The Best Sand for Fracing

Grain Size and Shape: Ensuring Optimal Fluid Flow

Selecting the best sand for fracing involves understanding and meeting specific standards to ensure optimal performance.

Uniform Grain Size

The ideal sand grains for fracing are uniformly sized, typically within the 0.1 to 2 millimeter range. Uniform grain size is critical because it ensures consistent packing within the fractures, increasing fluid flow. Inconsistent grain sizes can create gaps and reduce the effectiveness of the proppant pack.

Preferred Grain Shape

Round grains are preferred for fracing because they allow for better fluid flow through the fractures in the rock. Angular grains can interlock and reduce permeability, hindering the movement of oil and gas. Round grains, on the other hand, create a more permeable proppant pack, facilitating the efficient extraction of hydrocarbons.

Specification Standards

Grain Size Range: 0.1 to 2 millimeters
Uniformity Coefficient: A measure of the uniformity of grain size distribution, ideally close to 1.0 for frac sand.

Crush Resistance: Withstanding High Pressures

High-quality frac sand must be able to withstand the immense pressures exerted during hydraulic fracturing without breaking down. Crush resistance ensures that the sand particles can effectively prop open the fractures created in the rock formation. If the sand breaks down under pressure, the fractures can close, reducing the flow of oil and gas.

Testing Crush Resistance

Crush resistance is measured by subjecting the sand to high pressure and assessing the amount of fines (broken particles) produced. The American Petroleum Institute (API) has set standards for crush resistance, specifying the maximum percentage of fines that can be generated.

Specification Standards

Crush Resistance: Sands must withstand pressures up to 4,000 to 6,000 psi without producing more than 10% fines.
API RP 19C Standard: Ensures sand meets specific criteria for crush resistance.

Sphericity and Roundness: Enhancing Permeability

Sphericity and roundness measure the overall shape of the sand grains. Higher sphericity and roundness are desired because they increase the permeability of the proppant pack within the fractures. These qualities allow the sand grains to pack more efficiently, creating flow pathways for oil and gas.

API Standards

The American Petroleum Institute (API) provides guidelines for the sphericity and roundness of frac sand. Sand grains with higher sphericity and roundness are more effective at propping open fractures and maintaining permeability.

Specification Standards

Sphericity: Ideally, sphericity values should be 0.6 or higher.
Roundness: Roundness values should also be 0.6 or higher.
API RP 19C Standard: Ensures sand meets specific criteria for sphericity and roundness.

Purity: High Silica Content and Low Impurities

The best frac sand is composed of over 99% silicon dioxide (SiO2). High silica content ensures the sand can endure the harsh chemical environment of the fracing process. Silica sand is preferred because of its hardness and chemical inertness, which are essential for maintaining the integrity of the proppant pack over time.

Low Impurities

Frac sand must be low in impurities such as clay, silt, and other contaminants. Impurities can reduce the effectiveness of the sand by causing it to break down more easily under pressure or by clogging the fractures, which reduces permeability.

Specification Standards

Silica Content: Greater than 99% SiO2
Maximum Impurities: Less than 1% of clay, silt, and other contaminants.

Searching for the best sand for fracing operations? We’ve got you covered at Pontotoc.

Our Tier 1 Frac Sand

Industry-Leading Frac Sand Available Through Pontotoc

Pontotoc Sand & Stone offers high-quality Tier 1 frac sand designed to meet the rigorous demands of hydraulic fracturing. Discover what works best for your operations:

100 Mesh Frac Sand

Pontotoc’s 100 mesh frac sand is the most commonly used type among our clients, favored for its fine grain size and high performance in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Grain Size: The 100 mesh sand typically features a mean particle size of 10-20 microns.
Crush Strength: This sand boasts a high crush strength, ensuring it can withstand the pressures encountered in fracing.
Sphericity and Roundness: The 100 mesh sand has excellent sphericity and roundness, critical for maintaining permeability and fluid flow through the fractures.
Applications: Ideal for oil and gas extraction, this fine sand is cost-effective and efficient, making it suitable for various well operations.

40/70 Mesh Frac Sand

The 40/70 mesh frac sand is another popular choice for operations that balance particle size and strength.

Grain Size: The 40/70 mesh sand features a mean particle size of 55 microns.
Strength: This sand is strong enough to handle the stresses of hydraulic fracturing without breaking down.
Permeability: The smaller particle size helps increase fracture widths, thereby improving fluid flow efficiency.
Applications: It is particularly effective in slickwater fracturing processes, where the balance of particle size and strength is crucial.

40/80 Mesh Frac Sand

Pontotoc’s 40/80 mesh frac sand is known for its high-quality standards and is sourced from mines across America.

Grain Size: This sand features a grain size well-suited for creating effective proppant packs.
Crush Resistance: It meets all API standards for crush resistance, ensuring durability under high pressures.
Purity: The sand has low acid solubility and turbidity, reducing dust creation and enhancing performance.
Applications: This type is ideal for high-pressure fracturing operations because it can withstand pressures up to 10,000 psi.

Pontotoc Sand & Stone: Your Go-To Supplier of the Best Sand for Fracing

Pontotoc is dedicated to providing high-quality frac sand that meets and exceeds industry standards. Our commitment to quality is evident in the thorough washing, sifting, and inspection processes, ensuring that every shipment of sand for fracing is up to par.

The Best Sand for Fracing: Detailed Specifications for Effective Hydraulic Fracturing

Grain Size and Shape: Ensuring Optimal Fluid Flow

Uniform Grain Size

Preferred Grain Shape

Specification Standards

Crush Resistance: Withstanding High Pressures

Testing Crush Resistance

Specification Standards

Sphericity and Roundness: Enhancing Permeability

API Standards

Specification Standards

Purity: High Silica Content and Low Impurities

Low Impurities

Specification Standards

Industry-Leading Frac Sand Available Through Pontotoc

100 Mesh Frac Sand

40/70 Mesh Frac Sand

40/80 Mesh Frac Sand

Pontotoc Sand & Stone: Your Go-To Supplier of the Best Sand for Fracing

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