Method of fracturing with popcorn polymer

Claim 2

A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the polymerizable material comprises a butadiene and styrene mixture.

Claim 3

A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the polymerizable material is placed in the formation by passing said material downwardly through a well and outwardly through the formation.

Claim 4

A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the polymerizable material is passed downwardly through a well and outwardly though the formation to a location spaced from the well bore.

Claim 5

A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of volumes of the polymerizable material are placed in the formation with at least a portion of said volumes being at spaced-apart locations.

Claim 6

A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the subterranean formation is penetrated by a well bore having a fracture extending outwardly through tHe formation from the well bore, the polymerizable material is placed in the formation by passing said material through the well bore and into the fracture, and said material is maintained under polymerization conditions until a popcorn polymer has formed in situ and exerted a force sufficient to increase the width of said fracture.

Claim 7

A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the polymerizable material has popcorn polymer particles mixed therewith, said particles being insoluble in the polymerizable material, characterized by swelling upon exposure to the polymerizable material and comprising a relatively large number of methylene groups.