System and method for utilizing oolitic aragonite as a proppant in hydraulic fracking

Abstract

A system for utilizing oolitic aragonite as a proppant in hydraulic fracking is provided. The system includes a proppant storage tank including a stockpile of the oolitic aragonite. The system further includes a proppant pumping unit operable to pump the oolitic aragonite from the proppant storage tank, through an underground shaft, and into an underground fracture proximate to the underground shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for utilizing oolitic aragonite as a proppant in hydraulic fracking, comprising:
 a proppant storage tank including a stockpile of the oolitic aragonite; and   a proppant pumping unit operable to pump the oolitic aragonite from the proppant storage tank, through an underground shaft, and into an underground fracture proximate to the underground shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a threshold roundness. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the threshold roundness is 0.9 according to Krumbein Shape Factors as tested per API STD-19C. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a threshold sphericity. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the threshold sphericity is 0.8 according to Krumbein Shape Factors as tested per API STD-19C. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a threshold porosity. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a particle size of 30 mesh to 50 mesh. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a particle size of 40 mesh to 70 mesh. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a particle size of 100 mesh or smaller. 
     
     
         10 . A method for utilizing oolitic aragonite as a proppant in hydraulic fracking, comprising:
 within an underground horizontal shaft of an underground mining operation:
 providing a flow of high-pressure water configured creating fractures in walls of the underground horizontal shaft; and 
 providing with the flow of the high-pressure water the proppant including the oolitic aragonite, wherein the proppant is provided into the fractures. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 ceasing the flow of the high-pressure water; and   harvesting petroleum products from the underground horizontal shaft.   
     
     
         12 . A method for utilizing oolitic aragonite as a proppant in hydraulic fracking, comprising:
 identifying, within an underground mining operation, a fracture attaching a first underground chamber and a second underground chamber;   maneuvering a nozzle operable to deposit the oolitic aragonite within or proximate to the fracture; and   pumping a proppant deposit including the oolitic aragonite within the fracture.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a threshold roundness. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a threshold sphericity. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a threshold porosity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a particle size of 30 mesh to 50 mesh. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a particle size of 40 mesh to 70 mesh. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the oolitic aragonite consists of particles with a particle size of 100 and smaller mesh.