Abstract: A system and method for automatic selection and control of pumps for well stimulation operations is disclosed. In certain embodiments, a system may comprise a pumping system comprising one or more pumping units, a fluid manifold providing fluid communication between the one or more pumping units and a wellbore, and a controller for determining a torque capability of the one or more pumping units.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate generally to subterranean formation operations and, more particularly, systems and methods for achieving target downhole pressures having target downhole wave shapes for enhancement of subterranean formation stimulation and production. In particular, a treatment fluid is introduced into a subterranean formation and a downhole pressure wave in the subterranean formation having a downhole wave shape is determined, and a surface pressure wave having a surface wave shape is determined. The downhole wave shape and the surface wave shape are compared, followed by adjustment of the surface pressure to achieve a target downhole pressure wave in the subterranean formation having a target downhole wave shape. The target downhole pressure and target downhole wave shape may be selected to maximize production of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: To detect the occurrence of slippage, a transmission health monitor integrates speed measurements for an engine shaft and a transmission shaft to determine a number of revolutions for each shaft. The monitor then uses a ratio of the revolutions adjusted for a transmission gear ratio to determine whether slippage has occurred. Based on the slippage, the monitor can determine a cumulative amount of wear on a clutch for each gear and track the rate of change of slippage over time to determine a rate at which wear is occurring. The monitor can also correlate slippage calculations with torque measurements to identify operating conditions at which slippage is occurring. The monitor uses the cumulative amount of slippage, the rate of change of slippage, and the operating conditions at which slippage is occurring to estimate a remaining lifespan for a clutch or indicate that a clutch should be repaired or replaced.

Abstract: A system includes a high-pressure static mixer. The system also includes a clean fluid system that provides clean fluid to the first high-pressure static mixer at a first fluid velocity and a proppant fluid system that provides a proppant concentrate to the first high-pressure static mixer at a second fluid velocity. Additionally, the system includes a wellhead in fluid communication with the first high-pressure static mixer. The wellhead receives a mixed fluid including the clean fluid and the proppant concentrate from the first high-pressure static mixer.

Abstract: Multi-well fracture control incorporates physical well properties into a model for fracture geometry to determine optimal mitigation techniques for well interference effects. Sensors in a monitoring well and a treatment well measure well properties during fluid injection and pumping in the treatment well. The measurement data is used to constrain fracture geometry model. The fracture geometry model is then used to calculate fracture growth rates and direction which are used to calculate an estimated time for the occurrence of well interference effects in the multi-well system. From the fracture geometry model, fracture growth rates and direction, and the estimated time for the occurrence of well interference, locations of potential well interference effects are predicted. A mitigation strategy is planned based on the predicted location and time of well interference events. Treatment actions can be taken in anticipation of the well interference events.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes injecting a fluid into a wellbore; measuring, by a surface pressure sensor, a surface pressure; and measuring, by a downhole pressure sensor, a downhole pressure. A controller determines a true friction pressure based on a pressure differential between the surface pressure and the downhole pressure. A concentration of one or more components in the fluid is adjusted based on the true friction pressure to lower a total friction pressure loss.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate generally to subterranean formation operations and, more particularly, systems and methods for achieving target downhole pressures having target downhole wave shapes for enhancement of subterranean formation stimulation and production. In particular, a treatment fluid is introduced into a subterranean formation and a downhole pressure wave in the subterranean formation having a downhole wave shape is determined, and a surface pressure wave having a surface wave shape is determined. The downhole wave shape and the surface wave shape are compared, followed by adjustment of the surface pressure to achieve a target downhole pressure wave in the subterranean formation having a target downhole wave shape. The target downhole pressure and target downhole wave shape may be selected to maximize production of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: To improve or optimize a wellbore treatment operation, a target net treating pressure may be determined and the constant net treating pressure maintained to effectively enhance formation breakdown and fracture complexity as well as provide a reduction in wear and tear of equipment and completion time. The target net treating pressure may be based on one or more treatment parameters and these parameters may be adjusted during the wellbore treatment operation to maintain a constant net treating pressure at or about the target net treating pressure. The injection rate or pressure of a treatment fluid may be adjusted to maintain the constant net treating pressure. Measurements associated with the wellbore treatment operation may be compared to an operational constraint and adjustments to the wellbore treatment operation may be made based on the comparison. The wellbore treatment operation may be terminated based on a parameter falling below or exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A pressure equalizing system comprising a high pressure pump, a low pressure pump, a pressure adjusting device, a fluid interface separator, and a chamber; wherein the system is transitionable between loading and discharging configurations via a pressure equalizing configuration; wherein the fluid interface separator is downstream of the high pressure and low pressure pumps, and upstream of the pressure adjusting device and chamber; wherein the fluid interface separator is configured to transition the system between loading and discharging configurations; wherein, when the system is in pressure equalizing configuration and transitioning from discharging to loading configuration, the pressure adjusting device decreases pressure of chamber from first pressure to within ±100 psig of second pressure; and wherein, when the system is in pressure equalizing configuration and transitioning from loading to discharging configuration, the pressure adjusting device increases pressure of chamber from second pressure to wi

Abstract: A method for reducing noise produced by well operations includes obtaining a list of equipment performing the well operations in an open-air environment. The method further includes obtaining a mapping between engine rotations-per-minute (“RPM”), load, and noise produced by a combination of the equipment. The method further includes selecting a set point comprising gear number and engine speed, respectively for each engine, that minimizes the noise produced for the combination of the equipment based on the mapping. The method further includes adjusting each engine driving the well operations to operate at the respective set point.

Abstract: To improve or optimize a wellbore treatment operation, a target net treating pressure may be determined and the constant net treating pressure maintained to effectively enhance formation breakdown and fracture complexity as well as provide a reduction in wear and tear of equipment and completion time. The target net treating pressure may be based on one or more treatment parameters and these parameters may be adjusted during the wellbore treatment operation to maintain a constant net treating pressure at or about the target net treating pressure. The injection rate or pressure of a treatment fluid may be adjusted to maintain the constant net treating pressure. Measurements associated with the wellbore treatment operation may be compared to an operational constraint and adjustments to the wellbore treatment operation may be made based on the comparison. The wellbore treatment operation may be terminated based on a parameter falling below or exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A pumping system is provided which includes a motor coupled with a transmission and a pump. The pump includes a housing with a chamber, a plunger coupled with the motor and the transmission and translatable into and out of the chamber creating pressure changes in the chamber, an entry valve at an inlet in the housing to the chamber, an exit valve at an outlet in the housing to the chamber, and an actuator coupled with the entry valve. The actuator is operable to hold the entry valve in an open configuration independent of pressure changes created by the translation of the plunger.

Abstract: A containment apparatus is provided having a container body enclosing an inner cavity for containing fluids. The container body has a mouth and a metering aperture each passing through the container body permitting fluidic communication from the inner cavity to outside the container body. A flexible inert barrier is provided within the inner cavity and fluidically separating the mouth and the metering aperture, the flexible inert barrier forming a protective liner along the surface of the inner cavity when filled with a harsh fluid introduced from the mouth, and collapsible toward the mouth upon a greater differential pressure experienced from a benign fluid introduced from the metering aperture whereby the harsh fluid is forced out of the mouth, a portion of the surface of the inner cavity being exposed to the benign fluid upon collapse of the flexible inert barrier.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a system and method for using fuel cells to generate electricity for powering well stimulation equipment (e.g., high pressure hydraulic pumping units) at a well stimulation site are provided. The fuel cells may be coupled to the stimulation equipment via a DC/AC converter and, in some embodiments, via a variable frequency drive (VFD). The fuel cells may be arranged in a fuel cell stack that is used to generate electricity to power various electrical devices (e.g., electric motors) on the equipment. The fuel cells generally operate at higher efficiencies than is available through the use of diesel engines. In addition, the fuel cells may require less frequent refueling and provide a more centrally located area for refueling, lower emissions, and quieter operations than are currently available using diesel engines.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise produced by well operations includes obtaining a list of equipment performing the well operations in an open-air environment. The method further includes obtaining a mapping between engine rotations-per-minute (“RPM”), load, and noise produced by a combination of the equipment. The method further includes selecting a set point comprising gear number and engine speed, respectively for each engine, that minimizes the noise produced for the combination of the equipment based on the mapping. The method further includes adjusting each engine driving the well operations to operate at the respective set point.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a hybrid drive system that uses multiple sources of mechanical energy to drive a pump is provided. The hybrid drive system may include a first mover for generating first mechanical energy, a pump, a drivetrain for providing first mechanical energy from the first mover to the pump, and a second mover within the drivetrain to generate and provide second mechanical energy to the pump. The multiple sources of mechanical energy may provide flexibility with respect to system design and allow for alternative sources of fuel and energy to be used to drive pumping systems. This may reduce the total diesel fuel consumption necessary to perform a well stimulation operation as well as provide for configurations in which diesel engines may be excluded from the pumping process in favor of alternative energy sources that typically do not have sufficient torque capacity to power a pump.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a system and method for using fuel cells to generate electricity for powering well stimulation equipment (e.g., high pressure hydraulic pumping units) at a well stimulation site are provided. The fuel cells may be coupled to the stimulation equipment via a DC/AC converter and, in some embodiments, via a variable frequency drive (VFD). The fuel cells may be arranged in a fuel cell stack that is used to generate electricity to power various electrical devices (e.g., electric motors) on the equipment. The fuel cells generally operate at higher efficiencies than is available through the use of diesel engines. In addition, the fuel cells may require less frequent refueling and provide a more centrally located area for refueling, lower emissions, and quieter operations than are currently available using diesel engines.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for mixing proppant and other solids with one or more fracturing fluids to form a fracturing slurry, and for delivering the fracturing slurry to a wellbore. In the example systems as described herein, the proppant is mixed with the fracturing fluids through an assembly that limits the number of pumps that are required to move the relatively abrasive proppant]containing fluids. Additionally, in the example systems, the proppant is mixed within enclosed structures, thereby minimizing the escape of dust and other particulates into the surrounding atmosphere and onto the equipment at the well site.