Frac Sand Purchasing: What To Avoid During the Process

In this blog, we’re going to walk through the most common mistakes in frac sand purchasing, how to properly evaluate potential suppliers, the importance of logistics in your decisions, and what key questions to ask before you pull the trigger on a deal.

Common Mistakes in Frac Sand Purchasing

Production demands can shift overnight, logistic costs can fluctuate, and new regulations can pop up just when you least expect them. Many of the mistakes people make when buying frac sand remain surprisingly consistent. In the sections below, we’ll look at a few of these pitfalls in more detail and talk about why they happen.

Focusing Solely on Cost

Let’s be honest: price is a big deal. Every operation has a budget, and keeping costs down is always a top priority. But choosing your frac sand supplier based on who gives you the cheapest quote can lead you down a risky path. Sand that’s too inexpensive may not meet the industry specs for roundness, sphericity, acid solubility, or crush resistance. If the sand fails in the field, it can compromise well performance, cause costly delays, and even lead to equipment damage.

Ignoring Quality Specifications

Specs such as sphericity, roundness, crush resistance, turbidity, and acid solubility directly impact your well’s productivity. When buyers get caught up in a rush order, it’s tempting to glance over the specification sheet or forget to verify compliance with API standards. However, ignoring these critical specs means you’re essentially gambling with your frac job. You might discover mid-operation that the sand can’t withstand the closure pressures or that it’s too dusty, triggering environmental or safety hazards.

Overlooking Logistics and Delivery Reliability

You can purchase the world’s best frac sand, but if it doesn’t arrive on time or shows up contaminated by moisture or dust, you’ve got a big problem. Logistics are often the hidden challenge in frac sand procurement. Some buyers overlook important details like how far the mine is from the well site, the type of transportation used, or how the sand is loaded and unloaded. A missed delivery window can stall your entire fracturing schedule, costing you significantly in downtime.

Misjudging Supplier Capacity

If you’re dealing with large volumes for big operations, the last thing you want is a supplier that can’t scale to meet your needs. Many buyers assume that once a supplier quotes a large quantity, they’re automatically capable of delivering on that promise. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Some operations overpromise to secure a contract and then scramble to produce the required amount on time.

This can mean incomplete loads, shipments that are spread out, or major delivery delays. The best way to avoid this? Ask detailed questions about production capacity, lead times, and how the supplier handles surge demand.

Key Questions to Ask Before Making a Purchase

You may be close to finalizing a deal, but you want to make sure you’ve ticked every box before putting ink on paper. Asking direct, pointed questions is a fantastic way to uncover any hidden issues, gauge the supplier’s transparency, and confirm they’re a good match for your operation. Here are some questions you should consider:

What Are Your Testing and Quality Assurance Practices?

Any reputable supplier will have a clear process for testing frac sand throughout various stages of production. Asking for specifics—like how often they run tests, whether they rely on in-house labs or third-party labs, and how they handle out-of-spec batches—will give you a sense of how dedicated they are to providing consistent quality.

Can You Provide References or Case Studies?

You’ll want to hear how previous clients have benefited from this supplier’s frac sand. This also helps you gauge whether they’ve worked on operations similar in scale and specification to yours. If they can’t or won’t provide references, that could be a warning sign.

How Do You Handle Delays or Emergencies?

Real life doesn’t always go according to plan. Storms happen, trucks break down, and scheduling conflicts can arise. By asking how a supplier deals with emergencies, you’ll discover whether they have contingency plans in place (for example, using multiple shipping routes or having backup carriers).

What Is Your Production Capacity and Turnaround Time?

This question is especially important if you require large volumes or foresee ramping up production in the near future. It’s one thing to provide a short-term shipment of, say, 10,000 tons. It’s another thing entirely to sustain that volume week after week for months on end. Make sure the supplier is capable of consistently meeting your needs.

If you are just starting the frac sand purchasing process, be sure to check out our selection of Tier 1 material, available at Pontotoc.

Our Quality Frac Sand

Why Logistics and Delivery Reliability Matter

Even if a supplier offers the perfect frac sand on paper, a poorly managed supply chain can sabotage your entire operation. In many ways, scheduling is everything. If your frac team is sitting idle, waiting for a late shipment, you’re burning money with every passing hour. Conversely, a reliable logistics system can help you stay ahead of schedule and under budget.

Reliable Delivery Scheduling

Imagine you have your crew on-site, equipment ready, and the pumping schedule locked in for a specific day. Then the sand doesn’t arrive until three days later because of trucking issues. That’s a major frustration, and an expensive one. A dependable supplier uses multiple transportation methods (truck, rail, barge) and can pivot if something unexpected happens.

Automated or Simplified Loading Processes

Some suppliers have advanced loading systems that drastically cut the time your driver spends at the pickup facility. Automated truck loaders can fill a truck in minutes, minimizing downtime and reducing the risk of human error. This speed translates into cost savings and a smoother overall process for your team.

Tracking and Real-Time Monitoring

Beyond just getting frac sand from Point A to Point B, advanced suppliers might offer real-time tracking so you know where your shipment is at all times. This is helpful for forecasting, project scheduling, and ensuring accountability.

How To Evaluate a Frac Sand Supplier

Finding the right frac sand supplier can feel a bit like searching for the perfect partner. You want someone who’s stable, transparent, and willing to go above and beyond. But how do you sift through the many options available?

Check Compliance With Industry Standards

First and foremost, does your supplier meet or exceed the API RP 19D specifications (or other relevant standards in your region)? Frac sand needs to have the right grain size distribution, sphericity, roundness, and crush resistance to ensure it holds up under reservoir pressures. Ask for detailed data sheets and test results.

Evaluate Their Track Record and Reputation

Can they name references who will vouch for their product quality, on-time delivery, and customer service? Reputation often precedes reality in specialized industries like this. If you hear consistent praise from multiple sources, that’s a great sign.

Consider On-Site Visits or Audits

Seeing the operation in action can provide invaluable insights. You’ll get to observe their loading process, check whether their safety practices align with yours, and verify the cleanliness of their operation. For larger or long-term contracts, an on-site audit can give you more confidence than any brochure or website.

Ask About Their Processes for Washing and Sorting

A strong supplier will be very transparent about their methodology: how they handle silt and clay removal, whether they use multiple stages of washing, how they minimize dust, and what type of quality control checks occur along the way. This level of detail speaks volumes about their commitment to quality.

Pontotoc Sand & Stone: Your Go-To Source for Frac Sand Purchasing

Ready to sidestep errors and ensure better outcomes in your next frac job? Pontotoc provides high-quality frac sand solutions backed by meticulous testing, efficient logistics, and proven expertise. Our dedicated team understands your operational demands and delivers exactly what you need on time, every time. Partner with Pontotoc for the best combination of performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness today!

Common Mistakes During Frac Sand Purchasing

Common Mistakes in Frac Sand Purchasing

Focusing Solely on Cost

Ignoring Quality Specifications

Overlooking Logistics and Delivery Reliability

Misjudging Supplier Capacity

Key Questions to Ask Before Making a Purchase

What Are Your Testing and Quality Assurance Practices?

Can You Provide References or Case Studies?

How Do You Handle Delays or Emergencies?

What Is Your Production Capacity and Turnaround Time?

Why Logistics and Delivery Reliability Matter

Reliable Delivery Scheduling

Automated or Simplified Loading Processes

Tracking and Real-Time Monitoring

How To Evaluate a Frac Sand Supplier

Check Compliance With Industry Standards

Evaluate Their Track Record and Reputation

Consider On-Site Visits or Audits

Ask About Their Processes for Washing and Sorting

Pontotoc Sand & Stone: Your Go-To Source for Frac Sand Purchasing

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