Fracturing fluid distribution systems and methods

• US 10,094,195 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2016
• Issued: 10/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cameron International Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Cameron International Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Guidry, Kirk P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Andrews, D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Runyan, Ronald R
• Application Number:
  US15/375,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20170138145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/05 Swivel joints
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/03 Well heads; Setting-up thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/068 having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells cementing-heads E21B33/05
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2607 Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 15/02 allowing substantial longitudinal adjustment by use of a long screw-threaded part
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/30 Detecting leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/12751 the threaded bolt extending longitudinally
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0664 the plurality of throttling means being arranged for the control of a plurality of diverging flows from a single flow G05D7/0652 takes precedence; ratio control G05D11/13

Abstract

A fracturing system including a fracturing manifold. In one embodiment, the system includes a fracturing manifold coupled to a plurality of fracturing trees via a plurality of fluid conduits. Further, multiple fracturing trees of the plurality of fracturing trees can each be coupled to the fracturing manifold by only a single fluid conduit of the plurality of fluid conduits to allow each of the multiple fracturing trees to receive fracturing fluid from the fracturing manifold via its respective single fluid conduit. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a fracturing manifold;

a plurality of fracturing trees coupled to the fracturing manifold; and

a plurality of fluid conduits, wherein the plurality of fracturing trees is coupled to the fracturing manifold via the plurality of fluid conduits, multiple fracturing trees of the plurality of fracturing trees are each coupled to the fracturing manifold by only a single fluid conduit of the plurality of fluid conduits to facilitate receipt by each of the multiple fracturing trees of fracturing fluid from the fracturing manifold via its respective single fluid conduit, each of the single fluid conduits coupling a respective fracturing tree of the multiple fracturing trees to the fracturing manifold includes a rigid fluid conduit and does not include an additional manifold connected between the respective fracturing tree and the fracturing manifold, each rigid fluid conduit extends from the respective fracturing tree to the fracturing manifold and includes an adjustable fluid conduit that allows an operator to vary a dimension of the rigid fluid conduit to facilitate coupling of the rigid fluid conduit between its respective fracturing tree and the fracturing manifold, the adjustable fluid conduit includes a linearly variable adjustment joint that enables the operator to vary the dimension of the rigid fluid conduit to facilitate coupling of the rigid fluid conduit between its respective fracturing tree and the fracturing manifold.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rigid fluid conduit includes a plurality of pipe joints coupled to one another.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of pipe joints includes multiple elbows for changing direction of flow of fracturing fluid through the rigid fluid conduit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the single fluid conduits coupling a respective fracturing tree of the multiple fracturing trees to the fracturing manifold includes a large-bore fracturing line.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the large-bore fracturing line has a seven-inch bore.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment joint includes a goat head.

7. A system comprising:

a fracturing manifold;

a fracturing tree;

a fluid conduit coupled between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree so as to allow the fracturing tree to receive fracturing fluid from the fracturing manifold through the fluid conduit, wherein the fluid conduit includes a plurality of pipe joints; and

a goat head attached to a pipe joint of the plurality of pipe joints so as to allow fracturing fluid to flow between the pipe joint and the goat head, wherein the goat head includes a bore extending through the goat head from an inlet to an outlet of the goat head, the bore extending through the goat head has equal diameters at the inlet and the outlet of the goat head, and the fluid conduit coupled between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree is the only fluid conduit coupled between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree that allows receipt of fracturing fluid by the fracturing tree from the fracturing manifold during fracturing.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the fluid conduit includes an adjustment joint that provides at least one degree of freedom during connection of the fluid conduit between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the pipe joint attached to the goat head is attached to the outlet of the goat head.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the pipe joint attached to the goat head is attached to the inlet of the goat head.

11. A system comprising:

a fracturing manifold;

a fracturing tree;

a fluid conduit coupled between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree so as to allow the fracturing tree to receive fracturing fluid from the fracturing manifold through the fluid conduit, wherein the fluid conduit includes a plurality of pipe joints;

a goat head attached to a pipe joint of the plurality of pipe joints so as to allow fracturing fluid to flow between the pipe joint and the goat head, wherein the goat head includes a bore extending through the goat head from an inlet to an outlet of the goat head, and the bore extending through the goat head has equal diameters at the inlet and the outlet of the goat head; and

an additional goat head, wherein an additional pipe joint of the plurality of pipe joints is attached to the additional goat head so as to allow fracturing fluid to flow between the additional pipe joint and the additional goat head.