FlexSand Additive

The FlexSand additive controls proppant flowback and reduces the effect
of stress on the proppant grains, while at the same time maintaining
fracture conductivity. It can be applied to oil and gas wells with closure
stress from 500 to 7,000 psi and bottom hole temperatures up to 250o F
(121oC).

Current Approaches to the Problem Crush Resistance of 20/40 Ottawa Sand

with FlexSand Additive
50
Resin-coated proppants
Ceramic proppants 40
Flowback prevention additives

Percent Fines (%)

-fibers 30
-thermoplastic strips
-resin consolidation systems 20
API 14% Pass/Fail

10
BJ's Solution
0
To intermix similarly
5000 6000 7000 8000
sized deformable Closure Stress (psi)
Sand Sand + 15% FlexSand Additive Sand + 25% FlexSand Additve
particles within the
proppant pack
Upon closure, these
Benefits
particles "cushion"
the proppant from damaging Reduced proppant crushing and fines
generation
stresses
Enhanced proppant performance under
Deformation of the particles creates
cyclic stress
indentations in their surface, locking the
Equal or improved fracture conductivity
proppant in place and in doing so increases
Equal or improved proppant permeability
the resistance to proppant flowback
Increased resistance to proppant flowback
Flowback of Ottawa Sand with 15% FlexSand
Additive
350 0.35
300 0.30
Technical Data
Drag Force (dynes)
Flowrate (ml/min)

250 0.25
200 0.20
150 0.15
Bulk Density 1.2 g/cm3
100 0.10 Specific Gravity 2.0 g/cm3
50 0.05 Available in two sizes 8/14 and 14/40 mesh
0 0.00
20/40 Ottawa 20/40 Ottawa + 15%
FlexSand Additive

Flowrate Drag Force

B J S E R V I C E S C O M P A N Y
The above features and/or data are supplied solely for informational purposes and BJ Services Company makes no guarantees or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to their accuracy or use. All product warranties and guarantees
shall be governed by the BJ Services Company standard at the time of sale or delivery of service. Actual product performance or availability depends on the timing and location of the job, the type of job and the particular characteristics of each
job. This document is controlled by the reference date.To insure that this is the current version, please reference the Services section of the BJ Services Website (www.bjservices.com) or ask your BJ representative.
10/99
 Case History I
An operator in Ochiltree County, Texas was
preparing to fracture stimulate the Morrow
formation at +/- 8,000 ft. Because of expected
high production rates, sand flowback was a
concern. An offset operator was unable to
produce at rates above 3 MMCF/day without
experiencing sand flowback problems. BJ
Services proposed using the FlexSand additive
to eliminate the problem of proppant flowback.
The well was fractured stimulated with 21,000
gallons of 65 quality binary foam carrying 24,500
lbs. 16/30 mesh frac sand and 4,500 lbs.
FlexSand (15%). Initial production was 7 MMCF/
day and has now stabilized at 5 MMCF/day
without sand production concerns. Needless to
say, the operator considers the treatment a
success.
The FlexSandTM additive
provides proppant flowback
control while maintaining the
conductivity of the proppant
pack.
Permeability of 20/40 Ottawa Sand
with 15% FlexSand Additive
1000 psi
Closure
250
Permeability (Darcy)
200
150
100
50
0
150
Flow Period: 170 hours with DI Water
Case History II
The Wasatch Formation in Uintah County, Utah
has a tendency to produce moderate amounts of
sand after stimulation. One severe case flowed
back most of the proppant placed with two
separate frac jobs, a total of approximately
30,000 lbs.
BJ Services fracture stimulated an offset well
with 60,000 lbs. sand comprised of 15%
FlexSand additive throughout the entire
B J
The above features and/or data are supplied solely for informational purposes and BJ Services Company makes no guarantees or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to their accuracy or use. All product warranties and guarantees
shall be governed by the BJ Services Company standard at the time of sale or delivery of service. Actual product performance or availability depends on the timing and lcoation of the job, the type of job and the particular characteristics of each job.
This document is controlled by the reference date.To insure that this is the current version, please reference the Services section of the BJ Services Website (www.bjservices.com) or ask your BJ representative.
10/99
treatment. The customer estimated the total post
frac sand production at 150 lbs. There was no
other sand production from this well in the first
30 days on production.
Gas production has been a pleasant surprise as
well. The well tested 1300 - 1500 MCF/day at 380
psi after the frac and has been put on production at
550 MCF/day. This well has maximized the capacity
of the compressor in the field and the operator is in
the process of changing over to a bigger
compressor. A typical Wasatch producer in this area
would sustain about 400 MCF/day.
Crush Resistance of 20/40 Ottawa Sand
with the FlexSand Additive at 7000 psi Closure
Stress
30
25
Percent Fines (%)
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 15 25
Weight of the FlexSand Additive (%)
Case History III
The Selma Chalk formation in Jefferson Davis
County, Mississippi, has a tendency to produce sand
2000 psi
Closure
2000 psi
Closure
2000 psi
Closure
2000 psi
Closure after a propped fracture treatment. In the past, the
operator has worked with the competition to provide
a solution for proppant flowback problems. The
product used at the time was successful in
preventing sand production, however during the
flowback of the fracturing fluids, the flowback
product would occasionally plug up the choke and
150 200 235 250 the surface equipment. The customer also thought
Temperature ( F) when the fracture width was narrow the flowback
product used was trapping fines during production
thus reducing the conductivity of the fracture. This
would ultimately result in a decline in gas production
with time.
BJ Services presented the advantages and benefits
of using the FlexSand additive to prevent proppant
flowback. A proposal was prepared incorporating
5,000 lbs. (15%) of the FlexSand additive to be
added to the final proppant stage of the treatment.
After the treatment by BJ Services, no proppant has
been produced back and the customer considers the
FlexSand additive to be a solution to his problems.
S E R V I C E S C O M P A N Y