Fracturing Power Load Control for Incremental Capacity Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations in unconventional reservoirs face power management challenges due to limited and variable power sources, leading to potential voltage sags or power interruptions, which can cause equipment shutdowns and non-productive time.
Innovation Solution
A system and method to determine and communicate incremental power availability to loads, using power aggregation and distribution units, and control hydraulic fracturing operations based on this incremental power to prevent power-related shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple power sources are used to meet high power demands of hydraulic fracturing loads, then power availability increases, but system complexity and difficulty of power management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors power availability from multiple sources and communicates this information to loads. The control system receives feedback about current power conditions and adjusts load operations accordingly, enabling dynamic adaptation to changing power availability without requiring complex manual management
Solution Approach 2:
A central control system acts as an intermediary between power sources and loads. This intermediary aggregates power availability information from multiple sources, processes it according to priority levels and operational requirements, and distributes appropriate power allocations to various loads, simplifying the overall system architecture
2Productivity
If power is increased to maintain continuous operation, then productivity increases, but risk of power interruptions and equipment damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines and communicates power availability to loads in advance before power interruptions occur. Loads receive ahead-of-time information about available power levels and can proactively adjust their operations to match upcoming power availability, preventing shutdowns and equipment damage
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides a buffer by communicating power availability information ahead of actual power conditions. This advance notice allows loads to prepare for potential power changes, cushioning against sudden interruptions and enabling smoother transitions between different power states
3Reliability
If power distribution is optimized to prevent shutdowns, then reliability increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides power management into discrete segments: power sources are individually monitored, loads are categorized by priority levels, and power availability is communicated in discrete increments. This segmentation makes the control system more manageable and less complex while maintaining reliable shutdown prevention
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure presents processes for controlling a hydraulic fracturing operation at a wellbore. The processes can determine power available from each of one or more individual power sources. From the determined power available from the power sources, parasitic power losses, existing power consumed by one or more loads of the hydraulic fracturing operation, a threshold power level, or a combination thereof, the processes can determine an incremental power available to the one or more loads. The processes communicate the incremental power available to the one or more loads. The hydraulic fracturing operation is then controlled by processes based on the incremental power available to the one or more loads.