Frac Sand Weekly News Digest

Nick Cook, Editor

Issue #543 | December 3, 2025

After a two-week hiatus between hosting the frac sand conference and celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family, the Frac Sand Digest is back!

 

Personally, I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere of this year’s conference. Most OFS pricing is at or near 2020 levels. However, if you were just a casual observer, you would have never guessed that was the case. Lots of smiles, great energy, busy exhibit floor, insightful general sessions.

 

Here’s a few of the reasons we noticed:

  • The companies who attended are well positioned financially. They have the customer base or profit margins to run their businesses with to weather storms like these.
  • There were a number of new technologies excited to break into the space (both software and physical innovations).
  • Certain basins/regions seem to be more stable and profitable currently (outside the Permian)
  • Increased interest in international opportunities (Argentina and Canada)

 

There’s a lot of stories to cover over the past few weeks, so buckle up and let’s dig in.

 

And now, the news…

This Week's News

An Early Christmas For The Downtrodden Sand Hauling Market?

Is the worm beginning to turn in last mile logistics?

Nat-Gas Prices Soar as Forecasts for Below Normal US Temperatures

Jan nat-gas prices rallied sharply on Friday, surging to an 8.5-month nearest-futures high on expectations of colder US weather, potentially boosting heating demand for nat-gas.

Live From San Antonio… 1st Impressions From The Biggest Frac Sand Conference Of The Year

Infill Thinking gives their unbiased take on the state of the industry.

Smart Sand Posts Strong 3Q Gains as Demand Rises Across North American Shale

The company posted 3Q revenue of $92.8 million, up from $85.8 million in the second quarter and $63.2 million a year earlier, driven by higher sales volumes, stronger pricing, and a $4.4 million contractual payment tied to excess tons sold in a previous period.

Frac Sand Asset Marketplace

We're got connections for folks looking to sell or buy assets. Check out our list!

Permian Sand Prices Are Bottoming Now…

Vital frac supply chain data for buyers and sellers and capital allocators.

Oil Prices and News Oil rises as Moscow peace talks fail to reach breakthrough

Oil prices climbed more than 1% on Wednesday after Russia said talks with U.S. officials in Moscow failed to reach a compromise on a potential Ukraine peace deal that could have eased sanctions on its oil sector.

New Monster Gas Wells Are Outperforming Legacy Haynesville Deposits

For the play to be economically viable and become a major supply source, operators must reduce D&C costs to approximately $25 million, which could enable the region to reach nearly 2 Bcfd of production by the end of 2030 with an eight-rig development program.

Big Capacity Haircut In A Large Local Sand Market

An update on local sand mining activity.

The Montney Proppant-Production Connection

A growing concern for operators is sourcing proppant for fracking operations, and forecasting future requirements.

NexTier Adds More High-Density 100% Nat-Gas Frac Pumps… And These Pack A Punch

Some new equipment coming into the frac market in person recently during a frac pump roadshow.

Ageing Permian is still the last frontier for US shale growth

The prolific play has many wrinkles, but plenty of life left in it.

ProFrac: Debt Will Become An Issue If Demand Continues to Deteriorate

Big issue for one of the biggest diversified OFS providers in US shale.

Frac Substance Experimentation Is A Key Theme To Watch Headed Into 2026…

Something new is brewing and we discuss the who, what, and why here….

Shale Oil’s Next Revolution Should Worry OPEC – Javier Blas

The next phase of the revolution — call it shale 4.0 — is an engineering arms race to improve the so-called recovery factor.

Off-Grid Power Gen As A Service

Bigger trend continues as OFS companies diversify their offerings.

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SPONSOR ADD-ONS

  • EXPO: 20'x40' Equipment Display Space $3,500
  •  
  • CONFERENCE: VIP Dinner November 18th $6,000
  • CONFERENCE: Coffee Mugs $5,000
  • CONFERENCE: Notebooks SOLD
  • CONFERENCE: Speaker/Sponsor Reception  November 17th $4,000
  • CONFERENCE: Mobile App $3,000
  • CONFERENCE: Day 1 Kick-Off SOLD
  • CONFERENCE: Day 2 Kick-Off $3,000
  • CONFERENCE: Lanyards SOLD
  • CONFERENCE: Networking Lunch  November 18th SOLD
  • CONFERENCE: Networking Reception Glasses SOLD
  • CONFERENCE: Day 1 Morning Break (Video ad) $2,500
  • CONFERENCE:Day 1 Afternoon Break (Video ad) $2,500
  • CONFERENCE: Day 2 Morning Break (Video ad) $2,500
  • CONFERENCE: Case Study 1 $2,500
  • CONFERENCE: Case Study 2 $2,500
  • CONFERENCE: Charging Station $2,500
  • CONFERENCE: Printed Program SOLD
  • CONFERENCE: Wifi SOLD
  •  
  • GOLF: Water Bottles $4,000
  • GOLF: Hosted Hole (Beverage Station & Contest) $3,700
  • GOLF: Hats $3,500
  • GOLF: Cigars $3,200
  • GOLF Divot Tools $3,200
  • GOLF: Balls $3,200
  • GOLF: Towels $3,200

AGENDA - NOV 17

  • Pre-Conference Golf Outing Begins 1:00 pm

    - separate golfer registration required

  • Exhibitor Setup Begins 1:00 pm
  • Speaker/Sponsor Reception 6:00 pm
  • Exhibitor Setup Concludes 10:00 pm

AGENDA - NOV 18

AGENDA - NOV 19

AGENDA - NOV 18

  • Frac Sand Equipment Expo Begins 9:00 am
  • Shuttle Service from Hyatt to Expo Begins 10:00 am
  • Welcome Reception at the Expo 4:30 pm
  • Shuttle Service from Hyatt to Expo Ends 6:00 pm

AGENDA - NOV 19

AGENDA - NOV 20

SPONSOR ADD-ONS

  • Frac Sand Equipment Expo 20'x40' Space $3,500
  • VIP Dinner on November 19th $7,500
  • Coffee Mugs SOLD
  • Notebook SOLD
  • Speaker/Sponsor Reception on November 18th SOLD
  • Conference Mobile App $3,000
  • Day 1 Kick-Off SOLD
  • Day 2 Kick-Off $3,000
  • Lanyard SOLD
  • Networking Lunch on November 19th SOLD
  • Networking Reception Glasses SOLD
  • Day 1 Morning Break (Video ad) SOLD
  • Day 1 Afternoon Break (Video ad) $2,500
  • Day 2 Morning Break (Video ad) $2,500
  • Day 2 Afternoon Break (Video ad) $2,500
  • Case Study 1 $2,500
  • Case Study 2 $2,500
  • Charging Station $2,500
  • Printed Program SOLD
  • Conference Wifi SOLD
  • Golf: Water Bottles SOLD
  • Golf: Hosted Hole (Beverage Station & Contest) $3,700
  • Golf: Hats $3,500
  • Golf: Cigars $3,200
  • Golf: Divot Tools $3,200
  • Golf: Balls $3,200
  • Golf: Towels $3,200

The Frac Sand
Summer Happy Hour

Event Registration – $25