Patent ID: 8661729

Claim:
A method of formation fracturing, the method comprising: selecting an oil field region having a formation to be fractured; providing a bore into the formation; providing a pump connected to pump a carrier, comprising a liquid, into the formation through the bore; providing the carrier comprising a liquid, driven by the pump to be pressurized into the formation; providing an additive formed as granules, each comprising a substrate having bonded thereto particles of a polymer, selected to be hydrophilic and secured to the substrate; introducing the additive directly into the carrier; pumping the carrier toward the formation; carrying, by the liquid dragging against the substrate, the substrate into the carrier to flow substantially immediately therewith; weighting, by the substrate, the polymer to flow into and with the carrier independently from absorption of the liquid into the polymer; absorbing by the polymer a portion of the liquid; providing, by the polymer, lubricity to the carrier with respect to the formation; creating fractures by pressurizing the carrier in the formation; flowing, by the carrier and particles, throughout the fractures in the formation; lodging, by the particles, within the fractures; and propping open the fractures by the substrate lodging in the fractures.