Particles for use as proppants or in gravel packs, methods for making and using the same

A coated particle comprising:

• an inorganic substrate, wherein the inorganic substrate comprises silica and alumina in a silica to alumina weight ratio of about 2.2 to about 5;
• and wherein the inorganic material has a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3;
• and
• an organic coating disposed upon the substrate.

A coated particle comprising:

• an inorganic substrate;
• and
• an organic coating disposed thereon;
• wherein the coated particle has an apparent density of about 1 to about 2 g/cm3 and a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1.0 g/cm3.

A coated particle comprising:

• a substrate that comprises a naturally occurring organic material;
• and
• an organic coating disposed upon the organic substrate;
• wherein the organic coating comprises an inorganic filler;
• wherein the inorganic filler comprises a first metal oxide and a second metal oxide in a weight ratio effective to impart to the filler a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3 and an apparent density of less than of equal to about 2 g/cm3.

A method of manufacturing a coated particle comprising:

• mixing a thermoplastic polymer, a thermosetting polymer, a thermosetting polymer precursor, or a combination thereof with an inorganic substrate to form a mixture;
• wherein the inorganic substrate comprises silica and alumina in a silica to alumina weight ratio of about 2.2 to about 5;
• and wherein the inorganic substrate has a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3;
• and
• coating the inorganic substrate with the thermoplastic polymer, the thermosetting polymer, the thermosetting polymer precursor, or the combination thereof.

A method of forming a gravel pack comprising:

• suspending particles in a carrier fluid to form a suspension;
• wherein the particles comprise an inorganic substrate that comprises a first metal oxide and a second metal oxide, wherein the first metal oxide and the second metal oxide are present in a weight ratio effective to impart a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3 and an apparent density of less than or equal to about 2 g/cm3 to the particles;
• pumping the suspension into a well bore;
• and
• draining the carrier fluid to form a gravel pack.