Coated Hydraulic Fracturing Sand suppresses dangerous dust.

Press Release Summary:



Added to hydraulic fracturing operations' dust management systems, UNIFRAC® DUSTSHIELD™ minimizes airborne particles generated during proppant conveyance, mixing, and pumping. This non-toxic suppression system reduces overall job/well-site exposure to respirable silica dust by up to >99%. This dust suppression technology is exclusively coated on UNIFRAC northern white sand; proppant is fully compatible with hydraulic fracturing fluids.



Original Press Release:



Unimin Energy Solutions Announces the Launch of UNIFRAC® DUSTSHIELD(TM)



THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Unimin Energy Solutions announces the launch of UNIFRAC® DUSTSHIELD™ hydraulic fracturing sands - a new coated sand product utilizing dust suppression technology developed to reduce job/well-site exposure to respirable crystalline silica.  DUSTSHIELD is an effective addition to hydraulic fracturing operations dust management systems to minimize airborne particles generated during proppant conveyance, mixing and pumping. This non-toxic suppression system reduces the overall respirable silica dust by up to >99%.  DUSTSHIELD is exclusively coated on high-quality UNIFRAC northern white sand to offer E&Ps the best performing natural proppant on the market.



As reported by Ogletree Deakins, Dr. David Michaels, Head of OSHA, has indicated a new Respirable Silica Rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soon to be released. OSHA estimates that 47% of all well sites are currently violating the present silica standard, and 74% do not meet the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit of 0.05mg/m(3 )time weighted average over 8 hours.  Both OSHA and NIOSH have partnered in a rule-making process that will soon deliver a comprehensive solution to the fugitive silica exposure risk(1). UNIFRAC® proppant with DUSTSHIELD™ surface treatment is a highly effective option for controlling respirable crystalline silica dust at the well site.



DUSTSHIELD is applied with Unimin's patent pending technology available at in-basin frac sand terminals with no slow down or service interruption during truck loading.  UNIFRAC DUSTSHIELD proppants have a long shelf life with excellent flow properties and are fully compatible with hydraulic fracturing fluids.



For information on UNIFRAC DUSTSHIELD products, technology, and availability contact John Jackson, Oil & Gas Application Manager (jsjackson@unimin.com).



About Unimin Energy Solutions

Unimin Energy Solutions is the world's leading producer of northern white sand proppants under the UNIFRAC® trade name and a vertically integrated producer of PROPSTAR® resin-coated proppants, SILVERBOND® ground and micronized silica additives for well-cementing, and MUDSTAR® and TRUGEL® brand drilling fluid minerals.  Executive offices are located in The Woodlands, Texas with a network of technology, analytical and sales service resources strategically situated across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North & South America. For more information about Unimin, its energy industry capabilities, and sustainability programs please visit: www.unimin.com, www.uniminsustainability.com, and www.uniminenergy.com



(1.) Martin, John F. "What to Expect from OSHA in 2016: Michaels Discusses Hazard Alerts, Silica Rule, Reporting, and Other Priorities | Lexology." What to Expect from OSHA in 2016: Michaels Discusses Hazard Alerts, Silica Rule, Reporting, and Other Priorities. Ogletree Deakins, 29 Feb. 2016.



CONTACT: Sameer Rupani, srupani@unimin.com

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