Polymer resins for the production of lightweight self-generating proppants

The article considers the possibility of using self-generating lightweight proppants in the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The relevance of this topic is due to the lack of low-density proppants on the market, which are necessary to retain fracture openings in remote areas. Proppant generation under reservoir conditions will improve the fracturing process and provide better fracture openings compared to the basic technology.
Aim. Investigation of different polymer reagents as feedstock for the formation of self-generating proppants.
Materials and methods. To evaluate the applicability of the proposed hypothesis, a polymer base, melamine carbamid resin, and an aqueous solution of oxalic acid as a hardener were used. Self-generation of proppant was carried out on a specialized stand under conditions when there is no agglomeration of polymer granules. Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of the obtained granules was carried out in accordance with standard methods. The proppant pack conductivity methodology was used to evaluate propping capacity.
Results. As a result of laboratory investigations, it was revealed that the polymeric proppant formed in the process of generation has poor resistance to hydrochloric acid and does not meet the criteria for geometrical shapes. The cracks filled with the cure-generated proppant have low conductivity at pressures greater than 4000 PSI. It was also found that granules obtained in the process of generation have insufficient strength characteristics (90 % of granules are destroyed at a pressure of 5000 PSI).
Conclusion. High cost and insufficient performance characteristics of the obtained self-generating proppant granules make them unprofitable as propping agents. One should keep in mind the potential possibility of using this technology in the case of selecting an alternative polymer composition that allows to qualitatively increase the strength characteristics of the resulting propping agents.

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