Well, thank you for asking me. I've read about it and watched a really dumb video yesterday suggesting the use of this material as a frac proppant was improving productivity by 30%. That's a whopper; I've read where it has only been used 4 times in all of Exxon's Permian campaign. So, it's too new to say, IMO.

Coke of course is a waste product so that part is good; it's costly to process down to sieve sizes that can be pumped downhole in varying concentrations. It hard as hell, but brittle. It is less dense that sand so theoretically could be pumped in higher concentrations (densities, i.e. proppant in pounds per gallon of frac fluid) and higher rates, which might be useful in the super long laterals Exxon also likes to drill, but don't work.

Remember the purpose in a hydraulic frac, for lack of a better term, is to break rock and prop up the induced fractures with something that will keep them open for a long time. Breaking rock requires tremendous energy, lots of horsepower, and DENSE slurries that will act like a big piston, or sledge hammer. We always liked to see very dense slurries pumped down hole that were heavily laden with high sand concentrations. The heavier the better, so we spent lots of time creating fluids that would carry high sand concentrations. Now Exxon seems to be interested in just the opposite.

Let's watch. Whomever is suggesting it is revolutionary and is going to save America is, well, not telling the truth. Exxon was going to turn the Permian Basin tight oil sector on its ear starting 7 years ago...I think it finally met its first guidance goal, ever, back in August.

Whatever the sector thinks might help they better hurry because in a few years they will be drilled up, gassed out, and flooded with water.

Sorry to always sound so cynical; I often feel it necessary to keep people on planet earth about this shale stuff.

Thank you again.