Proppant Standards to understand

API ISO and ASTM, what are they and why you should care.

If you’ve spent any time perusing proppant producer websites, you will likely see acronyms and numbers intended to depict the company’s commitment to quality.  But what does it mean?

We are going to chronologically list relevant standards for the evaluation of proppant used in hydraulic fracturing and illustrate which standards are obsolete or inactive and eventually discern which one is the industry’s most complete and up to date document.

RP 56 – Recommended Practice – March 1, 1983 – Inactive

Recommended Practices for Testing Sand Used in Hydraulic Fracturing Operations First Edition

RP 56 – Recommended Practice – December 1, 1995 – Inactive

Recommended Practices for Testing Sand Used in Hydraulic Fracturing Operations First Edition

Scope: The objective of these recommended practices is to provide control of frac sand quality at the well site. As a first step in accomplishing this objective, the recommended tests should be applied at the basic point of supply where quality control is first exercised.

ISO 13503-2 – November 1, 2006 - Obsolete

Petroleum and natural gas industries - Completion fluids and materials - Part 2: Measurement of properties of proppants used in hydraulic fracturing and gravel-packing operations

API RP 19C – Recommended Practice – My 1, 2008 -Obsolete

Measurement of Properties of Proppants Used in Hydraulic Fracturing and Gravel-packing Operations

ISO 13503-2 -Amendment- November 1 2009 -Active

Petroleum and natural gas industries — Completion fluids and materials — Part 2: Measurement of properties of proppants used in hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing operations AMENDMENT 1: Addition of Annex B: Proppant Specification

API STD 19C – Standard- August 1, 2018 - Most Current

Measurement of and Specifications for Proppants Used in Hydraulic Fracturing and Gravel-packing Operations

Well, That’s it.  The most current standard for use in evaluating proppant quality is the API STD 19C published on August 1, 2018. 

Now, by knowing this information you are better prepared to evaluate your sand providers and third-party testing companies.  If they are still referencing outdated, inactive, or obsolete standards for evidence of providing quality products or services, its likely fair to assume that they may not be taking their quality obligations seriously.  If you would like training to the API STD 19C standard, Material Spec Laboratories offers an API approved training program with certification upon completion.  Follow our link to learn more.