Electric Pump for Hydraulic Fracturing and Wellbore Tool Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hydraulic fracturing operations rely on heavy, diesel-powered equipment that is cumbersome and generates noise, emissions, and vibrations, making them inefficient and difficult to transport and deploy for subterranean formation operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrically powered motors and pumps, driven by turbine generators and variable frequency drives, to pressurize fluids for fracturing and pump-down operations, allowing for more efficient and quieter operations with reduced environmental impact, and enabling simultaneous fracturing and pump-down activities in multiple wellbores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If diesel-powered pumps are used to pressurize fracturing fluid, then sufficient pressure for hydraulic fracturing can be achieved, but the equipment becomes heavy and cumbersome with substantial volume and mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces diesel-powered mechanical pump systems with an electrically-powered system consisting of an electric motor, variable frequency drive, and electric pump. This substitution eliminates the need for diesel engines and associated mechanical transmission components, significantly reducing equipment weight while maintaining the capability to pressurize fracturing fluid to required levels for hydraulic fracturing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically-powered pump system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can pressurize fluid for hydraulic fracturing operations and also provide pumpdown capability to deploy tools and equipment into the wellbore. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate equipment systems into a single integrated unit, further reducing overall equipment weight and complexity
2Power
If diesel engines are used to power fracturing pumps, then required power output can be achieved, but noise, emissions, and vibrations are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes diesel engine power systems with an electric motor-driven system controlled by a variable frequency drive. This replacement eliminates combustion processes entirely, removing the sources of noise, exhaust emissions, and vibrations associated with diesel engines, while still delivering the necessary power output for hydraulic fracturing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor system with variable frequency drive provides precise control over power delivery, allowing the system to self-regulate and optimize performance based on operational requirements. This eliminates the need for mechanical transmission components and associated maintenance, while providing clean, controlled power delivery without harmful emissions or noise
3Reliability
If separate hydraulic fluid systems are used for auxiliary components, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the hydraulic fluid system into a single unified system that serves both the main fracturing pump and auxiliary components. Rather than maintaining separate hydraulic systems for different functions, the design combines them into one interconnected system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining operational reliability through centralized fluid management and control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the size, weight, and environmental footprint of fracturing equipment, enabling faster and more efficient well stimulation with reduced noise and emissions, while allowing for flexible and simultaneous operations in multiple wellbores, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically powered motor that drives the pump
Implementation Method 2
driving the pump with the electrically powered motor to pressurize a fluid
Implementation Method 3
directing the pressurized fluid into the wellbore above the tool to push the tool to a predetermined location in the formation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operations in a subterranean formation, including driving a pump with an electrically powered motor to pressurize fluid, inserting a tool into a wellbore that intersects the formation, and directing the pressurized fluid into the wellbore above the tool to push the tool into the wellbore.