Tiny Ceramics, Big Oil Gains: A Shale Game-Changer

CARBO Ceramics’ technology boosts oil production by 20%, challenging conventional frac sand in major shale basins.

6 Jun 2025

A new generation of ceramic technology is beginning to reshape the North American shale industry, with early trials showing significant production gains over traditional methods. CARBO Ceramics, a US-based supplier of oilfield materials, reports that its latest product, NANOMITE Express, has helped lift oil and gas output by more than 20 per cent in the Delaware Basin.

The increase comes from the use of microproppants, which are ultra-fine ceramic particles designed to penetrate smaller rock fractures beyond the reach of conventional frac sand. By keeping these microfractures open, the technology allows more hydrocarbons to flow to the wellbore.

“This technology extracts more value from every well without major equipment upgrades,” a CARBO Ceramics spokesperson said.

The prospect of greater returns without large capital investments is drawing attention from shale producers facing volatile oil prices and rising investor scrutiny. Pilot projects using NANOMITE Express have expanded in the Permian Basin, with operators seeking to replicate the higher yields recorded in early trials.

Higher costs and supply chain considerations have historically limited the use of ceramic proppants, which are more expensive to produce and transport than natural sand. However, proponents argue that the performance gains now being recorded outweigh these disadvantages, particularly in mature basins where improving efficiency is a growing priority.

Industry analysts expect ceramics to gain market share if current performance trends continue, though broader adoption will depend on consistent production improvements and cost reductions.

CARBO Ceramics, which filed for bankruptcy in 2020 before restructuring, is positioning itself to benefit from the growing demand for more advanced well completion materials. The company says its microproppants enable producers to increase output without significant changes to their operations.

As shale operators look to maximize recovery from existing assets, ceramic microproppants are emerging as a potential alternative to standard frac sand, with the capacity to influence future completion strategies in US shale regions.