In natural gas production, what is the purpose of injecting sand?

• A. It keeps fractures open
• B. It increases reservoir pressure
• C. It reduces viscosity
• D. It seals fractures

Answer: (A)

Sand acts as a proppant in hydraulic fracturing. The high-pressure fluid creates fractures in the rock, and the sand grains fill those fractures to hold them open. When the pumping pressure drops, the surrounding rock would tend to close the cracks, but the suspended sand props keep the fractures open, maintaining conductivity so gas can flow to the well. This is why the purpose is to keep fractures open. It doesn’t primarily raise reservoir pressure, change fluid viscosity, or seal fractures.