Smart proppant platform technology

Abstract

A delivery vehicle is used in a smart proppant platform technology. The delivery vehicle includes a porous substrate and an active agent that interacts with at least one constituent in an operating environment of a target location in which the delivery vehicle is deployed. The active agent changes physical or chemical characteristics of the constituent to facilitate a beneficial effect. A non-polymeric encapsulating coating is maintained until the delivery vehicle reaches the target location, wherein the operating environment of the target location causes the encapsulating coating to dissolve and release the active agent into the operating environment of the target location to facilitate the beneficial effect. In one disclosed example, the proppant is designed to maintain the opening of a hydraulically induced fracture in a subterranean formation, while also allowing for the controlled delivery of active agents. It may be used to enhance the recovery of oils and gases.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.