Evaluation of ultra-light-weight proppants for shale fracturing

Gaurav, Abhishek; Dao, Eric; Mohanty, Kishore K.

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2012.06.010

Cited by 79 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This triaxial stress test is based on a procedure established by Wang et al [8] in which injection of LN2 under triaxial stress of x: y: z = 1000: 1500: 2000 psi over two treatments produced the longest fracture length in shale samples. The three selected ULWPs have low density, allowing transport by low-viscosity fluids while maintaining the crush strength needed to increase fracture length (see Table 1); crush strength data were obtained from previous studies that tested the ability of the selected ULWPs to withstand pressure independent of combination with fluid [11,12]. The lower the percentage of proppant crushed, the better its ability to withstand the applied pressure.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Application of Ultra-Lightweight Proppants to Cryogenic Liquid Nitrogen as a Fracturing Fluid: A Research Protocol

2018

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Introduction: Hydraulic fracturing has rapidly gained popularity in the last decade, emerging as the leading method of natural gas extraction in the United States. The practice remains controversial, however, due to the release of greenhouse gases from burning shale gas as well as the contamination of freshwater used in fracturing fluids. Although waterless fracturing fluids have been developed, including nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oil, and alcohol, their application has been limited due to either reduced fracturing power or safety, as well as environmental concerns. Recent research suggests that cryogenic liquid nitrogen may provide both a safe and environmentally-friendly alternative if a number of additional characteristics of its fracturing capabilities can be improved. Addition of ultra-lightweight proppants is a potential method of increasing the fracturing power of less viscous fluids. This research protocol aims to investigate the effect of ultra-lightweight proppant addition on the fracturing capabilities of liquid nitrogen. Methods: Three ultra-lightweight proppants will be combined at differing concentrations with liquid nitrogen and applied to samples of shale rock under triaxial stress. A control trial will also apply liquid nitrogen without the addition of any proppant. Fracturing power, measured on the basis of fracture length, will be assessed following each trial. Results:The results of these triaxial stress tests will provide measures of fracturing power for each proppant type and concentration combination. Discussion: Analysis of these results will reveal whether the addition of ultra-lightweight proppants increases the fracturing capabilities of liquid nitrogen as well as identify the proppant type and concentration combination that affords liquid nitrogen the greatest fracturing power. Conclusion: The effect of ultra-lightweight proppant addition on the fracturing capabilities of liquid nitrogen has yet to be explored. Implementation of this protocol will open more avenues of research into sustainable and efficient fracturing using liquid nitrogen. Note:The authors of this article were invited by the URNCST Journal to publish this conference proceeding as a result of presenting a winning abstract at the Scinapse 2017-2018 Undergraduate Science Case Competition. A complete collection of abstracts presented at this conference was published by the URNCST Journal in March 2018 and can be found here: https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.47.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Application of Ultra-Lightweight Proppants to Cryogenic Liquid Nitrogen as a Fracturing Fluid: A Research Protocol

2018

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“…The light ceramic proppants characterized by a spherical shape are classified as a natural or synthetic propping agent with a chemical neutrality and a bulk density value below 2 g/cm 3 having a fundamental impact on a hydraulic fracturing process [1][2][3][4]. With decreasing density of proppant -approximate to density of a fracturing fluid, pumping proppants into the borehole proceeds easier [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing the Lightweight Ceramic Proppants Properties

et al. 2016

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The paper presents results of sintering proppants parameters and its influence on light ceramic proppants obtained by the mechanical granulation method. The proppants were prepared basing on a ceramic composition consisting of three raw materials such as kaolin, clay and bauxite mixed with poly(vinyl alcohol) binder with a molecular weight 26000 g/mol and hydrolysis degree of 88%, added in amount of 5 wt% with respect to the powder. Sintering temperature range oscillated between 1200 and 1225• C, kiln rotations were 1-2 rpm. Sintered proppants were characterized in compliance with PN-EN ISO 13503-2 norm and bulk density, sphericity coefficient, turbidity, solubility in acids and scanning electron microscopy observations have been estimated. The results demonstrated that sintering temperature and kiln rotation have an essential effect of the proppants parameters.

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“…A disadvantage however was higher specific gravity which created problems during their transport through the liquid into the wellbore. Further exploration consisted of coating by resins using the above mentioned proppants (sand and ceramic) [8,13]. Through this process the strength and sphericity were improved [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through this process the strength and sphericity were improved [8]. Attempts have also been made using proppant nutshells [8,13] and metallic particles [8]. In both cases, problems resulted from using the specific gravity size (too small or too large).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of the Basic Properties of Ceramic Proppants in Raw State Obtained by the Method of Mechanical Granulation

et al. 2016

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The investigation of fabricated ceramic materials, which can be used as proppants, is presented. Proppants are ceramic materials applied in hydraulic fracturing during extraction of shale gas. Solid slurry pumped with liquid into the deposit causes destruction of the rock structure. The role of proppants is to avoid closing of formed pores and as result enable gas migration from the deposit. Due to processing requirements and conditions in formations (high pressure and temperature), proppants should be characterized by proper physico-mechanical properties. The aim of this work was to elaborate the preparation method of ceramic materials, which can be used as proppants. In this paper results of properties studies of obtained proppants are presented. The influence of raw materials composition, especially the type of applied binder, was examined. Two types of green proppants obtained by the method of mechanical granulation without binder and with poly(vinyl alcohol) in amount of 5 wt% with respect to the powder were used. The properties: bulk density, roundness and sphericity coefficient, grain size and also structure and morphology of proppants was determined by the method of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results indicate that composition of raw materials and type of binder have an important influence on the properties of obtained proppants in green state.

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Evaluation of ultra-light-weight proppants for shale fracturing

Cited by 79 publications

References 14 publications

The Application of Ultra-Lightweight Proppants to Cryogenic Liquid Nitrogen as a Fracturing Fluid: A Research Protocol

The Application of Ultra-Lightweight Proppants to Cryogenic Liquid Nitrogen as a Fracturing Fluid: A Research Protocol

Optimizing the Lightweight Ceramic Proppants Properties

Investigation of the Basic Properties of Ceramic Proppants in Raw State Obtained by the Method of Mechanical Granulation

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