Lightweight micro-proppant
US11230660B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K2208/10
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Lightweight micro-proppant suitable to prop open not only near-wellbore microfractures but also far-field microfractures. Some methods of fracturing and propping may comprise first introducing a pad fluid comprising a lightweight micro-proppant into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or extend a fracture network in the subterranean formation, wherein the fracture network comprises microfractures. The lightweight micro-proppant comprises a thermoset nanocomposite having a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.4 and having an average diameter of about 0.1 microns to about 50 microns. Then introducing a proppant slurry comprising a macro-proppant into the wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation after introducing the pad fluid forming a proppant pack in the fracture network wherein at least some of the lightweight micro-proppant is located in the microfractures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.