OIL & GAS INDUSTRY
Enjoy The Benefits of In-Basin Frac Sand Proppant
IMPROVE FLOW RATES AND GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WELL
The demand for high-quality frac sand has risen sharply in recent years as hydraulic fracture mining has spread to shale oil deposits in the United States and Canada. Initially, frac sand was mined in Wisconsin and Texas, but increased demand means expanding operations into Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma. At Pontotoc, we mine two prominent sandstone formations: the St. Petersburg Sandstone and the Oil Creek Sandstone.
What are the characteristics of quality frac sand?
Our value means every shipment of Pontotoc tier 1 sand is ready to go the minute it is delivered. This allows our oil and gas partners to time their supply chains down to the specific day, lowering logistics costs
PONTOTOC FRAC SAND ARRIVES AT THE WELLSITE READY TO GO
Oil and gas companies that participate in fracing depend on the materials they use to extract resources from shale, which is why Pontotoc Sand and Stone processes every batch to make sure it is within specifications and of the highest quality.
The quality of frac sand lies in its shape, its size, and perhaps most importantly, its purity. Frac sand rarely comes out of the ground ready to go. It needs to be cleaned, sorted, and graded before it is ready to be taken to the wellsite. Depending on customer specifications, most frac sand granules are between 0.4 and 0.8 millimeters in size, but they can be as small as 0.1 to 2 millimeters. We ensure quality with our washing and sorting procedure so every grain is ready to do its job the moment it arrives.
Our mines are open pit mines, meaning we get the most out of every sandstone deposit. Once we remove the rock from the layer, it is transported to a washing facility where small particles and organic material are removed. A decanting pad takes all moisture off the grains before they are sifted and sorted into different grades of sand. Any material that is not suitable for fracking is set aside for other purposes. What’s left is uniform grains of high-quality frac sand that is then tested and loaded for delivery by truck, train, or barge.
We take every precaution to protect and benefit the surrounding landscape. Our operations to support oil and gas industries are geared toward recycling the water we use and preserving the surrounding area to mitigate any negative impact on the environment. These efforts have lowered the footprint of our mine areas, conserved water and energy, and preserved natural habitats.