Self-suspending proppants for hydraulic fracturing
AssigneeSelf-Suspending Proppant LLC
InventorsRobert P. Mahoney, David S. Soane, Marie K. Herring, Kevin P. Kincaid
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides modified proppants, and methods for their manufacture. In embodiments, the modified proppant comprises a proppant particle and a hydrogel coating, wherein the hydrogel coating is applied to a surface of the proppant particle and localizes on the surface to produce the modified proppant. In embodiments, formulations are disclosed comprising the modified particles, and methods are disclosed for using the formulations.
Claims28
A method of fracturing a subterranean geological formation comprising introducing into said formation a treatment fluid wherein the fluid comprises an aqueous fracturing fluid and a modified proppant having hydrophilic properties while suspended during transport, the modified proppant being self-suspending in the aqueous fracturing fluid, wherein the suspended modified proppant comprises a proppant particle and a swollen hydrogel coating,
- wherein the hydrogel coating is applied to a surface of the proppant particle and localizes on the surface,
- wherein the hydrogel coating has a thickness between about 10% to about 1000% of the average diameter of the proppant particle when suspended and a thickness between about 0.01% to about 20% of the average diameter of the proppant particle when dry, wherein the dry hydrogel coating contains less than 1% by weight of residual liquid, and
- wherein the hydrogel coating is crosslinked.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.