Maximizing ROI: How Fabric Structures Improve Frac Sand Storage Management

Frac sand is a specialized silica sand with uniform particles that allow liquids to flow between them. For natural oil and gas production, crush-resistant sand is injected into rock formations (like shale) with water – this process is hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”). Hydraulic fracking is a billion-dollar industry that requires significant amounts of frac sand. As such, finding a feasible storage solution for frac sand is intricate, as many issues exist – from environmental concerns and cost inefficiencies. To further complicate things, the oil and gas industry requires and thrives off efficiency optimization and maximizing return on investment (ROI).

The Challenges of Frac Sand Storage

As the essential lubricant, frac sand is the lifeblood of hydraulic fracking operations. Frac sand storage, however, is a challenge due to:

1. Health and Environmental Concerns: Open-air frac sand storage poses significant environmental and health impacts due to the diameter of the tiny dust particles. When companies store frac sand in environments conducive to air particle movement, air pollution can result from handling, mining, and processing operations. This pollution can induce health risks for lung diseases. Further, mass movements of frac sand through the air can increase health risks within nearby communities – through air pollution and contaminated groundwater.
2. Material Degradation: Keeping frac sand dry is crucial for drilling operations. When frac sand becomes exposed to the elements, it clumps together, reducing its effectiveness. Thus, storage becomes a challenge.
3. Transportation Costs: Historically, the transportation of frac sand from the mines to drilling sites incurs robust costs that reduce profits. Each time you transport frac sand, there are risks of spillage, spoilage, environmental degradation, and laborious restorations.
4. Restricted Storage Options: Traditional wood-and-steel structures limit spatial flexibility and create bottlenecks, leading to operational inefficiencies.

Our Solution

Fabric structures for frac sand storage have emerged as an innovative solution to the above challenges. Our buildings are durable, reliable, and engineered for your site-specific needs. Each structure provides significant benefits to your operations, which ensures ROI maximization.

1. Health and Environmental Control: Fabric structures create an optimal, controlled environment wherein dust emissions and environmental contaminants are reduced. Incorporation of HVAC systems and ventilation further ensures your workers are safe. Thus, this guarantees compliance with health regulations but fosters a positive public image by decreasing air pollution and human health risks.
2. Material Conservation: Our fabric structures can exceed wind loads of 150 MPH and snow loads of 300 LBS per square foot. Your frac sand will remain shielded from the elements, dry, free-flowing, and ready for use. This controlled, dry environment ensures weather incidents won’t cause your operation to experience delays or waste.
3. Reduced Transportation Expenses: Fabric structures are easy to assemble and move, making them perfect for set up near drilling sites. Their modular nature allows for quick deployment, no matter the location – wherein you can reduce your transportation distances, material loss risk, and costs.
4. Flexibility: Our fabric structures are customizable to your specific frac sand storage needs. This flexibility extends to the ease of expansion, providing scalability as demand fluctuates – eliminating the need for costly wood-and-steel building expansions or additional rental storage space fees.
5. Longevity: Our proprietary engineering process ensures structural integrity. A comprehensive 3D Non-Linear Analysis is completed for every structure, providing a prescriptive recommendation for structural integrity. This analysis leads to an impressive 40% increase (or more) in the foundational economy. We further produce hot-dipped galvanized steel frames that are rot, rust, and pit-resistant. Thus, the long lifespan of Calhoun’s fabric structures provides an excellent value for your initial investment.

Summary

Fabric structures enable fracking operations to increase frac sand storage management efficiency and maximize ROI. By investing in a fabric structure, companies secure improved environmental conditions and safeguard a more profitable future.

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