Paper Title
Experimental Proppant Suspension using Guar Gum Powder Solution and an Economical Proppant Material

Abstract
Guar gum, which is obtained from the highly viscous grains of the guar plant, has unique properties that make it easy to handle and utilize. Guar gum solution is used as a carrier of the proppant (a solid material particles used to keep a fracture open) inside the fractures when performing a stimulation job at the pay zone in an oil well. Guar gum solution is also used as a medium for evenly distributing the proppant inside the fractures. In this paper, the guar gum properties that make it a good proppant carrier resulting in a good fracturing job are shown. Results of laboratory experiments of proppants suspension using guar gum powder solution and an economical bauxite proppant, commonly used in place of lightweight and intermediate ceramics due to its optimum combination of low cost and high crush resistance,are reported. Optimum suspension of proppant in guar gum leads to a successful fracturing job with proppant holding a fracture open. Keywords - Proppant, Guar Gum, Stimulation, Hydraulic Fracturing, Drilling