Methods to deliver fluids on a well site with variable solids concentration from solid slurries

Abstract

The invention discloses a storable composition for oilfield application including a slurry of a carrier fluid and a particulate blend made of proppant; the particulate blend comprising at least a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 5000 μm and at least a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size; such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.74 and the particulate blend volume is sufficient to substantially avoid settling of the particulate in the carrier fluid.

1 . A storable composition for oilfield application, comprising a slurry of a carrier fluid and a particulate blend made of proppant; the particulate blend comprising at least a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 5000 μm and at least a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size; such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.74. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid comprises a viscosifying agent and water. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid comprises a friction reducer agent and water. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid comprises an acid and water. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particulate blend comprises a degradable material. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particulate blend comprises a viscosifier material. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the viscosifier material is an acid soluble polymer which increases viscosity of the composition when in acid pH. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the acid soluble polymer is chitosan, chitosan derivative, polyimide, copolymer of vinyl pyridine, copolymer of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the particulate blend comprises an acid precursor. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the acid precursor is encapsulated. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particulate blend further includes a third amount of particulates having a third average particulate size that is smaller than the second average particulate size. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.8. 
     
     
         13 . A method of servicing a well on a well site, comprising:
 preparing an oilfield composition comprising a slurry of a carrier fluid and a particulate blend made of proppant; the particulate blend comprising at least a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 5000 μm and at least a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size; such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.74; and   delivering the oilfield composition to the well.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the particulate blend volume is sufficient to substantially avoid settling of the particulate in the carrier fluid. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the concentration by volume of proppant in the composition is between 74% and 95%. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the concentration by volume of proppant in the composition is between 75% and 80%. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said serving the well is selected from the list consisting of: hydraulic fracturing, drilling, gravel packing, sand control and other completion or workover types of treatments. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the particulate blend comprises a viscosifier material able to reduce settling of the particulate in the carrier fluid. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the viscosifier material is an acid soluble polymer which increases viscosity of the composition when in acid pH. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the acid soluble polymer is chitosan, chitosan derivative, polyimide, copolymer of vinyl pyridine, copolymer of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the particulate blend comprises an acid precursor. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the acid precursor is encapsulated. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the particulate blend volume is sufficient to substantially avoid settling of the particulate in the carrier fluid. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the particulate blend further includes a third amount of particulates having a third average particulate size that is smaller than the second average particulate size. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said serving the well is hydraulic fracturing. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said serving the well is gravel packing. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said serving the well is drilling. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said serving the well is performing a frac and pack treatment.