Abstract:
A method of preparing a fracturing slurry comprising a concentrated gel and water, the method comprising preparing a concentrated gel from a polymer and water, diluting the concentrated gel with additional water to form a fracturing carrier fluid at a predefined downhole concentration, preparing a fracturing slurry comprising the fracturing carrier fluid, and pumping the fracturing slurry downhole at or below a predefined maximum slurry rate. The fracturing carrier fluid is formed upon allowing the concentrated gel sufficient residence time to at least partially hydrate.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed including a cylindrical vessel including an inside wall defining an interior volume, a first vessel end and a second vessel end, a top and a bottom; at least one inlet in the bottom of the cylindrical vessel; at least one and at most one outlet in the top of the cylindrical vessel; and at least one dividing plate attached to the inside wall and disposed within the interior volume. A method for hydrating a polymer is also disclosed utilizing such apparatus and including: a. introducing a slurry comprising water and the polymer to the cylindrical vessel through the inlet; and b. removing an at least partially hydrated polymer slurry from the outlet of the cylindrical vessel.
Abstract:
Vessels including an enclosure having an outer perimeter and an interior space, a channel disposed in the interior space, a first port disposed on a surface of the first enclosure at or proximate to a first end of the channel, and a second port disposed on a surface of the first enclosure at or proximate to a second end of the channel, where the channel has a length greater than the shortest distance between the first port and the second port, and where the first port and the second port are in fluid communication with one another. In some cases, the length of the channel is greater than a length of the outer perimeter. Optionally, the vessel may have a second enclosure having an outer perimeter and an interior space with a second channel disposed in the interior space, a third port disposed on a surface of the second enclosure at or proximate to a first end of the second channel, and a fourth port disposed on a surface of the second enclosure at or proximate to a second end of the second channel, where the second port, the third port and fourth port are in fluid communication. In yet some other optional variations, the vessel further includes a plurality of enclosures each having an outer perimeter and an interior space, a channel disposed in the interior space, a port disposed on a surface of the enclosure at or proximate to a first end of the channel, and a port disposed on a surface of the enclosure at or proximate to a second end of the channel, where the channel has a length greater than a shortest distance between the ports, and the second port and the ports disposed on the surface of the plurality of enclosures are in fluid communication. The perimeter shape of the enclosure(s) may be any suitable shape, including, but not limited to, substantially circular, ovate or rectangular.
Abstract:
A mixer and method for mixing are provided. The mixer includes a housing including a fluid inlet, an additive inlet, and an outlet. The housing defines a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, the additive inlet, and the outlet. The mixer also includes an impeller disposed in the mixing chamber. When rotated, the impeller pumps fluid through the fluid inlet. The mixer also includes a slinger disposed in the mixing chamber and configured to receive the fluid from the impeller and to receive an additive from the additive inlet. When rotated, the slinger slings the fluid and the additive radially outwards. The mixer further includes a flush line extending between the mixing chamber and the additive inlet. The flush line is receives, from the mixing chamber, a portion of the fluid pumped by the impeller and to deliver the portion of the fluid to the additive inlet.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for cooling process equipment are provided. The system includes a process fluid source, and a heat exchanger fluidly coupled with the process equipment and the process fluid source. The heat exchanger is configured to receive a process fluid from the process fluid source and transfer heat from the process equipment to the process fluid. The system also includes a control system fluidly coupled with the heat exchanger. The control system is configured to vary a temperature of the process fluid heated in the heat exchanger. Further, at least a portion of the process fluid heated in the heat exchanger is delivered into a wellbore at a temperature below a boiling point of the process fluid.
Abstract:
A mixer and method for mixing are provided. The mixer includes a housing including a fluid inlet, an additive inlet, and an outlet. The housing defines a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, the additive inlet, and the outlet. The mixer also includes an impeller disposed in the mixing chamber. When rotated, the impeller pumps fluid through the fluid inlet. The mixer also includes a slinger disposed in the mixing chamber and configured to receive the fluid from the impeller and to receive an additive from the additive inlet. When rotated, the slinger slings the fluid and the additive radially outwards. The mixer further includes a flush line extending between the mixing chamber and the additive inlet. The flush line is receives, from the mixing chamber, a portion of the fluid pumped by the impeller and to deliver the portion of the fluid to the additive inlet.
Abstract:
A substantially continuous stream of aqueous fluid and a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration are combined to form a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration. The second concentration is substantially lower than the first concentration. The gel having the second concentration may thereafter be utilized in conjunction with a well fracturing operation.
Abstract:
A system and methodology facilitates the handling of oilfield materials in a space efficient manner. The oilfield materials are delivered without blowers to at least one modular silo. Each modular silo comprises an outer housing defining an enclosed interior. A vertical conveyor is positioned within the enclosed interior and is used to lift the oilfield material from a silo inlet to an upper portion of the modular silo without utilizing airflow to carry the oilfield materials. Once the oilfield materials are disposed within the upright modular silo, the outflow of oilfield materials through a silo outlet may be controlled so as to selectively release the desired amount of material into a blender or other suitable equipment.
Abstract:
A mixer and method for mixing are provided. The mixer includes a housing having a fluid inlet, an additive inlet, and an outlet, with the housing defining a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, the additive inlet, and the outlet. The mixer also includes an impeller disposed in the mixing chamber, wherein, when rotated, the impeller draws fluid through the fluid inlet. The mixer also includes a slinger disposed in the mixing chamber and configured to receive the fluid from the impeller and to receive an additive from the additive inlet. When rotated, the slinger slings the fluid and the additive radially outwards. The mixer further includes a stator disposed at least partially around the slinger, with the stator including vanes spaced circumferentially apart so as to define flowpaths therebetween.
Abstract:
A multi-tank system for preparing fluids for hydraulic fracturing of reservoirs and methods of injecting the prepared fluid upstream from pumping units are disclosed. The multi-tank system allows for a proppant slurry to be continuously formed and mixed with a proppant carrier in staggered phases to form a fracturing fluid. This fracturing fluid can then be injected into the reservoir at normal injection pressures, thus reducing wear and downtime on the blender, and allowing continuous flow of proppant.