Line manifold for concurrent fracture operations

• US 9,605,525 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2013
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vault Pressure Control LLC
• Original Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Maloney, Tom, Nienhuis, Case, Kajaria, Saurabh
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US14/142,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20150184491A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2607 Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A modular, adjustable system for distributing fluids to one or more wellbores includes a plurality of modules that can be arranged at a well site to create an appropriate manifold to enable selective fluid communication between a fluid pumping system and the one or more wellbores. The modules each include a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a valve coupled therebetween to selectively permit or restrict fluid flow between the respective fluid inlets and fluid outlets. The modules are configured to be readily maneuvered, coupled and locked to one another at a well site.

Claims

1. A fluid distribution system for use in a fluid system for providing fluid treatments to a plurality of wellbores, the fluid distribution system comprising:

a first module comprising a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet and at least one first valve coupled between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, the first fluid outlet and the at least one first valve arranged along a generally straight first axis;

a second module comprising a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet and at least one second valve coupled between the second inlet and the second outlet, the second fluid inlet, the second fluid outlet and the at least one second valve arranged along a generally straight second axis;

a first fluid conduit extending between the first module and the second module along a third axis that is generally orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, the first fluid conduit fluidly coupling the second fluid inlet to the first fluid module; and

wherein

a fluid flow path between the first fluid inlet and any valve of the first module and the second module includes a change in direction located between an entrance of the first fluid inlet and the valve so that fluid entering the first fluid inlet passes through the change in direction before reaching any valve.

2. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the first module to the second module to prevent relative motion therebetween, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a hand-actuated lever mechanism disposed between the first skid and the second skid.

3. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the first skid comprises a first pair of channels defined therethrough and the second skid comprises a second pair of channels defined therethrough, and wherein the second pair of channels is aligned with the first pair of channels such that a pair of beams is receivable within each channel of the first pair of channels and extendable through each channel of the second pair of channels to provide shear resistance to the first and second modules.

4. The fluid distribution system of claim 3, wherein the pair of beams are configured as hollow channels such that the channels are operable to receive forks of a forklift when the pair of beams is received within the first pair of channels and the second pair of channels.

5. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first valve comprises a manual valve and a hydraulic valve coupled to one another in series between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet.

6. The fluid distribution system of claim 5, wherein the manual valve comprises a valve stem projecting from an upper surface thereof and operable to open and close the manual valve, the valve stem coupled to a rotatable hand wheel by hangers extending downwardly from the valve stem.

7. The fluid distribution system if claim 6, wherein the hangers extend radially outward and axially downward from the valve stem to support the hand wheel at an elevation in the range of about 4 feet to about 6 feet from a lower surface of the first skid.

8. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein a cross serves as the fluid inlet of the second module, the cross having a first opening coupled to the first fluid conduit and a second opening opposite the first opening operable to receive a second fluid conduit.

9. The fluid distribution system of claim 8, wherein the second opening is coupled to the second fluid conduit, and wherein the second fluid conduit is coupled to a third module comprising a third fluid inlet, a third fluid outlet and at least one third valve coupled between the third inlet and the third outlet.

10. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid outlet comprises a goat head including a plurality of quick-connect fluid connectors supported thereon at oblique angles with respect to the first axis.

11. The fluid distribution system of claim 10, wherein the goat head is adjustably mounted on the first module on a threaded spool to permit the goat head to selectively rotate about the first axis to allow the quick-connect fluid connectors to be secured at adjustable angles with respect to the first axis.

12. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a conveyance mechanism coupled to at least one of the module and the second module, the conveyance mechanism operable to selectively induce relative motion between the first module and the second module along the third axis.

13. The fluid distribution system of claim 12, wherein the conveyance mechanism comprises a hydraulic jack including a hydraulic cylinder fixedly coupled to a first one of the first skid and the second skid, and a piston fixedly coupled to a second one of the first skid and the second skid, and wherein the piston is selectively extendable from the hydraulic cylinder to approximate the first skid and the second skid.

14. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid conduit accommodates variations in location between the first module and the second module.

15. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the first module to the second module to prevent relative motion therebetween, wherein the locking mechanism includes threaded fasteners.

16. A method for assembling a fluid distribution system for providing fluid treatments to a plurality of wellbores, the method comprising:

(a) providing a first module including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet and a first valve mounted to a first skid, the first valve coupled between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet;

(b) providing a second module including a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and a second valve mounted to a second skid, the second valve coupled between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet;

(c) approximating the first skid and the second skid;

(d) locking the first skid to the second skid to prevent relative motion therebetween; and

(e) coupling a fluid conduit between the second fluid inlet and the first module between the first fluid inlet and the first valve such that a fluid flow path between an entrance of the first fluid inlet and any valve of the first module and the second module includes a change in direction located between the first fluid inlet and the valve so that fluid entering the first fluid inlet passes through the change in direction before reaching any valve.