Frac Sand Market: By Product Type, By Application and Geography  

Frac Sand Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Product Type (White Sand, Brown Sand Others), By Application (Oil Exploration, Natural Gas Exploration Others) and Region  

Frac Sand Market size was valued at US$ 8,291.2 million in 2023 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2024 to 2030. Frac sand, a specific type of high-quality sand used in hydraulic fracturing, plays a critical role in unlocking oil and gas reserves trapped in shale formations. In addition, the global shale oil and gas boom is not confined to North America. Countries like Argentina, China, and Russia are also exploring their shale reserves. This international expansion creates new markets for frac sand, potentially offsetting any decline in demand from mature shale plays in established regions. Moreover, frac sand needs to be delivered to well sites efficiently and cost-effectively. Location plays a crucial role in mines closer to drilling activity benefit from lower transportation costs.  However, suitable geological formations for high-quality frac sand are not always conveniently situated near shale plays. This can lead to logistical challenges and price fluctuations depending on the distance between mines and well locations. Development of efficient transportation infrastructure, like dedicated rail lines or trans loading facilities, can mitigate these challenges.

Furthermore, environmental concerns surrounding hydraulic fracturing can act as a brake on the frac sand market. Stringent regulations regarding water usage, air quality, and disposal of wastewater from fracturing operations can increase operational costs and potentially limit drilling activity. Conversely, advancements in water recycling technologies or closed-loop fracturing systems can alleviate regulatory pressure and boost demand. The frac sand market also faces potential competition from alternative proppants. Ceramic proppants offer superior strength and reusability, but come at a higher cost. Technological advancements could make these alternatives more cost-competitive, impacting demand for traditional frac sand. Additionally, research into bio-based or recycled materials as proppants could further diversify the market.

Frac Sand Market Key Developments:
  • In March 2020, CARBO Ceramics reached a deal with Wilks Brothers, LLC and Equify Financial, LLC (collectively referred to as the "Wilks Brothers"). According to the agreement, the Wilks Brothers will acquire the Company through a debt-for-equity exchange by a reorganization plan in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. To assist this agreement and carry out the transaction, CARBO has voluntarily initiated a Chapter 11 process in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Despite this, CARBO anticipates preserving normal operations throughout the Chapter 11 process.
  • In December 2020, Covia Holdings publicized that it had successfully accomplished its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11.

Frac Sand Market Summary

Study Period

2024-2030

Base Year

2023

CAGR

8.8%

Largest Market

North America

Fastest Growing Market

Asia Pacific

Frac Sand Market Dynamics

The most significant driver is undoubtedly the level of shale oil and gas exploration and production. As these activities rise, demand for frac sand surges. The number of active rigs drilling for shale plays directly translates to the amount of frac sand needed for well completion. Factors influencing rig count include global oil prices, production quotas set by OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), and the economic viability of shale extraction compared to other sources. In addition, the type of well completion technique employed also impacts frac sand demand. Horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracturing are now standard practices in shale development. These techniques require significantly more frac sand compared to traditional vertical wells with single-stage fracturing. Advancements in well completion technology that utilize even larger volumes of sand or alternative proppants could reshape demand in the future.

Frac Sand Market Segmentation Analysis

Report Benchmarks

Details

Report Study Period

2024-2030

Market Size in 2023

US$ 8,291.2 million

Market CAGR

8.8%

By Product Type

  • White Sand
  • Brown Sand
  • Others

By Application

  • Oil & Gas Exploration
  • Natural Gas Exploration
  • Others

Key Features of the Report

  • The report provides granular level information about the Market size, regional Market share, historic Market (2019-2023), and forecast (2024-2030)
  • The report covers in-detail insights about the competitor’s overview, company share analysis, key Market developments, and key strategies.
  • The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the Market.
  • The report tracks recent innovations, key developments, and start-up details that are actively working in the Market.
  • The report provides a plethora of information about Market entry strategies, regulatory framework, and reimbursement scenarios.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the frac sand market.

The North American region dominates the frac sand market.

The leading players in the Frac Sand Market are U.S. Silica, Hi-Crush Inc., Smart Sand, Inc., Fairmount Santrol, Unimin Corporation, CARBO Ceramics Inc., Black Mountain Sand, Badger Mining Corporation, Covia Holdings Corporation, Mammoth Energy Service, Inc., and Nomad Proppant Services, LLC.

Historic years considered for the market study are 2019 to 2022, 2023 is considered as the base year for market estimation and the forecast presented from 2024 to 2030.

Author image

Author

Prem Kumar

Prem Kumar with profound experience and sound knowledge across a wide range of market forecasting methods, demand f.....

1. Executive Summary
2. Global Frac Sand Market Introduction
2.1. Global Frac Sand Market Taxonomy
2.2. Global Frac Sand Market Definitions
2.2.1. Product Type
2.2.2. Application
3. Global Frac Sand Market Dynamics
3.1. Drivers
3.2. Restraints
3.3. Opportunities/Unmet Needs of the Market
3.4. Trends
3.5. Global Frac Sand Market Dynamic Factors - Impact Analysis
3.6. Global Frac Sand Market Competition Landscape
4. Global Frac Sand Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030
4.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
4.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%)
4.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
5. Global Frac Sand Market, By Product Type, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
5.1. White Sand
5.1.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
5.1.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
5.1.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
5.2. Brown Sand
5.2.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
5.2.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
5.2.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
5.3. Others
5.3.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
5.3.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
5.3.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
6. Global Frac Sand Market Forecast, By Application, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030
6.1. Oil Exploration
6.1.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
6.1.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
6.1.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
6.2. Natural Gas Exploration
6.2.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
6.2.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
6.2.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
6.3. Others
6.3.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
6.3.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
6.3.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
7. Global Frac Sand Market Forecast, By Region, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
7.1. North America
7.1.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
7.1.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
7.1.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
7.2. Europe
7.2.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
7.2.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
7.2.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
7.3. Asia-Pacific
7.3.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
7.3.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
7.3.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
7.4. Latin America
7.4.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
7.4.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
7.4.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
7.5. Middle East and Africa
7.5.1. Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
7.5.2. Year-over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%)
7.5.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
7.6. Global Frac Sand Market - Opportunity Analysis Index, By Product Type, Application, and Region, 2024 - 2030
8. North America Frac Sand Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
8.1. By Product Type Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%)
8.1.1. White Sand
8.1.2. Brown Sand
8.1.3. Others
8.2. Application Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
8.2.1. Oil Exploration
8.2.2. Natural Gas Exploration
8.2.3. Others
8.3. Country Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn) Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
8.3.1. USA
8.3.2. Canada
8.4. North America Frac Sand Market - Opportunity Analysis Index, By Product Type, Application, and Country, 2024 - 2030
8.5. North America Frac Sand Market Dynamics Trends
9. Europe Frac Sand Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
9.1. By Product Type Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%)
9.1.1. White Sand
9.1.2. Brown Sand
9.1.3. Others
9.2. Application Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
9.2.1. Oil Exploration
9.2.2. Natural Gas Exploration
9.2.3. Others
9.3. Country Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn) Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
9.3.1. Germany
9.3.2. UK
9.3.3. France
9.3.4. Spain
9.3.5. Italy
9.3.6. Russia
9.3.7. Poland
9.3.8. Rest of Europe
9.4. Europe Frac Sand Market - Opportunity Analysis Index, By Product Type, Application, and Country, 2024 - 2030
9.5. Europe Frac Sand Market Dynamics Trends
10. Asia-Pacific Frac Sand Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
10.1. By Product Type Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%)
10.1.1. White Sand
10.1.2. Brown Sand
10.1.3. Others
10.2. Application Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
10.2.1. Oil Exploration
10.2.2. Natural Gas Exploration
10.2.3. Others
10.3. Country Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn) Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
10.3.1. Japan
10.3.2. China
10.3.3. India
10.3.4. ASEAN
10.3.5. Australia & New Zealand
10.3.6. Rest of Asia-Pacific
10.4. Asia-Pacific Frac Sand Market - Opportunity Analysis Index, By Product Type, Application, and Country, 2024 - 2030
10.5. Asia-Pacific Frac Sand Market Dynamics Trends
11. Latin America Frac Sand Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
11.1. By Product Type Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%)
11.1.1. White Sand
11.1.2. Brown Sand
11.1.3. Others
11.2. Application Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
11.2.1. Oil Exploration
11.2.2. Natural Gas Exploration
11.2.3. Others
11.3. Country Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn) Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
11.3.1. Brazil
11.3.2. Mexico
11.3.3. Argentina
11.3.4. Rest of Latin America
11.4. Latin America Frac Sand Market - Opportunity Analysis Index, By Product Type, Application, and Country, 2024 - 2030
11.5. Latin America Frac Sand Market Dynamics Trends
12. Middle East and Africa Frac Sand Market Analysis, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2030 (Revenue, USD Mn)
12.1. By Product Type Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%)
12.1.1. White Sand
12.1.2. Brown Sand
12.1.3. Others
12.2. Application Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn), Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
12.2.1. Oil Exploration
12.2.2. Natural Gas Exploration
12.2.3. Others
12.3. Country Analysis 2019 - 2023 and Forecast 2024 - 2030 by Revenue (USD Mn) Y-o-Y Growth (%) and Market Share (%)
12.3.1. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries
12.3.2. Israel
12.3.3. South Africa
12.3.4. Rest of MEA
12.4. MEA Frac Sand Market - Opportunity Analysis Index, By Product Type, Application, and Country, 2024 - 2030
12.5. MEA Frac Sand Market Dynamics Trends
13. Competition Landscape 
13.1. Strategic Dashboard of Top Market Players
13.2. Company Profiles (Introduction, Financial Analysis, Application & Service Offerings, Key Developments, Strategies, and SWOT Analysis)
13.2.1. Badger Mining Corporation
13.2.2. U.S. Silica
13.2.3. Smart Sand, Inc.
13.2.4. Nomad Proppant Services, LLC
13.2.5. Mammoth Energy Service, Inc
13.2.6. Hi-Crush Inc
13.2.7. Fairmount Santrol
13.2.8. Covia Holdings Corporation
13.2.9. CARBO Ceramics Inc.
13.2.10. Black Mountain Sand
13.2.11. Unimin Corporation
14. Research Methodology
15. Key Assumptions and Acronyms

Key Market Players

  • S. Silica
  • Hi-Crush Inc.
  • Smart Sand, Inc.
  • Fairmount Santrol
  • Unimin Corporation
  • CARBO Ceramics Inc.
  • Black Mountain Sand
  • Badger Mining Corporation
  • Covia Holdings Corporation
  • Mammoth Energy Service, Inc.
  • Nomad Proppant Services, LLC

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