Pivot-Joint Fracturing Manifold for Uneven Wellhead Elevation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fracturing manifolds require separate output lines and skids, leading to issues with leveling, settling, and increased complexity in fracturing operations, especially when dealing with uneven well spacing and elevations.
Innovation Solution
An integral fracturing manifold with adjustment and pivot joints is coupled directly to fracturing trees, eliminating the need for separate output lines and skids, allowing for flexible installation and reduced footprint by accommodating variations in well spacing and elevation through adjustable and pivotable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional fracturing manifolds use separate output lines and skids, then fluid routing is established, but the system complexity and installation difficulty increase due to leveling and settling issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manifold body and skid into a single integrated assembly, eliminating separate output lines and multiple connection points. This integration reduces the number of components that require assembly and alignment, directly addressing the technical contradiction by simplifying the system while maintaining fluid routing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated manifold-skid assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fluid distribution, structural support, and positioning capabilities. The universal design accommodates various well spacing and elevation variations without requiring additional components or complex installation procedures, resolving the contradiction between system complexity and installation ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional manifolds are set back from fracturing trees, then connection flexibility is provided, but the number of connection points and potential leak increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the manifold directly with the fracturing trees through a unified connection system, the patent eliminates multiple separate connection points. This merging reduces the number of potential leak sources while maintaining the necessary connection flexibility through the integrated design that accommodates positioning variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate setback distance and separate connection mechanisms between the manifold and fracturing trees. By removing this intermediate section, the design reduces the number of connection interfaces and potential failure points while maintaining adequate flexibility through the integrated structure's inherent accommodation capabilities.
3Productivity
If separate manifold output lines are used, then fluid distribution to multiple trees is achieved, but the footprint and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated manifold-skid assembly consolidates fluid distribution functionality into a compact unified structure that serves multiple fracturing trees. This merging eliminates the need for separate output lines extending to each tree, significantly reducing the horizontal footprint and installation space requirements while maintaining full fluid distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design nests the fluid distribution system within the integrated manifold structure, with multiple connection points and routing paths contained within the compact assembly. This nesting approach allows the system to serve multiple trees without proportionally increasing the external footprint, as the distribution network is efficiently packed within the integrated structure.
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.