RU2773930C2 - Method (options) and device for control of pumps of pumping system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: oil industry.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to operations for pumping technical fluids into a well. To implement a method for control of pumps of a pumping system, an order of starting pumps of the pumping system is created to perform an operation of hydraulic fracturing of an underground reservoir, and the distribution of costs for pumps is coordinated. To create the starting order, an ordinal list of pumps is determined that do not contain enough pumps for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid for the hydraulic fracturing operation. Then, iterative repetition is carried out until the ordinal list of pumps contains a sufficient number of pumps for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid for the hydraulic fracturing operation. The next pump is identified that is not in the ordinal list of pumps and is available for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid for the hydraulic fracturing operation. The identified next pump available for hydraulic fracturing fluid is added to the end of the current ordinal list of pumps. According to the second option, the method is intended to perform a pumping operation. A pump control device contains a coordinating controller made with the possibility of connection with the provision of communication to controllers of pumping units of two or more pumping units. Each controller of the pumping unit communicates with at least one of: a frequency-controlled drive, an engine throttle, a gear switcher, a main propulsor or a transmission mechanism of the corresponding pumping unit. The coordinating controller contains: a programmable processor with a storage device; and an interface circuit connected to an input device. The processor is made with the possibility of processing encoded commands from the input device and transmitting encoded commands to at least one of controllers of pumping units.

EFFECT: increase in the efficiency and reliability of operations for pumping technical fluids into a well.

28 cl, 12 dwg

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/620,704 entitled Automated Control of Hydraulic Fracturing Pumps, filed January 23, 2018, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

State of the art

[0002] High-displacement high-pressure pumps are used at well sites for a number of injection operations (see, for example, publications WO 2017011585 A1, US 20130290064 A1, WO 2015188162 A1 or RU 2493361 C1). Such operations may include drilling, cementing, acidizing, water jet cutting, hydraulic fracturing, and other operations performed at the well site. In some pumping operations, multiple pumps (eg, a pump fleet) may be in fluid communication with the well through a manifold and/or other fluid conduits. For example, low pressure fluid from one or more mixers, mixing units, and/or other low pressure sources may be distributed to the pumps via a manifold and/or other fluid conduits. The same or different manifold and/or different fluid conduits may combine pressurized fluid from the well injection pumps. Many factors can affect the success of pumping operations at the well site, including the ability of pumps to maintain a given schedule, operate at optimal efficiency levels, and maintain desired individual and aggregate pumping rates.

[0003] Operators of hydraulic fracturing pumping units (FPUs) at the well site can manually start, regulate and stop each pump to achieve a designated pumping rate from the fleet of pumps. The pump operator can manually start the pumps in the specified order and at specified times to complete different work steps. For example, while a plurality of pumps are operating, the pump operator may start an additional pump connected to a source of acid to pump acid down the wellbore, such as to remove debris adhering to the sidewalls of the wellbore.

[0004] However, manual control of the pumps by controlling the appropriate gears and throttles does not result in successful control of the pumps. For example, there are human factor limitations for the pump operator, including lack of knowledge or experience, stress, fatigue, and inability to operate more than one pump at a time. Because of these limitations, the pump operator cannot operate multiple pumps at the same time at optimal efficiency levels and at given individual and aggregate flows. The pump operator may also not be able to start and stop one or more pumps at the exact, specified times. For example, the failure of a pump operator to actuate a pump attached to a cleaning hose early enough can result in the hose becoming clogged while pumping. These operator limitations and operational errors significantly reduce production time, compromise the quality of the fracturing operation, and result in damage to pumps, hoses, and other equipment.

The essence of the invention

[0005] In this summary of the invention presents a selection of concepts, which are further described below in the detailed description. This summary of the invention is not intended to indicate the inherent features of the claimed subject matter, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] The present invention also provides a method that includes scheduling the pumps of a pumping system to perform a pumping operation, as well as coordinating the allocation of costs to the pumps to perform the pumping operation.

[0007] The present invention provides a method that includes creating a pumping order for the pumps of a pumping system to perform a fracturing operation in a subterranean formation, as well as coordinating the allocation of costs to the pumps.

[0008] The present invention also provides an apparatus that includes a coordinating controller configured to communicate with pump unit controllers of two or more pump units. Each pumping unit controller communicates with at least one of the following: variable frequency drive, motor throttle, gear selector, prime mover or transmission mechanism of the associated pumping unit. The coordinating controller contains a programmable processor having a storage device, as well as an interface circuit connected to the input device. The programmable processor is configured to process the encoded commands from the input device and transmit the encoded commands to at least one of the pump unit controllers. The variable frequency drive, engine throttle, gear selector, prime mover and/or transmission mechanism of at least one of the pumping units are responsive to encoded commands. The encoded commands may relate to creating a start order and/or other order of operation of the pumping units to perform the pumping operation and/or coordinating the allocation of costs to the pumping units to perform the pumping operation.

[0009] These and additional aspects of the present invention are set forth in the following description and/or can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art by reading the material herein and/or practicing the principles described herein. At least some aspects of the present invention may be achieved by the means described in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0010] The present invention will become clear upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures. It is noted that in accordance with standard industry practice, the various elements are not shown to scale. In fact, for clarity of description, the dimensions of the various elements may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced.

[0011] In FIG. 1 is a schematic view of at least a portion of an exemplary apparatus in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of at least a portion of an exemplary apparatus in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of at least part of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of at least part of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of at least part of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of at least part of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of at least part of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of at least part of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0021] In FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of at least part of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a graph depicting one or more aspects of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0023] It should be understood that in the following description, many different embodiments, or examples, are presented for implementing various features or combinations of features. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present description. These are examples only and are not restrictive. In addition, throughout the present description, reference numerals and/or letter positions may be repeated in various examples. This repetition is for simplicity and clarity and does not indicate a relationship between the various described embodiments and/or configurations.

[0024] In FIG. 1 is a schematic view of at least a portion of an example environment in which a control system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may be used. The figure shows a well site 102, a wellbore 104 extending from the earth's surface of the well site 102, a partial sectional view of a subterranean formation 106 through which the wellbore 104, the wellhead 108, and the wellsite system 100 comprising various pieces of equipment or components, located at the wellsite 102. The wellsite system 100 may be configured to move various materials and additives between their respective origins and destinations, for example, to mix or mix and then inject into the wellbore 104 during fracturing operations.

[0025] The well site system 100 may include a mixing unit 108 (hereinafter referred to as a "mixer") fluidly connected to one or more tanks 110 and a container 112. The container 112 may contain a first material and the tanks 110 may contain a liquid. The first material may be or contain a hydratable material or gelling agent such as cellulose, clay, galactomannan, guar, polymers, synthetic polymers, and/or polysaccharides, among other examples. The liquid may be or contain an aqueous fluid such as water, or an aqueous solution containing water, among other examples. The mixer 108 may be configured to receive the first material and liquid through two or more conduits or other means for moving material (hereinafter referred to simply as "conduits") 114, 116 and mixing or otherwise combining the first material and liquid to form a base fluid that can be or contain what is known in the art as a gel. The mixer 108 may then release the base fluid through one or more conduits 118 for the fluid.

[0026] Wellsite system 100 may further comprise a mixer 124 in fluid communication with mixer 108 and container 126. Container 126 may contain a second material that may be substantially different from the first material. For example, the second material may be or contain a proppant such as quartz, sand, grit, silica, and/or proppants, among other examples. The mixer 124 may be configured to receive the base fluid from the mixer 108 (via one or more conduits 118) and the second material from the container 126 (via one or more conduits 128) and mix or otherwise combine the base fluid and the second material to form mixtures. The mixture may be or contain what is known in the art as a fracturing fluid.

[0027] One or more conduits 130 may transfer the mixture from mixer 124 to manifold 136, which may be known in the art as a trailer manifold or trailer-type manifold. Manifold 136 may include a low pressure manifold 138 and a high pressure manifold 140 (as well as various valves and diverters not shown in FIG. 1). Manifold 136 can distribute the mixture among the fleet of pumping units 150 through the distribution manifold 138 low pressure. Although the pump park is shown as containing six pump units 150, the pump park may contain another number of pump units 150 within the scope of the present invention. Manifold 136 and pumping units 150 (and possibly other components) together form pumping system 135.

[0028] Each pump unit 150 may include a pump 152, a prime mover 154, and optionally a heat exchanger 156. Each pump unit 150 may receive mixture from a respective outlet of a low pressure manifold 138, such as through one or more conduits 142, and then compress mixture and release the high pressure mixture into the appropriate inlet of the high pressure manifold 140, for example, through one or more pipelines 144. The pressurized mixture can then be released from the high pressure manifold 140 into the wellbore 104, for example, through one or more pipelines 146, wellhead 105 and possibly various additional valves, piping, and/or other hydraulic circuitry (not shown) fluidly coupled between reservoir 136 and wellbore 104.

[0029] The wellsite system 100 may also have a control center 160 comprising a controller 161 (eg, processing device, computer, PLC, etc.) that may be configured to provide control of one or more parts of the wellsite system 100 and /or monitoring the health and functionality of one or more parts of the wellsite system 100. The controller 161 (also referred to herein as the coordinating controller 161) may be connected to communicate with various items of equipment at the wellsite described herein, and may be configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to such items of equipment to perform various operations described in this document. For example, controller 161 may be configured to monitor and control one or more portions of mixers 108, 124, pumping units 150, manifold 136, and various other pumps, conveyors, and/or other items of equipment at the wellsite (not shown) that are located along pipelines 114, 116, 118, 128, 130 and which, for example, can be jointly configured to move, mix, separate and/or measure the fluids, materials, and/or mixtures described above, and pumping such fluids, materials and/or mixtures into the wellbore 104 . The controller 161 may store control commands, operating parameters and settings, coded commands, executable programs, and other data or information, including for implementing one or more aspects of the operations described herein. Communication between controller 161 and various parts of wellsite system 100 may be via wired and/or wireless communications. However, for clarity and ease of description, such communications are not shown in FIG. 1, and it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that such means of communication are within the scope of the present invention.

[0030] A field engineer, equipment operator, or field operations operator (collectively referred to hereinafter as a "wellsite operator") 164 may operate one or more components, parts, or systems of equipment at a wellsite and/or perform maintenance or repair of equipment at a wellsite. For example, the wellsite operator 164 may assemble the wellsite system 100, operate the wellsite equipment (e.g., via the controller 161) to perform fracturing operations, check the operating parameters of the equipment, and/or repair or replace faulty or inoperative equipment at the wellsite. site, among other management, maintenance and repair tasks, collectively referred to as operations performed at the well site. The wellsite operator 164 may perform wellsite operations alone or with other wellsite operators.

[0031] The controller 161 may be connected to communicate with one or more human-machine interface (HMI) devices, which, for example, may be used by an operator 164 at the well site to enter or otherwise transmit control commands to the controller 161 and to display or otherwise communicating information from controller 161 to operator 164 at the well site. HMI devices may contain one or more input devices 167 (eg, keyboard, mouse, joystick, touch screen, etc.) and one or more output devices 166 (eg, video monitor, printer, speakers, etc.). HMI devices may also include a mobile communication device 168 (eg, smartphone, tablet computer, laptop, etc.). Communication between the controller and the HMI devices may be via wired and/or wireless means.

[0032] One or more of containers 112, 126, mixers 108, 124, pumping units 150, and control center 160 may each be located on respective trucks, trailers, and/or other mobile vehicles 122, 134, 120, 132, 148, 162, respectively, which, for example, can ensure their transportation to the surface 102 of the drilling site. However, one or more of the containers 112, 126, the mixers 108, 124, the pumping units 150, and the control center 160 may each be frame-mounted or otherwise stationary, and/or may be temporarily or permanently mounted on the wellsite surface 102.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a wellsite system 100 configured to move additives and create mixtures that can be compressed and injected into a wellbore 104 during hydraulic fracturing operations. However, it should be understood that the wellsite system 100 may be configured to move other additives and create other mixtures that can be compressed and injected into the wellbore 104 during other oilfield operations such as cementing, drilling, acidizing, pumping. chemicals and/or waterjet cutting, among other examples. Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, one or more fluids pumped by the pumping unit 150 may be referred to simply as "fluid" hereinafter.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of the embodiment of the pump units 150 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. In FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a portion of the pumping unit 150 shown in FIG. 2. Parts of the pumping unit 150 shown in FIG. 2 and 3 are shown in dotted lines so as not to interfere with viewing other parts of the pumping unit 150. The following description applies to FIG. 1-3 taken together.

[0035] The pump unit 150 includes a pump 202 operatively connected to and driven by the main propulsion unit 204. The pump 202 includes a power section 208 and a hydraulic section 210. The hydraulic section 210 may include a pump housing 216 having a plurality of fluid chambers 218. One end of each fluid chamber 218 may be closed by a cover plate 220 which, for example, may be threadedly engaged with the pump housing 216, while the opposite end of each fluid chamber 218 may comprise a reciprocating member 222, located with the possibility of sliding movement in it and made with the possibility of expelling the fluid inside the corresponding chamber 218 for the fluid. Although the reciprocating element 222 is shown as a plunger, the reciprocating element 222 may be implemented as a piston, diaphragm, or other reciprocating fluid expelling element.

[0036] Each fluid chamber 218 is in fluid communication with a respective one of a plurality of fluid inlet cavities 224, each adapted to transfer fluid from the fluid inlet 226 to a respective fluid chamber 218. The fluid inlet 226 may be in fluid communication with a corresponding conduit 142 to receive fluid from the low pressure manifold 138. Each fluid inlet cavity 224 may include an inlet valve 228 configured to control the flow of fluid passing from the fluid inlet 226 into the corresponding fluid chamber 218. Each inlet valve 228 may be urged toward a shut-off position by a spring or other thrust member 230 that may be held in place by an inlet valve stop 232. Each inlet valve 228 can be moved to an open flow position by a predetermined pressure difference between the respective fluid inlet cavity 224 and the fluid inlet 226 .

[0037] Each fluid chamber 218 is also in fluid communication with a fluid outlet cavity 234 passing through the pump housing 216 transversely with respect to the reciprocating elements 222. The fluid outlet cavity 234 is adapted to discharge pressurized fluid from each fluid chamber 218 into one or more fluid outlets 235 in fluid communication with one or both ends of the fluid outlet cavity 234. Fluid outlets 235 may be in fluid communication with a corresponding conduit 144 to release pressurized fluid into high pressure manifold 140. The hydraulic section 210 also includes a plurality of outlet valves 236, each of which is configured to control the flow of fluid passing from the respective fluid chamber 218 to the fluid outlet cavity 234. Each outlet valve 236 may be biased toward a shutoff position by a spring or other thrust member 238 that may be held in place by the outlet valve stop 240. Each outlet valve 236 can be moved to an open flow position by a predetermined pressure difference between the respective fluid chamber 218 and the fluid outlet cavity 234. The outlet cavity 234 for the fluid may be closed by closing plates 242, which, for example, may be threadedly engaged with the housing 216 of the pump.

[0038] During pumping operations, parts of the power section 208 are rotated such that a reciprocating linear motion is created to move the reciprocating members 222 in the longitudinal direction within the respective fluid chambers 218, thereby alternately suctioning and expelling the fluid. environment inside the chambers 218 for fluid. With respect to each reciprocating element 222, when the reciprocating element 222 is moved out of the fluid chamber 218 as indicated by arrow 221, the fluid pressure inside the respective fluid chamber 218 drops, thereby creating a pressure differential across corresponding fluid inlet valve 228. The differential pressure compresses the urge element 230, which causes the fluid inlet valve 228 to move to the open flow position, which allows fluid from the fluid inlet 226 to enter the corresponding fluid inlet cavity 224. The fluid then enters the fluid chamber 218 as the reciprocating member 222 continues to move longitudinally out of the fluid chamber 218 until the pressure difference between the fluid inside the fluid chamber 218 and the fluid in the inlet openings 226 for the fluid will not be low enough to allow the thrust element 230 to move the inlet valve 228 for the fluid in the position of blocked flow. When the reciprocating member 222 begins to move longitudinally back into the fluid chamber 218, as indicated by arrow 223, the fluid pressure inside the fluid chamber 218 begins to increase. The fluid pressure within the fluid chamber 218 continues to rise as the reciprocating member 222 continues to move into the fluid chamber 218 until the fluid pressure within the fluid chamber 218 is high enough to overcome the fluid pressure within fluid outlet cavity 234 and compress the squeezing member 238, which causes the fluid outlet valve 236 to move to the open flow position and allows pressurized fluid to flow into the fluid outlet cavity 234, fluid outlets 235, and associated piping. 144 for fluid.

[0039] The pump unit 150 may include one or more flow sensors 203 in fluid communication with or along the fluid outlets 235 so as to monitor the flow of fluid flowing through the fluid outlets 235. Each flow sensor 203 may be or include a flow meter configured to measure the volumetric and/or mass flow rate of the fluid discharged from the pumping station 150 and provide signals or information indicative of the flow rate of the fluid discharged from the pumping station 150. The pumping station 150 may further include a pressure sensor 205 positioned in connection with the hydraulic section 210 so as to detect fluid pressure at the fluid outlets 235. For example, the pressure sensor 205 may pass through one or more of the cover plates 242 or other portions of the respective pump housing 216 to monitor pressure within the fluid outlet cavity 234 and thus within the fluid outlets 235 and associated outlet conduits 144.

[0040] The flow rate of fluid generated by pump unit 150 may depend on the physical size of the reciprocating elements 222 and fluid chambers 218, as well as the operating speed of the pump unit, which may be determined by the speed or frequency at which the elements 222 reciprocating motion cycle or move within the fluid chambers 218 . The pumping rate, such as the rate or frequency at which the reciprocating elements 222 move, may be related to the rotational speed of the power section 208 and/or the main mover 204. Accordingly, the flow rate of the fluid generated by the pump unit 150 can be controlled by control the speed of rotation of the power section 208 and/or the main mover 204.

[0041] The prime mover 204 may be or comprise a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, or other motor, a synchronous, asynchronous, or other electric motor (e.g., a permanent magnet synchronous motor), a hydraulic motor, or other prime mover configured to drive or, alternatively, the rotation of the drive shaft 252 of the power section 208. The drive shaft 252 can be enclosed in the housing 254 of the power section and supported by it in the desired position. To prevent relative rotation between the power section housing 254 and the main mover 204, the power section housing 254 and the main mover 204 may be fixedly connected to each other or to a common base, such as a trailer of a mobile vehicle 148.

[0042] The main mover 204 may include a rotating output shaft 256 operatively coupled to a drive shaft 252 via a gear or transmission mechanism 262, which may include a driven gear 258 coupled to the drive shaft 252 and a corresponding drive gear 260 coupled to the support shaft. 261. Output shaft 256 and prop shaft 261 may be coupled, for example, they may assist in transferring torque from main mover 204 to prop shaft 261, pinion gear 260, driven gear 258, and drive shaft 252. For clarity, FIG. 2 and 3, the transmission mechanism 262 is shown comprising a single driven gear 258 in mesh with a single drive gear 260, however, it should be understood that the transmission mechanism 262 may comprise a plurality of corresponding sets of gears, which, for example, may allow the transmission mechanism 262 to switch between different sets of gears (i.e., combinations) to control the operating speed of the drive shaft 252 and the torque transmitted to the drive shaft 252. Accordingly, the transmission mechanism 262 can switch between different sets of gears (“gears”) to change the pumping speed and torque of the power section 208 and thereby changing the fluid flow rate and the maximum fluid pressure generated by the hydraulic section 210.

[0043] The transmission mechanism 262 may also include a torque converter (not shown) configured to selectively connect ("short") the main mover 204 to the transmission mechanism 262 and allow slipping ("opening") between the main mover 204 and the mechanism 262 transmission. The torque converter and gears of the transmission mechanism 262 may be switched manually by an operator 164 at the well site or remotely via a gear selector that may be incorporated as part of the pumping unit controller 213. The gear selector may receive control signals from the controller 161 and provide an appropriate electrical or mechanical control signal to shift the gear of the gear mechanism 262 and close the transmission mechanism, for example, to control the flow rate and operating pressure of the pumping unit 150.

[0044] The drive shaft 252 may be implemented as a crankshaft comprising a plurality of axial journals 264 and offset journals 266. The axial journals 264 may extend along the central axis of rotation of the drive shaft 252, and the offset journals 266 may be offset from the central axis of rotation by some distance and spaced 120 degrees from the axle journals 264. The drive shaft 252 can be held in position within the power section 208 by the power section housing 254, with two of the axle journals 264 being able to pass through opposite holes in the power section housing 254.

[0045] The power section 208 and the hydraulic section 210 may be connected or otherwise secured to each other. For example, pump housing 216 may be secured to power section housing 254 by a plurality of threaded fasteners 282. Pump 202 may further include a service door 298 that may facilitate access to portions of pump 202 located between power section 208 and hydraulic section 210, for example, during assembly and/or maintenance of the pump 202.

[0046] A plurality of crosshead mechanisms 285 may be used to convert and transmit the rotational motion of the drive shaft 252 into reciprocating linear motion of the reciprocating members 222. For example, each crosshead mechanism 285 may include a connecting rod 286 rotatably connected to a an offset neck 266 at one end and with a pin 288 of the crosshead 290 at the opposite end. During pumping operations, the walls and/or interiors of power section housing 254 may guide each crosshead 290, for example, they may reduce or eliminate lateral movement of each crosshead 290. Each crosshead mechanism 285 may further comprise a piston rod 292 connecting crosshead 290 to element 222 with reciprocating motion. The piston rod 292 may be connected to the crosshead 290 via a threaded connection 294 and to the reciprocating element 222 via a flexible connection 296.

[0047] The pump unit 150 may further comprise one or more angular position and speed sensors 211 ("rotation sensors") configured to provide a signal or information indicative of the angular position, rotational speed, and/or operating frequency of the pump 202. For example, one or more rotation sensors 211 may be configured to convert the angular position or movement of the drive shaft 252 or other rotating part of the power section 208 into an electrical signal indicative of the pumping speed of the pumping unit 150. One or more rotation sensors 211 may be installed in connection with external part of the drive shaft 252 or other rotating element of the power section 208. One or more rotation sensors 211 may also or instead be installed in connection with the main mover 204 to monitor the angular position and/or rotational speed of the main mover 204, which can be used to determine pumping speed n pump unit 150. Each rotation sensor 211 may be or include an encoder, a rotary potentiometer, a selsyn, a position sensor, and/or a rotary inductive sensor (RVDT), among other examples.

[0048] The pump controller 213 may further comprise power and/or control components of the prime mover, such as a variable frequency drive (VFD) and/or an engine throttle control mechanism, which may be used to facilitate control of the prime mover 204. The VFD and/ or the throttle control mechanism may be coupled to or otherwise communicate with the prime mover 204 via mechanical and/or electrical communications (not shown). Pump controller 213 may include a VFD in embodiments where prime mover 204 is or includes an electric motor, and pump controller 213 may include an engine throttle control mechanism in embodiments where prime mover 204 is or includes a motor. For example, the VFD may receive control signals from the controller 161 and provide appropriate electrical power to control the speed and torque output of the main mover 204 and thus control the pumping speed and fluid flow rate of the pumping unit 150, as well as the maximum pressure generated by the pumping unit 150. The throttle control mechanism may receive control signals from the controller 161 and provide an appropriate electrical or mechanical throttle control signal to control the speed of the main mover 204 and control the pumping speed, and thus the fluid flow generated by the pump unit 150. While the controller 213 pump unit is shown located near or in connection with the main mover 204, the pump unit controller 213 may be located or placed at a distance from the main mover 204. For example, the pump unit controller 213 may be p located within the control center 160 or form part of it.

[0049] A resistance temperature detector (RTD) or other temperature sensor 207 may be located in connection with the main mover 204, for example, to provide a signal or information indicative of the temperature of the main mover 204. For example, the temperature sensor 207 may monitor the temperature inside the motor winding , the motor case, or within another part of the main mover 204. The temperature sensor 207 may communicate with the controller 161, which may turn off the main mover 204 if the detected temperature level exceeds a predetermined temperature level.

[0050] A moisture sensor 209 may also be located in connection with the main mover 204, for example, to provide a signal or information indicative of the presence of moisture on or near the main mover 204. The humidity sensor 209 may communicate with the controller 161, which may turn off the main mover 204 when excessive moisture is detected by the humidity sensor 209.

[0051] As described above, controller 161 may be further configured to monitor and control various operating parameters of pumping units 150. Controller 161 may communicate with various sensors of pumping units 150, including flow sensors 203, pressure sensors 205, sensor 207, a humidity sensor 209, and a rotation sensor 211 to facilitate monitoring of the operation of the pumping units 150. The controller 161 may communicate with the transmission mechanism 262 via the gear selector of the controller 213, for example, to control the flow and pressure generated by the pumping unit 150 to facilitate control. pumping unit 150. The controller 161 may also communicate with the main mover 204 through the VFD controller 213 if the main mover 204 is an electric motor, or through the throttle control mechanism of the controller 213 if the main mover 204 is an tel, so as to allow the controller 161 to enable, disable and control the flow generated by the pumping unit 150.

[0052] Although in FIG. 2 and 3, a pump unit 150 is shown comprising a three-cylinder reciprocating pump 202 that has three fluid chambers 218 and three reciprocating elements 222, embodiments that are within the scope of the present invention may include a pump 202, which is or contains a five-cylinder reciprocating pump having five fluid chambers 218 and five reciprocating elements 222, or a pump having a different number of fluid chambers 218 and reciprocating elements 222. It should also be noted that the pump 202 described above and shown in FIG. 2 and 3 are for example only, and that other pumps, such as diaphragm pumps, gear pumps, outer circumferential pumps, inner circumferential pumps, vane pumps, and other positive displacement pumps, are also within the scope of the present invention. .

[0053] The present invention further provides various implementations of systems and/or methods for controlling various parts of the wellsite system 100, including the pumping units 150 described above. An embodiment of such a system may include a control system 300, which, for example, may be configured to monitor and/or control the operations of the pumping units 150, including the fluid flow generated by the pumping units 150. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a portion of an exemplary control system 300 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The following description refers to FIG. 1-4 taken together.

[0054] The control system 300 may include a controller 310 communicatively connected to each pump unit 150. For example, the controller 310 may be communicatively connected to each flow sensor 203, pressure sensor 205, temperature sensor 207, humidity sensor 209, sensor 211 rotation, and the main mover 204 and the transmission mechanism 262 through each controller 213 of the pumping unit. For clarity, these and other components in communication with the controller 310 are collectively referred to hereinafter as "sensors and controlled components". The controller 310 may be configured to receive signals or information from various sensors of the control system 300, with the received signals or information indicative of various operating parameters of the pumping units 150. The controller 310 may be further configured to process such operating parameters and transmit control signals to the main motors 204 and transmission mechanisms 262 for executing exemplary machine-readable instructions to implement at least a portion of one or more of the exemplary methods and/or processes described herein and/or to implement at least a portion of one or more of the exemplary systems described in this document. The controller 310 may be or form part of the controller 161 described above.

[0055] The controller 310 may be or include, for example, one or more general purpose or special purpose processors, such as those of personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, servers, Internet access devices and/or other types of computing devices. For clarity and ease of description, the exemplary controller 310 shown in FIG. 4 includes only one processor 312, but it should be understood that multiple processors 312 may be provided.

[0056] Processor 312 may be a general purpose programmable processor, for example, it may include local storage 314 and may execute encoded instructions 332 residing on local storage 314 and/or other storage. The processor 312 may execute, among other things, computer-readable instructions or programs to implement the exemplary methods and/or processes described herein. Programs stored on local storage 314 may include program instructions or computer program code such that, when executed by an associated processor, control pumping units 150 in performing the exemplary methods and/or processes described herein. Processor 312 may be, comprise, or be implemented by one or a plurality of different types of processors suitable for the local application environment, and may include one or more general purpose or special purpose processors, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), user programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures, as non-limiting examples. Other processors from other families are also suitable.

[0057] Processor 312 may communicate with main storage 317, which, for example, may be volatile storage 318 and non-volatile storage 320, possibly via bus 322 and/or other means of communication. The volatile memory 318 may be, contain, or be implemented by random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM) , Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM), and/or other types of random access memory. Non-volatile storage 320 may be, comprise, or be implemented by read only memory, flash memory, and/or other types of storage devices. One or more memory controllers (not shown) may control access to the volatile memory 318 and/or the non-volatile memory 320. The controller 310 may be configured to store or record information entered by an operator 164 at the well site and/or information created by the sensors and controlled components to the main storage device 317.

[0058] The controller 310 may also include an interface circuit 324. The interface circuit 324 may represent, contain, or be implemented through various types of standard interfaces, such as an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB), a third generation I/O interface (3GIO) , a wireless interface, and/or a cellular network interface, among other examples. Interface circuitry 324 may also include a graphics driver board. Interface circuitry 324 may also include a communications device, such as a modem or network interface card, to facilitate communication with external computing devices over a network (e.g., Ethernet connection, digital subscriber line (DSL), telephone line, coaxial cable, cellular telephone network, satellite system, etc.). One or more sensors and controlled components may be connected to the controller 310 via an interface circuit 324, which, for example, may facilitate communication between the sensors and controlled components and the controller 310.

[0059] One or more input devices 326 may also be connected to the interface circuit 324. Input devices 326 may allow an operator 164 at the well site to enter coded commands 332, operating target setpoints, and/or other data into processor 312. Operating target setpoints may include, but are not limited to, a pressure target setpoint, a flow target setpoint, a correction curve setpoint. combined flow, a target setpoint for pump operating speed or pumping speed, and a target setpoint for time or duration, among other examples. The encoded commands may also include a flow correction schedule for each pumping unit 150 and a combined flow correction schedule for the pumping units 150 dedicated to the operation. Coded commands 332 and operating target settings are described in more detail below. Input devices 326 may be, comprise, or be implemented by a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, touch pad, trackball, Isopoint Control, and/or voice recognition system, among other examples. One or more output devices 328 may also be connected to the interface circuit 324. Output devices 328 may be, comprise, or be implemented by displays (eg, liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube (CRT) display), printers, and/or speakers, among other examples. Controller 310 may also communicate with one or more controller 310 mass storage devices 330 and/or removable storage media 334, which, for example, may be or include floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, compact disc (CD) drives, drives digital versatile discs (DVD), and/or USB and/or other flash drives, among other examples.

[0060] Encoded instructions 332, operating targets, and/or other data may be stored in mass storage 330, main storage 317, local storage 314, and/or removable storage media 334. Thus, controller 310 may be implemented as hardware (possibly implemented as one or more chips containing an integrated circuit such as an ASIC), or may be implemented as software or firmware for execution by processor 312. In the case of an embedded software or software implementation may be in the form of a computer program product including a computer-readable medium or storage structure implementing the computer program code (i.e., software or firmware) disposed thereon for execution by the processor 312.

[0061] Encoded instructions 332 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 312, may cause pumping units 150 to perform the methods, processes, and/or methods described herein. For example, controller 310 may receive and process operating targets entered by an operator 164 and signals or information generated by various sensors described herein that are indicative of operating parameters for pumping units 150. Based on coded commands 332 and received operating targets and operating parameters, controller 310 may send signals or information to prime movers 204 and transmission mechanisms 262 to cause pumping units 150 and/or other parts of wellsite system 100 to automatically perform and/or undergo one or more operations or methods that are within the scope of this inventions.

[0062] The present invention provides methods whereby a controller (such as controller 161, 310, and/or other controllers) can simultaneously and automatically control a plurality of pumping units in which gear shifting occurs (such as pumping units 150 and/or other pumping units). settings). The methods may be implemented as algorithms (eg, via coded commands 332 and/or other coded commands) executed by a controller to control pumping units. For example, an algorithm in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may be used to initiate automatic controller control of pumping units according to a predetermined schedule, including starting the pumping units in a predetermined order and at predetermined rates. This and/or other algorithms that are within the scope of the present invention can be used to automatically populate the start order of pumping units based on the operating schedule, type of current operation, and/or where the pumping unit is physically mounted on a manifold (such as manifold 136). Algorithms within the scope of the present invention can also be used to allocate costs to different pumping units based on start order, wellhead pressure, pumping unit capability, and pumping unit availability. Algorithms within the scope of the present invention may be implemented to operate as a master rate controller (MRC) to group multiple pumping units into logical groups of pumps, each logical group of pumps being considered as a separate entity having a specific group flow setpoint. . MCR can automatically assign the flow rate of a specific group to individual pump units in a logical group of pumps. Algorithms within the scope of the present invention can also be used to automatically assign flow rates to available pumping units in a predetermined manner, for example, to optimize engine fuel efficiency and/or maximize overall pump life.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary method 500 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Method 500 may be performed using, or otherwise in combination with, at least a portion of one or more implementations of one or more embodiments of the apparatus shown in one or more of FIGS. 1-4, and/or otherwise within the scope of the present invention. For example, method 500 may be performed and/or initiated, at least in part, by controller 310 executing encoded instructions 332 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Thus, the following description may also apply to the device shown in one or more of FIGS. 1-4. However, method 500 may also be performed in conjunction with device implementations other than those shown in FIG. 1-4, but still within the scope of the present invention.

[0064] Method 500 is shown in FIG. 5 (and other figures) as a method performed to automatically start pumps and includes creating 502 a start order and coordinating 504 speed distributions for the pumps. However, other implementations of method 500 that are within the scope of the present invention may be for other pump operations, such as boost operation, shutdown operation, and/or other operations. Although, for clarity and ease of understanding, the following description generally refers to the start-up operation, it should be understood that one or more of the aspects below and in the figures may be applicable or readily adapted to pump operations other than start-up operations.

[0065] By carefully designing 502 the order in which the pumps are started, adverse events can be prevented, such as clogged suction hoses, inappropriate suction power, and inadvertent changes in the composition of the fracturing fluid. The creation 502 of a pump start-up order can combine the stages of execution of work and the location of the physical installation of the pump. In FIG. 6 is a flowchart of at least part of an example of a method 510 for generating 502 a start order in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0066] Method 520 includes detecting 512 each of the pumps located at the well site, excluding 514 unavailable (not connected, currently inoperative, etc.) pumps, and creating 516 an empty pump start order list. The pumps for a special stage are then ordered 518. For example, if it is determined 520 that a pump for a special stage is not yet scheduled for each special stage in which the pump will be used, then the next pump available for the special stage is identified 522 and appends 524 to the end of the current one. pump start order list. Special steps may include acidizing, waterjet cutting, and other operations other than hydraulic fracturing. Identification 522 of the next pump available for a special stage may involve selecting one of the available pumps that is more suitable for a particular special stage, although identification 522 may, instead (or also), simply select which of the available pumps is physically closest to the wellhead 105, the source of the fluid that is supplied to the pumping system 135 (eg, mixing unit 124) and/or other predetermined well site component. Each time a pump for a special stage is added 524 to the pump start order list, the pump is added to the end of the current list. Identification 522 and addition 524 continue until it is determined 520 that there are no more special steps left without an assigned pump.

[0067] The sequencing 526 of pump installations then begins. If it is determined 528 that there are still not enough pumps scheduled for the fracturing operation (eg, by comparing the total flow rates possible with the current scheduled pumps against the assigned flow rate of the pumping system), then the next available pump can be identified 530 and added 532 to the end of the current one. pump start order list. Identification 530 of the next available pump for fracturing may include selecting the remaining available pump that is physically closest to the wellhead 105, the source of the fluid that is supplied to the pumping system 135 (eg, the mixing unit 124), and/or another predetermined component. drilling site. Each time a fracturing pump is added 532 to the pump start order list, the pump is added to the end of the current list. Identification 530 and addition 532 continue until it is determined 528 that no more pumps need to be added, at which time the pump start order list may be considered complete 534. Method 510 may also include one or more additional ordering steps, such as , to sort the pumps in the list in order according to how close each pump is physically located to the wellhead 105, the source of the fluid that is supplied to the pumping system 135 (eg, mixing unit 124), and/or other predetermined wellsite component.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 5, pump speed distribution coordination 504 involves, after the controller and/or human operator enters a target speed, activating as many pumps as possible (in order) with decreasing pump shifting. Running as many pumps as possible can reduce the chance of hose clogging (and possibly other adverse events), and reducing gear changes can reduce damage to pump transmission mechanisms and thus maintenance costs. In FIG. 7 is a block diagram of at least part of an example of a method 550 for coordinating 504 distributions of pump speeds in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0069] Method 550 includes waiting 552 for input of a new pump speed from a controller or human operator. One or more pumps may then be directly actuated 554. One or more additional pumps may then be actuated 556 while the currently actuated pumps are throttled. Then, the remaining speed not yet reached by the involved pumps can be divided 558 among the involved pumps. A gear shift 560 may then be performed, possibly also adding one or more additional pumps.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of at least part of an example of a method 570 for directly actuating 554 one or more pumps in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Upon receipt of the new rate 572, a determination is made 574 as to whether additional pumps are currently available and/or whether the pumps currently in use can (or do) together provide the 572 received rate. If no additional pumps are available and/or the pumps currently on duty can (or are) providing the received 572 rate, method 570 returns to wait 552 shown in FIG. 7. However, if the received 572 speed cannot be supplied by the currently employed pumps and additional pumps are available, obtain the next unemployed pump and its minimum speed 576 (eg, via a look-up table and/or other means available to the controller). If the minimum speed of the next idle pump is determined 578 to be greater than the speed remaining to reach the derived 572 speed, then method 570 returns to engagement with throttle 556 closed, as shown in FIG. 7. If the minimum speed of the next unused pump is determined 578 to be less than or equal to the speed remaining to be reached, but the minimum speed is determined 580 to be unattainable, then method 570 returns to the remaining pump/speed determination 574. If the minimum speed is determined 580 to be achievable, then the minimum speed is applied to the idle pump 582 and the method 570 then returns to the remaining pump/speed determination 574.

[0071] In FIG. 9 is a flowchart of at least part of an exemplary method 600 for activating 556 one or more new pumps while the currently activated pumps are throttled, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. After the remaining speed 602 is received, a determination 604 is made as to whether additional pumps are currently available and/or whether the pumps that are currently on duty can collectively provide (or provide) the received 602 speed. If additional pumps are not available, then method 600 returns to rate split 558 shown in FIG. 7, and if the pumps currently on duty can (or are) delivering the received 602 rate, method 600 returns to wait 552 shown in FIG. 7. However, if the speed obtained 602 cannot be provided by the currently employed pumps at the current throttling (likely to be less than the maximum, and possibly the minimum), and additional pumps are available, the next unused pump and its minimum speed 606 are obtained (for example, via a lookup table and/or other means available to the controller). The incremental speeds available from each currently engaged pump without shifting (i.e., by opening the throttle) 608 are then obtained. incremental value available from the currently driven pumps, then method 600 returns to the remaining pump/speed definition 604. If the minimum speed is determined 610 to be achievable, then the minimum speed is applied 612 to the unemployed pump, and method 600 then returns to the remaining pump definition. /speed 604.

[0072] The remaining speed not reached by the currently running pumps can be divided 558 among the currently running pumps through an example method 620 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10. After receiving the remaining rate 622, a determination 624 is made as to whether the remaining rate can be divided. If the remaining speed cannot be divided, the method returns to gear shift 560 shown in FIG. 7. If the remaining speed can be divided, a determination 626 is made as to whether one or more pumps are currently running. If only one pump is involved, the remaining speed is applied 628 to that pump, possibly with a gear change to achieve the remaining speed. If it is determined 626 that more than one pump is in operation, the remaining speed is divided 630 among the pumps in operation without shifting, and returns to wait 552.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of at least part of an exemplary method 650 for shifting 560 gears of the pumps involved to reach the remaining speed not reached with direct engagement 554, closed throttle engagement 556, and speed split 558 described above. The method 650 includes finding 652 the maximum number of idle pumps such that the sum of their minimum rates and the minimum rates of the pumps involved are collectively less than or equal to the total requested rate. The maximum speeds of the new pumps in first gear are then obtained 654. If it is determined 656 that the sum of the maximum speeds of the new pumps in first gear is greater than or equal to the total speed, then the remaining speed is distributed 658 among the pumps currently in use and the new pumps, each of which is at first gear. If the sum of the maximum speeds of the new pumps in first gear is determined 656 to be less than the total speed, then the minimum gaps in the speeds of the new pumps between first and second gear 660 are determined. than the minimum speed breaks defined 660, then the last of the new pumps is excluded 664, and the minimum speeds of the remaining new pumps are applied 666 to the new pumps. If such a difference is determined 662 to be no less than the minimum speed breaks 660 determined, then the minimum speeds of the new pumps are applied 666 to the new pumps without the exception 664 of the last new pump. Each pump involved is then shifted 668 to second gear.

[0074] If it is then determined 670 that there are no remaining pumps, then the current gear is increased 672. Otherwise, the next available pump is obtained 674, the total pump speed is shifted 676 to the first gear, the maximum for the first time, and then the speed delta is obtained 678 as the difference between the maximum speed of the current transmission and the maximum speed of the previous transmission. If the sum of the speed delta and the previously planned speed is determined 680 to be less than the total speed, then the method returns to determining 670 the remaining pump. Otherwise, one or more gear shifts are applied 682 to one or more pumps. The remaining speed is then applied 684 to pumps without switching, and returned to wait 552.

[0075] The present invention also provides aspects related to master speed control (MRC), group speed control (GRC), and total speed control (TRC) that can be used to comprehensively organize an entire fleet of pumps to achieve assigned pumping speeds. systems. MRC allows multiple pumps to be grouped into one or more logical pump groups. For the user (regardless of whether it is a controller or a human operator), each group of pumps is considered as one object with one speed setpoint. Implementations that use MRC can automatically assign the pump speed in a group to the individual pumps in the group.

[0076] The pump group may be a subset of the collaborative pumps available at the well site, and each pump group may be run as one MRC. More than one group may be defined (for example, for a split stream operation, or SSO), with each group running its own MRC. Grouped pumps can be controlled (eg via a human machine interface (HMI) and/or other controller) as one "big pump" with one master speed setpoint in the control interface.

[0077] Grouping may allow a small number of pumps to be grouped together to run an MRC, with each remaining pump at the wellsite controlled manually and/or by a separate automated rate control (ARC). In other implementations, MRC techniques may be used to automate all pumps at the well site, with the possible exception of specialty pumps (acid pump, restricted pumps, etc.). Wellsite grouping(s) can also be dynamic, such as in implementations where all pumps are initially in the same group with one MRC, but one or more pumps can be removed from the group to perform special operations.

[0078] Grouping of pumps can also provide fundamental support during SSO. For example, an SSO may use two (or more) separate rate controllers, for example, for the clean and dirty sides of an operation, and each individual rate controller may be implemented by a respective MRC group.

[0079] A grouping of pumps can also provide flexibility to allow some pumps to be controlled individually. For example, one or more pumps may be individually controlled for acid injection, wireline injection, and/or other special operations. One or more pumps can also be individually controlled if the pump(s) has lost capacity, for example to limit the maximum gear used with such pump(s).

[0080] The MRC for each group may use its own aggregate rate as feedback. Thus, there may be reduced or no interference between groups, or other pumps may be controlled manually and/or via ARC.

[0081] In MRC, the main speed setpoint is optimally assigned to each available individual pump. At different stages of the work, different strategies can be followed to achieve this. The following description focuses on scheduling/spreading speed after each of the available pumps is activated (each pump is pumping fluid).

[0082] In addition to meeting the specified master speed setpoint, the MRC is also designed to assign speed to the available pumps in a manner that optimizes engine fuel efficiency and maximizes overall pump life. For example, pump fuel consumption and overall pump life can be maximized when the engine throttle is set to approximately 1650 rpm and engine load is in the range of approximately 60% to approximately 80%. The present invention provides a method that takes into account information about the estimated final treatment rate (injection rate that will last during most of the fracturing stage) during intermediate rate adjustments.

[0083] For example, the velocity distribution may be optimized according to the estimated final velocity. That is, it is possible to optimally plan the distribution of the final velocities before starting the treatment, whereby the velocities are assigned to the pumps according to the planned velocities. The principles of throttle operation as close to 1650 rpm as possible and engine loads in the range of 60% to 80% are followed to optimize fuel efficiency and overall pump life.

[0084] To optimize the distribution of speeds according to the calculated final speed, the user sets the treatment pressure and, for each pump, the choice of the maximum gear that allows the treatment pressure with a given factor. For example, if the ratio is 1.15 and the desired treatment pressure is 9000 psi. inch, then the processing pressure, taking into account the coefficient, will be 10350 psi. inch.

[0085] An example is shown in graph 700 of FIG. 12, which depicts pressure versus speed for first gear 702, second gear 704, third gear 706, fourth gear 708, fifth gear 710, sixth gear 712, seventh gear 714, and eighth gear 716. 10350 psi) is shown by dashed line 718 indicating that the maximum gear is fourth gear 708. When the throttle is operating at 1650 rpm, in this example the pump delivers an optimum speed of 7.43 bpm in fourth gear.

[0086] At the optimum speeds for each individual pump and the overall speed, the final processing speed according to the schedule is assigned proportionally. However, after this linear proportional reduction, the pumps are likely to stop operating at optimal throttling. However, an iterative approach can be taken to adjust the distribution of speeds to move the pumps back as close as possible to the point of operation at optimum RPM.

[0087] For example, the planned final speed can be proportionally assigned to all pumps according to equation (1) below.

(1)

(one)

- конечная общая скорость согласно графику обработки;where:

- final total speed according to the processing schedule;

- оптимальная скорость для отдельных насосов (например, дроссельная заслонка на 1650 об/мин и самая высокая передача для допуска 1,15*давление обработки);

- optimum speed for individual pumps (eg throttle at 1650 rpm and highest gear for a tolerance of 1.15*processing pressure);

- распределенная скорость для отдельных насосов для соответствия конечной скорости в графике; и

- distributed speed for individual pumps to match the final speed in the graph; and

- общая оптимальная скорость от всех доступных насосов.

is the total optimum speed from all available pumps.

. Конечная скорость затем регулируется для оставшихся насосов, вследствие чего

. Этот способ затем повторяют с отрегулированной конечной скоростью для оставшихся насосов. Во время процесса запуска, после задействования каждого из насосов, спланированные скорости для каждого отдельного насоса применяют, когда пользователь и/или контроллер медленно увеличивает уставку по скорости.[0088] The first throttle valve of the pump is then adjusted to the optimum value (for example, 1650 rpm), whereby

. The final speed is then adjusted for the remaining pumps, whereby

. This method is then repeated with the final speed adjusted for the remaining pumps. During the start-up process, after each pump has been activated, the planned speeds for each individual pump are applied as the user and/or controller slowly increases the speed setpoint.

[0089] However, other methods may be used to optimize the rate assignment. For example, the distribution of speeds can be optimally assigned to the pumps one after the other. That is, instead of proportionally distributing the main speed setpoint to each of the available pumps, the optimization principles described above can be applied, and the speed can be optimally assigned to the pumps one by one after receiving a new speed setpoint (after each of the pumps is activated, together) .

может быть оценена для каждого насоса согласно оптимальной передаче (например, самая высокая передача, которая может допустить давление обработки после умножения коэффициент, как описано выше) и оптимальной дроссельной заслонке (например, 1650 об/мин). После получения новой уставки по скорости дополнительная скорость может быть распределена по насосам в порядке заданной последовательности, вследствие чего насосы работают на своей оптимальной скорости

. Это может включать только подмножество из всей группы насосов. Последний насос, включенный в назначение скорости, может не работать на своей оптимальной скорости, но оставшиеся насосы могут оставаться на своих минимальных скоростях.[0090] For example, for a given treatment pressure, the optimal speed

can be estimated for each pump according to the optimum gear (eg the highest gear that can tolerate the treatment pressure after multiplying the factor as described above) and the optimum throttle (eg 1650 rpm). Once the new speed setpoint has been received, the additional speed can be distributed to the pumps in sequence so that the pumps run at their optimum speed.

. This may include only a subset of the entire pump group. The last pump included in the speed assignment may not be running at its optimum speed, but the remaining pumps may remain at their minimum speeds.

[0091] This rate assignment concept is flexible. For example, it allows the user and/or controller to group a subset of the available pumps and run the group of pumps as one MRC since it can only consider the current speed setpoint. As a result, a subset of pumps may be operating at their minimum speeds, but perhaps not at their optimum gear.

[0092] There may also be a one-time rate optimization for the final, steady-state injection stage. That is, when changing from one speed to another, the current state of the pump can also be considered, as a result of which the number of gear changes is minimized. Thus, a new speed can be obtained by only adjusting the pump motor throttle without changing gears. Accordingly, after some intermediate speed changes (for example, during the initial stage of a fracturing operation), the distribution of speeds among the pumps may not be optimal in terms of fuel consumption and engine load by the operator and/or controller.

[0093] After fracturing by injection, injection can be maintained at the same rate for an extended period of time. A one-time optimization that prioritizes engine throttle (for example, as close to 1650 rpm as possible) and engine load in a given range (for example, 60-80%) can be achieved by selecting the proper gear. This one-shot optimization can be triggered as a result of reaching the final speed speed setpoint. A one-time optimization can also be triggered as a result of a user's choice (for example, by pressing a button). A one-time optimization can also be performed automatically in response to a given event, such as detecting the same speed over a given period of time.

[0094] In view of the entire present disclosure, including the figures and the claims, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention provides a method including: creating a pumping order for pumping a pumping system to perform a fracturing operation in a subterranean formation; and coordinating distribution of costs across pumps.

[0095] Creating a start order may include: (A) determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pumps to pump the fracturing fluid for the fracturing operation; and then (B) iteratively repeating the following until the pump order list contains enough fracturing fluid pumps for the fracturing operation: (i) identifying the next of the pumps that is not in the pump order list that is available to pump fluid for hydraulic fracturing for a hydraulic fracturing operation; and (ii) adding the identified next available fracturing fluid pump to the end of the current pump order list. Determining that the pump order list does not contain enough fracturing fluid pumps for the fracturing operation may involve comparing the total flow rates possible with the fracturing fluid pumps in the pump order list against the target pumping system flow rate for the fracturing operation. . The identification of the next available fracturing fluid pump may include identifying, among the pumps that are not in the pump order list and that are available to pump the fracturing fluid, which fracturing fluid pump is physically located closest to a given component of the wellsite system comprising pumping system. Creating a start order may further include, before determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pumps for the fracturing fluid: (A) determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pumps to pump a fluid other than the fracturing fluid , for at least one non-frac operation that is associated with a fracturing operation; and then (B) iteratively repeating the following until the pump order list contains enough pumps to pump a fluid other than the fracturing fluid for at least one non-fracturing operation: (i) identifying the next of the pumps, which is not in the pump order list and which is available for pumping a fluid other than the fracturing fluid for at least one non-fracturing operation; and (ii) adding the identified next available non-frac fluid pump to the end of the current pump order list. The identification of the next available non-fracturing fluid pump may include identifying, among the pumps that are not in the pump order list and that are available for injection of a fluid other than the fracturing fluid, which pump is best suited for the respective non-fracturing fluid operation. hydraulic fracturing.

[0096] The pumps may include zero or more first pumps not currently running and thus not contributing to the pumping system's current pumping rate, and zero or more second pumps currently running and thus collectively providing the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and coordinating the allocation of rates may include: (A) determining that: (i) the second pumps together cannot provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or (ii) the first pumps, in conjunction with the second pumps, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and (B) iteratively repeating the following until the primed pumps from the first and second pumps can jointly deliver the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumps remains available: (i) determining that the minimum rate of the next available pump from the first pumps no more than the difference between the current and target injection rates of the pumping system; and (ii) activating the next available first pump at its minimum speed.

[0097] The pumps may include zero or more first pumps not currently running and thus not contributing to the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and zero or more second pumps currently running and thus collectively providing the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and coordinating the allocation of rates may include: (A) determining that: (i) the second pumps together cannot provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or (ii) the first pumps, in conjunction with the second pumps, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and (B) iteratively repeating the following until the primed pumps from the first and second pumps can jointly deliver the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumps remains available: (i) determining that the minimum rate of the next available pump from the first pumps more difference between the current and target injection rates of the pumping system; (ii) determining that the minimum speed of the next available first pump can be reached, based on that minimum speed, the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system, and the incremental rates of the activated pumps from the first and second pumps, without shifting gears associated with the involved pumps. pumps from the first and second pumps; and (iii) activating the next available first pump at its minimum speed.

[0098] Coordinating cost allocation may include: determining that currently active pumps can collectively provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; determining that the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system can be shared among the currently operating pumps; and increasing the current individual pump rates of the currently deployed pumps by appropriate amounts obtained by dividing the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system among the currently deployed pumps.

[0099] Coordinating cost allocation may include: (A) determining that the currently deployed pumps can collectively deliver a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and determining that the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system cannot be divided among the pumps currently in operation, and determining the maximum number of unused pumps, at which the sum of the individual minimum rates of the unused pumps and the individual minimum rates of the pumps involved together does not exceed the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and then (B) either: (i) determining that the sum of the maximum idle pump rates associated with their lowest gear is not less than the target pumping rate of the pumping system, and therefore: (a) priming the idle pumps as new pumps ; and (b) adjusting the speeds of all the pumps involved to distribute the target pumping rate of the pumping system substantially evenly among all the pumps involved, each in the lowest gear; or (ii) determining that the sum of the maximum idle pump rates associated with their lowest gear is less than the target pumping rate of the pumping system, and therefore: (a) determining the minimum idle pump rate discontinuities associated with their two lowest transfers; and, (b) either: (1) determining that the difference between the target pumping rate of the pumping system and the sum of the maximum rates of idle pumps associated with their lowest gear is not less than the specified minimum rate breaks, and therefore: engaging the idle pumps pumps as new pumps at their minimum speeds; and then shifting the gears of all involved pumps to their second lowest gears; or (2) determining that the difference between the target pumping rate of the pumping system and the sum of the maximum idle pump rates associated with their lowest gear is less than the determined minimum rate breaks, and therefore: firing all but one of the idle pumps as new pumps at their minimum speeds; and then shifting the gears of all involved pumps to their second lowest gears; then (C) upshifting the gear in each new pump's gear one at a time and one gear at a time such that each new pump's gear gear differs by no more than one gear from the other new pumps until the target pumping rate of the pumping system is can be achieved with all of the pumps involved at their then minimum speeds; and then (D) increasing the speeds of one or more of the new lower gear pumps until the target pumping rate of the pumping system is reached.

[00100] One of the pumps may be a group of pumps driven at substantially the same speed and in the same gear.

[00101] The present invention also provides a method, including: creating a pumping order of the pumping system to perform a pumping operation; and coordinating the allocation of costs to the pumps to perform the injection operation.

[00102] Creating a workflow may include: (A) determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of fluid pumps for the pumping operation; and then (B) iteratively repeating the following until the pump order list contains enough fluid pumps for the pump operation: (i) identifying the next of the pumps that is not in the pump order list that is available to pump fluid for download operations; and (ii) adding the identified next available pump to the end of the current pump order list. Determining that the pump order list does not contain sufficient fluid pumps for the pump operation may involve comparing the total flow rates possible with the pumps in the pump order list to the target flow rate of the pumping system for the pump operation. Identification of the next available pump may include identifying, among pumps that are not in the pump order and that are available for pumping fluid, which pump is physically located closest to a given wellsite system component containing the pumping system. The pumping operation may be the first pumping operation, the fluid may be the first fluid, and creating a work order may further include, before determining that the pump order list does not contain enough pumps: (A) determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pumps for pumping the second fluid for at least one second pumping operation associated with the first pumping operation; and then (B) iteratively repeating the following until the pump order list contains enough pumps to pump the second fluid for at least one second pump operation: (i) identifying the next of the pumps that is not in the pump order list and which available for pumping a second fluid for at least one second pumping operation; and (ii) adding the identified next available second fluid pump to the end of the current pump order.

[00103] The pumps may include zero or more first pumps not currently running and thus not contributing to the pumping system's current pumping rate, and zero or more second pumps currently running and thus collectively providing the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and coordinating the allocation of rates may include: (A) determining that: (i) the second pumps together cannot provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or (ii) the first pumps, in conjunction with the second pumps, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and (B) iteratively repeating the following until the primed pumps from the first and second pumps can jointly deliver the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumps remains available: (i) determining that the minimum rate of the next available pump from the first pumps no more than the difference between the current and target injection rates of the pumping system; and (ii) activating the next available first pump at its minimum speed.

[00104] The pumps may include zero or more first pumps not currently running and thus not contributing to the pumping system's current pumping rate, and zero or more second pumps currently running and thus collectively providing the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and coordinating the allocation of rates may include: (A) determining that: (i) the second pumps together cannot provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or (ii) the first pumps, in conjunction with the second pumps, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and (B) iteratively repeating the following until the primed pumps from the first and second pumps can jointly deliver the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumps remains available: (i) determining that the minimum rate of the next available pump from the first pumps more difference between the current and target injection rates of the pumping system; (ii) determining that the minimum rate of the next available first pump can be reached, based on that minimum rate, the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system, and the incremental rates of the primed pumps from the first and second pumps, without shifting associated with the primed pumps. pumps from the first and second pumps; and (iii) activating the next available first pump at its minimum speed.

[00105] Coordinating the allocation of costs may include: determining that the pumps currently on duty together can provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; determining that the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system can be shared among the currently operating pumps; and increasing the current individual pump rates of the currently deployed pumps by appropriate amounts obtained by dividing the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system among the currently deployed pumps.

[00106] At least one of the pumps may be a group of pumps driven at substantially the same speed and in the same gear.

[00107] The present invention also provides an apparatus comprising a coordinating controller configured to communicate with pump unit controllers of two or more pump units, wherein: (A) each pump unit controller communicates with at least one of the following: variable frequency drive, motor throttle, gear selector, prime mover or transmission mechanism of the respective pumping unit; (B) the coordinating controller comprises: a programmable processor having a memory; and an interface circuit connected to the input device; (C) the programmable processor is configured to process the encoded commands from the input device and transmit the encoded commands to at least one of the pump unit controllers; and (D) at least one of the variable frequency drive, engine throttle, gear selector, prime mover, and/or transmission mechanism of at least one of the pumping units is responsive to the encoded commands.

[00108] The encoded commands may relate to the creation of an order of operation of pumping units for performing a pumping operation and/or coordinating the allocation of costs to pumping units for performing a pumping operation, as described above.

[00109] The features of several embodiments have been set forth above in order for the average person skilled in the art to better understand aspects of the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention can simply be used as a basis for developing or modifying other processes and structures to accomplish the same goals and/or achieve the same benefits of the embodiments provided herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that such equivalent constructs do not depart from the scope of the present invention, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and corrections therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[00110] The abstract at the end of this description is provided to enable the reader to quickly determine the essence of the technical description. It is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims (139)

1. A method for controlling the pumps of a pumping system, including: creation of a procedure for starting the pumps of the pumping system to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation of the underground formation; and coordinating the distribution of costs by pumps, characterized in that creating a launch order includes: determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pumps to pump the fracturing fluid for the fracturing operation; and then iteratively until the pump order list contains enough pumps to pump the fracturing fluid for the fracturing operation: - identifying the next of the pumps, which is not in the pump order list, and which is available to pump the fracturing fluid for the fracturing operation; and - adding the identified next available fracturing fluid pump to the end of the current pump order list. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the pump order does not contain enough fracturing fluid pumps for the fracturing operation comprises comparing the total flow rates possible with the fracturing fluid pumps in the pump order. , with the target flow rate of the pumping system to perform the fracturing operation. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the next available fracturing fluid pump includes identifying, among the pumps that are not in the pump order list and that are available to pump the fracturing fluid, which fracturing fluid pump is physically located closest to a given drilling site system component containing the pumping system. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the start order further comprises, before determining that the pump order does not contain enough fracturing fluid pumps: determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pumps to pump a fluid other than the fracturing fluid for at least one non-fracturing operation that is associated with the fracturing operation; and then iteratively until the pump order list contains enough pumps to pump a fluid other than the fracturing fluid for at least one non-fracturing operation: - identifying the next of the pumps, which is not in the pump order list, and which is available for pumping a fluid other than the fracturing fluid for at least one non-fracturing operation; and - adding the identified next available non-fracturing fluid pump to the end of the current pump order list. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein identifying the next available non-fracturing fluid pump includes identifying, among the pumps that are not in the pump order list, that are available for pumping a fluid other than the fracturing fluid, which the pump is best suited for the respective non-fracturing operation. 6. The method of claim. 1, characterized in that the pumps include zero or more first pumps that are not currently operating and, thus, do not contribute to the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and zero or more second pumps involved in the current moment and, thus, jointly providing the current injection rate of the pumping system, and coordinating the distribution of costs includes: definition of what: - the second pumps together cannot provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system, which is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or - the first pumps, together with the second pumps, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and iteratively until the primed pumps from the first and second pumps can jointly provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumps remains available: - determining that the minimum rate of the next available pump of the first pumps is not greater than the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system; and - activating the next available first pump at its minimum speed. 7. The method of claim. 1, characterized in that the pumps include zero or more of the first pumps that are not currently in operation and, therefore, do not contribute to the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and zero or more of the second pumps, involved in the current moment and, thus, jointly providing the current injection rate of the pumping system, and coordinating the distribution of costs includes: definition of what: - the second pumps together cannot provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system, which is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or - the first pumps, together with the second pumps, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and iteratively until the primed pumps from the first and second pumps can jointly provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumps remains available: - determining that the minimum rate of the next available pump of the first pumps is greater than the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system; - determining that the minimum speed of the next available first pump can be reached, based on this minimum speed, the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system, and the incremental rates of the pumps involved from the first and second pumps, without shifting gears associated with the involved pumps from first and second pumps; and - activating the next available first pump at its minimum speed. 8. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the coordination of the distribution of costs includes: determining that the currently activated pumps together can provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; determining that the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system can be shared among the currently operating pumps; and increasing the current individual rates of the currently employed pumps by the corresponding values obtained by dividing the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system, among the currently employed pumps. 9. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the coordination of the distribution of costs includes: determining that the currently deployed pumps can collectively deliver a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and determining that the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system cannot be shared among the currently deployed pumps , and determining the maximum number of idle pumps at which the sum of the individual minimum rates of the idle pumps and the individual minimum rates of the pumps involved do not collectively exceed the target pumping rate of the pumping system; then or: determining that the sum of the maximum rates of unused pumps associated with their lowest gear is not less than the target pumping rate of the pumping system, and therefore: operation of unused pumps as new pumps; and adjusting the speeds of all the pumps involved to distribute the target pumping rate of the pumping system substantially evenly among all the pumps involved, each in the lowest gear; or determining that the sum of the maximum rates of unused pumps associated with their lowest gear is less than the target pumping rate of the pumping system, and therefore: determination of the minimum speed gaps of unused pumps associated with their two lowest gears; and or: determining that the difference between the target pumping rate of the pumping system and the sum of the maximum rates of idle pumps associated with their lowest gear is not less than the specified minimum rate breaks, and therefore: running unused pumps as new pumps at their minimum speeds; and then shifting the transmission mechanisms of all involved pumps to their second lowest gears; or determining that the difference between the target pumping rate of the pumping system and the sum of the maximum idle pump rates associated with their lowest gear is less than the specified minimum rate breaks, and therefore: operating all but one of the unused pumps as new pumps at their minimum speeds; and then shifting the transmission mechanisms of all involved pumps to their second lowest gears; then upshifting in the transmission mechanism of each new pump one at a time and one gear at a time so that the transmission mechanism of each new pump differs by no more than one gear from the other new pumps until the target delivery rate of the pumping system can be achieved with all of the involved pumps at their then minimum speeds; and then increasing the speeds of one or more of the new lower gear pumps until the target pumping rate of the pumping system is reached. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pumps is a group of pumps driven at substantially the same speed and in the same gear. 11. A method for controlling pumps of a pumping system, including: creation of the order of operation of the pumps of the pumping system to perform the injection operation; and coordinating the distribution of costs among pumps to perform the injection operation, characterized in that creating a work order includes: determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of fluid pumps for the pumping operation; and then iteratively until the pump order list contains enough fluid pumps for the pump operation: - identifying the next of the pumps, which is not in the sequence of pumps and which is available for pumping fluid for the pumping operation; and - adding the identified next available pump to the end of the current pump order list. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of fluid pumping pumps for the pumping operation comprises comparing the total flow rates possible with the pumps in the pump order list to the target flow rate of the pumping system. to perform the download operation. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying the next available pump includes identifying, among pumps that are not in the pump order list and that are available for pumping fluid, which pump is physically located closest to a given wellsite system component. containing the pumping system. 14. The method of claim. 11, characterized in that the pumping operation is the first pumping operation, and the fluid is the first fluid, while creating an order of operation further includes, before determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pumps : determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of second fluid pumps for at least one second pumping operation associated with the first pumping operation; and then iteratively until the pump order list contains enough pumps to pump the second fluid for at least one second pump operation: - identifying the next of the pumps, which is not in the sequence of pumps and which is available for pumping the second fluid for at least one second pumping operation; and - adding the identified next available pump for the second fluid to the end of the current pump order list. 15. The method of claim. 11, characterized in that the pumps include zero or more of the first pumps that are not currently involved and, thus, do not contribute to the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and zero or more second pumps involved in the current moment and, thus, jointly providing the current injection rate of the pumping system, and coordinating the distribution of costs includes: definition of what: - the second pumps together cannot provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system, which is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or - the first pumps, together with the second pumps, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and iteratively until the primed pumps from the first and second pumps can jointly provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumps remains available: - determining that the minimum rate of the next available pump of the first pumps is not greater than the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system; and - activating the next available first pump at its minimum speed. 16. The method of claim. 11, characterized in that the pumps include zero or more first pumps that are not currently in use and thus do not contribute to the current pumping rate of the pumping system, and zero or more second pumps involved in the current moment and, thus, jointly providing the current injection rate of the pumping system, and moreover, coordinating the distribution of costs includes: definition of what: - the second pumps together cannot provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system, which is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or - the first pumps, together with the second pumps, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and iteratively until the primed pumps from the first and second pumps can jointly provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumps remains available: - determining that the minimum rate of the next available pump of the first pumps is greater than the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system; - determining that the minimum speed of the next available first pump can be reached, based on this minimum speed, the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system, and the incremental rates of the pumps involved from the first and second pumps, without shifting gears associated with the involved pumps from first and second pumps; and - activating the next available first pump at its minimum speed. 17. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the coordination of the distribution of costs includes: determining that the currently activated pumps together can provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; determining that the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system can be shared among the currently operating pumps; and increasing the current individual rates of the currently employed pumps by the corresponding values obtained by dividing the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system, among the currently employed pumps. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the pumps is a group of pumps driven at substantially the same speed and in the same gear. 19. A pump control device for a pumping system, comprising: a coordinating controller configured to communicate with the controllers of the pumping units of two or more pumping units, wherein each pumping unit controller communicates with at least one of: a variable frequency drive, an engine throttle, a gear selector, a prime mover, or a transmission mechanism of the associated pumping unit; while the coordinating controller contains: - a programmable processor having a storage device; and - an interface circuit connected to the input device; moreover, the programmable processor is configured to process the encoded commands from the input device and transmit the encoded commands to at least one of the controllers of the pumping units; wherein at least one of the variable frequency drive, engine throttle, gear selector, prime mover and/or transmission mechanism of at least one of the pumping units responds to encoded commands. 20. The device according to claim 19, in which the encoded commands refer to: creation of the order of operation of pumping units to perform the injection operation; and/or coordinating the distribution of costs among pumping units for the injection operation. 21. The device according to claim 20, in which the creation of an order of work includes: determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of fluid pumping units for the pumping operation; and then iteratively until the ordered list of pumps contains enough fluid pumping units for the pumping operation: - identifying the next of the pumping units, which is not in the sequence of pumps and which is available for pumping fluid for the pumping operation; and - adding the identified next available pump unit to the end of the current pump order list. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of fluid pumping units for the pumping operation includes comparing the total flow rates possible with the pumping units in the pump order list to the target flow rate of the pumping system. to perform the download operation. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein identifying the next available pumping station includes identifying, among the pumping stations that are not in the pump order list and that are available for pumping fluid, which pumping station is physically located closest to a given component of the drilling system. site containing the pumping system. 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the pumping operation is the first pumping operation, the fluid being the first fluid, wherein the creation of the work order further comprises, before determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pump units: determining that the pump order list does not contain a sufficient number of pumping units for pumping the second fluid for at least one second pumping operation associated with the first pumping operation; and then iteratively until the pump order list contains enough pump units to pump the second fluid for at least one second pump operation: - identifying the next of the pumping units, which is not in the ordered list of pumps and which is available for pumping the second fluid for at least one second pumping operation; and - adding the identified next available pump unit for the second fluid to the end of the current pump order list. 25. The device according to claim 20, in which: pumping units include: - zero or more first pumping units that do not currently contribute to the current pumping rate of the pumping system; and - zero or more second pumping units currently in operation and jointly providing the current pumping rate of the pumping system; while coordinating the distribution of costs includes: definition of what: - the second pumping units together cannot provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system, which is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or - the first pumping units, together with the second pumping units, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and iteratively until the involved pumping units from the first and second pumping units can jointly provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumping units remains available: - determining that the minimum speed of the next available pumping unit from the first pumping units is not greater than the difference between the current and target injection rates of the pumping system; and - activating the next available first pumping unit at its minimum speed. 26. The device according to claim 20, in which: pumping units include: - zero or more first pumping units that do not currently contribute to the current pumping rate of the pumping system; and - zero or more second pumping units currently in operation and jointly providing the current pumping rate of the pumping system; and while coordinating the distribution of costs includes: definition of what: - the second pumping units together cannot provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system, which is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; or - the first pumping units, together with the second pumping units, are available to contribute to the target pumping rate of the pumping system; and iteratively until the involved pumping units from the first and second pumping units can jointly provide the target pumping rate of the pumping system and none of the first pumping units remains available: - determining that the minimum rate of the next available pumping unit from the first pumping units is greater than the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system; - determining that the minimum speed of the next available first pumping unit can be reached, based on this minimum speed, the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system, and the incremental rates of the involved pumping units from the first and second pumping units, without changing gears associated with involved pumping units from the first and second pumping units; and - activating the next available first pumping unit at its minimum speed. 27. The device according to claim 20, in which the coordination of the distribution of costs includes: determining that the currently engaged pumping units can collectively provide a target pumping rate of the pumping system that is greater than the current pumping rate of the pumping system; determining that the difference between the current and target pumping rates of the pumping system can be shared among the currently operating pumping units; and an increase in the current individual rates of the currently employed pumping units by the corresponding values obtained by dividing the difference between the current and target injection rates of the pumping system, among the currently employed pumping units. 28. The apparatus of claim. 20, wherein one of the pumping units is a group of pumping units, each of which is controlled at essentially the same speed and the same gear.

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