Well treating methods and devices using particulate blends

A method of producing a formation fluid from a subterranean formation, said subterranean formation having a portion of a wellbore extending thereinto, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a treating composition in said portion of said wellbore, wherein:
• said treating composition comprises a carrier fluid and a particulate blend;
• said particulate blend consists essentially of a large particulate material and a small particulate material;
• said large particulate material consists essentially of particles smaller than about 4 mesh but not smaller than about 40 mesh;
• said small particulate material consists essentially of particles smaller than about 16 mesh but not smaller than about 100 mesh;
• substantially all of the particles of said small particulate material are smaller than substantially all of the particles of said large particulate material;
• said small particulate material is present in said particulate blend in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 60% by weight based on the amount of said large particulate material present in said particulate blend;
• said particulate blend has been formed by admixing one of said particulate materials with the other of said particulate materials;
• and said treating composition is placed in said portion of said wellbore in step (a) such that said particulate blend is packed in said wellbore to provide a fluid permeable barrier which is operable for preventing the migration of formation particles and
• (b) producing said formation fluid through the packed particulate bed formed in step (a) without further modifying the packed particulate bed.