PropTester
PropTester is an independent third-party laboratory founded in 2004 in Cypress, Texas, providing ISO/API-aligned proppant and fracturing fluid testing, field oversight, and equipment sales to oil and gas operators, service companies, and proppant manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersCypress, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PropTester does
PropTester, Inc. is a privately held, independent third-party laboratory founded in 2004 and headquartered in Cypress, Texas, with a corporate office in Houston, Texas. The company specializes in ISO/API-aligned testing of proppants and fracturing fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations, serving oil and gas operators, oilfield service companies, and proppant and chemical manufacturers. Its test infrastructure includes 11 conductivity machines and more than 2,500 square feet of dedicated space for flow loop and proppant transport testing, supplemented by mobile laboratories capable of deployment to active well sites and offshore operations.
The company monetizes across five distinct revenue streams: laboratory testing services, well-site field oversight, equipment sales, built-to-suit laboratory rentals, and the Proppant Market Report, a subscription intelligence product co-developed with KELRIK LLC. PropTester's intellectual property portfolio includes granted patents on the PS-50 conductivity test and Well-Site Proppant Sampling technology, plus a pending patent on a large slot-flow wall for scaled fracture-flow testing. The combination of patented methodology, standards accreditation, and a multi-year centralized test database creates a defensible niche in the oilfield testing market.
Commercially, PropTester operates a quote-based, B2B enterprise sales model with named customers including Chevron Corporation and SUN Specialty Products. The company is led by founder and CEO Don Anschutz (30+ years of proppant industry experience), supported by Executive Vice President Mark McGill and Lab Manager Brandon White. Industry engagement is reinforced through presentations at international SPE conferences (Dubai, Calgary), the in-house Proppant Transport Research Council (PTRC), and partnerships with KELRIK LLC, Sintex Minerals, and i-Stimulation Solutions.
PropTester firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PropTester
- Legal name
- PropTester, Inc.
- Website
- https://proptester.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PropTester is an independent third-party laboratory founded in 2004 in Cypress, Texas, providing ISO/API-aligned proppant and fracturing fluid testing, field oversight, and equipment sales to oil and gas operators, service companies, and proppant manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where PropTester is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cypress
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
PropTester business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Laboratory Testing Services: ISO/API-aligned proppant and fracturing fluid testing services including sieve analysis, turbidity, crush testing, conductivity testing, fluid rheology, and specialized analysis. Revenue generated through per-test fees based on specific testing protocols requested by clients.
- Field Oversight Services: On-site and offshore quality assurance/quality control services including proppant inspection, storage bin verification, fluids testing, and job oversight. Revenue generated through service fees for field technician deployment.
- Equipment Sales: Sale of ISO/API laboratory equipment including UCS Parts and Assembly, UCS Extraction Equipment, Pluviator, Crush Cell, and related supplies for customers establishing internal quality control labs.
- Built-to-Suit Laboratory Rentals: Rental of laboratory space and equipment to oil field testing companies. Includes proppant ISO/API testing with long-term conductivity machine rentals, full fluids setup, custom Flow-Loop System, and API Cementing Testing capabilities.
- Proppant Market Report: Annual industry report co-produced with KELRIK LLC covering global proppant market analysis, supplier summaries, and industry trends. Subscription-based access to electronic reports and online database.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom testing services with quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
PropTester product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PropTester is an independent third-party laboratory that provides ISO/API-aligned proppant and fracturing fluid testing services for the oil and gas industry. Its core offerings include ISO 13503-2/API RP-19C proppant qualification testing, ISO 13503-5/API RP-19D conductivity testing (including the patented PS-50 Point Specific 50-Hour Test), fracturing fluids testing, large-scale friction flow loop and slot flow proppant transport testing, and on-site/offshore mobile laboratory testing and field oversight. The company also sells API/ISO lab equipment, rents built-to-suit laboratory space, and runs the Proppant Transport Research Council (PTRC) and the annual Proppant Market Report.
Product overview
PropTester is an independent third-party laboratory specializing in proppant and fracturing fluid testing for the oil and gas industry. The company operates a single integrated service model centered on laboratory and field testing rather than a software platform. Core offerings include Proppant Testing and Qualification (ISO 13503-2/API RP-19C), Conductivity Testing (ISO 13503-5/API RP-19D) including the proprietary PS-50 Point Specific 50-Hour Test, Fluids Testing, Friction Flow Loop and Proppant Transport Testing using patent-pending Slot Flow equipment (4'x8' and 10'x20'), and On-site/Offshore Mobile Testing services. Additional offerings include Equipment Sales and Training, Built-to-Suit Laboratory rentals, Water Analysis, and Barite Testing. The company also operates the Proppant Transport Research Council (PTRC) as a collaborative research program. Testing capabilities span from base-lab standard procedures to advanced large-scale transport studies, with facilities in Cypress, Texas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PS-50: PropTester exclusively offers Single Point Conductivity testing with their patented PS-50 - Point Specific 50 Hour Long-Term Conductivity Test.
- Proppant Transport Research Council (PTRC)
Products and services
- Proppant Testing and Qualification Laboratory testing services applying ISO 13503-2 and API RP-19C standards to analyze frac sand, resin-coated, ceramic, and specialized proppants for quality control and material qualification. Includes sieve analysis, turbidity, bulk density, specific gravity, microscopic examination, Krumbein roundness/sphericity, UCS, crush testing, and related procedures.
- Fluids Testing Comprehensive research and testing for fracturing fluids including guar testing, regain conductivity testing, fluid rheology profiling, fracture fluids oversight, and polymer injection QC. Performed in-lab and at the well-site for onshore and offshore operations targeting oil and gas operators and service companies.
- Conductivity Testing Long-term and point-specific conductivity testing services using ISO 13503-5 and API RP-19D standards, evaluating proppant pack permeability under stress conditions up to 20,000 psi and 500°F. Provided through one of the largest conductivity labs in the United States with 11 testing machines.
- PS-50 Point Specific 50 Hour Long-Term Conductivity Test PropTester's patented single point conductivity test providing point-specific 50-hour testing at customer-selected reservoir pressure and temperature profiles for targeted proppant performance evaluation at specific reservoir conditions.
- Friction Flow Loop and Proppant Transport Testing Large-scale flow loop testing using a 160-gallon capacity blender system with triplex pump, manifold, 20-foot seamless stainless steel test section, differential pressure transducer, and proprietary data monitoring software to evaluate friction reduction and proppant transport behavior under simulated fracture conditions.
- Slot Flow Testing (4'x8' and 10'x20') Patent-pending large-scale slot flow testing equipment for comprehensive proppant transport analysis featuring customizable configurations for transverse fracture and winged fracture models, multiple cameras for slurry behavior documentation, flow meters, pressure transducers, tortuosity simulation, leak-off capability, and in-situ analysis after pumping.
- On-site / Offshore Mobile Testing Mobile laboratory services bringing lab-grade testing capabilities to well sites for both onshore and offshore operations, including field oversight, sample collection at plants/trans-load facilities/ports/well-sites, storage bin inspection, and quality assurance throughout the supply chain.
- Equipment Sales and Training Sale of API/ISO lab equipment including UCS parts and assembly, UCS extraction equipment, Pluviator components, and crush cells, along with consulting services for lab personnel training and quality control lab development.
- Built-to-Suit Laboratories Lab space rental services for companies conducting oil field testing, including proppant ISO/API testing, long-term conductivity machine rentals, custom flow-loop system setup, and API cementing testing capabilities.
- Water Analysis Water quality analysis services determining scaling tendencies through partial or complete analysis including specific gravity, pH, alkalinity, chloride, hardness, dissolved solids, and bacteria testing for oilfield applications.
- Barite Testing In-depth quality testing for barite ore including absolute density, bulk density, pH, water-soluble metals, moisture content, and particle distribution analysis for oilfield drilling applications.
- Proppant Transport Research Council (PTRC) Collaborative research initiative bringing operators, service companies, and product providers together to conduct large-scale proppant transport testing using the 10'x20' slot-flow apparatus over a one-year program with shared data access and full-use license to all test data.
- Proppant Market Report Annual industry report co-produced with KELRIK LLC providing global proppant market analysis, supplier summaries, and industry trends. Subscription-based access to electronic reports and online database for industry intelligence and market benchmarking.
Companies that use PropTester
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PropTester technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
PropTester partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- KELRIK LLCcorePropTester and KELRIK LLC co-produce the annual Proppant Market Report, an industry-leading overview of the global proppant market. The partnership combines PropTester's testing expertise with KELRIK's market analysis capabilities. Contributing authors have over 100 years of combined experience in proppant production, testing, sale, and use.
- Proppant Transport Research Council (PTRC) MemberscorePTRC brings together Operating Companies, Service Companies, and Proppant and Chemical Manufacturers for collaborative one-year research programs focused on proppant transport behavior. Members participate in data meetings, observe tests, and receive full-use license to all test data.
- Sintex Minerals and ServicesminorCo-authored SPE paper 'An Advanced Proppant Depositional Study With Post-Production Flow Evaluation' with authors from Sintex Minerals and Services contributing to the research alongside PropTester team.
- i-Stimulation Solutions, Inc.minorCo-authored SPE paper on proppant depositional study with Ibrahim S. Abou-Sayed from i-Stimulation Solutions, Inc. contributing engineering expertise.
- Chevron CorporationminorCo-authored SPE paper 'New Comprehensive Large Tortuous Slot Flow Testing for Unconventional Fracturing' with authors Amit Singh, Xinghui Liu, Wang Jiehao, and Peggy Rijken from Chevron contributing to proppant transport research.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PropTester competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SGS: SGS is a global testing, inspection, and certification company with energy-sector laboratory capabilities and oilfield services testing that partially overlap with PropTester's third-party lab model.
- Intertek: Intertek provides testing, inspection, and certification services globally, including oil & gas sector laboratory and field-based testing, making it a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities to PropTester.
- Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas operates a global TIC network including oil & gas materials and laboratory testing services, providing a broader-scale alternative to PropTester's specialized proppant/fluids testing.
- MISTRAS Group: MISTRAS provides non-destructive testing, inspection, and mechanical testing services to the energy sector, including oil & gas, offering comparable third-party laboratory and field testing capabilities at a much larger scale.
- Element Materials Testing: Element is a global testing and certification provider serving energy and industrial clients, with oil & gas materials and component testing capabilities that overlap with PropTester's independent lab services.
Others
- SLB (Schlumberger): SLB is a major oilfield services incumbent with internal completion and stimulation testing capabilities; while not a direct competitor, it represents the in-house alternative operators may use in lieu of PropTester's independent services.
- CARBO Ceramics: CARBO is a leading ceramic proppant manufacturer and one of PropTester's target customers; it operates internal proppant testing capabilities and is thematically linked as a key industry participant.
Emerging players
- Stress Engineering Services: Stress Engineering Services provides specialized testing and consulting for upstream oil & gas, including fracture diagnostics and proppant-related analysis, overlapping with PropTester's slot-flow and transport research scope.
Direct peers
- OFI Testing Equipment: OFI manufactures and operates testing equipment for oilfield fluids and proppants, including rheometers and conductivity cells, and provides laboratory testing services overlapping with PropTester's core offerings.
- Core Laboratories (Stim-Lab): Core Laboratories' Stim-Lab division is the most directly comparable independent proppant and fracturing fluid testing laboratory, offering ISO/API-aligned conductivity, crush, and rheology testing services to oil & gas operators globally.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PropTester social profiles
Digital presencePropTester financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PropTester leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
PropTester funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PropTester M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PropTester
What does PropTester do?
PropTester is an independent third-party laboratory that provides ISO/API-aligned proppant and fracturing fluid testing services for the oil and gas industry. Its core offerings include ISO 13503-2/API RP-19C proppant qualification testing, ISO 13503-5/API RP-19D conductivity testing (including the patented PS-50 Point Specific 50-Hour Test), fracturing fluids testing, large-scale friction flow loop and slot flow proppant transport testing, and on-site/offshore mobile laboratory testing and field oversight. The company also sells API/ISO lab equipment, rents built-to-suit laboratory space, and runs the Proppant Transport Research Council (PTRC) and the annual Proppant Market Report.
Is PropTester a public or private company?
PropTester is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PropTester founded?
PropTester was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PropTester based?
PropTester is headquartered in Cypress, United States, in the North America region.
How does PropTester make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Laboratory Testing Services are the primary driver. The others are field Oversight Services, equipment Sales, built-to-Suit Laboratory Rentals and proppant Market Report.
Who are PropTester's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, MISTRAS Group and Element Materials Testing. Others are SLB (Schlumberger) and CARBO Ceramics. Stress Engineering Services is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are OFI Testing Equipment and Core Laboratories (Stim-Lab).
Does PropTester have an API?
No public API is recorded for PropTester.