AL
Texas Inc.
Ultra-Low Density Self-Propping Fracturing Technology (SSP)
The Self-Propping Proppant (SSP) is the solid-phase counterpart of our phase-change fracturing system. It is a low-density, high-strength spherical proppant polymerised from organic functional monomers, designed to overcome the well-known shortcomings of quartz sand and conventional ceramic proppants — high density, fast settling, severe equipment wear, fines generation under crushing, and high-viscosity-fluid pumping requirements.
Because SSP is significantly lower in density than quartz sand or ceramics, it disperses uniformly through the fracture network, suspends easily in low-viscosity slick water and high-salinity water, and delivers far longer effective transport distance — placing meaningful support deep into the mid- and far-fracture sections that conventional proppants struggle to reach.
Material Performance
Lower density, better placement
Both bulk density and apparent density are well below those of quartz sand and ceramic proppant, which translates into uniform fracture distribution and improved overall fracturing-fluid performance.
Lower crush rate, longer-lasting conductivity
Average crush rate is significantly lower than ceramic proppant, which reduces accumulation of crushed fines after migration and helps maintain stable conductivity over a longer effective production period.
Elastic-plastic behaviour
Unlike brittle quartz sand and ceramics, the cured SSP exhibits elastic-plastic characteristics that resist complete fragmentation under load.
Lipophilic and hydrophobic surface
Engineered surface chemistry gives the proppant a lipophilic, hydrophobic profile that lifts oil-test conductivity above water-test conductivity — a built-in water control and oil enhancement effect.
Wide particle size range
Available in a broad spectrum of mesh sizes, from fine to large-particle products, allowing optimisation for shallow wells, deep wells, and different fracture geometries.
Compatibility with CO₂ Fracturing
The SSP system maintains stable flow performance when combined with liquid CO₂, while SSP particles remain structurally stable in both liquid and supercritical CO₂ environments.
Key Features
Integrated structural designCO₂ fracturing compatibility
Stable particle structure
No swelling or dissolution
Suitable for waterless fracturing applications
Application Strategy
Tiered Full-Area Fracture Support Design
SSP is designed to work together with self-supporting liquid-phase systems and conventional quartz sand within a multi-zone fracture-support strategy.
Application Strategy
Far-Zone Support
Self-supporting liquid phase delivers deep fracture-network coverage.
Mid-Zone Support
SSP solid particles create long-distance conductive flow channels.
Near-Well Support
Quartz sand provides cost-effective support in high-stress near-well regions.
This combined design has been validated in field operations on tight oil, low-permeability, and shale reservoirs, including refracturing of old wells. It enables full fracture support, including microfractures — substantially expanding effective fracture-controlled reserves while keeping construction practical and economical.
Key Application Scenarios
Shale oil/gas, tight oil/gas, and coalbed methane
Refracturing of old wells
Deep and ultra-deep reservoirs
Environmentally constrained operations — reduced water consumption and produced-water reuse