Northern Frac Proppants to construct UP-served frac sand mine in Wisconsin

Northern Frac Proppants II L.L.C. (NFP) today announced plans to build a second frac sand mine and processing plant in Jackson County, Wis., that will be served by Union Pacific Railroad.

After reaching first-phase production capacity at its first Wisconsin mine last year, strong demand continued for Northern White frac sand, prompting the company to accelerate plans for a second mine and processing facility in Wisconsin located on an alternative Class I railroad, said NFP President Jeff Alston in a press release.

"This new Jackson County facility will enable NFP to better serve customers in all major North American shale plays," he said. "With the plant located on a UP line, NFP will be able to efficiently reach the Texas and Oklahoma markets."

The Jackson facility also will complement the company's 1,800-acre mine and processing plant located on a CN line in Alma Center, Wis., which serves other major shale plays in the United States, Canada and other international markets, said Alston.

"By accelerating plans to bring online additional mining and processing facilities located directly on key Class I rail lines … and by deploying our innovative methods of storing and transporting frac sand directly to the well head and other locations, [we] will gain greater flexibility to better serve customers in all major North American shale plays," said NFP Chief Operating Officer Dan Koxlien.