Hydraulic fracturing proppants
US8991494B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2008 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K2208/28
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method is given for treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation by hydraulic fracturing, slickwater fracturing, gravel packing, and the like, by using plate-like materials as some or all of the proppant or gravel. The plate-like materials are particularly useful in complex fracture systems, for example in shales. They may be used as from about 20 to about 100% of the proppant. Relative to conventional proppants, plate-like proppants demonstrate (a) enhanced crush resistance of the proppant due to better stress distribution among proppant particles, (b) diminished proppant embedment into formation fracture faces due to the greater contact surface area of proppant particles with the formation, (c) better proppant transport due to lower proppant settling rates, (d) deeper penetration into branched and fine fracture networks, and (e) enhanced proppant flowback control. Preferred plate-like proppants are layered rocks and minerals; most preferred is mica.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.