A Review on Polymer-Nanofiller Composites in Developing Coated Sand Proppants for Hydraulic Fracturing

ABSTRACT: Hydraulic fracturing is a process that enhances the production of hydrocarbon using fracking fluids in the presence of proppant (sand or man-made), causing the unconventional oil and gas wells to fracture. This, in turn, allows the trapped hydrocarbons to flow through and be recovered. However, the hydrocarbons are situated at high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) environment, which could damage the proppant. As an alternative, coating the proppant with HTHP resistant materials has proven to enhance the properties of the proppant, leading to higher production of hydrocarbons. It is important to note that understanding the material's chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties before coating the proppant is the most important step. Hence, this comprehensive review addresses (1) currently available proppants and their properties, (2) the chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites with 2D- nanofillers and epoxy nanocomposites with potential for frac sand applications and (3) highlight the interaction between the sand and the nanocomposites.