Abstract: An automated hydraulic fracturing system, including a pump system, a blender configured to form the fracturing fluid, a proppant storage and delivery system, a hydration unit configured to mix an additive into a fluid to form the fluid mixture and provide the fluid mixture to the blender, a fluid storage and delivery system, and an additive storage and delivery system, and an automated control system including a plurality of sensing devices and a plurality of control devices integrated into the pump system, the blender system, the proppant storage and delivery system, the fluid storage and delivery system, and the additive storage and delivery system, the automated control system configured to monitor parameters of the automated hydraulic fracturing system via the plurality of sensing devices and transmit control instructions for one or more of the plurality of control devices to control an aspect of the automated hydraulic fracturing system.

Abstract: Embodiments include a hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation including an electric pump fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the subterranean formation and fractures the subterranean formation. The system also includes at least one generator electrically coupled to the electric motor so as to generate electricity for use by the electric pump. In the system, a shaft of the motor is directly coupled to a crankshaft of the pump without an intermediate gear reduction system such that the shaft of the motor rotates at substantially the same speed as the crankshaft of the pump.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for monitoring a fracturing operation that includes positioning a pump at a well site where fracturing operations are being conducted. The method also includes arranging one or more sensors at at least one of a pump inlet or a pump outlet, the one or more sensors monitoring a flow rate of a slurry. The method includes receiving flow data from the one or more sensors. The method also includes determining a pump efficiency, based at least in part on the flow data, is below a threshold. The method further includes adjusting one or more operating parameters of the pump.

Abstract: A system and method that remotely monitors and controls proppant usage in a fracturing operation. The system and method allow operators to wirelessly monitor and control proppant storage units from inside a datavan through sensors and control mechanisms that interface with fracturing software to schedule the flow of the proppant. A sensor monitors the weight, container level, or volume of the proppant being used to keep the induced hydraulic fracture open. A serial to Ethernet converter converts this information and sends it wirelessly to a datavan. A user at the datavan controls the proppant usage through a display in the datavan of the storage units with the appropriate weight. The container monitoring software links with the fracturing software, providing real-time information about proppant usage so that the user can properly schedule proppant flow to the well through valves, conveyor belts, and other control mechanisms.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a hydraulic fracturing system that includes a blender unit. The system includes an auger and hopper assembly to receive proppant from a proppant source and feed the proppant to the blender unit for mixing with a fluid. A first power source is used to power the blender unit in order to mix the proppant with the fluid and prepare a fracturing slurry. A second power source independently powers the auger and hopper assembly in order to align the hopper of the auger and hopper assembly with a proppant feed from the proppant source. Thus, the auger and hopper assembly can be stowed or deployed without use of the first power source, which is the main power supply to the blender unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation including a pump in communication via pump components with a wellbore that intersects the formation, and that pressurizes fluid in the wellbore, the fluid comprising a fracturing fluid slurry. The system further includes hydraulic fracturing system components for making the fracturing fluid slurry, and a monitoring system that selectively captures and transmits real time images of at least one of the hydraulic fracturing system components or pump components to enable remote monitoring of the at least one of the hydraulic fracturing system components or pump components.

Abstract: An electrically powered hydraulic fracturing system having pumps for pressurizing fracturing fluid, piping for carrying fracturing fluid, and vibration reducing equipment for use with the piping. The vibration reducing equipment includes helical coils that support the piping. The coils are made of a wire rope made of strands of steel cable twisted together. Grooved fittings are provided on some piping connections, and which allow pivoting between adjacent fluid conveyance members. Swivel joints are strategically located in the piping which allow rotational flexing between adjacent sections of the piping; thereby attenuating vibration in the piping but without stressing the piping.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a pump, an electrically powered motor for driving the pump, a trailer on which the pump and motor are mounted, and a transformer that steps down electricity for use by the motor. Electrical output from the transformer connects to a series of receptacles mounted onto a housing around the transformer. A similar set of receptacles is provided on the trailer and which are electrically connected to the motor. Power cables equipped with plugs on their opposing ends insert into the receptacles to close an electrical circuit between the transformer and pump.

Abstract: An electrically powered hydraulic fracturing system having pumps for pressurizing fracturing fluid, piping for carrying fracturing fluid, and vibration reducing equipment for use with the piping. The vibration reducing equipment includes helical coils that support the piping. The coils are made of a wire rope made of strands of steel cable twisted together. Grooved fittings are provided on some piping connections, and which allow pivoting between adjacent fluid conveyance members. Swivel joints are strategically located in the piping which allow rotational flexing between adjacent sections of the piping; thereby attenuating vibration in the piping but without stressing the piping.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation including a pump in communication via pump components with a wellbore that intersects the formation, and that pressurizes fluid in the wellbore, the fluid comprising a fracturing fluid slurry. The system further includes hydraulic fracturing system components for making the fracturing fluid slurry, and a monitoring system that selectively captures and transmits real time images of at least one of the hydraulic fracturing system components or pump components to enable remote monitoring of the at least one of the hydraulic fracturing system components or pump components.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of electric pumps configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with a well at a high pressure; at least one turbine generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps, each turbine generator having at least one air intake channel; and an air chiller system associated with the at least one turbine generator, the air chiller system comprising: a chiller unit configured to chill a fluid; and at least one coil in fluid communication with the chiller unit and positioned adjacent to the at least one air intake channel, wherein the air chiller system is configured to increase a power output of the at least one turbine generator.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system can include a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure; at least one generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps; a gas compression system fluidly coupled to the at least one generator so as to provide fuel for use by the at least one generator; and a combustible fuel vaporization system gaseously coupled to the gas compression system so as to provide at least one of vaporized fuel or gasified fuel, or a combination thereof, to the gas compression system.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for centralized monitoring and control of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The system includes an electric powered fracturing fleet and a centralized control unit coupled to the electric powered fracturing fleet. The electric powered fracturing fleet can include a combination of one or more of: electric powered pumps, turbine generators, blenders, sand silos, chemical storage units, conveyor belts, manifold trailers, hydration units, variable frequency drives, switchgear, transformers, and compressors. The centralized control unit can be configured to monitor and/or control one or more operating characteristics of the electric powered fracturing fleet.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a pump, an electrically powered motor for driving the pump, a trailer on which the pump and motor are mounted, and a transformer that steps down electricity for use by the motor. Electrical output from the transformer connects to a series of receptacles mounted onto a housing around the transformer. A similar set of receptacles is provided on the trailer and which are electrically connected to the motor. Power cables equipped with plugs on their opposing ends insert into the receptacles to close an electrical circuit between the transformer and pump.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system can include a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure; at least one generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps; a gas compression system fluidly coupled to the at least one generator so as to provide fuel for use by the at least one generator; and a combustible fuel vaporization system gaseously coupled to the gas compression system so as to provide at least one of vaporized fuel or gasified fuel, or a combination thereof, to the gas compression system.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the subterranean formation and fractures the subterranean formation; at least one generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps; and at least one switchgear electrically coupled to the at least one generator and configured to distribute an electrical load between the plurality of electric pumps and the at least one generator.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of electric pumps configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with a well at a high pressure; at least one turbine generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps, each turbine generator having at least one air intake channel; and an air chiller system associated with the at least one turbine generator, the air chiller system comprising: a chiller unit configured to chill a fluid; and at least one coil in fluid communication with the chiller unit and positioned adjacent to the at least one air intake channel, wherein the air chiller system is configured to increase a power output of the at least one turbine generator.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a turbine generator for producing electricity at a well site, the turbine generator producing electrical energy at a voltage. The system also includes an electric pump electrically coupled to the turbine generator and receiving operative power from the turbine generator. The system further includes switch gear arranged between the electric pump and the turbine generator, the switch gear distributing electrical energy from the turbine generator to the electric pump, wherein the voltage remains substantially constant from the turbine generator to the electric pump.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for centralized monitoring and control of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The system includes an electric powered fracturing fleet and a centralized control unit coupled to the electric powered fracturing fleet. The electric powered fracturing fleet can include a combination of one or more of: electric powered pumps, turbine generators, blenders, sand silos, chemical storage units, conveyor belts, manifold trailers, hydration units, variable frequency drives, switchgear, transformers, and compressors. The centralized control unit can be configured to monitor and/or control one or more operating characteristics of the electric powered fracturing fleet.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation including a pump in communication via pump components with a wellbore that intersects the formation, and that pressurizes fluid in the wellbore, the fluid comprising a fracturing fluid slurry. The system further includes hydraulic fracturing system components for making the fracturing fluid slurry, and a monitoring system that selectively captures and transmits real time images of at least one of the hydraulic fracturing system components or pump components to enable remote monitoring of the at least one of the hydraulic fracturing system components or pump components.