New intermediate strength fracture proppants
A frac proppant's job is to hold a fracture open and allow fluids to flow readily toward the well bore. Sand most commonly is used as a frac proppant, but sand is not strong enough to hold a fracture open in many deep wells. In wells where the bottom hole treating pressure during the frac job exceeds the producing well-bore pressure by more than 6000 psi, sand may not have enough strength to hold the fracture open--or sand may be sufficiently crushed that it will not have enough permeability to allow a good production rate of oil or gas. If the closure pressure is as high as 10,000 psi, sand may be crushed so much that it is useless as a frac proppant. In wells where closure stresses range from 6000 to 12,000 psi, proppants are needed that are less expensive than sintered bauxite, but stronger than sand. This is the need that intermediate strength proppants are designed to fill. Their costs range from $.30 to $.65/lb. These costs combined with lower bulk densities make them considerably less expensive on a per cubic foot basis.
- OSTI ID:
- 5877281
- Journal Information:
- Drilling-DCW; (United States), Journal Name: Drilling-DCW; (United States) Vol. 44:9; ISSN DRDCD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Lightweight proppants for deep-gas-well stimulation. Third annual report, July 1, 1981-June 30, 1982
Application of sintered bauxite proppants to stimulation of low permeability south Texas gas reservoirs
Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALUMINIUM ORES
BAUXITE
BULK DENSITY
COMMINUTION
COST
DENSITY
DESIGN
FLUIDS
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
FRACTURING
FRACTURING FLUIDS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ORES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POROSITY
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
PROPPING AGENTS
SAND
STIMULATION
TESTING
WELL COMPLETION
WELL STIMULATION