Adjustable Fracturing Manifold for Uneven Well Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fracturing manifolds require separate output lines and skids, leading to instability, increased footprint, and higher costs due to uneven well spacing and elevation variations, as well as potential leak and failure points.
Innovation Solution
An integral fracturing manifold with adjustment and pivot joints is coupled directly to fracturing trees, eliminating separate output lines and skids, and allowing for variations in well spacing and elevation through adjustable and pivotable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fracturing manifolds use separate output lines and skids for each fracturing tree, then fluid routing is established, but the system becomes complex, unstable, and occupies larger footprint due to uneven well spacing and elevation variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manifold body directly with the fracturing trees by integrating the output ports into the manifold structure itself, eliminating the need for separate output lines and skids. This integration reduces the number of components, simplifies the system, and improves stability by removing potential leak points and connection failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable and pivotable connections that allow the manifold to adapt dynamically to uneven well spacing and elevation variations. This dynamic capability enables the manifold to accommodate different well configurations without requiring rigid, complex support structures, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining stability.
2Reliability
If separate output lines are used to connect manifold to fracturing trees, then fluid can be routed to each tree, but potential leak and failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the output ports directly into the manifold body, the patent eliminates multiple connection points where leaks could occur. The merged structure reduces the number of potential failure points while simultaneously reducing system complexity, as fewer separate components mean fewer interfaces that could fail.
3Area of stationary object
If manifold is set back from fracturing trees with dedicated output lines, then connection flexibility is provided, but footprint and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the manifold body with the fracturing trees, eliminating the need for separate output lines and reducing the overall footprint. This merging of components reduces the space required for installation and simplifies the installation process by reducing the number of components that need to be assembled and secured.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable and pivotable connections enable the manifold to adapt to various well spacing and elevation configurations without requiring additional space or complex installation procedures. This dynamic adaptability reduces both footprint and installation complexity by allowing flexible positioning rather than requiring precise, space-consuming rigid installations.
Data Source
AI summary
A fracturing system can include a fracturing manifold coupled to a plurality of fracturing trees. The fracturing manifold may include adjustment joints that enable adjustment of the length of the fracturing manifold. The fracturing manifold can also include pivot joints that allow angular displacement of portions of the fracturing manifold with respect to other portions. The adjustment and pivot joints can accommodate spacing and elevation differences between the fracturing trees.