# US 2004/0069490 A1 · Low density proppant

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- Number: US 2004/0069490 A1
- Document ID: US20040069490A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 10/268,169
- Filed: 2002-10-10
- Published: 2004-04-15
- Earliest claimed: 2002-10-10
- Assignees: Carbo Ceramics Inc.
- Inventors: Chad D. Cannan; Thomas C. Palamara
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040069490A1

## CPC

- C09K 8/80: Compositions for reinforcing fractures, e.g. compositions of proppants used to keep the fractures open
- Y10S 507/924: with specified propping feature
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pellets have less than about 30% crush at 4000 psi.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the pellets have less than about 10% crush at 4000 psi.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pellets have less than about 25% crush at 7000 psi.

### Claim 5

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.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The pellets of claim 5, wherein the pellets have less than about 30% crush at 4000 psi.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The pellets of claim 6, wherein the pellets have less than about 10% crush at 4000 psi.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The pellets of claim 5, wherein the pellets have less than about 25% crush at 7000 psi.

### Claim 9

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.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the naturally occurring ore is kaolin clay.