Monitoring and control of proppant storage from a datavan
CAFCFirst Claim
1. A system for use with a fracturing operation comprising:
- a plurality of electric-powered pumps fluidly connected to a well and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into the well at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the well into the formation, and fractures the formation; and
a variable frequency drive connected to the electric motor to control the speed of the motor, wherein the variable frequency drive frequently performs electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the at least one electric motor;
a weight monitoring system in selective cooperation with a proppant container that selectively contains proppant used in fracturing;
an information handling system in communication with the weight monitoring system; and
a proppant dispensing system coupled with the proppant container and that is in communication with and selectively activated by the information handling system.
16 Assignments
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method that remotely monitors and controls proppant usage in a fracturing operation. The system and method allow operators to wirelessly monitor and control proppant storage units from inside a datavan through sensors and control mechanisms that interface with fracturing software to schedule the flow of the proppant. A sensor monitors the weight, container level, or volume of the proppant being used to keep the induced hydraulic fracture open. A serial to Ethernet converter converts this information and sends it wirelessly to a datavan. A user at the datavan controls the proppant usage through a display in the datavan of the storage units with the appropriate weight. The container monitoring software links with the fracturing software, providing real-time information about proppant usage so that the user can properly schedule proppant flow to the well through valves, conveyor belts, and other control mechanisms.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for use with a fracturing operation comprising:
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a plurality of electric-powered pumps fluidly connected to a well and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into the well at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the well into the formation, and fractures the formation; and a variable frequency drive connected to the electric motor to control the speed of the motor, wherein the variable frequency drive frequently performs electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the at least one electric motor; a weight monitoring system in selective cooperation with a proppant container that selectively contains proppant used in fracturing; an information handling system in communication with the weight monitoring system; and a proppant dispensing system coupled with the proppant container and that is in communication with and selectively activated by the information handling system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for conducting a fracturing operation comprising:
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pumping fluid with a plurality of electric-powered pumps into a wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the formation, and fractures the formation; controlling the speed of an electric motor powered the electric-powered pumps with a variable frequency drive, wherein the variable frequency drive frequently performs electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the electric motor; sensing an amount of proppant contained in at least one proppant storage container; comparing the amount of proppant sensed in the proppant storage container with a designated amount of proppant; and regulating a flow of proppant from the proppant storage container based on the step of comparing the amount of proppant sensed and the designated amount of proppant. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification