Lightweight high strength particles and methods of their use in wells

Abstract

Light weight high strength particles and methods of treating subterranean producing zones utilizing the particles are provided. The light weight high strength particles of the invention are basically comprised of sintered mixtures of a base material and hollow microspheres.

1 . Light weight high strength particles useful in completing and stimulating wells comprising sintered mixtures of a base material and hollow microspheres.  
   
   
       2 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said particles have specific gravities in the range of from about 0.7 to about 2.2.  
   
   
       3 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said base material is selected from the group consisting of clay, bauxite, alumina, silica and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said base material is a mixture of bauxite and clay.  
   
   
       5 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said base material is a mixture of alumina and clay.  
   
   
       6 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said base material is a mixture of alumina and silica.  
   
   
       7 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said sintered base material has a crush strength in the range of from about 1000 psi to about 10,000 psi.  
   
   
       8 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said hollow microspheres are formed of glass.  
   
   
       9 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said hollow microspheres are formed of a ceramic material.  
   
   
       10 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said hollow microspheres have a crush strength in the range of from about 1000 psi to about 10,000 psi.  
   
   
       11 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said particles are of a size in the range of from about 100 microns to about 2000 microns.  
   
   
       12 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said hollow microspheres are of a size in the range of from about 5 microns to about 65 microns.  
   
   
       13 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said particles further comprise a binder.  
   
   
       14 . The particles of  claim 13  wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylacetate, methylcellulose and polymethylmethacrylate.  
   
   
       15 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said base material is present in said particles in an amount in the range of from about 50% to about 90% by weight of said particles.  
   
   
       16 . The particles of  claim 1  wherein said hollow microspheres are present in said particles in an amount in the range of from about 10% to about 50% by weight of said particles.