# US 5,699,860 A · Fracture propping agents and methods

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,699,860 A
- Document ID: US5699860A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/603,837
- Filed: 1996-02-22
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-02-22
- Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Inventors: Steven R. Grundmann
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699860A

## CPC

- C09K 8/80: Compositions for reinforcing fractures, e.g. compositions of proppants used to keep the fractures open
- E21B 43/267: reinforcing fractures by propping
- Y10S 507/924: with specified propping feature
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

Improved fracture propping agents and methods of using such agents are provided. The propping agents are basically comprised of a plurality of small pieces which are suspendable in a fracturing fluid and have adequate compressive strength to prevent the closure of a fracture into which they are carried. The propping agent pieces have passageways formed therethrough containing a dissolvable substance whereby when the substance is dissolved, the permeability of the propping agent to the flow of formation fluids is increased.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An improved method of propping a fracture in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:
introducing a propping agent into said fracture consisting of a plurality of small pieces having sizes and densities such that they can be suspended in a fracturing fluid and carried into a fracture thereby, having adequate compressive strength to prevent the closure of said fracture and having passageways formed therethrough containing a dissolvable substance including a gel breaker dissolvable by said fracturing fluid whereby when said substance is dissolved, the permeability of said propping agent to the flow of formation fluids is increased; and
allowing said substance to be dissolved.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said pieces are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics and ceramics.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said propping agent is tubular in shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said propping agent is formed of an extrudable plastic material.