Apparatus for expandable storage and metering

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for expandable storage and metering are disclosed. In some embodiments, the expandable storage and metering device comprises a body with a storage cavity therein, a chassis upon which the body is mounted, and at least one port in communication with the storage cavity, wherein the body is expandable and collapsible to change the internal volume of the storage cavity. Some method embodiments for operating the expandable storage and metering device comprise expanding the device and collapsing the device, wherein said expanding and said collapsing comprises utilizing actuators to raise / lower or extend / retract the walls of the device. In other method embodiments for operating the device, said expanding comprises removing the roof of the device and positioning at least one stackable module on top of the device and said collapsing comprises removing the at least one stackable module and replacing the roof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The subject matter of the present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. 2006-IP-021747U2 (1391-70001)] filed concurrently herewith and entitled “Methods for Expandable Storage and Metering,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX[0003]Not applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0004]The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for expandable storage and metering. More particularly, the present invention relates to various embodiments of an expandable storage and metering device that is transported in an empty, collapsed state to a site where it is expanded to increase its internal storage volume. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and method of storing and metering materials for well services s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Some method embodiments for operating an expandable storage and metering device in wellbore servicing comprise positioning an expandable storage and metering device at a well site, expanding the device, storing one or more materials in the device, and metering the one or materials from the device, wherein said metering is performed at a rate that can be changed during wellbore service.

Problems solved by technology

After a well is drilled into reservoir rock containing oil, natural gas, or water, a fracturing fluid is injected at high pressure down the wellbore and against the formation, causing it to crack and the cracks to propagate.

Although effective, this method of producing a fracturing fluid can be very resource intensive, and therefore costly.

However, legal road height and width restrictions impose limitations on the size of those devices and costly permits and / or escort vehicles for devices exceeding those restrictions may be financially prohibitive.

Moreover, the well site footprint may be too small to permit maneuverability of large devices.

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