Euclid develops combination of materials for expandable proppants
Composite manufacturer Terves' expandable proppant technology, which allows hydraulic fractures to remain open by swelling and applying force to the fracture network, is close to commercialisation. The XO Prop product has been added to the Terves Exalon rigid expandable product range, and uses semi-permeable expandable rigid polymer beads in a soon-to-be-patented formula. The proppant expands over one to two days, and comes in a rod or sphere shape between 20 and 100 mesh in size.
Over the years, proppant technology has evolved from sands to engineered, high-strength proppants, cured and partially cured resin-coated proppants to prevent fines, lightweight and deformable proppants, and coated walnut shells for improved transportation and reduced embedment.

The latest in the line-up could be expandable proppants, which are nearing commercialisation from a technology developer in the US.

“We’re working to understand the in-situ application of force in the fracture network to control and manage development of that network,” says Andy Sherman, president and chief executive of Euclid, Ohio-based Terves.