as the core of a particle. Systems and methods for forming such particles are also provided.

Abstract: Proppant particulates like sand are commonly used in hydraulic fracturing operations to maintain one or more fractures in an opened state following the release of hydraulic pressure. Fracturing fluids and methods of hydraulic fracturing may also use proppant particulates composed of petroleum coke material. Such proppant particulates may have improved transport into fractures because of lower density than traditional proppants like sand and may produce fewer fines that reduce fluid flow through proppant packs. The proppant particulates of the present disclosure are composed of thermally post-treated delayed coke and exhibit mechanical properties comparable to fluid coke and flexicoke petroleum coke materials for use as proppant particulates.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid comprises a carrier fluid and thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles, comprising fluid coke and/or flexicoke particles, respectively, that have been thermally post-treated to a temperature in a range from 400° C. to 1200° C. for a predetermined duration. A method of utilizing such fracturing fluid comprises introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation. A method of making such fracturing fluid comprises producing the thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles by thermally post-treating the fluid coke and/or flexicoke particles, respectively, to the temperature in the range from 400° C. to 1200° C. for the predetermined duration and mixing the thermally post-treated fluid coke and/or flexicoke proppant particles with the carrier fluid, optionally along with one or more other types of proppant particles and/or one or more additives.

Abstract: A capacitive cable, as well as a method for operating a downhole electro-hydraulic (EH) tool using the capacitive cable, are described herein. The capacitive cable includes at least one standard conductor and at least one capacitive conductor including integrated wire-shaped capacitors. The method includes inserting a tool string including the capacitive cable and an attached downhole EH tool into a wellbore and conducting power from the surface to the downhole EH tool via the standard conductor(s) of the capacitive cable. The method also includes storing electrical energy downhole within the capacitive conductor(s) of the capacitive cable, and activating the downhole EH tool to provide for the rapid release of the electrical energy from the capacitive conductor(s) into the downhole EH tool, initiating an electro-hydraulic event within the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring cluster efficiency for stages of wellbores are provided herein. One method includes selecting a frequency band for generating broadband tube waves within the fluid column of the wellbore and generating the broadband tube waves within the fluid column of the wellbore using a pressure pulse generator that is hydraulically coupled to the wellbore. The method also includes recording data corresponding to the broadband tube waves and reflected broadband tube waves using pressure receivers that are hydraulically coupled to the wellbore. The pressure receivers are arranged into arrays with two or more pressure receivers in each array. The data recorded by the pressure receivers relate to characteristics of reflectors (including perforation cluster/fracture interfaces) within the wellbore.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid including proppant particulates formed from delayed coke, as well as a method for utilizing such fracturing fluid, are provided herein. The fracturing fluid includes a carrier fluid, as well as proppant particulates composed of delayed coke material. The method includes introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation and (optionally) depositing at least a portion of the proppant particulates within one or more fractures in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Processes for chemically treating mixed aromatic feedstock to form thermoset aromatic resins are provided. The thermoset materials possess high compressive strength and find particular use in load-bearing applications, for example, infrastructure applications, as proppants, and as components in composite materials.

Abstract: A method of attenuating annular pressure buildup within a wellbore. The method includes accessing a wellbore, with the wellbore having an annulus disposed between first and second strings of casing. The method also includes placing a column of cement around the second string of casing generally below the first string of casing. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture into the annulus, forming a fluid column. The fluid mixture comprises a carrier fluid, and a plurality of compressible particles dispersed in the carrier fluid. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to partially collapse in response to thermal expansion of the fluid mixture. The method also includes placing a wellhead over the wellbore, thereby forming a trapped annulus in the wellbore. The method additionally includes at least partially sealing the annular region along at least one depth above the column of cement to inhibit vertical migration of the compressible particles.

Abstract: A variety of methods are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of making crosslinked aromatic resin beads comprising: contacting a linker agent and a catalyst with an aromatic feedstock at a first temperature effective to react the linker agent with molecules in the aromatic feedstock to form a pre-polymer mixture; combining the pre-polymer mixture with an antisolvent; agitating the pre-polymer mixture and the antisolvent; and heating the pre-polymer mixture and antisolvent to a second temperature to react the pre-polymer mixture to form crosslinked aromatic resin beads, wherein the pre-polymer mixture is dispersed as droplets in the anti solvent.

Abstract: Proppant particulates are commonly used in hydraulic fracturing operations to maintain one or more fractures in an opened state following the release of hydraulic pressure. In complex fracture networks, it can be difficult to deposit proppant particulates fully within the fractures. In addition, low crush strengths may result in problematic fines formation. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, commonly encountered in various refinery process streams, may serve as an advantageous precursor to proppant particulates. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons may undergo crosslinking under acid-catalyzed conditions in an aqueous solvent in the presence of a surfactant to form substantially spherical particulates that may serve as effective proppant particulates during fracturing operations. In situ formation of the proppant particulates may take place in some cases.