Methods and systems associated with interconnecting brackets on low-pressure lines for oil and gas operations

Abstract

A bracket with an outer end coupled to a first low-pressure line and a second end coupled to a second low-pressure line, wherein the bracket maintains the first and second low-pressure lines in parallel enabling multiple sections of the low-pressure side that include first and second low- pressure lines to be mounted in series efficiently.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERCONNECTING BRACKETS ON LOW-PRESSURE LINES FOR OIL AND GAS OPERATIONSBACKGROUND INFORMATIONField of the Disclosure

[0001] Examples of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems associated with brackets that are configured to interconnect low-pressure lines in oil and gas operations. Specifically, embodiments are directed towards a bracket with an outer end coupled to a first low-pressure line and a second end coupled to a second low-pressure line, wherein the bracket maintains the first and second low- pressure lines in parallel enabling efficient mounting of multiple sections of the low-pressure side that include first and second low-pressure lines mounted in series.Background

[0002] Frac missile systems are large-bore pipes with multiple flanges that are used to consolidate high- pressure and flow rates from multiple hydraulic frac pumps to a singular flow. The singular flow is then pumped into one or more wellbores to stimulate a downhole formation. Frac missile systems are formed of multiple elements, valves, and lines that supply fracturing fluid and / or media from a blender through a low-pressure system, which then gets discharged from the frac pump back to the missile’s high-pressure system, providing the means for the frac pumps to be fluidly connected to the wellheads during fracturing operations.

[0003] From a high-pressure side of the missile manifold, fluid flows through a series of interconnected high-pressure piping, valving, and other high-pressure equipment to one or more wellheads that provide connectivity for fracturing. Blenders utilize several lines to provide the fracturing fluid to the low-pressure lines of the missile, where the fracturing fluid is distributed to the frac pumps tied into the low-pressure system, which then gets pressurized and reintroduced to the missile through the high-pressure side of the missile.

[0004] Conventionally, low-pressure systems include multiple sections of low-pressure lines that are positioned in parallel to each other. In practice, a first low-pressure line is mounted on high- pressure skids, and then a second low-pressure line is mounted on the high-pressure skids. The procedure of initially installing the first low-pressure line, and subsequently installing the second low-pressure line is performed multiple times. However, after the first section of the low-pressureATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 line is mounted on the high-pressure skids, it is required to individually angularly align the lines on each side of the low-pressure lines due to the rolling of the lines.

[0005] This process can be arduous, hazardous, and inefficient due to having to install multiple sections of lines.

[0006] Accordingly, needs exist for systems and methods for a bracket with an outer end coupled to a first low-pressure line and a second end coupled to a second low-pressure line, wherein the bracket maintains the first and second low-pressure lines in parallel enabling the efficient simultaneous mounting of multiple sections of the low-pressure side that include first and second low-pressure lines in series.SUMMARY

[0007] Embodiments described herein disclose a frac missile system. A stabilization system from a frac missile system. In conventional operations, individual low-pressure lines are transported and mounted separately on high-pressure frame assemblies, which increases installation time, requires repeated alignment, and introduces the risk of rotation or misalignment during transport and setup. The present stabilization system addresses these limitations by physically coupling two low- pressure lines together before transport and by enabling the pair to be mounted simultaneously on successive frame assemblies.

[0008] The stabilization system may include a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly, a first low- pressure line, a second low-pressure line, a first stabilizer, and a second stabilizer. The stabilization systems may be configured to allow the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line to be oriented in parallel to each other before being loaded onto the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly, which may allow the low-pressure lines to be transported together, allow for the simultaneous mounting of the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line on the frame assemblies and allow for multiple sections of the low-pressure system to be completed in series.

[0009] The first and second frame assemblies may be high-pressure frac skids that are configured to house high-pressure pumping elements specifically designed for hydraulic fracturing operations. The skids may allow for the injections of fluids at extremely high pressures into a wellbore to create fractures and extract oil or gas from rock formations. In implementations, the high-pressure side of the frac missle may be installed before the low-pressure lines are installed. Subsequently, theATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line may be mounted on the first and second frame assemblies, such that the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line are aligned in parallel.

[0010] More specifically, in embodiments, the first and second frame assemblies for multiple sections of the high-pressure side may be installed before any low-pressure lines are mounted.

[0011] The first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line may be tubulars positioned in parallel that are configured to receive fracturing fluid from a blender manifold and supply fluid to pumping units. In embodiments, the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line may be coupled together with the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer. Then the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line may be simultaneously mounted on the first frame assembly, and subsequently simultaneously mounted on the second frame assembly. Each stabilizer bar may include a center portion and two attachment ends that are affixed to respective low-pressure lines. The stabilizer bars extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the low-pressure lines and maintain a fixed spacing and angular alignment between the lines. By securing the lines together prior to transport, the stabilizer bars prevent relative rotation and limit movement between the lines during handling and deployment. This may allow for the first and second low-pressure lines to be mounted onto the assemblies at the same time, reducing time. In embodiments, each section of the low-pressure side may include its own respective first low-pressure line and second low-pressure line, which have their respective ends coupled together.

[0012] The first stabilizer and the second stabilizer may be brackets that are configured to couple and stabilize the first low-pressure line, and the second low-pressure line together. The first stabilizer may have a first end coupled to the first low-pressure line, and a second end coupled to the second low-pressure line. Similarly, the second stabilizer may have a first end coupled to the first low- pressure line, and a second end coupled to the second low-pressure line. The stabilizers may be configured to secure the low-pressure lines together to limit the ability of the low-pressure lines to roll or rotate. Furthermore, the stabilizers may couple the low-pressure lines together during transportation before they are mounted on the first and second frame assemblies, which doesn’t require the low-pressure lines to be angularly aligned on location. Because the stabilizer bars maintain the spacing and parallelism of the lines, the paired lines can be simultaneously positioned on the support arms of each frame assembly without requiring on-site angular adjustment or repeated individual alignment. As a result, multiple sections of the low-pressure manifold can beATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 installed in a continuous sequence, reducing installation time and improving consistency across the manifold.

[0013] Also disclosed is a method for forming and deploying paired low-pressure lines in a frac manifold.The method may include attaching first ends of stabilizer bars to a first low-pressure line, attaching second ends of the stabilizer bars to a second low-pressure line, transporting the coupled lines as a unit, and simultaneously mounting the paired lines onto successive frame assemblies along the manifold. This approach reduces alignment steps, minimizes installation variability, and enables sections of the low-pressure manifold to be deployed efficiently and consistently.

[0014] These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions, or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions, or rearrangements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described concerning the following figures, wherein reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0016] FIGURE 1 depicts a stabilization system for a frac missile system, according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIGURE 2 depicts a top view of a stabilization system, according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIGURE 3 depicts a side view of a stabilization system, according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIGURE 4 depicts a front view of a stabilization system, according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIGURE 5 depicts a method for forming low-pressure lines for a frac manifold, according to an embodiment.

[0021] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well -understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodimentATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 are often not depicted to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following description, numerous specific details are outlined to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[0023] The stabilization systems may be configured to allow the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line to be oriented in parallel to each other before being loaded onto the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly, which may allow the low-pressure lines to be transported together, allow for the simultaneous mounting of the first low-pressure line and the second low- pressure line on the frame assemblies and allow for multiple sections of the low-pressure system to be completed in series.

[0024] FIGURE 1 depicts a stabilization system 100 for a frac missile system, according to an embodiment. Stabilization system 100 may reduce transport costs associated with the low-pressure side of a frac missile, while also reducing the amount of time to align and couple the low-pressure lines of the low-pressure side of the frac missile. The stabilization system 100 may include a first frame assembly 110, a second frame assembly 112, a first low-pressure line 120, a second low- pressure line 122, a first stabilizer 130, and a second stabilizer 132.

[0025] The first frame assembly 110 and second frame assembly 112 may be high-pressure frac skids that are configured to house high-pressure pumping elements specifically designed for hydraulic fracturing operations. The skids may allow for the injections of fluids at extremely high pressures into a wellbore to create fractures and extract oil or gas from rock formations. In implementations, the high-pressure side of the frac missile may be installed before the low-pressure lines 120, 122 are installed. After installation of first frame assembly 110 and second frame assembly 112, the first low-pressure line 120 and the second low-pressure line 122 may be mounted on the first frame assembly 110 and second frame assembly 112, such that the first low-pressure line 120 and the second low-pressure line 120 are aligned in parallel and installed at the same time. More specifically, in embodiments, the first frame assembly 110 and second frame assembly 112 forATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 multiple sections of the high-pressure side may be installed before any low-pressure lines are mounted.

[0026] In embodiments, the first frame assembly 110 and second frame assembly 112 may include support arms 124. The support arms 124 may extend upward from a base of the frame assemblies 110, 112, clear the high-pressure lines, and allow the first low-pressure line 120 and the second low- pressure line 122 to be mounted on the upper surface of the support arms 124.

[0027] The first low-pressure line 120 and the second low-pressure line 122 may be tubulars positioned in parallel that are configured to receive fracturing fluid from a blender manifold and supply fluid to pumping units. In embodiments, the first low-pressure line 120 and the second low-pressure line 122 may be physically coupled together with the first stabilizer 130 and the second stabilizer 132, wherein stabilizers 130, 132 are positioned in an angle orthogonal from a central axis of lines 120, 122. In embodiments, lines 120, 122 may be coupled together during transportation. Upon arrival at a desired location, the first low-pressure line 120 and the second low-pressure line 122 may be simultaneously mounted on the first frame assembly 110, and subsequently simultaneously mounted on the second frame assembly 112. This may allow for the first and second low-pressure lines 120, 122 to be mounted onto assemblies 110, 112 at the same time, reducing time. In embodiments, each section of the low-pressure side may include its own respective first low- pressure line 120 and second low-pressure line 122, which have their respective ends coupled together.

[0028] The first stabilizer 130 and the second stabilizer 132 may be brackets that are configured to couple and stabilize the first low-pressure line 120 and the second low-pressure line together 122. The first stabilizer 130 may have a first end coupled to the first low-pressure line 120, and a second end coupled to the second low-pressure line 122. Similarly, the second stabilizer 132 may have a first end coupled to the first low-pressure line 120, and a second end coupled to the second low- pressure line 122. The stabilizers 130, 132 may be configured to secure the low-pressure lines 120, 122 together to limit the ability of the low-pressure lines to roll or rotate. Furthermore, the stabilizers 130, 132 may couple the low-pressure lines 120, 122 together during transportation before they are mounted on the first and second frame assemblies 110,112, which doesn’t require the low-pressure lines 120, 122 to be angularly aligned on location.

[0029] In embodiments, the first stabilizer 30 may be positioned between a first actuator 140 on the first low-pressure line 120 and a second actuator 142 on the second low-pressure line 122, wherein theATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 first stabilizer 130 may be positioned vertically over the first frame assembly 110. This positioning of the first stabilizer bar 130 may secure the low-pressure lines 120, 122 at a location where forces applied against the low-pressure lines 120, 122 may be variable - based on fluid flowing through actuators 140, 142. In embodiments, actuators 140, 142 may be associated with valves, wherein the actuators 140, 142 are configured to open and close respective valves. In other embodiments, the actuators 140, 142 may be positioned in parallel with the low-pressure lines 120, 122 , unlike those shown in FIGURE 1.

[0030] Second stabilizer 132 may be positioned between a third actuator 150 on the first low-pressure line 120 and a fourth actuator 152 on the second low-pressure line 122, wherein the second stabilizer 132 may be positioned vertically over second frame assembly 112. This positioning of the second stabilizer 132 may secure the low-pressure lines 120, 122 at a location where forces applied against the low-pressure lines 120, 122 may be variable - based on fluid flowing through actuators 150, 152.

[0031] Each of the first stabilizer 130 and second stabilizer 132 may include a center portion 160, first welded end 162, and second welded end 164.

[0032] Center portion 160 may be a beamjoint, or support that extends from the first welded end 162 to the second welded end 164. Center portion 160 may be configured to receive forces applied to the first low-pressure line 120 and second low-pressure line 122 to stabilize the first pressure line 120 and second pressure line 122.

[0033] The first welded end 162 may be configured to be coupled to first line 120 via welding, and the second welded end 164 may be configured to be coupled to second line 122 via welding. Welding ends 162, 164 to the lines may allow the center portion 160 to be fixed in place, and coupled to first welded end 162 and second welded end 164, via screws 170, horizontal bolts 172, and vertical bolts 174.

[0034] FIGURE 2 depicts a top view of stabilization system 100, FIGURE 3 depicts a side view of stabilization system 100, and FIGURE 4 depicts a front view of stabilization system 100, according to an embodiment.

[0035] As depicted, first stabilizer 130 may be aligned with first frame assembly 110 along a central axis of first line 120 and second line 122. Further, the first stabilizer 130 may be positioned between the first actuator 140 and the second actuator 142 along the central axis of first line 120 and second line 122.ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967

[0036] As depicted, second stabilizer 132 may be aligned with second frame assembly 112 along a central axis of first line 120 and second line 122. Further, the second stabilizer 132 may be positioned between the third actuator 150 and fourth actuator 152 along the central axis of first line 120 and second line 122.

[0037] FIGURE 5 depicts method 500 for forming low-pressure lines for a frac manifold, according to an embodiment. The operations of method 500 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 500 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and / or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 500 are illustrated in FIGURE 5 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

[0038] At operation 510, first ends of first and second stabilizers may be welded to a first low-pressure line, wherein the first and second stabilizers extend at an angle orthogonal to a central axis of the first low-pressure line.

[0039] At operation 520, the second ends of the first and second stabilizers may be welded to a second low-pressure line, wherein the first and second stabilizers extend at an angle orthogonal to a central axis of the second low-pressure line. Operations 510 and 520 may be completed for a plurality of pairs of first low-pressure lines and second low-pressure lines.

[0040] At operation 530, the plurality of pairs of first low-pressure lines and second low-pressure lines that are coupled together via the stabilizer bars may be transported to a desired location.

[0041] At operation 540, the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line may be simultaneously loaded onto a first frame assembly and second frame assembly. This operation may be completed for the plurality of pairs of low-pressure lines along the entirety of the low- pressure side of the frac manifold.

[0042] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "one example" or "an example" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "one example" or "an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and / or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are forATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0043] Although the present technology has been described in detail for illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.

Claims

ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 What is claimed is:

1. A method for forming and installing paired low-pressure lines in a frac manifold, the method comprising:attaching a first end of a first stabilizer and a first end of a second stabilizer to a first low-pressure line, the first stabilizer bar and the second stabilizer bar each extending generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first low-pressure line;attaching a second end of the first stabilizer and a second end of the second stabilizer to a second low-pressure line, such that the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line are fixed in parallel and prevented from relative rotation;transporting the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line as a paired assembly coupled by the stabilizer bars to a frac site;positioning the paired assembly on a first frame assembly that includes a first set of support arms configured to receive both the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line; positioning the paired assembly on a second frame assembly that includes a second set of support arms configured to receive both the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line, such that the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line are simultaneously mounted at both the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first stabilizer is positioned between a first actuator on the first low-pressure line and a second actuator on the second low-pressure line.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second stabilizer is positioned between a third actuator on the first low-pressure line and a fourth actuator on the second low-pressure line.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transporting the paired assembly comprises transporting a plurality of paired low-pressure lines, each pair comprising a first low-pressure line and a second low-pressure line coupled by stabilizers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of support arms and the second set of support arms extend above high-pressure components of the frac manifold and define upper mounting surfaces that receive the paired assembly.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein simultaneously positioning the paired assembly on the first and second frame assemblies reduces alignment time relative to positioning the first low-pressure line and the second low-pressure line individually.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PATENT APPLICATION COMM1080-1 Customer No . 109967 positioning the first stabilizer axially between support arms of the first set of support arms.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first stabilizer is positioned vertically over the first frame assembly.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:positioning the first stabilizer axially between support arms of the second set of support arms.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second stabilizer is positioned vertically over the second frame assembly.

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