Using Industry Standards as a Way to Predict Sand Performance and Approve Sand Deposits: Is there a Catch 22?

Abstract

The sands employed as fracturing proppant have been historically qualified for that purpose based upon their ability to meet quality standards described by the American Petroleum Institute (API, 1995) and more recently, by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO, 2006). Notable products meeting those standards include white sands from the Ottawa deposits in the north central United States, and the so-called brown sands from deposits in central or the "heart" of Texas. Until recent times, these "quality" sand deposits provided sufficient supplies for the ongoing needs. However, the unprecedented surge of hydraulic fracturing activities over the past few years has resulted in demand outpacing the supply for sands that meet these requirements.Consequently, many 'new' sand deposits are being evaluated for use in fracturing applications, but unfortunately, a great many of those when subjected to API / ISO standards fail to make the grade in one area or another. Interestingly, it is commonly similar criteria which are being failed including acid solubility, sphericity & roundness, crush strength, and particle distribution. Thus, one is given cause to question the relevance of some testing practices on 'real world' performance of sand in a fracturing treatment.