SYSTEM FOR MULTI-WELL FRAC USING MONO-BORE FLEX PIPE

Abstract

A system for fracturing an underground formation includes a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series. The system also includes a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/811,670 filed Feb. 28, 2019 titled “SYSTEM FOR MULTI-WELL FRAC USING MONO-BORE FLEX PIPE,” the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates in general to oil and gas tools, and in particular, to systems and methods for fracturing operations at a well site, particularly zipper frac sites.

2. Description of Related Art

In oil and gas production, various tubulars, valves, and instrumentation systems may be used to direct fluids into and out of a wellhead. For example, in hydraulic fracturing operations, frac trees may be arranged at the wellhead and include pipe spools and various valves to direct hydraulic fracturing fluid into the wellbore. If several trees are arranged proximate one another, fracturing may be done in series, with one frac tree being utilized before a second frac tree is used. The piping is typically hard piping, which may not be utilized for long periods of time while adjacent frac trees are used. Additionally, the piping may be subject to erosion and contribute to line losses due to diameter changes and bends.

SUMMARY

Applicant recognized the limitations with existing systems herein and conceived and developed embodiments of systems and methods, according to the present disclosure, to improve the systems by utilizing encapsulation of various datasets into common transmission packets.

In an embodiment, a system for fracturing an underground formation includes a flexible pipe, coupled to a missile outlet of a missile receiving a high pressure slurry from a pump, the flexible pipe arranged on a spool adapted to increase or decrease a working length of flexible pipe based on rotation of the spool. The system also includes a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to engage a fracturing tree associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the fracturing tree.

In an embodiment, a system for fracturing an underground formation includes a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe arranged on a spool adapted to increase or decrease a working length of flexible pipe based on rotation of the spool. The system also includes a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to a fracturing tree associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the fracturing tree.

In an embodiment, a system for fracturing an underground formation includes a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series. The system also includes a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees.

In an embodiment, a method for fracturing an underground formation includes coupling a first end of a flexible pipe to an outlet of a high pressure fluid collection system, the high pressure fluid collection system receiving the high pressure fluid from one or more pump outlets. The method also includes coupling a second end of the flexible pipe to a first inlet of a first fracturing tree. The method further includes fracturing the wellbore via the first fracturing tree. The method also includes disconnecting the second end of the flexible pipe from the first inlet of the first fracturing tree. The method further includes moving the second end of the flexible pipe to a second inlet of a second fracturing tree. The method also includes coupling the second end of the flexible pipe to the second inlet of the second fracturing tree.

In an embodiment, a method for fracturing an underground formation includes coupling a first end of a first flexible pipe segment to an outlet of a high pressure fluid collection system, the high pressure fluid collection system receiving the high pressure fluid from one or more pump outlets. The method also includes coupling a second end of a second flexible pipe segment to a first inlet of a first fracturing tree. The method also includes disconnecting the second end of the second flexible pipe segment from the first inlet of the first fracturing tree, after a fracturing operation is performed via the first fracturing tree. The method includes moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to a second inlet of a second fracturing tree. The method further includes coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the second inlet of the second fracturing tree.

In an embodiment, a system for hydraulic fracturing operations includes a plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps positioned at a well site, each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps receiving a fluid from a supply source. The system also includes a missile receiving high pressure fluid from each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps. The system further includes a plurality of fracturing trees. The system also includes a spool supporting flexible pipe, a working length of the flexible pipe being adjustable, the flexible pipe having a first end coupled to the missile and a second end configured to couple to at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, wherein the second end is configurable to be moved between each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees.

In an embodiment, a system for hydraulic fracturing operations includes a plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps positioned at a well site, each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps receiving a fluid from a supply source. The system also includes a missile receiving high pressure fluid from each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps. The system further includes a plurality of fracturing trees. The system also includes one or more flexible pipe segments forming a flow path between the missile and at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, wherein coupling end of the one or more flexible pipe segments is configurable to be moved to adjust the flow path between each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present technology will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fracturing site, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a multi-well fracturing configuration, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a section of flexible pipe, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a piping configuration including a flexible pipe, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cradle for flexible pipe, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a piping configuration including flexible pipe, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fracturing site lay out including a flexible pipe spool, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 7A-7D are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a multi-well fracturing configuration, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the present technology will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. In describing the preferred embodiments of the technology illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. The present technology, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments,” or “other embodiments” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, reference to terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “front,” “back,” or other terms regarding orientation are made with reference to the illustrated embodiments and are not intended to be limiting or exclude other orientations.

In current multi well zipper frac applications, operators typically use a zipper manifold, which comprises of a set of valves that are opened and closed to selectively pump frac fluid in to the well. A manifold typically has an inlet and an outlet. Hydraulic fluid is collected from multiple pumps in to a separate collection manifold, which is hydraulically coupled to the inlet of the zipper manifold with rigid piping. The outlet of the zipper manifold is coupled to the frac stack on the well using similar rigid piping (one or more sections). In this system, piping and manifolds are typically made of a variety of steels.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will reduce or eliminate the use of a zipper manifold and associated rigid piping. For example, systems and methods of the present disclosure include a flexible pipe that has a first end connected to the outlet of a collection manifold, which combines all or substantially all high pressure pump outputs into a single stream. The flexible pipe may be referred to as a monobore flexible pipe and, in various embodiments, includes a connector at a second end, opposite the end coupled to the collection manifold, coupled to the frac stack (e.g., at a far end designed to couple to a frac stack). It should be appreciated that, in various embodiments, controls valves may also be positioned at the outlet of the collection manifold, at the outlet of the flexible pipe, or any location between. Furthermore, additional flow paths may also be arranged between the outlet of the collection manifold and the flexible pipe. However, systems and methods may not include only a single section of flexible pipe. For example, multiple segments of flexible pipe may be connected together in series. That is, an inlet of a first monobore flexible pipe may be connected to (or fluidly coupled to) the outlet of the collection manifold, and a second monobore flexible pipe may be connected to the outlet of the first monobore flexible pipe, and so on. Moreover, embodiments are presented where a first end is coupled directly to the outlet of the collection manifold and the second end is coupled directly to the frac stack.

In various embodiments, parallel control valves may enable multiple configurations including any number of flexible pipe sections. For example, a first monobore flexible pipe outlet may include a control valve that can direct flow to either a second monobore flexible pipe or a third monobore flexible pipe, which may be arranged in parallel to the second monobore flexible pipe. The flex pipe will be reel mounted, in certain embodiments, which in turn will be mounted on a trailer, truck bed, platform, skid, or the like. Once the trailer is brought to location and positioned as needed, the piping may be rolled out, for example, by using a crane (trailer mounted or standalone) to adjust a working length of the flexible pipe. It should be appreciated that all of the pipe need not be rolled out from the spool, as at least a portion of the piping may remain on the reel. Additionally, in embodiments where multiple spools are used, one or more of the spools may be completely unspooled while one or more other spools are partially unspooled or not unspooled at all. Furthermore, if flex pipe is left mounted on the reel during operations, a fluid flow connector may be coupled with one end of the flex pipe. This fluid flow connector will exit the reel in the same direction as the axis of the reel. This connector could be used as the inlet or outlet. The inlet end may be carried to the outlet of the collection manifold using a crane, or in certain embodiments other lifting devices, and the connection can be made up manually or using a remote actuated quick connect. Similarly, the outlet end will be carried by the crane to the well that is intended to the fractured and the connection will be made at the frac stack. The connector can be a flange, thread, clamp, actuated or manual. In cases where the distance from the wells and pumps is greater, multiple flex pipes can be connected in series.

After the connection is made with the well that is intended to be fractured, frac can commence. Once frac is over, and the operator wishes to move to the next well, the connection between well and flex pipe is broken (remotely or manually) and the crane will carry the flex pipe to the next well that is intended to be fractured and the connection will be made. This sequence of events can be repeated as many times as is needed until all the wells on the location are fractured as intended.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various benefits over existing methods including a zipper manifold to perform fracturing operations. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may: eliminate the use of zipper manifolds (reduced piping and valves at the site), use a flex pipe that has a polyethylene (polymer/thermoplastic) inner layer, which is more resistant to erosion, may include fewer turns and hence reduce friction losses, include a true monobore system, include fewer leak paths, provide a modular arrangement that can be utilized with various pad layouts, reduce pressure drop in the line, reduce greasing time due to the decreased number of valves, enable a mono-head inlet into the frac tree, facilitate remote operations, and utilize quick connect connections to facilitate movement between frac trees.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a streamlined flow system that reduces a total number of connections at the well site and also reduces a number of leak paths. Furthermore, less material is utilized at the well site because the same flex pipe may be moved from frac tree to frac tree. Additionally, as described below, in various embodiments the system may facilitate remote movement, coupling, and decoupling of the flex pipe and/or connectors, thereby reducing personnel being arranged proximate the equipment.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a flexible pipe segment, which may be arranged on a spool, it utilized in combination with a lifting device, such as a crane, to couple various fracturing trees at a frac site to a fluid supply (e.g., missile). Embodiments eliminate the manifold and valve arrangement of traditional fracturing sites that use a series of valves and parallel/series piping to direct fluid flow into the frac trees. In various embodiments, a single fluid conduit may be moved between different fracturing trees to facilitate fracturing operations. In operation, the flexible pipe segment may include a connector to facilitate coupling to the frac tree. The connectors may include flange ends, clamps, automated/remote connectors, and the like. The flexible pipe may couple to the frac tree in a variety of configurations, such as proximate ground level, at a top of the frac tree, at an angle relative to an axis of the frac tree, or any other reasonable position. Furthermore, various lengths of flex pipe may be coupled together, which may or may not include valves between the different lengths, to accommodate frac trees at different distances from the missile. In various embodiments, remote operations are facilitated by remote connectors (e.g., hydraulic couplings and the like) and/or remote arrangement systems such as a crane or motorized cradle, as described herein. Accordingly, a modular design is provided where a spool can arrive on site at the well site, a length (e.g., a working length) of the flex pipe can be particularly selected, and the spool may be arranged at a convenient location relative to the missile and/or the frac trees. Furthermore, the flexible pipe may be lined using a thermoplastic or elastomer to provide erosion resistance. Accordingly, embodiments described herein include a single flexible line that may be connected to and disconnected from different frac trees at a multi-well site to conduct fracturing operations. Various isolating equipment may be provided to sufficiently segregate sections of the flexible pipe to enable pressure testing or the like. The flexible line, moreover, may be arranged with various different configurations to reduce bends, thereby reducing friction and line losses.

In various embodiments, the flexible line may not be connected directly to a missile outlet, but rather, to any outlet downstream of the missile. For example, one or more instrumentation skids may be arranged between the missile outlet and the trees. Accordingly, the flexible line may be arranged upstream of the instrumentation skid (e.g., between the missile and the instrumentation skid), downstream of the instrumentation skid (e.g., between the instrumentation skid and the tree), or in both locations. For example, a first flexible line may connect the missile to the instrumentation skid and a second flexible line may connect the instrumentation skid to the tree. Furthermore, various embodiments described herein may reference a spool for the flexible line, however, this configuration is for illustrative purposes only and the flexible line may not be on a spool. Additionally, in various embodiments, the flexible line may not be coupled directly to a tree, but rather, to fluid conduits coupled to the tree, as will be illustrated below.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may enable reduced material use at the well site. For example, the same flexible line may be moved from well to well to direct fluid into the desired well, as described below. Moreover, this flexible line may be reused and transported to a different well site for further use. Additionally, piping configurations described herein are illustrative and a variety of configurations, such as parallel, series, and the like may be incorporated in a well site layout. For example, multiple flexible lines may be connected in series to achieve the configurations presented herein. However, in other embodiments, additional lines may also be arranged in parallel. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that piping configurations may be particularly selected based on operating conditions.

FIG. 1 is a schematic environmental view of an embodiment of a hydraulic fracturing operation 100. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of pumps 102 are mounted to vehicles 104, such as trailers, for directing fracturing fluid into trees 106 that are attached to wellheads 108 via a missile 110. The missile 110 receives the fluid from the pumps 102 at an inlet head 22, in the illustrated embodiment. As illustrated, the pumps 102 are arranged close enough to the missile 110 to enable connection of fracturing fluid lines 114 between the pumps 102 and the missile 110. It should be appreciated that while the illustrated embodiments includes a missile trailer, that various other embodiments may substitute the missile trailer for a collection of spools and/or crosses, which may be mounted to a skid or trailer, or arranged at the wellsite as fixed piping, among other such options. Accordingly, recitation of a missile herein is not intended to restrict embodiments to missile trailers, but rather, to collectively refer to supply piping that collects an output from one or more high pressure pumps.

FIG. 1 also shows equipment for transporting and combining the components of the hydraulic fracturing fluid or slurry used in the system of the present technology. However, for clarity, the associated equipment will not be discussed in detail. The illustrated embodiment includes sand transporting containers 116 (which may include modular transport systems, pneumatic transport systems, silos, and the like), an acid transporting vehicle 118, vehicles for transporting other chemicals 120, and a vehicle carrying a hydration unit 122. Also shown is a fracturing fluid blender 124, which can be configured to mix and blend the components of the hydraulic fracturing fluid, and to supply the hydraulic fracturing fluid to the pumps 102. In the case of liquid components, such as water, acids, and at least some chemicals, the components can be supplied to the blender 124 via fluid lines (not shown) from the respective components vehicles, or from the hydration unit 122. In the case of solid components, such as sand, the components can be delivered to the blender 124 by conveyors 126. The water can be supplied to the hydration unit 32 from, for example, water tanks 128 onsite. Alternately, water can be provided directly from the water tanks 128 to the blender 124, without first passing through the hydration unit 122.

In various embodiments, monitoring equipment 40 can be mounted on a control vehicle 132, and connected to, e.g., the pumps 102, blender 124, the trees 106, and other downhole sensors and tools (not shown) to provide information to an operator, and to allow the operator to control different parameters of the fracturing operation.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 1, there are several lines indicating piping between various components. These lines may include rigid piping systems that also include various instruments, controllers, and the like. As noted above, in operation, these lines may be stablished prior to fracturing operations and the valves are controlled to direct fluid between the wellheads 108. The lines may utilize large amounts of materials and also have a number of different potential leak points, as joints that make up connections between line segments could potentially leak. As will be described below, various embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce the number of flow line at the site to provide simplicity for routing fluid flows.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fracturing operation including four trees 106, each tree having a plurality of associated valves. The fracturing operation illustrated in FIG. 2 may be used in so-called “zipper” fracturing operations, in which numerous trees 106 are arranged in relatively close proximity. It should be appreciated that the proximity between the trees 106 may vary depending on the fracturing operation. That is, the wells may be arranged at any reasonable distance apart from one another, and in embodiments, the wells may be within a pressure zone of an adjacent well. During operations, hydraulic fracturing is performed on a well using a first tree, while the remaining trees are not in operation. As operations with the first tree complete, then operations on the second tree may begin, and so on.

The illustrated environment 200 includes trees 106A-106D. Each tree 106 is associated with a respective wellhead (not pictured) and includes a lower master valve 202A-202D, wing valves 204A-204D, swab valves 206A-206D, and other valves 208A-208D. It should be appreciated that the systems and methods described herein may be utilized with any of the valves associated with the respective trees 106. As described above, the trees 106 receive hydraulic fracturing fluid, for example from the missile 110, which is directed into the well via the trees 106. The valves associated with the trees 16 may be utilized to block or restrict flow into the well. In the illustrated embodiment, various piping segments 210 are coupled together to form a collective manifold system 212. The manifold system 212 may include one or more valves to regulate fluid flow between the trees 106. The manifold system 212 includes an inlet 214 that may receive fluid, for example, from the missile 110. In various embodiments, a number of high pressure fluid streams are collected, for example at the missile 110, and then directed to the inlet 214. Moreover, a number of missile 110 may be arranged at the well site and then flow from one or more missile 110 may be directed toward the manifold system 212.

As illustrated, the manifold system 212 includes numerous piping segments 210 that include a variety of configurations, such as straight sections, elbows, and the like. It should be appreciated that the length of these segments 210 may be directly associated with a pressure drop within the manifold system 212. Moreover, increasing the number of bends may also lead to additional pressure drop. The manifold system 212 of FIG. 2 and associated piping segments 210 may be formed from metallic piping that is subject to erosion. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward systems and methods to eliminate much of the piping illustrated in FIG. 2 to facilitate fracturing operations.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a flex pipe 300 that may be used with embodiments of the present disclosure. The illustrated flex pipe 300 includes multiple layers of material forming the pipe. For example, the illustrated embodiment includes multiple layers of helically applied metallic wires 302 and extruded thermoplastic materials 304 to accomplish various product objections. For example, the flex pipe may be configured for high pressure operations, such as the pressures observed during a fracturing operation. Moreover, in embodiments, the thermoplastic material may be utilized along an inner diameter to reduce erosion within the line. The flex pipe may be provided as a coiled spool that may be easily lengthened or shortened on the well site. In various embodiments, connectors may be arranged at the ends of the flex pipe to facilitate connection to a variety of different pipe faces. As will be described below, in various embodiments the flex pipe 300 may be utilized to form one or more flow paths to transport fracturing fluid toward a wellbore. For example, the flexible pipe 300 may be utilized to form one or more of the components of the manifold system 212 illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, one or more of the segments 210 may be formed from the flexible pipe 300. Additionally, in embodiments, the flexible pipe 300 may form at least apportion of the flow path for transporting fluid from the missile to the tree.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a flex pipe being coupled to a frac tree via a dog leg. In the illustrated embodiment, a crane or other lifting device supports a section of flex pipe that is coupled to a missile. It should be appreciated that the end of the flex pipe may be coupled directly to the missile, to an intermediate length of piping, or the like. Moreover, although not illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, additional valves or the like may be coupled various parts of the flex pipe. FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrated as subsequent steps of methods described herein where FIG. 4A illustrates the flex pipe being arranged proximate the tree prior to the connection and FIG. 4B illustrates the flex pipe coupled to the tree.

FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an environment 400 that may be present at a well site associated with hydraulic fracturing operations. In the illustrated embodiment, the tree 106 is arranged proximate a well (not pictured for clarity) and includes a dog leg 402, which is formed from various pipe segments, valves, and the like. It should be appreciated that the dog leg 402 may be formed from hard piping and/or at least a portion of the dog leg 402 may be formed from flex pipe 300. The dog leg 402 includes an inlet 404, which is positioned proximate a ground level location 406 in the illustrated embodiment. It should be appreciated that such an arrangement is provided for illustrative purposes only, and that in various embodiments the inlet 404 may be arranged along any vertical position relative to the ground level location 406.

A cradle 408 is shown arranged proximate the inlet 404 for supporting the flex pipe 300, as is further illustrated in FIG. 4B. The cradle may have a length 410 that is particularly selected based on a variety of different factors, such as the length of the flex pipe 300, the vertical position of the inlet 404, and the like. The cradle 408 may include an inner surface for receiving the flex pipe 300 and, in various embodiments, may be curved or the like to substantially conform to an outer diameter of the flex pipe 300. Furthermore, the cradle 408 may include a variety of cushioning or securing features. For example, cushioning features may prevent rubbing or friction along the outside of the flex pipe 300. Moreover, the securing features, such as straps or the like, may prevent the flex pipe 300 from undesirably moving along the cradle 408 and/or off the cradle 408. The illustrated cradle 408 may further include adjustable legs to change a height relative to a ground level location 406 to facilitate coupling of the flex pipe 300 at a variety of different heights. In embodiments, the legs may be remotely adjustable, for example, via actuators (e.g., electric, hydraulic, etc.) that may raise or lower the height of the legs. For example, a servomotor may be coupled to each leg to adjust the height.

Further illustrated in FIG. 4A is the flex pipe 300 being supported by a lifting mechanism 410, which is illustrated as a crane in FIG. 4A. The lifting mechanism 410 may be utilized to secure the end of the flex pipe 300 and then arrange the flex pipe 300 proximate the inlet 404, for example, within the cradle 408. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the lifting mechanism 410 may be controlled from an area outside of a pressure zone associated with the tree 106, and as a result, using the lifting mechanism 410 may reduce operator entry into the pressure zone. FIG. 4A further schematically illustrates the flex pipe 300 being coupled to the missile 110. However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, additional couplings may be directed toward the flex pipe 300 and that the single connection is provided as illustrative, but not limiting.

FIG. 4B illustrates the environment 400 at a later time than that illustrated in FIG. 4A where the flex pipe 300 is coupled to the inlet 404 via a connector 412 (e.g., coupling). As noted above, in various embodiments the flex pipe 300 includes the connector 412 to facilitate forming connections between various components at the well site. The connector 412 may be a quick-connection coupling to facilitate forming a rapid connection. In various embodiments, the connector 412 includes a clamp, flange, hydraulic coupling device, or the like. For example, the connector 412 may include a limited number of bolts, including a quick fastening mechanism, or the like. The cradle 408 supports the flex pipe 300 in the illustrated embodiment and the crane 410 may be removed. It should be appreciated that the crane 410 may remain coupled to the flex pipe 300 in various embodiments. As a result, fluid may be directed into the tree 106. As noted above, in various embodiments, the flex pipe 300 is not coupled directly to an inlet of the tree 106, but rather, to another connector of the tree, such as the illustrated dog let 402. However, in various embodiments the flex pipe 300 may be coupled directly to the tree.

FIG. 4C is a schematic view of an embodiment of the cradle 408. It should be appreciated that various dimensions of the cradle 408, such as a length 414, height 416, or width 418 may be particularly selected based on a size of the flex pipe 300. As noted above, in various embodiments the legs 420 may be adjustment and include one or more locks 422 to secure the legs 420 at a determined height. Moreover, and also indicted above, the cradle 408 includes a curved surface 424 for receiving and securing the flex pipe 300. For example, the curved surface 424 may be particularly selected to accommodate an anticipated size of the flex pipe 300.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a flex pipe being coupled to a frac tree without use of the dog leg illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In the illustrated embodiment, a crane or other lifting device supports a section of flex pipe that is coupled to a missile. It should be appreciated that the end of the flex pipe may be coupled directly to the missile, to an intermediate length of piping, or the like. Moreover, although not illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, additional valves or the like may be coupled various parts of the flex pipe. FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrated as subsequent steps of methods described herein where FIG. 5A illustrates the flex pipe being arranged proximate the tree prior to the connection and FIG. 5B illustrates the flex pipe coupled to the tree.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of an environment 500 including the tree positioned at a wellbore. The illustrated tree 106 does not include the dog leg 402 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, but rather, includes a connection system 502, which is a hydraulic connection system (e.g., hydraulic connector) in the illustrated embodiment. The connection system 502 is arranged at a top of the tree 106 at a distance elevated above the ground level location 406. However, it should be appreciated that the connection system 502 may be arranged at different positions and the illustrated embodiment is by way of example only.

The flex pipe 300 includes the connector 412, which is illustrated as a mating stump 504 in FIG. 5A to facilitate coupling to the connection system 502. For example, the mating stump 504 may be arranged in alignment with the connection system 502 such that the mating stump may be lowered into an opening of the coupling system 502. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a hydraulic system may drive the opening toward a closed position to secure the mating stump 504 within the connection system 502. For example, when the mating stump 504 is arranged within an opening of the hydraulic connector 502 one or more features, such as hydraulically driven dogs, may couple the flex pipe 300 to the tree 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting mechanism 410, illustrated as a crane, is utilized to position the flex pipe 300 over the tree inlet. As noted herein, the flex pipe 300 may extend to the mating stump 504 such that the flex pipe 300 is not directly connected to the tree 106. However, it should be appreciated that the flex pipe 300 may be directly coupled to the tree 106 in other embodiments and the arrangement of FIGS. 5A and 5B are for illustrative purposes only.

FIG. 5B illustrates the flex pipe 300 coupled to the frac tree 106. For example, the mating stump 504 is engaged with the connection system 502 such that a secure fluid flow path exists between the flex pipe 300 and the tree 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the crane 410 remains coupled to the flex pipe 300 during fracturing operations. However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the flex pipe 300 may be otherwise supported, for example, the cradle 408 may have legs that extend far enough to support the flex pipe 300. Moreover, in embodiments, supports of varying heights may be arranged to support the flex pipe 300, such as scaffolding systems and the like.

It should be appreciated that the connectors illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be utilized with the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. For example, the hydraulic connector may be arranged at the tree inlet of FIG. 4A and the mating stub may be positioned on the flex pipe. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that various different connectors may be utilized over different piping configurations.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a frac site layout 600 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the flex pipe 300 is arranged on a spool 602, which may be transported via a trailer 604. As noted above, the trailer 604 is for illustrative purposes and other configurations, such as truck beds, skids, loaders, and the like may also be used. As a result, the flex pipe 300 may be easily transported between sites and, moreover, positioned at various different locations on the well site to account for site geometry and configuration. The illustrated spool 602 is arranged between the missile 110 and a frac head of the tree 106. The illustrated embodiment includes the flex pipe 300 extending from the spool 602 and coupled to the tree inlet at a top of the frac tree, and further includes three vertical supports 606 to minimize flexion or overbending of the flex pipe 300. In the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that, once fracturing operations are complete at a frac tree, the arrangement coupled to the frac tree may be moved, either together or in pieces, to another frac tree at the same site (e.g., on the same pad), and then utilized for fracturing operations on that frac tree. Accordingly, the amount of piping used at the site may be decreased.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the flex pipe 300 is coupled directly to the tree 106, for example at a goat head arranged at the inlet 404. However, as noted herein, additional embodiments exist where the flex pipe 300 is not directly coupled to the tree 106. Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiment includes the spool 602, it should be appreciated that other embodiments may not include the spool 602. For example, the flex pipe 300 may be transported as segments having connectors to enable multiple shorter segments to couple together to provide a desired operable length. Furthermore, FIG. 6 omits various intermediate components for clarity. For example, different piping manifolds, instrumentation skids, and the like may be arranged between the missile 110 and the tree 106. For example, an instrumentation skid may be positioned between the missile 110 and the spool 602. Additionally, an instrumentation skid may be positioned between the spool 602 and the tree 106. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the an instrumentation skid may be arranged between the missile 110 and the tree 106 while also omitting the spool 602 such that a combination of flex pipe 300 and/or hard piping may form the fluid flow path. For example, there may be various segments of flex pipe 300 coupled together, in series or in parallel, to form the fluid flow path. Moreover, in embodiments, there may be segments of hard piping arranged along the fluid flow path. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein illustrate an example configuration for providing a fluid flow path between the missile 110 and the tree 106.

FIGS. 7A-7D are schematic embodiments of a process for performing a fracturing operation utilizing systems of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments have omitted potential intermediate components, such as hard piping, instrumentation skids, and the like. Furthermore, the illustrated embodiments include the spool 602, however, as noted above, various embodiments may omit the spool 602. Furthermore, in embodiments, the flex pipe 300 may couple directly to the tree or to one or more connectors coupled to the tree. FIG. 7A illustrates the missile 110 coupled to the spool 602 of flex pipe 300 and flex pipe 300 extending from the spool and coupling to the frac tree 106A. It should be appreciated that various details have been removed for simplicity, such as the cradle and the like. Accordingly, when compared to FIG. 2, FIG. 7A utilizes less piping because there is not unused piping coupled to the other fracturing trees 106B-106D. In this instance, fracturing operations may commence at the tree 106A.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, as the fracturing operation at the first tree 106A completes, the flex pipe 300 may be moved to the second tree 106B. For example, the lifting mechanism 410 may engage the flex pipe 300 and move the flex pipe 300 over to the tree 106B. In certain embodiments, a working length of the flex pipe 300 is changed between the first tree 106A and the second tree 106B. That is, an amount of flex pipe 300 removed from the spool 602 may change as the flex pipe 300 is moved between trees 106. In embodiments using a hydraulic coupling, operator intervention proximate the tree 106A may be limited.

FIGS. 7C and 7D further illustrate movement of the same, common flex pipe 300 between frac trees 106C and 106D. It should be appreciated that the movement may be manual or automated and/or remotely controlled. For example, the cradle 408 (not pictured) may include wheels or the like and be controlled to drive between different frac trees. Moreover, the crane may be remotely located and automated connectors (such as the hydraulic connector described herein) may be utilized to form connections at the frac trees. In this manner, fracturing operations over a number of different wells may utilize common equipment, thereby reducing material use at the site and also simplifying operations.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the disclosed embodiments is illustrative and explanatory of various embodiments of the invention. Various changes in the details of the illustrated embodiments can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:

a flexible pipe receiving a high pressure slurry from a missile outlet, the flexible pipe including one or more sections arranged in series; and

a connector secured to an end of the flexible pipe, the connector adapted to fluidly couple the flexible pipe to one or more fracturing trees of a plurality of fracturing trees associated with a wellbore, wherein the flexible pipe directs the high pressure slurry into the wellbore, via the one or more fracturing trees, the flexible pipe being movable between respective fracturing tree inlets of the plurality of fracturing trees.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of pumps, each outlet of each pump of the plurality of pumps coupled to a missile, wherein the flexible pipe is used to direct the high pressure slurry to each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of the fracturing tree, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cradle further comprises:

an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of the flexible pipe; and

adjustable legs for changing a height of the inner surface relative to a ground plane.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is at least one of flange ends, clamps, an automated connector, a remoted connector, or a hydraulic connector.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a lifting mechanism configured to move the flexible pipe between a first location and a second location.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is a hydraulic connector, further comprising:

a hydraulic connection system coupled to an inlet of the frac tree, the hydraulic connection system having an opening fluidly coupled to a bore extending through the frac tree; and

a mating stump coupled to the flexible pipe, the mating stump adapted to enter the opening.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible pipe includes a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer.

9. A method for fracturing an underground formation, comprising:

coupling a first end of a first flexible pipe segment to an outlet of a high pressure fluid collection system, the high pressure fluid collection system receiving the high pressure fluid from one or more pump outlets;

coupling a second end of a second flexible pipe segment to a first inlet of a first fracturing tree;

disconnecting the second end of the second flexible pipe segment from the first inlet of the first fracturing tree, after a fracturing operation is performed via the first fracturing tree;

moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to a second inlet of a second fracturing tree; and

coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the second inlet of the second fracturing tree.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

positioning at least a portion of the second flexible pipe segment within a cradle.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein moving the second end of the second flexible pipe segment further comprises:

engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments via a lifting mechanism.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the lifting mechanism is a crane positioned outside a pressure zone of at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the second end of the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet of the first fracturing tree further comprises:

aligning a connector of the second flexible pipe segment with the first inlet; and

securing the second flexible pipe segment to the first inlet via the connector.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting a working length of at least one of the first or second flexible pipe segments between the first fracturing tree and the second fracturing tree.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first fracturing tree or the second fracturing tree comprises a hydraulic connector, further comprising:

aligning the second end of the second flexible pipe segment with an opening in the connector;

positioning at least a portion of the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening; and

engaging one or more hydraulic features of the hydraulic connector to secure the second end of the second flexible pipe segment within the opening.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

connecting a plurality of high pressure fluid collection systems to the first end of the first flexible pipe segment.

17. A system for hydraulic fracturing operations, comprising:

a plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps positioned at a well site, each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps receiving a fluid from a supply source;

a missile receiving high pressure fluid from each pump of the plurality of high pressure fracturing pumps;

a plurality of fracturing trees; and

one or more flexible pipe segments forming a flow path between the missile and at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, wherein coupling end of the one or more flexible pipe segments is configurable to be moved to adjust the flow path between each fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a cradle arranged proximate an inlet of at least one fracturing tree of the plurality of fracturing trees, the cradle receiving and supporting the flexible pipe.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a lifting mechanism, positioned at the well site, configured to engage and move at least a portion of the flexible pipe.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the flexible pipe is supported by a spool.