Inventors:
Joseph Buford PARSE - Stow MA, US
Bruce Donald Jette - Burke VA, US
International Classification:
E21B 43/267, C04B 35/64, C09K 8/70, B05D 7/00, C01B 33/20, B29B 9/06, H05B 6/00
US Classification:
1662801, 264141, 264634, 264454, 427212, 428402, 507273
Abstract:
Proppant used to keep open a fissure in a reservoir created by hydraulic or other action is disclosed. The proppant demonstrates a reduced specific gravity controlled by the geometry of the structure of the proppant. Proppant must be capable of withstanding the hydrostatic environment of the hydraulic pumping system, pass through a perforation in the casing of the well, travel into the fissure, and, upon reduction of hydrostatic pressure, withstand the closure pressure of the formation. A proppant having neutral buoyancy or substantial neutral buoyancy yet capable of withstanding the hydraulic and closure pressures is described that has a tubular structure hollow in the center with a wall of material sufficiently strong to withstand the majority of closure pressures.