WO2014085030A2 - Appareil et procédé de distribution d'un fluide à l'aide d'une injection d'agent de soutènement directe - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de distribution d'un fluide à l'aide d'une injection d'agent de soutènement directe Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014085030A2
WO2014085030A2 PCT/US2013/068267 US2013068267W WO2014085030A2 WO 2014085030 A2 WO2014085030 A2 WO 2014085030A2 US 2013068267 W US2013068267 W US 2013068267W WO 2014085030 A2 WO2014085030 A2 WO 2014085030A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
proppant
fluid
pressure
pump assembly
output flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/068267
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2014085030A3 (fr
Inventor
Stephen Duane Sanborn
Jason Paul Mortzheim
Tiffany Elizabeth Pinard Westendorf
Original Assignee
General Electric Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Company filed Critical General Electric Company
Priority to CN201380071902.8A priority Critical patent/CN104937210A/zh
Priority to AU2013353386A priority patent/AU2013353386B9/en
Publication of WO2014085030A2 publication Critical patent/WO2014085030A2/fr
Publication of WO2014085030A3 publication Critical patent/WO2014085030A3/fr

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
    • E21B43/26—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures
    • E21B43/267—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures reinforcing fractures by propping
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/06—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
    • E21B21/062—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole by mixing components

Definitions

  • Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to an apparatus and method of delivering a fluid mixture into a wellbore.
  • Hydraulic fracturing commonly known as hydrofracking, or simply fracking, is a technique used to release petroleum, natural gas or other substances for extraction from underground reservoir rock formations.
  • a wellbore is drilled into the reservoir rock formation, and a treatment fluid is pumped which causes fractures and allows for the release of trapped substances produced from these subterranean natural reservoirs.
  • Current wellhead fracking systems utilize a process wherein a slurry of fracturing fluid and proppant (e.g. sand) is created and then pumped into the well at high pressure.
  • proppant e.g. sand
  • the proppant, water and appropriate chemicals can be mixed at atmospheric pressure and then pumped up to a higher pressure for injection into the well.
  • fluids other than water e.g. liquid CO 2 or liquid propane
  • these fluids must be kept at a sufficient pressure throughout the hydraulic fracturing system to avoid undesired vaporization.
  • the blending of these fluids with proppant, chemicals, etc. must also be accomplished while the fluids are kept under a sufficiently high pressure.
  • Current pressurized blenders exist for this purpose.
  • Known pressurized blenders capable of blending these vaporizing fracturing fluids with the proppant at a suitably high pressure utilize a pressurized proppant storage vessel arrangement to feed and meter the proppant into the pressurized fracturing fluid.
  • These known lock-hopper based pressurized blenders require preloading with the proppant to be utilized during a given fracture stage.
  • the pressurized proppant storage vessels used typically have a capacity in the range of 20-40 tons of proppant (e.g., sand).
  • the limited volume capacity of the proppant storage vessel system provides for limited amounts of proppant to be blended with the fracturing fluid. If the fracturing design requires more sand, then multiple blenders must be used.
  • these known pressurized blenders require an undesirably long elapsed time to reload them with proppant for the next fracture stage.
  • some pressurized blender operations require the blender unit be moved off-site to another location for the purpose of reloading with proppant, also requiring an undesirably long time and potentially adding to the truck traffic associated with fracturing operations.
  • the limited capacity requires specialized logistics and on-pad (or off-pad) proppant handling equipment to be used in conjunction with the proppant storage vessel based pressurized blenders.
  • an apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture comprising: a proppant storage vessel, a solid feed pump assembly, a fracturing fluid storage vessel, a mixing apparatus and a high pressure pump assembly.
  • the proppant storage vessel is configured to contain therein a proppant material and output a proppant output flow at ambient pressure.
  • the solid feed pump assembly is coupled to the proppant storage vessel.
  • the solid feed pump assembly including a proppant inlet in fluidic communication with the proppant storage vessel proppant output flow.
  • the solid feed pump assembly is configured to output a proppant output flow at or above a fracture fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracture fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure.
  • the fracturing fluid storage vessel is configured to contain therein a fracturing fluid and output a fracturing fluid output flow at the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • the mixing apparatus is coupled to the solid feed pump assembly.
  • the mixing apparatus including a proppant inlet in fluidic communication with the solid feed pump assembly proppant output flow and a fracturing fluid inlet in fluidic communication with the fracturing fluid output flow.
  • the mixing apparatus is configured to mix the proppant output flow and the fracturing fluid output flow therein and output a fluid mixture of proppant and fracturing fluid at the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • the high pressure pump assembly is coupled to the mixing chamber and configured to deliver the fluid mixture therein to a downstream component at an injection pressure, wherein the injection pressure is greater than the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • an apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture comprising: a proppant storage vessel, a solid feed pump assembly, wherein the solid feed pump assembly is one of a Posimetric® pump assembly, an eductor pump assembly or a rotary positive displacement pump assembly, a fracturing fluid storage vessel, a mixing apparatus and a high pressure pump assembly.
  • the proppant storage vessel is configured to contain therein a proppant material and output a proppant output flow at ambient pressure.
  • the solid feed pump assembly is coupled to the proppant storage vessel and including a proppant inlet in fluidic communication with the proppant storage vessel proppant output flow.
  • the solid feed pump assembly is configured to output a proppant output flow at a fracture fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracture fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure.
  • the fracturing fluid storage vessel is configured to contain therein a fracturing fluid and output a fracturing fluid output flow at the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • the mixing apparatus is coupled to the solid feed pump assembly and including a proppant inlet in fluidic communication with the solid feed pump assembly proppant output flow and a fracturing fluid inlet in fluidic communication with the fracturing fluid output flow.
  • the mixing apparatus is configured to mix the proppant output flow and the fracturing fluid output flow therein and output a fluid mixture of proppant and fracturing fluid at the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • the high pressure pump assembly is coupled to the mixing chamber and configured to deliver the fluid mixture therein to a downstream component at an injection pressure, wherein the injection pressure is greater than the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • a method for delivering a fluid mixture comprising: providing an input of a proppant material at ambient pressure to a proppant storage vessel, the proppant storage vessel configured to output a proppant output flow at ambient pressure; providing an input of a fracture fluid at a fracture fluid blending pressure to a fracture fluid storage vessel, the fracture fluid storage vessel configured to output a fracture fluid output flow at the fracture fluid blending pressure; inputting the proppant output flow at ambient pressure from the proppant storage vessel into a solid feed pump assembly wherein the pressure of the proppant output flow is increased to a fracture blending pressure; inputting the proppant output flow at the fracture fluid blending pressure and a fracture fluid output flow at a fracture fluid blending pressure into a mixing apparatus; mixing the proppant output flow and the fract
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture using a solid feed pump assembly for direct proppant injection to a pressurized mixing apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture using a Posimetric® pump assembly for direct proppant injection to a pressurized mixing apparatus constructed in accordance with another embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture using a eductor pump assembly direct proppant injection to a pressurized mixing apparatus constructed in accordance with still another embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture using a pressurized rotary positive displacement pump assembly for direct proppant injection to a pressurized mixing apparatus constructed in accordance with still another embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a method of delivering a fluid mixture using a direct proppant injection to a pressurized mixing apparatus constructed in accordance with still another embodiment.
  • the process of forming of a fluid mixture includes mixing a fluid with a powdered or particulate material, such as proppant, a powdered dissolvable or a hydratable additive (prior to hydration).
  • a powdered or particulate material such as proppant, a powdered dissolvable or a hydratable additive (prior to hydration).
  • the fluids are handled as fluid streams.
  • FIG. 1 depicts in a simplified block diagram, elements of an apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture 100 including direct proppant injection to a pressurized blender, or mixing apparatus, according to an embodiment.
  • the apparatus 100 includes a proppant storage vessel 102 coupled to a solid feed pump assembly 104.
  • the proppant storage vessel 102 is coupled to the solid feed pump assembly 104, at an inlet port 106 of the solid feed pump assembly 104. More specifically, an outlet 108 of the proppant storage vessel 102 is configured in fluidic communication with the inlet 106 of the solid feed pump assembly 104.
  • the proppant storage vessel 102 is configured as a traditional unpressurized storage type vessel and includes a body 1 10 configured to hold a proppant material 112 therein at atmospheric pressure.
  • the proppant storage vessel 102 may further include a proppant material inlet 114 coupled to a proppant material loading device 116 and a source of proppant material (not shown).
  • the proppant material 112 may be comprised of a sand, or other material commonly utilized as proppant in pumping operations.
  • the proppant storage vessel 102 provides adequate storage and loading capabilities to allow for a continuous supply of proppant material 1 12 to solid feed pump assembly 104.
  • the proppant storage vessel 102 may be loaded by the material loading device 116, such as a screw auger, conveyor, or any other low pressure means configured to move the proppant material 1 12 from a proppant supply source (not shown) to the proppant storage vessel 102. Alternate means for providing the proppant material 1 12 to the proppant storage vessel 102 are anticipated herein.
  • the material loading device 116 such as a screw auger, conveyor, or any other low pressure means configured to move the proppant material 1 12 from a proppant supply source (not shown) to the proppant storage vessel 102.
  • a proppant supply source not shown
  • Alternate means for providing the proppant material 1 12 to the proppant storage vessel 102 are anticipated herein.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 includes a pump assembly capable of receiving a proppant output flow 1 18 at atmospheric pressure via outlet 108 and inlet 106 and then providing at solid feed pump assembly outlet 120, a proppant output flow 122 at a fracture fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracture fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure.
  • the fracture fluid blending pressure is in a range of about 50 psi to 400 psi, and preferably at a pressure of approximately 300 psi.
  • a pressurized blender, or mixing apparatus, 124 is configured to receive the proppant output flow 122 via a proppant inlet 126.
  • a fracturing fluid storage vessel 128 is provided in fluidic communication via an outlet 130 with the pressurized mixing apparatus 124 via a fracturing fluid inlet 132.
  • the fracturing fluid storage vessel 128 is configured for storage of a fracturing fluid 134 at a required temperature and storage pressure, and more particularly at or above the fracture blending pressure.
  • the pressurized mixing apparatus 124 is configured to receive a fracturing fluid output flow 136 at the fracture fluid blending pressure via the inlet 132.
  • the fracturing fluid storage vessel 128 is configured to permit a minimal amount of the fracturing fluid output flow 136 to enter the solid feed pump assembly 104 so as to provide for moistening of the proppant material to accomplish pumping therethrough of the proppant material 1 12. It should be understood that while anticipated is the permitting of a minimal amount of fracturing fluid output flow 136 to enter the solid feed pump assembly 104, in contrast to previous known pumping systems, the amount of fracturing fluid output flow 136 that is allowed to enter the solid feed pump assembly 104 is not sufficient to provide for the formation of a dense proppant/fluid slurry to be pumped through the pump assembly 104.
  • the proppant output flow 122 and the fracturing fluid output flow 136 are blended, or mixed, within the pressurized mixing apparatus 124 and delivered as a fluid mixture output flow 138 via an outlet 140 of the pressurized mixing apparatus 124 to a high pressure pump assembly 142.
  • the pressurized mixing apparatus 124 delivers as a fluid mixture output flow 138 via an outlet 140 of the pressurized mixing apparatus 124 to a high pressure pump assembly 142.
  • a fracture fluid booster pump 141 may be provided inline between the mixing apparatus 124 and the high pressure pump assembly 142, or alternatively provided as part of the functionality of the high pressure pump assembly 142.
  • the fluid mixture output flow 138 is output at the fracture blending pressure.
  • the fluid mixture output flow 138 is received via a fluid mixture inlet 144 of the high pressure pump assembly 142.
  • the high pressure pump assembly 142 is configured to deliver the fluid mixture output flow 138 received therein to a downstream component 146 at an injection pressure, wherein the injection pressure is greater than the fracture fluid blending pressure. More specifically, in an embodiment, the high pressure pump assembly 142 is configured to deliver a high pressure fluid mixture output flow 148 via an outlet 150 of the high pressure pump assembly 142 to an inlet 152 of the downstream component 146, such as a well head 154.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 is capable of operating continuously, in contrast to semi-batch operating modes of the state of the art lock hoppers.
  • FIGs. 2-4 Further embodiments of an apparatus for delivering a fluid using direct injection of a proppant at ambient pressure to a pressurized blender are illustrated in FIGs. 2-4. More particularly, illustrated are alternate embodiments of the solid feed pump assembly 104 as described in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2-4 addresses the direct delivery of a dry proppant material, such as proppant material 112 of FIG. 1, to a pump assembly for pressurization and subsequent mixing with the fracture fluid 134 in a pressurized mixing apparatus 124. More particularly, each of the embodiments of FIGs. 2-4 describes a pump assembly that may be utilized for the solid feed pump assembly 104, as described in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2 illustrated is an embodiment of an apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture, generally referenced 200.
  • the apparatus 200 includes a proppant storage vessel 102 configured to contain therein a proppant material 1 12 and output a proppant output flow 1 18 at ambient pressure.
  • a solid feed pump assembly 104 is provided and coupled to the proppant storage vessel 102.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 includes a proppant inlet 106 in fluidic communication with the proppant storage vessel proppant output flow 1 18.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 is a Posimetric® pump assembly 202.
  • the Posimetric® pump assembly 202 employs positive-displacement action to feed the proppant material 112 into the pressurized blender without the need for a pressurizing fluid.
  • the Posimetric® pump assembly 202 does not employ screws, augers, belts or vibratory trays to convey the proppant material 112, and in contrast employs at least one vertical rotating spool 204 disposed within a pump body 208 to move the proppant material 112 therein.
  • the proppant output flow 1 18 is initially input at an input duct 206 that is coupled to the pump body 208.
  • the material locks itself firmly into the confines of the rotating spool 204 contained therein, which carries it through an arc of approximately 180°. More particularly, the proppant output flow 1 18 is rotated within the rotating spool 204, housed within the pump body 208, where it becomes "locked up” or compacted so as to act as a solid mass, and discharged via an output duct 210 at the outlet 120 as a proppant output flow 122. While within the pump body 208, the proppant material 118 acts as a solid mass and a seal against the high pressure outlet. At the time of discharge via the outlet 120, the proppant material output flow 122 is output at an increased pressure, and more particularly at a fracture blending pressure that is higher than ambient pressure.
  • the Posimetric® pump assembly 202 includes a consolidation section 212, a rotating section 214 and a discharge section 216.
  • the proppant material 112 enters the pump assembly 202 and becomes consolidated as the individual proppant material particles settle and come into contact with each other as well as the sidewalls defining the pump body 208, the particles become compacted and act as a solid mass and form a seal against the high pressure outlet environment.
  • the pressure of the proppant material 112 is increased to the fracture blending pressure.
  • Discharge of the proppant material 112 at the increased fracture blending pressure occurs upon rotating of the rotating spool 204 to the outlet 120.
  • Exemplary pump assemblies are described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,006,827, D. Aldred et ah, "Transporting Particulate Material", issued August 3, 201 1, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
  • the Posimetric® pump assembly 202 is configured to output the proppant output flow 122 at a fracture fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracture fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure.
  • the apparatus 200 further includes a fracturing fluid storage vessel 128 configured to contain therein a fracturing fluid 134 and output a fracturing fluid output flow 136 at or above the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • a pressurized blender, or mixing apparatus, 124 is coupled to the Posimetric® pump assembly 202 to receive the discharged proppant output flow 122 therefrom and to the fracturing fluid storage vessel 128.
  • the mixing apparatus 124 is configured to mix the proppant output flow 122 and the fracturing fluid output flow 136 therein and output a fluid mixture 138 of proppant and fracturing fluid at the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • a fracturing fluid booster pump 141 and a high pressure pump assembly 142 are coupled to the mixing apparatus 124 and configured to deliver a high pressure fluid mixture 148 therein to a downstream component 146 at an injection pressure, wherein the injection pressure is greater than the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • the apparatus 300 includes a proppant storage vessel 102 configured to contain therein a proppant material 1 12 and output a proppant output flow 1 18 at ambient pressure.
  • the apparatus 300 further includes a fracturing fluid storage vessel 128 configured to contain therein a fracturing fluid 134 and output a fracturing fluid output flow 136 at or above a fracture fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracture fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure as previously described.
  • a solid feed pump assembly 104 is provided and coupled to the proppant storage vessel 102 and the fracturing fluid storage vessel 128.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 includes a proppant inlet 106 in fluidic communication with the proppant storage vessel proppant output flow 118 and a fracture fluid inlet 324 in fluidic communication with at least a portion of the fracturing fluid output flow 136.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 is an eductor pump assembly 302.
  • the eductor pump assembly 302 employs the Venturi effect of a converging-diverging nozzle to convert the pressure energy of a motive fluid, and more particularly a portion of the fracturing fluid output flow 136, to velocity energy to feed the proppant material 1 12.
  • the eductor pump assembly 302 does not employ screws, augers, belts or vibratory trays to convey the proppant material 1 12 within the pump assembly toward the downstream components.
  • the proppant output flow 118 is initially input into the eductor pump assembly 302 via an input duct 306 that is coupled to a pump body 308.
  • the input of the proppant storage vessel proppant output flow 118 may be metered by a valve mechanism (not shown) disposed in the input duct 306.
  • the eductor pump assembly 302 further includes a first converging nozzle 310, a second converging nozzle 312, a mixing chamber 314 and a diffuser, or expansion feature, 316.
  • the eductor pump assembly 302 includes the eductor body 308, and more particularly a suction chamber 318 that is driven by the motive fluid, and more particularly at least a portion of the fracturing fluid output flow 136 utilized as a motive flow.
  • at least a portion of the fracturing fluid output flow 136 is input directly into the mixing apparatus 124.
  • the fracturing fluid output flow 136 is accelerated through the first converging nozzle 310.
  • accelerating a higher pressure fluid through the first converging nozzle 310 drops the static pressure of a motive flow exiting through the first converging nozzle 310, while simultaneously decreasing the static pressure within the suction chamber 318.
  • a fluid mixture 320 comprised of a combination of the proppant output flow 1 18 and the fracturing fluid output flow 136, is delivered to the second converging nozzle 312 prior to reaching the mixing chamber 314.
  • the fluid mixture 320 comprised of the proppant output flow 1 18 and the fracturing fluid output flow 136, is further mixed as the stratifications between the two fluids is allowed to settle out and as the turbulent fluid structure is reduced.
  • the fluid mixture 320 exiting the mixing chamber 314 is expanded in the expansion feature 316, prior to being delivered to the downstream components that may ultimately be in fluidic communication with a wellhead.
  • the expansion feature 316 provides an expansion of the fluid mixture 320 and provides a decrease in the velocity of the fluid mixture 320 and recovery of the pressure of the fluid mixture 320 allowing the fluid to be delivered to a mixing apparatus 124 at a fracture blending pressure.
  • the eductor pump assembly 302 is placed in operation by pressurizing the suction chamber 318. Subsequent to the appropriate pressure condition being reached, an optional valve mechanism or gate, 322, disposed between the proppant storage vessel 102 and the inlet port 106 may be opened to allow the proppant storage vessel 102 contents to enter the eductor pump assembly 302, and more particularly the suction chamber 318.
  • the suction chamber 318 draws in the proppant output flow 1 18, including the proppant material 1 12, as the suction flow, and subsequently mixes with the motive flow, and more particularly, at least a portion of the fracturing fluid output flow 136. Operation of the apparatus may be continuous with continuous flow of the proppant output flow 1 18 and the fracturing fluid output flow 136.
  • valve mechanism 322 is optional, being required in an application where the desire is to allow the eductor pump assembly 302 to remain at full pressure. As valves in the direct path of the proppant output flow 118, and more particularly proppant material 1 12, it will be subject to a harsh abrasive environment, it is realized that valve mechanism 322 will be subject to higher wear rates. As such, an embodiment eliminating the valve mechanism 322 is anticipated.
  • the eductor pump assembly 302 is configured to output a proppant output flow 122 at a fracture fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracture fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure.
  • the apparatus 300 further includes a pressurized blender, or mixing apparatus, 124 coupled to the eductor pump assembly 302 to receive the discharged proppant output flow 122 therefrom and the fracturing fluid output flow 136.
  • the mixing apparatus is configured to mix the proppant output flow 122 and the fracturing fluid output flow 136 therein and output a fluid mixture output flow 138 of proppant and fracturing fluid at the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • a fracturing fluid booster pump 141 and a high pressure pump assembly 142 are coupled to the mixing apparatus 124 and configured to deliver the fluid mixture 138 therein to a downstream component 146 as a high pressure fluid mixture output flow 148 at an injection pressure, wherein the injection pressure is greater than the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • the inclusion of the eductor pump assembly 302, as described in apparatus 300, provides for the pressurizing of the fracturing fluid 134 in a conventional high pressure fluid pump and then use that at least a portion of the flow of high-pressure fracturing fluid 136 as the motive fluid flow through the eductor pump assembly 302 to convey the proppant 112 and more particularly the proppant output flow 118 into the flowing motive fluid.
  • the apparatus 400 includes a proppant storage vessel 102 configured to contain therein a proppant material 1 12 and output a proppant output flow 1 18 at ambient pressure.
  • the apparatus 400 further includes a fracturing fluid storage vessel 128 configured to contain therein a fracturing fluid 134 and output a fracturing fluid output flow 136 at or above a fracture fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracture fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure as previously described.
  • a solid feed pump assembly 104 is provided and coupled to the proppant storage vessel 102 and the fracturing fluid storage vessel 128.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 includes a proppant inlet 106 in fluidic communication with the proppant storage vessel proppant output flow 118.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 is positive displacement pump, and more particularly a rotary-type posititive displacement pump, such as an internal gear, screw or auger type pump assembly, referenced 402.
  • the unique design of the positive displacement pump 402 ensures that the proppant material 1 12 is constantly present at a feed inlet 404, while the controlled rotation of a feed mechanism 406 moves the proppant material 112. and more particulalry the proppant output flow 1 18, from the feed inlet 404 to a discharge point 408.
  • the feed mechanism 406 comprises a screw mechanism 410 (a helical surface surrounding a central cylindrical shaft) disposed inside a hollow body 412.
  • the proppant output flow 118 is initially input into the rotary-type positive displacement pump 402 via the feed inlet 404. Similar to the previous embodiment, the input of the proppant storage vessel proppant output flow 118 may be metered by an optional valve mechanism (not shown). Similar to the Posimetric® pump assembly 202 of FIG. 1, the positive displacement pump assembly 402 employs positive-displacement action to feed the proppant material 1 12 as a free- flowing material with a uniform discharge in a linear volumetric fashion. In contrast to the Posimetric® pump assembly 202, the positive displacement pump assembly 402 employs screws, augers, belts or vibratory trays to convey the proppant material 1 12 therein.
  • the proppant output flow 118 is initially input at the feed inlet 404 that is coupled to the pump body 412. As the proppant output flow 1 18 enters and fills the pump assembly 402, and more particularly the pump body 412, the material is carried by the feed mechanism 406 contained therein, toward the discharge point 408. The proppant output flow 1 18 is rotated within the feed mechanism 406, housed within the pump body 412 and discharged via an output duct 414 at the discharge point 408 as a proppant output flow 122. At the time of discharge via an outlet 120, the proppant material output flow 122 is output at an increased pressure, and more particularly at a fracture blending pressure that is higher than ambient pressure.
  • the proppant material 1 12 enters the rotary-type positive displacement pump 402 at the feed inlet 404.
  • the pressure of the proppant material 112 is increased to the fracture blending pressure. Discharge of the proppant material 112 at the increased fracture blending pressure occurs upon rotation of the feed mechanism 406 to the outlet 120.
  • the rotary-type positive displacement pump 402 is configured to output the proppant output flow 122 at a fracture fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracture fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure.
  • the apparatus 400 further includes a pressurized blender, or mixing apparatus, 124 coupled to the rotary-type positive displacement pump 402 to receive the discharged proppant output flow 122 therefrom and the fracturing fluid output flow 136.
  • the mixing apparatus 124 is configured to mix the proppant output flow 122 and the fracturing fluid output flow 134 therein and output a fluid mixture 138 of proppant material 1 12 and fracturing fluid 134 at the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • a high pressure pump assembly 142 coupled to the mixing chamber 124 is configured to deliver a high pressure fluid mixture 148 to a downstream component 146 at an injection pressure, wherein the injection pressure is greater than the fracture fluid blending pressure.
  • a separate booster pump is not provided, and in in lieu of boosting of the fracturing fluid pressure is provided as part of the functionality of the high pressure pump assembly 142.
  • the inclusion of the rotary-type positive displacement pump 402, as described in apparatus 400, provides for the pressurizing of the fracturing fluid 134 in a conventional high pressure fluid pump.
  • the proppant 1 12 does not flow through a conventional high pressure fluid pump, or pumps, thereby minimizing degradation to these pumps that pumping the proppant 112 through them would cause.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a method 500 of delivering a fluid mixture using direct proppant injection to a pressurized blender using a solid feed pump assembly in an apparatus 100, 200, 300 according to an embodiment disclosed herein.
  • the method involves providing an input of a proppant material 1 12 to a proppant storage vessel 102, and providing an input of a fracture fluid 134 to a fracture fluid storage vessel 128, at a step 502.
  • a proppant output flow 1 18 at ambient pressure from the proppant storage vessel 102 is input into a solid feed pump assembly 104.
  • the solid feed pump assembly 104 may be configured as a positive displacement pump assembly, and more particularly a Posimetric® pump assembly 202 (as best illustrated in FIG. 2) or a rotary-type positive displacement pump 402 (as best illustrated in FIG. 4) or as an eductor pump assembly 304 (as best illustrated in FIG. 3).
  • the proppant output flow 1 18 and a fracturing fluid output flow 136 are input to a mixing apparatus 124.
  • the fracturing fluid output flow 136 is input to the mixing apparatus 124 via an eductor pump assembly.
  • the mixing apparatus 124 is configured to mix the proppant output flow 118 and the fracturing fluid output flow 136 therein and output a fluid mixture output flow 138 of the proppant and fracturing fluid at the fracture fluid blending pressure, at step 508.
  • the pressure of the fluid mixture output flow 138 is next increased in a high pressure pump 142, at step 510.
  • the high pressure fluid mixture 148 is delivered to one or more downstream components 146, at a step 512, and ultimately may include delivery to a well head.
  • Additional commercial advantages of the disclosed apparatus are related to the current problem faced in unconventional gas development and the requirement to mix/blend chemicals and a proppant, namely sand with fracturing fluids (e.g., liquid CO 2 , liquid propane gas) that require they always be contained at a suitable fracture fluid blending pressure to avoid vaporization of these fracturing fluids.
  • fracturing fluids e.g., liquid CO 2 , liquid propane gas

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Abstract

L'invention porte sur un appareil et sur un procédé pour distribuer un mélange fluide à l'aide d'une injection directe à un appareil de mélange. L'appareil comprend un récipient de stockage d'agent de soutènement configuré de façon à contenir à l'intérieur de celui-ci un matériau de soutènement et à délivrer en sortie un écoulement de sortie d'agent de soutènement à la pression ambiante à un ensemble de pompe d'alimentation de solides. L'appareil comprend de plus un récipient de stockage de fluide de fracturation configuré de façon à contenir à l'intérieur de celui-ci un fluide de fracturation et à délivrer en sortie un écoulement de sortie de fluide de fracturation à une pression de mélange de fluide de fracturation. L'ensemble de pompe d'alimentation de solides est configuré de façon à délivrer en sortie à un appareil de mélange un écoulement de sortie d'agent de soutènement à la pression de mélange de fluide de fracturation. L'appareil de mélange est configuré de façon à délivrer en sortie un mélange de fluide de l'agent de soutènement et du fluide de fracturation à la pression de mélange de fluide de fracturation. L'appareil de mélange est couplé à un ensemble de pompe à haute pression, et est configuré de façon à distribuer le mélange de fluide à l'intérieur de celui-ci à un élément en aval à une pression d'injection.
PCT/US2013/068267 2012-11-30 2013-11-04 Appareil et procédé de distribution d'un fluide à l'aide d'une injection d'agent de soutènement directe WO2014085030A2 (fr)

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CN201380071902.8A CN104937210A (zh) 2012-11-30 2013-11-04 使用直接支撑剂喷射输送流体的设备及方法
AU2013353386A AU2013353386B9 (en) 2012-11-30 2013-11-04 Apparatus and method of delivering a fluid using direct proppant injection

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US13/689,873 US20140151049A1 (en) 2012-11-30 2012-11-30 Apparatus and method of delivering a fluid using direct proppant injection
US13/689,873 2012-11-30

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WO2014085030A3 WO2014085030A3 (fr) 2014-10-30

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WO2021217262A1 (fr) * 2020-04-30 2021-11-04 Catapult Solutions Canada Ltd. Dispositif d'alimentation pour une unité de mélangeur de fracturation hydraulique

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WO2014085030A3 (fr) 2014-10-30
US20140151049A1 (en) 2014-06-05
AU2013353386B2 (en) 2017-11-16
CN104937210A (zh) 2015-09-23
AU2013353386A1 (en) 2015-06-18
AU2013353386B9 (en) 2018-02-01

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