Ceramic proppants used to frack Utica shale
Thursday, February 25, 2016
In the Utica shale, fracking sand isn’t always enough to handle the heat and pressure within the play.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that ceramic proppants are being used by some companies — like Consol Energy — exploring the Utica shale. Consol is drilling as deep as 13,000 feet into the Utica.
Fracking sand coated in resin is commonly used as a proppant that holds open fractures through which oil and gas escape. Compared to sand, the ceramic proppants are stronger and more round, allowing gas to move better, according to the source. However, ceramic proppants currently cost about four times more than sand.
Read more: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review > Ceramic particles challenge sand in fracking Utica shale wells
More about fracking sand:
- Frack sand is in high demand April 5, 2015
- Frack sand volume increases Feb. 27, 2015
- Fracking sand could cause health problems Oct. 9, 2014
- Investors turn to fracking sand for profit Sept. 21, 2014
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