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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Lightweight proppants for deep-gas-well stimulation. Second annual report, July 1, 1980-June 30, 1981

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5300307

Existing high strength proppants (i.e. bauxite and zircon) have desirable strength characteristics for propping deep hydraulic fractures, but also have high specific gravities and high cost when compared to sand. A low specific gravity proppant would reduce costs and improve fracture control. Theoretical stress and strength analyses suggest that porous and hollow ceramics offer an alternative to dense proppants. Fracture conductivity as a function of closure pressure was experimentally determined for several materials. Good correlation of experimental results with theory was observed for solid and porous proppants. Fabrication methods for the production of inexpensive lightweight proppants are discussed. Spray drying into a fluidized bed appears to be a viable method for producing both porous and hollow proppants. Characterization of spray dried alumina proppants is discussed. Materials which may be effective lightweight proppants and areas of emphasis for future research are also discussed.

Research Organization:
Terra Tek, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC19-79BC10038
OSTI ID:
5300307
Report Number(s):
DOE/BC/10038-22; ON: DE82008930
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English