Silica dust-prevention proppant test wells completed in Colorado

Preferred Technology, an affiliate of Preferred Sands, recently completed a series of DustPRO proppant pilot wells in Colorado. Third-party industrial hygiene results came back below existing and proposed OSHA silica permissible exposure limits regarding crystalline silica.

Launched through a partnership between Preferred and The Dow Chemical Company, the DustPRO proppant application system helps to control respirable silica and fugitive dust during all sand transfer points.The proppant is based on Dow’s patent-pending Preferred DC technology, which is highly compatible with frac fluids and does not alter proppant characteristics.

“DustPRO provides the ability for oilfield service companies and operators to meet existing and future limits as outlined by OSHA,” said Michael O’Neill, Founder and CEO of Preferred Sands. “We are very pleased with the results we received from the DustPRO proppant trials. All personnel samples taken during pilot operations were below both the current and proposed silica exposure limits.”

The pilot wells were completed with several large oilfield service companies. In addition to all personnel samples falling below current and proposed silica exposure limits, customers reported a significant increase in on-site efficiency. Applied at the sand origin site or terminal, the proppant system eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming mechanical silica dust solutions on-site and allows employees to conveniently and safely access critical equipment.

DustPRO is a trademark of Preferred Sands.