FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
0 508 817 Al 10/1992 European Pat. Off. .
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
J.L. Stromberg, D. Brown, and R.J. Curtice, Halliburton Services, "Modeling the Effects of Time, Temperature, and Shear on the Hydration of Natural Guar Gels," SPE Society of Petroleum Engineers SPE 21857 (Apr. 1991), pp. 533-543.
T.E. Allen, Halliburton Energy Services, "Pregel Blender
Prototype Designed to Reduce Cost and Environmental
Problems," SPE Society of Petroleum Engineers SPE 27708
(Mar. 1994), pp. 715-720.
Primary Examiner—Philip Tucker
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Douglas Y'Barbo
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for fracturing subterranean formations using fracturing fluids that are hydrated from dry mix blends. One aspect of the invention comprises a dry blended particulate composition for hydraulic fracturing comprising a particulate hydratable polysaccharide, a particulate crosslinking agent, and a slowly releasing particulate base. The compositions employ controlled release methods of particle dissolution. The invention reveals a dry blended particulate composition capable of significantly improved high temperature stability. Further, methods of fracturing and apparatus for rapidly hydrating and pumping the fracturing fluid into subterranean formations are disclosed.
57 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
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