Patent ID: 8162048

Claim:
A method for controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprising: determining one or more available sources of an aqueous base fluid for the fracturing fluid; testing one or more samples of each source to determine its physical and chemical characteristics; comparing physical and chemical characteristic data of each source to predetermined physical and chemical characteristic data for an optimal fracturing fluid to identify suitability of the source for a fracturing operation; selecting the source of aqueous base fluid that compares favorably to the optimal fracturing fluid for delivery to the fracturing operation; transporting the aqueous base fluid to one or more fracturing fluid tanks; testing one or more samples of the aqueous base fluid in-line during delivery to the fracturing fluid tanks and comparing the physical and chemical characteristic data to the predetermined physical and chemical characteristic data for the optimal fracturing fluid; continuously introducing in a controlled manner one or more additives, in the event of a failed comparison, into the aqueous base fluid until it achieves the predetermined physical and chemical characteristics; blending the additives into the aqueous base fluid until they are homogeneously dispersed; transporting the aqueous base fluid blend from the fracturing fluid tanks to the well site; utilizing the aqueous base fluid blend to formulate the fracturing fluid at the well site; and pumping an optimal volume of the fracturing fluid at high flow rates to the well bore for fracturing surrounding subterranean formations, wherein the optimal volume of the fracturing fluid further comprising an optimal concentration of homogeneously dispersed additives.