WO2016004459A1 - Améliorations apportées à un réservoir de fracturation - Google Patents

Améliorations apportées à un réservoir de fracturation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016004459A1
WO2016004459A1 PCT/AU2015/000395 AU2015000395W WO2016004459A1 WO 2016004459 A1 WO2016004459 A1 WO 2016004459A1 AU 2015000395 W AU2015000395 W AU 2015000395W WO 2016004459 A1 WO2016004459 A1 WO 2016004459A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
tank
frac
mixture
storage tank
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2015/000395
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alexander Guy Wallis
Original Assignee
Scf Group Pty Ltd
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
Priority claimed from AU2014902691A external-priority patent/AU2014902691A0/en
Application filed by Scf Group Pty Ltd filed Critical Scf Group Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2016004459A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016004459A1/fr

Links

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
    • 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
    • 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
    • E21B43/2607—Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/22—Tank vehicles
    • B60P3/24—Tank vehicles compartmented
    • B60P3/243—Tank vehicles compartmented divided by rigid walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2590/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D2590/0091—Ladders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/54—Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/54—Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying
    • B65D88/56—Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying by tilting

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a bulk fluid storage tank.
  • the present disclosure relates to a bulk fluid storage tank of the type known as a frac tank, which, in one form, is portable and/or mobile.
  • frac tank is derived from one possible use for a bulk fluid storage tank of this kind, being namely use in hydraulic fracturing operations.
  • Hydraulic fracturing is a method used when drilling for natural gas. After a well is drilled, a fracing fluid (typically water containing a particulate such as sand and/or other proppants) are pumped into the well at high pressure. In areas with dense ground such as shale or sand, this process fractures the ground and allows more gas to escape.
  • a tank (the frac tank) is needed to transport the liquid used to pump the well.
  • Tanks of this kind are not limited to use in hydraulic fracturing processes though; they can also be used for the storage of water and other liquids on construction sites, or for storing drilling fluids used to aid the drilling of boreholes.
  • a frac tank apparatus comprising at least a first storage tank and at least one further storage tank internally, and an eductor arrangement for mixing a motive fluid and a suction fluid to form a mixed fluid or mixture, and distributing the mixed fluid or mixture to at least one of the storage tanks.
  • the eductor arrangement is adapted to distribute the mixed fluid or mixture to any or each of the storage tanks.
  • the suction fluid is one of a liquid or a particulate.
  • the eductor arrangement comprises a hopper for receiving a supply of the suction fluid.
  • the eductor arrangement comprises a converging-diverging nozzle comprising a throat to convert a pressure energy of the motive fluid to velocity energy which creates a low pressure zone that draws in and entrains the suction fluid, after passing through the throat of the nozzle, the mixed fluid expands and the velocity is reduced which results in recompressing the mixed fluids by converting velocity energy back into pressure energy.
  • the entrained suction fluid may be a gas, a liquid, a slurry, or a dust-laden gas stream.
  • the frac tank comprises a body comprising an external shape which substantially matches that of an ISO (or shipping) container.
  • the body comprises external dimensions which substantially match those of an ISO (or shipping) container.
  • the frac tank has an external shape which is generally cuboid, and which comprises a base providing a floor for each storage tank, four walls and a top.
  • the frac tank comprises at least one internal partition to separate the first and second storage tanks.
  • the frac tank is elongate, and comprises a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls.
  • the frac tank has an in use configuration, and a stowed configuration for transport.
  • the hopper is movable between an in use position, and a stowed position. In one form, the hopper is extended into its in use position, and retracted into its stowed position. In one form, the hopper is movable by way of being swung about a pivot point.
  • each of the storage tanks comprises an outlet.
  • the floor of each storage tank slopes toward its outlet.
  • each of the storage tanks comprises a means for agitating the contents thereof. In one form, this means comprises a jet mixer or aeration circuit.
  • the frac tank comprises a walkway along its top.
  • this walkway is provided with a guard rail.
  • this guard rail is movable between an in use position, and a stowed position.
  • the guard rail is extended into its in use position, and retracted into its stowed position. When it is retracted, this guard rail lays against the frac tank top.
  • the frac tank comprises a stairway extending from at or near a ground level to the walkway.
  • this stairway is provided with a guard rail.
  • this stairway guard rail is movable between an in use position, and a stowed position.
  • the stairway guard rail is extended into its in use position, and retracted into its stowed position.
  • the frac tank is supported on wheels at or towards one end, and is adapted to be towed at or near the opposing end.
  • the frac tank further comprises a rear tow attachment point via which a road train can be formed.
  • a first frac tank is connected to a prime mover
  • a road train dolly is connected to the rear tow position of the first frac tank
  • a further frac tank (or trailer) is connected to the road train dolly.
  • a frac tank apparatus comprising a body comprising an external shape which substantially matches that of an ISO (or shipping) container with opposing ends, the frac tank apparatus further comprising wheels at or toward a first end, means by which the frac tank is adapted to be towed at or toward a second end, at least a first storage tank and at least one further storage tank internally, and an eductor arrangement for mixing a motive fluid and a suction fluid to form a mixed fluid or mixture, and distributing the mixed fluid or mixture to at least one of the storage tanks.
  • a bulk fluid storage tank comprising a body comprising an external shape and dimensions which substantially match those of an ISO (or shipping) container, the body further comprising at least a first internal storage compartment and at least one further internal storage compartment, and an eductor arrangement for mixing a motive fluid and a suction fluid to form a mixed fluid or mixture, and distributing the mixed fluid or mixture to at least one of the storage tanks.
  • Figure 1 is an isometric view of a bulk fluid storage tank (frac tank) according to an embodiment, in an in use configuration;
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the frac tank of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is an end view of the frac tank of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a top view of the frac tank of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 5 is an isometric view of the frac tank of Figure 1 , in a transport configuration
  • Figure 6 is a side view of the frac tank of Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a view of an opposing end of the frac tank to that illustrated in Figure 3;
  • Figure 8 is a detail view of an eductor arrangement from the frank tank of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane 9-9 (shown in Figure 10) of Figure 3;
  • Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane 10-10 of Figure 2;
  • Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane 1 1-1 1 of Figure 2;
  • Figure 12 is a side view of the frac tank of Figure 5 jacked ready for coupling to a prime mover
  • Figure 13 is a side view of a pair of frac tanks arranged as a road train towed behind a semitrailer prime mover;
  • Figure 14 is a side view of a pair of frac tanks arranged as a road train towed behind a semitrailer prime mover.
  • a bulk fluid storage tank apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as a frac tank 1) comprising a body 2 having an external shape which substantially matches that of an ISO (or intermodal/shipping) container, and external dimensions which substantially match those of an ISO (or shipping) container.
  • frac tank 1 a bulk fluid storage tank apparatus 1
  • body 2 having an external shape which substantially matches that of an ISO (or intermodal/shipping) container, and external dimensions which substantially match those of an ISO (or shipping) container.
  • the body 2 of the frac tank apparatus 1 has an external shape which is generally cuboid and elongate.
  • the body 2 comprises a base 6 comprising a floor for each storage tank, a pair of opposing side walls 8, a pair of opposing end walls 10, and an open top 12.
  • the frac tank 1 comprises a trailer-axle suspension system and wheels 4, which are recessed into the body 2 at or towards one end, so that the frac tank 1 can be rested on its base 6 (as illustrated in Figures 1 through 1 1), or tilted into a towing position (as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13) wherein the wheels 4 are brought into contact with the ground as the base 6 is lifted clear of the ground.
  • the frac tank 1 comprises a pair of what are commonly referred to as 'landing legs' 14.
  • each of these landing legs 14 comprises a hydraulic linear actuator (or cylinder), each cylinder comprising a cylinder barrel 15 which is secured with respect to the body 2, and a downwardly directed piston 16 which carries a foot 17 at its lowermost end.
  • This piston 16 extends from the cylinder barrel 15 to tilt the frac tank 1, and retracts to lower the body 2 to the ground.
  • each landing leg 14 there is a housing 18 recessed into a side wall of the body 2 at or toward a towed end of the frac tank 1 (i.e. an end opposing the end which comprises wheels 4).
  • Each side wall comprises an opening for its respective housing, which is covered with a panel 19 unless access to the landing leg 14 is required.
  • the suspension system and wheels 4 are configured for over-the-road or highway speed travel, to enable the frac tank apparatus 1 to be transported with a semi-tractor or other suitable vehicle.
  • a frac tank 1 towed by a prime mover 100 may be equipped with a rear tow 102 position in the form of (but not necessarily limited to) a pintle hitch, to which a road train dolly 104 is attached.
  • This road train dolly 104 supports a forward end of a further (or second) frac tank 1 , thereby forming a road train.
  • the second frac tank 1 is connected to the rear end of the first frac tank 1 by a road train dolly 104 comprising a fifth wheel connected to a king pin on the second frac tank 1 , and further comprising a drawbar having a tongue connected to the pintle hitch 102 on the rear of the first frac tank 1.
  • a dual axle frac tank 120 towed by a prime mover 100 may be equipped with a rear tow 102 position in the form of a pintle hitch, to which a road train dolly 104 is attached.
  • This road train dolly 104 supports a forward end of a further frac tank 1 , thereby forming a road train.
  • the frac tank 1 comprises an internal partition 20 to separate this into first and second storage tanks (or compartments) A and B, where each of the storage tanks (or compartments) A and B comprises an outlet (or drain) 24, and the floor 22 of each storage tank slopes toward its outlet 24 to aid drainage.
  • the frac tank 1 further comprises an eductor arrangement 30 for mixing a motive fluid (commonly water) and a suction fluid (such as a proppant or 'frac sand') to fonn a fluid mixture which can be distributed to one or both of the storage tanks A and/or B.
  • a motive fluid commonly water
  • a suction fluid such as a proppant or 'frac sand'
  • the eductor arrangement 30 comprises a motive fluid inlet 32, a suction fluid inlet 34, a hopper 40 for receiving a supply of the suction fluid and feeding this to suction fluid inlet 34, a mixed fluid outlet 38, and a converging-diverging nozzle 36 between the suction fluid inlet 32 and the mixed fluid outlet 38.
  • the mixed fluid outlet 38 branches via a T-piece into a first eductor outlet 42 and a second eductor outlet 44, where the first eductor outlet 42 outlets into the first storage tank A, and the second eductor outlet 44 outlets into the second storage tank B.
  • Valves 46 can be incorporated in one or both of the eductor outlets 42 and/or 44 to open, close or throttle these as required.
  • the converging-diverging nozzle 36 comprises a throat to convert a pressure energy of the motive fluid to velocity energy which creates a low pressure zone that draws in and entrains the suction fluid, after passing through the throat of the nozzle 36, the mixed fluid expands and the velocity is reduced which results in recompressing the mixed fluids by converting velocity energy back into pressure energy.
  • the hopper 40 is movable between an in use position (as illustrated in Figure 8), and a stowed position (as illustrated in Figure 5) for transportation of the frac tank 1.
  • the hopper 40 is extended into its in use position by swinging it upward about a pivot point, and retracted into its stowed position by swinging it downward.
  • the hopper 40 passes through a hatch 48 to a position below a level of the top 12 of the frac tank 1.
  • the frac tank apparatus 1 comprises a pump P, which is located at the towed end of the tank body. Located adjacent to the pump P are a number of fluid fittings to which either of the pump inlet PI or pump outlet P2 can be functionally connected as required, to supply fluid to or extract fluid from, the storage tanks A and B.
  • Fitting Nl is a connector for the motive fluid inlet 32
  • fitting N3 is a suction line for tank A
  • fitting N4 is a filler for tank B
  • N6 is a suction line for tank B.
  • the frac tank 1 comprises, at the pump P end of the body 2, a stairway 50 which extends from ground level to the top of the body 2.
  • a walkway 60 which extends along the top of the body 2 from the stairway 50 to the hopper 40, and which surrounds a platform 62 which surrounds the hopper 40. Hatch 48 forms part of this walkway 60 when closed over the retracted hopper 40.
  • This walkway 60 and platform 62 are provided with a guard rail 70, which is movable between an in use position, and a stowed position for transport of the frac tank 1.
  • the stairway 50 is provided with a stairway guard rail 80, which is also movable between an in use position, and a stowed position for transport of the frac tank 1.
  • the walkway 60 and platform 62 guard rail 70 comprises a plurality of gates 72 which are pivotally connected with respect to the body 2 so that these can be either laid down (ie stowed), or stood upright (ie in use).
  • the stairway guard rail 80 comprises a plurality of balusters 82 which are pivotally secured at one end with respect to the stairway 50, and pivotally secured at a further end with respect to a handrail 84.
  • the balusters 82 lay against the stairway 50, and the hand rail 80 lays against the balusters 82.
  • the balusters 82 are swung upwardly until they are substantially normal to the stairway 50.
  • Movement of both the guard rail 70 and stairway guard rail 80 can be automated by way of a system comprising electrical or fluid powered actuators and controls for these, or manually effected. Where they are manually erected, a releasable locking means can be used to hold them in their in use (ie erected) positions.
  • Each of the storage tanks A and B comprises a means 90 for agitating the contents thereof.
  • An agitation means 90 is a useful inclusion because it can be used to prevent a mixed fluid from separating in the tank A or B, or to remix contents in cases where these may have been allowed to sit for a period of time.
  • this mixing means 90 comprises a jet mixer system, although alternatively, it could comprise an aeration circuit.
  • the agitation means 90 comprises an inlet fitting 92 to which the outlet P2 of the pump P is to be functionally connected.
  • the inlet fitting 92 is attached to a fluid supply conduit 94 which extends in an approximate U-shape about the floor of the tank A or B.
  • the fluid supply conduit 94 comprises a plurality of jet nozzles 96 spaced apart along the length thereof, which receive fluid from the supply conduit 94 and outlet this into the tank A or B as a jet of the supply fluid which then agitates the contents of the tank A or B.
  • water may be drawn from tank A, mixed with a proppant using the eductor arrangement 30, and the resultant mixture (the fracing fluid) stored in tank B until required.
  • the frac tank disclosed herein will find application in storing, transporting and mixing fluids in remote locations.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un réservoir de stockage de masse de liquide (ou réservoir de fracturation). Dans un aspect, le réservoir de fracturation comprend au moins un premier réservoir de stockage et au moins un autre réservoir de stockage, et un agencement d'éjecteur pour mélanger un fluide moteur et un fluide d'aspiration afin de former un fluide mixte ou un mélange, et pour distribuer le fluide mixte ou le mélange à au moins l'un des réservoirs de stockage. Selon une forme, le réservoir de fracturation comprend de plus un corps comprenant une forme externe et des dimensions qui correspondent sensiblement à celle d'un conteneur ISO (ou d'expédition) avec des extrémités opposées, des roues au niveau d'une première extrémité ou vers celle-ci, et des moyens par lesquels le réservoir de fracturation est apte à être remorqué au niveau d'une seconde extrémité ou vers celle-ci.
PCT/AU2015/000395 2014-07-11 2015-07-10 Améliorations apportées à un réservoir de fracturation WO2016004459A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2014902691A AU2014902691A0 (en) 2014-07-11 Frac tank improvements
AU2014902691 2014-07-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016004459A1 true WO2016004459A1 (fr) 2016-01-14

Family

ID=55063386

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2015/000395 WO2016004459A1 (fr) 2014-07-11 2015-07-10 Améliorations apportées à un réservoir de fracturation

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2016004459A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20220057777A (ko) * 2020-10-30 2022-05-09 주식회사 한국마린텍 육상운송이 가능한 굴착용 모래제거 장치

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4685399A (en) * 1983-09-30 1987-08-11 Baker Dorian R W Intermodal transport
US6199910B1 (en) * 1995-05-25 2001-03-13 Sidney Allen Wade Method of draining fluid from a transportable storage tank
US20120138630A1 (en) * 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Benchmark Performance Group, Inc. Bulk liquid strorage and transport tank, method of converting shipping containers to bulk liquid storage and transport tanks, and method of use thereof
US20130142006A1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-06 Stewart & Stevenson, LLC System And Method For Producing Homogenized Oilfield Gels
US20140020892A1 (en) * 2012-07-23 2014-01-23 PlNCH FLATBED, LLC Proppant discharge system and a container for use in such a proppant discharge system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4685399A (en) * 1983-09-30 1987-08-11 Baker Dorian R W Intermodal transport
US6199910B1 (en) * 1995-05-25 2001-03-13 Sidney Allen Wade Method of draining fluid from a transportable storage tank
US20120138630A1 (en) * 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Benchmark Performance Group, Inc. Bulk liquid strorage and transport tank, method of converting shipping containers to bulk liquid storage and transport tanks, and method of use thereof
US20130142006A1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-06 Stewart & Stevenson, LLC System And Method For Producing Homogenized Oilfield Gels
US20140020892A1 (en) * 2012-07-23 2014-01-23 PlNCH FLATBED, LLC Proppant discharge system and a container for use in such a proppant discharge system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20220057777A (ko) * 2020-10-30 2022-05-09 주식회사 한국마린텍 육상운송이 가능한 굴착용 모래제거 장치
KR102462807B1 (ko) 2020-10-30 2022-11-04 주식회사 한국마린텍 육상운송이 가능한 굴착용 모래제거 장치

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