FIELD: chemistry.
SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a propping agent and use thereof in hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction. The ultralight propping agent is prepared from a mixture of raw materials comprising porcelain clay, pottery clay and kaolin and/or siliceous clay, in the following content, wt %: porcelain clay 5-85, kaolin and/or siliceous clay5-85, pottery clay 5-30. The ultralight propping agent with apparent specific gravity of 2.10 g/cm3 to 2.55 g/cm3 and volume density of 1.30 g/cm3 to 1.50 g/cm3 is prepared from a mixture of natural clays comprising porcelain clay, pottery clay and at least kaolin or siliceous clay, where alumina content is 5.5-35%. In the method of preparing said filler, high strength of the propping agent is achieved by controlling firing time in the range of 75-90 minutes and firing temperature of 1150°C to 1380°C. Sintered spherical granules prepared from a mixture of raw materials comprising porcelain clay, pottery clay and at least kaolin or siliceous clay, having a substantially circular or spherical shape, are characterised by a Krumbein coefficient of at least 0.8 with alumina content of 5.5-35%. The hydraulic fracturing method includes pumping into an underground formation a hydraulic fluid with flow rate and pressure sufficient for opening a fracture in the formation, and the fluid containing said filler is pumped into the fracture.
EFFECT: high strength of the propping agent and conductivity thereof.
29 cl, 13 tbl, 5 ex
