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Kevin’s presentation titled Frac Sand Logistics – The Last Mile is ALL WET will discuss the evolution and existing options for proppant handling compared with a new method of wet sand handling which may provide significant benefits over the current industry standard.
The amount of frac sand consumed by a single horizontal well now averages approximately 13 million pounds. Prior to pumping the sand into a well, it must be mined, washed, sieved, stored, and then transported to the wellsite before transfer into a frac blender.
Today’s improved last mile logistics systems including silos and mobile containers have lowered the cost of delivery to the wellsite, provided for a sand storage buffer at the well, improved daily sand throughput as well as reducing noise, dust and truck traffic associated with the delivery. The sand drying process after washing at an in-basin sand mine involves a combination of decanting (allowing the sand to naturally drain and air dry in a pile) followed by handling operations to feed that sand into a natural gas fired dryer. The capital expenditure for installing a drying kiln plus the ongoing operating expense for a drying plant can be considerable. In addition, the drying process and dry storage capacity are often limiting factors with mine output and the drying process also contributes to an operation’s lifecycle CO2 and NOX emissions.
A new method has been introduced using patented equipment to screen, transport, deliver and meter wet sand from local mines to the frac blender, bypassing the drying process altogether. Wet sand in this application is defined as sand with a moisture content between 1% and 10% by weight. Operational results and benefits are compared to the current industry standard of delivering sand with a negligible moisture content.