For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 27, 2014

For More Information: Derric Iles, 677-5227

FOR THE REPORT: Visit http://www.sdgs.usd.edu/pubs/pdf/ogi-05.pdf

DENR Frac Sand Study Findings Available Online

PIERRE, S.D. – A South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) study of sand from western South Dakota has determined that the samples collected did not meet specifications recommended by the American Petroleum Institute for use in hydraulic fracturing.

Deficiencies found in samples collected for this study included not being comprised of greater than 99 percent quartz, being too coarse or fine grained, having sand grains that are not the correct shape or having sand grains that are tightly cemented together.

Hydraulic fracturing forces water, proppants and minor amounts of other chemicals into a well bore under high pressure to create fractures in tight reservoir rock. The proppants are natural sand grains, resin-coated sand or synthetic ceramic spheres used to keep the fractures open, leading to an increase in the flow of oil or gas into the well bore.

The study was prompted by the current high demand for sand resources suitable for use as a proppant in the hydraulic fracturing process – a process which is used extensively in the Williston Basin oil fields of western North Dakota. Suitable sand resources are commonly referred to as frac sand.

“DENR undertook this study at the request of the 2012 Legislative Oil and Gas Summer Study Committee that was looking for ways to benefit from the North Dakota oil boom,” said DENR Secretary Steve Pirner. “While the study did not produce the desired results, DENR’s geologists gained a better understanding of sand resources in western South Dakota and that may prove useful in the future.”

Results of the 16-month study can be found online at http://www.sdgs.usd.edu/pubs/pdf/ogi-05.pdf. The study was conducted by DENR’s Geological Survey Program and included an evaluation of 256 samples, 26 of which were submitted by private mine operators.

- 30 -