Hydraulic fracturing is used in the oil and gas industry

Hydraulic fracturing is used in the oil and gas industry to increase the flow of oil and/or gas from a well. The producing formation is fractured open using hydraulic pressure and then proppants (propping agents) are pumped into the oil well with fracturing fluid to hold the fissures open so that the natural gas or crude oil can flow up the well. The hydraulic fracturing proppant size, shape, and mechanical strength influences the integrity of the newly created fractures, and therefore the flow of oil and gas out of the well.

Ceramic proppants can be one of the key components in the state of oil and gas well fracturing

Ceramic proppants can be one of the key components in the state of the art process of oil and gas well fracturing.The introduction of proppants to the process of hydraulic fracturing has brought about increased hydrocarbon production rates and recovery.Proppants prevent fracture closure by keeping the hydraulically created fractures propped open with a high conductivity medium, and allow for an increased fracture flow capacity. Technical and chemical characteristics of proppants dramatically influence their efficiency in hydraulic fracturing. Having the correct location specific proppant can make a significant difference on a well’s production rate and life, and profitability, and for this reason it is imperative to utilize the appropriate product or products. Maide is a trusted ceramic proppant supplier. View details on our top materials below, download a technical data sheet or request a quote.

The term "fracturing sand" refers to sand and similar small materials

The term "fracturing sand" refers to sand and similar small materials that are used during the process of hydraulic fracturing,a method for extracting underground natural gas from shale gas formations.Fracking sand is a “proppant” -- a material used to “prop” open the underground cracks from which natural gas is harvested during hydraulic fracturing. Proppants are are blasted under pressure into a shale gas well, along with large quantities of water and industrial fluids, to stimulate gas production.Typical proppants include actual sand crystals (such as from quartz/silica or sandstone), sand that has been industrially coated with resin (called resin-enhanced sand), ceramic crystals, or other suitable materials. Tiny ceramic or metallic beads are also used.

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique used in gas and oil wells

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique used in gas and oil wells to increase the permeability of zones to enhance production. It is a standard practice used today as wells get older and permeability decreases or new wells are being drilled in less permeable formations. The process includes creating a fracture, or fissure, in low permeable zones, filling the fracture with proppants which pack and hold the fractures open all yielding an enhanced permeable pathway to the wellbore for the oil or gas.As new proppants develop, resin coated proppant continue to evolve and become more specialized to specific wells and the geological conditions downhole. The resin technology is also being engineered to meet the needs of deeper wells which translate to higher pressures and temperature environmental conditions that the proppant must be able to withstand.

Resin coated proppant was developed in 1976

Resin coated proppant was developed in 1976. Curable resin-coated proppant remains the industry standard to prevent flowback. Curable resin-coated proppant can be included with the fracturing fluid at 100% or as tail-in in the range of 15% to 30% of the total proppant amount.Curable resin-coated proppant in the presence of pressure, temperature, and moisture is pressed together. The resin that is coated onto the proppant begins to cure and bond, forming a proppant pack. Neither sand nor ceramic proppant alone can prevent proppant flowback because these elements cannot bond (Table 1).After shut-in, the pumping company flows back the hydraulic fracturing fluid. Because the individual curable resin-coated proppant particles have bonded to each other, these particles are unable to flow back into the well-bore. The pumping company working on behalf of the operator has prevented proppant flowback and the damaging effects of that condition.

Low density proppant is the most widely used ceramic proppant

Low density proppant is the most widely used ceramic proppant due to the ultra light weight and minimal compactness. Low density proppant is suitable for low to medium pressure formations up to 10,000psi. In comparison to resin coated sand the low density proppant is 50% higher in strength, has more thermal stability as well as 30% better flow rates or conductivity.Ideal for slick water fracturing operations and horizontal extraction this low density proppant is chemically inert, meaning it will not react with fracturing fluid. To reduce wear on pumping equipment and cost associated with fluid carrying equipment, low viscosity fracturing fluid can be used. Minimum premature settling is required to attain further efficiency in regard to the proppant settlement placement.

The major benefits provided by hydraulic fracturing exist due to the ability to fill the fractures with "proppant".

The major benefits provided by hydraulic fracturing exist due to the ability to fill the fractures with "proppant". Proppants are composed of solid granular materials that are injected along with fracturing fluid and enter the open fracture during propagation. Following the creation of a hydraulic fracture the fracturing fluid dissipates into the formation or is pumped back out through the well casing. The solids are left behind and serve to permanently "prop" the fracture open. Quartz sand has traditionally been used as proppant during enhanced flow applications, however, just about any fine- to medium-grained granular material can be used. (i.e. oxidative chemicals, reductive chemicals, nutrients).

hydraulic fracturing was first performed in 1947

Although hydraulic fracturing was first performed in 1947 (in Kansas, using sand from the Arkansas river), wide-spread experimentation didn’t occur until the Barnett Shale play in the 80s, and usage has exploded in the first decade of this century.
Initially, proppant was simply sand, but over time other materials have been incorporated. There are resin coated frac sand, ceramic-coated sands, and now we have proppant composed of sintered (powdered) bauxite – tiny manufactured rocks!