Method of stimulating a subterranean formation with non-spherical ceramic proppants
Non-spherical particulates are useful in the stimulation of subterranean formations. A proppant pack composed of the non-spherical particulates exhibits greater porosity than a corresponding proppant pack composed of spherical particulates. In addition, the non-spherical particulates exhibit higher conductivity at higher stresses than spherical shaped particulates.
1. A method of stimulating production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising introducing into the wellbore a proppant of a non-spherical ceramic coated with a resin or a glazing material and forming a proppant pack in the formation, wherein the proppant pack comprises a closed-packed structure of particulates of the proppant and further wherein the particulates of the proppant are in communication with each other.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic is porous.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic is coated with a resin which is permeable or semi-permeable to fluids produced from the wellbore.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic is non-porous.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic is coated with a resin which is permeable or semi-permeable to fluids produced from the wellbore.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic is composed of fired kaolinitic particles.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic is bauxite.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic is a natural ceramic.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the natural ceramic is selected from the group consisting of volcanic rocks, perlite and porous lavas and mixtures thereof.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the natural ceramic is pumice, Hawaiian Basalt, Virginia Diabase, Utah Rhyolite or a mixture thereof.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic is treated with a glazing material.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical ceramic has an apparent specific gravity less than or equal to 2.0.