CALGARY, AB – In a paper presented by Energera Lead CFD Researcher, Chris Johnston to the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) on March 13, 2024, researchers found that Sandtinel Sand Separators have the lowest methane emissions of any form of sand separator for well flowback after hydraulic fracturing treatment. 

The research found that about half of all emissions during the flowback operation were related to methane released during sand separator drain cycles.

These emissions were reduced to close to zero when the Sandtinel sand separators were drained as designed. In particular, Sandtinel vortex-style sand separators proved to emit 95% less methane over the course of the project compared to vertical cyclonic separators.

Methane emissions have become a major focus of regulators in North America.  Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, initially trapping about 100X as much heat as CO₂.  As it breaks down more quickly than CO₂, however, the effect begins to dissipate so that over 100 years, methane traps about 28X more heat than CO₂ (Source: MIT Climate Portal Why do we compare methane to carbon dioxide over a 100-year timeframe? Are we underrating the importance of methane emissions? | MIT Climate Portal ).  Recent fines levied against operators of oil and gas sites have raised concerns that these operators may not have options readily available to mitigate the emissions. 

The research described in the technical paper shows that there are existing technologies that can be used to dramatically reduce the amount of methane produced during flowback.

A summary of the presentation and paper can be found here, and the full technical paper can be accessed through SPE OnePetro: “Minimizing Fugitive Emissions in Post Fracturing Sand Separation Using A Vortex Separator"

For more information on Sandtinel Sand Separators, please visit www.sandtinel.com

ABOUT ENERGERA | Changing the World of Energy™

Beginning in 2011 with Frac Shack and following the acquisition of Sandtinel in 2020, Energera was created in 2021 recognizing the need for powerful and impactful enertech solutions. Energera stands as an industry leader for change enabling energy development that is smarter, greener, safer, and cleaner, charting a path forward to a world where energy has far less environmental impacts, more affordable, and readily available for all. For more information, please visit our home page.

Denver, Colorado, September 17, 2021 - Frac Shack Inc. announced it has rebranded to Energera Inc.

“Our industry is changing to meet the energy needs for the next century, and we will be part of that change”, said Todd Van Vliet, the CEO. “Our existing brands including Frac Shack, Sandtinel and NG Sidekick will not go away, but will be part of our larger vision to provide technology for the new era of energy”.

Energera Inc. is the parent company of Canadian operating companies Frac Shack International Inc. and Sand Separation Technologies Inc., of U.S. entities Frac Shack America Inc. and Sandtinel LLC, as well as the Argentinian company Frac Shack S.A.S.

“We are a technology company, with ambitions to drive improvement in our industry sector, and energy production overall. We realized our name told only part of that story. Energera™ is all about change. It speaks of a relentless drive for improvement, proud of its past but also hungry for a bright future in energy”, said Van Vliet.

The announcement was made at the commencement of a charity golf tournament in Denver, organized by Energera™ to help raise money for Oilfield Helping Hands. This charity is dedicated to helping oilfield families in financial crisis.

For more information on Energera Inc. and its mission, please visit www.energera.com.

Energera – Technology for the New Era of Energy®