MX2015001872A

MX2015001872A - System and method for delivery of oilfield materials.

Info

Publication number: MX2015001872A
Application number: MX2015001872A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Hau Nguyen-Phuc Pham; Laurent Coquilleau; Rajesh Luharuka; William Troy Huey; William Bradford Stone; Nikki Morrison; Jakub Pawel Jodlowski; Travis Almer
Original assignee: Schlumberger Technology Bv
Priority date: 2012-08-13
Filing date: 2013-08-09
Publication date: 2015-08-06
Also published as: CN104684821A; RU2644738C2; AR092116A1; WO2014028317A1; AU2013302969A1; CA2881142C; CN104684821B; AR092115A1; AU2013302969B2; CA2881142A1; WO2014028316A1; RU2015108762A

Abstract

A system and methodology facilitates the handling of oilfield material. The oilfield material is stored in at least one silo which enables use of gravity to feed the oilfield material to a blender or other suitable equipment. Each modular silo is transportable and may be engaged with a support structure via a pivot connection. Once engaged, the silo is pivoted to a raised, upright position on the support structure. The oilfield material is then moved to an interior of the silo, and gravity may be used to feed the oilfield material to a blender or other equipment in a controlled manner.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MATERIALS OF OIL DEPOSITS BACKGROUND To facilitate the recovery of hydrocarbons from oil and gas wells, the underground formations surrounding these wells can be hydraulically fractured. Hydraulic fracturing can be used to create cracks in subsurface formations to allow oil and / or gas to move into the well. The formation is fractured by introducing a specially designed fluid, sometimes called fracturing fluid or fracturing suspension, at high pressure and at high flow rates in the formation through one or more wells. The fracturing fluids can be loaded with proppant, which are particles of suitable size that can be mixed with the fluids of the fracturing fluid to help form an efficient conduit for the production of hydrocarbons from the formation to the well. The proppant may comprise gravel or natural grains of sand, synthetic proppant, p. ex. sand coated with resin or fibers, high strength ceramic materials, p. ex. sintered bauxite or other suitable materials. The proppant collects heterogeneously or homogeneously within the fractures to keep the fractures formed in the formation open. In fact, the proppant creates permeable conduit planes through which production fluids can flow into the well.

In the well installation, the proppant and other components of the fracturing fluid are mixed in a low pressure system site. Oilfield materials are usually delivered from storage facilities to a mixer using pneumatic systems that blow the materials from the Oilfield. The water-based liquid is added and the resulting fracturing fluid is brought to the bottom of the well at a high pressure. However, proppant handling prior to mixing tends to create a considerable amount of dust when the proppant is moved to the mixer by blowers. As a result, dust control devices, e.g. ex. vacuum cleaners, in an effort to control the dust. The variety of equipment used in the process also tends to create a large base area in the well installation and operate the equipment is generally an intensive manual process.

COMPENDIUM In general, the present disclosure provides a system and method that facilitates the manipulation of petroleum reservoir materials in a space-saving manner. The oilfield material is stored in at least one silo that can allow the use of gravity to feed the material from the oil field to a mixing system or other suitable equipment. In many applications, the oil reservoir material is delivered to each silo without blowers. A mobile support structure is disclosed, which receives one or more modular silos at the well location. Each modular silo is transportable and can be connected to a support structure that can be transported to the well location separately through a connection that allows controlled movement of the modular silo during erection. Once connected, the modular silo can be rotated to a raised vertical position on the support structure. The oilfield material is moved into the silo and gravity can be used to feed the material from the oil field to a mixer or other equipment in a controlled manner.

Some embodiments of the present description relate to a unit of transfer of materials from mobile oil fields. The unit includes a chassis having a first end, a second end, a support arm extending between the first end and the second end and wheels operably linked with the support arm to movably support the support arm. The unit also includes a vertical mast assembly that includes a mast movably connected to the chassis near the second end and an actuator system coupled to the mast and to the chassis to move the mast between a horizontal position and a vertical position. further, the unit has a first conveyor assembly that includes a support frame coupled to the mast and movable between the horizontal position and the vertical position, which first conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor coupled with the support frame, an inlet and a top discharge part, with the first conveyor adapted to move a volume of material from the oil field from the inlet to the upper discharge part.

However, it is possible to make many modifications without departing materially from the principles of the description. As a consequence, it is intended that these modifications be included within the scope of this description as defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain embodiments of the description will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein each reference number corresponds to an element. It should be understood, however, that the appended figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the various technologies described herein and: Figure 1 is an illustration of an example of an administration system for proppant located in a location of a well, according to one modality of the description; Figure 2 is an illustration of another embodiment of a proppant delivery system in which various closed modular silos are used to contain petroleum reservoir materials, according to one embodiment of the description; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an example of a closed vertical conveyor system within a silo, according to one embodiment of the description; Figure 4 is an illustration of an example of a support structure with reception areas of the silos on which modular silos can be mounted in a vertical orientation, according to one embodiment of the description; Figure 5 is an illustration of several modular silos transported by loading trucks and placed in vertical position on the support structure, according to one embodiment of the description; Figure 6 is an illustration of an example of a pivotal connection used to rotate a modular silo from a lateral position to a vertical position on the support structure, according to one embodiment of the description; Figure 7 is an illustration of several modular silos located on the support structure with load cells mounted at suitable locations for monitoring the load and, consequently, the content weight, of each modular silo, according to a mode of the description; Figure 8 is an illustration of an example of a mat system on which the support structure can be mounted at a well location, according to one embodiment of the description; Figure 9 is an illustration of an example of the support structure placed on the mat system illustrated in Figure 8, according to one embodiment of the description; Figures 10-12 present several illustrations of the installation of a mobile support structure in a location according to one embodiment of the description.

Figures 13-15 present several illustrations of the alignment of a modular silo with the connections of the mobile support structure in a location according to one embodiment of the description.

Figures 16-17 present several illustrations of the vertical positioning of the modular silos on the mobile support structure according to one embodiment of the description.

Figure 18 is a top plan view of the exemplary mobile support structure illustrated in Figures 10-17.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a mobile support structure constructed in accordance with the present disclosure having a mixing system integrated in a support base of the mobile support structure and within a passage defined by a frame structure.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of an example of a mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit according to one embodiment of the description, with a first conveyor assembly shown in a horizontal position; Figure 21 is a perspective view of the mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of Figure 20 shown with the first conveyor assembly shown in a vertical position; Fig. 22 is a partial perspective view of an example of a support frame of a first conveyor assembly according to a description mode; Fig. 23 is a perspective view of an example of a discharge conduit of a first conveyor assembly according to one embodiment of the description; Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit shown coupled to a modular silo according to one embodiment of the description; Figure 25 is a perspective view of the mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of Figure 24 shown with a petroleum reservoir material management trailer located therein, according to a modality of the description; Figure 26 is a perspective view of a modality of a mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit that is shown coupled to a modular silo and an oil reservoir materials management trailer located therein, in accordance with one modality of the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, several details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the system and / or methodology can be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications of the described modalities may be possible.

Unless otherwise stated, "o" refers to an inclusive "o" and not an "o" exclusive. For example, a condition A or B is met with any of the following: A is true (or is present) and B is false (or is not present), A is false (or is not present) and B is true (or is present) and A and B are true (or are present).

In addition, "a / a" is used to describe the elements and components of the present modalities. This is done solely for practicality and to give a general sense of the novel concept. Unless otherwise indicated, it should be read that this description includes one or at least one and that the singular also includes the plural.

The terminology and phraseology of the present are used for descriptive purposes and should not be considered as limiting the scope. The terms such as "even", "comprises", "has" or "contains", and their variations, are used in a broad sense and include the object mentioned below, equivalents and other objects not described.

Finally, as used herein, any reference to "one modality" means that an element, a function, a structure or a specific characteristic described in relation to the modality in at least one embodiment is included. Appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same modality.

The present disclosure generally comprises a system and methodology for facilitating the manipulation of petroleum reservoir materials in a space-saving manner. In one embodiment, petroleum reservoir materials can be transported to a well location by means of suitable trucks and loaded into at least one modular silo without the use of air to transport the material from the oil field. As an example, petroleum reservoir materials can be moved in various modular silos by using vertical conveyors to move the oilfield material without blowers. In some embodiments, each modular silo comprises an external cover that defines a closed interior for receive the material from the oil field. A corresponding vertical conveyor is located inside the closed interior and is used to lift the material from the oil field from the entrance of a silo, p. ex. a hopper, towards an upper part of the modular silo without using air flow to transport the materials from the oil field. Once the oil reservoir material is arranged within the vertical modular silo, the outflow of the oil reservoir material can be controlled by gravity through a silo outlet to selectively release the amount of material desired in a system of mixing or other suitable equipment located under the modular silo.

According to an example, a vertical silo is designed as a modular silo that can be transported to the well location by a loading truck before being mounted, generally, in a vertical position on the support structure. Truck refers to a transport vehicle, for example an articulated truck that has a trailer pulled by a tractor. In this example, the modular silo is transported by the truck trailer. However, the truck may also comprise a rigid truck or other suitable truck designed to transport the modular silo and to transport the modular silo on public roads. The support structure may be designed in a way that allows elevation of the silo from its lateral position in the truck to an upright position, e.g. ex. vertical, in the location of the well. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments a crane can be used to lift the modular silo and place the modular silo in a support structure. The use of vertical silos provides an effective solution for the administration of proppant in many applications. Gravity effectively causes the oilfield material to flow down to the desired equipment, for example, a mixing system.

The support structure can have different designs and configurations for support individual modular silos or several modular silos. By way of example, the support structure can be formed by struts arranged in an A-frame configuration or another type of configuration capable of supporting and securing the modular silo (s) in the desired vertical position. At least in some applications, the support structure is designed to be attached to each modular silo while the modular silo is located on the transport truck. This allows the modular silo to be directly turned up from the truck to the vertical operative position. The support structure may also be constructed to support each modular silo at a sufficient height that allows the oilfield material to be fed by gravity through a feeder at the lower end to a portable mixer located below. In some applications, load cells are incorporated into the support structure to monitor the load caused by each modular silo, which allows recording the amount of oil reservoir material in each modular silo. In one embodiment, the support structure is a mobile support structure implemented as a trailer having wheels and a swan neck part for connection to the truck. In this modality, the swan neck part can be converted into a ramp to collaborate with the placement of a mixing system under the modular silos. In another embodiment, the mixing system can be integrated into the platform of the mobile support structure.

In some embodiments, a conveyor, for example a mechanical conveyor belt, can be used to move the oil reservoir material discharged from a gravity-driven transport into an inlet hopper of a closed vertical conveyor within the modular silo. The mechanical conveyor belt can hold a trailer that transports the material from the oil field with multiple nozzles that overlap the mechanical conveyor belt or can be used other types of conveyors, for example dump trucks and lower trailers. By way of example, the vertical conveyor can comprise a bucket elevator or another type of vertical conveyor that can transport the material from the oil reservoir towards an upper end of the modular silo at a considerable distance, e.g. ex. from 30 to 70 feet, on the surface of the well location. The conveyor that moves the oil reservoir material into the silo and the vertical conveyor can be closed to provide a powder-free solution for handling the oilfield material at much higher speeds with higher energy efficiency and lower attrition than obtained with existing pneumatic systems, p. ex. blower type transport systems. To increase the storage capacity of the modular silo as compared to a cylindrical silo, the outer cover can have a substantially rectangular shape defining four corners (which can form sharp or rounded corners). The modular silo can be transported on a trailer thas a gooseneck. As best seen in Figure 5, to further increase the storage capacity of the modular silo while still being able to be transported by a truck, the vertical conveyor can extend beyond an upper part of the outer cover and can move towards one of the corners to avoid the gooseneck of the trailer.

Depending on the parameters of a given fracturing process, several of the modular silos can be grouped so that the feeders of the various modular silos provide petroleum reservoir material to a common area, e.g. ex. to a truck-mounted mixing system that has a proppant rate / dosage control system, or other portable mixer or mixing system located under the modular silos. To reduce the space required in the location of the well for the various modular silos, the common area may be located below the external covers of the modular silos. In this example, the external covers of the modular silos overlap with the common area. Additionally, some or all modular silos can be divided into compartments. In some applications, individual modular silos may have various internal compartments to contain different types of petroleum reservoir materials. Individual silos can also be divided into main storage compartments and secondary storage compartments located below the main storage compartments. In the last example, the main storage compartment can be used to gravity feed the petroleum reservoir material to an outlet feeder for distribution in the mixing system. Some systems may use a belt feeder or other type of feeder system instead of gravity feed. The secondary storage compartment can be exposed to the internal vertical conveyor and the proppant of the secondary storage compartment can be continuously lifted and unloaded into the main storage compartment. In some applications, the secondary compartments or other compartments of the modular silo may have different characteristics that allow the independent filling of those particular compartments. Additionally, the output feeders can be designed with controllable mechanisms, e.g. ex. gates, which are adjustable to control the outflow of petroleum reservoir material.

Modular silos can be designed in various sizes and shapes, including cylindrical shapes or rectangular shapes, selected to allow transportation by means of a suitable cargo truck. As an example, modular silos can vary in size according to the proppant management plan for a given fracturing operation, but an example of a Appropriate modular silo can contain 2000-4000 cubic feet of petroleum reservoir material. In some systems, the modular silos are provided with sufficient space in the lower part to form a passage free of obstructions to allow a portable mixing system, for example a mixing system mounted on a truck, to be driven with a system of silos Modular systems to receive material from oil fields by gravity feed. For example, the portable mixing system may be mounted on the trailer of a truck that is supported in its position under the output feeders of various modular silos. In some embodiments, the modular silos can be designed as independent silos and in other embodiments, the modular silos can be designed for placement in a support structure / frame that supports the modular silos at a desired height. In one embodiment the mixing system can be mounted on a platform to be transported on a trailer to the location of the well and then placed under the silo system by a suitable mechanical device, for example a winch.

Each of these modalities can use a closed vertical conveyor to avoid the blowing of the material from oil deposits, although in other embodiments a pneumatic filling tube can be used as a vertical conveyor. Each modular silo can also be filled by an integrated oil reservoir material management and loading system that utilizes a closed conveyor or other suitable system to move petroleum reservoir material from a discharge area to an entrance associated with the vertical conveyor at a lower end of the modular silo. In some applications, the vertical conveyor can be fed by a belt or other device driven by the closed conveyor system used to move material from oil fields from the discharge area towards the entrance of the modular silo. This allows the system to be substantially automatic. However, individual mobile systems, p. eg, vertical conveyor and closed conveyor that extend from the unloading area, can be fed individually or collectively through various sources, including various motors, machines or other devices.

In general terms, Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a proppant delivery system to form a suspension suitable for fracturing formations, in its position at a well location. By way of example, the proppant administration system may comprise various types of equipment, including vehicles, storage containers, material handling equipment, pumps, control systems and other equipment designed to facilitate the fracturing process.

In the example of Figure 1, a proppant delivery system 20 is illustrated in its position at a well location 22 having a well 24 with at least one borehole 26 extending downward in a reservoir / formation. The proppant administration system 20 may comprise many types and arrangements of equipment and the types or arrangements may vary from one fracturing operation to another. By way of example, the proppant administration system 20 may comprise at least one modular silo 28, e.g. ex. various modular silos that can be transported by road through trucks that can operate on public roads. Modular silos 28 are designed to store petroleum reservoir material as a proppant used to keep open fractures to fracture the underground formation, or guar used to increase the viscosity of a hydraulic fracturing fluid. In the illustrated example, several modular silos 28 receive petroleum reservoir material via conveyors 30, p. ex. ribbons conveyors, and the oil reservoir material is raised to an upper part 31 of each modular silo 28 by corresponding vertical conveyors 32. The conveyors 30 and the vertical conveyors 32 can operate by transporting the material from petroleum reservoirs instead of blowing the material of oil deposits to avoid the erosion of the components and the formation of dust in the area. In addition, conveyors 30 and vertical conveyors 32 can be closed to further reduce dust when the oilfield material is brought from a discharge area 34 and into modular silos 28.

As illustrated, oil reservoir material transport trucks 36 can be used to bring the oil reservoir material to a discharge area 34. In this example, the trucks 36 are trucks with trailers that have trailers 37 that can be supported on a part of a selected conveyor 30. Trailers 37 can be gravity-feed trailers or other types of trailers that can move the material from the oil field to the location of the well 22. Trailers can be operated to release the material of the oil reservoir in a belt or other suitable carrier of the selected conveyor 30 for transfer to a silo or associated modular silos 28 along a closed path within the conveyor 30.

In this example, the proppant delivery system 20 may comprise several different components that include water tanks (not shown) to supply water that is mixed with the petroleum reservoir material to form the hydraulic fracturing fluid, e.g. ex. proppant suspension, which can be pumped to the bottom of the well in the borehole 26 by various pumps (not shown). By way of example, pumps may be pumps mounted on trucks, e.g. ex. pumping systems mounted on truck trailers designed for road transport. The multiple pumps may be coupled to a common manifold (not shown) designed to bring the hydraulic fracturing fluid into the borehole 26. The proppant delivery system 20 may also comprise a mixing system 44 designed to mix the oil reservoir administered from the modular silos 28. By way of example, the mixing system 44 can be a portable mixer, for example a mixer mounted on a truck or a mixer mounted on a platform. In the specific example illustrated, the mixing system 44 is mounted on the trailer of a truck 46 that can be driven, e.g. ex. reverse gear, to a common area 47 (shown in Figure 3) that is located under or near the modular silos 28. The proppant delivery system 20 may also comprise several different components, for example a control installation 48 and / or other components designed to facilitate a certain fracturing operation. In one embodiment, the common area 47 is located below the outer covers 49 of the modular silos 28. In this embodiment, the external covers 49 of the modular silos 28 overlap with the common area 47.

In general terms, Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of the modular silos 28 coupled in a cooperation unit. In this example, several of the modular silos 28, p. ex. four modular silos 28, are coupled in a modular support structure, or frame, 50 which can be mounted on a system of mats 52 that can be placed on a platform, for example a platform of concrete, gravel or the like. The matsystem 52 distributes the load of the modular silos 28 on the ground. The modular silos 28 can be mounted in such a way as to allow their release in a generally straight or vertical orientation in a support structure 50. The support structure 50 is constructed with various regions of receiving the silos 54 on which the individual modular silos 28 can be mounted in a generally straight or vertical orientation. The support structure 50 and the reception regions of the silos 54 can be designed to elevate the modular silos 28 to a height sufficient to allow movement of the portable mixing system 44 to a position sufficiently below the modular silos 28 within the common area 47 to receive a controlled outflow of oilfield material. For example, the support structure 50 may be designed to allow a mixing system mounted on a truck 44 to be driven, e.g. ex. reverse, to a position below the modular silos 28, as illustrated. In addition, the platform can be constructed in various sizes and shapes, including cement platforms, compacted aggregate platforms, platforms built as portable structures, mixtures of these various structural elements and / or other types of platforms suitable for supporting the various silos modular 28 In the illustrated example, each modular silo 28 can be constructed with a silo frame 56 that supports the outer cover 49 defining a closed interior 60 for containing material from the oil reservoir 62 (see also Figure 3). Depending on the fracturing operation, the petroleum reservoir material 62 may comprise gravel or natural sand grains, synthetic proppant, resin coated sand, high strength ceramic materials, e.g. ex. sintered bauxite, other solids such as fibers, mica, mixtures of petroleum reservoir materials of different sizes, mixtures of different types of petroleum reservoir materials and / or other suitable petroleum reservoir materials. In some applications, the selected modular silos 28 or each of the modular silos 28 can be divided into compartments 64 designed to contain different types of petroleum reservoir materials 62 that can be selectively released from the silo modular 28 and mixing through a mixing system 44. Each closed vertical conveyor 32 is designed to lift petroleum reservoir material (eg, with or without blowing) from an inlet 66, p. ex. an inlet hopper, disposed in a lower part 68 towards an upper discharge part 70 for the release in the closed interior 60 through the upper part of a vertical conveyor 72. In some embodiments, the upper part of a conveyor 72 can having a rotating or mobile discharge that is selectively controlled to bring the desired oil reservoir material into a corresponding desired compartment 64 within a given modular silo 28.

With further reference to Figure 3, the vertical conveyor 32 can be located within the closed interior 60 in a manner that limits the escape of dust while providing a uniform modular unit that can be easily transported by a loading truck, for example the truck 36 with a properly designed trailer. The vertical conveyor 32 can also be constructed in various ways. For example, the vertical conveyor 32 can be constructed as a bucket elevator 74 having various buckets 75 transported in a continuous cycle that lifts the material from the oil reservoir 62 from the inlet 66 to the upper discharge part 70 for discharge in the closed interior 60 by the upper part of a vertical conveyor 72. The outflow of the material from the oil reservoir 62 to the mixing system 44 can be through an outlet, e.g. ex. a feeder 76 and the amount of outflow through the feeder 76 can be controlled through an appropriate outflow control mechanism 78. For example, the mixing system 44 can include a hopper 79-1 having an inlet 79 -2 located below the feeder 76. In one embodiment, the outer cover 58 overlays the entry 79-2 of the hopper 79-1. Entrance 79-2 of Hopper 79-1 can have a width 79-3 of up to 12 feet and preferably between 8 feet and 8.5 feet. The hopper 79-1 may also have an output flow control mechanism 79-4 that is similar to the output flow control mechanism 78. By way of example, the output flow control mechanisms 78 and 79-4 they can comprise a controllable gate, p. ex. hydraulic damper, control valve or other flow control mechanism that is operated through a control installation 48 or through another suitable control system. In this example, the oil reservoir material 62 is fed by gravity through the feeder 76 and the amount of outflow is regulated by the outflow control mechanism 78. In one embodiment, the amount of flow can be regulated. material from the oil reservoir 62 discharged in a mixer 79-5 of the mixing system 44 through both output flow control mechanisms 78 and 79-4. In this case, the output flow control mechanism 79-4 can be maintained in a fixed open position when the control facility 48 regulates the output flow control mechanism 78 in real time to control a quantity of reservoir material. of oil 62 discharged into the mixer 79-5. Because the feeder 76 is within the confines of the hopper 79-1, while the hopper 79-1 is filled with material from the oil reservoir 62, the material from the oil reservoir 62 will be supported against the feeder 76 and will form a plug. Thus, the outflow control mechanism 79-4 is self-regulating and the outflow control mechanism 78 and the control facility 48 can only control the amount of material from the oil reservoir 62 discharged in the mixer 79. -5.

In general terms, Figure 4 illustrates an example of a support structure 50. In this example, the support structure 50 comprises several struts 82 which are connected through suitable fastening methods to create a strong and stable structure to support the less a modular silo 28. Clamping methods can be use welds, nut and bolt fasteners and / or other suitable types of fasteners. The struts 82 are connected to form at least one silo receiving region 54. In the illustrated example, the struts 82 are arranged to create various silo receiving regions 54 designed to receive and support, for example, two modular silos 28. However, the support structure 50 can be constructed with various configurations to support different amounts of modular silos 28 in many types of arrangements and configurations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the struts 82 are also arranged to create a support structure 50 with a free region or a passage 84 that provides space for the equipment of the system, for example the portable mixing system 44 and also comprises the common area 47 By way of example, the support structure 50 may be arranged so that the reception regions of the silos 54 can support the modular silos 28 through silo frames 56 in an elevated position that allows the lower feeders 76 to dose the outflow of the material from the oil reservoir 62 to the portable mixing system 44 when the portable mixing system 44 is located and / or propelled to the passage 84. As illustrated, upper struts 86 can be used to connect the reception regions of the silos 54 and to provide superior support for a portion of the modular silo frames 56. The upper struts 86 can be to be placed at a height sufficient to allow a portable mix system mounted on a truck 44 to be driven, e.g. ex. reverse, to the free region or passageway 84 to receive the oil reservoir material 62 from the modular silos 28. In other embodiments, however, the upper struts 86 may be divided and may be supported by additional vertical struts to allow the separation of the reception regions of the silos 54. The separation of the reception areas of the silos 54 allows to separate the silos individual 28 or groups of silos 28 and leave space through which the equipment can be driven, e.g. ex. the portable mixing system 44, between the separate modular silos 28.

The support structure 50 may also comprise various additional features, including reinforcing cross struts 88 that may be placed in various locations on the support structure 50 to reinforce the support structure. The support structure 50 may also comprise pivoting struts 90 to which pivot connectors may be connected (shown in Figure 6), as discussed in more detail below. The pivoting struts 90 provide a strong region of the support structure 50, initially, each modular silo 28 can be coupled to this region and then rotated against it during the erection of each modular silo 28 from a lateral position to a vertical operative position. In some applications, the pivoting struts 90 are located at a height that matches the corresponding pivotal connectors of the modular silo frame 56 when the modular silo 28 is mounted laterally, e.g. ex. horizontally, on a suitable load truck 36.

Referring again to Figure 4, the support structure 50 may also comprise or may be connected with at least one expandable base 92 designed to stabilize the support structure 50 and the modular silos 28 when mounted in a vertical position on the structure 50. In the illustrated example, several expandable bases 92 are movably connected to a portion of the base 94 of the support structure 50. The expandable bases 92 can be received by sliding on the base part 94 for the movement between a retracted position in the base portion 94 and an extended position, as illustrated, to provide greater stability to the support structure 50. The extension and contraction of the expandable bases 92 can be realized through various suitable actuators, including hydraulic actuators, p. ex. hydraulic cylinders, electric actuators, p. ex. stepper motors that drive a screw coupled to the expandable bases and / or mechanical actuators, p. ex. expandable bases that can be manually changed position. Further, the transition of the expandable bases 92 between the retracted and actuated positions can be provided by other types of joints with movement, including hinges and other types of pivots, couplers that allow quick connection and disconnection of the expandable bases 92 and / or another suitable mechanism. The quantity and orientation of the expandable bases 92 can also be adjusted according to the parameters of a given application. The expandable bases 92 can be connected to the support structure 50 to provide seismic isolation to the support structure 50. The expandable bases 92 can include additional slide or folding stabilizers connected on one side of the expandable base 92 to provide greater stability to the the support structure 50.

In figure 5, an example is illustrated in which several modular silos are placed 28 in position on two support structures 50 located together. In this example, each individual modular silo 28 is transported to the location of the well 22 using a suitable truck 36. As illustrated, the suitable truck 36 may comprise a tractor 98 that pulls a trailer 100 of appropriate size to receive one of the silos 28 in a lateral orientation, p. ex. horizontal. In the illustrated example, the modular silo 28 is constructed so that the upper part of the vertical conveyor 72 extends from a closed upper portion 80 of the silo cover 58, generally, along one side of the modular silo 28. This it allows the transport of the modular silo 28 in a conventional gooseneck trailer 92, as illustrated.

Each truck 36 can be moved back to move the silo that is in lateral position 28 to engage with a corresponding silos receiving region 54 of the supporting structure 50. As discussed above, the supporting structure 50 may comprise pivoting struts 90 or other suitable structures located at a suitable height to receive and coupling each modular silo 28 when it is in a lateral position on the truck 36. By way of example, the supporting structure 50 and the corresponding modular silos 28 can use pivoting connectors 102 by means of which the silo 28 can be selectively coupled with the support structure 50. The pivoting connectors 102 are located to allow the coupling and connection of each silo 28 with the supporting structure 50, while the silo 28 is laterally located on the truck 36. The pivoting connectors 102 also are designed to maintain the modular silo coupling 28 with the supporting structure 50 while rotating the silo the lateral position to an upright orientation, p. ex. vertical, operative.

The modular silos 28 can be rotated or moved around the pivoting connectors 102 from the lateral position in the truck 36 to the vertical operative position in the support structure 50 through various mechanisms. For example, a piston 104 (indicated with dotted lines) can be used to erect each silo 28 between the lateral position and the vertical position. The piston 104 may be a hydraulic or pneumatic piston located in the trailer 100 which acts against the frame 56 of each modular silo 28 to rotate the modular silo 28 around the pivoting connectors 102 until the silo 28 is safely received in its vertical position by the reception region of the silo 54. The piston 104 may be designed to operate with a hydraulic (or pneumatic) system of the truck 36. In other applications, the piston 104 may be designed to rotate the trailer 100 or a portion of the trailer 100 upwards while the modular silo 28 remains connected to the pivoting part of the trailer 100. Other techniques can using cranes, pulleys and / or other mechanisms to rotate each modular silo 28 around the pivotal connection while the modular silo 28 is moved from the lateral position to the vertical operative orientation.

The pivoting connectors 102 are used to facilitate the formation of the pivotal connection between each modular silo 28 and the support structure 50 and may comprise various individual or plural connection mechanisms. In general, each pivoting connector 102 comprises a pivoting member 106 mounted in the silo 28 and a corresponding pivoting member 108 mounted on the support structure 50, p. ex. mounted on the pivoting struts 90, as illustrated in Figure 6. In the specific example illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, each modular silo 28 is pivotally coupled to the support structure 50 through a pair of pivoting connectors. 102. By way of example, each pivoting member 106 may comprise a pin 110 which is rotatably received, e.g. ex. pivoting, by a corresponding pin receiver 112 which forms part of the corresponding pivoting member 108. Although the pin 110 is illustrated as being connected to the frame 56 of the modular silo 28 and the pin receiver 112 is illustrated as being connected to the pivoting struts 90 of the Support structure 50, pin 110 and pin receiver 112 can be reversed. In addition, the pivoting connectors 102 may comprise other structures designed to allow selective engagement of the modular silos 28 with the support structure 50 and the controlled movement of the modular silos 28 with respect to the support structure 50. According to the design of the Pivoting connectors 102, various retaining features such as an expanded pin head 114 can be used to maintain the rotary connection between the modular silo 28 and the support structure 50 during the transition of the modular silo 28 from the lateral position to the vertical position.

In general terms, in figure 7, the support structure 50 and / or the silos Modular 28 may comprise other features to detect and / or monitor certain system functions. For example, several sensors 116 may be placed in the support structure 50 and / or in the modular silos 28 to detect and / or monitor the parameters related to the administration of the petroleum reservoir material 62 for a given fracturing operation. As an example, the sensors 116 may comprise load cells mounted in the reception regions of the silos 54 to monitor the loads applied by the individual modular silos 28. The load data may be used to record the amount of petroleum reservoir material remaining inside closed 60 of each modular silo 28.

In Figures 5, 7, 8 and 9, an operative example is illustrated to facilitate the explanation of how a mode of the proppant delivery system can be constructed at a given well location 22. In this example, the mat system 52 is initially constructed at the location of the well 22 as shown in Fig. 8. The 52 52 mat system can be constructed in various sizes and shapes according to the environment and the size and parameters of a certain fracturing operation. By way of example, the mat system 52 may comprise a structural material formed of steel or other suitable structural material, and may be placed on the platform to distribute the weight of the modular silos 28 on the ground, as illustrated in the figure 8 Once the mat system 52 is installed, at least one support structure 50 can be assembled and / or placed on the mat system 52, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The support structure 50 is oriented to receive the modular silos 28 in a desired orientation at the well location 22. In the specific example illustrated, the support structure 50 is constructed and located to receive several modular silos 28, p. ex. two, three or four modular silos 28.

After the support structure 50 is properly located, trucks 36 are used to place the modular silos 28. In one embodiment, the mat system 52 can be integrated to a base of the support structure 50.

As illustrated in Figure 5, for example, an individual modular silo 28 can be mounted horizontally on the trailer 100 of the truck 36. As discussed above, each modular silo 28 can be designed as a modular unit used alone or in collaboration with other silos 28. The modularity together with the design and size of the modular silos 28 allow the transport of the individual modular silos 28 on public roads by trucks 36. When the truck 36 and the corresponding modular silo 28 arrive at the location from the well 22, the truck 36 is used to couple the modular silo 28 with a first support connection of the support structure 50 in the matsystem 52. For example, the first support connection of the support structure may include the pivoting members 106. The modular silo 28 moves towards the support structure 50 until the pivoting members 106 of the frame of the silo 56 engage the members. The pivoting connectors 108 of the support structure 50 for forming pivoting connectors 102. The pivoting connectors 102 provide a connection between the modular silo 28 and the support structure 50 which allows the modular silo 28 to safely rise in a controlled manner from a lateral position, p. ex. horizontal, to a vertical operative position. By way of example, the hydraulic piston 104 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be used to elevate the modular silo 28 to the vertical position.

Trucks 36 are used to place the following modular silos 28 in the support structure 50 until having the desired amount of modular silos 28 located in the location of the well 22 as shown in Figure 7. Each modular silo 28 is rotated to the position vertical in the reception areas of the silos 54 of the structure of support 50, as shown in figure 7. After the modular silos 28 are mounted in vertical position in the support structure 50, the modular silos 28 can be screwed or fixed better to the support structure 50. In some applications, the modular silos 28 can also be tied together to further stabilize the assembly. In the illustrated example, the support structure 50 supports the modular silos 28 at a height sufficient to receive a portable mixing system 44 in the free region or the passage 84. In this example, the feeders of the modular silos 28 can be locate to unload the oilfield material in passage 84. In addition, closed conveyor systems 30 can be connected to inlet hoppers 66 of vertical conveyors 32. In this stage, the oilfield material can be administered. 62 to the location of the well 22 and loading into the modular silos 28 through conveyors 30 and vertical conveyors 32.

It should be noted that in some applications, the external conveyor or conveyors 30 have a section with an exposed belt that allows the oilfield material to be discharged by gravity from appropriately designed gravity feed trucks that rest on the exposed belt. The material of the oil deposit fed in the belt is then transported to a closed section of the conveyor 30 and transported along a slope for release in at least one inlet 66 of a corresponding modular silo 28.

The arrangement and components of the proppant delivery system 20 can vary substantially depending on the parameters of a given fracturing operation. The modular silos 28 can be used individually or in groups of independent modular silos mounted securely in the support structure 50. The modular silos can be mounted at a sufficient height to direct the petroleum reservoir material flowing outwardly to through an outlet flow feeder located in the lower part of the closed interior and in the passage 84. In other applications, the feeders may be located to direct the outflow of the oil reservoir material from a higher compartment into the reservoir. modular silo 28. In some applications, the modular silos 28 may comprise a closed interior divided into several compartments to contain different types of petroleum reservoir material that can be selectively dosed to the mixer system 44 to mix in a desired mixture which is then Pumps to the bottom of the well in the borehole.

In addition, various conveyor belts or other types of conveyors can be closed to take the petroleum reservoir material from a discharge area to the vertical modular silos 28. The modular silos 28 can also incorporate various vertical conveyors to lift reservoir material from oil to an upper discharge region of the modular silos 28. Various arrangements of vertical modular silos 28 allow storage of a substantial amount of petroleum reservoir materials that can be easily supplied for use in a fracturing operation. The vertical arrangement of modular silos 28 also provides an efficient use of the well location space. In addition to space efficiency, the closed system for storing and administering oilfield material provides a clean well location substantially free of dust production. However, depending on the specific details of a given fracturing operation, various amounts and arrangements of modular silos 28, conveyors 30 and 32, mixing systems 44 and other equipment of the well location can be employed.

The support structure 50 and the system of mats 52 can also be constructed in various shapes and configurations depending on the parameters of the desired fracturing operation. For example, the support structure 50 can be constructed from various types of struts configurations, combinations of struts and other structural components and / or structural walls or other devices to support the modular silos 28. In some applications, the structure of Support 50 can be constructed as a frame in A or frame in A truncated. The support structure 50 may also be constructed as a single connected unit support structure or as various support substructures which may be separate to accommodate the separation of the individual modular silos 28 and / or the separation of the modular silos 28 groups. Similarly, the matsystem 52 may be constructed of various materials and various configurations depending on the parameters of the fracturing operation and the characteristics of the corresponding equipment, e.g. ex. the modular silos 28, the mixing systems 44 and other equipment that facilitate hydraulic fracturing.

In Figures 10-17 there is shown a movable support structure 200 for supporting one or more modular silos 28 according to the present disclosure. Figure 10 shows the mobile support structure 200 in a transport configuration in which the mobile support structure 200 is configured to be transported on roads when being pulled behind a truck 201. Figure 11, on the other hand, shows the mobile support structure 200 in the process of becoming an operational configuration for supporting one or more of the modular silos 28 when attached to the truck 201. Figure 12 shows the mobile support structure 200 in the operative and detached configuration of the truck 201 In general, the mobile support structure 200 may be designed to comply with various state and federal regulations for transportation on public roads. In this regard, the mobile support structure 200 can have a width and a height of less than about 14 feet and a length less than 53 feet.

In the example shown, the mobile support structure 200 is provided with a support base 202, a frame structure 204, a swan neck part 206 and several wheels 208 for supporting the support base 202, the structure of frame 204 and the swan neck part 206. The gooseneck portion 206 of the mobile support structure 200 can be attached to the truck 201 so that the truck 201 can move the mobile support structure 200 between various locations, by example well locations. As will be explained in more detail below, the mobile support structure 200 is designed to be transported to a well location and then designed to support one or more of the modular silos 28. In the example shown, the mobile support structure 200 is designed to hold up to four modular silos 28 (as shown in figure 1). However, it will be understood that the mobile support structure 200 may be designed to support more or less of the modular silos 28 depending on the state and federal regulations that determine the size of the mobile support structure 200 as well as the width and / or size of modular silos 28.

The support base 202 is provided with a first end 220, a second end 222, an upper surface 224 and a lower surface (not shown). The frame structure 204 is connected to the support base 202. The frame structure 204 extends over the support base 202 to define a passage 230 generally located between the upper surface 224 and the frame structure 204. The frame structure 204 has at least one silo receiving region 232 sized and configured to receive at least one of the modular silos 28. In the example shown, the frame structure 204 has four reception regions of the silos 232 with each of the reception regions of the silos 232 designed to hold one of modular silos 28.

The swan neck portion 206 extends from the first end 220 of the support base 202 and is configured to connect to the truck 210 as discussed above. For example, the axes 208 may be located near the second end 222 of the support base 202 as shown in Figure 10. In the example shown in Figure 10, the mobile support structure 200 is provided with two axes . However, it will be understood that more than two axes may be used and may be positioned in various locations with respect to the support base 202 to support the components of the mobile support structure 200.

As shown in Figure 10, the mobile support structure 200 is also provided with an expandable first base 240 and an expandable second base 242 to provide additional lateral support to the modular silos 28 to prevent the modular silos 28 from falling. In the example shown, the support base 202 is provided with a first side 244 and a second side 246. The first expandable base 240 is located on the first side 244 of the support base 202 and the second expandable base 242 is located on the second side 246 of the support base 202.

The first expandable base 240 and the expandable second base 242 can be movably connected to at least one of the frame structure 204 and the support base 202 by a mechanical connection 248 so that the expandable first base 240 and the second base expandable 242 may be selectively located between a displacement position as shown in Figure 10 and a support position as shown in Figure 11. In the displaced position shown in Figure 10, the expandable first base 240 and the expandable second base 242 extends substantially vertically and adjacent frame structure 204 to be within acceptable size limits for transporting the structure of 200 mobile support on roads and public roads. However, in the support position shown in Figure 11, the first expandable base 240 and the second expandable base 242 extend substantially horizontally from the frame structure 204 to provide additional lateral support for the modular silos 28.

In one embodiment, the support base 202 is provided with a coupling (not shown) supported by the wheels 208 for moving the support base 202 in a vertical direction relative to the wheels 208 between a disement position in which the base of support 202 is located above a lower portion 249 of wheels 208 (as shown in Figure 10) and a support position in which support base 202 is located on the ground and at least a portion of the support base 202 is aligned with lower portion 249 of wheels 208. When support base 202 is located in the ground and expandable first base 240 and expandable second base 242 are located in the support position, the base support 202 and first expandable base 240 and expandable second base 242 may be coar. In addition, the support base 202 and the expandable first base 240 and the expandable second base 242 may be located on a form to assist in the stabilization of the support base 202 and the expandable bases in the soil at the location of the well before elevating the modular silos 28 on the mobile support structure 200. The support base 202 can provide support to the or silos under suboptimal soil surface conditions.

The mechanical connection 248 which movably connects the frame structure 204 and / or the support base 202 with the first expandable base 240 and the second expandable base 242 can be implemented in various ways. For example, the mechanical connection 248 may be provided with a first set of hinges connecting the first expandable base 240 to the frame structure 204 and a second set of hinges connecting the expandable second base 242 to the frame structure 204. To automate the movement of the first expandable base 240 and the second expandable base 242 between the support position and the disement position, the mechanical connection 248 may be provided with a first set of actuators 260 and a second set of actuators 262. The first set of actuators 260 is connected to the frame structure 204 and the expandable first base 240. The second set of actuators 262 is connected to the frame structure 204 and the expandable second base 242. In general, the first set of actuators 260 and the second set of actuators 262 are configured to selectively move the first expandable base 240 and the second expandable base 242 between the support position and the disement position. The first set of actuators 260 and the set of actuators 262 can be constructed in various ways and can include a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or a solenoid. In the example shown, the first set of actuators 260 is provided with two actuators and the second set of actuators 262 is also provided with two actuators. However, it will be understood that more or fewer actuators may be provided within the first set of actuators 260 and the second set of actuators 262 depending on the size of the actuators that are used.

Figure 11 shows a diagram of the mobile support structure 200 having the expandable first base 240 and the expandable second base 242 located in the support position and showing the frame structure 204 more clearly than in figure 10. The frame structure 204 is provided with various frames 270 which are interconnected with various struts 272. In the example shown, the frame structure 204 is provided with four frames 270 (which in figure 11 are marked with the reference numbers 270-1, 270-2, 270-3 and 270-4, however, it will be understood that the frame structure 204 may include more than four frames 270 or less than four frames 270. In the example shown, each of the frames 270 located in parallel and substantially identical in construction and function. For this reason, only one of the frames 270 will be described in detail below.

The frame 270-1, for example, is provided with an upper member 280, a lower member 282 and two side members 284 and 286 that are connected to form a closed structure surrounding at least a portion of the passage 230. The lower member 282 it is located within a passageway (not shown) that extends through the support base 202 and is connected to the side members 284 and 286 to maintain the side members 284 and 286 at a fixed distance. As shown in Figure 11, the side members 284 and 286 and the upper member 280 can have a shape and be connected to form an arc shape to increase the structural strength of the frame 270-1. The upper member 280 is provided with a vertex 290 which may be located centrally between the side members 284 and 286. The upper member 280 includes a first arm 292 and a second arm 294 that connect at the apex 290. The first arm 292 is connected to the side member 284 and the second arm 294 is connected to the side member 286. The upper member 280 can also be provided with a support arm 296 to increase the strength of the upper member 280. In particular, the support arm 296 reinforces the first arm 292 and the second arm 294 to prevent the first arm 292 from deviating from the second arm 294 and vice versa when the modular silos 28 are being held. The frame 270-1 can be made of any suitable durable and strong material to be able to support the loading of the modular silos 28. For example, the upper member 280, a lower member 282 and two side members 284 and 286 may be constructed of e tubular steel parts that are connected using any suitable technique, for example technical Mechanical fastening that uses combinations of nuts, plates and welds.

The frames 270-1 and 270-2 are connected by the struts 272 and are adapted to jointly hold two modular silos 28. Likewise, the frames 270-3 and 270-4 are connected by the struts and are adapted to hold on two modular silos 28 together form as shown in Figure 17. In particular, the frames 270-1 and 270-2 form two reception regions of the silos 232 of the mobile support structure 200 and the frames 270-3 and 270 -4 form two other reception regions of the silos 232. Within each of the receiving regions of the silos 232, the mobile support structure 200 is provided with a first connection 300 and a second connection 302. The first connection 300 within each of the reception regions of the silos 232 is located at the vertex 290 of frames 270-1-4. The second connection 302 within each reception region of the silos 232 is located either on the expandable first base 240 or the expandable second base 242 and at a lower elevation than the first connection 300 for connecting the silo frame 56 when the modular silo 28 are in trailer 37.

The first connection 300 within each of the reception regions of the silos 232 includes a first connector 306 and a second connector 308 that are configured to join the silo frame 56 of the modular silos 28. The second connection 302 within each One of the receiving regions of the silos 232 includes a first connector 310 and a second connector 312 which are configured to join the silo frame 56 of the modular silos 28. The first connector 310 and the second connector 312 of the second connection 302 are configured to connect the silo frame 56 of the modular silo 28 when the modular silo 28 is positioned on the trailer 37 as discussed above. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the trailer 37 can be supported to align the frame of the silo 56 with the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 of the second connection 302. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, to assist in supporting the trailer 37 to align the frame of the silo 56 with the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 of the second connection 302, alignment guides 320 may be provided on the first expandable base 240 and the second expandable base 242 within each of the receiving regions of the silos 232.

In any case, once the silo frame 56 of the modular silo 28 that will be raised in the mobile support structure 200 is connected to the second connection 302, the modular silo 28 can be moved to the vertical position as previously stated using a piston, crane or other suitable mechanical assembly. When the modular silo 28 is in the upright position, the frame of the silo 56 is connected to the frame structure 204 by the first connection 300 to maintain the modular silo 28 secured in the mobile support structure 200.

Once the support base 202 and the expandable first base 240 and the expandable second base 242 have been unfolded to the support position, the truck 201 can be disconnected from the gooseneck part 206 of the mobile support structure 200 Once the truck 201 has been disconnected, the gooseneck part 206 can be manipulated to lie on the ground and is generally coplanar with the support base 202. In this configuration, the gooseneck part 206 it can form a ramp to assist the operator in the placement of the mixing system 44 within the passage 230 as shown in FIG. 1. The swan neck portion 206 may be provided with a first section 320 and a second section 322. The first section 320 extends from the first end 220 of the support base 202. The first section 320 has a first end 324 and a second end 326. The first end 324 of the first section 320 is connected in a positive manner. to the support base 208, for example by the use of a set of hinges, holes and bolts u other types of connectors that may be blocked in more than one position. The second section 322 is movably connected to the second end 326 of the first section 320. For example, the first section 320 may be a four-bar mechanism that may be locked in an elevated position to form the swan neck or a position lower to form the ramp.

As shown in Figure 12 is the mobile support structure 200 in the operational configuration. In the operational configuration illustrated in Figure 12, the modular silos 28 can be loaded into the mobile support structure 200, as shown for example in Figures 1 and 13-17, and the mixing system 44 can be positioned within the passage 230 An example is shown in Figures 13-17 in which a modular silo 28 is placed in a position in the mobile support structure 200. In this example, each individual modular silo 28 is transported to the location of the well 22 using a truck 36. As illustrated, the truck 36 may comprise the tractor 98 that pulls a trailer 100 of appropriate size to receive one of the silos 28 in a lateral orientation, e.g. ex. horizontal.

Each truck 36 can be moved back to move the modular silo that is in lateral position 28 so that it engages with a corresponding silos receiving region 232 of the mobile support structure 200. Additional guide rails can be designed in the first expandable base 240 and expandable second base 242 to assist in the alignment of the silo trailer to the receiving region of the silos 232. On the other hand, to assist in proper alignment, expandable first base 240 and expandable second base 242 can also serve as a reference elevation for silo towing.

As discussed above, the mobile support structure 200 can comprising the second connection 302 or other suitable structures located at a suitable height for receiving and coupling each modular silo 28 when it is laterally located on the truck 36. By way of example, the mobile support structure 200 and the corresponding modular silos 28 they can use the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 by which the modular silo 28 can be selectively coupled with the movable support structure 200. The first connector 310 and the second connector 312 can be pivot connectors that are located to allow the coupling and connection of each modular silo 28 with the mobile support structure 200 while the modular silo 28 is in a lateral position on the truck 36. The first connector 310 and the second connector 312 are also designed to maintain the silo coupling modular 28 with the movable support structure 200 while rotating the modular silo 28 from the lateral position to an orientation er guida, p. ex. vertical.

The modular silos 28 can be rotated or moved around the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 from the lateral position on the truck 36 to the vertical operative position on the support frame 204 of the mobile support structure 200 through various mechanisms . For example, the piston 104 can be used to lift each modular silo 28 between the lateral and vertical positions. The piston 104 may be a hydraulic piston located in the trailer 100 which acts against the frame 56 of each modular silo 28 to rotate the modular silo 28 around the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 until the modular silo 28 is received in a manner secure in its upright position by the receiving region of the silo 232. The piston 104 may be designed to operate with a hydraulic (or pneumatic) system of the truck 36. In other applications, the piston 104 may be designed to rotate the trailer 100 or a part of the trailer 100 upwards while the modular silo 28 remains connected to the pivoting part of the trailer 100. Other techniques may use cranes, pulleys and / or other mechanisms to rotate each modular silo 28 around the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 while the modular silo 28 is moved from the lateral position to the vertical operative orientation.

In Figures 14 and 15 the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 are shown in more detail. The first connector 310 and the second connector 312 are used to facilitate the formation of the connection between each modular silo 28 and the mobile support structure 200. and may comprise various individual or plural connection mechanisms. Generally, each of the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 is designed to allow controlled movement of the modular silo 28 relative to the movable support structure 200. The first connector 310 and the second connector 312 may comprise a pivoting member mounted to the silo 28 and a corresponding pivoting member mounted on the movable support structure 200, p. ex. mounted on the struts 330, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. In the specific example illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, each modular silo 28 is pivotally coupled to the movable support structure 200 through a pair of pivoting members. By way of example, each pivoting member may comprise a bolt that is rotatably received, e.g. ex. pivoting, by a corresponding pin receiver of the pivoting member. Although the bolt may be connected to the frame 56 of the modular silo 28 and the bolt receiver may be connected to the pivoting struts 330 of the support structure 50, the bolt and the bolt receiver may be inverted. In addition, the first connector 310 and the second connector 312 may comprise other structures designed to allow selective engagement of the modular silos 28 with the mobile support structure 200 and the controlled movement of the modular silos 28 with respect to the mobile support structure 200. According to the design of the first connector 310 and the second connector 312, various retaining characteristics can be used such as an expanded bolt head to maintain the rotary connection between the modular silo 28 and the supporting structure 200 during the transition of the modular silo 28 from the lateral position to the vertical position.

The mobile support structure 200 may also be provided with other types of equipment to facilitate the handling of the oil reservoir material and / or the mixing of the oil reservoir material to form the suspension as discussed above. For example, the mobile support structure 200 may be provided with a power generation system 340 that is supported by the wheels 208. In this embodiment, the power generation system 340 may be used to generate electrical energy that may be provided. to the conveyors 30 and 32 as well as other equipment in the proppant management system 20. The mobile support structure 200 may also be provided with a feeder for dry additives, energy sources, controls and controllers, a platform for supporting a system of the mixer integrated in the support base 202. In addition, the mobile support structure 200 can be provided with waterproofing to protect against adverse environmental conditions. In addition, the mobile support structure 200 can be provided with various sensors 116 positioned in the frame structure 204 and / or in the modular silos 28 to detect and / or monitor the parameters related to the management of material from the oil field 62 for a certain fracturing operation. By way of example, the sensors 116 may comprise four load cells in each receiving region of the silo 232 and may be part of the connectors 306, 308, 310 and 312 to monitor the loads applied by the individual modular silos 28. The data Loading can be used to record the amount of petroleum reservoir material that remains in the closed interior 60 of each modular silo 28 for inventory management purposes.

Figure 18 shows a top plan view of the structure of mobile support 200. The connectors 306, 308, 310 and 312 can be arranged in a truncated triangular configuration 350, for example a trapezoid to improve the stability of the modular silo 28 held within the reception region of the silo 232. In addition, to assist in the modular silo support 28, the combined horizontal zone of the support base 202, the first expandable base 240 and the second expandable base 242 is much larger than the horizontal zone occupied by one of the modular silos 28 when installed in the movable support structure 200. For example, in Figure 18 a first horizontal zone 352 is shown occupied by one of the modular silos 28 when positioned in a vertical orientation. As can be seen, the support base 202, the expandable first base 240 and the expandable second base 242 occupy a second combined horizontal zone that is at least one and a half times larger than the first horizontal zone 352 and may be eight or ten times larger than the first horizontal zone 352.

In Figure 19 a second embodiment of a mobile portable structure 400 is shown, which is similar in construction and function as the mobile portable structure 200, with the exception that the mobile portable structure 400 has an integrated mixing system 410. The system of integrated mixing can be transported with the other components of the mobile portable structure 400 and provided on the platforms or tracks to be moved from the support base 412 of the portable mobile structure 400.

In general, Figures 20-21 show a modality of a mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit 450 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit 450 may include a chassis 452, a horizontal conveyor system 454 which here may be referred to as "second conveyor system 454", a vertical mast assembly 456 and a first assembly of conveyor 458.

The chassis 452 includes a support base 460 and a swan neck portion 462. The chassis 452 may be configured to support the first conveyor assembly 458 and to be pulled by a truck 36 to transport the first conveyor assembly 458 toward any desired location, for example a well installation. The chassis 452 is coupled to the vertical mast assembly 456 and may be further configured to elevate the first conveyor assembly 458 to a straight or vertical operative position for transporting material from the oil field to a silo (which may be a modular silo), as discussed in more detail with reference to Figure 24. Chassis 452 may cooperate with vertical mast assembly 456 to move the first conveyor assembly 458 from a horizontal or transport position in chassis 452 to a straight or vertical operating position. . In some embodiments the chassis 452 may also be configured to be assembled or aligned with a modular silo as will be described below.

The chassis 452 is provided with a support base 460 having a first end 464 (eg, a front end) and a second end 466 (eg, a rear end). The chassis 452 may also be provided with a support arm 468 extending between the first end 464 and the second end 466 of the support base 460 and various wheels 470 located at least partially below the support arm 468 (eg. ., near the second end 466) and operatively connected to the support arm 468. The wheels 470 may be connected to one or more axes and in some embodiments of the present disclosure may include collapsible suspensions, so that the support base 460 may be located on the ground when the 470 wheel suspension collapses.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 20-21, chassis 452 is provided with two support arms, p. eg, 468-1 and 468-2, which are separated from each other by a space 472 and can be connected to collectively form a support base 460 by one or more transverse support members 474 (Figure 21). The space 472 extends longitudinally along the support base 460 between the first end 464 and the second end 466. The support arms 468-1 and 468-2 can be implemented as a steel beam, channel, I-beam. , beam in H, wide flange, universal beam, laminated steel beam or any other structure. In some embodiments of the present disclosure various transverse support members 474 may be spaced apart from each other between the first end 464 and the second end 466 of the support base 460, while extending between the support arms 468- 1 and 468-2.

The gooseneck portion 462 extends from the first end 464 of the support base 460 and is configured to connect the chassis 452 to a truck like the truck 36, for example by means of a suitable trailer hitch. Once the truck 36 has been disconnected from the gooseneck portion 462, the swan neck portion 462 can be manipulated to lie on the ground and generally coplanar with the support base 460 as shown in the figure. 25. In this configuration, the gooseneck portion 462 can form a ramp to allow a trailer or oil reservoir material management truck to be propelled or supported on the support base 460. For example, the neck portion of swan 462 may be provided with a first section 476 and a second section 478. The first section 476 may extend from the first end 464 of the support base 460. The first section 476 has a first end 480 and a second end 482 The first end 480 of the first section 476 is movably connected to the support base 460, for example by the use of a set of hinges, holes and bolts or other types of connectors that may be blocked in more than one position. The second section 478 is movably connected to second end 482 of first section 476. For example, first section 476 may be a four-bar mechanism that may be locked in an elevated position to form swan neck portion 462 or a lower position to form a ramp. Any suitable trailer hitch can be implemented, for example a gooseneck hitch having a structure known in the art as a "hitch pivot", for example, to connect the swan neck part 462 to a truck 36 as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. in the art that benefit from the present description.

The second conveyor system 454 can be implemented as any suitable conveyor or belt type feeder and can be associated with the support base 460 so that the second conveyor system 454 is located at least partially in the space 472 between the conveyor arms. Support 468-1 and 468-2. In another embodiment, the second conveyor system 454 may be pivotably connected to the chassis 452 to move material from the oil reservoir to the second end 466 of the chassis 452. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the second conveyor system 454 extends to along a center line of the support base 460 as shown in Figures 20-21. The second conveyor system 454 has a second conveyor 484 and a third conveyor 486. The second conveyor 484 can be recessed in the space 472 and located substantially horizontally so that an upper surface of the second conveyor 484 is located at the level or below a top surface of the support arms 468-1 and 468-2, and is configured to allow a truck or trailer transporting petroleum reservoir material located in the support base 460 to discharge, throw or deposit a volume of material from the oil field in the second 484 conveyor and transport the volume of material from the oil field from the first end 464 to the second end 466 of the support base 460. In some embodiments, the second conveyor 484 may be located on a center line of the support base 460. The third conveyor 486 is located between the second conveyor 484 and the second conveyor 484. end 466 of the chassis 452 and is configured to receive a volume of material from the oil reservoir of the second conveyor 484 and to transport the material from the oil reservoir to the second end 466. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the second conveyor system 454 may include a feeder, a conveyor belt with a smooth surface, or with cleated characteristics for the transfer of material from the oil field (eg, in the third conveyor 486). In addition, in some embodiments the second conveyor 484 may be open and the third conveyor 486 may be closed, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art who benefit from the present disclosure. The third conveyor 486 may be located inclined upward (positive angle other than zero) with respect to the second conveyor 484.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second conveyor system 454 can be pivotably connected to the support base 460 and / or the chassis 452 so that the second conveyor system 454 can be rotated laterally from the support base 460 in any desired angle as shown in figure 24 below.

The vertical mast assembly 456 may include a mast 488 supported by the chassis 452 and an actuator system 490 that connects the mast 488 and the chassis 452. The vertical mast assembly 456 is configured to be supported horizontally on the support base 460 (p. (eg, in support arms 468-1 and 468-2) when the chassis 452 is transported and to clear the second conveyor system 454 when the vertical mast assembly 456 is deployed in an upright or upright operating position. He range of motion of the vertical mast assembly 456 can be extended from horizontal to slightly vertical (eg, more than a range of 90 degrees of movement) when deployed to consider angular misalignment due to differences in floor height. The vertical mast assembly 456 can be formed from steel pipe, beam, channel, I-beam, H-beam, wide-flange, universal beam, rolled steel beam or any other material.

The mast 488 can be supported by the support arms 468-1 and 468-2 of the chassis 452 near the second end 466 of the chassis 452. The mast 488 is configured to support the first conveyor assembly 458 and to move between a horizontal position (Fig. 20) and a vertical position (Fig. 21) by the actuator system 490 for raising the first conveyor assembly 458 to the upright position and for associating the first conveyor assembly 458 with a modular silo as will be described with reference to the figure 24 below.

The mast 488 may be provided with a frame 492 including a first end 494, a second end 496, a first support arm 498-1 extending between the first end 494 and the second end 496 and a second support arm 498 -2 extending between the first end 494 and the second end 496. The first support arm 498-1 and the second support arm 498-2 can be separated in a parallel orientation and configured to jointly hold the first assembly. of conveyor 458 as will be described below.

The actuator system 490 connects the mast 488 and at least one of the support arms 468-1 and 486-2 of the chassis 452 to move the mast 488 in an arc-shaped path to move the first conveyor assembly 458 between the positions horizontal and vertical. As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the actuator system 490 may include various actuators 500-1 and 500-2 which work together to move the actuator. 488 mast from the lateral position to the vertical position. However, it will be understood that the actuator system 490 can be implemented as a single actuator 500 or any number of actuators 500. Actuators 500 can be implemented as hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, mechanical actuators or any suitable mechanism that can move the mast 488 in the vertical position.

The first conveyor assembly 458 can be implemented as a closed vertical bucket elevator or a feeder (eg, which does not use air flow to transport the petroleum reservoir material), and can include a first conveyor 502 and a support frame 504 that is movably connected to mast 488 of vertical mast assembly 456 so that first conveyor 502 is movable between a horizontal position where first conveyor 502 rests horizontally on support base 460 during transport, and a vertical position where the first conveyor 502 is vertically oriented to transport a volume or material from the oil field to one or more modular silos. In some embodiments, the first conveyor 502 may be implemented and may operate in a manner similar to the vertical conveyor 32 described above.

As shown in Figure 22, the support frame 504 can be movably connected to the mast 488 by one or more mechanical connections 506 attached to the mast 488 and one or more actuators 508 configured to slide or move the support frame 504 relative to the mast 488. of the first end 494 of the mast 488 within a predetermined range. In some embodiments, actuators 508 may be implemented as hydraulic or pneumatic actuators. It will be understood that mechanical connections 506 can be implemented in various ways, for example guardrails (as shown in FIG. 22) hydraulic or pneumatic arms, gears, gear connectors endless, cables or combinations of these.

With reference to Figures 23-24, the first conveyor 502 may include an inlet 510 and an upper discharge part 512. The inlet 510 may be located near and / or below the third conveyor 486 of the second conveyor system 454 so that a volume of material from the oil field transported by the third conveyor 486 of the second conveyor system 454 enters the first conveyor 502 via the inlet 510.

The upper discharge portion 512 may include a discharge conduit 514 which may be a double discharge conduit configured to fill two or more modular silos 516 simultaneously, for example having two or more outlets 517 operatively linked with two or more receiving conduits 518 of the modular silos 516. In some embodiments, the discharge conduit 514 may include an integrated diverter valve 520 (eg, a three position diverter valve) to allow the discharge conduit 514 to fill one, two or more of two modular silos 516 as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The discharge conduit 514 may interact with or be coupled to the receiver conduits 518 of the modular silos 516 in any desired manner protected from rain and / or moisture, for example, including one or more protective layers or rain covers.

For example, as shown in Figure 23, the support frame 504 may include one or more optional silo-connected members 522, which may be implemented as hooks, L-shaped protrusions, flanges or combinations thereof. The members connected to the silo 522 can be configured to connect the corresponding frame members 524 formed in the modular silos 516, so that the support frame 504 and the first conveyor 502 can be securely attached or associated with the modular silos 516. As the experts will appreciate in the technique, in some embodiments of the present description the members connected to the silo 522 and / or the members attached to the frame 524 can be omitted.

Referring again to Figure 20, in some embodiments, an optional power supply system 526 may be implemented with the mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit 450 and may be configured to power the actuator system 490, the first conveyor 502. and the actuators 508. However, in some embodiments the power supply system 526 may be omitted and the actuator system 490, the first conveyor assembly 458 and the actuators 508 may be powered by any desirable energy source, for example a energy source associated with modular silos 516, a different generator, an electrical line connected to a network or an energy source, and combinations of these. In some embodiments when the power supply system 526 is provided with the mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit 450, the power supply system 526 is preferably sized and positioned on the support base 460 so as not to interfere with the operation and movement of the vertical mast assembly 456 and the second conveyor system 454.

With reference to Figure 25, a mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit 450 in operation can operate as follows: truck 36 retracts chassis 452 near one or more modular silos 516 (eg, a cooperative unit of two or more modular silos 516). When the truck 36 of the chassis 452 has been disconnected, the swan neck part 462 can be manipulated to lie on the ground and is generally coplanar with the support base 460 to form a ramp and allow a transport trailer Petroleum reservoir material 528 is driven or supported on support base 460. The vertical mast assembly 456 is raised to the upright position to further elevate the first conveyor assembly 458 to the upright position. The actuators 508 can be operated to raise the first conveyor 502 to the upper limit of the predetermined range of motion of the actuators 508, by moving the support frame 504 relative to the first end 494 of the mast 488 (eg, along the mechanical connection 506). The position of the chassis 452 can be adjusted relative to the modular silos 516 as necessary (eg, in three dimensions, for example by moving the chassis 452, assembling or aligning the second end 466 of the chassis 452 with the modular silos 516 and / or by the collapse of a suspension of the chassis 452 to position the discharge conduit 514 to connect it to the receiver conduits 518. The actuators 508 can be operated to lower the first conveyor 502 onto the modular silos 516 so that the discharge conduit 514 connect the receiver conduits 518. Optionally, lowering the first conveyor 502 may also cause the members connected to the silo 522 to connect to the corresponding frame members 524, so that the support frame 504 of the first conveyor assembly 458 is joined securely or associated with the modular silos 516 causing the discharge conduits 514 to be aligned with the receiver conduits s 518 of the modular silos.

The oil reservoir material transport trailer 528 can be supported on the chassis 452, so that the discharge openings (not shown) of the oil reservoir material transport trailer 528 are located on the second conveyor 484 of the second conveyor system 454 and aligned vertically with it. While a volume of oilfield material is thrown, unloaded or deposited (eg, by gravity) into the second conveyor system 454, the oilfield material is moved by the second conveyor 484 to the third conveyor 486. The third conveyor 486 is optional since the second conveyor 484 can transport the oil reservoir material directly to the first conveyor 502. The third conveyor 486 continues to move the volume of material from the oil reservoir towards the second end 466 of the chassis 452. Once the volume of the oil reservoir material reaches the first conveyor 502, the material of the oil reservoir enters the inlet 510 of the first conveyor 502. The volume of material from the reservoir is transported. oil upwards by the first conveyor 502 and deposited in the modular silos 516 by the discharge conduit 514 and the receiver conduits 518.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second conveyor system 454 may be rotated laterally from the support base 460 at any desired angle and the oil reservoir material transport trailer 528 may be located on the second conveyor system 454 without being supported on the chassis 452 as shown in Figure 24, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art who benefit from the present disclosure.

With reference to Figure 26, in another embodiment, the second conveyor system 454 includes a rotary conveyor assembly 530 in place of the discharge conduit 514. The rotary conveyor assembly 530 includes a conveyor 532 that can be attached to a cover and / or support frame extending around the first conveyor 502 with a horizontal adjustment assembly and a vertical adjustment assembly. The horizontal adjustment assembly may include a mechanical connection with a pivoting connection or multiple pivoting connections that work together to provide a range of movement of the conveyor 532 in a horizontal path that can range approximately between 0 degrees and 180 degrees as shown by a arrow 534. The conveyor assembly 530 also it may include a vertical adjustment assembly (not shown) that includes a mechanical connection to provide a range of movement of the conveyor 532 in a horizontal path that can range from 0 degrees to 120 degrees as shown by an arrow 536. The assemblies of Horizontal and vertical adjustment may include one or more actuators to carry out the controlled movement in the horizontal and vertical trajectories outlined above.

The horizontal and vertical adjustment assemblies provide movement between a stowed position where the conveyor 532 extends substantially parallel to the first conveyor 502 and an extended position where the conveyor 532 extends laterally away from the first conveyor 502. The conveyor 532 can be implemented as a feeder or a closed two-way conveyor belt in some embodiments of the present disclosure and can be rotated by one or more actuators (not shown). The conveyor 532 can operate in a manner similar to the discharge conduit 514 and can be coupled with one or more receiving conduits 518 of the modular silos 516 in a manner similar to the discharge conduit 514. For example, the conveyor 532 can be coupled with one or more of the receiver conduits 518 in a manner that protects the receiver conduits 518 from rain and moisture, for example by one or more protective layers or rain covers. For example, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the rotary conveyor assembly 530 allows the chassis 452 to be positioned at any desired angle, orientation or position with respect to the modular silos 516, for example parallel, angular or perpendicular. Further, when the rotary conveyor assembly 530 is implemented, the support frame 504 may or may not be attached to the silos by the members connected to the silo 522.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art who benefit from this

Claims

description, a mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit 450 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure uses a first conveyor is external to the silos and is transported to any desired location and coupled with one or more silos in situ. In addition, the chassis 452 or a mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit 450 in accordance with the novel concepts disclosed herein forms a ramp that allows the petroleum reservoir material transport trailers 528 to rest on the chassis 452 and deposits the petroleum deposit material in the second conveyor system 454 of the 450 mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit. The 450 mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit can allow flexible placement and transfer Fast and efficient material from the oil field to the modular silos 516 at the location. In addition, removing the vertical conveyor from the silo (eg, the first external conveyor to the silo) increases the volume of the available silo. However, it will be understood that in some embodiments, for example, a first external conveyor may be used as disclosed herein with modular silos that include internal vertical elevators. Although only some embodiments of the description have been described in detail previously, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without departing materially from the principles of the present disclosure. As a consequence, it is intended that these modifications be included within the scope of this description as defined in the claims. MODIFIED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on December 6, 2013 (06.12.2013) Claims:

1. A mobile support structure for supporting at least one modular silo, which mobile support structure comprises: a support base having a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, a first side and a second side; a frame structure connected to the support base, which frame structure extends over the support base to define a passage between the platform and the frame structure, which frame structure has at least one region of reception of the silo dimensioned and configured to receive at least one modular silo; an expandable first base on the first side of the support base; and an expandable second base on the second side of the support base.

2. The mobile support structure of claim 1 characterized in that the expandable first base and the expandable second base are movable to a support position wherein the support base, the expandable first base and the expandable second base are configured to provide vertical support and lateral to at least one modular silo.

3. The mobile support structure of claim 2 further comprising a first set of joints with movement connecting the first expandable base to at least one of the frame structure and the support base, and a second set of joints with movement that connect the second base expandable to at least one of the frame structure and the support base.

4. The mobile support structure of claim 1 further comprising a first actuator connected to the frame structure and the expandable first base and configured to move the first expandable base between a support position and a displacement position.

5. The mobile support structure of claim 4, characterized in that when the expandable first base is located in the support position, the expandable first base extends substantially horizontally from the frame structure, and when the expandable first base is located in the displacing position, the expandable first base extends substantially vertically and adjacent to the frame structure.

6. The mobile support structure of claim 4 further comprising a second actuator connected to the frame structure and the second expandable base and configured to move the second expandable base between a support position and a displacement position.

7. The mobile support structure of claim 1, characterized in that the first expandable base has a first surface facing the frame structure and wherein the movable support structure further comprises a pair of alignment guides extending from the first surface, which alignment guides are aligned with one of the reception regions of the silo.

8. The mobile support structure of claim 1 characterized in that a first part of the frame structure is located on the support base and the second parts of the frame structure are located on the expandable first base and the expandable second base, and which further comprises a first connection in the first part of the frame structure for receiving and holding a first part of the modular silo within each region of reception of the silo and second connections in the second parts of the frame structure within each region of receiving the silo in the expandable first base and the expandable second base adapted to receive and hold a second part of the modular silo on the expandable first base and the expandable second base.

9. The mobile support structure of claim 8, characterized in that the first connection and the second connection within each region of reception of the silo are located to form a truncated triangle.

10. The mobile support structure of claim 9, characterized in that the truncated triangle is in the form of a trapezoid.

11. The mobile support structure of claim 8, characterized in that the frame structure has an upper part and wherein the first connection is located in the upper part of the frame structure.

12. The mobile support structure of claim 1 further comprising: various load cells in the first connection and the second connection within each receiving region of the silo; Y one or more controllers coupled to the load cells and configured to receive signals from the load cells indicating the force applied to the load cells and transform the signals into information indicating at least one of a weight of each modular silo installed in the frame structure and a quantity of oil reservoir material contained within each modular silo installed in the frame structure.

13. The mobile support structure of claim 1 further comprising: various load cells within each receiving region of the silo; and one or more controllers coupled to the load cells and configured to receive signals from the load cells indicating the force applied to the load cells and transform the signals into information indicating at least one of a weight of each installed modular silo in the frame structure and a quantity of material from the oil field contained within each modular silo installed in the structure of framework.

14. The mobile support structure of claim 1 characterized in that one of the modular silos occupies a first horizontal zone when it is located in a vertical orientation and wherein the support base, the expandable first base and the expandable second base occupy a second zone Combined horizontal that is at least one and a half times larger than the first horizontal zone.

15. The mobile support structure of claim 1 further comprising an integrated mixing system supported by the support base and within the passage defined by the frame structure.

16. A mobile support structure for supporting at least one modular silo, which mobile support structure comprises: a support base having a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface; a frame structure connected to the support base, which frame structure extends over the support base to define a passage between the platform and the frame structure, which frame structure has at least one region of reception of the silo dimensioned and configured to receive at least one modular silo; a swan neck part extending from the first end of the support base and configured to connect to a truck; Y various wheels located near the second end of the support base.

17. The mobile support structure of claim 16 characterized in that the support base has a first side and a second side and wherein the mobile support structure further comprises an expandable first base located on the first side of the support base.

18. The mobile support structure of claim 17 furthermore It comprises a first set of hinges connecting the first expandable base to at least one of the frame structure and the support base.

19. The mobile support structure of claim 18 further comprising a first actuator connected to the frame structure and the expandable first base and configured to move the expandable first base between a support position and a displacement position.

20. The mobile support structure of claim 19 characterized in that when the expandable first base is located in the support position, the expandable first base extends substantially horizontally from the frame structure, and when the first expandable base is located at the displacement position, the expandable first base extends substantially vertically and adjacent to the frame structure.

21. The mobile support structure of claim 17, characterized in that the first expandable base has a first surface facing the frame structure and wherein the movable support structure further comprises a pair of alignment guides extending from the first surface, which alignment guides are aligned with one of the reception regions of the silo.

22. The mobile support structure of claim 17 further comprising a first connection in the frame structure adapted to receive or hold a first part of the modular silo and a second connection in the expandable first base adapted to receive and support a second part of the modular silo

23. The mobile support structure of claim 22 characterized in that the frame structure has an upper part and wherein the first connection is located in the upper part of the frame structure.

24. The mobile support structure of claim 16, characterized in that the wheels have a lower part and wherein the movable support structure further comprises at least one coupling supported by the wheels and connected to the support base, with the coupling configured to move the support base in a vertical direction with respect to the wheels between a displacement position in which the support base is located on the lower part of the wheels, and a support position in which at least a part of the support base is aligned with the lower part of the wheels.

25. The mobile support structure of claim 16, characterized in that the swan neck comprises: a first section extending from the first end of the support base, which first section has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the first section movably connected to the support base; and a second section movably connected to the first section.

26. A method for placing a mobile support structure in a desired location comprising: transporting the mobile support structure to a desired location, which mobile support structure comprising: an expandable support base; a frame structure coupled to the expandable support base; Y expand the expandable support base in at least one direction.

27. The method of claim 26 characterized in that the expandable support base functions as a load distribution member.

28. The method of claim 26 further comprising deploying various expandable bases to stabilize the mobile support structure.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising detaching a truck of the mobile support structure.

30. The method of claim 26 further comprising dropping a platform and a swan neck portion of the movable support structure.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising blocking the swan neck.

32. The method of claim 26 further comprising locking various joints with movement between the expandable support base and the frame structure.

33. The method of claim 26 further comprising placing a mixer between the expandable support base and the silo.

34. A mobile oil field material transfer unit comprising: a chassis having a first end, a second end, at least one support arm extending between the first end and the second end and two or more wheels operably linked with the support arm (s) to movably support the or the support arms; a vertical mast assembly that includes a mast movably connected to the chassis near the second end and an actuator system coupled to the mast and to the chassis to move the mast between a horizontal position and a vertical position; Y a first conveyor assembly that includes a support frame coupled to the mast and movable between the horizontal position and the vertical position, which first conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor coupled with the support frame, an inlet and a discharge part superior, with the first conveyor adapted to move a volume of material from the oil field from the entrance towards the upper discharge part.

35. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of claim 34 characterized in that the support arm (s) further comprise a first support arm and a second support arm extending between the first end and the second end and they are separated by a space.

36. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of claim 35 further comprising a second conveyor system including a second conveyor configured to move the oil reservoir material to the second end of the chassis, with the second conveyor system located at least partially in space.

37. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of claim 36 characterized in that the second conveyor system further comprises a third conveyor located between the first and the second conveyor and wherein the entrance of the first conveyor is below and close to the discharge of the third conveyor of the second conveyor system.

38. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of claim 34 characterized in that the first conveyor assembly further comprises a discharge conduit coupled with the upper discharge portion of the first conveyor.

39. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of claim 38 characterized in that the discharge conduit comprises a first outlet and a second exit and a diverter valve for selectively directing the volume of petroleum reservoir material through at least one of the first and the second exit.

40. The mobile oil field material transfer unit of claim 34 characterized in that the first conveyor assembly further comprises a rotary conveyor assembly movably associated with the upper discharge part.

41. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of claim 40 characterized in that the support frame is movably coupled to the mast and further comprises at least one actuator for moving the support frame with respect to the mast.

42. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of claim 34, characterized in that the support frame further comprises one or more members connected to the silo with the form for connecting to a predetermined part of a silo.

43. The mobile oil reservoir material transfer unit of claim 34 further comprising a second conveyor system pivotably connected to the chassis to move material from the oil reservoir to the second end of the chassis.