Proppant test results

Proppant test result details

Proppant Testing or Frac Sans testing is done to Australian Standard ISO 13503-2 (2006) and API Standard API STD-19C (2008). To date our samples have been tested in Australia and Texas.

• The main laboratory tests for proppant are the following:
• Particle Size Distribution
• Sphericity;
• Roundness;
• Crush Strength Test;
• Bulk Density;
• Turbidity; and
• Acid Solubility

For the crush strength test, the sand is crush tested until it fails. All tests will have a fail value. The fail value determines the maximum crush strength. A sample fails when more than 10% fines are generated after crushing at a given pressure (psi)

Coarse sand like 20/40 mesh will have lower strength (4-6k values) but will have higher permeability allowing more gas to flow.

Medium sand (40/70) will have medium crush values and medium permeability.

Finer sands like 100 mesh (40/140) will have higher crush values but lower permeability.

It is up to the gas company to work out what sand best suits their well and geological conditions down hole.