Frac Sand Weekly News Digest
Nick Cook, Editor
Issue #521 | June 18, 2025
The Middle East shifts to even more war-torn than usual, and the markets shake. However, as many of us have read, this welcome boost to oil reflects only a momentary blip as the global powers evaluate the potential risks. Given the Saudi/OPEC readiness to take market share from US frackers, we don’t anticipate this affecting US production unless there’s an all-out war with major oil disruption.
In other news, a major Canadian domestic mine gets a highlight, ultrafine proppants gets more looks, deep dives into the war, pet coke use is growing at the Permian’s biggest fracker, and much much more.
Grab that second cup of coffee, and let’s dig on in.
And now, the news…
This Week's News
Peaskie Minerals Ramping Up Frac Sand Production To Serve WCSB
The company has significantly boosted capital spending to increase production.
Ultrafine Microproppant vs. Raw Sand Is Not A Zero Sum Game… In Fact, It Might Be Just The Opposite!
Raw sand guys like it when E&Ps pump raw sand, but they might like it when E&Ps pump this specialty product too!
Canada Is Gathering Global Leaders in a Province That Wants Out of the Country
Alberta’s secessionists are gaining ground, contesting Prime Minister Carney’s desire to project national unity.
Downturn Cancelled? Middle East War Analysis Part ONE: Shale & OFS Outlook Implications
The geopolitical risk premium is back in crude oil markets. Where do we go from here if we are an oilfield market participant?
Downturn Cancelled? Middle East War Analysis Part TWO: The War And The Oil Markets
Part II of the above series!
Downturn Cancelled? Middle East War Analysis Part THREE: 6 Days In...
Part III as the markets have been given time to process.
Saudi Arabia Is Grabbing Oil-Market Share, but It Can Open the Tap Only So Far
Riyadh wants to squeeze U.S. frackers, although an all-out price war would be costly.
What E&Ps Cut Their Budgets For $60 Oil And How Much?
With the oil markets taking a turn for the better, we take a look at who reacted the most when conditions were worse.
Continental Prepares Full-Scale Ramp Up in Powder River’s Niobrara
With “several billion barrels of resources” left untapped in the Powder River Basin, Continental Resources is nearing full-scale development of the Niobrara Shale in Converse County, Wyoming.
EU Proposes Ban on Russian Oil, Gas Imports by End 2027
And cue the smile from US nat gas producers...
Development Trends in the Marcellus and Utica Shales
A look at some recent trends in the Marcellus and Utica Shales in the Appalachian Basin.
Empire/Beetaloo stimulates gas extraction at massive NT project
Due to the longer well length and larger casing diameter, the stimulation program design will utilise an increased 42,000 hydraulic horsepower for larger pumping rates, increased fluid and proppant (sand) intensity, and a dedicated slickwater design. It includes a revised perforation strategy and various other enhancements.
Exxon Ramps Up Use of Its Custom Proppant After Positive Results
The black sand made at refineries is delivering production gains of up to 18% in comparison tests as a lightweight proppant, Exxon engineers said at URTeC.
Chevron and Halliburton enable intelligent hydraulic fracturing
This intelligent fracturing process combines automated stage execution with subsurface feedback to optimize delivery of energy into the wellbore without relying on human intervention.
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