Austin-based Atlas Energy Solutions recently said Dune Express, a 42-mile conveyor system, is expected to be completed in fourth quarter. It will deliver sand from Atlas’ mine at Kermit to Lea County, N.M. Kyle Turlington, vice president, said the system powered by electricity is believed to be the first application of conveyor technology to long-haul proppant. He said benefits include reducing truck traffic to improve road safety and reducing emissions.
Dune Express is designed to transport 13 million tons of proppant a year with more than 75,000 tons of dry storage. It will have permanent loadouts at State Line in Texas and in Lea County. It also will have mobile loadouts to further shorten proppant transit to wellsites. Turlington told Midland Reporter Telegram the $400 million project is “on budget and on time to be completed in 4Q.”