# US 7,608,566 B2 · Degradable particulates as friction reducers for the flow of solid particulates and associated methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,608,566 B2 - Document ID: US7608566B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/393,597 - Filed: 2006-03-30 - Published: 2007-10-11 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-30 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Rajes K. Saini; Michael J. R. Segura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608566B2 ## CPC - C09K 8/70: characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. foams - C09K 8/03: Specific additives for general use in well-drilling compositions - C09K 8/92: characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. encapsulated material (C09K8/70 takes precedence) - C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract Particulate compositions that comprise macro-particulates, and degradable particulates in an amount sufficient to reduce friction between the macro-particulates, the degradable particulates having a mean particle diameter of at least about 20 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are fluids that comprise a liquid component, and a particulate composition, the particulate composition comprising macro-particulates and degradable particulates having a mean particle diameter of at least about 20 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates, wherein the degradable particulates are present in the particulate composition in an amount sufficient to reduce friction between the macro-particulates. Methods of using the particulate compositions and fluids are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid comprising: a liquid component; and a particulate composition, the particulate composition comprising macro-particulates and degradable particulates having a mean particle diameter of at least about 20 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates, wherein the degradable particulates are present in the particulate composition in an amount sufficient to reduce friction between the macro-particulates. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the liquid component is selected from the group consisting of a viscosified fluid, a foam, an aqueous gel, a viscoelastic surfactant gel, an emulsion; and combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the macro-particulates are selected from the group consisting of sand, bauxite, a ceramic material, a glass material, a polymer material, a thermoplastic fluoropolymer, a nut shell piece, a seed shell piece, a cured resinous particulate comprising nut shell pieces, a cured resinous particulate comprising seed shell pieces, a fruit pit piece, a cured resinous particulate comprising fruit pit pieces, wood, a composite particulate, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates are present in the particulate composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.25% to about 20% by volume of the particulate composition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the macro-particulates have a mean particle diameter in the range of from about 6 mesh to about 400 mesh. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates comprise at least one degradable material selected from the group consisting of a degradable polymer, a dehydrated compound, an oil-soluble material, a water-soluble compound, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates comprise at least one degradable polymer selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharides, a chitin, a chitosan, a protein, an aliphatic polyesters, a poly(lactic acid), a poly(glycolide), a poly(ε-caprolactone), a poly(hydroxy ester ether), a poly(hydroxybutyrate), a poly(anhydride), a polycarbonate, a poly(orthoester), a poly(amino acid), a poly(ethylene oxide), a poly(phosphazene), a poly etherester, a polyester amide, a polyamide, and copolymers and blends thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates comprise poly(lactic acid). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulate comprises a degradable polymer and a plasticizer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates comprise at least one oil-soluble material selected from the group consisting of poly(butadiene), polyisoprene, polyether urethane, polyester urethane, a polyolefin, and copolymers and blends thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates comprise at least one water-soluble material selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, fused magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates have a mean particle diameter of at least about 100 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates have a mean particle diameter of at least about 1,000 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates have a mean particle diameter of at least about 3,000 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates have a mean particle diameter in the range of from about 10 nanometers to about 30 microns. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the degradable particulates are present in the particulate composition in an amount in the range of from about 2% to about 10% by volume of the particulate composition. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The fluid of claim 1 wherein the particulate composition is present in the fluid in an amount in the range of from about 50% to about 68% by volume of the fluid. ### Claim 18 A particulate composition comprising macro-particulates; and degradable particulates in an amount sufficient to reduce friction between the macro-particulates, the degradable particulates having a mean particle diameter of at least about 20 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The particulate composition of claim 18 wherein the degradable particulates are present in the particulate composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.25% to about 20% by volume of the particulate composition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The particulate composition of claim 18 wherein the degradable particulates have a mean particle diameter of at least about 100 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The particulate composition of claim 18 wherein the degradable particulates have a mean particle diameter of at least about 1,000 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The particulate composition of claim 18 wherein the degradable particulates have a mean particle diameter in the range of from about 10 nanometers to about 30 microns. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The particulate composition of claim 18 wherein the degradable particulates comprise at least one degradable material selected from the group consisting of a degradable polymer, a dehydrated compound, an oil-soluble material, a water-soluble compound, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The particulate composition of claim 18 wherein the degradable particulates comprise poly(lactic acid).