Athabasca Receives Additional Positive Frac Sand Test Results
July 28th 2011 - Athabasca Minerals Inc. ("Athabasca" or the "Corporation") (TSX Venture: ABM) is pleased to announce it has received additional test results of conductivity and permeability of its 20/40, 40/70 and 70/140 frac sand. The testing was performed by Stim-Lab, Inc., an independent firm based in Duncan, Oklahoma that specializes in proppants testing for the oil and gas industry. The samples were selected from various test holes that represent a typical layer of silica sand from the Corporation's 12,800 hectare Firebag property located in the Wood Buffalo region of Northern Alberta.
These test results, together with test results previously announced on June 10th, 2011, provide positive indication that the Corporation's Firebag property silica sand is suitable for use as quality proppants in hydraulic fracturing.
Conductivity testing evaluates how easily fluid can pass through sand at reservoir conditions. Various closure stresses are tested to determine how sand withstands forces at different depths and pressures. Permeability is a measure of the ability of fluids to flow through sand (or other porous media), expressed in units termed Darcys.The samples were evaluated at 2 lb/ft2 at 150 °F and long-term for 50 hours at 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 psi closure stress between slabs of Ohio Sandstone core.
Previous test results demonstrate Athabasca frac sand in 20/40, 40/70 and 70/140 sizes exhibit high quality crush strength silica ratings, and can be processed with minimal waste. All three grades of frac sand meet or exceed API/ISO specifications for use as quality proppants in hydraulic fracturing in many types of reservoirs, as well as in gravel packing operations.
These results were indicated to be comparable, and in some fractions superior, to those of selected industry standard frac sands.
Dom Kriangkum, President of Athabasca, commented: "We are very pleased with these most recent test results of Athabasca frac sand, and look forward to establishing the quantity potential of our silica resources in the coming months. The demand for frac sand has increased substantially in recent years. The Corporation seeks to position itself as a market leader in the supply of quality frac sand within Alberta and other regions in Canada and the United States.
The Corporation intends to explore opportunities with companies interested in utilizing its high quality natural frac sand."
Darrell Cotterrill, PGeol, is identified as the qualified person of the Corporation under NI 43-101 for this news release.
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