Abstract: A reciprocating pump system is utilized. The system facilitates the prediction of failure modes due to degradation of pump components. A sensor system is used to monitor parameters indicative of abnormal events or wear occurring in specific components, such as pump valves. The indications of wear can be used to predict valve failure or other component failure within the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form said oilfield fluid.

Abstract: The current application discloses various embodiments where a portion of a fluid end pump body is made of a first material the other parts of the pump body are made of a second material where the first material is a material having better resistance to fatigue and the second material used is a material of less quality and cheaper than the first material.

Abstract: A pump assembly having a power end and a fluid end, wherein the fluid end includes a plurality of pump bodies connected side by side between opposing end plates with a plurality of fasteners tightened to compress the pump bodies between the end plates. The power end and at least one of the plurality of pump bodies being connected together by a tie rod having a rod portion and a sleeve portion, wherein the sleeve portion surrounds the rod portion and abuts the power end at an end and at least one of the pump bodies of the fluid end at an opposite end.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of operating at least one pressure vessel to inject a particulate slurry into a high-pressure line, comprises a first operating cycle comprising: isolating the at least one pressure vessel from the high-pressure line; introducing particulate solids into the pressure vessel through a particulate solids inlet aperture; a second operating cycle comprising: providing high-pressure flow into the pressure vessel; and providing a high-pressure slurry flow from the pressure vessel into the high-pressure line. The method further comprises operating the at least one pressure vessel in the second operating cycle to create a heterogeneous flow of slurry into the high-pressure line.

Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form said oilfield fluid.

Abstract: The current application discloses a locking device for a packing assembly. The device comprises a holding end and a locking end, wherein the holding end is configured to mechanically and/or frictionally engage a fixed component of a packing assembly and the locking end is configured to mechanically and/or frictionally engage at least a portion of the packing nut so as to prevent the packing nut from rotating or otherwise changing its position.

Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form said oilfield fluid.

Abstract: The current application discloses various embodiments where a pre-compressive force is applied to a defined zone of the fluid end of a pump so as to extend the operational life of the fluid end by reducing stress and fatigue level at the defined zone of the fluid end. In one embodiment, the defined zone comprises one or more recesses near the piston bore of the fluid end. In another embodiment, the defined zone comprises one or more recesses near the inlet bore of the fluid end.

Abstract: A multiplex fluid pump assembled from a plurality of pump bodies connected side by side between opposing end plates with a plurality of fasteners tightened to compress the pump bodies between the end plates. Raised surfaces on opposite exterior side surfaces of each pump body are engaged with an adjacent end plate or an adjacent pump body to apply a pre-compressive force at the raised surfaces and thereby inhibit the initiation of fatigue cracks.

Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form said oilfield fluid.

Abstract: A pump assembly and maintenance system and method. An inventory of pump components has an identifier to track the pump component and a sensor to gather operating data associated with the pump component. A population of pumps is assembled from the pump components. The operating data are correlated with the pump components based on the identifiers in a network-accessible database. The pump components can include interchangeable pump body modules that are separately tracked, whereby the pumps can be repaired by removing and replacing the interchangeable pump body modules.

Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form the oilfield fluid.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of operating at least one pressure vessel to inject a particulate slurry into a high-pressure line, comprises a first operating cycle comprising: isolating the at least one pressure vessel from the high-pressure line; introducing particulate solids into the pressure vessel through a particulate solids inlet aperture; a second operating cycle comprising: providing high-pressure flow into the pressure vessel; and providing a high-pressure slurry flow from the pressure vessel into the high-pressure line. The method further comprises operating the at least one pressure vessel in the second operating cycle to create a heterogeneous flow of slurry into the high-pressure line.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and delivering a material to a high pressure flow of fluid, comprises a pressure vessel comprising: a particulate solids inlet aperture located substantially in an upper portion of the pressure vessel; a first liquid inlet in fluid communication with a first high pressure line and the pressure vessel and comprising a first valve; and a first outlet in fluid communication with the pressure vessel and a second high pressure line and comprising a third valve.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of operating at least two pressure vessels to inject a particulate slurry into a high-pressure line, comprises a first operating cycle comprising: isolating a pressure vessel from the high-pressure line, introducing, under low-pressure conditions, particulate solids into the pressure vessel through a particulate solids inlet aperture, a second operating cycle comprising: providing high-pressure flow into the pressure vessel, and providing a high-pressure slurry flow from the pressure vessel into the high-pressure line. The method further comprises causing a pressure vessel to operate in the first operating cycle while operating a pressure vessel in the second operating cycle, and synchronizing switching a first vessel from the first operating to a second operating cycle and switching a second vessel from the second operating cycle to the first operating cycle such that at least one of the vessels is operating in the second operating cycle.

Abstract: A packing assembly adapted to be mounted on and seal a reciprocating shaft includes a packing nut, an elastomeric sealing member releasably coupled to the packing nut, and a keeper to facilitate the releasable coupling between the elastomeric sealing member and the packing nut, wherein the entire assembly is removable from the reciprocating shaft as a unit.

Abstract: A mechanism for pressurized delivery of material into a well without exposure to a high pressure pump. The mechanism may include material delivery equipment that is coupled to the high pressure pump or other pressure inducing equipment through a material carrier that intersects a fluid line from the pump. The material carrier may include chambers that are reciprocated or rotated between positions that are isolated from the fluid line and in communication with the fluid line. While isolated from the fluid line, the chambers may be filled with oilfield material which may then be delivered to the fluid line when positioned in communication therewith. In this manner, a supply of the oilfield material may be retained in a substantially isolated state relative to the pump and components thereof which may be susceptible to damage from exposure to the oilfield material.

Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing one or more horizontal pumps to an oilfield; and operating the one or more horizontal pumps to pump the oilfield fluid from the well surface to the wellbore.

Abstract: A multi-step autofrettage process for pre-treating a multi-cylinder reciprocating pump fluid end that has a central cylinder and at least two side cylinders is provided that includes autofrettaging the central cylinder; and autofrettaging the at least two side cylinders, wherein the autofrettaging of the central cylinder is performed independently of the autofettaging of the at least two side cylinders.