Method of testing particulates used in fracturing fluids

Abstract

Methods comprising: placing particulates in a test column; adding a fluid medium comprising a salt solution to the test column; placing the column under test conditions, wherein the test conditions comprise target temperature and target pressure; maintaining test conditions for a target test duration; and, analyzing the particulates. Some methods also measure a permeability value of the column after placing particulates in a test column and before placing the column under test conditions; continuously flow the salt solution through the particulates during the test; measure a permeability value after maintaining the test conditions for the target test duration; and, calculate a retained permeability value.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.