Can a Texas Plant Fix Haynesville’s Sand Problem?

Delta Sands’ new East Texas plant aims to cut hauling costs and steady sand supply for Haynesville drillers

19 Nov 2025

Delta Sands is planning a new sand processing facility in East Texas, signalling a strategic shift in the Haynesville shale’s supply chain. The project, designed to handle three million tons of sand annually, is expected to begin operations in April 2026 and could ease longstanding logistical constraints in one of the US’s most active gas-producing regions.

For years, Haynesville operators have faced unpredictable deliveries and elevated transport costs as sand was hauled from distant mines. Delta Sands intends to change that by situating processing operations near Interstate 45 and US 79, closer to the western Haynesville drilling corridor. The location is expected to shorten haul routes, reduce expenses, and improve scheduling reliability during high activity periods.

A Delta Sands executive said operators have been seeking a “supply structure that keeps pace with demanding development programs.” Analysts see the project’s timing as deliberate, aligning with producers’ efforts to streamline operations and reduce downtime. Proximity to the field, they say, has become a competitive factor as logistics performance increasingly shapes profitability.

Industry observers believe the initiative could prompt other suppliers to reassess their regional strategies and expand near-basin capacity. However, they caution that volatile gas prices and rapid capacity growth could temporarily outpace drilling demand. Concentrated infrastructure development may also strain local trucking and utilities.

Despite these risks, analysts describe the project as a net positive for the region. By reducing haul distances and simplifying logistics, it is expected to improve supply reliability and operational efficiency. The development marks a gradual transition in the Haynesville from expansion to optimisation, with logistics now seen as central to long-term competitiveness.

If Delta Sands’ plant performs as intended after its 2026 commissioning, it could serve as a model for modernising proppant supply systems in other shale basins.