Many newly drilled oil and gas wells need to be hydraulically stimulated (fractured) before they can be put on production.
Hydraulic fracturing requires large amounts of frac sand (mostly silicon dioxide or quartz) – anywhere from 1000 tons to 10,000 tons per well.
This sand (proppant) is used to keep underground fractures open, allowing for more efficient extraction of hydrocarbons.
The frac sand haulers are responsible for transporting frac sand from sand plants to the oil and gas drilling sites.
This job requires good driving skills, along with a thorough understanding of safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and industry regulations.
Related: What is Hydraulic Fracturing?
The Duties and Responsibilities of Frac Sand Haulers
Safe Driving
As a frac sand hauler, your primary duty would be getting loads of frac sand from point A (the sand plants) to point B (the drilling sites). This often involves navigating challenging terrains, making safety and skilled driving key.
Loading and Unloading
Precise loading and unloading of frac sand are vital because let’s be honest; no one wants to see sand spilled all over the lease.
Delivery, Inspection, & Maintenance
Like any truck driver, frac sand haulers also must verify that freights are secured, deliver items to customers, and maintain their vehicles in good condition. However, the specialized nature of their cargo adds an additional layer of complexity.
Compliance
Transportation is highly regulated; this goes double for hazardous materials transportation. Compliance with the Department of Transportation’s regulations and health and safety standards is critical in this role.
Related: Working as a Frac Equipment Operator
How to Get a Job as a Frac Sand Hauler?
Education and Licensing
It all starts with getting your basic education requirements (a high school diploma or equivalent), followed by earning your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Gaining Practical Experience
It’s very beneficial to have around 1-2 years of trucking experience under your belt before you venture into frac sand hauling. If you also have experience with pneumatics and super B equipment and boast a clean or limited violation driver’s license – you are golden!
Certifications
Safety is paramount; so certain certifications like Standard First Aid, H2S Alive, CSO, along with a Class 1 License with Air Endorsement can make it much easier for you to land a job.
Specialized Training
You now have general truck driving skills – great! But don’t stop there; to be a successful frac sand hauler, you need to understand the nuances of handling frac sand and specialized equipment as well as learning safety protocols unique to the oil and gas industry.
Landing Your Job
After equipping yourself with all the necessary skills, experience, and certifications, it’s time to land your frac sand hauling job! Use sites likes Indeed, LinkedIn, and Rigzone to send resumes. But also don’t be shy to drop your resumes in person especially when the industry is booming.
How Much Frac Sand Haulers Make?
A variety of factors can influence your earnings; location, experience level, and even company policies can play a significant role.
Typically though, frac sand haulers in the United States make on average between $60,000 and $150,000 annually – a pretty competitive wage compared to other trucking jobs!
Read next: Top 10 Chemicals Used In Hydraulic Fracturing Process