Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A proppant medium for fractured wells, said proppant comprising particles of generally spherical shape having a ceramic matrix, said matrix including 15 to 40% by volume of micropores, said spherical particles having an individual particle bulk density of 2 to 3 grams per cubic centimeter, and said proppant medium having a permeability at 10,000 psi at least 400% greater than that of silica sand proppant media of the same particle size distribution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A proppant medium for fractured wells, said proppant comprising particles of generally spherical shape having a ceramic matrix, said matrix including 15 to 40% by volume of micropores, said spherical particles having an individual particle bulk density of 2 to 3 grams per cubic centimeter, and said proppant medium having a permeability at 10,000 psi at least 400% greater than that of silica sand proppant media of the same particle size distribution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
2, A proppant medium as in claim 1, in which the ceramic matrix is sintered bauxite or a sintered mixture of bauxite and a source of silica.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A proppant medium according to claim 1 or 2, which has a loose packed density within 20% of the loose packed density of silica sand of the same shape and particle size distribution.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for making general spherical sintered ceramic proppant particles, which comprises forming into pellets a mixture comprising bauxite, with or without a sintering aid, and, if desired, a high aluminous alumino-silicate clay, and firing said pellets, wherein there is included in said mixture a finely divided material which combusts or volatilizes during said firing so as to produce proppant particles having 15 to 40% by volume of micropores.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for making general spherical sintered ceramic proppant particles, which comprises forming into pellets a mixture comprising bauxite, with or without a sintering aid, and, if desired, a high aluminous alumino-silicate clay, and firing said pellets, wherein there is included in said mixture a finely divided material which combusts or volatilizes during said firing so as to produce proppant particles having 15 to 40% by volume of micropores.