Abstract:
A mixing system and method for mixing a wellsite fluid including a mixture is provided. The mixing system includes a mixing unit, feed valves, and a calibrator. The mixing unit includes a mixing tank having mixing bins to pass the mixture therethrough, mixers positionable in the mixing tank, and a driver to drive the mixers. The feed valves selectively permit the components to pass into the mixing tank. The calibrator includes a calibrator sensor that connects to the mixers to measure equipment parameters thereof, and a controller connectable to the calibrator sensor and the feed valves to selectively adjust an amount of the components passing into the mixing tank based on the equipment parameters. The method may involve measuring equipment parameters of the mixers during mixing and calibrating by selectively adjusting an amount of the components passing into the mixing tank based on the measured equipment parameters.
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 fluid flow stabilizing method and a pump having a stabilized fluid flow passage where a process fluid contains suspended solid particles and is subject to pressure oscillations. The method comprises positioning an expandable membrane along the lower transverse surface, inflating the membrane with a compressible fluid, and alternatingly expanding and contracting the membrane to dampen the pressure oscillations and inhibit settling of the solid particles at the lower transverse surface. The pump comprises a stabilizer comprising a compressible fluid in an expandable membrane elongated along the lower transverse surface of a manifold in fluid communication with the fluid end. Another method comprises reciprocating a plunger in the pump to pass a slurry through the manifold, and alternatingly expanding and contracting a stabilizer in the manifold.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a method of operating at least two pressure vessels to inject a particulate slurry into a high-pressure line, comprises a first operating cycle comprising: isolating a pressure vessel from the high-pressure line, introducing, under low-pressure conditions, particulate solids into the pressure vessel through a particulate solids inlet aperture, a second operating cycle comprising: providing high-pressure flow into the pressure vessel, and providing a high-pressure slurry flow from the pressure vessel into the high-pressure line. The method further comprises causing a pressure vessel to operate in the first operating cycle while operating a pressure vessel in the second operating cycle, and synchronizing switching a first vessel from the first operating to a second operating cycle and switching a second vessel from the second operating cycle to the first operating cycle such that at least one of the vessels is operating in the second operating cycle.
Abstract:
A mixing unit comprising a frame, a rheology control portion, and a high-volume solids blending portion. The rheology control portion comprises means for receiving a first material from a first transfer mechanism, a dispersing/mixing system connected with the frame, and a first metering system to meter the first material from the first material receiving means to the dispersing/mixing system. The dispersing/mixing system disperses/mixes the metered first material with a fluid to form a first fluid mixture. The high-volume solids blending portion comprises means for receiving a second material from a second transfer mechanism, a solids blending system connected with the frame, and a second metering system to meter the second material from the second material receiving means to the solids blending system. The solids blending system blends the metered second material with the first fluid mixture to form a second fluid mixture.
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 monitoring system operable to monitor an oilfield additive system having multiple components. The oilfield additive system is operable to transfer an additive-containing substance for injection into a wellbore. The monitoring system includes sensors each associated with, and operable to generate information related to an operational parameter of, a corresponding one of the oilfield additive system components. The monitoring system also includes a monitoring device in communication with the sensors and operable to record the information generated by the sensors to generate a database. The database includes information indicative of maintenance aspects of the oilfield additive system and/or the oilfield additive system components.
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 for generating variable frequency tube waves includes a high pressure multiplex pump having a number of plungers, with each plunger operatively coupled to a suction valve on a suction side and a discharge valve on a discharge side. The suction valve or the discharge valve of a first one of the plungers includes an opening, such that the modified plunger on a discharge stroke pushes fluid through the opening in the suction or discharge valve. The system includes a tubular fluidly coupling the high pressure multiplex pump to a wellbore, and a pressure sensor that receives tube waves generated by the high pressure multiplex pump and reflected from the wellbore.
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.