Patent ID: 7712525

Claim:
A laboratory test method for determining the curing time for a curable resin-coated proppant (CRCP) sample under conditions simulating those encountered in the field during the hydraulic fracturing of subterranean reservoir formations to improve the flow of hydrocarbons; the method comprising: a. placing a quantity of the CRCP sample in a pressurize vessel at ambient conditions; b. placing velocity transducers in contact with opposing sides of the CRCP sample contained in the pressure vessel; c. sealing the pressure vessel and applying an external hydrostatic force of predetermined value to the CRCP sample; d. increasing the temperature of the CRCP sample in the pressurized vessel in accordance with a predetermined time-dependent function to thereby effect the gradual curing of the resin on the sample; e. activating the velocity transducers at predetermined time intervals to transmit waves of a predetermined frequency as the temperature of the CRCP sample increases; f. measuring the acoustic velocity of the waves passing through the CRCP sample when the transducers are activated; g. recording the temperature in the pressure vessel at which the maximum wave velocity is attained, said temperature corresponding to the temperature at which the resin coating on the proppant is cured; and h. correlating and recording the value of the temperature as determined in step (g) with the time required to reach said temperature from a temperature recovery shut-in data source.