Low density proppant
AssigneeCarbo Ceramics Inc.
InventorsChad D. Cannan, Thomas C. Palamara
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low density, spherical proppant made from kaolin clay having an alumina content distributed homogeneously throughout the pellets, an apparent specific gravity of from about 1.60 to about 2.10 g/cc, and a bulk density of from about 0.95 to about 1.30 g/cc. The low density is achieved by controlling the time and temperature of the firing process to be from about 1200 to about 1350° C. This low density proppant is useful in hydraulic fracturing of shallow oil and gas wells.
Claims10
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which comprises injecting a hydraulic fluid into the formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to open a fracture therein, injecting into the fracture a fluid containing sintered, spherical pellets having an alumina content distributed homogeneously throughout the pellets, an apparent specific gravity of from about 1.60 to about 2.10 g/cc, and a bulk density of from about 0.95 to about 1.30 g/cc.
Sintered, spherical pellets comprising an alumina content distributed homogeneously throughout the pellets, an apparent specific gravity of from about 1.60 to about 2.10 g/cc, and a bulk density of from about 0.95 to about 1.30 g/cc.
A method of making sintered, spherical pellets having an alumina content distributed homogeneously throughout the pellets and an apparent specific gravity of from about 1.60 to about 2.10 g/cc and a bulk density of from about 0.95 to about 1.30 g/cc comprising the steps of:
- (a) pelletizing a naturally occurring ore;
- and,
- (c) sintering the pellets at temperatures of from about 1200 to about 1350° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.