# US 11,994,015 B2 · Compositions and methods for use of proppant surface chemistry to improve proppant consolidation and flowback control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,015 B2 - Document ID: US11994015B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/480,517 - Filed: 2021-09-21 - Published: 2022-01-06 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2013-04-26 - Assignees: Carbo Ceramics Inc. - Applicants: Carbo Ceramics Inc. - Inventors: Chad Cannan; Thu Lieng; Daryl Johnson; Mark Conner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994015B2 ## CPC - E21B 43/267: reinforcing fractures by propping - C09K 8/805: {Coated proppants} - E21B 43/04: Gravelling of wells - E21B 43/082: {Screens comprising porous materials, e.g. prepacked screens} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract Methods for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation to improve the production rates and ultimate recovery by contacting unconsolidated resin-coated proppant particulates residing in a propped fracture with a reactive crosslinker in order to form a consolidated proppant pack are described. Additionally, methods for use in water injection wells to consolidate the resin-coated proppant particulates in a gravel packed or frac packed region of a wellbore are also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation, the method comprising: providing, into a wellbore, a suspension comprising (i) a fracturing fluid, (ii) an emulsion of a water dispersible liquid epoxy resin, and (iii) a plurality of resin-coated proppant particulates each comprising a proppant particulate having a resin coating on its outer surface, the resin coating having active amine sites; mixing the fracturing fluid, the emulsion of the water dispersible liquid epoxy resin, and the plurality of resin-coated proppant particulates by flowing the fracturing fluid, the emulsion of the water dispersible liquid epoxy resin, and the plurality of resin-coated proppant particulates through the wellbore to provide a mixture; introducing the mixture into a fracture located in the subterranean formation; and consolidating at least a portion of the plurality of resin-coated proppant particulates in the fracture by reacting, via a consolidation reaction, the water dispersible liquid epoxy resin with the active amine sites of the resin coating of adjacent resin-coated proppant particulates in the mixture, wherein the consolidating of the portion of the resin-coated proppant particulates takes place at a temperature of 100° F. to 130° F. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the proppant particulates are selected from the group consisting of a lightweight ceramic proppant, an intermediate strength ceramic proppant, a high strength ceramic proppant, a natural frac sand, a porous ceramic proppant, glass beads, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the resin coating comprises an amine-cured novolac resin coating. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the amine-cured novolac resin comprises a hexamine-cured novolac resin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fracturing fluid has a viscosity of about 0.01 cP to about 10,000 cP at a temperature of 25° C. ### Claim 6 A method of consolidating a plurality of resin-coated particulates in an annular region of a wellbore, the method comprising: providing, into a wellbore, a suspension comprising (i) a fracturing fluid, (ii) an emulsion of a water dispersible liquid epoxy resin, and (iii) a plurality of resin-coated particulates each comprising a proppant particulate having a resin coating having an active amine site on its outer surface; mixing the suspension by flowing the suspension through the wellbore to form a mixture; introducing the mixture into the annular region of the wellbore to form a gravel pack; and consolidating at least a portion of the plurality of resin-coated particulates by reacting in the annular region, via a consolidation reaction, the water dispersible liquid epoxy resin with the active amine site of the resin coating of adjacent resin-coated proppant particulates in the mixture; wherein the consolidating of the portion of the plurality of the resin-coated particulates takes place at a temperature of 100° F. to 130° F. and closure stress of less than 50 psi. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the gravel pack is placed in a water injection well. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the resin coating comprises an amine-cured novolac resin coating. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the amine-cured novolac resin comprises a hexamine-cured novolac resin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the gravel pack fluid has a viscosity of about 0.01 cP to about 10,000 cP at a temperature of 25° C. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein at least 95% of the surface area of the outer surface of each of the proppant particulates of the plurality of resin-coated particulates is coated with the resin coating. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the mixture has a resin-coated particulate concentration of about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of resin-coated particulates comprises about 1 wt % to about 8 wt % amine-cured novolac resin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the water dispersible liquid epoxy resin comprises 2,2-bis[p-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)phenyl]propane polymer.