Abstract: A proppant for enhancing the recovery of petroleum from rock formations comprises pellets of sulphur and a binding and strengthening additive, preferably comprising cement. A process for manufacturing the proppant comprises first melting sulphur to form a liquid and forming a mixture of the liquid sulphur with cement powder. The mixture is then cooled and pelletized to form pellets of a sulphur and cement composite. The pellets are then dried and sorted by size.