Mobile, modular, electrically powered system for use in fracturing underground formations
First Claim
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1. A system for use in delivering pressurized fluid to a wellbore to be fractured in order to stimulate oil and gas production, the system comprising:
- at least one gas-turbine generator located on a well site containing the wellbore that is electrically connected to a plurality of electric motors that perform fracturing operations, wherein the at least one gas-turbine generator is configured to generate electricity through the conversion of liquid fuels, natural gas, or both;
an electric fracturing blender electrically powered by the at least one gas-turbine generator to produce fracturing fluid;
a plurality of fracturing pumps that are electrically powered by the at least one gas-turbine generator, wherein the fracturing pumps are driven by the plurality of electric motors, wherein at least one fracturing pump is configured to pump the fracturing fluid received from the electric fracturing blender into the wellbore to fracture a geologic formation; and
a control system that remotely controls and monitors via at least one communication link the power generation of the plurality of fracturing pumps and the electric fracturing blender for fracturing operations at the well site, wherein the control system is configured to;
sync the at least one fracturing pump with the electric fracturing blender; and
provide a single command that automatically compensates the change in flow rate of the electric fracturing blender based upon the change in flow rate of the fluid pump for fracturing operations.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems.
315 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for use in delivering pressurized fluid to a wellbore to be fractured in order to stimulate oil and gas production, the system comprising:
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at least one gas-turbine generator located on a well site containing the wellbore that is electrically connected to a plurality of electric motors that perform fracturing operations, wherein the at least one gas-turbine generator is configured to generate electricity through the conversion of liquid fuels, natural gas, or both; an electric fracturing blender electrically powered by the at least one gas-turbine generator to produce fracturing fluid; a plurality of fracturing pumps that are electrically powered by the at least one gas-turbine generator, wherein the fracturing pumps are driven by the plurality of electric motors, wherein at least one fracturing pump is configured to pump the fracturing fluid received from the electric fracturing blender into the wellbore to fracture a geologic formation; and a control system that remotely controls and monitors via at least one communication link the power generation of the plurality of fracturing pumps and the electric fracturing blender for fracturing operations at the well site, wherein the control system is configured to; sync the at least one fracturing pump with the electric fracturing blender; and provide a single command that automatically compensates the change in flow rate of the electric fracturing blender based upon the change in flow rate of the fluid pump for fracturing operations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for providing fracturing fluid to a wellbore for stimulating oil or gas production using an electrically powered fracturing system, the method comprising:
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generating, using at least one gas-turbine generator located at a well site, electric power used for fracturing operations that stimulate the release of hydrocarbons in a geologic formation, wherein the electric power is supplied to at least one electric fracturing motor and at least one electric blending motor by converting a source of natural gas, liquid fuels, or both to electricity; controlling, using a first variable frequency drive, the at least one electric fracturing motor powered by electricity to drive one or more fluid pumps; controlling, using a second variable frequency drive, the at least one electric blending motor powered by electricity to produce a fracturing fluid from an electric fracturing blender; syncing the one or more fluid pumps with the electric fracturing blender; and automatically compensating the change in flow rate of the electric fracturing blender based upon the change in flow rate of the fluid pump instructed by a single command from a central control for fracturing operations; pumping, using the one or more fluid pumps driven by the at least one electric fracturing motor, a blended fracturing fluid down a wellbore located at the well site; and fracturing the rock formation using the blended fracturing fluid pumped down the wellbore to stimulate the release of hydrocarbons within the geologic formation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for use in delivering pressurized fluid to a wellbore to be fractured in order to stimulate oil and gas production, the system comprising:
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at least one gas-turbine generator located on a well site containing the wellbore that is electrically connected to a plurality of electric fracturing motors that perform fracturing operations, wherein the at least one gas-turbine generator is configured to generate electricity through the conversion of liquid fuels, natural gas, or both; an electric fracturing blender electrically powered by the at least one gas-turbine generator to produce fracturing fluid; and a plurality of fracturing pumps that are electrically powered by the at least one gas-turbine generator, wherein the fracturing pumps are driven by the plurality of electric fracturing motors, wherein at least one fracturing pump is configured to pump the fracturing fluid received from the electric fracturing blender into the wellbore to fracture a geologic formation, wherein at least one of the electric fracturing motors is operatively coupled to one or more fracturing pumps to form a fracturing module that is mounted on a trailer, wherein the trailer is connected to a manifold system, and wherein the trailer is configured to isolate the fracturing module from the trailer such that the fracturing module is adapted to be removed from the trailer without disconnecting the trailer from the manifold system for fracturing operations. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification