MXPA06010065A - Methods of preparingand using coated particulates - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention involves methods of preparing coated particulates and using such coated particulates in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and sand control. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of preparing coated particulates comprising the steps of coating particulates with a resin or a tackifying agent to create pre-coated particulates;and, covering the pre-coated particulates with a partitioning agent to create coated particulates. Another embodimentof the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing coated particulates made by a method comprising the steps of substantially coating particulates with a resin or a tackifying agent to create pre-coated particulates;and, substantially covering the pre-coated particulates with a partitioning agent to create coated particulates;substantially slurrying the coated particulates in a servicing fluid to create a coated particulate slurry;and, placing the coated particulate slurry into the subterranean formation.

Description

METHODS FOR PREPARING AND USING COATED PARTICLES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention involves methods for preparing coated particles and using such coated particles in underground applications, such as improved production and sand control. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for preparing particles coated with mordants or resins that do not need to be immediately used once they are prepared.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Underground operations often use particles coated with mordants or resins. An example of a production stimulation operation using coated particles is hydraulic fracturing, where a formation is treated to increase its permeability by hydraulically fracturing the formation to create or improve one or more cracks or "fractures". In many cases, a hydraulic fracturing treatment involves pumping a viscous fluid, free of supporting agent (known as a pad fluid) in a faster underground formation, that the fluid can escape in the formation so that the pressure in the formation rises and breaks the formation, creating an artificial fracture or lengthening a natural fracture. A support agent is then generally added to the fluid to form a suspension that is pumped into the fracture to prevent the fracture from closing when the pumped pressure is released. A portion of the support agent can be coated with a mordant agent, inter alia, to control the migration of fines in the carrier agent pack. A portion of the support agent can also be coated with curable resin so that, once cured, the placed support agent forms a consolidated mass and prevents the support agent from flowing again during the production of the well. An example of a well termination operation using a treatment fluid containing coated particles is a gravel filter. Gravel filter treatments are used, among other things, to reduce migration of unconsolidated particle formation in well drilling. In gravel filter operations, particles known in the art, such as gravel, are taken to a well bore by a hydrocarbon or water carrier fluid. That is, the particles are suspended in a carrier fluid, which can be viscosified, and the carrier fluid is pumped into a well borehole in which the gravel filter is placed. The carrier fluid is filtered in the underground zone and / or returned to the surface while the particles are left in the area. The resulting gravel filter acts as a filter to separate sand from the formation of produced fluids, while allowing the fluids produced to flow in the wellbore. A portion of the gravel can be coated with resin or mordant agent, among other things, to help control the migration of formation fines. Typically, gravel filter operations involve placing a sieve in the gravel filter in the well bore and packing the surrounding crown between the screen and the well bore with the gravel designed to prevent the passage of formation sands through the pack. . The gravel filter screen is generally a type of filter assembly used to support and retain the gravel placed during the gravel filter operation. A wide range of sizes and sieve configurations is available to adjust the characteristics of a particular well bore, production fluid and underground formation sands. When the gravel filter is installed, the gravel is brought to the formation in the form of a suspension, mixing the gravel with a viscosified carrier fluid. Once the gravel is placed in the wellbore, the viscosity of the carrier fluid is reduced, and it is returned to the surface. Such gravel filters can be used to stabilize the formation while causing minimal deterioration to well productivity. The gravel, among other things, acts to prevent the formation sands from occluding the sieve or migration with the produced fluids, and the sieve, among other things, acts to prevent the gravel from fully entering the well drilling. In some situations, the hydraulic fracturing and gravel filter processes are combined into a single treatment to provide stimulated production and an annular gravel filter to reduce the production of formation sands. Such treatments are often referred to as "frac filter" operations. In some cases, the treatments are completed with a gravel filter screen assembled in place, and the hydraulic fracturing treatment is pumped through the annular space between the liner and the screen, in such a situation, the hydraulic fracturing treatment usually it ends in a sieve condition that creates an annular gravel filter between the screen and the coating. This allows both the hydraulic fracturing treatment and the gravel filter to be placed in a single operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention involves methods for preparing coated particles and using such coated particles in underground applications, such as improved production and sand control. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for preparing particles coated with mordant or resin that do not need to be used immediately once they are prepared. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing coated particles, comprising the steps of coating particles with a resin or a mordant agent creating precoated particles; and, covering the pre-coated particles with a separating agent to create coated particles. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for treating an underground formation comprising the steps of providing coated particles made by a method comprising the steps of substantially coating particles with a resin or a biting agent to create pre-coated particles; and, substantially covering the pre-coated particles with a separation agent to create coated particles; substantially subjecting the coated particles to suspension in a service fluid to create a coated particle suspension; and placing the coated particle suspension in the underground formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for supporting a fracture in an underground formation comprising the steps of providing coated particles made by a method comprising the steps of: substantially coating particles with a resin or a biting agent to create particles pre-coated; and, substantially covering the pre-coated particles with a separation agent to create coated particles; substantially suspending the coated particles in a fracturing fluid, to create a coated particle suspension; and placing the coated particle suspension in at least one fracture in the underground formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a gravel filter method comprising the steps of providing coated particles, made by a method comprising the steps of substantially coating particles with a resin or a biting agent, to create pre-coated particles; and, substantially covering the pre-coated particles with a separation agent to create coated particles; substantially suspending the coated particles in a gravel filter fluid to create a suspension of coated particles; introducing the suspension of coated particles into a well bore, such that the coated particles form a gravel filter substantially adjacent to the well bore. The features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after reading the description of preferred embodiments that follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention involves methods for preparing coated particles and using such coated particles in underground applications such as improved production and sand control. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for preparing particles coated with mordant or resin that do not need to be used immediately once prepared. By coating a separation agent on particles that have been coated with a mordant agent or curable resin, the methods of the present invention are capable of temporarily lowering the "adhesiveness" of the treated particles, thus preventing or minimizing the agglomeration of the particles and the spreading of the mordant agent or curable resin on the surfaces of the equipment.

Some embodiments of the present invention describe methods for treating coated particles that can be created and then stored and / or shipped before use without excessive agglomeration. Particles coated with mordants and / or resins have a tendency to agglomerate and form masses of bound particles instead of retaining their individual character. In the methods of the present invention, the particles are coated with a mordant and / or resin and then the particles are covered with a separating agent to help the particles retain their tack or curable character. In some embodiments of the present invention, the coated particles can be created a few hours or a few weeks before use. Suitable particles for use in the present invention, may be comprised of any material suitable for use in underground operations, including graded sand, bauxite, ceramic materials, glass materials, pellets or metal balls, walnut shells, polymer pellets and similar. The particle size generally may vary from about 2 to about 400, in US Series of Sieves, however, it is also understood that in certain circumstances, other sizes may be desired and will be completely suitable for the practice of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, the particle is graded sand having a particle size in the mesh range of about 10 to about 70, of the US Sieve Series. It is within the ability of one skilled in the art, with the benefit of this description, to select a suitable composition and particle size. Resins suitable for use in the present invention, include, but are not limited to, a two-component epoxy-based resin, furan-based resins, phenolic-based resins, epoxy-based resins at high temperature (AT) and phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resins. The selection of a suitable resin coating material can be affected by the temperature of the underground formation at which the fluid will be introduced. By way of example, for subsurface formations that have a bottomhole static temperature ("BHST") ranging from approximately 15.60 ° C (60 ° F) to approximately 121.10 ° C (250 ° F), resins may be preferred. based on two-component epoxy comprising a hardenable resin component and a curing agent component containing specific curing agents. For underground formations having a BHST ranging from about 148.90 ° C (300 ° F) to about 315.60 (600 ° F), a furan-based resin may be preferred. For underground formations that have a BHST that varies from approximately 93.30 ° C (200 ° F) to approximately 2044.40 ° C (400 ° F), either a phenolic-based resin or a one-component epoxy-based resin may be suitable. to TE. For underground formations having a BHST of at least about 79.40 (175 ° F), a phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin may also be suitable. A resin coating material suitable for use in the support agent compositions of the present invention is a two-component epoxy-based resin, comprising a hardenable resin component and a hardening agent component. The hardenable resin component is comprised of a hardenable resin and an optional solvent. The second component is the liquid hardening agent component, which is comprised of a hardening agent, a silane coupling agent, a surfactant, an optional hydrolysable ester for, among other things, breaking gelled fracturing fluid films over the particles of the support agent, and an optional liquid carrier fluid for, among other things, reducing the viscosity of the liquid curing agent component. It is within the ability of a person skilled in the art with the benefit of its description, to determine whether and how much liquid carrier fluid is needed to achieve a viscosity adequate to the underground conditions. Examples of hardenable resins that can be used in the liquid hardenable resin component include, but are not limited to, organic resins such as bisphenol A epichlorohydrin resin, polyepoxide resins, novolak resin, polyester resin, phenol-aldehyde resin, urea-aldehyde resin, furan resin, urethane resin, glycidyl and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention, the chosen resin is included in the liquid hardenable resin component in the range of about 70% to about 100% by weight of the liquid hardenable resin component. Any solvent that is compatible with the hardenable resin and achieves the desired viscosity effect is suitable for use in the present invention. Preferred solvents are those that have high instantaneous points (more preferably about 51.70 ° C (125 ° F) .Examples of curing agents that can be used in the liquid curing agent component of the two component consolidation fluids of the present invention. invention include, but are not limited to, amines, aromatic amines, polyamines, aliphatic amines, cycloaliphatic amines, amides, polyamides, 2-ethyl-4-methyl imidazole and 1,3-trichlorotrifluoroacetone. Preferred hardening depends, in part, on the temperature of the formation in which the hardening agent will be used, by way of example and not limitation, in underground formations having a temperature of about 15.60 ° C (60 ° F) to approximately 121.10 (250 ° F), amines and cycloaliphatic amines such as piperidine, triethylamine, N, N-dimethylamino iridine, benzyldi ethylamine, tris (dimethylaminoethyl) phenol and 2- (N2N-di-ethylaminomethyl) phenyl are preferred, with N, N-dimethylaminopyridine being more preferred. In subterranean formations having higher temperatures, the 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone may be a suitable curing agent. The hardening agent used is included in the liquid hardening agent component in an amount sufficient to consolidate the coated particles. In some embodiments of the present invention, the hardening agent used is included in the liquid hardenable resin component in the range of about 40% to about 60% by weight of the liquid hardening agent component.

Examples of silane coupling agents that can be used in the liquid curing agent component of the two-component consolidating fluids of the present invention, include, but are not limited to, N-2- (aminoethyl) -3- aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and n-beta- (aminoethyl) -gamma-aminopropyl trimethylsilane. The silane coupling agent used is included in the liquid curing agent component in an amount capable of sufficiently bonding the resin to the particle. In some embodiments of the present invention, the silane coupling agent used is included in the liquid hardenable resin component in the range of about 0.1% to about 3% by weight of the liquid curing agent component. Any surfactant compatible with the liquid hardening agent can be used in the present invention. Such surfactants include, but are not limited to, an ethoxylated nonyl phenol phosphate ester, mixtures of one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more nonionic surfactants and an alkyl phosphonate surfactant. Mixtures of one or more cationic and anionic surfactants are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,311,773, published by Todd et al. on November 6, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference. A Ci2-C22 alkyl phosphonate surfactant is preferred. The surfactant or surfactants used are included in the liquid hardening agent component in an amount in the range of about 2% to about 15% by weight of the liquid hardening agent component. Where the resin coating material of the present invention is a furan-based resin, suitable furan-based resins include, but are not limited to, furfuryl alcohol, a mixture of furfuryl alcohol with an aldehyde, and a mixture of furan resin and phenolic resin. The furan-based resin can be combined with a solvent to control the viscosity, if desired. Solvents suitable for use in the furan-based consolidation fluids of the present invention, include, but are not limited to, 2-butoxy ethanol, butyl acetate and furfuryl acetate. Where the resin coating material of the present invention is a phenolic-based resin, suitable phenolic-based resins include, but are not limited to, phenol terpolymers, phenolic formaldehyde resins and a mixture of phenolic and furan resins. Of these, a mixture of phenolic resins and furan are preferred. The phenolic-furan resin can be combined with a solvent to control the viscosity, if desired.

Solvents suitable for use in the phenolic-based consolidation fluids of the present invention, include, but are not limited to, butyl acetate, butyl lactate, furfuryl acetate and 2-butoxy ethanol. - Where the resin coating material of the present invention is a resin based on epoxy to TE, suitable components based on epoxy to TE, include, but are not limited to, bisphenol A epichlorohydrin resin, polyepoxide resin , novalac resin, polyester resin, glycidyl ethers and mixture thereof. Epoxy-based resins to TE can be combined with a solvent to control the viscosity, if desired. Suitable solvents for use with epoxy-based TE-based resins of the present invention are those solvents capable of substantially dissolving the epoxy resin to TE selected for use in the consolidation fluid. Such solvents include, but are not limited to, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl formamide. A cosolvent such as dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, dimethyl formamide, diethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol butyl ether, propylene carbonate, d 'limonene and methyl esters may also be used. of fatty acid in combination with the solvent. Still another resin suitable for use in the methods of the present invention, is a phenol / formaldehyde phenol / furfuryl alcohol resin comprising from about 5% to about 30% phenol, from about 40% to about 70% phenol formaldehyde, from about 10 to about 40% furfuryl alcohol, from about 0.1% to about 3% of a silane coupling agent and from about 1% to about 15% of a surfactant. In the phenol / formaldehyde phenol / furfuryl alcohol resins suitable for use in the methods of the present invention, suitable silane coupling agents include, but are not limited to, n-2- (aminoethyl) -3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, -glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and n-beta- (aminoethyl) -gamma-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane. Surfactants include, but are not limited to, an ethoxylated nonyl phenol phosphate ester, mixtures of one or more cationic surfactants and one or more nonionic surfactants and an alkyl phosphonate surfactant. Compositions suitable for use as mordant agents in the present invention comprise any compound which, when in liquid form or in a solvent solution, will form a non-hardened coating on a particle. A particularly preferred group of etching agents comprises polyamides which are liquid or in solution at the temperature of the underground formation, such that they are themselves not hardened when introduced into the underground formation. A particularly preferred product is a condensation reaction product comprised of commercially available polyacids and a polyamide. Such commercial products include compounds such as mixtures of C36 dibasic acids which contain some higher trimers and oligomers, and also small amounts of monomer acids which are reacted with polyamides. Other polyacids include trimeric acids, synthetic acids produced from fatty acids, maleic anhydride, acrylic acid, and the like. Such acid compounds are commercially available from companies such as Witco Corporation, Union Camp, Chemtall and Emery Industries. The reaction products are available from, for example, Champion Technologies, Inc. and Witco Corporation. Additional compounds which can be used as mordant compounds include liquids and solutions of, for example, polyesters, polycarbonates and polycarbamates, natural resins such as shellac and the like. Other suitable etching agents are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,853,048 issued by Weaver, et al and U.S. Patent No. 5,833.00 issued by Weaver, et al., Relevant descriptions which are incorporated herein by reference. Suitable for use in the present invention can be either used in such a way that they form uncured coatings or can be combined with a multifunctional material capable of reacting with the mordant compound to form a hardened coating. in this document, it means that the reaction of the mordant compound with the multifunctional material will result in a substantially flowable reaction product having a higher compressive force in a consolidated agglomerate than the mordant compound alone with the particles. Mordant agent can work similarly to a hardened resin Suitable multifunctional materials for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, aldehydes such as formaldehyde, dialdehydes such as glutaraldehyde, hemiacetals or aldehyde releasing compounds, diacid halides, dihalides such as dichlorides and dibromides, polyacid anhydrides such such as citric acid, epoxides, furfuraldehyde, glutaraldehyde or • condensates of aldehyde and the like, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention, the multifunctional material can be mixed with the mordant compound in an amount of about 0.01 to about 50 weight percent of the mordant compound to effect the formation of the reaction product. In some preferable embodiments, the compound is present in an amount of about 0.5 to about 1 weight percent of the mordant compound. Suitable multifunctional materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,839,510 published by Weaver, et al. , the relevant description which is incorporated herein by reference. Separation agents suitable for use in the present invention are those substances that will dissipate once the particles are introduced into a service fluid, such as a gravel or fracture filter fluid. However, separation agents suitable for use in the present invention should not interfere with the mordant agent or resin pre-coated in the particle when used, and should not interfere with the service fluid. In preferred embodiments, the separation agent is coated in the pre-coated mordant agent or particular pre-coated resin, in an amount of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the particle. In preferred embodiments, substantially the entire surface of the mordant agent or resin coating is pre-coated with a separating agent. Separating agents suitable for use in the present invention are those materials which are capable of being coated on the resin or mordant agent by pre-coating the particle and reducing the tack character. Suitable separation agents can be substances that will dissipate the stickiness in the presence of the service fluid. Examples of suitable separation agents that will dissolve the tack in an aqueous service fluid include salts (such as rock salt, fine salt, KCl, and other solid salts known in the art), barium sulfate, benzoic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof. Examples of separation agents to be dissolved in an oil-based service fluid include, wax, gonsonite, sulfonated asphalt, naphthalenesulfonate, oil-soluble resins including, but not limited to, styrene-isoprene copolymers, block copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene, styrene / propylene ethylene block copolymers, styrene-isobutylene copolymers, styrene-butanediene copolymers, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-propylene copolymers and combinations of two or more thereof. The separation agent can also be a substance that dissipates more slowly in the presence of the service fluid. Separating agents that dissolve more slowly allow the operator more time to place the coated particles. Examples of suitable release agents that will dissolve more slowly in an aqueous service fluid include calcium oxide, degradable polymers, such as polysaccharides; chitins, chitosan; proteins; aliphatic polyesters; poly (lactides); poly (glycolides); poly (e-caprolactones); poly (hydroxybutyrates); poly (anhydrides); aliphatic polycarbonates; poly (orthoesters); poly (amino acids); poly (ethylene oxides); and poly (phosphazenes) and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable separation agents that will dissolve more slowly in an oil-based service fluid include wax, gilsonite, sulfonated asphalt, oil-soluble resins and mixtures thereof. The coated particles of the present invention can be suspended in any service fluid known in the art, including aqueous gels, emulsions and viscosified surfactant fluid. Suitable aqueous gels are generally comprised of water and one or more gelling agents. The emulsions can be comprised of two or more immiscible liquids such as an aqueous gelled liquid and a normally gaseous fluid, liquefied, such as nitrogen. Preferred service fluids for use in accordance with this invention are aqueous gels comprised of water, a gelling agent for gelling the water and increasing its viscosity, and optionally, a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the gel and further increasing the viscosity of the fluid. The increased viscosity of the gelled or gelled and cross-linked service fluid, inter alia, reduces fluid loss and allows the fracturing fluid to carry significant amounts of suspended particles. The service fluids may also include one or more of a variety of well-known additives such as breakers, stabilizers, fluid loss control additives, clay stabilizers, bactericides and the like. Some embodiments of the methods of the present invention provide methods for creating coated particles, comprising the steps of particles pre-coated with a resin or a biting agent to create pre-coated particles and then covering the pre-coated particles with an agent of separation to create coated particles. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for treating an underground formation, comprising the steps of providing coated particles made by a method comprising the steps of substantially coating particles with a resin or a mordant to create precoated particles.; and, substantially covering the pre-coated particles with a separation agent to create coated particles; substantially subjecting the coated particles to suspension in a service fluid to create a coated particle suspension; and, place the coated particle suspension in the underground formation. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for supporting a fractured underground formation comprising the steps of providing coated particles created by coating particles with a resin or a biting agent to create pre-coated particles, and then covering the pre-coated particles. with a separating agent for creating coated particles and then substantially suspending the coated particles in a fracturing fluid to create a coated particle suspension, and placing the coated particle suspension in at least one fracture in an underground formation. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for installing a gravel filter in a well bore, comprising the steps of providing pre-coated particles created by coating particles with a resin or a mordant to create pre-coated particles and then coating the pre-coated particles with a separation agent to create coated particles and then substantially suspending the precoated particles in a gravel filter fluid to create a coated particle suspension, and introducing the coated particle suspension to the well drilling in such a way that the coated particles form a gravel filter substantially adjacent to a well bore. The coating of the release agent on the pre-coated support agent is minimized in order to temporarily reduce its tackiness, for the purpose of forming clusters or aggregates of particles of the support agent. Large clusters or aggregates of the support agent tend to settle rapidly and potentially cause premature formation of vaults or exit of the screen during the gravel filter. In addition, large clusters or aggregates of supporting agent can also cause erosion of the filter paste that has been placed to control the filtration of the fluid during gravel placement for operation of the gravel filter. To facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, the following examples of some of the preferred embodiments are given. In no way should the following examples be read to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 A sample of bauxite particles was pre-coated with an epoxy resin at high temperature and another sample was coated with a furan resin; Each sample contains 7.8 ce of resin per 250 grams of particle. The sodium bicarbonate powder (20 grams) was then coated on each of the resin-coated samples to form coated particles. The particle samples were stored at room temperature for three days. After this time, the samples, still substantially non-agglomerated, were mixed in fracking fluid of the aqueous medium and formed a suspension concentration of 3.1752 kilograms (7 pounds) of particles per liter (gallon) of fracturing fluid. The coating of sodium bicarbonate dissolved as the particles was mixed in the fracturing fluid. The coated particles of the present invention demonstrate ability to retain their individual character even after being stored for a period of time. The suspension was then cross-linked, stirred for one hour at 82.20 ° C (180 ° F), and then packed in a brass chamber and cured for at least 8 hours at 162.80 ° C (325 ° F). The core samples obtained from the cured particles reflected consolidation intensity of between 850 and 1100 psi. Thus, the cover used to create the coated particles does not act by deteriorating the consolidation. Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and achieve the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as what is inherent in this document. While numerous changes can be made by those skilled in the art, such changes are encompassed within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (67)

NOVEDJ &D OF THE INVENTION Having described the present is considered as a novelty, and therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A method for preparing coated particles, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: substantially coating particles with a resin or a mordant agent to create pre-coated particles; and substantially covering the pre-coated particles with a separating agent to create coated particles.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the resin comprises a two-component epoxy-based resin, a furan-based resin, a phenolic-based resin, an epoxy-based resin at elevated temperature (TE) ), a phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the two-component epoxy-based resin comprises a hardenable resin component and a hardening agent component. .

The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the two-component epoxy-based resin comprises a hydrolysable ester, a silane coupling agent, a surfactant, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the furan-based resin comprises furfuryl alcohol, a mixture of furfuryl alcohol with an aldehyde, or a mixture of furan resin and a phenolic resin.

The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the phenolic-based resin comprises a phenol terpolymer, a phenolic formaldehyde resin or a mixture of phenolic resins and furan.

The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the resin based on epoxy to TE, comprises bisphenol A epichlorohydrin resin, polyepoxide resin, novolac resin, polyester resin, glycidyl ethers, or mixtures thereof .

The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin comprises from about 5% to about 30% phenol, from about 40% to about 70% phenol formaldehyde, from about 10 to about 40% of furfuryl alcohol, from about 0.1% to about 3% of a silane coupling agent, and from about 1% to about 15% of a surfactant.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mordant agent comprises a polyamide, a polyester, a polycarbonate, polycarbamate, a natural resin, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the mordant agent further comprises a multifunctional material.

The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the mulfifunctional material comprises aldehyde; a dialdehyde; a hemiacetal; an aldehyde release compound; a diacid halide; a dihalide; a polyacid anhydride; an epoxide; a furfuraldehyde, glutaraldehyde or aldehyde condensates; or combinations thereof.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the separation agent comprises material that is dissipated in the presence of an aqueous fluid.

The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the separating agent comprises a salt, a barium sulfate, benzoic acid, a polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the separating agent comprises calcium oxide, a degradable polymer, a poly (glycolide); a poly (e-caprolactone); a poly (hydroxybutyrate); a poly (anhydride); an aliphatic polycarbonate; poly (orthoester); a poly (amino acid); a poly (ethylene oxides); and poly (phosphazene); or a combination thereof.

15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the separation agent comprises material that is dissipated in the presence of an oleaginous fluid.

The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the separating agent comprises wax, gilsonite, sulfonated asphalt, naphthalenesulfonate, oil-soluble resins including, styrene-isoprene copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene block copolymers, copolymers in styrene / propylene ethylene block, styrene isobutylene copolymers, styrene-butanediene copolymers, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-propylene copolymers, or combinations thereof.

17. A method for providing a fracture in an underground formation, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing coated particles made by a method comprising the steps of: substantially coating particles with a resin or a mordant agent to create pre-coated particles; and substantially covering the pre-coated particles with a separating agent to create coated particles; substantially subjecting the coated particles to suspension in a fracturing fluid to create a coated particle suspension; and placing the coated particle suspension in at least one fracture in the underground formation.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous gel, a foam, an emulsion, a crosslinked viscous fluid, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the resin comprises a two-component epoxy-based resin, a furan-based resin, a phenolic-based resin, an epoxy-based high-temperature resin (TE) ), a phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the two-component epoxy-based resin comprises a hardenable resin component and a hardening agent component.

The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the two-component epoxy based resin comprises a hydrolysable ester, a silane coupling agent, a surfactant, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the furan-based resin comprises furfuryl alcohol, a mixture of furfuryl alcohol with an aldehyde, or a mixture of furan resin and phenolic resin.

The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the phenolic-based resin comprises a phenol terpolymer, a phenolic formaldehyde resin or a mixture of phenolic resins and furan.

The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the epoxy-based resin to TE, comprises bisphenol A epichlorohydrin resin, polyepoxide resin, novolac resin, polyester resin, glycidyl ethers, or mixtures thereof .

The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin comprises from about 5% to about 30% phenol, from about 40% to about 70% phenol formaldehyde, from about 10 to about 40% of furfuryl alcohol, from about 0.1% to about 3% of a silane coupling agent, and from about 1% to about 15% of a surfactant.

26. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the mordant agent comprises a polyamide, a polyester, a polycarbonate, polycarbamate, a natural resin, or a combination thereof.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the mordant agent further comprises a multifunctional material.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the mulfifunctional material comprises aldehyde; a dialdehyde; a hemiacetal; an aldehyde release compound; a diacid halide; a dihalide; a polyacid anhydride; an epoxide; a furfuraldehyde, glutaraldehyde or aldehyde condensates; or combinations thereof.

29. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the separation agent comprises material that dissipates in the presence of an aqueous fluid.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the separating agent comprises a salt, a barium sulfate, benzoic acid, a polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

31. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the separating agent comprises calcium oxide, a degradable polymer, a poly (glycolide); a poly (e-caprolactone); a poly (hydroxybutyrate); a poly (anhydride); an aliphatic polycarbonate; poly (orthoester); a poly (amino acid); a poly (ethylene oxides); and poly (phosphazene); or a combination thereof.

32. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the separation agent comprises material that is dissipated in the presence of an oleaginous fluid.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that the separating agent comprises wax, gilsonite, sulfonated asphalt, naphthalenesulfonate, oil-soluble resins including, styrene-isoprene copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene block copolymers, copolymers in styrene / propylene ethylene block, styrene isobutylene copolymers, styrene-butanediene copolymers, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-propylene copolymers, or combinations thereof.

34. A gravel filter method characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing coated particles made by a method comprising the steps of: substantially coating particles with a resin or a mordant agent to create pre-coated particles; and substantially covering the pre-coated particles with a separating agent to create coated particles; substantially suspending the coated particles in a gravel filter fluid to create a coated particle suspension; introducing the coated particle suspension into a well bore, such that the coated particle forms a gravel filter, substantially adjacent to the well bore.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the gravel filter fluid comprises an aqueous gel, a foam, an emulsion, a crosslinked viscous fluid, or a combination thereof.

36. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the resin comprises a two-component epoxy-based resin, a furan-based resin, a phenolic-based resin, an epoxy-based resin at elevated temperature (TE). ), a phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin, or a combination thereof.

37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that the two-component epoxy-based resin comprises a hardenable resin component and a curing agent component.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that the two-component epoxy based resin comprises a hydrolysable ester, a silane coupling agent, a surfactant, or a combination thereof.

39. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that the furan-based resin comprises furfuryl alcohol, a mixture of furfuryl alcohol with an aldehyde, or a mixture of furan resin and phenolic resin.

40. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that the phenolic-based resin, comprises a phenol terpolymer, a phenolic formaldehyde resin or a mixture of phenolic resins and furan.

41. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that the resin based on epoxy to TE, comprises epichlorohydrin resin of bisphenol A, polyepoxide resin, novolac resin, polyester resin, glycidyl ethers, or mixtures thereof .

42. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that the phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin, comprises from about 5% to about 30% phenol, from about 40% to about 70% phenol formaldehyde, from about 10 to about 40% of furfuryl alcohol, from about 0.1% to about 3% of a silane coupling agent, and from about 1% to about 15% of a surfactant.

43. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the mordant agent comprises a polyamide, a polyester, a polycarbonate, polycarbamate, a natural resin, or a combination thereof.

44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that the mordant agent further comprises a multifunctional material.

45. The method according to claim 44, characterized in that the mulfifunctional material comprises aldehyde; a dialdehyde; a hemiacetal; an aldehyde release compound; a diacid halide; a dihalide; a polyacid anhydride; an epoxide; a furfuraldehyde, glutaraldehyde or aldehyde condensates; or combinations thereof.

46. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the separation agent comprises material that is dissipated in the presence of an aqueous fluid.

47. The method according to claim 46, characterized in that the separating agent comprises a salt, a barium sulfate, benzoic acid, a polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

48. The method according to claim 46, characterized in that the separating agent comprises calcium oxide, a degradable polymer, a poly (glycolide); a poly (e-caprolactone); a poly (hydroxybutyrate); a poly (anhydride); an aliphatic polycarbonate; poly (orthoester); a poly (amino acid); a poly (ethylene oxides); and poly (phosphazene); or a combination thereof.

49. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the separating agent comprises material that is dissipated in the presence of an oleaginous fluid.

50. The method according to claim 49, characterized in that the separating agent comprises wax, gonsonite, sulfonated asphalt, naphthalenesulfonate, oil-soluble resins including, styrene-isoprene copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene block copolymers, copolymers in styrene / propylene ethylene block, styrene isobutylene copolymers, styrene-butanediene copolymers, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-propylene copolymers, or combinations thereof.

51. A method for treating an underground formation, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing coated particles made by a method comprising the steps of: substantially coating particles with a resin or a biting agent to create pre-coated particles; and substantially covering the pre-coated particles with a separating agent to create coated particles; substantially subjecting the coated particles to suspension in a service fluid to create a coated particle suspension; and placing the coated particle suspension in the underground formation.

52. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that the service fluid comprises an aqueous gel, a foam, an emulsion, a crosslinked viscosified fluid, or a combination thereof.

53. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that the service fluid comprises a two-component epoxy-based resin, a furan-based resin, a phenolic-based resin, an epoxy-based resin at an elevated temperature. (TE), a phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin, or a combination thereof. 5 .

The method according to claim 53, characterized in that the two-component epoxy-based resin comprises a hardenable resin component and a curing agent component.

55. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that the two-component epoxy-based resin comprises a hydrolysable ester, a silane coupling agent, a surfactant, or a combination thereof.

56. The method according to claim 53, characterized in that the furan-based resin comprises furfuryl alcohol, a mixture of furfuryl alcohol with an aldehyde, or a mixture of furan resin and phenolic resin.

57. The method according to claim 53, characterized in that the phenolic-based resin comprises a phenol terpolymer, a phenolic formaldehyde resin or a mixture of phenolic resins and furan.

58. The method according to claim 53, characterized in that the resin based on epoxy to TE, comprises bisphenol A epichlorohydrin resin, polyepoxide resin, novolac resin, polyester resin, glycidyl ethers, or mixtures thereof.

59. The method according to claim 53, characterized in that the phenol / phenol formaldehyde / furfuryl alcohol resin comprises from about 5% to about 30% phenol, from about 40% to about 70% phenol formaldehyde, from about 10 to about 40% of furfuryl alcohol, from about 0.1% to about 3% of a silane coupling agent, and from about 1% to about 15% of a surfactant.

60. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that the mordant agent comprises a polyamide, a polyester, a polycarbonate, polycarbamate, a natural resin, or a combination thereof.

61. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that the mordant agent further comprises a multifunctional material.

62. The method according to claim 61, characterized in that the mulfifunctional material comprises aldehyde; a dialdehyde; a hemiacetal; an aldehyde release compound; a diacid halide; a dihalide; a polyacid anhydride; an epoxide; a furaldehyde fu, glutaraldehyde or aldehyde condensates; or combinations thereof.

63. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that the separation agent comprises material that dissipates in the presence of an aqueous fluid.

64. The method according to claim 63, characterized in that the separating agent comprises a salt, a barium sulfate, benzoic acid, a polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

65. The method according to claim 64, characterized in that the separating agent comprises calcium oxide, a degradable polymer, a poly (glycolide); a poly (e-caprolactone); a poly (hydroxybutyrate); a poly (anhydride); an aliphatic polycarbonate; poly (orthoester); a poly (amino acid); a poly (ethylene oxides); and poly (phosphine); or a combination thereof.

66. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that the separation agent comprises material that dissipates in the presence of an oily fluid.

67. The method according to claim 66, characterized in that the separating agent comprises wax, gilsonite, sulfonated asphalt, naphthalenesulfonate, oil-soluble resins including, styrene-isoprene copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene block copolymers, copolymers in styrene / propylene ethylene block, styrene-isobutylene copolymers, styrene-butanediene copolymers, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-propylene copolymers, or a combination thereof.