(under subclass 244.1) A process comprising some claimed specific feature relating to placing discrete particles in a fracture in a formation to maintain the walls of the fracture spaced apart by resisting forces tending to close the fracture.
(1) Note. For classification as an original under this definition the specific feature must be more than merely identifying the propping material as sand, or the equivalent, or merely the use of a specific fluid containing the propping material or merely the introduction of the propping material in one of a series of fracturing fluids.
(2) Note. Placing in a fracture a slurry of cement which sets and remains in place as an adhered mass and which cement may contain hard particles dispersed therein is not considered to come within this definition. For a process involving cementing see subclasses 281, 283 and 285+. This definition does include, however, a process in which discrete propping particles are adhered together after being placed and a process in which propping particles are incorporated in a carrier fluid, which may be cement (such as a gel), and the carrier fluid is changed in nature, or removed, or is of such a nature that the discrete particles themselves resist closing of the fracture rather than a mass of cement in which the particles are embedded resisting closing of the fracture.
(3) Note. A process in which discrete particles are placed in a fracture so that the particles are crowded together or compacted to plug the fracture to impede the flow of fluid is not considered to come within this definition. See the subclasses relating to cementing or plugging, especially subclasses 292+ for such a process.
(4) Note. Discrete particles in a fracture which are described merely as forming a filter will be assured also to act as props and be classifiable under this definition.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 281, 283 and 308, for a process involving fracturing a formation, which may include propping the formation by steps not specific enough to come within this definition.
285+, for a process of cementing, plugging or consolidating in which the cement or plug is located in a fracture and resists forces tending to close the fracture.
