Variable Pressure Weighting Material Particles

Abstract

Variable pressure weighting material particles that include a hollow, elastically deformable particle which itself comprises a wall and an internal fluid at a pressure of 15 psi to about 100 psi. The variable pressure weighting material particles generally include a hollow, elastically deformable particle that compresses during introduction into a subterranean formation and returns to substantially the same shape when removed from the subterranean formation.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A variable pressure weighting material particle comprising a hollow, elastically deformable particle which itself comprises a wall and an internal fluid at a pressure of 15 psi to about 100 psi. 
     
     
         32 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 31  wherein the internal fluid is a compressible fluid. 
     
     
         33 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 31  having a specific gravity in the range of from about 0.1 to about 1.08. 
     
     
         34 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 31  being capable of withstanding a pressure up to about 21,000 psi without crushing. 
     
     
         35 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 31  comprising a material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic, an elastomer, and a metal. 
     
     
         36 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 31  wherein the deformable particle is in the shape of a disk or a tube. 
     
     
         37 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 31  wherein the deformable particle is in the shape of a tube and has a length to diameter ratio of about 1:1 to about 2:1. 
     
     
         38 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 36  where at least one side of the disk includes a dimple. 
     
     
         39 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 31  having an isothermal compressibility factor of about 1.5×10 −3  psi −1  to about 1.5×10 −9  psi −1 . 
     
     
         40 . A variable pressure weighting material particle comprising a hollow, elastically deformable particle that compresses during introduction into a subterranean formation and returns to substantially the same shape when removed from the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         41 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 40  further comprising a compressible fluid inside of the hollow, elastically deformable particle. 
     
     
         42 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 40  having a specific gravity in the range of from about 0.1 to about 1.08. 
     
     
         43 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 40  being capable of withstanding a pressure up to about 21,000 psi without crushing. 
     
     
         44 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 40  comprising a material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic, an elastomer, and a metal. 
     
     
         45 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 40  wherein the deformable particle is in the shape of a disk or a tube. 
     
     
         46 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 40  wherein the deformable particle is in the shape of a tube and has a length to diameter ratio of about 1:1 to about 2:1. 
     
     
         47 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 45  where at least one side of the disk includes a dimple. 
     
     
         48 . The variable pressure weighting material particle of  claim 40  having an isothermal compressibility factor of about 1.5×10 −3  psi −1  to about 1.5×10 −9  psi −1 .