Encapsulated proppants

US9879175B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• Roger D. Aines · Livermore, US
• William L. Bourcier · Livermore, US
• Eric B. Duoss · Danville, US
• Jeffery James Roberts · Livermore, US
• Christopher M. Spadaccini · Oakland, US
• Joshuah K. Stolaroff · Oakland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 20, 2016
• Grant date: Jan 30, 2018
• Expiry date: Jan 20, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B43/267
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A capsule for carrying a proppant for emplaced in a formation containing formation fluid by a hydraulic fracture operation using a fracturing fluid. The capsule includes a capsule body. The capsule body includes a proppant. There is a surface layer on the capsule body that is permeable to the formation fluid or the fracturing fluid or is permeable to both the formation fluid and the fracturing fluid. The proppant material is dry cement that interacts with the formation fluid or the fracturing fluid or both the formation fluid and the fracturing fluid that migrate through the surface layer and is taken up by the dry cement causing the dry cement to harden.