Line Manifold for Concurrent Fracture Operations
A modular, adjustable system for distributing fluids to one or more wellbores includes a plurality of modules that can be arranged at a well site to create an appropriate manifold to enable selective fluid communication between a fluid pumping system and the one or more wellbores. The modules each include a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a valve coupled therebetween to selectively permit or restrict fluid flow between the respective fluid inlets and fluid outlets. The modules are configured to be readily maneuvered, coupled and locked to one another at a well site.
This application is a non-provisional of and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/805,296 titled “Line Manifold for Concurrent Fracture Operations” filed Mar. 26, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to oilfield applications involving the fluid treatment of wellbores. More specifically, the invention relates to systems for controlling the distribution of fluid to one or more wellbores.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hydraulic fracturing is one type of fluid treatment for a wellbore in which a fluid is pumped into a subterranean geologic formation through the wellbore. The fluid is provided at a sufficient pressure to fracture the geologic formation, thus facilitating the recovery of hydrocarbons from the formation. Often, the wellbore is subjected to multiple fluid treatment cycles in which fluid is provided and subsequently extracted. Between treatment cycles, down-hole operations may be carried out in the wellbore to install equipment or to evaluate the effectiveness of the most recent treatment cycle.
Generally between treatment cycles, pumping equipment is disconnected from the wellbore and connected to a second wellbore such that the fluid treatment may be carried out on the second wellbore concurrently with other down-hole operations on the first wellbore. Because these connections and disconnections consume a considerable amount of time and manpower, some manifolds have been developed that enable selective pumping to one or more wellbores. These manifolds are typically designed and constructed remotely for use in a particular application to accommodate a particular number of wellbores. These manifolds are less effective when used for subsequent operations at a well site with a different number of wellbores. Also, these manifolds are not configurable at the well site to accommodate changing conditions and needs. For example, when a sufficient number of treatment cycles have been performed on some of the wellbores coupled to the manifold, and additional treatment cycles are intended for other wellbores coupled to the manifold, only a portion of the manifold is used. This results in significant costs for an operator who must keep an inventory sufficient to accommodate unused portions of manifolds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONDescribed herein is a modular, adjustable system for distributing fluids to one or more wellbores. The system includes a plurality of modules that are configured to enable selective fluid communication between a fluid pumping system and an individual wellbore. The modules can be combined in any number to create an appropriate fluid distribution system for the well site having any number of wellbores. The modules are configured to be readily coupled and locked together at the well site, and may be transported together in a locked configuration to a different location at the well site.
According to a one example embodiment of the invention, a fluid distribution system for use in a fluid system for providing fluid treatments to a plurality of wellbores includes a first module, a second module, and a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the first module to the second module to prevent relative motion therebetween. The first module includes a first skid for providing foundational support to the first module, a first fluid inlet mounted to the first skid and that is operable to selectively fluidly couple to a fluid source for receiving a fluid therefrom, a first fluid outlet mounted to the first skid and that is operable to selectively fluidly couple to a first wellhead to deliver the fluid thereto, and at least one first valve coupled between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet that is operable to selectively permit or restrict fluid flow between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet. The second module includes a second skid for providing foundational support to the second module, a second fluid inlet mounted to the second skid and fluidly coupled to the first module between the first fluid inlet and the at least one first valve for receiving the fluid from the first module, a second fluid outlet mounted to the second skid and that is operable to selectively couple to a second wellhead to deliver the fluid thereto, and at least one second valve coupled between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet that is operable to selectively permit or restrict fluid flow between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a fluid distribution system for use in a fluid system for providing fluid treatments to a plurality of wellbores includes a first module having a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet and at least one first valve coupled between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet. The first fluid inlet, first fluid outlet and the at least one first valve are arranged along a generally straight first axis. The fluid distribution system also includes a second module having a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet and at least one second valve coupled between the second inlet and the second outlet. The second fluid inlet, the second fluid outlet and the at least one second valve are arranged along a generally straight second axis. A first fluid conduit extends between the first module and the second module along a third axis that is generally orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis. The first fluid conduit fluidly couples the second fluid inlet to the first fluid module between the first fluid inlet and the at least one first valve.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for assembling fluid distribution system for providing fluid treatments to a plurality of wellbores includes the steps of (a) providing a first module including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet and a first valve mounted to a first skid, the first valve coupled between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, (b) providing a second module including a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and a second valve mounted to a second skid, the second valve coupled between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet, (c) approximating the first skid and the second skid, (d) locking the first skid to the second skid to prevent relative motion therebetween, and (e) coupling a fluid conduit between the second fluid inlet and the first module between the first fluid inlet and the first valve.
So that the manner in which the above-recited features, aspects and advantages of the invention, as well as others that will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the drawings that form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only preferred embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Referring generally to
Each of the modules 16A, 16B and 16C is configured to selectively permit or restrict fluid flow therethrough to thereby selectively permit or restrict fluid flow to the respective wellhead 12A, 12B and 12C. Thus, in an example embodiment of use, the first module 16A may be arranged to permit fluid flow therethrough while the second and third modules 16B, 16C are arranged to restrict fluid flow therethrough as schematically indicated in
The type of procedure described above is often referred to as “concurrent” operations since the fluid treatment cycles in one wellbore takes place concurrently with other down-hole operations in another wellbore. These other operations may include installing equipment or evaluating the effectiveness of a previous fluid treatment. In other embodiments of use, the fluid distribution system 16 may be arranged to provide fluid simultaneously to more than one wellbore.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, first and second modules 30A and 30B are coupled to one another by locking mechanisms including bolts or other fasteners (not shown). The bolts may extend through holes provided in adjacent lifting flanges 38. Lifting flanges 48 are often provided on lateral sides of each skid 32 to facilitate lifting the skid with a crane or similar mechanism. In other embodiments, the first and second modules 30A and 30B are selectively coupled to one another with locking mechanism 102, as described below with reference to
The fluid components supported on the first module 30A include inlet goat-head 40A, a 4-way cross 42A, a manual valve 44A, a hydraulic valve 46A and an outlet goat-head 408. A fluid flow path is defined through the first module 30A between the inlet goat-head 40A and the outlet goat-head 40B along a generally straight axis A1. The inlet and outlet goat-heads 40A, 40B each include a plurality of quick-connect fluid connectors 50 supported thereon at an oblique angle to the axis A1. The quick-connect fluid connectors 50 on the inlet goat-head 40A selectively couple to fluid supply lines 20 (
The fluid components supported on the second module 30B include a 4-way cross 42B, a manual valve 44B, a hydraulic valve 46B and an outlet goat-head 40C. The fluid components supported on the second module 30B are substantially similar to the corresponding fluid components on the first module 30A, and define a fluid passage extending generally along a straight axis A2. The second module 30B, however, does not include an inlet goat-head. The 4-way cross 42B is fluidly coupled to the 4-way cross 42A by a fluid conduit 56 defining a flow passage generally along an axis A3. Thus, the 4-way cross 42B serves as a fluid inlet to the second module 30B.
Various fluid couplings established on the first and second modules 30A, 30B are strategically adjustable. For example, each of the goat-heads 40A, 40B and 40C are equipped with a threaded spool 60 that interfaces with the 4-way cross 42A and/or the hydraulic valves 46A, 46B. The threaded spool 60 allows the goat heads 40A, 40B, 40C to rotate about an axis, e.g., axis A1, to allow the quick-connect fluid connectors 50 to be disposed at a convenient angle when secured to the respective adjacent component 42A, 46A, 46B. For example, fluid connectors 50 disposed at an approximate 45° angle with the vertical and horizontal, as depicted, provides adequate clearance from surrounding equipment for connection of the fluid supply lines 20 (
The manual valves 44A, 44B are each operatively coupled to a rotatable hand wheel 64 to open and close the fluid passages extending through the respective modules 30A, 30B. Each of the hand wheels 64 is supported by hangers 66 coupled to a valve stem 68 of the respective manual valve 44A, 44B. The valve stems 68 project from an upper surface of the manual valves 44A, 44B and are selectively rotatable to move the internal gate (not shown) to operate the manual valves 44A, 44B. The hangers 66 extend radially outward from the valve stems 68 and provide a moment arm that facilitates rotation of the valve stems 68. The hangers 66 also extend downward from the valve stems 68 such that the hand wheels 64 are disposed at an appropriate elevation for manual operation by humans of average height. In this example embodiment, the hand wheels 64 are disposed at an elevation in the range of about 4 feet to about 6 feet from a lower surface of the skids 32. Thus, the hand wheels 64 are suspended at a suitable height for manual operation by an operator standing on the skids 32 or at ground level without the need for a ladder or a lift. The hand wheels 64 are readily accessible to rotate the valve stem 68, thereby moving the internal gate (not shown) to selectively permit or restrict fluid passage through the modules 30A 30B. The hand wheels 64 are also coupled to an inner ring 70 by spokes 72. The inner ring 70 circumscribes an upward facing boss 74 of the manual valves 44A, 44B, and thus the inner ring 70 serves as a bushing to guide the rotation of the hand wheels 64.
The hydraulic valves 46A and 46B are also operatively coupled to hand wheels 78. The hand wheels 78 are provided for manual operation of the hydraulic valves 46A and 46B, primarily in the event of a loss of hydraulic pressure or some other malfunction. Since frequent operation of the hand wheels 78 is not anticipated, the hand wheels 78 are provided at a substantially higher elevation than the hand wheels 64 associated with the manual valves 44A, 44B. In other embodiments (not shown) hand wheels are associated with the hydraulic valves 46A and 46B that are similarly arranged as the hand wheels 64.
As best illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In one example embodiment of use, modules 30A and 30B (
If it is desired to move the fluid distribution system 30 to another location on the well site, the beam 94 is removed from the conveyance mechanism 84 (
The fluid distribution system 30 is then employed to support concurrent operations on two (2) wellbores. The inlet goathead 40A (
When the concurrent operations are complete, the fluid distribution system 30 is disassembled by employing conveyance mechanism 130 (
Referring now to
The present invention described herein, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. These and other similar modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the spirit of the present invention disclosed herein and the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A fluid distribution system for use in a fluid system for providing fluid treatments to a plurality of wellbores, the fluid distribution system comprising:
- a first module comprising: a first skid for providing foundational support to the first module; a first fluid inlet, the first fluid inlet mounted to the first skid and operable to selectively fluidly couple to a fluid source for receiving a fluid therefrom; a first fluid outlet, the first fluid outlet mounted to the first skid and operable to selectively fluidly couple to a first wellhead to deliver the fluid thereto; and at least one first valve coupled between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, the at least one first valve operable to selectively permit or restrict fluid flow between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet;
- a second module comprising: a second skid for providing foundational support to the second module; a second fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet mounted to the second skid and fluidly coupled to the first module between the first fluid inlet and the at least one first valve for receiving the fluid from the first module; a second fluid outlet, the second fluid outlet mounted to the second skid and operable to selectively couple to a second wellhead to deliver the fluid thereto; at least one second valve coupled between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet, the at least one second valve operable to selectively permit or restrict fluid flow between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet; and
- a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the first module to the second module to prevent relative motion therebetween.
2. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the first module defines a first fluid flow path extending along a generally straight first axis between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, and wherein the second module defines a second fluid flow path extending along a generally straight second axis between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet, and wherein the first axis is generally parallel to the second axis.
3. The fluid distribution system of claim 2, wherein the second fluid inlet is fluidly coupled to the first module by a fluid conduit extending along a third axis, and wherein the third axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis.
4. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a conveyance mechanism coupled to at least one of the first skid and the second skid, the conveyance mechanism operable to selectively induce relative motion between the first module and the second module.
5. The fluid distribution system of claim 4, wherein the conveyance mechanism comprises a hydraulic jack including a hydraulic cylinder fixedly coupled to a first one of the first skid and the second skid, and a piston fixedly coupled to a second one of the first skid and the second skid, and wherein the piston is selectively extendable from the hydraulic cylinder to approximate the first skid and the second skid.
6. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a hand-actuated lever mechanism disposed between the first skid and the second skid.
7. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the first skid comprises a first pair of channels defined therethrough and the second skid comprises a second pair of channels defined therethrough, and wherein the second pair of channels is aligned with the first pair of channels such that a pair of beams is receivable within each channel of the first pair of channels and extendable through each channel of the second pair of channels to provide shear resistance to the first and second modules.
8. The fluid distribution system of claim 7, wherein the pair of beams are configured as hollow channels such that the channels are operable to receive forks of a forklift when the pair of beams is received within the first pair of channels and the second pair of channels.
9. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first valve comprises a manual valve and a hydraulic valve coupled to one another in series between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet.
10. The fluid distribution system of claim 9, wherein the manual valve comprises a valve stem projecting from an upper surface thereof and operable to open and close the manual valve, the valve stem coupled to a rotatable hand wheel by hangers extending downwardly from the valve stem.
11. The fluid distribution system if claim 10, wherein the hangers extend radially outward from the valve stem to support the hand wheel at an elevation in the range of about 4 feet to about 6 feet from a lower surface of the first skid.
12. A fluid distribution system for use in a fluid system for providing fluid treatments to a plurality of wellbores, the fluid distribution system comprising:
- a first module comprising a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet and at least one first valve coupled between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, the first fluid inlet, first fluid outlet and the at least one first valve arranged along a generally straight first axis;
- a second module comprising a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet and at least one second valve coupled between the second inlet and the second outlet, the second fluid inlet, the second fluid outlet and the at least one second valve arranged along a generally straight second axis; and
- a first fluid conduit extending between the first module and the second module along a third axis that is generally orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, the first fluid conduit fluidly coupling the second fluid inlet to the first fluid module between the first fluid inlet and the at least one first valve.
13. The fluid distribution system of claim 12, wherein a cross serves as the fluid inlet of the second module, the cross having a first opening coupled to the first fluid conduit and a second opening opposite the first opening operable to receive a second fluid conduit.
14. The fluid distribution system of claim 13, wherein the second opening is coupled to the second fluid conduit, and wherein the second fluid conduit is coupled to a third module comprising a third fluid inlet, a third fluid outlet and at least one third valve coupled between the third inlet and the third outlet.
15. The fluid distribution system of claim 12, wherein the first fluid outlet comprises a goat head including a plurality of quick-connect fluid connectors supported thereon at oblique angles with respect to the first axis.
16. The fluid distribution system of claim 15, wherein the goat head is adjustably mounted on the first module on a threaded spool to permit the goat head to selectively rotate about the first axis to allow the quick-connect fluid connectors to be secured at adjustable angles with respect to the first axis.
17. The fluid distribution system of claim 12, further comprising a conveyance mechanism coupled to at least one of the module and the second module, the conveyance mechanism operable to selectively induce relative motion between the first module and the second module along the third axis.
18. A method for assembling a fluid distribution system for providing fluid treatments to a plurality of wellbores, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a first module including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet and a first valve mounted to a first skid, the first valve coupled between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet;
- (b) providing a second module including a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and a second valve mounted to a second skid, the second valve coupled between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet;
- (c) approximating the first skid and the second skid;
- (d) locking the first skid to the second skid to prevent relative motion therebetween; and
- (e) coupling a fluid conduit between the second fluid inlet and the first module between the first fluid inlet and the first valve.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 27, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 16, 2017
Patent Grant number: 9605525
Inventors: Saurabh Kajaria (Houston, TX), Tom Maloney (League City, TX), Case Nienhuis (Conroe, TX)
Application Number: 14/142,451