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My big news ..............

HFF-SLTX

Gold Buffalo
Jan 21, 2006
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Today, our product will be launched at fracking conference in the Woodlands, TX. A little over 2 years ago, I moved on an investment in a Chinese proppant manufacturer. At the time, the biggest obstacle in our industry was overcoming the quality issues that plagued the Chinese manufacturers. Our first wish was to open up in the USA. However, I laid out why the policies of this administration (EPA and red tape) made it impossible to do the investment here.


Over the last 2 years, we completed 2 additional production line upgrades, put in place state of the art Labs, technical equipment, and QA processes. Additionally, we built distribution networks and focused on doing things right, then focusing on sales.

Anyway, today, we begin a 10 year, 4 Billion dollar relationship with the largest company in the market. We are private labeling a product for them and distributing it globally to all their regions. We will be displacing up to 12 suppliers in a market that is currently down to the oil prices.

I remember Dtard and Extragreed giving me all kinds of bs over this. Now, with this happening today, I can reflect back and look at how poorly informed they were. I took grief for choosing China. However, the real problem was, and still is, our government is killing America's competitiveness through over reaching policies and taxes. To all of those crying and believing we do not pay our fair share, and need to pay more. Please take a look at the tax revenue and American jobs lost in this deal alone because our policies are not nearly competitive. Furthermore, the red tape would have resulted in us likely just starting production in 2015 in the US, as opposed to being where we are now.

Please libs, tell me what you would have done, and why any investor would do what Dtard and Extragreed insisted I do 2 years ago?

These are the real circumstances and results of an overreaching government and regulations.
 
So I have two large holdings in EMES and HCLP, both sand proppant miners and distributors. From what you are saying I would assume you are referring to a ceramic proppant. How is it cost effective to ship to the US large quantities of proppant. I would assume you are referring to Baker Hughes or Schlumberger as your large distributor. There are many sand operations in the US that are providing this service and even with declining rig count cant keep up with the orders. In addition the big boys are hedged and contracted for 1-2 years to come. Best of luck but the business model does not make sense....
 
Don't throw your shoulder out patting yourself on the back there, chief.
 
Originally posted by HerdBuckeye:

So I have two large holdings in EMES and HCLP, both sand proppant miners and distributors. From what you are saying I would assume you are referring to a ceramic proppant. How is it cost effective to ship to the US large quantities of proppant. I would assume you are referring to Baker Hughes or Schlumberger as your large distributor. There are many sand operations in the US that are providing this service and even with declining rig count cant keep up with the orders. In addition the big boys are hedged and contracted for 1-2 years to come. Best of luck but the business model does not make sense....
Buckeye, there are 2 different markets, that of ceramics and that of natural sand. I am building the distribution points for both. As for the ceramic side, I invested directly in the Chinese factory. I handle the shipping, logistics, supply chain and services to the well for the customer. In 2014, our customers received ZERO demurrage or additional costs. That is huge, and it is a business model that makes perfect sense.

Ceramics makes up about 10% of the entire sand market. Natural sand makes up about 90%. The problems that face natural sand in the areas where ceramics are used, are two fold. First is a technical area and ROI on the well itself. This changes with multiple operating factors and is usually dependent upon the owner's well design. The second and often least discussed is that of the supply chain. We have enough sand, for the most parts, enough sand cars to handle demand. However, unloading points are a scarce commodity and often limit what can be done.

Furthermore, ceramics are used globally. This model protects me from falling prices and demand in one region (such as US frack demand) now and minimizes risk.

The business models work. As matter of fact, they work so well, the company has asked us to look into repeating what we do for their other products as well.
 
Originally posted by HRHF:
Don't throw your shoulder out patting yourself on the back there, chief.
Don't worry HRHF, just trying to get this Chinese Shirt off my back that Extragreed and Dtard put on me. I plan on giving it back to them!
 
Congratulations on seeing the rewards of your efforts, or at least getting to the point where you can see them coming. Must be a very exciting time for you.
 
Congratulations. People who have never gone through the process of starting a business or working closely with people that have, know very little of the commitment it takes to start such an endeavor. Best of luck and continued prosperity to you.
 
Originally posted by Raoul Duke MU:
So, why not sand? Why do some use ceramics?
Raoul,

Sand had lower crush rates, conductivity, and roundness. These qualities result in decreased flow and output of the well. The difference in price is that sand costs .06-.08 $ per lb, ceramics are typically .25-.30 per lb. 4/5:1 ratio in price.

Ceramics provide a greater return over time; sand returns are shorter and less efficient. It is really dependant upon the design of the well, and the company. Most banks are requiring a 18-24 month ROI, which has put greater emphasis on sand use. With the fall in prices, some companies are lowering costs through switching to sand. Other companies are restructuring their capital models and stretching out the ROI periods and switching to ceramics.

Overall, ceramics will decrease in usage in 2015, sand swill slow growth. They each face their own set of obstacles. My model is different because I focus on providing great delivery points and combining them with quality products. I will start to do the same in regular sand. I am actually seeking a spot in the Marcellus currently for sand.
 
Originally posted by HerdBuckeye:

So I have two large holdings in EMES and HCLP, both sand proppant miners and distributors. From what you are saying I would assume you are referring to a ceramic proppant. How is it cost effective to ship to the US large quantities of proppant. I would assume you are referring to Baker Hughes or Schlumberger as your large distributor. There are many sand operations in the US that are providing this service and even with declining rig count cant keep up with the orders. In addition the big boys are hedged and contracted for 1-2 years to come. Best of luck but the business model does not make sense....
HerdBuckeye, just curious....have you ever operated within these markets or just own holdings within 2 companies? By your comments, I am not certain you understand the business models.
 
I understand it very well. I have been consulting with energy companies in the Marcellus and Eagle Ford for well over 15 years. I have been on countless well pads and am very informed on most of the big boys proprietary processes and trade secrets including well pad and extraction design. I also understand the proppant maket very well, well enough to have made a ton of cash in a very commoditized maket. The big players now are using some of the best minds in logistics and big data to squeeze every last bit of waste and inefficiencies out of the process. Like I said best of luck I am sure you have done all your homework....
 
Congratulations. Can you share an example or two of the regulations that place you in a competitive disadvantage?
 
Buckeye,

I would like your insights on the sand industry in/around Utica/Marcellus. I have two funds that have approached me to start operations for them in the areas. I also have one of our Bakken customers asking me the same. I am in Pickerington, OH, do not know how far away that is from you. However, if you are up for lunch one day, I'll buy and would like to discuss the natural sand market with you. I am probably going to do something. One of my opportunities would likely involve Hi Crush, one of your companies, as the relationships go to one of their executive leaders. Let me know, I am heading to Dubai, Oman and Saudi Arabia on Sunday for the next few weeks. Would love to meet up when I get back.

HFF!
 
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